FA to investigate Clattenburg allegations

Updated October 30, 2012 06:51:47

England's Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation into claims referee Mark Clattenburg used "inappropriate language" towards two Chelsea players during their match with Manchester United on Monday morning (AEDT).

British newspaper reports claimed the language allegedly used by Clattenburg included a racial insult directed towards Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi.

The other player involved is reported to be Spanish midfielder Juan Mata.

Chelsea made an official complaint to the Premier League match delegate, whose report was due to be transferred to the FA on Tuesday.

"The FA has begun an investigation relating to allegations made following Sunday's fixture at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Manchester United," read a statement from the FA.

"The FA will make no further comment at this time."

Clattenburg aggrieved Chelsea by sending off two of their players and allowing an offside United goal to stand in the European champions' 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

The 37-year-old referee pledged to co-operate fully with the football authorities after the allegations became public on Sunday evening.

Clattenburg is likely to be interviewed by FA compliance officers, who are expected to speak to Mikel and Mata as well as other potential witnesses.

The evidence supplied by Clattenburg's fellow match officials is likely to be a central component of the investigation, as the four-man team would have been communicating via microphones and earpieces throughout the game.

Mikel's agent, Chelsea, and United all refused to comment on the incident on Monday, while Mata made no reference to it in an article on his personal blog.

The Professional Game Match Officials body, which manages officials in the Premier League, confirmed later on Monday that Clattenburg will not officiate a match this weekend.

"With any football match, the focus should not be on the officials but on the players and the game itself," said the organisation.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have announced an investigation into an incident in which a steward was injured towards the end of Sunday's game.

Chelsea have already launched their own inquiry, after reports that the steward fell as home fans threw objects onto the pitch in the aftermath of Javier Hernandez's winning goal for United.

The steward reportedly injured his knee in the incident and needed approximately 10 minutes' treatment by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are aware of an incident during yesterday's match at Stamford Bridge in which a steward was injured.

"An investigation has been launched into the incident and our inquiries continue."

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted October 30, 2012 06:51:47

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Napoli charged with match-fixing, warned by UEFA

Updated October 27, 2012 10:08:43

Italian Serie A side Napoli has been charged by the Italian football federation over match-fixing on the final day of the 2009-10 season and sanctioned by UEFA on Saturday (AEDT) over stadium and fan problems this year.

The club, their former third choice goalkeeper Matteo Gianello and ex-footballer Silvio Giusti will go before the federation's disciplinary committee after information regarding the home match against Sampdoria in 2010 was passed on from a criminal investigation in Naples.

Sampdoria won the game 1-0 and entered the preliminary stage of the Champions League as a result.

Current Napoli defenders Paolo Cannavaro and Gianluca Grava have also been charged for failing to report the alleged fix.

The moves come as part of a wide-ranging criminal and sporting probe into illegal betting and match-fixing in Italy which has already led to several high-profile arrests and bans.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte was banned for four months for not reporting match-fixing while boss of Siena in the latest corruption scandal to hit the Italian game.

Napoli suffered a further blow on Saturday when UEFA announced it was fining them and threatening them with a ban on European games being played at their San Paolo stadium for how their Europa League Group F match with AIK in September was managed.

They have been punished "for the inappropriate conduct of their supporters, insufficient organisation in the stadium and non-respect of UEFA directives related to stadium security" at the game.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body has banned the club from selling tickets for several sections of the San Paolo stadium, including the disabled section, for their next European fixture with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on November 8.

Napoli will now have to show UEFA photographic evidence from an independent construction company that the required work has been at least partially carried out by November 6 or risk being banned from playing home European games at the decaying ground.

"Furthermore, the Control and Disciplinary Body ordered Napoli to play one UEFA competition game behind closed doors, subject to a probationary period of five years. The Italian club have also been fined Euro 150,000," the UEFA statement continued.

A group of Swedish fans were attacked by a gang of Napoli supporters wielding bats and knives, with two being stabbed during the confrontation, a day before the match with AIK.

Napoli have three days from the dispatch of the decision to appeal.

Reuters

Tags: sport, soccer, corruption, italy

First posted October 27, 2012 10:08:43

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Redknapp in as new QPR manager

Updated November 25, 2012 00:42:31

Queens Park Rangers confirmed on Saturday night (AEDT) that Harry Redknapp has been appointed as their new manager, replacing the sacked Mark Hughes.

