Football Racism Inquiry Call After Spurs-Chelsea Clash Halted ‘I Hate Racism in Society and in Football and I’M Disappointed That Things Like That Can Happen’
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27 Sports Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Football racism inquiry call after Spurs-Chelsea clash halted ‘I hate racism in society and in football and I’m disappointed that things like that can happen’ LONDON: The Professional Footballers’ Association called within football.” Two weeks ago a man was identified and for a government inquiry into racism in football after arrested for an alleged racist gesture caught on TV cameras Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League win at Tottenham on Sunday during the Manchester derby between City and United, while was marred by alleged racist comments from the crowd, the an Italy’s Serie A apologised last week after an anti-racism latest in a string of recent incidents. campaign featuring posters with images of monkeys was Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said the problem needed widely condemned. “to be dealt with strongly” and Tottenham promised “a thor- UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin earlier this month pledged ough investigation” after referee Anthony Taylor halted play European football’s governing body was working to tackle during the second half when Antonio Rudiger complained of the rising problem after a spate of incidents across the conti- hearing monkey noises from spectators. nent including the hurling of racist abuse at England players Moments earlier the Chelsea defender had been involved during a match in Bulgaria. in a second-half clash with Son Heung-min that saw the But Ceferin accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson South Korean sent off. Shortly after the stoppage, an of fuelling the problem. “When a politician that calls women announcement made over the public address system warned with burqas post boxes or mailboxes then says publicly that that “racist behaviour among spectators is interfering with he condemns you UEFA (for not tackling racism) — do you the game” and Taylor spoke to both managers, Lampard and reply to that? Do you believe it’s honest? Come on,” said Jose Mourinho. Ceferin. Two further public address announcements followed after Former Manchester United player Gary Neville also play was resumed.”It’s just such a shame that racism still accused top UK politicians. “We’ve just had a general elec- exists in 2019. When will this nonsense stop?” Rudiger tion in this country with both main parties and the leaders of tweeted. “I really hope that the offenders will be found and both main parties accused constantly of fuelling racism and punished soon, and in such a modern football ground like the accepting racism in their parties,” said Neville on Sky Sports. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with dozens of TV and security “If it’s accepted in the highest office in the country, we’re cameras, it must be possible to find and subsequently punish not talking at a micro-level.” “Maybe we have to empower them. “If not, then there must have been witnesses in the sta- the players to walk off the pitch and stop the entertainment dium who saw and heard the incident.” The PFA said in a while it is happening,” he added. statement late Sunday: “We are disgusted and dismayed that The ugly scenes overshadowed the Willian double that LONDON: Chelsea’s French defender Kurt Zouma (R) and Chelsea’s German defender Antonio Rudiger (2nd L) once again, a Premier League fixture has been tainted by gave Lampard a memorable triumph at the expense of his abuse from the stands towards players. former Chelsea manager Mourinho. Lampard insisted there reacts during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea at Tottenham “It has become clear that football players are on the was never any question of his team leaving the pitch in Hotspur Stadium in London. — AFP receiving end of the blatant racism that is currently rife in the protest. “Of course, we know there is a protocol,” he said. “It UK, but they are not alone. “Racist abuse in football is not needs to be dealt with strongly.” Tottenham manager “I hate racism in society, I hate racism in football. I’m dis- effectively that Chelsea dominated from start to finish. just an issue for black and ethnic minority players, it is an Mourinho condemned racism but still took a swipe at appointed that things like that can happen. The club is a very Willian’s superb opener was followed by a clinical penalty issue for everyone who loves the game. “The PFA calls for a Rudiger, accusing him of play-acting by clutching his ribs to proud club in this kind of situation and internally we will try from the Brazilian as Chelsea held onto fourth place and government inquiry into racism and the rise in hate crime get Son sent off. to deal with it,” he said. Lampard outwitted his old boss so moved six points clear of