30 November 2005 MEPs Call For Action Against Racism Members of the European Parliament have pleaded with the football authorities to take strong action against racism : "It is a sad reflection on our world that racism continues to blight the beautiful game. Football is not the cause of racism but it is in our stadiums and on our pitches that some of the most visible and violent abuse takes place. We should see this as an opportunity. The massive popularity of football presents us with the means to reach millions of people and, we must hope, to promote tolerance and understanding by winning hearts and minds on the terraces and on the pitch, we make a crucial breakthrough in the bigger battle to free society of racism." "No one government or organisation can fight racism alone. It demands the support of every part of society, of every individual. It is a problem that requires close co-operation between the public and private spheres. In the world of football, a similar picture exists. Each member of the family, the associations, leagues, clubs, players, referees and supporters, has its role to play. That is why our declaration calls for a joint effort from everyone that cares about football." "We take great encouragement from the work of UEFA, FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) and the other organisations that are committed to fighting racism in football. They have understood that football has a special responsibility, and again, an opportunity to tackle the problem." "But now is not the time to relax, we can and must do more. The European Parliament should call on all those with a stake in football to join the fight against racism, and to do what they can in their community." Casillas Finally Signs New Contract Common sense has broken out at Real Madrid as they have come to terms with their World Class goalkeeper Iker Casillas on a new contract. Casillas, whose contract expired at the end of June 2006, has signed on until 2010. Zoro Given Captaincy Messina President Pietro Franza has revealed that defender Marc Zoro has been offered the captaincy : "We will do everything we can to make him captain and we hope he'll accept." Speaking of his decision to lave the pitch Zoro said : “I don't know if I'd do it again. I do hope it made some people stop and think. I was very pleased that the Inter players agreed with me and they were the ones who convinced me to resume play. It wasn't an isolated incident, as it has happened to me a few times. This is why I believe the FIGC's decision to postpone all kick-offs by five minutes this week in protest is a good one. Unfortunately, racism doesn't only exist in football stadiums. Shopkeepers sometimes look at me strangely, as if they think I won't have the money to buy goods." 29 November 2005 Inter Target Obinna In January Inter's Sporting Director Marco Branca has said the club will try to sign Chievo's outstanding Nigerian teenager when the transfer window re-opens in January : "To replace Martins, who will be playing in the African Nations Cup in January, we are looking at Obinna Branca also confirmed interest in Roma's Antonio Cassano : “Cassano would be of interest to us if he is a free agent in June." 28 November 200 Ronaldinho Wins Ballon D'or Barcelona and Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho has won the 50th Ballon D'or. Ronaldinho, who finished third in last season's voting, has been rewarded for his outstanding performances in big matches, most notably against Chelsea last season and Real Madrid this season. The award is based on the votes of European journalists. The top ten is as follows : 1. Ronaldinho (Barcelona, 225 points) 2. Frank Lampard (Chelsea, 148 points) 3. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, 142 points) 4. Thierry Henry (Arsenal, 41 points) 5. Andrei Shevchenko (Milan, 33 points) 6. Paolo Maldini (Milan, 23 points) 7. Adriano (Inter, 22 points) 8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus, 21 points) 9. Kaka (Milan, 19 points) 10. Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, 18 points) 10. John Terry (Chelsea, 18 points) On receiving the award Ronaldinho said : "It's a dream come true for me to win such a prestigious award. Just looking at the list of players to have won it, including Ronaldo and Rivaldo, makes me feel quite special and makes me want to continue working hard and being successful with Barcelona and Brazil. This award is as much for my team-mates at Barcelona and Brazil." Italy's Token Gesture to Combat Racism The FIGC (Italian FA) will one again made a token gesture at this weekends Serie A matches to combat racism following the abuse suffered by Messina defender Marc Zoro at the mouths of Inter supporters at the weekend. A statement read : "Italian football is against racism and we will press this point home from Tuesday with this initiative which will bring together coaches, officials, players and referees." All matches will be delayed by five minutes. Italy's national team coach, Marcello Lippi, said : "There is only one race and it is the human race. Sport should tear down barriers." CSKA Run Out of Money UEFA Cup champions CSKA Moscow have annoyed that their sponsorship deal with Roman Abramovich owned oil company Sibneft will end next month. Sibneft was recently sold to Russian energy company Gazprom for 13.6 million. With the addition of Sibneft, Gazprom, who control 25% of the World's gas reserves, would rank behind Saudi Arabia and Iran as the biggest owners of oil and oil equivalent in natural gas. 27 November 2005 Zoro Fury At Continued Racism A month after speaking out against racism at Italian ground (see ) Messina defender Marc Zoro was subjected to monkey chants by a section of Inter supporters during today's Serie A match. The defender was set to leave the pitch in protest but was talked out of it by Inter strikers Adriano and Martins. Ferguson Rules Out January Move for Ballack "We will probably just add a couple of players to bulk up the numbers in January, the one we really want to sign (Michael Ballack) will only be available in the summer. He's cup-tied in the Champions League and his club wouldn't sell him before summer in any case but I'm confident the club will back me in the summer. Manchester United always have to buy the player they need." Ferguson Plans Another Season Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has dismissed claims he will leave the club in the summer : "The whole logic of the past couple of years has been building a new team. Darren Fletcher is 21, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are 20, they will get better for sure and Gerard Pique (defender) and Giuseppe Rossi (striker) will come through in the next wave. I'll be around next season and I've absolutely no idea when the end will come for me because I said to the club a couple of years ago, let's not talk about retirement because then it becomes a problem. It's not on the agenda. Right now I feel great, terrific. Obviously I'm not going to be here in 10 years, I don't think I'll be here in four years, but I'm making plans for next season all right." 25 November 2005 George Best Dies Aged 59 George Best had died at the age of 59 after suffering from a lung infection and organ failure. Hailed by many as the greatest British player of all time, some would say the greatest, Best was a member of Matt Busby's legendary Manchester United side. His performances in United's triumphant 1968 European Cup campaign, including a dazzling solo effort in a 4-1 final victory over Benfica, earned him the Ballon D'or European footballer of the year) aged just 22. Best never reached the same heights as he struggled with the excesses of a playboy lifestyle. His career should serve as a stark warning to a society in which heavy drinking is deemed acceptable behaviour. His agent and close friend Phil Hughes said : "George could never beat his drink problem, but he told me ‘I hope my plight can act as a warning to others'." Ronaldo Cleared of Rape Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo will not face criminal charges over rape allegations made against him in October : "The Metropolitan Police Service submitted a file to the CPS in November following allegations of a serious sexual assault at a central London hotel on October 2. We have been informed today by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) that there is insufficient evidence to charge. As such, the two men arrested during the course of this investigation will face no further action by police in connection with this matter." 24 November 2005 Perrin Sacked Struggling Portsmouth have sacked coach Alain Perrin. Chairman Milan Mandaric said : "This has not been an easy conclusion to reach. Alain Perrin is a talented coach and a good, honest man who has worked extremely hard since his arrival in the summer. We are all extremely grateful to him for his dedication to the club. The view taken, however, is that recent performances and the general morale amongst the squad needed improvement." Portsmouth are third from bottom in the Premiership.