Tag Archives: taunt

Chelsea fan accused of monkey taunt says: I"m no racist

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I'm no racist! Chelsea fan accused of 'monkey' taunt at Welbeck breaks silenceClub and Police investigating fan's behaviourChelsea appeal for information led to fan being identified on internet
Comes after referee Mark Clattenburg stands accused by Chelsea of telling John Mikel Obi to 'shut it, monkey' during last Sunday's game against United

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UPDATED:

11:36 GMT, 3 November 2012

The Chelsea fan caught making an apparent monkey gesture at Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has claimed he is not a racist.

Gavin Kirkham was in the front row of the Matthew Harding Stand at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night when he was caught on camera appearing to taunt Welbeck.

Kirkham, 28, from Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire, was named on social networking sites after Chelsea appealed for help in identifying him. The club and the police both launched investigations.

Taunt: Chelsea fan Gavin Kirkham appears to make a monkey gesture at Stamford Bridge

Taunt: Chelsea fan Gavin Kirkham appears to make a monkey gesture at Stamford Bridge

According to the Daily Mirror, Kirkham texted his flatmate Kevin Cleverly – who is also his landlord – and said: 'I’m ashamed of what I did. I’m totally ashamed of myself and I wish it hadn’t happened.

'I know what I did was wrong. I know how it looks and what’s been said.

'I’ve just made a mistake. A huge mistake. I’m not a racist. I’m just one of the boys.

'I had a couple of pints and got a bit lairy but I’m not a bad lad. I just got wrapped up in the match.

'I’m sorry I brought the game into disrepute.'

Kirkham is expected to be questioned in the next few days as Scotland Yard are reported to be speaking to Hertfordshire Police about what steps to take next.

Unacceptable: The Chelsea fan (circled) appears to to make a monkey gesture towards Welbeck after the striker mis-controls the ball

Unacceptable: The Chelsea fan (circled) appears to to make a monkey gesture towards Welbeck after the striker mis-controls the ball

Police have the CCTV footage from Wednesday's match and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reported to have said he does not want the man back in the stadium.

An aide to the Russian told the Mirror; 'Roman is not happy. He has spoken to officials and told them the man should never be allowed inside the ground again.'

The incident is the latest storm to rock Stamford Bridge after referee Mark Clattenburg was accused of using racist language towards John Mikel Obi and Juan Mata in last weekend's Premier League match between Chelsea and United.

Mikel is pursuing the case against Clattenburg after the official allegedly told
him to ‘shut it, monkey’.

Stirring the pot: Manchester United fans display a banner about Clattenburg, mocking the well-known slogan Chelsea fans attach to captain John Terry, who racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand

Stirring the pot: Manchester United fans display a banner about Clattenburg, mocking the well-known slogan Chelsea fans attach to captain John Terry, who allegedly racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand

Message: Manchester United fans take aim at Chelsea over the race rows that have engulfed the club

Message: Manchester United fans take aim at Chelsea over the race rows that have engulfed the club

The second element of the London club’s initial complaint
alleging the referee called Mata ‘a Spanish t***’ was dropped on
the advice of the club’s external legal team.

Chelsea believe they have enough
evidence to convince an FA independent regulatory commission that they
can meet the civil standard of proof, which is the balance of
probabilities.

Clattenburg
has denied using racist or inappropriate language in a submission to the
FA and is backed by his two assistants and the fourth official.

Chelsea captain John Terry is serving a four-match ban after being found guilty by a Football Association independent regulatory commission of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand during a match last season.

Stoke supporters taunt Arsene Wenger in Arsenal grudge match

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Arsene, probably the best scout in Manchester Wenger comes under fire from Stoke fans

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UPDATED:

21:32 GMT, 26 August 2012

The Robin van Persie thing…

'Arsene, probably the best chief scout in Manchester,' read one banner behind Wenger's dug-out. He certainly saw it, standing and staring in the direction of its author during the second half.

Stoke's supporters joined in as well, chanting: 'Robin van Persie, he would have scored that,' every time that Arsenal threatened Asmir Begovic's goal.