seventh-placed Tottenham. — AFP shows the average basic pay at the Spanish giants this St Germain in 12th (7.1 million pounds) — but ahead of Barcelona are best season is 9.8 million pounds ($12.75 million), dipping local rivals Manchester United who are 33rd (6.1 mil- slightly from last year’s 10.5 million pounds. lion pounds). The average annual salary of a Premier Barcelona holding onto top spot is largely down to League player climbed over 3 million pounds for the paid sports team Argentina forward Lionel Messi’s gross basic annual first time - a rise of 6.1% from last year - making the Atalanta hand pay of more than 50 million pounds including guaran- competition the highest paying soccer league, while in the world: Study teed image rights fees. the NBA was first overall. ‘embarrassing’ Real Madrid are second on the list with an average Major League Baseball teams experienced mixed basic pay of around 8.9 million pounds while Serie A fortunes on the list. The New York Yankees, who last BARCELONA: Barcelona have retained their position champions Juventus — who signed Messi’s great rival week signed pitcher Gerrit Cole to a nine-year deal AC Milan worst as the world’s best paid professional sports team while Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 — are in third place. worth a reported $324 million, are 32nd while the National Basketball Association (NBA) sides took sev- Portland Trailblazers are fourth with an average pay Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City loss in 21 years en out of the top 10 places this year, a study of 8 million pounds, ahead of fellow NBA sides Golden Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks were among the http://www.globalsportssalaries.com/GSSS%202019. State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City biggest fallers. Data revealed that Spain’s La Liga and pdf by research body Sporting Intelligence has Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat and Cleveland the Premier League were joint-top in terms of social MILAN: Slovenia international Josip Ilicic scored revealed. Cavaliers. English soccer champions Manchester City media popularity, well ahead of the NBA, NFL and two terrific goals as Atalanta demolished AC Milan Data from the annual Global Sports Salary Survey are 13th at 6.9 million pounds — below France’s Paris Serie A. — Reuters 5-0 in Serie A on Sunday to climb up to fifth and hand the fallen Italian giants their heaviest defeat since 1998. It was an “embarrassing” performance by the seven-time European champions, said club man- Five talking points in ager Zvonimir Boban. Atalanta fans even taunted Milan with shouts of ‘Serie B, Serie B’, confidently European football predicting relegation for their storied rivals this season. Atalanta captain Papu Gomez fired the PARIS: Many of Europe’s biggest clubs can towards the Ligue 1 title with a 4-1 win over hosts ahead on 10 minutes when he gathered the go into Christmas with something to cheer. Amiens. A day after his 21st birthday, ball on the left wing and drifted into the area Bayern Munich, who have been sack-happy Mbappe scored either side of Neymar’s before blasting beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. in recent seasons, seem to be content with effort before Mauro Icardi added a late Mario Pasalic, on loan from Chelsea, added a their temporary manager, at least for the fourth at the Parc de Princes. Mbappe finish- second on the hour in Bergamo when he flicked in present. Kylian Mbappe proved to be a not- es the year with 41 goals and at least one a flashing drive from Robin Gosens. Ilicic made it so-secret Santa in France, Atletico Madrid more admirer in his fan club after he con- 3-0 with a clinical finish after a Pasalic assist and were touched by an Angel, Ajax and Inter soled a young boy who evaded security to the Slovenian attacker struck again on 72 minutes Milan can enjoy a merry Christmas on top of run on the pitch to grab an autograph with when he curled a majestic strike into the top cor- the pile. But AC Milan are still not giving their the star striker. The youngster was in tears by ner from 20 yards. fans what they want. AFP Sport looks at five the time he reached the player after being Luis Muriel then replaced Ilicic and scored with of the big talking points round Europe this pursued by security staff. Mbappe then went minutes of his introduction, pouncing on hesitancy season. on to dress up in full Santa Claus regalia at a from Donnarumma to round out a resounding vic- charity function following the match. MADRID: Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior (R) dives for the ball dur- tory. Atalanta have scored a league-best 43 goals BAYERN STICK WITH FLICK ing the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF against Athletic Club Bilbao ALL IN THE DETAIL FOR ATLETICO this season and trail Roma by four points in the Bayern Munich have plenty to be pleased at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.