Zenit SP vowed to punish the “unethical” fan who reportedly showed a banana to former Brazilian full-back and current Anzhi Makhachkala star Roberto Carlos.
A photograph published on Russian websites shows a fan stretching an open banana to Carlos as the players lined up for the Russian national anthem before the start of Monday’s Zenit-Anzhi match.
The Russian Football Union said it was investigating the incident and threatened to force the club to play one home match behind closed doors if the allegations were proven to be true.
Zenit are renowned in Russia for its hard-core groups of supporters and the team promised to tackle racial problems at its fan base.
Van Bommel blow for Holland
Holland captain Mark van Bommel has joined a lengthening injury list after pulling out of the Euro 2012 qualifier against Hungary in Budapest tomorrow with a right thigh injury.
The Milan midfielder will not travel with the rest of the Holland squad as he has decided to undergo intensive treatment in a bid to be fit for the return fixture against Hungary at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday.
Van Bommel told the Dutch federation website: “It is annoying but harmless. We have made every effort for Friday’s game. That did not work.
“The fact that I am staying with the group indicates that we hope for significant progress.”
Cancer-hit Robson set for Asian tour
Bryan Robson will take part in a three-city Asian charity tour despite recent surgery for throat cancer.
Man. United’s longest-serving captain said he was “extremely lucky” after his successful operation on March 3, and would attend fund-raising dinners in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong in April.
“The prognosis is good, so I count myself extremely lucky and am even more committed to raising funds to help improve the lives of vulnerable youngsters,” Robson said.
Former United striker Andy Cole said it was “fantastic” that Robson was joining the tour, which will raise money for the club’s charitable foundation and UNICEF.
Alves delighted with new Barca deal
Dani Alves expressed his delight at agreeing a three-year contract extension with Barcelona which was to be signed yesterday. The new deal will keep the 27-year-old with the reigning Spanish champions until June 30, 2015.
“Being at the club for so many years is a dream,” Alves, who joined Barca from Sevilla in 2008, told reporters in Brazil.
“I’m playing at one of the world’s most desired teams, which is making history. The most important thing is that I’m happy and I want to make the most of it.”
Alves is currently with the Brazil squad ahead of this weekend’s friendly against Scotland in London.
Suarez hard to predict says Clarke
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez’s unpredictability makes him a signi-ficant threat to Premier League de-fenders, according to first team coach Steve Clarke.
The Uruguay international has already shown in the short time since arriving at Anfield from Ajax in January that he will become a key figure.
Clarke has been impressed with what Suarez has brought to the side.
“Unpredictability is one of his biggest assets,” said the Scot.
“As a defender you don’t know what he is going to do next, so it is difficult.
“When he is in the penalty area he attacks defenders, he gets at them and forces them to make mistakes.”
Newcastle to punish Best and Ireland
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says the club will discipline Leon Best and Stephen Ireland for visiting a city nightclub the evening before their Premier League game against Stoke City.
Best and Ireland issued a joint apology this week after a photograph of the pair and reserve team player Stephen Folan was published on the Tup Tup Palace club’s website following a visit on Friday.
“All I want to say on that is that as Leon Best has travelled with Ireland, we’ve not faced each other yet,” Pardew told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
“There will be discipline involved, for sure, but I want to see all three together in my office before I say anything more.”
Real’s Adebayor returns for Togo
Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor makes his international comeback for Togo in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.
Adebayor, who is on loan at Real from Manchester City, had originally announced he was quitting the international scene in the wake of the deadly machine gun attack on his country’s team coach on the eve of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
“I am still haunted by the events I witnessed on that horrible afternoon on the Togo team bus,” Adebayor has said.
Togo had initially been barred from the next two editions of the biennial competition after withdrawing from the 2010 finals under pressure from their government.
But the tiny west African state was reinstated by the African Football Confederation last May after taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.