By DAN KARELL
While Manchester City defeated CSKA Moscow, 2-1, on a dilapidated field in Moscow on Wednesday evening, much of the focus from the following the match centers on reported racist chanting from the CSKA ultras.
At one point in the second half, Man City midfielder Yaya Toure was reportedly the subject of racist chanting and following the game, Toure called on UEFA to punish the club and the fans for their actions.
“I’m not just disappointed, I’m furious,” Touré told The Guardian in England. “I’m very, very disappointed about what those fans have done today and I think Uefa have to take action because players with the same colour of skin will always be in the same position.
“For me, as captain, I was wearing an armband which said ‘No to racism’ and I was totally disappointed.”
According to reports, Man City lodged an informal complaint about the chanting with a UEFA representative at the match and they will also file a complaint in writing.
Here are some more stories to catch you up around the world of soccer:
SANTOS PRESIDENT REVEALS THAT CLUB RECEIVED ONLY €25 MILLION FROM BARCELONA FOR NEYMAR
If there’s one aspect aside from racism that FIFA should tackle, it’s third party ownership.
On Wednesday morning, the president of Brazilian club Santos FC, Odilo Rodrigues, said in an interview with Brazilian newspaper Estadao that Santos has received only €25 million ($34.5 million) from Barcelona over the transfer of Neymar, despite Barcelona saying following the transfer that they had paid €57 million. There have been reports during the summer that a large portion of the transfer fee went to the 21-year-old’s father.
Along that point, Rodrigues says that nearly half of the money that Santos received is going to to DIS Esporte, a Sao Paulo supermarket chain that had bought a 40 percent stake in Neymar as well as Teisa, an investment group who bought a five percent stake. Rodrigues also mentioned that Santos could receive more money if a number of clauses are met.
“After much negotiation, we made four agreements with Barcelona,” Rodrigues told Estadao. “The was the first transfer of Neymar, worth €17.1 million. Of this amount, 40% were transferred to the DIS and 5% for Teisa. Then there is a clause for €2 million if Neymar is a finalist for the Ballon D’or while he is at Barcelona. Of this amount, 40% are also to DIS and 5% for Teisa.
“We have also made an agreement with Barcelona for the exchange of information and technology. We can send our coaches there and vice versa. Under this agreement, they have a preference, on equal terms, on three of our players and was assigned a value of €7.9 million, a sum which Santos received. And Santos also scheduled two friendlies. The first was there and the second here (in Sao Paulo). If Barcelona are unable to play the second game, Santos will receive €4.5 million.
As such, Santos have only held on to €17.3 million from the Neymar transfer due to third-party ownership.
BALE COULD START IN EL CLASICO
After playing 20 minutes in Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League victory over Juventus on Wednesday, Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that Gareth Bale could be ready to start on Saturday.
Saturday is of course the first El Clasico of the season, with Madrid traveling to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona in what will likely be the most-watched match of the weekend.
“He came on when the match has lost its intensity,” Ancelotti told Reuters. “That didn’t help him play better but it was important for him to get some time on the pitch. I think now he is ready to start a match.”
Since joining Madrid from Tottenham at the end of August for a reported $134 million, Bale has started just once for the club as he’s battled a couple of hamstring injuries.
QUICK KICKS
The Santiago Bernabeu crowd gave two Juventus players, Andrea Pirlo and Fernando Llorente, standing ovations when they were substituted. (REPORT)
Crystal Palace have suffered the second managerial change of the Premier League season, as Ian Holloway stepped down on Wednesday. (REPORT)
Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa says that he has made his international decision but won’t reveal it just yet. (REPORT)
Ahead of the Champions League match between Anderlecht and Paris Saint-Germain, Brussels police announced that they had arrested 87 suspected hooligans, some of whom were carrying knives and brass knuckles. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you see UEFA taking strong action against CSKA? Do you see Santos ever receiving a full share of the reported transfer? Do you see Bale starting against Barcelona?
Share your thoughts below.