Archive for: October 2012

Chelsea Complaint against Referee

Oct. 29 Sport no comments


The ongoing problem of racism in Premiership Football took a new turn over the weekend with Chelsea lodging a formal complaint about the behaviour of Mark Clattenburg, the referee during a heated match against Manchester United. The complaint alleges the use of ‘inappropriate language’ towards two Chelsea players in a fraught game that ended at 3-2 to the Manchester club. It is understood that the complain centres at least partly around the use of racist language by the referee.

A spokesman for Chelsea F.C. explained:

“We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate. The match delegate will pass the complaint to the Football Association.”

In a standard match all four of the match officials wear microphones and an earpiece that allows them to hear what each is saying. However, it is understood that these conversations are not recorded. The Professional Game Match Officials, the organisation that represents referees, stated that it was aware of the complaint and that Clattenburg would comply fully with the investigation.

Steward Hurt by Thrown Object

The match also saw a steward apparently injured by an object thrown from the crowd, as well as two Chelsea players – Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres – sent off in the space of a few minutes. There was also the subject of a controversial goal by United’s Javier Hernandez which the Chelsea contingent are convinced should not have stood. One of the players believed to be involved in the complaint about the referee is Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi.

Racism has loomed large in football news of late with the ‘Kick it Out’ campaign being controversially snubbed by noted coloured players, and also with regard to Chelsea’s John Terry and alleged racist insults, for which he was acquitted by the courts. The Football Association, however, later found him guilty of the accusations.

Clattenburg, who lives in Durham, is one of the leading referees in the English game and regularly officiates at matches in Europe, and was prominent in the Olympic football competition this summer.

EU’s Seven Year Budget: Bargaining Proceeds Until Friday

Oct. 10 Economy no comments

The 17 nation Euro zone countries are to begin discussion about their seven-year budget. Deep in debt and recession, the nations are divided into two; those calling for cuts and those calling for more spending with quality investments to proliferate EU-funded economies.

Poland called for the maintenance or the increase in the spending levels of EU-funded countries. The United Kingdom along with other contributors to the EU funding stated that cuts are needed because €987 billion are at stake in the seven year plan. France objects to any cuts in agriculture and infrastracture development in poorer regions.

Currently, the 2014-2020 Multi-Annual Financial Framework made by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy had €309.5 billion for cohesion and €364.5 billion for agriculture, which makes 32% and 37.5% of the budget respectively.

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso exclaimed that others did not consider the quality of investments and instead focused on cuts and austerities. German Chancellor Angela Merkel states that if no deal between the nations can be achieved this week as it extends to Friday, another summit might be needed in 2013.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said that it spending rises, UK may have to use its veto power. Netherlands and Sweden backed up the call for a freeze in spending.