World of Football
Usual and not so usual Football News from around the WorldArchive for March 7, 2007
Hammers in racism row
West Ham United find themselves entangled in a racist row. Hammers fans have been reportedly filmed singing anti-Semitic songs during their Premiership defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park on Sunday, and as a result the club face a police and FA investigation.
A video showed a group of Hammers fans singing a song referring to Spurs’ large Jewish fanbase.
“We take this very seriously and we expect anybody identified on the video to be dealt with harshly by the club,” an FA spokesman said on Tuesday.
“We will be contacting West Ham to hear their version of events. We will make it very clear that we want no repeat of this kind of thing.”
The have also opened investigations into the alleged racism charge.
“Officers from the public order football unit are investigating a complaint of an anti-Semitic video being shown on an internet site,” a police spokeswoman said.
“The film appeared to have been made at the West Ham versus Spurs match on Sunday. We contacted the website and requested the removal of the film.”
Although West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson had praised the support from their fans during Sunday’s match,now the club say that they are aware of the allegation and reiterated their stand against racism in football.
“Following video evidence of spectators chanting racist abuse during our Premiership match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, West Ham United would like to make it clear that we are taking the matter very seriously,” a club statement read.
“We are a leading campaigner in the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign and will not tolerate racist behaviour of any kind at Upton Park.
“We will investigate this matter fully, attempt to identify the perpetrators and take the appropriate action.”
Ugandan Clubs want share of FIFA grants
NEWLY elected Super Division Clubs Association chairman Godfrey Kisekka has promised to lobby FUFA(Federation of Uganda Football Associations) to allocate part of the annual $250,000 grant from soccer governing body FIFA, to support his members.
Kisekka, who was elected to the clubs’ top job after serving it for nine years as secretary and vice-chairman, argued that FUFA does little to support the association.
“We all know that our clubs are the backbone of the national teams but when our players get injured at national engagements, we are required to treat them without any help from FUFA,” he argued.
Kisekka was elected unopposed during the associations’ general assembly at FUFA House yesterday.
The KCC interim chairman has been deputy to Col. Jackson Tushabe of Victors club.
Villa secretary Edward Luyimbazi Mugalu beat Mbale Heroes’ Moses Twalla by 20-9 votes for the vice-chairman’s seat.
Acting commissioner for sports in the ministry of education and sports and chairman of Boroboro football club Omara Apita beat Police’s Livingstone Lajan in the vote for secretary.
Newly instituted Express interim committee members were locked out because they aren’t yet recognised by SDCA. Masaka did not show up.
Liverpool knockout holders Barca
Liv
erpool FC withstood a late barrage by FC Barcelona to book their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals as the 2005 winners ousted the holders on away goals, despite Eidur Gudjohnsen bringing the visitors a 1-0 victory at Anfield. With the aggregate scores level at 2-2, Liverpool’s first-leg success proved decisive and kept the five-time champions dreaming of another triumph.
