Atletico Madrid have been hit with a stadium ban for their next two home Champions League fixtures as UEFA handed out their heaviest punishment so far for racism.
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Atletico's Vicente Calderon Stadium
Due to the trouble that flared during last month's European match against Marseille the Spanish club, who were also fined €150,000, will have to play their group games against Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven at a venue at least 300 kilometres outside of Madrid.
European soccer's governing body said the punishment could be extended to a third match away from the Vicente Calderon stadium should there be repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.
Atletico coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club's home and away fixtures against Liverpool on October 22 and November 4 for insulting Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena
Last week England vice-captain Rio Ferdinand had publicly criticised UEFA and FIFA for their seemingly lenient stance against racism, saying the paltry fines handed out did nothing to stop the problem.
Speaking after the Croatian FA was only fined £15,000 for their fans' racist chanting during last month's 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to England in Zagreb, he said: "They make a lot of comments about what they are going to do but they never back up the words with actions. Croatia were fined a few thousand quid. What good is that going to do?"
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard explained the reasons for UEFA's stringent action against Atletico, which follows Monday's announcement that England will refuse to play in Madrid when they take on Spain in a friendly in February because of past racist incidents.
Gaillard said: "This shows our renewed determination to show zero tolerance towards racism. We had a great Euro (2008) with outstanding fan behaviour and we want our club games to be played in the same spirit.''
Gaillard also said he understood why England players may be reluctant to return to Madrid where they were targeted four years ago.
He added: "I understand the players' fears. That is exactly why we are acting with renewed strength - to make sure that in the future England players will not be threatened by this kind of behaviour."
In a statement on their website UEFA added that Atletico were charged with a lack of organisation during the Marseille match, which led to crowd incidents, and for the improper conduct of their supporters.
The Primera Liga club, who have until midday Friday to respond to the punishment, released a statement on their official website that said Atletico's lawyers were looking into the matter.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have complained that the relatively late decision to move their game from Madrid has caused "disruption" to their fans.
"To say the decision is a bit late in the day, is to put it mildly," said chief executive Rick Parry.
"We have 3,000 fans going to the game and we are extremely concerned for our supporters, the vast majority of whom have already made travel arrangements.
"If the match is played at least 300 kilometres from Madrid, it will cause major disruption, inconvenience and large additional expense for our fans.
"UEFA have to take their needs into account when making a final decision on the game."
UEFA sympathise with Liverpool and have pledged to minimise problems for the 3,000 fans who have already booked a trip; but have defended the stadium ban saying there was "no alternative''
Gaillard said: "We are in touch with Liverpool because we are concerned about the fans. We know they face hardship and disruption and we sympathise with that, but we needed to punish Atletico Madrid. We have no alternative.
"What would people have said if Liverpool went there and the players and fans suffered the same treatment?"
Gaillard said they were already talking to the club about moving charter flights and UEFA would help in any way they could.
"We are looking at the logistics and seeing what help we can provide,'' he added.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Atletico hit by stadium ban
Saturday, October 11, 2008
England 5 - 1 Kazakhstan
England vs Kazakhstan
Rio Ferdinand (52') Zhambyl Kukeyev (68')
Aleksandr Kuchma (65') Own Goal
Wayne Rooney (77')
Wayne Rooney (86')
Jermain Defoe (90')
Better late than never.
England ultimately ended up with more than an adequate margin of victory against Kazakhstan to maintain a 100% record in World Cup qualifying Group Six.
But the scoreline should deceive no-one.
England were at times dreadfully poor and manager Fabio Capello will be alarmed how quickly the spark which so electrified their 4-1 win in Croatia last month disappeared.
Still, a win is a win, so the professionals say. And when the final table is compiled in 12 months' time, three points and five goals at home will not look so bad.
Yet it took Wayne Rooney's late double and Jermain Defoe's injury-time effort to eventually kill off spirited opponents ranked 131st in the world after Kazakhstan had rallied from a breakthrough header by stand-in skipper Rio Ferdinand and an Alexandr Kuchma own goal.
The win in Zagreb had launched a wave of euphoria over the Three Lions which should be enough for them to ride into South Africa in two years' time, if not as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, then a decent outsider.
As ever with England, too much can be taken for granted sometimes and the fact Capello's plea for supporters to cut out the boos, which have become such a feature at Wembley in recent times, lasted until the half-time whistle sounded told its own story of the opening 45 minutes.
Kazakhstan could not be compared to Andorra. They did try to play and attack when they could, and showed plenty of enthusiasm if not much finesse, as half-chances came their way thanks to some lacklustre England defending.
But, rather like a cup tie featuring a team from the higher reaches of the Premier League against one from League Two, the gulf in ability was obvious from the outset and a capacity crowd sat back and waited for the slaughter.
It did not happen. In fact, Kazakhstan goalkeeper Alexandr Mokin did not have a shot to save in the first half, two brave punches to Frank Lampard free-kicks the most exertion he required.
Disappointments were easy to find. The defence, with Matthew Upson replacing injured skipper John Terry, lacked cohesion. Upson was not commanding enough and Ashley Cole's concentration was strangely lacking.
In front of them, a midfield designed to get the best of Lampard and Steven Gerrard showed promise. Both men drove towards the visitors' box after receiving smart lay-offs from Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney respectively.
