ACTUALITE |
13.03.2003
Vieri denies racism claim
Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri has denied that he racially abused Newcastle striker Lomana LuaLua during their Champions League match on Tuesday.
Newcastle made an official complaint to Uefa after the 2-2 draw, alleging that Vieri made comments of a racist nature to LuaLua two minutes from the end of the match at the San Siro.
Buit Vieri has told his club`s official website: "Even though we were in a turbulent phase of the match, I didn`t say any words of a racist nature.
"I just tried to distance the player, who had even been booked in that moment, by telling him to move back."
"LuaLua didn`t say anything on the pitch and didn`t give any sign of reaction."
The match was marred by racist abuse from sections of the home support towards Newcastle defender Titus Bramble.
And a flare was thrown into the section containing Newcastle supporters.
Uefa said on its official website: "A decision will most likely be taken on 21 March, with any appeal dealt with on 3 or 4 of April."
Newcastle manager Bobby Robson refused to be drawn into the row about the crowd`s abuse towards Bramble after the game.
"I was not too aware of anything like that," said Robson.
"I was too absorbed in the game."
Racist abuse of black players has been a big problem in Italian football.
Inter were fined two years ago and forced to play away from the San Siro after crowd trouble following their Uefa Cup exit at the hands of Spanish club Alaves.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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