CHAMPIONSHIP
Bellusci charged with racism
Leeds United defender Giuseppe Bellusci was charged with misconduct by the Football Association on Monday after allegedly making racist comments to Norwich City striker Cameron Jerome. The incident occurred in Leeds’ 1-1 Championship draw with Norwich at Carrow Road on Oct. 21 when Jerome complained to referee Mark Clattenburg that he was verbally abused by the 25-year-old Italian, following a confrontation between the two. Leeds owner Massimo Cellino defended Bellusci in the aftermath of the incident, but suggested he could be kicked out of the club if found guilty.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Oyston sorry for ‘retard’ jibe
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston apologized on Monday for branding one of the Championship club’s supporters “a retard.” With Blackpool rooted to the bottom of the second-tier table after losing 6-1 at home to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, the already under-fire Seasiders supremo had been subjected to abuse from frustrated fans. He became embroiled in a furious text message row with fan Stephen Smith over the club’s problems, calling him “a retard” and telling him to “enjoy the rest of your special needs day out.” The texts were published on the Tangerine Knights’ Web site over the weekend and, after being condemned by Blackpool fans and organizations, Oyston issued an apology on the club’s Web site.
BUNDESLIGA
Dortmund sign Kampl
Struggling Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on Monday said they have agreed a deal to sign Slovenia international midfielder Kevin Kampl from Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg. Dortmund said that Kampl, 24, will sign a long-term contract until 2019. “His [Kampl’s] style of play fits in perfectly with our own,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told the club Web site. Borussia said that “both clubs agreed details of the transfer fee shall remain undisclosed,” although the web site of German magazine Kicker reported that the fee would be in the region of 10 million to 12 million euros (US$12.2 million to US$14.7 million).
UEFA
UEFA fines four over debts
Turkey’a Bursaspor were one of four European clubs fined on Monday and barred from playing in the next UEFA club competition they qualify for due to unpaid bills. UEFA said in a statement that its Club Financial Control Body had decided to sanction Bursaspor, Ekranas of Lithuania, and Romanian clubs CFR Cluj and Astra Giurgiu over “important overdue payables towards other clubs, employees and social and tax authorities.”
RSS