| | | Archives | | Roger Milla: a gentleman and a player | It becomes clear after only three or four questions that this is going to be a difficult interview. Roger Milla does not want to be here, sitting poolside in a five-star hotel in Accra, when he could be shopping, or playing tennis, or just relaxing. He has spoken to too many journalists already in the past couple of days and is in no mood to engage.
For weeks, I have been looking forward to meeting the most famous African footballer of them all, the man who might have had a World Cup named after him, so memorably did he leave his mark on Italia 90. Milla, who is still mobbed everywhere he goes on this continent, is in Ghana to lend his support to Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations, which they will win if they defeat Egypt in this evening's final, and to work as an ambassador for Puma. The sportswear company, who sponsor Milla, the Indomitable Lions and eight other teams who competed in the Cup of Nations, are using Milla to promote a global 'peace for a day' initiative later this year, in which football plays a leading role.
Milla, who speaks English in a harsh, gruff voice, is grumpy about some travel arrangements later in the day. He punctuates his answers with long pauses, more than 10 seconds, while he distractedly thinks about his career, the future of African football, the next World Cup or whatever else he is asked about. Many of his responses are too short to make a proper sentence. This is hard work.
Then his phone rings. It is the sort of phone you might expect to see in Miami Vice. Sleek, stylish, and gold. He interrupts the interview for a three-minute chat with his mate, Mett, in French. 'Yes, shopping would be good. Go to the supermarket maybe, then the boutique. We had a kids' game last night, that was OK. See you later.'
He returns to his subject - why he does not want to be a coach. 'No no, it's a very dangerous job,' he says. 'Not for me. You can be a top, top player for 10, 20 years, then you become a coach, lose two or three games and you're out. Very, very bad.'
What about today's players - do they earn too much money?
'Oh too much, too much. One player will have maybe four or five sponsors, they have much, much more money than before Bosman [the European Court of Justice ruling was in 1995]. We played because we liked football, we didn't want to do it just for money. We were sportsmen. Now, if you don't give them what they want, they won't play.'
He is about to elaborate when the golden phone rings again. Another conversation about shopping and making arrangements to meet later, to catch up with some old friends. While he talks, I root through the questions I have prepared, mostly based on a résumé of Milla's remarkable 29-year playing career provided by one of Cameroon's top sports journalists. Milla - whose name means 'fast man' in his native Douala language - does not seem to want to talk about his favourite games, favourite memories. It is time to try a different tack when he ends the call.
Did he keep in touch with René Higuita after that goal in 1990?
Suddenly Milla sits upright, becomes animated and talkative. Mention of the madcap Colombia goalkeeper has taken his mind away from the boutique and back to his glory days. That goal in Naples, he says - one of the most famous in World Cup history, when 38-year-old Milla dispossessed Higuita 25 yards out of his penalty area and scored to send Cameroon into a quarter-final against England - was not what it seemed. Spontaneous, opportunistic, exotic, no. It was, he explains, just good tactics, a planned strategy.
'Before we played against Colombia in 1990, I had played with their captain, [Carlos] Valderrama, at Montpellier. When he arrived he didn't know the city and I showed him around, we became friends.
'One day - more than a year before the World Cup - he gave me a video tape of Colombia games, which had TV footage of Higuita and his tricks [the scorpion kick, the dribbling, the excursions from his goal to the halfway line] and I told Valderrama then, "If Cameroon play Colombia in the World Cup, he can't do that. We have fast players, intelligent players."
'When we were drawn against them I noticed Higuita was up to his tricks. I saw a chance to dispossess him and took it. It was good tactics, good planning.'
It also made Higuita look a complete fool. Had they discussed it since? 'I have seen him a few times, in America and Madrid, and we have each other's numbers. He is not angry - we talk like brothers. He told me, "That's football, well played." He is a gentleman.'
Milla also has fond words for Gary Lineker - 'another gentleman' - and Paul Gascoigne from that famous quarter-final against England, which Cameroon lost 3-2. By now he is reminiscing happily and names that match as one of his two favourites from a career that started in the Cameroonian second division in 1967 and ended, after a 13-year stay in the French league, in 1996 in Indonesia. The other game that stood out was Cameroon's 1-1 draw with Morocco - Milla scored in the 89th minute - in the 1986 Cup of Nations in Egypt. His favourite coach? Michel Mézy, a former France international, at Montpellier in the 1980s.
And, by the way, how did he end up in Indonesia?
'It was 1995, I was director of all the national teams in Cameroon and we played a friendly in South Africa. These guys came to the game and they asked me if I would come out of retirement [for the second time] to play in Jakarta for two seasons.
'It was a good contract. There were good players there, from Yugoslavia, Italy, France. I can't remember their names but it was good standard, good crowds, good money. I stayed for the whole two years. I enjoyed it.' He was 44 when he finally stopped playing.
Much of modern football saddens him. The agents, the players' attitudes, the lack of flair, the money. Did he not have his own 'money moment', though, when he failed to appear for Cameroon at Wembley in a 1991 friendly against England? The talk was that he had demanded an appearance bonus from Guinness, the match sponsors, and refused to play when he was not paid.
Milla is happy to talk about the incident. He says Guinness were keen to pay him, but the deal was blocked by his own federation. 'I regret it, but it was the Cameroon Federation at fault,' he says.
Will we ever see anything like that Cameroon team again, when Milla and others earned worldwide fame, and fans, by defeating Argentina in the World Cup's opening game, then becoming the first African side to reach the last eight?
'No team could ever do again what we did in 1990,' he says. 'The element of surprise is not there. Everybody knows everything about all the teams now.'
He also feels there are too many inexperienced players in national teams nowadays, that older players are undervalued. Nevertheless, Milla believes an African team can go farther than ever before - none has been past the quarter-finals - in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
'Organisation is the biggest problem. Planning, preparation - you have to get that right first. But if they can do that, with good coaching, yes.
'Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria... if they arrive in the quarter-final they must not think, as we did in 1990, "It's great just to be here." They must believe. Then they can do it, they can play in the final.'
Back to 1990 and other names from the past. We talk about the number of European coaches in African football, about the problems of a local coach trying to exert power over millionaire players from the world's richest clubs. Cameroon themselves had been coached by a Russian, Valeri Nepomniachi, in Italy. Did Milla keep in touch with him?
'I have seen him once, years ago, but I can't remember where. But I believe we may be in touch soon. Ask that guy over there.' Milla points to a tall, young man who looks out of place in his shorts, sandals and white socks. He is a Russian sports writer who bears gifts from Nepomniachi back in his homeland - an original Cameroon 1990 shirt, signed by the coach, and a set of Russian dolls.