The former Tottenham boss takes up a two-and-a-half year deal at Loftus Road with QPR bottom of the Premier League ahead of their match against Manchester United.

The 65-year-old Redknapp, who will be in the stands at Old Trafford to watch his new side, told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to be back in the managerial hot-seat at QPR.

"When I spoke to the shareholders and they told me about their plans I knew this was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"There's no doubt there's a lot of ability in the squad, but for one reason or another things haven't gone as well as everyone expected since the start of the season.

"I can't wait to get to work and get the results necessary to kick-start our season."

Redknapp's appointment come just a day after the sacking of former Manchester United striker Hughes, who had been in charge for only 10 months.

He managed to stave off relegation for QPR on the final day of last season, but the club have struggled this year, failing to win any of their opening 12 league games and they are currently four points adrift at the bottom of the table.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said: "Harry was our number one target, the unanimous choice of the board and we're delighted we've been able to attract him to the club.

"He has a proven track record in the Premier League and has all the characteristics we were looking for to get us out of the current situation we find ourselves in.

"His man-management skills are second to none and we are confident he is the right man to lead us away from the bottom of the table."

Redknapp was immediately installed as odds-on favourite for the QPR job as soon as Hughes was dismissed on Friday morning and he left no doubt that he would be up for taking on the challenge of reviving the fortunes of the London side.

The QPR job is just the latest for Redknapp in what has been a varied and colourful managerial career.

Most recently he enjoyed a successful four-year spell at Tottenham, but surprisingly failed to nail down a new contract after steering the club to fourth place in the Premier League last season and left the job in June.

Redknapp then spent some time back with his first managerial club Bournemouth on a consultancy basis and last week had been linked to the job of national coach of Ukraine.

But he is now back on stage he relishes most and will be in the dugout for the first time against Sunderland on Tuesday, before meetings with Aston Villa, Wigan and Fulham.

Whether or not he can keep QPR in the Premier League though will depend on him being able to bring some inspiration to a talented group of players who had increasingly lost their way under Hughes.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom

First posted November 25, 2012 00:32:50

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Honours even in Wellington

Updated October 21, 2012 16:57:20

Wellington Phoenix battled to their second A-League 1-1 draw in a week, bringing a rampant Brisbane Roar back to earth at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.

The disciplined Phoenix worked hard for 90 minutes to shut down the Roar, who were on a high after demolishing Melbourne Victory 5-0 last week.

A 16th minute goal to the Phoenix's Stein Huysegems was cancelled out in the 39th minute by Besart Berisha's cool finish and, although both teams fought right to the final whistle in blustery conditions, neither could break the deadlock.

The Phoenix started brightly, controlling possession and testing the Roar down the flanks as Paul Ifill and Huysegems ran strongly, while attacking midfielder Louis Fenton's pace and quick feet also stretched defender Shane Stefanutto early on.

Ifill was back to his best, constantly threatening in front of goal, and it was his lofted ball into the area, coupled with some nice interplay between Fenton and Huysegems that led to the former Belgium international's early goal.

The Roar gradually worked their way back into the match, Thomas Broich and Berisha both creating opportunities with their speed on the break as Brisbane began to assert their passing game.

Ben Halloran continued to open up the Phoenix down the right, and Wellington left back Tony Lochhead struggled to match him for pace.

Mitch Nichols also threatened as the match wore on, forcing a good save from Mark Paston after Berisha cut loose down the left.

The absence of Wellington captain and central defender Andrew Durante, out through illness and replaced by youngster Michael Boxall, was felt keenly as the Roar hurled a series of fast-paced attacks at the Phoenix goal.

Inevitably, Berisha slotted home the equaliser as the 40 minute mark approached, latching onto Massimo Murdocca's quickly taken free kick and producing an assured finish which gave Paston no chance.

The second spell was somewhat more subdued initially, with both teams working hard to shut down space.

The Roar still looked more likely to add to their tally, building their attacks from deep but the Phoenix held on to reward their 9,182-strong crowd with a hard-earned point.

