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Italy pledges action on soccer racism

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 08 Januari 2013 | 08.57

ITALIAN interior minister Annamaria Cancellieri is calling for "more incisive" action to be taken to end the abuse of non-white players by racist fans.

Cancellieri was speaking after AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng last week stormed off the pitch in response to racist chants by a small group of fans during a friendly against fourth division side Pro Patria.

He was followed by his teammates, prompting a global outpouring of applause for the German-born Ghanaian international's stance against racist supporters.

Police have identified six Pro Patria supporters suspected of racist chanting and they are facing a five-year stadium ban.

One of the six suspects was identified by police from television pictures as the Councillor for Sports and Youth Policy of the City of Corbetta near Milan, Riccardo Grittini.

All six were card-carrying fans of Pro Patria, one of whom worked in one of the club's bars.

According to ANSA news agency, all six have admitted being part of the crowd which verbally abused Milan's players but claim not to have uniquely targeted Milan's non-white players.

Sepp Blatter, the president of world football's governing body FIFA, hit out at Boateng's decision to force the suspension of last week's friendly, setting him at odds with AC Milan owner-president, Italy's former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Both FIFA and UEFA have previously warned against players walking off the pitch in protest, and Blatter said: "Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution."

Cancellieri said Boateng's stance was a "nice gesture" but told Radio 24 Monday that a "more comprehensive strategy" needed to be put in place to avoid games being decided by "a minority of racists".

"This episode drew attention to a phenomenon which is unfortunately widespread and, as such, we have to be more serious about dealing with it," Cancellieri said.

At Rome's Olympic Stadium on Saturday some sections of Lazio's crowd were heard making monkey noises at Cagliari's Colombian striker Victor Ibarbo. The majority of the home crowd jeered and whistled to drown out the racists.

The regulations regarding the suspension of matches in such circumstances remain unclear and is a potential minefield for the football authorities, who would either have to replay matches or award victory to the team being victimised.

Cancellieri suggested that if "only a small group of fans" were involved in racist chanting games "should not be suspended".

"Fans involved in racist chanting should be hit very hard and must be removed from the stadium," she said.

"If, however, the phenomenon is more widespread the game must be suspended by whoever is responsible for keeping public order."

There have been suggestions that police, who already attend football games in Italy's Serie A, could play a bigger role in deciding whether games are suspended or not due to racist chanting.

Cancellieri said a meeting would be held between Italy's chief of police and the president of Serie A later this week to discuss ways to eliminate abusive fans from matches without stoppages.

Berlusconi, meanwhile, said he disagreed with Blatter's appraisal of Boateng's gesture after vowing last week that his players would do the same again in a similar situation and calling the scenes at Pro Patria "disgraceful".

"I am of the opposite opinion. I congratulated the players for their courage in standing up to this abhorrent incident," he told Tgcom24, which is part of his Mediaset group.

"Football reflects society and should be something positive, teams should shown an example to the rest of society. What happened in the stadium should not be dismissed, it has done a lot of damage including to the reputation of Italy."


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All-rounders vie for vacant Test spot

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Battle grounds ... Dan Christian had a taste of Test cricket against India. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

For Shane Watson the decision to take a break from bowling would have been heartbreaking.

For the likes of Dan Christian and Moises Henriques it's provided fresh hope of a maiden Test cap.

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Christian and Henriques, who have both played Twenty20 and one-day cricket for Australia, are among the list of all-rounders who have come into contention for the Ashes after Watson elected to focus on batting.

National selectors are expected to field a spinning all-rounder in the upcoming Test tour of India.

However, many pundits have called for a medium-pace all-round option for the Ashes battle that follows, with the feats of Andrew Flintoff in 2005 still fresh in their minds.

(2012/13 Sheffield Shield statistics so far) 

  • Moises Henriques (314 runs at 78.5; 13 wickets at 17)
  • Dan Christian (173 at 21.62; 9 wickets at 41.44)
  • John Hastings (200 runs at 33.33; 22 wickets at 19.09)
  • Luke Butterworth (150 runs at 30; 25 wickets at 17.72)
  • James Faulkner (169 runs at 28.16; 21 wickets at 21)
  • James Hopes (126 runs at 25.2; 10 wickets at 17.50)

Mitchell Johnson performed the role at the SCG Test, but some have questioned whether his batting will hold up against a more fearsome bowling attack.