Milla smiles, poses for a picture. But you can see in his eyes that he knows the Russian wants more than a photograph. Oh no, not another interview.
CULLED FROM: The Guardian | | Gallas: Play me in Carling final | WILLIAM GALLAS told Arsene Wenger last night: I should play in the Carling Cup final.
 The Arsenal defender returned from a three-month injury absence only last week and is desperate to face former club Chelsea to step up his fitness.
But boss Wenger looks sure to stick by his youngsters.
Gallas, 29, said: “I want to be in the starting eleven. Not because we are playing Chelsea but because I’m suffering from a lack of playing time after three months out. It strikes me as natural I should play in this game, so I can return to peak form. But the decision is down to the manager.
“I see it as a chance to get back the rhythm I lack.
“Yet I think it is a good idea of the manager to give the youngsters their chance. It is a good thing for them to get to play in a final.
“It will allow them to learn about the pressure of such big events.”
Gunners keeper Manuel Almunia reckons he is in for a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Millennium Stadium.
Almunia, an 18th-minute sub in last season’s Champions League final defeat by Barcelona, said: “I feel now I can play any game and nothing will faze me.
“People say I’ll be very busy against Chelsea but I’m not so sure. We are playing very well in the competition.”
Almunia gets a rare chance to take centre-stage as boss Wenger continues his policy of fielding second-stringers in the Carling Cup.
But the Spaniard is frustrated at playing second fiddle to Jens Lehmann.
Almunia added: “If you are more than two years on the bench, you can get bored. You need to feel important.”
SOURCE: The Sun | | Lille lodge complaint after controversial defeat | Lille have lodged a formal complaint to UEFA after losing 1-0 to Manchester United in a controversial Champions League first knockout round first leg on Tuesday.
The French club, whose players staged a near walkout after a quickly-taken Ryan Giggs free kick gave the visitors a late victory, also hit back at United manager Alex Ferguson.
Lille coach Claude Puel said he did not know what would come from the complaint about the refereeing to European soccer's governing body but told reporters: "I think United really lacked fair play".
Ferguson said the free kick, six minutes from time, had been played by the book and he was disgusted by the home side's reaction to the goal.
"I think UEFA have got to take some action," the Scot told Britain's ITV Sport. "I've never in my life seen anything like that.
"It's a disgrace, what we've seen tonight. That's not football. The Lille staff encouraged their players to come off the pitch. It's intimidation of the referee and it's made for a hostile atmosphere inside the ground." Puel dismissed the remarks, saying: "Alex Ferguson thinks what he wants. But I do not understand that this man indulges in such comments. He could spare them.
"However, we do not have to start a polemicÿ. These comments are just one of Alex Ferguson's usual tricks."
GOAL DISALLOWED
Lille had a goal disallowed 15 minutes before Giggs struck, with Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar ruling Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie had pushed United defender Nemanja Vidic before heading in a Gregory Tafforeau cross.
Giggs's free kick caught the whole Lille team off guard but Ferguson said that was part of the game.
"The referee gave the permission to take the kick so the goal is perfectly valid," said Ferguson. "We've already seen this in England.
"If players ask the referee to take the free kick quickly, they are allowed to do so. Rules are crystal clear.
"If my team concedes such a goal, I will blame the goalkeeper for not having organised his wall faster."
Lille now face a huge task at Old Trafford for the return leg on March 7.
"We will travel there to clinch a quarter-final spot. We will be desperate to make it happen," said midfielder Ludovic Obraniak.
SOURCE: football.guardian.co.uk | | Zidane sets comeback date |  Zinédine Zidane is to come out of retirement to star in a futsal tournament in France that will help promote the small-sided sport in the country as well as raise funds for former players in need.
Famous names
The 34-year-old former Juventus and Real Madrid CF playmaker, who hung up his boots after last summer's FIFA World Cup final, will line up in a five-hour futsal extravaganza on 25 March with other members of the 1998 World Cup-winning squad. The matches will be played at the Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy and sell-out crowds are expected to watch the the likes of former internationals Jean-Pierre Papin and Manuel Amoros, and foreign stars such as Raí and Leonardo.
Centre stage
The event has been organised by Henri Emile, a former team manager with Les Bleus who works to promote futsal for the French Football Federation. He said: "This tournament in Bercy offers the opportunity to put futsal in the spotlight. We're late compared to other countries but something is happening and it's important to introduce the sport to people because it's based on fun and love of the game."
EURO goal
The France side due to compete in the 2007 UEFA European Futsal Championship qualifying round later this month will also take part. Les Bleus, who have participated in all four previous editions, won their first EURO game at the 12th time of asking when defeating Israel 3-2 in the 2004/05 championship. They will hope to build on that in this year's competition but face three tough tests.
Hosts first
The team, coached by Pierre Jacky, have been drawn in the Group A mini-tournament hosted by Italy and which also features the ever-dangerous Belarus and debutants Turkey. They will start against the Azzurri on 23 February before taking on Belarus and Turkey on 24 and 26 February respectively. The section winners will advance to the eight-nation finals to be played in Porto, Portugal this November.
CULLED from UEFA.com | | Nonda-wonder gives Blackburn lifeline |  Shabani Nonda's late strike put Blackburn in a strong position despite defeat in the first leg of their Uefa Cup tie with Bayer Leverkusen.
Leverkusen's Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker opened the scoring with a far-post header, before David Bentley levelled when his free-kick took a deflection.
Carsten Ramelow's shot was deflected in and Bernd Schneider superbly flicked in a third ten minutes after the break.
But Nonda volleyed in late on to give Rovers hope for next week's second leg.
Rovers went into the match in confident mood, and lined up in an attacking 4-4-2 formation, with Jason Roberts earning his first taste of European football.
Leverkusen were missing their first-choice centre-backs Roque Junior and Juan - and within two minutes their defensive fragility became apparent.
Bentley delivered a superb cross into the box but an unmarked Benni McCarthy missed his kick.
McCarthy later headed off target, from another Bentley cross, and also made a hash of a pull-back to allow two more opportunities to go begging.
Unfortunately for the South African, he was also out-of-touch defensively, and when he lost his man at the back post, Leverkusen took the lead.
McCarthy's lapse allowed Callsen-Bracker an easy chance to head the opener.
Blackburn pushed forward in numbers in search of the equaliser, but also left themselves vulnerable to a counter attack.
Andriy Voronin screwed a shot wide after a slick Leverkusen move, while at the other end, Aaron Mokoena fired an effort past the upright.
Then Rovers got back on level terms when Bentley took aim from 25 yards and his free-kick took went in via the wall.
