Reading striker Jason Roberts has claimed players were not consulted properly over the FA’s decision to bring in a five-match mini-mum ban for racist or other discriminatory abuse rather than follow UEFA’s 10-game sanction.

Roberts, who was critical of the FA and football’s anti-racism group Kick It Out following the John Terry racism case, said there had been a lack of leadership at the English FA.

He said on Twitter: “While UEFA propose a 10-match ban for racism, the FA decides on 5! Who do they consult on these decision? Certainly not the players.

“The last 18 months regarding equality at the FA has consisted of bad decisions, lack of will, lack of consultation and lack of leadership!”

Menez banned for insulting official

Paris St Germain forward Jeremy Menez has been given a four-match ban for insulting the referee who booked him during a game against Nice last month.

Menez, who scored when PSG won 1-0 at Lyon last weekend to clinch the title, did not appear at the disciplinary hearing.

The sanction will take effect next week, leaving Menez free to celebrate the title with PSG fans when the capital club host bottom side Stade Brest tonight.

The France forward will then miss the first three matches of next season.

Balotelli warned by refs’ chief

Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) president Marcello Nicchi has said that Mario Balotelli will be sent off if he were to leave the field to protest racist chanting.

“Everyone is free to express their own opinions but there are rules.

“Whoever leaves the field to make a protest, without warning the referee or without being substituted will be sent off,” Nicchi said.

“Less importance has to be given to this phenomenon as a media event and more importance from what can be done realistically, be tough and uncompromising with the idiots who sing these shameful chants.”

Paris SG shirt deal

French league champions Paris St Germain and Dubai airline Emirates have extended their shirt sponsorship deal by another five years.

Despite maintaining a relationship between the two parties that dates back to 2006, neither PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi nor Emirates executive vice-president Thierry Antinori were prepared to reveal the official value of the agreement.

However, Antinori did say the amount was “a three-digit figure” over five years as Emirates will be the only sponsor to appear on the PSG shirt next season.

According to media reports, the agreement was worth around €25 million a year.

Poyet suspended by Brighton

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has been suspended by the Championship club along with assistant manager Mauricio Taricco and first-team coach Charlie Oatway.

The Seagulls confirmed the news in a statement that offered no reason for the surprise move, which comes three days after the team exited the Championship play-offs at the hands of bitter rivals Crystal Palace.

Sky Sports News reported Poyet’s suspension comes after a clash with the club’s hierarchy over the budget he would have at his disposal for new signings this summer.

Cassano out after breaking hand

Inter striker Antonio Cassano will miss his side’s final Serie A match of the season against Udinese tomorrow after breaking his hand in training, the club said.

“Antonio Cassano underwent medical tests as a result of a fall he suffered during the final training match in today’s workout. The tests revealed a fracture to the second metacarpal of his right hand,” Inter said.

Cassano had only just re-turned to action after a month out with a hamstring injury.

Inter are ninth in Serie A and will not play in Europe next season after a campaign in which their squad has been decimated by injuries.

Ferguson keeps keeper promise

Alex Ferguson has confirmed Anders Lindegaard will start his final game as Manchester United manager.

Ferguson promised Lindegaard he would make sure he reached the 10 league appearances which at the time the Scot thought were required to qualify for a title winners’ medal.

The manager has since learned that he would have been able to give Lindegaard a medal anyway, but nevertheless he intends to stand by his pledge to get the Dane into double figures at West Brom tomorrow.

He said: “I stand by that. Anders will be in goal. I will play one or two younger players, and I want to play Jonny Evans and Phil Jones at centre-half because they are the future.”

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