| Serbia to Learn Euro 2012 Fate Later This Month BERNE (Reuters) - Serbia are likely to learn their fate, ranging from a fine to possible expulsion from the competition, later this month after their rioting fans forced Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Italy to be abandoned. feeds.nytimes.com |
Uefa launches investigation into violence of Serbia fans in Genoa • Euro 2012 qualifier against Italy called off after six minutes• Serbia supporters threw flares and fireworksUefa has opened "a full and thorough" investigation into the incidents which caused the abandonment of last night's Euro 2012 qualifier between Italy and Serbia in Genoa.The match, at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, was called off after only six minutes as travelling fans threw flares and fireworks on to the pitch.The kick-off had already been delayed by 35 minutes when, after pre-match clashes between visiting supporters and Italian police, Serbian fans threw flares in the direction of the north stand where Italian supporters were seated.A Uefa statement read: "Following the abandonment of yesterday's Uefa Euro 2012 qualifying match between Italy and Serbia Uefa has opened a full and thorough disciplinary investigation into the incidents of serious disorder witnessed at the match and the circumstances surrounding it."The sanctions that are available range from a reprimand or fine, up to a stadium closure or 'disqualification from competitions in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions'."The Serbian Football Association president, Tomislav Karadzic, said the problems did not come as a surprise. "We had indications that this would happen," he told Belgrade's B92 television. "These fans are just the executors, it was planned in Belgrade."The Italian Football Federation security head, Roberto Massucci, blamed Serbian authorities for allowing unruly fans to travel. "Fans that are so dangerous should not have arrived in Genoa," he said. "They should have been stopped by the Serbian officials."Northern Ireland will wait to hear Uefa's verdict as they plan their trip to Belgrade in March.SerbiaItalyEuro 2012guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Milan moves ahead of Inter in Serie A standings Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored as AC Milan beat 10-man Napoli on the road Monday to leapfrog Inter Milan and move into second place in Serie A. cbc.ca |
Goal: The Nominees for the 2010 World XI FIFA this week released the list of 55 players who are on its list to be included in the 2010 World XI squad that will be announced on Jan. 10. feeds.nytimes.com |
Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart fears he faces month out with injury • Holland international fears he has torn a hamstring• Modric and Bassong back Spurs for title challengeRafael van der Vaart fears that he will be ruled out for four weeks with the hamstring injury that he suffered in Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League win over Liverpool yesterday. Although the midfielder has not had confirmation of the extent of the damage, he is worried that he has torn a muscle in the area and he will struggle to play again until after Christmas.If that were proved to be the case, he would miss Tottenham's league fixtures against Birmingham City, Chelsea and Blackpool, along with the Champions League trip to FC Twente in his native Holland next Tuesday, in which his club will seek the victory that would ensure they advance into the last 16 as group winners. Spurs play a further three league matches in seven days beginning on Boxing Day, against Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Fulham.Van der Vaart has made a dazzling start to his Tottenham career, following his move from Real Madrid for £8m on transfer deadline day, scoring eight goals in 14 appearances, including the equaliser from the penalty spot in the 3-2 derby triumph at Arsenal the Saturday before last.However, he has also endured a series of niggling injuries, principally to his hamstrings, which prompted the manager, Harry Redknapp, to say earlier in the month that he had to "get fitter and adapt to playing 90 minutes in the Premier League". Redknapp commented that Van der Vaart "does just run out of steam a little bit".Van der Vaart was forced off at Manchester United on 30 October with what initially looked like a hamstring strain but turned out to be cramps and he declared himself fit for the following game at home to Internazionale in the Champions League, which Spurs memorably won 3-1.Van der Vaart, though, felt the hamstring tighten and he came off at half-time. He missed the subsequent game away to Bolton Wanderers.He took a bang on a foot against Arsenal that ruled him out of the Werder Bremen Champions League tie last Wednesday but against Liverpool, having tried to execute a backheel in the ninth minute, he felt the dreaded twang. As he walked off, he gestured to Redknapp that he had torn something.Redknapp said afterwards that Van der Vaart's problems might have been related to his exertions at the World Cup with Holland. "Probably, he's missed a pre-season or was away at the World Cup and has not played many [pre-season] games," Redknapp said."When your fitness is a bit low, it's hard to get up to speed. He keeps getting little tears and nicks."Van der Vaart came on as an extra-time substitute in the final against Spain in Johannesburg on 11 July and, a shade under four weeks later, he played in his first pre-season friendly for Real, against LA Galaxy.He had missed the club's first friendly, against Club America, and played in their remaining three, against Bayern Munich, Standard Liège and Hércules, the last of which was on 22 August. Over the four matches he enjoyed 172 minutes of playing time and scored twice.The Madrid manager, José Mourinho, did not select him for the opening game of the Spanish league season, against Real Mallorca on 29 August and, two days later and minutes before the transfer deadline, Van der Vaart saw his move to Tottenham rushed through. Van der Vaart has been forced to contend with a new culture on and off the pitch and it has been a frenetic period for him. An enforced break now beckons.Van der Vaart leaves a Tottenham team who are brimming with belief and exuberance. The 2-1 win over Liverpool was secured by Aaron Lennon's injury-time goal and represented the club's latest come-from-behind success. They have now taken 16 points from losing positions this season."Can we win the title? Why not?" said the defender Sébastien Bassong. "Scoring the winner against Liverpool in the last minute is a good thing. It is the thing champions do. You can still talk about a Big Four but it depends who you are talking about in that Big Four. The teams are changing.""Teams will be scared about coming to White Hart Lane," said the Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, who was in outstanding form against Liverpool. "We are very good, especially at home. We are struggling a bit away but if we can improve there, we will be big contenders for the title."Comeback kingsTottenham have picked up 16 of their last 20 Premier League points from losing positionsv Wolves H 18 Sep Won 3-1 3ptsThree goals in the last 15 minutes from Rafael van der Vaart, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Alan Huttonv Aston Villa H 2 Oct Won 2-1 3ptsVan der Vaart struck twice as Spurs overcame Marc Albrighton's first-half goalv Fulham A 16 Oct Won 2-1 3ptsDiomansy Kamara put Fulham 1-0 up but Pavlyuchenko equalised and Tom Huddlestone scored the winnerv Everton H 23 Oct Drew 1-1 1ptVan der Vaart scored after Leighton Baines's openerv Arsenal A 20 Nov Won 3-2 3ptsTwo-nil down at half-time, Spurs recorded their most remarkable comeback yet, completed by Younes Kaboul's 85th minute headerv Liverpool H 28 Nov Won 2-1 3ptsAaron Lennon scored in the last-minute as Spurs staged yet another second-half turnaroundTottenham HotspurHarry RedknappDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |