Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Zenit and Olympiacos punished over racism

Zenit and Olympiacos punished over racism

Zenit and Olympiacos punished over racism

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 11:28 AM PST

UEFA announced the punishments, which are subject to appeal, on Tuesday after finding fans of both clubs guilty of racist behaviour and other infringements. Zenit face last year's beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund in the knockout stages, with the first leg taking place in Russia on February 25. Olympiacos' opening meeting with Manchester United takes place in Greece on the same evening. Both clubs have three days to appeal their respective penalties, which include fines. Zenit have been ordered to pay €40,000 and Olympiacos €30,000. A statement on UEFA's official website explained the reasons for the sanctions, which relate to incidents that occurred in Olympiacos' game against Anderlecht on December 10 and Zenit's clash with Austria Vienna the following day. It read: "Olympiacos have been sanctioned for the racist conduct of supporters (Article 14 of UEFA Disciplinary Regulations), insufficient organisation (Article 33 (4) of UEFA Safety and Security Regulations), the setting-off of fireworks (Article 16 DR) and the use of a laser (Article 16 DR). "There will be a partial closure of the Greek club's stadium – the lower tier of the north stand – for their next UEFA competition home match. They have also been fined €30,000. "Zenit have been penalised for the racist behaviour of fans – namely the displaying of a banner (Article 14 DR) – the setting-off and throwing of fireworks (Article 16 (2) DR) and crowd disturbances (Article 16 DR). "There will be a partial closure of the Russian team's stadium – specifically the area housing the club's ultras – for their next UEFA competition home game. Zenit have also been fined €40,000. "Both clubs may lodge an appeal against the respective decisions within three days of receipt of the written verdict."

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Moyes slams sacking culture in football

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:53 AM PST

Andre Villas-Boas became the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season when Tottenham relieved him of his duties on Monday. The Portuguese was only at the helm at White Hart Lane for just over 17 months, having previously been shown the door by Chelsea. Moyes cut his teeth in management in a four-year reign at Preston North End before being appointed Everton boss in 2002, spending 11 years at Goodison Park before United came knocking. And the Scot believes many clubs hire and fire too hastily in modern-day football. "It makes me realise how lucky I have been at the clubs I have been at," Moyes said. "I worked for great people at Preston, great people at Everton and my short experience at Manchester United tells me I am working for really good people here. "Maybe some of the other managers haven't been as fortunate as I have." Moyes' position has been called into question during a disappointing start to his United career, but he points to his predecessor Alex Ferguson and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as examples to prove loyalty can pay off. "I am a great advocate of managers, I want managers to be given opportunities," he added. "I am involved with the LMA (League Managers' Association). We are saying the best clubs have had stability. "Look at Arsene Wenger, the stability he has given Arsenal. Sir Alex at United and even what happened to myself at Everton. "Obviously the owners and chairman have their own reasons but the clubs who have given the managers that period of time have benefited. "It is getting less and less to see that in football. The more we see it, it might help clubs gain a bit more control and stability. In turn it might mean they are not hiring and firing managers quite so often."

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Hughes optimistic of League Cup progression

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:07 AM PST

Hughes is preparing his side for a quarter-final League Cup clash with David Moyes' men at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday, with the club looking for their best showing in the competition since lifting the trophy in 1972. United have never lost to Stoke in the Premier League, with their last setback coming in a 2-1 defeat in the League Cup in 1993. Stoke pushed the reigning champions close in a losing effort at Old Trafford in October, a match they led 2-1 before late strikes from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez secured a 3-2 victory for United. And Hughes feels that showing proves Stoke cause a surprise and reach the final four. "We will take confidence from the fact that we performed so well at Old Trafford earlier in the season," he said. "We scored two very good goals and were unfortunate not to see the game out. Hopefully we can do this on Wednesday and secure ourselves a passage into the next stage. "It will be a tough game though, because United are United. They have world class players, they had a good result and performance at Villa on Sunday so they will be hoping to follow that up with another good result against us. "It is down to us to stop them though. We know that if we play to our maximum we have a real chance of winning the game. "There are a lot of games coming up and I am mindful of that, but we want to stay in the competition, because if we come through this tie then we are in the last four - and from there on in, anything is possible." Stoke head into the fixture in good form with a 4-0 defeat at Everton their only loss in eight matches across all competitions, and Hughes believes the side is constantly improving. He added: "We have suffered one defeat in eight, in all competitions so we are pleased with that. We are progressing well, we are improving all of the time too. "We have a decent defensive record - six or seven clean sheets which are very satisfying too. There are a lot of positives to be taken from the past few weeks, Everton aside of course."

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Real president Perez says no bids for Di Maria

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 07:02 AM PST

Di Maria, who will replace the injured Gareth Bale for Wednesday's Copa del Rey second leg againstOlimpic de Xativa, has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu. However, despite reported interest from the likes of Monaco and Manchester United, Perez has insisted no bids have been lodged for the Argentina international, who joined Real from Benfica in 2010. "He has a contract in place until 2018 and many clubs want him," he said. "We have not received any offer for the sale of Angel di Maria. This is the truth of this subject. "These are things that do not happen but are written about. "Nobody has told me anything about this situation, I have asked the club if someone has approached us and nobody knows anything."

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Milans Zapata rules out Man United switch

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 04:46 AM PST

United boss David Moyes has reportedly lined up the 27-year-old Colombia centre-back as a potential new recruit next month. Moyes could be set to embark on a January spending spree in order to get United back in the Premier League title race. However, former Udinese man Zapata has no intention of leaving the San Siro. When asked about a link with United, Zapata said: "No, I do not know anything. I just think about Milan. I have a contract until 2016 and I want to stay here." Zapata was speaking after Milan drew 2-2 at home to Roma on Monday night, a result which leaves them 10th in the table.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Van der Sar: Moyes can turn Man United around

Posted: 17 Dec 2013 01:16 AM PST

The champions were comfortable 3-0 winners of Aston Villa on Sunday, but they had failed to win their previous four Premier League games to leave Moyes under pressure. Despite a disappointing start to their title defence, Van Der Sar, who spent six years at Old Trafford, believes Moyes will get things right and guide United up from eighth in the table. I think it will take some changes and take a while maybe, he said at the UEFA Champions League draw, which saw United paired with Olympiacos. (Alex) Ferguson has been there for 26 years and youre not going to change that straightaway. It will be a good opportunity for them (in the) next round in the Champions League and some games over christmas to get some good results. United will look to record back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since November 10 when they host West Ham on Saturday.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

at

No comments:

Post a Comment