A Football Federation Australia (FFA) disciplinary committee has dismissed a complaint by Sydney FC midfielder Ali Abbas that he was racially abused in last month’s match against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Iraq-born Abbas, who became an Australian citizen in 2012, reacted angrily after an exchange with Wanderers striker Brendon Santalab during the derby clash and had to be restrained by his team-mates.
Abbas claimed comments were made about his religion and ethnic background but after two lengthy hearings, the committee was not satisfied the “necessary standard of proof” that Santalab had used the “offending words” had been reached.
Atletico’s Courtois faces CL parent trap
On-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is unlikely to play for Atletico Madrid against his parent club Chelsea if the two sides are paired together in today’s draw for the Champions League semi-finals.
The 21-year-old Belgium international has been one of the stars of his side’s rise to the top of La Liga this season and was outstanding as Atletico knocked Barcelona out of the competition on Wednesday.
However, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo confirmed there is a clause in the loan contract that means they would have to pay Chelsea “a lot of money” to field Courtois against the London side.
Pulis prepared for Puncheon offers
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis is keen to hold on to in-form midfielder Jason Puncheon but admits the 27-year-old could still be sold in the summer if the right offer comes along.
Puncheon, who signed a four-and-a-half-year contract when he joined the Eagles permanently in January, has scored five goals in 14 league matches this year.
“If somebody comes in and makes an offer because Jason is playing so well, we’ll look at that offer,” Pulis said.
“That’s the force of the market and it’s what happens to the top players if they play well.”
Season appears over for Noone
Cardiff winger Craig Noone looks set to miss the rest of this season after suffering an abdominal injury.
Noone, who joined Cardiff from Brighton in 2012, was hurt during last Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League home defeat against Crystal Palace.
And the 26-year-old is now poised to seek specialist advice in the United States, with a Cardiff spokesman stating it is likely that Noone will be sidelined for the remainder of this term .
Cardiff are currently battling to avoid relegation, standing six points from safety with just five games left.
Mourinho fined for Villa Park behaviour
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was fined £8,000 and warned about his future conduct after being sent to the stands in last month’s 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
The FA announced the punishment in a statement on its website and said he breached Rule E3 by going on to the field in an attempt to speak to the referee.
Mourinho went on the Villa Park pitch to try and speak to referee Chris Foy after Brazilian midfielder Ramires became the second Chelsea player red-carded in the match following Willian’s earlier dismissal.
The Portuguese denied an improper conduct charge but he lost his case at Wednesday’s personal hearing with an independent regulatory commission.
FA will rule on betting next month
Participants in the top eight tiers of English football could be subject to a worldwide betting ban from next season.
The Football Association’s council on Wednesday unani-mously agreed to the recom-mendation and the proposed rule will go before FA shareholders at the May 21 AGM.
If passed, it would mean any participant from the Premier League down to the regional divisions of the Northern, Southern and Isthmian Leagues (step four of the FA pyramid), would be prohibited from gambling on the game.
A FA statement read: “The FA has proposed that from next season, participants at Step 4 and above of the English league system will be banned from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition anywhere in the world.”
Inter boss Thohir linked with Ince bid
Inter owner Erick Thohir is expected to meet Paul Ince in London to discuss a possible bid for his son Tom, according to reports in Italy.
Tom Ince has previously been touted as a possible target for the Nerazzurri and his future is the subject of speculation as he approaches the end of a six-month loan spell at Crystal Palace, from Blackpool.
Tom Ince, whose deal at Blackpool runs out in the summer, has been associated with a host of Premier League clubs, as well as Inter, where his father had a spell in the nineties, and Monaco.