It leaves an open field, even more so given Andrew McDonald's injury concerns.

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Henriques felt he was more mentally ready for the rigours of international cricket, but didn't want to get picked on potential.

"Whether you're a bowling allrounder or a batting all-rounder, you can't just be in the team as a bits-and-pieces player,'' the 25-year-old said.

"You've got to be good enough to be picked in the team as a bowler and a batter.

"I'm hoping, with some better performances after Christmas, that I can prove that.''

Christian, 12th man in two Tests last summer when Watson was sidelined, admitted he was a "bit disappointed'' to be left out of Australia's squad for the one-day series.

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However the 29-year-old was upbeat there would not be the same dearth of seam all-rounders in future Australian Test teams.

"If they are looking for that all-rounder position, I'd love to do it if I've got the runs and wickets behind me,'' Christian said.

"Personally I don't think a spinning allrounder is the best way to go. You need a seam all-rounder and there's quite a few of those around the country.''

Henriques impressed with a tally of 314 runs and 13 wickets from four matches in the first half of the Sheffield Shield season, but didn't want selectors to call him until he had a mountain of both.

"I'm 25 and happy to keep learning my craft ... as much as I'd love to play for Australia as soon as possible, I'm not in any great rush to get there,'' he said.

"If I do get there, I want to make sure I'm playing as well as I can.''


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Stars get home despite Gayle heroics

Relief ... the Stars snuck home by 13 runs. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Melbourne Stars, the KFC T20 Big Bash League's highest-profile team, have survived a scare to beat Sydney Thunder by 13 runs and qualify for next week's semi-finals, allowing suspended skipper Shane Warne to breathe a sigh of relief.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

8 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Thunder 1st Innings

G. Sandhu 6 6 1 0 100
D. Nannes 0 0 0 0 0
J. Faulkner 3.4 0 24 3 6.55

Warne was a nervous spectator after missing the game following his physical confrontation with Melbourne Renegades' batsman Marlon Samuels in Sunday's Melbourne derby.

The Stars made 8-145, which wasn't a massive total but the Thunder completed a winless season with a score of 132 all out after losing their last eight wickets for 41 runs in 45 balls.

The Stars now boast a 5-3 record from their eight regular-season games.

The Thunder needed 18 runs off the last over with tailenders Gurinder Sandhu and Luke Doran at the crease but both were dismissed by James Faulkner, who finished with 3-24.

Thunder captain Chris Gayle was named man of the match after smashing 65 off 43 deliveries and setting a new record for the current BBL season by reaching his 50 off 25 balls.

Brad Hodge (39) and David Hussey (32) added 58 for the third wicket for the Stars but their dismissals in consecutive overs hurt the home side's hopes of a big total.

Nineteen-year-old paceman Sandhu (2-33) and spinner Gayle (2-5) claimed two wickets each for the Thunder.

P W L NR T Pts NNR
1 Renegades 7 6 1 0 0 12 0.681
2 Stars 8 5 3 0 0 10 0.246
3 Scorchers 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.632
4 Strikers 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.53
5 Hurricanes 7 4 3 0 0 8 -0.287
6 Heat 7 3 4 0 0 6 0.129
7 Sixers 7 3 4 0 0 6 -0.221
8 Thunder 8 0 8 0 0 0 -1.36

Gayle began strongly in reply and was missed on 34 as Cameron White misjudged a high ball at cover.

The big left-hander had scored only 72 runs at an average of 12.00 earlier in the tournament but finally found form as he bludgeoned four sixes and six fours despite an absence of footwork.

Matt Prior contributed only seven in a 43-run stand for the second wicket with Gayle before Prior was caught by a diving Jackson Bird at deep mid-wicket at 2-62.

The Thunder were cruising at 2-91 but stumbled as they quickly lost Gayle, Usman Khawaja (23), Sean Abbott (three) and Ryan Carters (two).

Mark Cosgrove (eight) and Adam Zampa (eight) continued the procession of wickets.

England international Dimitri Mascarenhas took 2-27 on debut for the Stars, replacing Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga who has been called up for national duty in the one-day series against Australia.