But Rovers' fortune turned against them five minutes later when Ramelow's shot took a wicked deflection off Ryan Nelson's chest leaving keeper Brad Freidel no chance.
And things soon got worse for Rovers after the break.
Gonzalo Castro crossed in low from the right just behind Schneider, who managed to deftly flick the ball with his heel and send it in off the post.
The lively Kiessling almost added to Leverkusen's advantage but was twice denied by Freidel as the hosts dominated.
Rovers lacked a threat up front, with Roberts off the pace, and a lone Bentley shot all they could muster.
That was until substitute Nonda smashed in a volley off the underside of the bar after Rovers managed to put Leverkusen under pressure for the first time in the half.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Preston bag Gambia captain |  Preston's busy day in the transfer market continued after snapping up Gambia captain Seyfo Soley for an undisclosed fee.
Paul Simpson confirmed The Lilywhites were in talks with Genk last week for the midfielder and have now sealed his signature. The deal for Soley looked over earlier this month due to Genk's demands, although as he was out of contract in the summer they have reached a compromise.
Soley is the club's second transfer deadline day signing following the capture of Brighton keeper Wayne Henderson.The 26-year-old, who does not require a permit as he hold an EU passport, could now make his debut against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.
SOURCE: skysports.com | | Owusu-Abeyie opts for Ghana |  Dutch youth international Quincy Owusu-Abeyie has pledged his future to Ghana.
The 20-year-old, whose parents hail from the West African country, met Ghana FA officials last month to discuss the switch of allegiance.
According to the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Spartak Moscow star has agreed to play for the Black Stars and is part of coach Claude Le Roy's squad for next month's friendly against Nigeria.
Even though Fifa is yet to receive Owusu-Abeyie's request for a switch of nationality, the GFA is confident of a swift approval by the game's governing body.
"Quincy has agreed to play for his motherland," GFA spokesman Randy Abbey told BBC Sport on Wednesday.
"We are confident that his application for a switch of nationality will be approved before the game against Nigeria, and that's why we have named him in the squad."
Owusu-Abeyie had a superb showing for Holland at the Fifa World Youth Championship in 2005.
But he failed to hold down a regular position at English side Arsenal and joined Russia's Spartak Moscow in last year.
Also expected to make his debut for the Black Stars is striker Ibrahim Salou of Belgian side Club Brugge.
The 26-year-old, who holds a Belgium passport, pledged his international future to his country of birth last year.
But he turned down a subsequent invitation to the national team, angry over how his call-up was handled.
Salou met Le Roy in Belgium two weeks ago and has agreed to play in the game in London.
Germany-based striker Isaac Boakye returns to the squad for the first time since missing the Nations Cup last year.
Meanwhile, Le Roy says he will not call Sammy Kuffuor until the experienced defender is able to command a first-team place.
The Italy-based player lost his place in the Black Stars' squad during the World Cup in June and has not been invited to his country's four matches since the tournament in Germany.
"I have so much respect for Kuffuor and I don't want to invite him and keep him on the bench," the Frenchman said.
"The defenders I have at the moment are playing so well that it will be difficult for Kuffuor to start ahead of them.
"I will keep him out of the team until I am satisfied that he will take a first-team place when I call him up."
Also missing in the squad is Borussia Dortmund striker Matthew Amoah, who has struggled since joining the German team last year.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)
Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpei (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Habib Mohammed (Molde FK, Norway), Shilla Illiasu (Saturn FC, Russia) and John Mensah (Rennes, France)
Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Laryea Kingson (Hearts, Scotland) Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Haminu Draman (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)
Forwards: Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Joe Tex Frimpong (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia) Asamoah Gyan (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia) Ibrahim Salou (Club Brugge, Belgium) Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Spartak Moscow, Russia) and Isaac Boakye (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany)
SOURCE: BBC S | | Uefa fears for international game |  International football will be destroyed if Belgian club Charleroi win a landmark court case, says European football's governing body Uefa.
Charleroi are suing world body Fifa after player Abdelmajid Oulmers was injured playing for Morocco in 2004.
Few countries could fund national teams if Charleroi won, Uefa told BBC Sport.
A spokesman said: "It would be the end of the national team game. A World Cup would take place with only Spain, Germany, Italy, France and England."
A Charleroi victory would mean clubs would become entitled to compensation while their players are away on international duty
The spokesman, William Gaillard, said international football was "in the end what people like the most".
"If you ask the English fans if they would like to see one English club win the Champions League or England win a championship, then I think you know the answer," he said.
Charleroi claim the loss of Oulmers damaged their hopes of winning the Belgian league title in 2004/5 and it wants compensation for having to pay the player's wages while he was out of action.
In May, the case was moved from a tribunal in Charleroi to the European Court of Justice, where it is waiting to be heard.
The club are being backed by the G14 group of clubs, who are unhappy with Fifa rules that players must be released for international football without entitlement to financial compensation.
A Charleroi victory "would be the end of national football for any football association outside of the big five in Europe," Gaillard said.
"I was talking to Brazilian, Scandinavian and Eastern European football experts, and they all said we would never see our stars playing for the national team again.
"A World Cup would take place with only Spain, Germany, Italy, France and England and that would be the end.
"Recently the head of the Irish FA said if we have to pay for our stars we would never see Robbie Keane playing for Ireland again.
"There's no way the Brazilian FA could pay for one fifth of the players."
Newcastle are negotiating with the Football Association for compensation after Michael Owen was injured playing for England during the World Cup.
The FA has one of the most progressive insurance policies in world football, offering to pay the wages of players for up to two years after they suffer injury.
The sums involved are reported to be capped at £55,000 a week.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this week weighed into the debate by likening international coaches to joyriders.
"What the national coaches are doing is like taking the car from his (club manager's) garage without even asking his permission," Wenger said.
"They'll then use his car for 10 days and abandon it in a field without any petrol left in the tank.
"We then have to recover it, but it is broken down. Then, a month later, they'll come to take your car again -and for good measure you're expected to be nice about it."
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | African champs to face Auckland City | Ahly of Egypt  The winner of next month's African Champions League final will meet Oceania champions Auckland City in the opening match of this year's Club World Cup in Japan.
The tie against the New Zealand side will be played on 10 December after the official draw in Tokyo on Thursday.
Four clubs are vying to win this year's African Champions League with Ahly of Egypt playing the Ivorian side Asec while Tunisian side CS Sfaxien face South Africa's Orlando Pirates.
The winner of the match will face South American champions Internacional of Brazil in the semi-finals three days later.
Central American representatives Club America of Mexico will play the eventual winners of this year's Asian Champions League in the other quarter-final game on 11 December.
The winner of that match will play Europe's representative Barcelona of Spain on 14 December.
