UEFA To Investigate Alleged Racial Chanting At Euro 2012
Italy's Mario Balotelli, left, has been the subject of alleged racial abuse.UEFA will "investigate alleged racist chanting" during two Euro 2012 matches, according to Richard Conway of the BBC. A Spanish fan group claims that some of its supporters "abused" Italy striker Mario Balotelli. Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie told reporters he "noticed" racist chants directed at him. A UEFA statement said, "Following the provision of new independent information today, regarding the two cases of alleged racist chanting in the Spain-Italy and Russia-Czech Republic matches, UEFA is now conducting further investigations." Football Against Racism in Europe CEO Piara Powar said that the statement, along with testimony from photographers at the game, "has been handed to UEFA" (BBC, 6/12). In London, Jeremy Armstrong reported that photographer Chris Brunskill was "one of the witnesses." He said supporters were "clearly audible" every time Balotelli got the ball. Brunskill also "took a photograph of two fans who he says were frequently involved in the abuse." Brunskill: "The ringleaders were two fans who were in fancy dress as Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal. These two were at the centre of it in my view but there were hundreds in the Spanish section joining in. I would say there were around 200-300 who joined in at times." Getty Images photographer Michael Steele said that the abuse was "loud and unmistakable." Steele: "I could not see who was involved but it was obvious they were monkey chants." Greek freelance photographer Yiannis Kourtoglou said, “The monkey whoops were from the Spanish end. I could not see how many people were involved but they were clear. They were designed to put him off his game and they clearly worked – he had a terrible match" (DAILY MIRROR, 6/11). The LONDON TIMES' Mark Cue noted that Italy manager Cesare Prandelli "rejected claims" that Balotelli had been abused, calling them "absolutely untrue"
BALOTELLI'S AGENT SPEAKS Meanwhile, the London TELEGRAPH reported that Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, criticized UEFA President Michel Platini for "not taking a tougher stance against racism." Raiola critisized Platini for "not supporting Balotelli when he said he would walk off the pitch" if he heard racial abuse. Raiola said, "I have to say that the reaction of UEFA to what Mario said was very strange"
TALKSPORT TICKET TROUBLE: The London DAILY MAIL's Charles Sale reported that Euro 2012 radio rights holders talkSPORT "suffered an unfortunate start to the tournament" when Program Controller Matt Smith went home "after being accused of a ticket scam." Smith, who organized the station’s match coverage, is "being chased" by Ukraine-based businessman Gary Cook, who had allegedly paid €1,000 ($1,245) in advance for six tickets for the England-Sweden game in Kiev on Friday. Cook tweeted, "Where’s Matt Smith, where’s my tickets, I gave him money for them." Another message read, "Talksport radio reporter cheated me over 6 tickets for euros." Sale also wrote that tournament rights holders BBC and ITV are "facing increasing competition from not only Sky Sports News but busy broadcasting outlets" such as in-house FATV or England team sponsors Vauxhall TV. The Vauxhall TV’s "huge entourage" in Poland and Ukraine are "hoovering up opportunities" (DAILY MAIL, 6/11).
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation after supporters set off fireworks and also invaded the pitch during a Group C match against Ireland. The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on June 15
ADIDAS BALLS FLYING The LONDON TIMES' Bill Edgar reported that players are "finding it hard" to keep the new adidas Tango 12 ball down when shooting at Euro 2012. A comparison between the first four matches of Euro 2012 and the recent final round of Premier League games "certainly shows the ball has been sailing over the crossbar more than expected" in Poland and Ukraine. Of the 97 shots (excluding blocked shots) in the first four Euro 2012 matches, 16 travelled over the crossbar, or one in six. Yet, only 13 of the 227 such shots on the last day of the Premier League last month went over the bar, or about one in 17
Harry Redknapp last night blasted reports that he had quit as Tottenham boss. Redknapp is set for showdown talks today with Spurs apparently reluctant to offer him a long-term contract extension.
Harry Redknapp has privately admitted that he could leave Tottenham Hotspur before the start of the next season after intense speculation that he had resigned as manager last night. Mail
Roy Hodgson fears that Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker may be unable to play in every match of England's European Championship finals campaign because of concerns about their fitness.
Roy Hodgson has challenged England's front players to deliver a better performance against Sweden on Friday before he can bring Wayne Rooney back into the team as the "ace in the hole".
Roy Hodgson has admitted that he is having profound doubts about whether he can continue pressing Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard into service at the heart of his England side, but suggested that he may be forced to do so.
Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, will join Liverpool in a £7m deal but not before the 22-year-old has offered Swansea the courtesy of meeting their new manager. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are in pole position to sign Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud, 25, according to his club coach Rene Girard. Metro
Lille defender Mathieu Debuchy, 26, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle, says he will decide his future after Euro 2012. talkShit
New West Brom boss Steve Clarke has identified NEC Nijmegen's £2m-rated defender Bram Nuytinck, 22, as his top target. the Sun
The Baggies could be about to lose Jonas Olsson, 29, with Tottenham closing in on a cut-price deal for the Sweden centre-half. Daily Mirror
West Ham are leading the chase to sign Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. The 24-year-old Mali forward almost moved to Newcastle in January but the deal collapsed over concerns about a knee problem. talkShit
The Hammers have also tabled a £4m bid for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis. the Sun
Chris Hughton is concerned that his predecessor as Norwich boss, Paul Lambert, will win the race to sign Kyle Naughton from Tottenham. Daily Mail
Southampton are poised to firm up their interest in Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland with an offer for the 19-year-old. Birmingham Mail
The proud dad of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain almost missed his son's first major game for England. The Arsenal star's father, Mark - a former England international himself - had to make a late dash to an airport hotel to see him in action.the Sun
Wayne Rooney will be England's "ace in the hole" when he returns from suspension, according to Roy Hodgson, who wants an improvement "in the final third". Daily Telegraph
Sweden are in turmoil ahead of Friday's Group D showdown with England after their captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic laid into his team-mates following their 2-1 defeat by Ukraine. Daily Mirror
Ukraine Football Federation chief Grygoriy Surkis has accused England of bottling the issue of racism, and pointed to Rio Ferdinand's controversial snub from the squad as an example. Metro
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is considering whether to sack Harry Redknapp after failing to secure Champions League football. the Guardian
Chelsea will name Roberto Di Matteo as the new manager on a full-time basis after failing to talk former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola out of taking a sabbatical. Daily Mirror
Swansea City hope to appoint a successor to Brendan Rodgers by the end of this week from a shortlist headed by Ian Holloway and Michael Laudrup. the Guardian
MORE BOLLOX LATER ..
The mancityfans.net football forum
The BEST FORUM in all the land and all the world
[/center]