"The key part of the game was when I was batting and got out against Mascarenhas. From there it just faltered," Gayle said.

Mascarenhas said it was an amazing feeling to dismiss Gayle caught at deep mid-wicket.

"It's great to get an opportunity and to get a couple of wickets is amazing," he said.

Khawaja described the Thunder's season as hugely disappointing.


Relive the game our Match Centre, featuring videos of every wicket and boundary!


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Roar sign Socceroo Jade North

Roaring home ... Brisbane Roar secure Jade North's signature. Source: AAP

Defending A-League champions Brisbane have signed experienced Japanese-based Socceroo Jade North.

Roar officials confirmed they'd secured North's signature on a three and a half year deal on Tuesday night.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 15 10 3 2 15 33
2 Adelaide 15 9 2 4 7 29
3 Victory 15 8 2 5 0 26
4 Western Sydney 15 7 2 6 4 23
5 Perth 15 5 4 6 2 19
6 Heart 15 5 3 7 -2 18
7 Brisbane 15 5 2 8 0 17
8 Newcastle 15 5 2 8 -9 17
9 Wellington 15 4 4 7 -3 16
10 Sydney 15 4 2 9 -14 14

He will arrive with his wife and young children within the next week.

Brisbane managed to do what both Ange Postecoglou (Melbourne Victory) and Frank Farina (Sydney FC) failed to recently by securing North's services.

North, who has been playing for Consadole Sappora in the Japanese J League, has been signed as a defender as the two-time champions undergo a shake up under new mentor Mike Mulvey who recently replaced head coach Rado Vidosic.

"Jade has an excellent footballing pedigree and will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to our squad,'' Mulvey said.

"He is a proven winner and has a great appetite for future success.''

At the time of the A-League approaches, North was encourage by national coach Holger Osieck to remain in Japan.

However his club Sappora are heading for relegation and he was keen to come home.

Having started his professional career at the Brisbane Strikers in the National Soccer League in 1998, North said he was excited to be returning to where it all started.

"I'm looking forward to putting one foot forward and contributing to the legacy Brisbane Roar has created over the past two seasons and doing all I can to help add to the trophy cabinet,'' North said.

"For me it's exciting to know I will be playing in front of family and friends, but most importantly for the city which groomed me as a player.''

After confirming they had already released attacking midfielder Rocky Visconte, who has been linked to the Western Sydney Wanderers, it's tipped the Roar will also lose lightning quick attacker Nick Fitzgerald to the Central Coast Mariners during the A-League's transfer window.

Brisbane have mid-field issues which could also see the popular Erik Paartalu closely examining his options in the next few weeks.

Brisbane can squeeze North under its salary cap as a marquee player with financial assistance from the FFA.

Winners of the last two grand finals, Brisbane have been struggling for wins this season.

They dumped Vidosic as coach late last month appointing him technical director and bringing in hired gun Mulvey.

They staged a mini comeback with back-to-back wins over Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix but the wheels came off again with a 3-2 loss to Melbourne Heart on Sunday.


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'How could Sydney let Del Piero go?'

Marquee stars ... Shinji Ono and Alessandro Del Piero have had plenty of success. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Although Perth Glory have quashed speculation they are interested in signing Michael Owen, the fact that the former England international is keen on a move to the Hyundai A-League is a further feather in the cap of the competition.

For season eight has proved beyond doubt that - providing the men in question are the right choices - marquee players can be a fabulous asset to the domestic league.

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More on Alessandro del Piero in a moment. But first, Emile Heskey, whose arrival gave Newcastle Jets an immediate spike in membership, and who has delivered plenty on the park too, contributing seven goals already. 

Some have mischievously suggested he is the reason for their struggles this season - but the facts don't really back that up.  At present, the Jets have 17 points from 15 games and have scored 19 goals.  At the corresponding stage last season, (pre-Heskey), those figures were, remarkably, exactly the same. 

With so many new faces bedding in at Hunter Stadium, a transitional season was always a possibility. So, even if it's reasonable to say he hasn't significantly improved the Jets, then at the very least, they haven't been weakened.  We'll see if his current injury concerns lead to an upturn in the Jets fortunes - or not.

