Indian Fans Face Racism Charges

Four Indian cricket fans have been charged for allegedly racially abusing Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds by making monkey gestures, police say.

The four fans were evicted from a one-day international match in Mumbai (Bombay) on Wednesday.

Symonds is the only mixed race player in the Australian side, having made his international debut in 1998.

He frequently clashed with Indian players during the one-day series, which Australia won 4-2.
Cricket officials say that photographs of fans making offensive gestures to Symonds as he came in to bat have been handed over to police.

Police say that the four fans, including a woman, have been charged with harassment and have now been released on bail to appear in court at a later date.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says that the gestures were made even as an anti-racism message flashed on a big screen.

"There is no place for racism in cricket either on or off the field," a joint statement released on Wednesday by Indian and Australian cricket officials said.

"All cricket nations have to be on guard to ensure that the fun does not cross the boundary into unacceptable behaviour."

Zoro Suffers More Racist Abuse

Messina's Ivorian defender Marc Zoro was reduced to tears on Sunday, after being subjected to racial abuse by the visiting fans of Inter Milan, in the Italian Serie A.

The 21-year-old was targetted when he went to collect the ball near the away supporters' section and after a chorus of monkey chants he decided he would take no more part in the game.
Inter's Brazilian striker Adriano went over to console Zoro before he broke down in tears.
Zoro's team-mates managed to then persuade him to play the remainder of the match and his decision was applauded by the Messina crowd.

Officials from the Italian football federation talked to Zoro about the incident after the match and the matter is likely to lead to an official enquiry.

Last month, Zoro said he constantly suffers racial insults.

"I have been playing in Italy for three years and I see this happening almost daily," the 21-year-old said.

"All this makes me really sad. It's not easy for me and it hurts. I don't deserve this."

On the first day of this season, Zoro was subjected to racial abuse by a large section of Lazio fans at the Olympic stadium.

His anger almost boiled over at the final whistle and he had to be restrained by his team-mates.
Afterwards, Lazio president Claudio Lotito went into the Messina dressing room to apologise on behalf of his club.

Espanyol Suspend Fans Over Racism

Spanish club Espanyol have suspended two fans who abused Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.

The incident happened during Saturday's league game against Barcelona.
The club said on their website that they are attempting to identify two more who were involved in an attack on two Japanese spectators.

Espanyol added that they would decide whether or not to expel the fans permanently at a board meeting later this week.

"Espanyol has always stood against violence and xenophobic behaviour and for some time has rejected any attitude that is contrary to sporting behaviour and respect towards others," the club said in a statement.

Kameni has been a regular victim of racial abuse from a section of the club's radical fans as well as opposing supporters at other grounds in Spain.

Last month he said the abuse had affected his performances for the club.
Kameni is currently on duty for Cameroon as part of their African Nations Cup squad.

Fifa Probes Spanish Racist Chants

Fifa is to investigate after Spain fans hurled racist abuse at England's black players in Wednesday's friendly.

England's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were subjected to monkey chants in Madrid, prompting a furious reaction from the Football Association. In a statement, Fifa said: "We are concerned about the latest surge of racism and harshly condemn this."

The statement added: "(Fifa) will demand explanations from the Spanish football association."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said football had the potential to be a powerful anti-racist force.

"There is no room whatsoever for racism or discrimination in our sport. On the contrary, football is a tool for building bridges and nurturing tolerance," he said.

"The world is already too full of conflict that has its roots in racism and discrimination. Football

has a positive influence."