The final will be played in Yokohama on 17 December.
Ahly represented Africa at last year's Club World Cup and finished last.
Brazil's Sao Paulo beat Liverpool 1-0 to win the tournament.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | UEFA give Nancy anti-racism shirt go-ahead | French side, AS Nancy-Lorraine will be allowed to wear the slogan 'non au racisme' on their shirts in their next UEFA Cup match against Wisla Krakow, the Polish side at the centre of the recent McCarthy racism accusation.
Special dispensation
UEFA has given the French club special dispensation to keep the anti-racism slogan for the game against Wisła Kraków at the Stade Marcel Picot on 2 November. Originally, UEFA had told AS Nancy-Lorraine that the slogan did not comply with its regulations.
"I am happy to say that we have been able to find a compromise, given UEFA's campaign against racism in football," said UEFA's communication and public affairs director William Gaillard.
UEFA's partner, the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, is currently staging its Action Week against racism and discrimination.
UEFA anti-racism match
Nyon match
UEFA scheduled an on-field contribution to the pan-European Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week, with the European body's staff team playing its traditional Action Week match against the Geneva-based HOPE team representing various nationalities who have come together for the event.
The event was scheduled to take place at the Stade de Colovray opposite UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday 23 October (20.00CET).
Biggest anti-racism campaign
The FARE network's annual Action Week against racism and discrimination has grown into continental football's biggest anti-racism campaign.
The seventh Action Week, which continues until 30 October, is involving lobbying activities by supporters, players, clubs, associations, minority organisations, anti-discrimination groups, youth centres, schools and the sports media.
Participation by ethnic minorities and migrants, inclusion of women and girls in the game, and action against homophobia in football are all on the agenda.
UEFA proud backers
"UEFA is proud to be backing FARE Action Week against racism and discrimination," said UEFA President Lennart Johansson. "We appreciate the opportunity to underline our unwavering commitment to eradicating racism in our game.
"We know racism can't be beaten in a single week, but we hope these activities will be a catalyst that engages more and more members of the football family in the fights against racism and discrimination."
Geneva matches
Meanwhile, in two other matches, another Geneva-based body, the Organisation Sportive Africa-Suisse (OSAS) was scheduled to field sides in games against the Geneva cantonal police at Aire-le-Lognon on Monday 23 October (19.30CET), before meeting another of UEFA's social responsibility portfolio partners, the International Committee of the Red Cross team, at Vessy on Wednesday 30 October (18.30CET).
SOURCE: UEFA.com | | Sfaxien coach calls on players to focus |  CS Sfaxien coach Mrad Mahjoub was ecstatic after his team reached its first Champions League final.
The Tunisians defeated South Africa's Orlando Pirates 1-0 on Saturday to progress to the final by the same aggregate scoreline.
"Of course I am happy! It's not every year that your team qualifies for the Champions League final," Mahjoub told BBC Sport.
"We played a very good game and now we have to think seriously about the final." "It needs a lot of preparation and we need to focus to win the cup." CS Sfaxien, founded in 1928, know what it takes to win continental honours, having lifted the Caf Cup in 1998.
Yet their supporters may have to travel some distance to watch the second leg of the final next month.
The Sfax-based club are likely to stage the match in Tunis' Rades Stadium, whose 60,000-capacity is five times greater than the finalists' Olympic Stadium.
"I would prefer the final to be played in Sfax so that we can share the occasion with our local supporters," Mahjoub added.
"But Sfax is a Tunisian team and all Tunisians have the right to support Sfax in Rades.
"Playing in Rades will guarantee a bigger crowd and our fans are used to travelling around the country to watch the team."
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates' coach Milutin Sredojevic praised the Sfaxien fans for the support they gave their team.
"The home fans were like a twelfth player and their support gave their team victory," the Serb told BBC Sport.
"I congratulate Sfaxien for reaching the final and wish them luck.
"They are a strong team, they played a big match and they deserve to be there."
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Police make arrests in Zimbabwean abuse | Police have arrested 37 Serbian football fans over the racist abuse of Zimbabwe's Mike Temwanjira while playing for his side Borac on Saturday.
Twenty-nine Borac fans were released Sunday after spending a night in jail, while eight were kept in detention facing charges of "spreading racial hatred at a sports venue," police said.
Belgrade media report that fans in the central Serbian city of Cacak racially abused triker Temwanjira at a first division match.
Borac fans wore white hoods with Ku Klux Klan insignia and held a banner saying "Go away because nobody likes you" during the match against Vozdovac Belgrade.
"I am absolutely gutted and it is beyond my comprehension that they could do something like this," said Borac coach Radovan Curcic.
"(Temwanjira) was going through a hard time after the match but he has the support of all his team mates and I can say he is the favourite player in the dressing room."
Fans were reported to have raised their arms in a Nazi saulte, and the match was held for 10 minutes as police intervened to arrest 37 offenders for spreading racial intolerance.
Temwanjira, a former Zimbabwe international, has scored twice for Borac, who lost 1-0 on Saturday, this season.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Uefa launch racism probe |  Uefa have confirmed they are investigating allegations of racist abuse directed at Manchester United players in their UEFA Champions League clash with Benfica.
During the game at Estadio da Luz, which United won 1-0, Patrice Evra, Louis Saha, Kieran Richardson and Wes Brown were all reportedly the target of abuse of a racist nature.
Whilst Benfica have denied the accusations, The Red Devils made a written complaint to Europe's governing body after returning from Portugal.
As a result Uefa have now launched a probe into the alleged behaviour of the Benfica fans.
"Uefa is investigating a written complaint made by Manchester United FC about alleged racist conduct by spectators at the UEFA Champions League Group F match against SL Benfica in Lisbon on 26 September," read a statement on Uefa's website.
"The English club has submitted the complaint, following allegations by United players that they were subject to abuse of a racist nature at the game in Portugal, with United won 1-0."
If found guilty, the minimum punishment Benfica can expect to receive is a fine of £14,000, whilst Uefa also have the power to impose a points deduction or exclusion from the competition.
SOURCE: skysports.com | | Germany's Asamoah calls Rostock's racist fans ‘idiots’ | Germany striker Gerald Asamoah, who faced racist chants from fans at a German cup match in the eastern city of Ro stock last month, said racist supporters had ruined the country's image abroad.
'Many people abroad associate Germany with racism,' the 27-year-old Schalke 04 and national player told Kicker soccer magazine. 'The World Cup astounded the world that the Germans could be different. Even the people of Ghana were pleased.'
The German football association (DFB) fined Hansa Rostock's regional league side 20,000 euros ($25,410) last month after their fans chanted racist slogans at Asamoah, a German national who emigrated to Germany, as a child.