But on each occasion Kazakhstan's massed defence snuffed them out and any other moments of promise were overshadowed by sloppy passing.
Under the circumstances, and with his hat-trick so fresh in the mind, it was hardly surprising Walcott raised spirits - and the noise level - every time he touched the ball.
Aside from two fairly woeful first touches, the youngster lived up to his billing in all senses, apart from the goals.
His extreme pace and fearless desire to run at opponents threatened openings which, as it turned out, did not materialise for either Heskey or Rooney.
Capello's response was to introduce more direct running, in the form of Shaun Wright-Phillips, at the break, leaving Gerrard and Lampard to prove they could play together in central midfield as Barry made way.
The early signs were not good as Gerrard failed to cover Cole's overlapping burst, inviting Sabyrkhan Ibrayev to charge into the space left free.
Sergey Ostapenko probably should have converted the cross, Tanat Nuserbayev definitely should have finished off the downward header. Thankfully, neither did.
It was the let-off England required and, profiting from Mokin's poor goalkeeping, they duly scored.
Wright-Phillips' low drive was ruled to have taken a deflection as it whistled wide. Mokin tried to come through a crowd of bodies to reach Lampard's corner and got nowhere near.
It meant Ferdinand, lurking at the far post, had an empty net to nod his third international goal into.
Having vowed to "cherish the moment", England's stand-in captain enjoyed the celebration.
With 21-year-old Nuserbayev continuing to catch the eye of Premier League scouts, the hosts needed a second, which came courtesy of Kuchma, who turned Lampard's free-kick into his own net as he jumped with Rooney.
It should have been over. It certainly would have been in Italy, where Capello carved out most of an impressive coaching career.
So, to see Cole aimlessly loft a pass into the path of Zhambyl Kukeyev, who promptly drilled into the corner, just four minutes later, must have been fairly dispiriting.
Cole was booed by the England fans thereafter, although at least Rooney sent them home in happier mood as he headed home Wes Brown's teasing cross 13 minutes from time.
There was still time for a brief cameo from David Beckham, who would be a perfect special team player, if such a thing existed.
And it was Beckham's cross Rooney steered home to earn man-of-the-match accolades before being replaced by Defoe, who also got his name on the scoresheet in the final minute.
England 5 - 1 Kazakhstan Video
Capello tells Walcott: "Don't try too hard"
LONDON, October 11 (National Team) - Fabio Capello will have a quiet word with Theo Walcott before Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan - to stop England's boy wonder trying too hard.
Walcott announced his arrival on the international stage in Zagreb last month with a phenomenal hat-trick in the unexpected hammering of Croatia.
Now, in front of a sell-out 90,000 crowd, the teenager will make his Wembley debut, with England fans expecting big things.
Capello is in no doubt he has a special talent to work with. However, the Italian also knows Walcott cannot be expected to produce such astonishing performances every time he pulls on a white shirt.
Which is why he will whisper a sobering message in Walcott's ear to ensure he helps England's pursuit of a 100% record from their opening three games.
You have to try and play normally and not try to do too much,'' he said.
"I am sure he will take that on board.
"He's a very good boy. He is young but he is still the same - nothing has changed since Croatia. That hasn't surprised me. Why would it?''
Walcott takes his place in an unchanged front line but elsewhere, Capello has selection issues to contend with.
Skipper John Terry is sidelined by a back problem, leaving Rio Ferdinand to take the captain's armband and Matthew Upson, Wes Brown and Joleon Lescott hoping for a start.
[ Capello tells Walcott: "Don't try too hard" on http://sportsoccerhighlights.blogspot.com ]
And, while it may new the start of a bright new dawn at Wembley - Capello's words - there is a familiar problem as Steven Gerrard returns to the same midfield as Frank Lampard.
At various stages under Capello's predecessors Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren, either Lampard or Gerrard shone. But never both.
Currently it is Lampard's star in the ascendancy, Capello's decision to use Gerrard on the left in the August friendly against the Czech Republic drawing stinging criticism from Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, who could see an immense talent being wasted.
Despite the euphoria of last month, which Gerrard missed after a minor groin operation, Capello must realise he does not have enough players of such extreme talent to disregard one.
Which is why he will continue to work at the conundrum until he unearths a solution.
"I hope I can make it work,'' he said.
"Fantastic players have to play together. I don't know why they haven't worked before. The past is not my problem. I just think about the future.
"This kind of thing has happened a lot in my career, although always with the forwards.
"But it's not a problem for me. I prefer to have players of this quality.''
It is only two months since England were booed out of Wembley after a wretched performance against the Czech Republic and four since Euro 2008 unfolded without English representation following the abysmal failure in qualification.
Yet, on the back of just one - albeit extraordinary - win, Capello's side are being talked of as live World Cup contenders, a tournament they will not even have reached the last four of in two decades by the time 32 finalists assemble in South Africa.
It is the kind of over-the-top reaction that makes coaching England seem like an impossible job to many. It is just as well that number does not include Capello.
"It is not an impossible job,'' he said.
"Being England manager is a fantastic experience.
"I agree, it is not easy. For me, it is different to being in charge of a club, when you work and train every day. Then you can change errors and rectify mistakes.
"For this reason alone you need a different mentality.
"But the pressure is the same in all countries. The only difference is somewhere like Milan you are talking about one city and one set of supporters.
"Here, the focus is different. It's one nation. It is the England team.
