Video: Policeman attacks Belgrano"s Juan Quiroga with a truncheon in Argentinian football match

Posted on March 4, 2013 by adminsports

Video: More football violence, but this time it's the POLICE attacking one of the players!

By
Charles Reynolds

PUBLISHED:

00:40 GMT, 4 March 2013

UPDATED:

00:40 GMT, 4 March 2013

The seemingly never-ending problem of football related violence in Argentina reared its head once again this weekend when a member of the police struck a Belgrano player in the face with a truncheon.

The incident happened at the very end of Newell’s Old Boys clash with Belgrano, with the Rosario club leading 1-0.

Trouble began at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa when sections of the visiting support began throwing projectiles at the home fans and the police moved in to usher them out of the stadium.

Scroll down for video

Police brutality: Belgrano's Juan Quiroga on the floor after being hit in the face by a police truncheon

Police brutality: Belgrano's Juan Quiroga on the floor after being hit in the face by a police truncheon. And the moment he was hit (below)

The game was suspended as the police used the somewhat heavy-handed tactic of using truncheons and rubber bullets to attempt to calm the Belgrano fans, who only responded with more aggression.

Members of the Belgrano team moved to calm their own supporters but were also turned on by riot police with Juan Quiroga getting kicked in the leg and then shockingly Gastn Turus getting hit in the face by a truncheon.

The defender, who suffered a deep cut to his eye, told the media: 'The cop hit me with his truncheon.'

Juan Quiroga

In the ensuing melee Belgrano had Luciano Lollo sent off for clashing with a policeman and to add insult to injury they went on to concede a second goal when the game eventually resumed ten minutes later.

The club have subsequently issued a statement condemning the police violence which marred Saturday’s game: 'Belgrano repudiates, rejects and publicly and judicially denounces the pressure and generalised violence to which their supporters and professional squad were subjected to by Santa Fe (province) police.'

'But is it only the police who are responsible The Santa Fe provincial government knows this goes on. More than once we have presented statements and videos to the AFA. They also know and we expect a solution.

Juan Quiroga

'We won't cease in our repudiation, in denouncing all those involved and in the search for an end to the social and club violence that reigns at grounds, especially in Santa Fe province.'

Belgrano president Armando Perez has also asked Rosario prosecutor Enrique Paz to take a statement from Turus after the defender was denied the chance at a police station in the city, instead being charged with aggressive behaviour.

'I went to denounce an aggression towards me and I got my fingers painted,' the defender told local media as a result of having his fingerprints taken by Rosario police.

Zenit St Petersburg fans demand no non-white and gay players

Posted on December 18, 2012 by adminsports

Zenit fan group demands non-white and gay players to be left out of the team

UPDATED:

19:19 GMT, 17 December 2012

A group of fans of Russian side Zenit St Petersburg are calling for non-white and gay players to be excluded from their team.

This is another sign of the racism which plaguing the country that will host the World Cup in 2018.

Landscrona, the largest Zenit supporters' club, released a manifesto on Monday demanding the club field an all-white, heterosexual team.

It added that 'dark-skinned players are all but forced down Zenit's throat now, which only brings out a negative reaction' and said gay players were 'unworthy of our great city.'

Insult: Hulk (right) is a non-white player who plays for the Russian side

The club quickly sought to distance itself from the fans. Without directly referring to their manifesto, Zenit's Italian head coach, Luciano Spalletti, said on the club's website that 'tolerance for me is most of all the ability to understand and accept differences.'

'Furthermore, being tolerant means that you fight against any kind of stupidity,' he added.

The club, which is owned by state-controlled natural gas giant Gazprom, also told the R-Sport news agency it picked players on ability alone, insisting that 'the team's policy is aimed at development and integration into the world soccer community, and holds no archaic views.'

Zenit was the only top-flight Russian team without a black player until this summer, when it acquired Brazilian striker Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel for 80 million euros.

French midfielder Yann M'Vila declined a move to the club in August after receiving death threats.

'I can personally assure you that I will do everything I can to help those who seek to explain to people what tolerance is, and the need to respect other cultures and traditions,' Spalletti said.