Wellington: 1 (S Heysegems 16')

Brisbane: 1 (B Berisha 39')

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, brisbane-4000, new-zealand, australia, qld

First posted October 21, 2012 16:47:24

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Revenge for Chelsea in nine-goal thriller

Updated November 01, 2012 11:51:41

Chelsea have avenged their controversial weekend loss to Manchester United with a breathless 5-4 win in extra time to reach the League Cup quarter-finals on Thursday (AEDT).

In other matches, cup holders Liverpool were dumped out by Swansea 3-1 and Spurs fell victim to a late comeback by Norwich to lose 2-1.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea had another pulsating encounter with Manchester United, coming from behind three times before sealing a satisfying victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

There were fewer contentious decisions than in the previous meeting, but referee Lee Mason was still the focus of attention, awarding three penalties and correctly judging that Gary Cahill's 52nd-minute header crossed the line.

United led during normal time through goals from Ryan Giggs, Nani, and Javier Hernandez.

They were pegged back by a David Luiz penalty and Cahill's header, before Hazard produced a third equaliser, converting a penalty in the final seconds of added time to keep the tie alive.

Chelsea then took control in extra time, with Daniel Sturridge and Ramires each rounding Anders Lindegaard to give Chelsea a two-goal advantage - Ryan Giggs' 120th-minute spot-kick coming too late to kick-start a United revival.

Any meeting between these two teams carries with it an extra edge and the tension was intensified in the wake of United's league win.

Then, Chelsea were left enraged at the decision of Mark Clattenburg to send off two home players - Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres - before Hernandez scored United's winning goal from an offside position.

And the fall-out from that game was felt hours before kick-off when Chelsea confirmed that they have lodged a formal complaint with the Football Association over the language directed at John Obi Mikel by Clattenburg.

Chelsea made six changes and United 10, yet while the personnel had changed significantly from the previous meeting, the intensity of the game was unchanged.

United made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute as they capitalised on the first of Chelsea's costly defensive mistakes.
Petr Cech rolled a goal-kick out to Oriol Romeu on the edge of his area, where the Spaniard was quickly pressured by Anderson and Giggs, and when the ball broke, Giggs stroked home for his first goal since February.

Chelsea responded quickly and were level nine minutes later when Luiz converted from the spot after Victor Moses had been tripped by Alexander Buttner, leaving Mason with no option but to award the penalty.

Both sides were creating chances although it was the Chelsea defence that looked the more vulnerable against the pace and movement of Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Anderson.

They were guilty of once again creating problems for themselves when Luiz attempted to run the ball out from the back and gifted United the chance to restore their lead in the 43rd minute.

Luiz was robbed by Rafael on the halfway line before Anderson picked out Hernandez's run through the gap at the heart of the home defence and the Mexico striker finished clinically with his left foot.

The home side forced themselves level when Cahill headed home from Mata's corner.

It took the decision of the assistant referee to confirm the ball had crossed the line before Rafael headed the ball out, but replays confirmed the match officials made the correct decision.

Yet having got themselves back into the game, Chelsea were again opened up when Nani exchanged passes with Anderson before clipping the ball over Cech to make it 3-2 in the 59th minute.

Chelsea responded impressively but their chance appeared to have gone until Scott Wootton barged into Ramires as the Brazilian was about to shoot, handing Hazard the chance to level and setting up a dramatic denouement.

Elsewhere, it was a painful homecoming for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, whose side was dumped out of the Cup by the team he left at the start of the season, Swansea City.

Swansea took a 2-0 lead before Rodgers brought on stars Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez in hopes of salvaging the situation.

Suarez pulled a goal back with less than 15 minutes left, but a goal by Jonathan De Guzman with the last kick of the game ended Liverpool's defence of their title.

The night's other match saw Spurs knocked out by Premier League strugglers Norwich 2-1. Spurs led 1-0 after a Gareth Bale goal, before the Canaries hit back with two goals in the last seven minutes, and Clint Dempsey missed a late penalty to end a poor night for the London side.

The draw for the Cup quarter-finals sees Championship (second division) side Leeds United play Chelsea, Swansea play another Championship side Middlesbrough, an all Premier League clash between Norwich and Aston Villa and League Two (fourth division) Bradford City play Arsenal.

ABC / AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, united-kingdom

First posted November 01, 2012 10:32:04

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Dubious penalty helps Jets past Mariners

Updated October 21, 2012 00:08:55

Emile Heskey was at the centre of a dubious penalty decision before scoring his second goal in the A-League as Newcastle beat Central Coast 2-1 in the F3 Derby at Hunter Stadium.

