Berlusconi's brother in Balotelli race scandal
AC Milan vice-president Paolo Berlusconi has been overheard using a racist slur to describe new signing Mario Balotelli.
Paolo Berlusconi, the brother of Milan owner Silvio, labelled Balotelli as "the family's little n*****" when speaking at a political meeting in Monza shortly before the former Manchester City striker made his debut for the Rossoneri on Sunday.
The comments were caught on film by local reporters and have been shown on the website of Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
Paolo Berlusconi was recorded saying: "Okay, we are all off to see the family's little n*****. He's a crazy head. All the young ladies are invited as well - you can even have a chance to meet the president [Silvio Berlusconi]."
Balotelli signed for Milan from Manchester City during the January transfer window for around £20 million and scored twice on his debut as they beat Udinese 2-1.
The controversy follows last month's racial abuse of Kevin-Prince Boateng by Pro Patria fans, when the Milan midfielder left the field of play as a reaction to the taunting.
Regarding Boateng's decision to walk off, Silvio Berlusconi said in January: "I called Kevin-Prince Boateng a little while ago and I congratulated him for his reaction against the disgraceful episode of racism that took place in the stadium of Pro Patria in Busto Arsizio.
"I am very happy by Milan's reaction and be assured that in all games where we experience episodes of this kind, Milan will leave the field."
Following Balotelli departure, Gareth Barry ready to “step up and get wacky”
Following Mario Ballotelli’s departure to AC Milan, his erstwhile Manchester City teammate Gareth Barry has told fans not to pine after the eccentric Italian as he will soon be launching “some of the zaniest sideways passes you’ll ever see”.
Barry added that supporters “won’t know what’s hit ‘em”, though later retracted the statement after becoming worried that people might think he was violent, or was suggesting that they were too stupid to know that they had been hit.
Barry’s new role as club clown began disappointingly last week, with no-one at training noticing that he had dyed his hair a slightly lighter shade of dark brown. Crestfallen, the midfielder has since enlisted the services of local PR agency The Shelves Group.
Though they may not be the biggest name in public relations, Shelves Group Director of Communications John Smithjohn is confident about the rebranding.
“I have the ear of some of the top key players in the local shelving industry: from Didsbury to West Didsbury. I’m confident that if we work hard, we can plan some great spontaneous stuff for Gareth”.
“First up,” Smithjohn tells us “we have been workshopping some hilarious messages for Gareth to display on his t-shirt when he scores his next goal, whether it is a screamer of a tap-in, or a mazy run to the near post at a corner”.
Having enlisted some of the top copywriters in the shelving business, Smithjohn has give a sneak preview of the first t-shirt:
Construction has already begun on a fireproof bathroom for ‘Garrio Barrytelli’ to set off some indoor sparklers in.
“We are expecting it to be ready by mid-November” noted Smithjohn “as that is when the firework season traditionally hits its peak”.
The Shelves Group will be relying on the support of the Barry family to pull off some of the wild stunts they have planned.
“Mrs Barry will be sending Gareth out to get her a new ironing board” revealed Smithjohn “but there’s a surprise in store for her- as he turns up with not just an ironing board, but a new ironing board cover too”.
No worries: Blues cool FFP fears after UEFA warning
Manchester City have moved to assure fans the club is on the right track after a fresh warning of Financial Fair Play from UEFA.
Manchester City are confident they won’t fall foul of UEFA’s tough new financial fair play rules aimed at curbing the spending of Europe’s super-rich clubs.
The Blues, together with Paris St Germain, have been warned by UEFA they will have to prove they are not ‘cheating’ the new regulations by having huge sponsorship deals with companies closely associated with their owners.
City have a £350m deal with Etihad, the national airline of Abu Dhabi, while the club’s owner is Sheikh Mansour from the country’s ruling family.
However, the Etihad sponsorship package for the stadium and playing shirt naming rights, plus the multi-million pound City Campus development, is over 10 years.