'I think that Zenit has proven through its work that the club understands what tolerance is, and what it means to have tolerant behavior. The team has gathered players from different countries and ethnic groups who work together to achieve a common goal, and work well.'

Against it: Luciano Spalletti spoke out against the fans' demands

Fans insisted that 'we are not racists and for us the absence of black Zenit players is just an important tradition that underlines the team's identity and nothing more.'

Russia has struggled to deal with racism and violence at its stadiums as it prepares to host the 2018 World Cup.

Black players are frequently the targets of monkey chants and some, including Anzhi Makhachkala's Robert Carlos and Christopher Samba, have had bananas thrown at them by fans.

Officials have at times shown little enthusiasm for targeting racism. When Lokomotiv Moscow fans held up a banner in 2010 thanking an English team for signing their black striker Peter Odemwingie with a picture of a banana, the head of Russia's World Cup bid awkwardly claimed they were referencing a quaint, little-used Russian expression meaning 'to fail an exam.'

Zenit's fans have long been the country's
most problematic. Dick Advocaat, the team's former Dutch manager, once
admitted that 'the fans don't like black players' and that it would be
'impossible' for Zenit to sign one.

History: Wagner Love said Zenit's fans were the most racist in Russia

Several black players have also singled out Zenit's fans as particularly racist. Former Russian top scorer Vagner Love told a Brazilian newspaper in April that Zenit was 'the most racist team in Russia' and the only one whose fans had abused him in his seven years playing for CSKA Moscow.

Five years earlier, Krylya Sovetov Samara's former Cameroon international Serge Branco told a local newspaper that Zenit's management were 'the real racists' for not combatting the problem, adding that 'in a civilized country they'd smack them down to the third division for their fans' behavior.'

Zenit's fans have also come under the spotlight recently after one of them threw a firecracker that injured Dinamo Moscow's goalkeeper during a match in November.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, himself a Zenit fan, called for violent spectators to be banned for life from attending matches. Parliament has drafted a bill that would ban hooligans for a year.

Chelsea on alert as Hulk casts doubt over Zenit future with strop at late substitution

Posted on December 5, 2012 by adminsports

Don't make him angry! One-time Chelsea target Hulk casts doubt over Zenit future with strop at late substitution

UPDATED:

00:25 GMT, 5 December 2012

They say you shouldn't make Hulk mad for fear he might turn green and rip his clothes off.

But that was the risk Zenit St Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti took during his side's Champions League win over AC Milan. And it could spell the end of a desperately disappointing stint in Russia for the Brazilian.

The powerful striker was substituted with 10 minutes left at the San Siro but greeted his boss' decision with a monstrous strop which left Spalletti fuming.

Scroll down for video of the exchange between Hulk and Spalletti

Temper temper: Hulk refused his manager's handshake and then gestured angrily towards him after being substituted late on in Zenit's win at AC Milan

After first ignoring his manager's offer a handshake, Hulk then made a crossing action with his arm repeatedly, suggesting that he would not tolerate any more at the club.

Spalletti responded with a cutting stare, shake of the head and finger waving while the player continued his protests.

And afterwards, the player said: 'If situation with Spalletti is not solved, in January I will leave .'

Hulk has endured a torrid time at Zenit since his 39.5million switch from Porto in September.

His arrival sparked an angry reaction from the first team squad, angry at the wages being lavished upon the 26-year-old. So unpopular was the move that captain Igor Denisov went public and earned a demotion to the youth team.

The episode in Italy could reignite Chelsea's interest the player, who was tracked closely by the Premier League giants before he opted for Russia.

Hulk, who also interested Tottenham during the summer, moved to Porto from Japanese side Tokyo Verdy in 2008, grabbing 54 goals in 103 league matches. He has 13 Brazil caps.

Tough times: Hulk is having a torrid spell in Russia since his 39m switch

Zenit's 1-0 win secured a place in the Europa League.