A message for Arsene: A Stoke supporter taunts the Arsenal manager

A message for Arsene: A Stoke supporter taunts the Arsenal manager

Howard Webb

Perhaps sensing that this may be a powderkeg waiting for a spark, the powers-that-be decided to employ their most senior referee as the fourth official.

Webb was more concerned with placating Stoke boss Tony Pulis than his opposite number in the visitors' dug-out.

Making a noise: Pulis patrolled the touchline in a typically animated fashion

Making a noise: Pulis patrolled the touchline in a typically animated fashion

Pulis prowled around his technical area in typically robust fashion, contesting every ball. Wenger, by contrast, spent most of his afternoon sitting alongside Steve Bould.

Andy Wilkinson

This game threatened to spill over just once, which was startling as there really does appear to be genuine needle between the two clubs.

That moment came in the 62nd minute when Stoke's right back stamped on Thomas Vermaelen's foot. It was a nasty challenge and deservedly earned the home defender a yellow card.

Stoke supporters

Needed no second invitation to bait Wenger and Arsenal at every turn. It took just nine minutes for the Britannia Stadium to rise as one and sing: 'Let's all do the Wenger,' which involved the crowd standing up and waving their arms about manically.

Taunt: The Stoke supporters enjoyed mimicking Wenger

Taunt: The Stoke supporters enjoyed mimicking Wenger

Ryan Shawcross and Aaron Ramsey

Booing still rang out from both sets of fans at various times following the horrific injury suffered by the Wales international after Shawcross's tackle in 2010.

It would be frowned upon in every other area of life but somehow appears acceptable inside a football ground and both clubs should do more to draw a line under it.

Rio Ferdinand denies racist Twitter attack on Ashley Cole

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United star Ferdinand denies aiming racist attack at Cole after 'choc ice' tweet

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UPDATED:

10:50 GMT, 15 July 2012

Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has denied using Twitter to aim a racist taunt at Ashley Cole.

The defender responded to a tweet in which Chelsea star Cole was described as a ‘choc ice’ because of his role in the trial last week in which his club captain, John Terry, had been accused of racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, QPR defender Anton.

But on Sunday Ferdinand tweeted: 'What I said yesterday is not a racist term. Its a type of slang/term used by many for someone who is being fake. So there.'

At odds: Former England team-mates John Terry (left) Rio Ferdinand (centre) and Ashley Cole

At odds: Former England team-mates John Terry (left) Rio Ferdinand (centre) and Ashley Cole

Cole appeared as a witness for Terry’s
defence and testified that his team-mate had not used racial language in
his clash with Ferdinand as an insult, but was only repeating back the
words after Ferdinand mistakenly believed he had used them.

The term ‘choc ice’ can be used as a
racially insensitive term to describe black people who are seen to have
betrayed their ethnicity.

Terry was cleared of racially aggravated abuse, a charge he had consistently denied.

The latest row began when a Twitter
user sent Rio Ferdinand a public message which read: ‘Looks like Ashley
Cole’s going to be their choc ice. Then again he’s always been a
sellout. Shame on him.’ Ferdinand appeared to endorse the insult when he
replied: ‘I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahha!!’

However, Ferdinand then appeared to
attempt to defuse the apparent insult by tweeting about ice cream. He
wrote: ‘I’m more a cherry brandy man! Used to go for the twisters too
back in the day! Classics.’

Laughing off: Rio Ferdinand appears to endorse the tweet branding Ashley Cole a 'choc ice' by responding: 'I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic. Hahahahahahhha!!'

Laughing off: Rio Ferdinand appears to endorse the tweet branding Ashley Cole a 'choc ice' by responding: 'I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic. Hahahahahahhha!!'

But his next tweet again appeared to
make reference to his brother’s court case by adding: ‘Its Sarcasm!’
Terry had claimed at Westminster Magistrates’ Court that he was being
sarcastic rather than racist in his clash with Ferdinand.

