TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014 SPORTS Outrage over banana insult to footballer in Spain BARCELONA: A storm over racism in Villareal ground by certain people at the ums and the continental and global bod- Spanish football erupted yesterday after a game,” the club said in a statement. ies, UEFA and FIFA, have tried to launch fan threw a banana at Barcelona full-back Barcelona welcomed the condemna- campaigns. In November last year, FIFA Dani Alves, with Brazilian President Dilma tion of the banana insult by Villareal, which president Sepp Blatter said he was “sick- Rousseff joining widespread outrage. sent a message on Twitter after the game ened” to see some Real Betis supporters A spectator threw the banana onto the saying: “Pity to see an ignoramus capable make monkey chants at their own player, pitch near the 30-year-old Brazilian inter- of such a lamentable act. There is no room Brazilian defender Paulao, in a city derby national as his star-studded side played at for it in sport and even less in our club.” against Sevilla. Villareal on Sunday night. Villareal’s reaction was a move in the Earlier in the season, two Elche fans Alves won praise for his reaction, pick- right direction towards “converting were fined 4,000 euros ($5,400) and ing up the banana to take a bite before grounds into areas where sports take pri- banned from attending sporting events for going on with game and setting up a goal ority and where the bad behavior by some 12 months for racially abusing Granada in Barcelona’s dramatic come-from-behind people is, first, isolated and then, eradicat- defender Allan-Romeo Nyom. 3-2 victory. It was the latest in a long series ed for good,” Barcelona said. Incidents have also stained top level of racist taunts in the Spanish game and “I have been in Spain 11 years and it games in Italy, Russia and other European one of many suffered personally by Alves has been the same for 11 years. You have nations. Ghana international Kevin-Prince during more than a decade with Sevilla to laugh at these backward people,” Alves Boateng walked off the pitch over racial and then Barcelona. said after Sunday’s game. insults made during a friendly between his “The player Dani Alves gave a daring “We are not going to change it, so you then club AC Milan and a lower-league and strong response to racism in sports,” have to take it almost as a joke and laugh Italian side in January last year. UEFA in Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff said in a at them.” Alves’ team-mates and fans lent February punished the Serbian federation, series of Twitter messages. Such racism him public support. Russian club CSKA Moscow and Cypriot had become “unfortunately common,” she Former England international Gary side Apollon Limassol for racist behavior added. Referee David Fernandez Borbalan Lineker who once played for Barcelona, by fans. Serbia’s under 21 team were noted the banana-throwing incident in his Barcelona’s Brazilian defender Dani Alves tweeted after the match: “Utterly brilliant ordered to play a match without home match report, which will be reviewed by sanction. Barcelona issued a strong mes- finals in Brazil in June. “Barcelona totally reaction from Alves. Treat the racist berk fans after their supporters made monkey the competition committee of Spain’s foot- sage of support for Alves, who is likely to support and stand with player Dani Alves with complete disdain!” Racism has long chants during a game against Belgium on ball federation today and could lead to a be one of the key players in the World Cup after the insults he received Sunday at the been a problem in European football stadi- November 15.—AFP Cardiff, Fulham hope two wins enough to avoid drop LONDON: Time is running out for the flight football. survival-seeking Premier League strug- “I am not afraid we won’t stand up for glers Cardiff City and Fulham, but both the next game,” he told the British media. believe six points from their remaining “We still have a chance and will go on two games might still be enough to and try to take it. We were in front and avoid the drop. Cardiff fell to the bottom everything was fine and then they get of the table after suffering a 4-0 defeat at two goals it seemed like it was the end of fellow strugglers Sunderland on Sunday, the season. while Fulham threw away the chance to “The players were very disappointed get out of the relegation zone when they in the dressing room and they didn’t talk. let slip a 2-0 lead and could only draw at I told them it’s too late now, we have to home to Hull City. stand up and take our chance if we get a Sunderland’s victory allowed them to chance next week and try to win at escape the relegation places and they sit Stoke.” Cardiff face an even bleaker situa- in 17th on 32 points having played a tion as they sit bottom with a trip to game less than the current bottom three Newcastle United to come before a final of Norwich City (32), Fulham (31) and day clash at home to a title-chasing Cardiff (30). Fulham next face a trip to Chelsea. 10th-placed Stoke City on Saturday The Welsh side have the second worst before finishing their campaign at home defence in the league behind Fulham to Crystal Palace, who are 11th. and have also changed managers this “I think we need to win the last two,” season with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer Fulham defender Brede Hangeland was brought into replace fan favourite Malky quoted as saying by British media yester- Mackay, who led the team to promotion day. “That is clear for everyone to see. Is last year. that impossible? No, it is far from impos- Cardiff were as high as 11th after sible. Of course we can do it. beating Fulham early in the season but a “It is all about doing the business next public spat between Malaysian owner week and then the week after and hop- Vincent Tan and Mackay was followed by ing that will be enough. It is a massive a slide down the table with the Scot game next week and we have to win eventually sacked in late December with that.” Fulham have conceded a league- the team in 16th. worst 79 goals in a calamitous campaign Former Manchester United striker with German Felix Magath their third Solskjaer has managed only three league manager of the season and struggling to wins since taking charge, but still MUNICH: Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos (from left) Marcelo and Casermiro warm up during a training session prior to the Champions League semi- final soccer match against FC Bayern Munich today. —AP arrest the slide. believes they can avoid the drop despite The German replaced Rene a joint-worst record of seven victories in Meulensteen in February after the the campaign, shared with West Dutchman was sacked following a run of Bromwich Albion who are 15th on 36 Bayern counting on home defeats despite being backed heavily in points, one ahead of Aston Villa. the January transfer window. “We thought we needed two wins Greece striker Kostas Mitroglou has before today,” the Norwegian said after advantage for Real clash played only twice after struggling for fit- the Sunderland loss. “Now we’ve got two ness since joining for around 12 million. games left and we’ve got to win them. Magath, though, was focusing only on It’s hugely disappointing and of course MUNICH: Bayern Munich plan on making home score, not to defend, and that is the manner in League trophy and will be the first team since next week’s fixture as Fulham attempt to we’ve taken a big blow but we won’t give advantage count in today’s Champions League which we will continue to work.” Juventus (1996-98) to reach three consecutive semi-final, second-leg, against Real Madrid hav- Ancelotti has never lost to a German team in finals if they get past Madrid to reach the final in secure a 14th consecutive season of top up.”—Reuters ing never lost at home to the Spanish giants. six encounters from his time as AC Milan manag- Lisbon on May 24. In contrast, Real are eager to Madrid arrive in the Bavarian capital holding er, but the key to Tuesday’s game will be who reach their first Champions League final since a 1-0 lead thanks to Karim Benzema’s 19th- scores first. winning the title in 2002 having bowed out at Boca enjoy best game as minute goal in last Wednesday’s first leg in Real will be chasing the first goal in Munich the semi-final stage for the last three seasons Madrid and are looking to avenge their defeat at which would leave Bayern needing to score at running. the same stage to Bayern two years ago. History least three times to progress to their fourth With Ronaldo and Bale both fit, Ancelotti is River fail key away test is on the Germans’ side. Champions League final in five years. set to include both in his forward line alongside Bayern have never lost to Real in Munich, Worryingly for coach Pep Guardiola, Bayern Benzema with Isco on the bench. BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors beat Arsenal 4- reporters. Palermo was naturally upset with with eight victories and one draw, to lead the have conceded the first goal in seven of their last Guardiola has some key selection decisions to 2 in their best game of the year while River the setback.