Manager Spalletti said: 'The lads played well and deserved to win even though it was a bit of a nervous game. I'm happy to have qualified and happy with tonight's game as in the past two years we haven't won away from home, even when we've played well.

'I'd like to say a huge thank you to our fans tonight, as even I was stunned at the number who were here. Their number and enthusiasm tonight gives us extra responsibility.

'We have to work hard for them as they deserve it. Maybe a draw would have been a fairer result as we had to defend a lot, but we have to be happy, we're through. We'll try to do better.'

Leeds 2 Crystal Palace 1: Sloppy leaders toppled

Posted on November 25, 2012 by adminsports

Leeds 2 Crystal Palace 1: Sloppy leaders toppled as Becchio and Green cash in

UPDATED:

22:18 GMT, 24 November 2012

Luciano Becchio and Paul Green knocked Crystal Palace off the top of the Championship as Leeds punished some feeble defending at Elland Road.

Argentine striker Becchio, who has lacked his usual sharpness for much of the season, cashed in on a dreadful mix-up by hooking in his 11th goal of the season in the 52nd minute.

Starting today: Leeds United ended Palace's 14-game unbeaten run

MATCH FACTS

Leeds: Kenny, /11/24/article-2237766-163124F7000005DC-395_468x381.jpg” width=”468″ height=”381″ alt=”Impressed: Leeds director Salem Patel cheered as one of the goals went in for his new club” class=”blkBorder” />

Impressed: Leeds director Salem Patel cheered as one of the goals went in for his new club

Palace manager Ian Holloway said: 'We have to start another run now after those 14 games unbeaten.

'We deserved at least a point but
that's football. Leeds gained energy from the takeover and a couple of
loan signings and they have a very good manager in Neil Warnock.'

Leeds began the day seven points
above the relegation places, but a message in the programme from
potential new owners GFH Capital was reassuringly upbeat.

It read: 'All those involved with
the acquisition of the club are fully committed to making the right
longterm investments that benefit everyone both on and off the pitch.

'We want to restore Leeds United to
the Premier League as soon as possible and will be working with Neil
Warnock and his coaching staff to ensure he has what he needs to build a
side ready to achieve that.'

Palace have Premier League ambitions,
too, but, with Thomas and Tate having inspiring Leeds debuts, the
visitors struggled at times.

Paddy Kenny also made a stunning double save from Jonathan Parr and the mercurial Wilfried Zaha.

Leeds United 2 Hull 3: Match report

Posted on September 19, 2012 by adminsports

Leeds United 2 Hull 3: Tigers into top two with impressive showing at Elland Road

By
Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

21:19 GMT, 18 September 2012

UPDATED:

21:37 GMT, 18 September 2012

Steve Bruce's Hull earned a result which suggests they could be the real deal this season as they came away from Leeds with a first win at Elland Road since 1987.

The Tigers started the season slowly under the well-travelled former Manchester United defender, but have caught fire of late and crushed Millwall 4-1 on Saturday.

They were impressive again on Tuesday, recovering from Luciano Becchio's early penalty thanks to a well-taken goal from Ahmed Elmohamady, Abdoulaye Faye's header and Robert Koren's close-range finish, with the success, secured despite Andy Gray's consolation, moving them into the top two.

Flying high: Robert Koren celebrates with team-mates after scoring the third goal for Hull

MATCH FACTS:

Leeds: Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Pearce, White, Byram, Tonge, Austin, Varney (Gray 84), Diouf, Becchio (Poleon 61).

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Kisnorbo, Pugh, Brown, Thompson.

Booked: Pearce,Tonge,Austin.

Goals: Becchio 8 pen,Gray 90.

Hull: Amos, Chester, Faye, Bruce, Elmohamady, Koren (Rosenior 87),
Evans, Quinn, Dudgeon, Aluko, Simpson (Mclean 89).

Subs Not Used: Oxley, Dawson, McShane, Devitt, Proschwitz.

Booked: Evans,Amos.

Goals: Elmohamady 23,Faye 29,Koren 76.

Att: 19,750

Ref: Roger East (Wiltshire).