Some fans rounded on Rio Ferdinand
and accused him of using racially insulting language. One Twitter user
reported his comments to the Metropolitan Police Twitter account. The
user wrote: ‘Can I make a complaint about this tweet which I find
offensive from Rio Ferdinand. Unbelievable from him.’

Witness: Cole arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday

Witness: Cole arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday

Ferdinand initially appeared bullish
about the response, writing: ‘And if I want to laugh at something
someone tweets….I will! Hahahahaha! Now stop getting ya knickers in a
twist!’ The tweets were later deleted.

Cole apparently moved to calm the row
when his lawyers said in a statement: ‘Ashley has been made aware of
the discussion following comments appearing on Twitter and wishes to
make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and Ashley has
no intention of making any sort of complaint.

‘Ashley appreciates that tweeting is so quick it often results in off-hand and stray comments.’

Cleared: Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand

Cleared: Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand

Terry was prosecuted over remarks he
was alleged to have made during his clash with Anton Ferdinand in a
Premier League match last October.

The ex-England captain was accused in
court of hurling a volley of racial abuse at Ferdinand after being
taunted over his alleged affair with the girlfriend of his former
Chelsea team-mate, Wayne Bridge.

Terry admitted calling Ferdinand a
‘f****** black c***’ as they traded insults on the pitch. But the
31-year-old claimed he was simply repeating the words after being
falsely accused of saying them.

Wayne Rooney hits out at Sunderland fans

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We won't forget! Rooney vows revenge on Sunderland fans for taunting United

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UPDATED:

07:38 GMT, 24 May 2012

Wayne Rooney has hit out at Sunderland fans after they celebrated Manchester City's Premier League title triumph.

Manchester United thought their win at the Stadium of Light had secured the trophy but City scored two late goals against Queens Park Rangers to snatch glory.

And the Sunderland faithful took great joy in their opponents demise, taunting the United players with City's adopted 'Poznan' celebration.

Mocking: Sunderland fans taunt Manchester United at the Stadium of Light

Mocking: Sunderland fans taunt Manchester United at the Stadium of Light

Now Rooney insists he cannot wait to face Sunderland again next season.

He said: 'When the final whistle went, we didn’t really know what the score at City was. But then we heard the Sunderland fans cheering.

'It was sad to see that because they should be supporting their own team really.

'They didn’t have the best of seasons so for them to be cheering like that was sad.

'It was something myself and a lot of the players won’t forget.'

Dejected: Wayne Rooney reacts as United learn of City's late victory

Dejected: Wayne Rooney reacts as United learn of City's late victory

Rooney also admitted that losing the title in the dying seconds was the worst possible outcome.

'You wish it hadn’t happened like that for our fans,' he added. 'As players, it was sickening to lose the title like that.

'Everyone’s been saying how well City have played and how they’ve dominated the Premier League.

'But if that’s them dominating, they’ve done it on goal difference. We can hold our heads up high because we pushed City all the way.

'We will be back, there’s no worries about that — we will be back stronger and better than ever.'

Champions: Manchester City celebrate winning the Premier League

Champions: Manchester City celebrate winning the Premier League

Defender Phil Jones, 20, believed the league title was in the bag at Sunderland.

Jones, who impressed in his debut season at Old Trafford, said: 'I thought we’d pulled off the impossible at first.

'But then City scored two quick goals and that killed us.

'It’s been a massive learning curve. Being at United has given me an insight into the passion and drive at the club.'

The FA vow to punish guilty players caught up in Bradford City and Crawley Town brawl

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Brawley Town and Bad-ford City slug it out as FA vow to punish guilty players

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UPDATED:

21:40 GMT, 28 March 2012

The card count from the Bradford brawl could rise still higher after the FA vowed to punish any fighting that escaped the attention of referee Ian Williamson.

As former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher defended Williamson for standing back and letting the free-for-all continue unchecked, FA bosses confirmed a record-equalling five players had been red-carded after the match and would be suspended for a total of 18 games.

But Sportsmail has learned that video footage will be used to ensure every player found guilty of violent conduct in Tuesday night’s mass brawl will be banned.

