Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk has said he was the victim of racist abuse during his side’s Russian Premier League encounter at Spartak Moscow on Saturday.
The 29 year-old Brazilian was seen blowing kisses towards the home fans during injury time and he later explained why he decided to make the gesture.
“Unfortunately, the same things are happening – racism in the stands,” Hulk said.
“I won’t pay any attention to this, as I have already talked about this.
“Therefore, I will continue to blow kisses and answer them with the way I play on the pitch. These things don’t even deserve to be discussed.”
Benitez blames anxiety as Real draw
Coach Rafa Benitez blamed anxiety after Real Madrid were knocked off the top of La Liga following a 0-0 home draw against Malaga on Saturday.
Real did not go short of chances and peppered the Malaga goal at times.
“When a team stays back as happened in the second half it makes it difficult to find space but still we had the openings,” Benitez said.
“You have to manage the anxiety. When you make mistakes the other side will look to take advantage by counter-attacking.”
Kenyon calls for a ‘fit-for-purpose’ FIFA
Former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon wants to see world football unite amid the current FIFA saga to ensure there is a “fit-for-purpose” organisation at the head of the game going forward.
The Swiss attorney general has launched criminal proceedings against the FIFA president Sepp Blatter, while he and aspiring replacement Michel Platini are understood to be the subject of a FIFA ethics committee probe.
Kenyon said: “Getting a fit-for-purpose organisation for the next generations of football is critical.
“I think you can’t just naturally fall into the same organisation with more transparency and better governance.”
Stam fancies EPL managerial chance
Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam admits he would love the chance to manage a club in England.
Stam, who played for United between 1998 and 2001, is currently the reserve team coach at Ajax, but revealed he has had some interest in his services.
He said: “Coming back to England and seeing Ronald (Koeman) at Southampton has really opened my heart again.
“Football in England is booming. The Premier League is the best league in the world.
“As soon as I get the opportunity to work in England, I will go for it.”
Allegri rues Juve’s ‘brutal’ defeat
Massimiliano Allegri is confident his Juventus side can get their season back on track following their latest defeat at Napoli.
Goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain condemned the Bianconeri to a third defeat of the season and they sit 13th in Serie A.
He said: “I have to try to work for the good of Juventus.
“In life and in football these things happen. There are moments of difficulty and you have to overcome them.
“Napoli were good on the counter-attack and if I’m not mistaken their second goal came from a poor ball from us.Football is brutal.”
Simeone stands up for Jackson Martinez
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has defended striker Jackson Martinez following another disappointing performance in the 1-0 defeat to Villarreal, but admitted that the Colombian “knows he has to grow as a player”.
Martinez has scored just one goal in seven appearances since his £25 million signing from Porto in the summer, and was taken off for Fernando Torres after just 45 minutes against Villarreal, in which he managed just two efforts on goal.
“He is a very important player for us and he knows that he still has to grow, but we have complete faith in him,” Simeone said.
“Jackson will rise to the occasion in the important and decisive.”
Players are behind manager – Lucas
Liverpool’s much-needed win over Aston Villa underlined the players’ support for under-pressure manager Brendan Rodgers, according to midfielder Lucas Leiva.
The Reds boss has been under increased scrutiny recently, to the extent the club had to this week dismiss reports Carlo Ancelotti had been approached about the possibility of taking over.
But the 3-2 win at Anfield – their first since August 17 – eased some of the pressure on the Northern Irishman.
“We wanted to win for the manager,” said Lucas.
“We know what has been said about him and think we showed we are a group of players behind him and trying to make everything right.”