In winning in West Yorkshire, they inflicted a first home defeat of the season on Neil Warnock's Leeds, who, after a bright start to the campaign, are showing signs of turning into the angst-ridden club who limped over the line last time out with a club record 11 defeats to their name on their own ground.

For the first time since April, protests were staged before and during the game against owner Ken Bates and a perceived lack of investment, with the former Chelsea chief opting not to attend a game he had been expected to be at.

Those dissenting had little to cheer about outside of the first 10 minutes either, as their side, shorn of injured star man Ross McCormack, simply could not keep pace with their more nimble visitors.

It had not started badly for Leeds, though, with a debatable penalty seeing them in front with six minutes gone.

El-Hadji Diouf comfortably had the beating of Joe Dudgeon on the left of the box but, as he skipped past him he went to ground almost in slow-motion. Initially referee Roger East was not interested but, after his linesman told him otherwise, Becchio stepped up from 12 yards and did the rest.

It could have been 2-0 shortly after when Diouf and Rodolph Austin linked up to good effect, with the latter's cross creating chances for first Becchio and secondly Luke Varney, who was unable to find a half-open goal after Becchio's header was blocked.

Hull were up in arms again minutes later and perhaps with greater justification as Leeds' teenage right-back Sam Byram's touch let him down and in trying to win back possession, he dived in, two-footed, on Faye. Again, though, East was unmoved.

But City need not have worried as they were level in the 23rd minute. Michael Tonge took a clearance off the feet of Jason Pearce but inexplicably rolled a pass to the waiting Elmohamady who crashed a crisp drive across Paddy Kenny from just inside the box.

Bruce was quick to move for Elmohamady when it became clear he was unwanted at Sunderland.

And six minutes later he was further proving his worth as his vicious cross from the right found the head of the now-recovered Faye who beat Kenny with a header.

Further lackadaisical play from Tonge then meant Pearce had little choice but to hack down Sone Aluko on the edge of the box and only Kenny's smart low save prevented Robert Koren from curling in a third.

The pace of former Rangers striker Aluko was causing Leeds all sorts of problems and that continued into the second half, with the striker doing well to close down an unassuming Aidy White and stab a shot wide, with the defender unassumingly trying to shepherd the ball out.

Tired of seeing his side labour, Warnock threw on rookie striker Dom Poleon and within minutes he had jinked his way past two man and rapped in a shot which Amos dealt with well.

Any fire the 18-year-old had started was duly put out with 14 minutes to go, though, as Hull launched a fleet-footed counter-attack which went through Corey Evans, Jay Simpson, Elmohamady and ended with Koren tucking in from four yards.

And, even though Gray nodded in a stoppage time header, Leeds were unable to fight back for a point they would not have deserved.

Hulk moves to Zenit St Petersburg for 39.5m

Posted on September 3, 2012 by adminsports

Hulk ditches Premier League dream in incredible 39.5m move to Russian side Zenit

UPDATED:

18:47 GMT, 3 September 2012

Brazilian attacker Hulk, linked with Chelsea all summer, has completed an eyewatering 39.5m switch to Zenit St Petersburg from Porto.

The Russian side have splashed the cash that the Blues refused to on the 26-year-old Olympic silver medallist.

Going, going, gone: Hulk has finally left Porto

Hulk, a powerful striker who can also
play as a winger, came very close to a move to Stamford Bridge but
Chelsea would not stump up the 50m euros fee Zenit have paid.

Zenit manager Luciano Spalletti had named Hulk among several transfer targets in July.

‘I have left the door open to be transferred,’ said Hulk earlier in the summer.

‘My preference is to play in England or Spain because they are the most watched league in the world. Now is a great time for me to move.’

Tottenham were also interested in the striker and manager Andre Villas-Boas even met with him over the summer while Hulk was in London for the Games.

It is possible Hulk could yet play in England in the future, but as he is just coming into his prime any potential fees are likely to be extremely prohibitive.

He could even play at Stamford Bridge as early as this season – Zenit could draw Chelsea in the Champions League if both sides make it through the group stage.

