|
|
 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE | |
A little bit of love Lazio fans a no-show for Shalom Cup
ROME (Reuters) -- The organizers of an anti-racism soccer tournament in Rome hailed it as a success on Tuesday but the event was marred by the glaring absence of hardcore Lazio fans, who boycotted the event. "We have written another important page in the history of sport and solidarity, giving racism another kick," the head of the tournament Guido Di Veroli said in a statement. But Italian media reported that only a few thousand Lazio fans showed up at Rome's huge Olympic stadium on Monday for the three-way "Shalom Cup" tournament between Lazio, Israel's Maccabi Haifa and Ivory Coast team Asec Mimosas. Shalom means "peace" in Hebrew. The tournament, which was won by Asec Mimosas, was organized as part of recent Lazio efforts to shed their long-term image as a club with racist supporters. But the club's hardcore "ultras" fans, traditionally linked to far-right groups, carried out their threat to boycott the tournament, citing the Middle East political situation as their reason. As the tournament was being played in Rome, Israel was storming out of a United Nations racism conference in South Africa, protesting against being branded as racist for its treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. "This evening was useful even if some boycotted it...Our fight against racism continues. Lazio will continue on this path without turning back," said Lazio President Sergio Cragnotti. Italian soccer legend Gianni Rivera was quoted in Gazzetta dello Sport daily as saying said he did not exclude the possibility that the hardcore fans' move was the product of a "political project" by far-right groups. In May, Cragnotti made a strong attack on racists among his club's fans and told them to stay away from the team's games. The Rome-based team have faced a number of fines and bans throughout the season due to some of their supporters chanting racist slogans or draping racist banners over the stands.
AC Milan's Mari out for three monthsROME, Sept 4 (Reuters) -- AC Milan striker Jose Mari will be out of action for up to three months after injuring his knee in a friendly against Alaves last week, his club said on Tuesday. The 22-year-old Spaniard tore a ligament in his left knee during Sunday's match, which Alaves won 1-0. "After x-rays and a consultation with the doctor. We decided to give the player an operation, which will be done on September 10," the club said on their website. "He is expected to be out for about three months." Milan have already lost Portugal midfielder Rui Costa for up to a month after he broke a bone in his hand on his debut in a 2-2 draw with Brescia in the opening game of the season.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