Heskey looked to fall easily under pressure while scrapping for the ball with Michael McGlinchey in the Mariners' box with Ryan Griffiths converting the contentious spot kick.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold was aghast at the awarding of a fourth-minute penalty to the home side.

"I just thought it was a pretty average performance from the ref to be honest," Arnold said.

"Mickey McGlinchey weighs 67 kilos and Emile Heskey weighs 100 kilos.

"My blood pressure has gone through the roof.

"I will probably be labelled a whinger but that's the way it goes."

Both sides exchanged chances in a physical game but despite finishing the first half strongly, Central Coast looked all at sea after the break as the Jets piled on the pressure.

Heskey gave his side some breathing space on 61 minutes, but James Virgili deserved all the credit after the youngster went past both Pedj Bojic and Patrick Zwaanswijk on a mazy run before setting up the ex-Liverpool front man for the easiest of finishes from close range.

"He (Virgili) is now going to get a lot of attention from other teams and it is something that he is going to have to get used to," Newcastle coach Gary Van Egmond said.

"We put things in place and the boys carried it out, which was great.

"Emile was superb again today and he helped with the assist on the first goal as well as scoring the second. You can't ask for much more from him."

Bernie Ibini netted what turned out to be a consolation goal for the Mariners in the 72nd minute after he was on the end of a McGlinchey cutback after striker Daniel McBreen had won the initial header.

Jets keeper Mark Birighitti had no chance as Ibini tapped in from the edge of the six yard box.

Newcastle then survived a thrilling finish after Zwaanswijk looked to have earned the Mariners a share of the points when he headed home in the sixth minute of stoppage time, only for the assistant referee to controversially rule him offside.

The match was a typically feisty local derby with a series of niggly fouls throughout the contest, with referee Ben Williams issuing nine yellow cards.

Jets midfielder Ruben Zadkovich was lucky not to be given his marching orders after a cheap foul in the 52nd minute sparked a melee.

Players from both sides had to be separated as tempers threatened to boil over.

Newcastle Jets: 2 (R Griffiths (pen) 5', E Heskey 62')

Central Coast Mariners: 1 (B Ibini 72')

ABC/AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, newcastle-2300, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted October 20, 2012 19:35:52

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Ulsan crowned kings of Asia

Updated November 11, 2012 10:19:40

Ulsan Hyundai has thrashed Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli 3-0 to lift its first AFC Champions League trophy and become the third South Korean club in four years to be crowned kings of Asia.

Goals from Kwak Tae-Hwi, Rafinha and Kim Seung-Yong raised the roof at Ulsan's home stadium and ensured that Kim Ho-Gon's side followed in the footsteps of Pohang Steelers and Seongnam Ilhwa, winners in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Al Ahli rarely troubled the hosts' defence throughout the 90 minutes and in the end Ulsan was a comfortable winner to the delight of an impressive crowd of 42,153.

Ulsan started the game brightly, with Rafinha and Kwak both going close in the opening 10 minutes in what was threatening to be a one-sided affair even at such an early stage.

In the 13th minute, Ulsan claimed the lead its impressive start deserved when club captain Kwak ambled up from defence to meet Kim Seung-Yong's free kick with a firm header.

Juan Estiven Velez tried his luck from long range on two occasions as Ulsan sought to extend its advantage and Al Ahli continued to struggle, but both attempts were well off target.

Al Ahli offered little serious threat in attack and, with four minutes left in the half, Kim Shin-Wook hooked his attempt wide as Ulsan sought what was turning out to be an elusive second goal.

That though changed midway through the second half when Velez's ball was headed across goal by Kim Shin-Wook and into the path of Rafinha, who scored his fifth goal in five Champions League games since arriving from J-League side Gamba Osaka.

And, with 15 minutes to go, Kim Seung-Yong added a deserved third for the dominant Ulsan when his left-foot drive from a tight angle gave Al Ahli goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf little chance.

Ulsan's fans celebrated wildly after the win which also secures their team a berth next month's FIFA Club World Cup finals in Japan.

AFP

Tags: soccer, sport, korea-republic-of, saudi-arabia

First posted November 11, 2012 10:19:40

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