'Now these monkey noises mean that people in Africa have that image of Germany again which was around before the World Cup. These idiots have done that,' he said, in comments published on the magazine's website on Monday.
'They are people who have not moved with the times.'
The player suffered a double fracture to his leg last week during his team's UEFA Cup defeat by Nancy. His injuries are likely to keep him out of action for months.
Racism has been in the spotlight in the east of Germany. The far-right National Democratic Party (NPD) won parliamentary seats last month in an election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state where Rostock is located.
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | African trio commit to Lille contracts |  LOSC Lille Métropole have extended the contracts of African trio Kader Keita, Jean II Makoun and Peter Odemwingie, with each agreeing to prolong their stay at the Ligue 1 outfit by one season.
'Great potential'
Ivory Coast winger Keita will remain at the northern French club until June 2010. The 25-year-old is in his second term at Lille following a move from Qatari club Al Saad, and coach Claude Puel said: "He has great potential. It was a challenge for him to join us after four years in the Gulf but he's on the brink of great things."
Puel delight
Puel is also delighted to secure the services of 23-year-old Cameroon midfielder Makoun until 2011. He said: "He is an outstanding ball-winner, very strong mentally and it makes you feel comfortable when you can rely on such a player." Nigerian forward Odemwingie, meanwhile, is Ligue 1's leading scorer with five goals from eight games and has signed up until 2011 as well.
'One of the best'
"He can be one of the best strikers in France," said Puel of the 25-year-old. The Uzbekistan-born player added: "I have progressed a lot since I joined, and I think I can keep improving here." Makoun joined Lille in 2002, with Odemwingie arriving in 2004/05. The trio have played in both of Lille's UEFA Champions League Group H matches, draws against RSC Anderlecht and AC Milan. Lille face AEK Athens FC at home next Tuesday, looking to prolong their unbeaten start to the campaign.
SOURCE: UEFA.com | | Racism blights Zaragoza again |  Real Zaragoza face yet another fine after the Spanish club's fans racially taunted an African during a recent league game.
Visiting Ghanaian midfielder Mustapha Riga was subjected to insults and monkey noises during Levante's 2-2 draw at Zarargoza on Sunday.
Referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes related the incident in his match report, after having requested the stadium announcer to ask the fans to stop their behaviour. "I asked the local match delegate to apply the protocol and did not hear the sounds again," Vitienes said.
Although the taunting stopped following the announcement, Spain's Anti-Violence Commission and the country's football federation are likely to act on the referee's report.
It is not the first time Real Zaragoza have been in trouble over the racist conduct of some of its supporters.
Two seasons ago, Barcelona's Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o was greeted by monkey chants and hurled peanuts after he scored a goal.
In February, Real Betis's Brazilian striker Robert was racially abused and Eto'o received similar treatment later that month.
Eto'o tried to walk off the field but was persuaded to remain by his team-mates and coaches.
The Spanish Football Federation, who had previously fined Zaragoza a standard US$714 for such cases, imposed a US$10,728 on the club after the second Eto'o incident.
Racist conduct by supporters at matches in Spain has continued this season despite the government's commitment to taking hard line on such abuse.
SOURCE: BBC Sports | | Guinea’s Diallo out for rest of season | Guinean defender Ibrahima Diallo will miss the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury while playing for his Belgian club Charleroi last week.
He is expected to be absent from action for between eight and ten months after medical experts confirmed ligament damage on Wednesday.
Diallo joined Charleroi from French side Guingamp last season.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | LuaLua released without charge | Portsmouth forward Lomana LuaLua has been released without charge after he was arrested, following a domestic dispute with his partner on Thursday, his agent has confirmed.
The 25-year-old Congo DR international was arrested in the early hours of this morning by officers, after the dispute at his Hampshire home.
The player's agent, Brad Warner, said: 'It was a domestic dispute and the police have released him without charge. It's really not a big thing.' Lualua was quizzed, then, released, Thursday evening.
Warner said Lualua had spent longer than usual in custody at the Portsmouth central police station, because of problems finding a translator for his partner, who speaks a dialect.
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | ETO'O FEELS THE PAIN, AGAIN, IN SPAIN | | Though Barcelona's 3-0 league win warmed the hopes of their fans and their coach Frank Rijkaard, last night, it ended with a tinge of regret. Eto'o, who in the past has been the victim of racist taunts which almost led to him walking off the pitch last February during a game against Real Zaragoza, was once again the victim. Spanish radio Cadena Ser reported that after his goal Eto'o the striker was taunted by Santander's supporters. However Barcelona, the reigning European and Spanish champions, showed their class soon afterwards when Eto'o broke the deadlock with a superb strike from long range. The Cameroonian international's swerving shot from 25 yards bounced just before it reached Racing's keeper, and slipped almost inexplicably past his grasp and into the net. Barcelona were forced into a nervous wait throughout the second half before Frenchman Ludovic Giuly doubled their lead in the 84th minute. That gave Barca the freedom to roam, and Brazilian showman Ronaldinho added their third goal from the penalty spot. CULLED from YAHOO! Sports | | Clubs set for fines over racism |  German clubs Alemannia Aachen and Borussia Moenchengladbach are facing fines for the racist chants aimed at Zambian defender Moses Sichone.
The 29-year-old was taunted along with Brazilian striker Kahe during their Bundesliga clash on Saturday.
The incident marred the tie and prompted the German Football Association (DFB) to act.
The DFB's disciplinary committee proposed on Friday a fine of US$96,000 for Aachen and US$32,000 for Moenchengladbach.
The DFB last week fined Hansa Rostock's regional league side US$25,000 after fans chanted racist slogans at Schalke 04's Gerald Asamoah in a Cup match.
SOURCE: BBC Sport
Kolo urges Wenger to sign YayaBy Alex Livie  Kolo Toure has urged Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to pull out all the stops to sign his brother Yaya in the summer.
Yaya Toure has earned rave reviews in Olympiakos' engine room this term and is being tipped to secure a move to a major European league this summer. Juventus are believed to be keen on the Ivory Coast man, but Kolo Toure has urged Wenger to move for a man he feels can fill the sizeable boots of Patrick Vieira in North London. "He has great ability," Kolo Toure told Sky Sports News. "When I watch him he looks like Patrick. He is a tall player, has great ability and he can help the club. "He is a better player [than me], he is a midfielder and has great ability. He is fantastic. "It would be fantastic, my brother and me." Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea could also be in the frame, with Blues striker Didier Drogba a huge fan of his compatriot. "He is a fantastic player," admitted Drogba. "He can run, jump and win all the ball in the midfield and also score. "When he runs he looks like Patrick Vieira. If he comes, everybody will love him." SOURCE: skysports.com
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| | | | Click Here for Other News | | Jose: I'm a hard act to follow |  Chelsea kept up their quest for glory on four fronts with an emphatic FA Cup success over Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on a day when coach Jose Mourinho insisted he was not planning to quit the club.