The Blues are currently linked with another player who left Porto for a giant transfer fee – around 35m to Atletico Madrid.

Zenit hope to sign Nani for 25million

Posted on August 28, 2012 by adminsports

Zenit step up Nani pursuit as Russian club aim to complete 25m deal

UPDATED:

22:05 GMT, 27 August 2012

Zenit St Petersburg are pursuing a 25m bid for Manchester United winger Nani, who has yet to agree a new contract at Old Trafford.

The Portugal player’s representatives reportedly met Zenit counterparts in Amsterdam on Monday to outline a deal.

'The news about Nani is true,' Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti said earlier this month.

Wanted: Manchester United midfielder Nani (left) could be heading for Russia

'Everything will depend on how much players cost because we won’t pay excessive amounts of money.'

When asked whether Zenit had made a
bid, he said: “I’m not talking about an offer to a particular player,
but an offer to a club.'

Zenit St Petersburg launch bid for Nani

Posted on August 18, 2012 by adminsports

Zenit St Petersburg launch bid for United winger Nani

UPDATED:

21:53 GMT, 17 August 2012

Fantasy football 2012

Zenit St Petersburg have launched a bid to sign Manchester United winger Nani.

The Portugal winger could find first-team football harder to come by at Old Trafford this season after the arrivals of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa.

'The news about Nani is true,' Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti said on Friday.

Heading to Russia Zenit are keen on Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Nani

'Everything will depend on how much players cost because we won’t pay excessive amounts of money.'

When asked whether Zenit had made a bid, he said: “I’m not talking about an offer to a particular player, but an offer to a club.'

'If the club won’t sell a player, then there’s no thought of making an offer to the player himself.'

Last month, Spalletti named Hulk and Nani as among a small number of players he believed could strengthen the team.

Eye on the ball: Nani is unhappy with the uncertainty surrounding his future

'We like both Hulk and Nani, we also like [Lionel] Messi,' he said Friday.

Zenit are not keen on Dimitar Berbatov.

Al-Sadd target Arsenal"s Andrey Arshavin

Posted on July 20, 2012 by adminsports

Qatari side Al-Sadd join race to sign Arsenal outcast Arshavin

UPDATED:

21:43 GMT, 19 July 2012

Qatari side Al-Sadd hope to beat Zenit St Petersburg to the signature of Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin.

The ambitious Doha-based club are seeking a second big-name signing following the capture of Spanish legend Raul.

Flop: Arsenal loaned Andrey Arshavin back to Zenit St Petersburg last season

But Russian champions Zenit remain favourites to sign the 31-year-old after a successful loan spell last season.

Boss Luciano Spalletti said: 'He is one of the players who can strengthen Zenit. When a team win the league by almost 15 points you need to look for players like that.'

Andrey Arshavin could go back to Zenit St Petersburg

Posted on July 12, 2012 by adminsports

Zenit want Arshavin back AGAIN as Arsenal seek to offload Russian

UPDATED:

22:31 GMT, 11 July 2012

Zenit St Petersburg boss Luciano Spalletti could make a move for Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin.

The Italian is also an admirer of Manchester United winger Nani and Chelsea target Hulk as he revealed Zenit were hoping to sign 'top-level' players.

Flop: Arsenal loaned Andrey Arshavin back to Zenit St Petersburg last season

Qatari side Al-Sadd are also keen on 31-year-old Arshavin.

Spalletti said: 'He is one of the players who can strengthen Zenit. When a team win the league by almost 15 points you need to look for players like that.'

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Tag Archives: luciano

Video: Policeman attacks Belgrano"s Juan Quiroga with a truncheon in Argentinian football match

Chelsea on alert as Hulk casts doubt over Zenit future with strop at late substitution

Leeds 2 Crystal Palace 1: Sloppy leaders toppled

Leeds United 2 Hull 3: Match report

Hulk moves to Zenit St Petersburg for 39.5m

Zenit hope to sign Nani for 25million

Zenit St Petersburg launch bid for Nani

Al-Sadd target Arsenal"s Andrey Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin could go back to Zenit St Petersburg