Racism in British football still a major problem

by

According to a report by a committee from the House of Commons, racism in British football remains a major problem despite improvements in recent years. The report is in response to concerns after the cases against John Terry and Patrice Evra-Luis Suarez. The chair of the inquiry, John Whittingdale MP believes that the recent reports of UK racism highlight the fact that there is still a significant problem.

Homophobia, say MPs, may now have become the most widespread form of discrimination. When Liverpool’s Suarez was found guilty of racial abuse against Evra from Manchester United he was fines £40,000 by the FA and a ban. Meanwhile John Terry, ex-England captain was cleared in July of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, his fellow football player. Mr Whittingdale said that the committee believes the FA should set an example for all football authorities to follow.

Outside of British football, there were moments of racist chanting during Euro 2012 both during matches and at training sessions. A fine of 80,000 euros (£65,000) was given to the Croatian Football Federation for abusing Italian striker Mario Balotelli. During the 1970s and 80s abuse, both racial and otherwise, was common, fortunately the atmosphere and behaviour at football matches has changed hugely.

The report added that charities and initiatives like Show Racism the Red Card helped to reduce the problem where it is worst – in the grounds, on the streets and online – but more work is required. A joint statement from the Football Association, the Football League and the Premier League stated that the progress made in these matters has been substantial but there are still challenges to be met.

 

Football fan who lied to get passport back is jailed

by

A football fan that was banned from going to matches abroad and went to the Ukraine to watch England during Euro 2012 will spend five months in jail. Pele Duncan, a Manchester United supporter, told police that he wanted to visit his girlfriend’s father in Germany who was seriously ill so that he could get his passport back.

However the 26-year-old supporter was photographed in Kiev where he was partying with other England fans during the Championships, then in the Olympic Stadium where England played Kiev.

Duncan, who lives near Preston, earlier admitted failing to obey his order from June15-25 and to not handing his passport in before August 8. He said that he went to the Ukraine after having an argument in Germany with his girlfriend’s mother. He later admitted that his defence was a complete lie, at Preston Magistrate’s Court, and there had been no family sickness.

James Towey, defending, said Mr Duncan’s friends had travelled to the tournament and he was jealous. In his defence he said that Duncan should be credited for the fact he told the truth eventually. The original story was told when he was originally arrested; it was not supposed to be heard outside the police station. Mr Towey said that Duncan was simply envious of his friends.

The father-of-one was first handed the order in November 2010 following his eviction from Old Trafford when he was seen drinking alcohol near the pitch. Under the terms of the order he has to surrender his passport to officials when England or Manchester United play a match abroad.

Magistrate Barbara Bennett, when sentencing Duncan to a total of five months in prison, said that he had blatantly disregarded the court orders. She continued by saying that it had been planned in advance.

Work to start on new Man City academy within weeks

by

Manchester City has said that within the next few weeks work will start on their new football academy. The development is to include the construction of 16 training pitches and a 7,000- seater stadium solely for youth matches.

They are also to build community facilities and a sixth form college on the 80 acre site which is next to the Etihad Stadium. The club has chosen as its construction partner BAM Construction, with work expected to be finished in time for the 2014/15 season. Local people will get most of the jobs created.

Ferran Soriano, the Chief Executive, believes this is important for the future of the football club. The club has a central strategy develop young and home-grown players as a way of creating a winning team as well as a sustainable football club. This ambition was outlined in September 2008 by Sheikh Mansour when he bought the club. The club believes that after four years when they have been researching and planning they are in a position to execute the plan. They are pleased to be joining with BAM who will play a large part in the strategy.

Patrick Viera, football development executive for Manchester City, has said how vital it is to invest in the players of the future. He believes it is very important to have a project to develop young players for five or ten years’ time.

A bridge will link Etihad stadium to the academy which will feature facilities for the first team, including an injury and rehab centre, changing rooms, gym and refectory. There is also to be accommodation available on site for both junior and senior players.

 

Hillsborough report finally exonerates Liverpool fans

by

Following the publication of a report into the Hillsborough disaster, English fans’ behaviour will be under the microscope for the next few games following calls to put a stop to sickening chants at games. The report which was released on Wednesday found Liverpool fans blameless for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final crush which killed 96 of the supporters. The report was widely welcomed although the club is still mocked by rival fans with hateful songs and chants.

A few fans from Manchester United sing about the Hillsborough disaster while some supporters from Liverpool gloat over the Munich air crash in 1958 which decimated the Manchester United team.

Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager, hopes that the independent panel’s findings would put a stop to the taunts. Rodgers told Liverpool’s website that he does not like to hear anything which associates tragedy and death to other people. He is saddened by the minority who attempt to smear the reputation of a club. Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, echoed the views of Rodgers. On Friday the Premier League said that the handshake between the teams which happens before the match will go ahead.

In November Chelsea were compelled to condemn some of their supporters after they chanted songs about Ferdinand in Belgium during a Champions League game: both clubs have since warned their supporters to behave. The Queens Park Rangers’ website published a reminder on Thursday about fan’s behaviour whilst on Chelsea’s website they sad that abuse and discrimination has no place in any football stadium.

Both Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers are going to work together with the police ensuring that anyone who uses inflammatory or discriminatory language on Saturday will be identified. The strongest possible action will then be taken against them, it was revealed in a statement.

 

Steven Gerrard tries to rally the fans for the 2014 World Cup

by

Despite a poor showing in recent international tournaments, Steven Gerrard is still convinced that England can lift the 2014 World Cup. The Liverpool and England stalwart has appealed to the football nation to keep faith, and has said that miracles do happen, and you should never stop believing in football.

The next step in Roy Hodgson’s road to Brazil is a stop off in Chisinau to play Moldova in the Group H qualifier. A team from Europe has never won any of the 7 World Cup finals that have been held in North, South or Central America, but Gerrard believes this will inspire England and not deter them.

He said in an interview that he is realistic and honest when he speaks and while England are not one of the current favourites for 2014, that shouldn’t mean that they stop believing or working hard to improve themselves and learn from the mistakes they have made in previous tournaments. He added that the team had time to improve and grow over the next 2 years, with a combination of experienced and new players.

The team have been training at the Zimbru Stadium, where the earlier fears regarding the playing surface unfortunately proved to be founded. The ground, that has a 10,500 capacity, has an uneven pitch with rather longer grass than is suitable for football, even though the local federation had claimed it would be cut. Hodgson also has to deal with losing 3 players he had selected for both this game and the home qualifier against the Ukraine on Tuesday.

The last manager of England who lost the first qualifying game of a World Cup campaign was back in 2000, when Kevin Keegan saw his side go down to old adversaries Germany. Hodgson has spoken out about his reluctance to jettison the likes of Gerrard and Lampard simply because of the public wanting a change, and he said it is very possible that they will both be in the starting line up.