The Blues’ hierarchy were delighted to halve their losses last year, while breaking through the £200m revenue for the first time.
Also the transfer deadline day deal to sell Mario Balotelli for a higher than expected £20m to AC Milan has removed one of the club’s biggest earners – he was on a reputed £175,000 a week – from the wage bill, also boosting City’s determination to keep within the rules that if broken could lead to expulsion from the Champions League.
Consequently, club officials say fans have nothing to worry about as the accounts WILL comply with the rules that come into force for the 2014/15 season.
Noel Gallagher: Manchester City Have Missed Yaya Toure
Manchester City supporter Noel Gallagher said on Sports Bar that his side have not got the same mentality they had last season.
The musician reflected on Sunday’s 2-2 draw between the Blues and Liverpool.
Gallagher added that Roberto Mancini's men gave possession away to the Anfield side and that the Merseysiders were unlucky not to win the encounter.
The former Oasis star also admitted that the Premier League champions have missed midfielder Yaya Toure while he has been away at the African Cup of Nations.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/andy-g ... ure-191012
Mancini: I'm supporting Manchester United
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini to support Manchester United during their Champions League clash with Real Madrid
Alex Ferguson's side take on Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League, and Mancini is hoping the Red Devils can continue their run in Europe's most prestigious competition.
The Citizens now trail United by nine points in the Premier League title race, and Mancini is hoping the Old Trafford outfit can progress all the way through to the final.
Mancini very cheekily hinted that he too may lend his voice to the Red Devils' cause when they face Real Madrid in the round of 16.
"Of course I will be supporting United when they take on Real Madrid," Mancini said. "I might even go along to watch with a little red and white flag."
He added: "When we played Real Madrid it took a lot out of us and I think United are going to find it difficult as well, because along with Barcelona [Real] are the best in the world right now.
"I do think [United] will find it a little bit harder in February and March and that is when the title might be decided."
Despite the nine point gap between the Manchester rivals, Mancini remains confident his side can stage a late comeback to retain their Premier League crown.
He said: "When you have 14 games left you still have a chance, because it is a long season and anything can still happen."
The first leg of Manchester United's Champions League tie with Real Madrid is to be played on February 13 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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[/spoiler]Santos striker Neymar, 21, will move to England following next summer's World Cup with Chelsea ready to bid. Daily Star
Liverpool will consider a move for Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, 25, in the summer. Guardian
Arsenal will face competition from Atletico Madrid in the summer for 31-year-old Barcelona striker David Villa. Metro
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is making plans for life without on-loan striker Andy Carroll by lining up a £12m move for Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Bony, 24. The Sun
Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, 25, has said he expects to be sold in the summer but insists he has not agreed to join Manchester United. Daily Star
Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini, 31, has revealed he came within hours of quitting the Magpies in January. Daily Mirror
Wolves are set to make a summer bid of around £1m for Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste, despite having a bid rejected in January for the 27-year-old. Express & Star
Chelsea are considering a fresh move for Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, 45, as they continue their search for a manager. The Telegraph
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, 32, believes he will never be loved by supporters ahead of his 100th cap for England. Daily Mirror
Brazil forward Neymar believes England rely too much on 27-year-old striker Wayne Rooney. DSSC
Arsenal's head of youth development and former midfielder Liam Brady believes Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere, 21, will become a renowned England player similar to Paul Gascoigne and Glenn Hoddle. talkSHIT
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 25, has given the Toffees an injury worry ahead of Sunday's meeting with Manchester United after he missed training with Belgium on Tuesday. Liverpool Echo
England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney passed time on the train journey down to London to face Brazil by interviewing Everton midfielder Leon Osman, 31, and defender Leighton Baines, 28. theFA.com
Coventry defender Cyrus Christie, 20, was booked for trying to trip up a pitch invader during the Sky Blues' Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat by Crewe at the Ricoh Arena. DSSC
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