But Mourinho warned his potential successors at Stamford Bridge that he will be a hard act to follow as Chelsea's 3-0 victory.
Mourinho's future at the club has been in the spotlight in recent weeks with suggestions that he will quit at the end of the season.
The Portuguese manager insists he will see out his contract with the club but there are already a dozen possible names on the list to replace him should he leave.
However, after watching his side sink Forest with three first-half goals, Mourinho warned: "I think it is difficult to be a manager after me at any club so I would not recommend it.
"I know the list is quite long - 11 or 12 managers of Chelsea - but even if the list becomes bigger it is no problem for me. I am cool but it is my desire to stay at Chelsea."
Mourinho had already pledged to stay at the club in a BBC interview prior to the tie with Forest but he also insisted that his backroom staff are under no threat despite suggestions they are not being offered new contracts in the summer.
Mourinho declared: "My coaching staff do not need contracts. They never need a contract.
"They only need a contract when they decide to stop working with me. When they want to work with me, they know they have an automatic contract because where I am, they are.
"They don't need a contract. They just need to speak with the club for 10 minutes and to sign a document, you can call it a contract, but for me the contract they have is with me.
"They have a contract with me since I started my career as a manager. They have worked with me since then but my Portuguese group are together and know that wherever I am, they will be with me as well. There is no problem. They know that when I have a job, they have a job. They have no problems."
Mourinho also scoffed at suggestions there was a rift between billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea manager and his squad because of his absence from the dressing room after recent matches.
The Russian was not at the game today but Mourinho declared: "He is the owner - he does what he wants. It doesn't matter to me. He has his life. He has a busy, professional life and I can imagine it is more busy and complicated than I know.
"He also has freedom to live his life like he wants to and he does not have to give explanations to me. When the boss decides to come, we are happy.
"He is always welcome to our space, to our dressing room, to our training space, so when he has no other commitments, he is coming. I have no problem with that.
"He is very happy because the team is playing well and has reached the final of the Carling Cup. When he's back, he's back and we are happy with that."
Chelsea were always in control against Forest after Andriy Shevchenko put them in front with a deflected shot in the ninth minute.
Didier Drogba added the second with a curling free kick from 25 yards in the 18th minute and Mikel Jon Obi claimed the third on the stroke of half-time.
Mourinho added: "We had a team on the pitch working together. We did a professional job.
"Three-nil at half-time meant the game was over. We deserved the result."
Forest boss Colin Calderwood was disappointed his side failed to compete, particularly in the opening half when Chelsea killed the tie.
Calderwood said: "I cannot take any positives out of the defeat.
"Our fans were great but their rewards will come later in the season we hope. I had hoped we would have been more competitive than we were.
"We learned how efficient Chelsea were in their use of the ball - how simple it was.
"We didn't take part from the first goal until about 30 minutes. We improved in the second half but it is easy to react when you are three down. You have got to do that when it is 0-0."
SOURCE: Daily Mail | | UEFA reject Mijailovic appeal against five-match ban | UEFA have rejected an appeal by Wisla Krakow's Nikola Mijailovic against his five-match ban for racially abusing Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy.
European soccer's governing body said the case was a significant development in the organisation's tougher stance on racism.
'This is the first case to be heard since UEFA changed its disciplinary statutes in line with FIFA's new guidelines on racism in football,' UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said on Wednesday.
'From now on, any player found guilty of racial abuse will be banned for five matches in the case of a first offence, unless they can offer a credible defence such as, for example, not being able to speak the language that they are accused of having abused the other person in.
'We are determined to eradicate racism. We still have to see what it will take to do that, but we are determined to go all the way.'
UEFA's appeals body heard evidence from both Mijailovic and McCarthy but has not made their testimony public.
Mijailovic, 24, received the ban last month after an investigation following the UEFA Cup match between the sides on Oct. 19, which Blackburn won 2-1.
In a statement on the organisation's Web site, UEFA said it had launched its original inquiry based on an official complaint submitted by Blackburn and after receiving a separate report from the match referee.
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | Soccer news in brief from around the world: | * Olympique Lyon have signed Brazilian midfielder Fabio Dos Santos Barbosa from Cruzeiro Belo Horizonte for 4.2 million euros ($5.43 million) on a 3-1/2-year contract, the French Ligue 1 club said.
Barbosa, 26, will reinforce the team in Alou Diarra's absence. Midfielder Diarra will be out of action for six to seven weeks with a thigh injury. Barbosa is qualified to play in Lyon's French Cup last-16 game at Marseille.
* Italian Serie A side Palermo have agreed to buy Poland striker Radoslaw Matusiak, the Polish state news agency reported, citing unnamed sources close to the club.
The PAP news agency said Palermo had paid $2.6 million to promoted Polish club GKS Belchatow for Matusiak, making him the sixth most expensive transfer in Polish football history.
The 25-year-old whose goals have driven Belchatow to first place in Poland's top flight, has been in talks with a series of foreign clubs since breaking into the national side in 2006.
* Germany coach Joachim Loew warned his team not to relax in Euro 2008 qualifying despite a good start to their campaign.
"You only have to look around at some of the other countries that are struggling in the qualifiers," he told Kicker magazine. "You just can't afford to have a weak run."
Germany are top of Group D with 10 points, ahead of the Czech Republic on goal difference.
* VfL Wolfsburg midfielder Marian Hristov has been recalled to the Bulgaria squad for next month's four-country friendly tournament in Cyprus.
Former Levski Sofia and Kaiserslautern midfielder Hristov, who turns 34 in March, earned the last of his 41 caps in 2004. He has struggled with injury, missing most of this season with a broken leg.
* Udinese are to sign two captains from top Czech sides. Defender Tomas Zapotocny, 26, of Slovan Liberec and midfielder Tomas Sivok, 23, of Sparta Prague were having medicals with a view to joining the Italian club.
CULLED FROM: football.guardian.co.uk | | Premiership Transfer Window - Day 29 |  It's action stations around the country as the January transfer window begins to creak closed and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley continues to be one of the most active players in the market.
He is expected to lead a late flurry of business deal before Wednesday's midnight deadline by swooping on former club Charlton with a £15million bid for England striker Darren Bent.
The Addicks are holding out for £17m but the Hammers hope they will win this game of brinkmanship with the last ditch offer.