Shinji Ono, meantime, has been a revelation in recent weeks. His form is improving in line with his fitness, and what a pleasure it is to be watching an Asian player have a real impact.  It's long overdue.

Heskey and Ono have conducted themselves superbly in Australia, and providing they retain their fitness, there seems to be no reason why they shouldn't prolong their stay.

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But what of Del Piero? 

For weeks now, the question has been "will he be at Sydney next season?"  Here's a better one - how can he NOT be at Sydney next season?

Del Piero has filled grounds right across the country.  He has scored splendid goals, showed his passion for the game, his new club, and living in Australia. 

But it's not just about his playing career - it's about Sydney FC building a club, in which respected names are central to their ethos and are valued accordingly.  It appears Del Piero would like to stay - so the hold up can only be financial.  I understand football is a business, and the numbers must add up, but surely it's a no-brainer to keep the Italian here?

What message does it send out if Sydney discard a star who has already contributed so much after just half a season?

Can anyone in their right mind truly believe he can't be of benefit in either a playing, coaching, or even ambassadorial role?  Sydney should look to build a club around him.  If they don't, then they have learnt nothing from the all too brief stays of Dwight Yorke and Juninho, both of whom were ushered through the door with unseemly haste - in Juninho's case, after he offered to stay for much lower wages.

The Sky Blues could follow the example of Kashima Antlers, who employed Zico as a player, and then ensured he became part of the fabric of the club by offering him the role of technical advisor.  Zico now has his own statue at the stadium - a club legend.  But legends can't be created in only 12 months.

At the other end of the age spectrum, there is a similar point to be made regarding the A-League's player transactions.

There's been plenty of talk lately as to whether Reading is the right choice of club for Tomas Rogic.  Personally, I have no qualms in Rogic going to the Madejski if he so desires - my view is that football is a short career, and players should to be free to make their own choices.

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But no-one seems to have batted an eyelid at the supposed transfer fee quoted for Rogic - which is in the region of $600,000.  That, for a talent regarded by many as the best Australia has produced in years!

By way of comparison, the most talked about young English footballer at the moment is Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha - and the figures being bandied about for him are closer to the $15 million mark! 

Even if we accept the premium put on young English talent in the UK, shouldn't Rogic be valued at $1million at the very least?  The Mariners can't (and won't) stand in his way - but they deserve a lot more by way of compensation.  It may even help Rogic's career, as overseas clubs won't pay top dollar for fringe players.

The A-League cannot run the risk of being seen as a competition ripe with easy (and cheap) pickings - nor as a destination where superstars are dispensed with as soon as their novelty factor fades.  It's a bad look on both counts.


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Warne apologises for Samuels clash

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Sorry ... Warne's apology came with a caveat. Source: Jay Town / News Limited

Shane Warne apologised on Tuesday for his shirt-grabbing performance in the Melbourne derby but also insisted it was important cricketers played with passion and not like robots.

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The suspended skipper looked on nervously at the MCG as Melbourne Stars scored a 13-run win over bottom side Sydney Thunder to claim a 5-3 record from their eight regular-season games and qualify for next week's semi-finals.

Warne is now free to return to the side in what could be his final game for the Stars at age 43.

The champion legspinner can put his physical clash with Melbourne Renegades batsman Marlon Samuels behind him, but not before trying to clear the air publicly over his actions.

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However, similar to Monday's performance after emerging from his disciplinary hearing, Warne wasn't quite able to fully accept his one-game penalty.

"I'm very passionate when I play the game. I overstepped the line and hence I'm missing a game," Warne told Fox Sports on Tuesday night.

"I thought it was a pretty harsh penalty but I was more disappointed in my own actions, especially as a captain.

"It was emotion and passion. We sometimes like to see that in sportsmen and not robots.

"I apologise to the fans and I apologise to everyone. Sitting and doing detention, it's not easy to watch the boys."

Australia's leading Test wicket-taker said he didn't want to be judged on one behavioural lapse late in his magnificent career.

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"I'd like to think of the 25 years I've been playing first-class cricket rather than just one game," he said.

"I'd like to think there's a lot of positive and good things I've done for Australian cricket and all that sort of stuff over the years.

"One little incident here or there (doesn't matter).

"I do apologise for my behaviour and I'm disappointed in my own reaction."


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