Kicking and screaming: Players wade in from both Crawley and Bradford at full time

Kicking and screaming: Players wade in from both Crawley and Bradford at full time

Having received Williamson’s report yesterday, the FA have promised swift action against every individual who threw a punch. And both clubs, Bradford City and Crawley, face hefty fines for failing to control their players.

Football League blog

The FA feel that Williamson could not possibly have noted every offender and that retrospective measures are required to ensure no-one slips the net.

FA disciplinary chiefs will also examine whether those already shown a red card by Williamson deserve extra punishment.

If it is found that any of the five threw punches at more than one player, they will effectively be deemed guilty of a second sending-off offence and banned for even longer.

Riot: Bradford keeper Jon McLaughlin is escorted from the field by Crawleys Michael Kuipers

Riot: Bradford keeper Jon McLaughlin is escorted from the field by Crawleys Michael Kuipers

As it stands, Bradford’s Jon McLaughlin and Luke Oliver and Crawley’s Pablo Mills must serve three matches each, while Andrew Davies (five) and Claude Davis (four) will miss additional games after already being dismissed this season.

According to witnesses, Bradford’s former England Under 21 centre back Davies reacted angrily to a taunt from Crawley veteran Davis at the final whistle. Davies lunged at Davis and appeared to aim a slap at him.

Players from both sides waded in, swinging punches near the centre circle.
Williamson made no attempt to break up the melee but took the right course of action, according to Gallagher, who told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘He could easily have found himself on the end of a stray fist.’

With all three banned players out of Saturday’s trip to Plymouth, and more games besides, the incident could cost Bradford their place in the Football League.

Manchester United taunted by Basel"s Xherdan Shaqiri

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United given the Basel brush-off ahead of Europa League second leg

As if a Europa League tie against Ajax at Old Trafford will not be a painful enough reminder of their Champions League failure, Manchester United were taunted by Basel star Xherdan Shaqiri over their humiliating exit in Switzerland.

As Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Wayne Rooney will miss Thursday’s return leg because of a sore throat, Shaqiri, who will join Bayern Munich at the end of the season,accused United of lacking fight.

In it to win it: Now that Manchester United are in the Europa League manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants to win it

In it to win it: Now that Manchester United are in the Europa League manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants to win it

Shaqiri missed Basel’s 3-3 draw in Manchester through suspension but was outstanding as the Swiss champions stunned United with a 2-1 win at home in December.

The winger said United underestimated Basel so badly they did not prepare properly.

He said: ‘You could feel it in the tunnel before kick-off and even in the warm-up. They weren’t fully focused and I’m not even sure a United player made even one sprint. Afterwards you couldn’t even swap shirts — they were gone that quickly.’

Taunt: Xherdan Shaqiri said Manchester United lacked fight

Taunt: Xherdan Shaqiri said Manchester United lacked fight

Ferguson referred to United’s surrender of a two-goal lead to Basel yesterday as he warned his players not to make a similar mistake when they take a 2-0 first-leg advantage into tonight’s clash with Ajax.

‘It stays in the memory banks and I don’t think we’ll be causal or careless about what we are going to achieve tomorrow,’ said Ferguson. ‘But it’s a good lead, you can’t dispute that. You’ll take that 2-0 lead anywhere, especially Old Trafford.

Old boys club: Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs look set to play for Manchester United

Old boys club: Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs look set to play for Manchester United

Man Utd v Ajax

‘We would rather not be talking about the mistakes we made in the Champions League, and if you make mistakes you suffer. Neither ourselves nor Manchester City expected to be where we are, and we both want to try to win this competition. That would be a good final.’

Ryan Giggs could make his 900th appearance for the club alongside Tom Cleverley, who used to pretend to be the Wales star when he was playing in the back garden at home in Yorkshire.

Cleverley was just a year old when Giggs made his league debut in March 1991.

Now 22 and tipped to be one of the most exciting talents to come out of Old Trafford in years, he is in line for an England call-up from Stuart Pearce on Thursday after returning to action in Amsterdam last week after three-and-a-half months out with a foot injury.

‘It’s really good to be back,’ said Cleverley.