If a deal goes through expect Reading to move for Bobby Zamora while Wigan are still interested in Marlon Harewood if a deal with Shakhtar Donesk for Nigerian World Cup striker Julius Agahowa collapses.
If the Royals fail to sign former Tottenham and Brighton marksman Zamora they will go to Crystal Palace for Republic of Ireland international Clinton Morrison.
The Hammers are the high rollers of the month and are also waiting to see if Birmingham accept an improved offer of just over £8.5m for matthew Upson, who is desperate to move to Upton Park.
Spurs hope to overcome a dispute with Derby County over payments for midfielder Tom Huddlestone to sign teenage striker Giles Barnes for £3m but Edgar Davids is returning to Ajax where he began his career.
Manchester City are continuing to work hard in an effort to bring in Tim de Cler form AZ Alkmaar but the move may be temporary to begin with before being reviewed in the summer.
And despite pressing needs for a defender to tighten things up at the back, Newcastle are keen on Ajax attacker Ryan Babel.
Standard Liege centre-half Oguchi Oneywu is the top Toon target for boss Glenn Roeder but it remains to be seen if he can add him to the St James' Park payroll.
Fulham are looking at former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who is struggling to get regular action at White Hart Lane.
But they may face competition from Portsmouth who are reluctant to up their £8m offer for Udinese midfielder Sulley Muntari.
Blackburn have also been busy in the transfer market but they may have one last hurrah by signing Lee hendrie from Aston Villa.
Rumour of the day: Chelsea to go back in for Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim.
No chance: Manchester United will not sell Cristiano Ronaldo to anyone.
SOURCE: Daily Mail | | UEFA bans Hunt after racism complaint | Germany's Werder Bremen striker Aaron Hunt has been handed a two-match ban by UEFA for 'gross unsporting conduct' during Germany's European under-21 play-off match against England on October 10.
The 20-year-old will miss two national team games after being seen verbally abusing two England players during the match which England went on to win 2-0.
The ruling from UEFA's control and disciplinary board stopped short of mentioning any racist abuse, despite post-match accusations against Hunt by England defenders Micah Richards and Anton Ferdinand.
Hunt denied the accusations, issuing a statement the day after the match to say there had been 'some fierce verbal exchanges' but no racist terms.
The UEFA investigation follows several recent incidents of racism in Germany.
In September, Germany's Ghanaian-born striker Gerald Asamoah faced racist chants from fans at a cup match between his Schalke 04 and Hansa Rostock's regional league side last month. The German football association fined Rostock 20,000 euros ($25,410).
Last month, players from Jewish club TuS Makkabi in a Berlin district league walked off the pitch 12 minutes from time in protest against anti-Semitic chants from fans and players of the opposing team, VSG Altglienicke.
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | Nigeria, S. Africa in opening AWC wins |  Nigeria's quest for an unprecedented fifth African Women's Championship title got off to a shaky start on Saturday.
The hosts struggled to beat debutants Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in Group A at the Warri Township stadium in the opening match of the tournament.
Super Falcons striker Cynthia Uwak, who is on the shortlist for Fifa Women's Player of the Year award, hit a brace in the first ten minutes to send the home fans into raptures.
But Equatorial Guinea rallied and got two quick goals with Nigeria-born Chinasa Okoro hitting the target in the 16th minute.
Seven minutes later the Guineans levelled when striker Clotilde Essiane scored a long-range effort.
Reigning African Footballer of the Year Perpetua Nkwocha restored Nigeria's lead seven minutes after the break.
Equatorial Guinea's physical play late in the game resulted in two of their players being red-carded.
Essiane turned from hero to villain as she got her matching orders for a rough challenge.
Substitute Afang Monsuy Candida was also dismissed with only two minutes remaining.
The Super Falcons took advantage of their numerical strength and captain Kikelomo Ajayi rose above goalkeeper Haoua Yao to secure the victory.
The uninspiring display from the defending champions left their coach Effiom Ntiero disappointed.
"The girls lost concentration and we cannot afford to do that because any country that plays Nigeria is overly determined." Ntiero told BBC Sport.
"We have to put this game behind us and approach subsequent games with utmost determination."
The debutants were pleased with their maiden game of the tournament.
"We knew we were coming up against a tough side and we are not disappointed with the result," Okoro said.
Meanwhile, in the other Group A game Banyana Banyana of South Africa thrashed Algeria 4-0.
Veteran striker Veronica Phewa scored the tournament fastest ever goal in the first minute first and added a second ten minutes before the break.
Further goals from Nyanden Nompumelolo and Solomon Jo-Ann took the Banyana Banyana secured the victory.
South Africa now lead group A ahead of Nigeria with goal difference.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | Racist players must be
'hung out to dry' - Ferdinand | Rio Ferdinand insists football's governing bodies must do more to stamp out racism from the game.
The Manchester United and England centre back wants players and clubs who are found guilty of racist abuse to be hit by stringent punishments and 'hung out to dry'.
Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy this week claimed he was racially abused by Wisla Krakow's Serbian defender Nikola Mijailovic in this week.
Ferdinand's brother, the West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand, recently complained of racist abuse during an Under-21 international against Germany.
Ferdinand said: 'England are doing a lot to quash that but in Europe people are light years behind and until the punishment becomes severe people will continue to do it and get away with it.
'Players need to be banned for a certain amount of games and massive fines - something that is going to makes people sit and up and think: 'I had better not do that. My club is going to suffer, I am going to suffer. I will get embarrassed in public as well'.
'I think people need to be hung out to dry. There needs to be nowhere they can have a safe haven.
'Football is not going to get racism out of society but it goes a long way to setting the right tone towards kids coming through because football is an inspiration.
'If they see footballers doing the right thing them more than likely they will try to go along the same lines.
'The powers that be have a part to play.'
Ferdinand, speaking to Sportsweek on BBC Radio Five Live, urged FIFA president Sepp Blatter to take a lead on the racism issue.
He added: 'Has anything happened since (that England Under-21 game)? If it was something silly like someone pulling shirt over their heads to celebrate a goal I am sure Sepp Blatter would have been in the media somewhere talking about it. Up until now I have not heard anything said.'
Ferdinand's Manchester United can return top of the Premiership table with a victory over north-west rivals Liverpool this afternoon.
It is the best start to a season Ferdinand can remember since the championship campaign of 2002-03.
This time last year United were 10 points behind Chelsea and ended up finishing second in the Premiership, eight points adrift.
And Ferdinand is confident United have the desire and the quality to push on and bring the Premiership title back to Old Trafford.
'Every season you want to start from the front and we haven't done that other than in my first year at United,' said Ferdinand.
'There is still much room for improvement. We have got a group of hungry players who demand a lot of themselves and want to do well.
'We have started the season OK and long may that continue.
'We don't want to give out the message that we have achieved anything yet because we haven't.
'Medals aren't given out now, they are given out at the end of the season. We want to be in the same position then, looking down on people. Then we will have had a good season.'
SOURCE: soccernet.com | | FARE Action-Week moves into full swing | The Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network's Action-Week against racism and intolerance is in full swing, with UEFA's staff making their on-field contribution last night.
Spreading the message
UEFA's staff side and the Geneva-based HOPE team comprising players of various nationalities braved the pouring rain at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon, Switzerland to help spread the message that racism has no place in the game. UEFA's team ran out 7-1 winners in the match. The FARE network's annual Action Week continues until 30 October, and involves lobbying activities by supporters, players, clubs, associations, minority organisations, anti-discrimination groups, youth centres, schools and the sports media.
High profile
Last week's UEFA Champions League matches were also marked by anti-racist activities, which included the captains of all the teams wearing Unite Against Racism armbands, and children sporting Unite Against Racism t-shirts.
Show of strength
FARE said: "The annual show of strength coordinated by the FARE network and implemented with support of UEFA is uniting football fans, clubs and those targeted by racism across the continent in a concerted effort to make discrimination a thing of the past. Having grown massively since its launch in 2001, the FARE Action Week now includes more than 1,000 single activities in 37 European countries. The campaign will boost public awareness of the problem of racism and discrimination and demonstrate a united front in dealing with this malign influence on Europe's number one sport."
SOURCE: UEFA.com | | Police make arrests in Zimbabwean abuse | Police have arrested 37 Serbian football fans over the racist abuse of Zimbabwe's Mike Temwanjira while playing for his side Borac on Saturday.
Twenty-nine Borac fans were released Sunday after spending a night in jail, while eight were kept in detention facing charges of "spreading racial hatred at a sports venue," police said.
Belgrade media report that fans in the central Serbian city of Cacak racially abused triker Temwanjira at a first division match.
Borac fans wore white hoods with Ku Klux Klan insignia and held a banner saying "Go away because nobody likes you" during the match against Vozdovac Belgrade.
"I am absolutely gutted and it is beyond my comprehension that they could do something like this," said Borac coach Radovan Curcic.
"(Temwanjira) was going through a hard time after the match but he has the support of all his team mates and I can say he is the favourite player in the dressing room."
Fans were reported to have raised their arms in a Nazi saulte, and the match was held for 10 minutes as police intervened to arrest 37 offenders for spreading racial intolerance.
Temwanjira, a former Zimbabwe international, has scored twice for Borac, who lost 1-0 on Saturday, this season.
SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Passport snag rules out Utaka for Nigeria |  John Utaka's hopes of playing for Nigeria in this weekend's Nations Cup qualifier in Lesotho have been hit by a passport snag.
The France-based forward will not be able to play in Sunday's Group 3 clash for the unusual reason that his passport does not have enough free pages.
The Rennes striker applied for a South African visa last week but the consulate turned down his request because there was no space in his passport to attach the visa.
The Super Eagles are training in Johannesburg before leaving for the Basuthu capital Maseru on Friday.
"I applied for the South Africa visa and was asked to come up with a new passport because my existing one is fully stamped," the 24-year-old told BBC Sport.
"I travelled to the Nigerian Embassy in Paris to get a new one but was told that the machine that produces it has been broken for two months."
"I doubt I can travel to either South Africa or Lesotho because they told me they do not know when the machine will work again."
Utaka missed Nigeria's 2-0 win over Niger last month, which sent the Super Eagles second in their group on goal difference, because of injury.
"This situation could have been avoided but I did not travel to Nigeria last month due to my rehabilitation," added the non-flying Super Eagle.
"I have called around but since the machine doesn't work, there is nothing anyone can do about it."
Utaka is not the only high-profile Nigerian to have suffered passport problems in recent years.
In 2005, Joseph Enakarhire, playing for Dynamo Moscow at the time, could not renew his passport because the Nigerian Embassy in Russia said it was not in a position to do so.
In the same month, passport problems stranded Taribo West in Italy.
Meanwhile, another France-based Nigerian, Osaze Odemwingie, has ruled himself out of Sunday's match.
Odemwingie believes he will not recover in time from a groin injury sustained in Lille's 1-0 win over Nice last weekend.
"I'm disappointed that I cannot travel to Lesotho for this crucial game," the forward told BBC Sport.
"It would be stupid to travel all the way knowing deep down that I cannot give my all as I'm not in a perfect physical condition." SOURCE: BBC Sport | | Cameroon and Nigeria reach Rio |  With stylish and showy sides brimming with talent, both Cameroon and Nigeria pulled the necessary results on Thursday 29 September in the semi-final round in Durban to book their places at the global beach soccer showpiece, this November.
Both outfits were made to sweat it out in their crucial matches, with the two contests going down to the wire. Nigeria narrowly edged out fellow West African up-and-comers Cote d'Ivoire 2-1, in a penalty shootout after regulation ended tangled a 5-5. With the Ivorians leading 5-4, it took an equaliser from Nigeria's Agu just 28 second from time to push the Super Eagles into the penalty shootout.
Cameroon, for their part, were able to win their contest in regulation time, but only just. After trailing for large portions of the match, Cameroonian starlet Bikoue scored two crucial goals in the last five minutes to seal the deal for the Indomitable Lions.
The two old rivals will meet on Saturday to decide who will be crowned African Beach Soccer champions for 2006. But with both nations already assured of a place at the big show in Rio, it' time for a joint celebration.
SOURCE: FIFA.com | | Malawi hire Phiri to replace fired German coach Ziese | Malawi have appointed their ex-coach, Kinnah Phiri, in place of fired German coach Burkhard Ziese, one week before they host Zimbabwe in an African Nations Cup qualifier, the Football Association of Malawi has announced.
Phiri returns for a second a spell in charge of the team, whereas
Ziese, who is under contract until the end of next year, was dismissed for alleged breaches of the terms of his deal with the association, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said.
The veteran German coach, who has a growing list of coaching failures on the continent, was accused of swearing at players and showing disrespect to officials.
Ziese had been in charge of the Malawi side since last November but won just two of his eight matches in charge over the last 10 months.
Ziese was previously coach of Ghana, but was fired after they failed to reach the 2004 Nations Cup finals.
He was also dismissed by Zambia during the 1998 Nations Cup finals in Burkina Faso.
Malawi, who lost 2-0 to Morocco last month in their opening group game, play Zimbabwe, Saturday, in their Group 12 qualifier for the Ghana 2008 African Nations Championship.
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