WHUFC.com
Avram Grant is set to be absent from the touchline for the games with Bolton
and Aston Villa
04.04.2011
The following statement appeared on TheFA.com on Monday evening.
At an Independent Regulatory Commission Avram Grant was handed a touchline
suspension for two matches and fined a total of £6,000. The Commission found
the charge of improper conduct relating to media comments proven, following
remarks made in relation to match official Mike Jones in a post-match
interview following West Ham United's fixture with Stoke City at the
Britannia Stadium on Sunday 13 March 2011.
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West Ham United statement
WHUFC.com
The club are investigating reports around Saturday's match against
Manchester United
04.04.2011
West Ham United are investigating the events around Saturday's match against
Manchester United after allegations of racist abuse. The club takes such
matters seriously and, with the Police, is reviewing CCTV footage and
gathering witness information. Anyone found responsible will be dealt with
appropriately. This is an isolated incident and our supporters, like the
club, are proud of the positive relationship with Kick It Out - holding the
Racial Equality Standard - and Show Racism the Red Card. West Ham United
would like to restate the seven-point supporter plan it printed in
Saturday's matchday programme and also promoted on its matchday screens
around the ground.
Responsibility for all - We have a duty to show Hammers fans are the best.
We are passionate and proud - but always fair. Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds,
Trevor Brooking and now Scott Parker have inspired us all in the right way,
the West Ham way, and we should remember that always.
England's finest - We have a proud reputation at home and abroad. West Ham
United is your local club and we are growing it on a global scale. Wherever
you are, you are ambassadors for the Hammers and we want the world to see
the Academy of Football in a positive light.
Sing your hearts out - Our support is famous. We have always gotten behind
the team even when things are not going well and long may this continue. The
players always talk about the impact of hearing Bubbles or Come on you Irons
ringing out around the ground. Sometimes our dreams fade and die but our
steadfast support continues.
Pride in your stadium- The Boleyn Ground is your home from home. It is up to
us all to make it a place where all West Ham United fans - young and old can
follow the Irons. Feel pride in your surroundings and look after your own.
Bring your scarves, flags and, most importantly, your voices.
Education is key - The club are proud to lead the way in community work. Get
involved, whether it be coaching courses, supporter panels or initiatives
like Kick It Out. Learn more about what the club does seven days a week, 52
weeks a year. Stay in touch with whufc.com, Facebook and Twitter.
Control your language and conduct - We all feel passionate support and none
more than Hammers fans so famously committed - it's a way of life after all.
Take care to ensure your conduct at a match does not affect your life
outside of Upton Park. CCTV footage of passionate behaviour taken too far
has affected fans' ability to watch their beloved Hammers and, in extreme
cases, has impacted on their jobs and family life. Banter makes a match but
there is a line. There is no place for racism, prejudice and abuse anywhere
in football. We are all Hammers together and claret and blue are the only
colours that matter.
The way forward - We are nothing without our fans and never take you for
granted. We want your thoughts and ideas about how we can improve the
supporter experience from buying tickets to matchday entertainment. email us
at customerservices@westhamunited.co.uk
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Jack happy to be back
WHUFC.com
Jack Collison was wearing a big smile after making his playing return after
13 months on the side-lines
04.04.2011
Jack Collison was wearing the broadest grin in football after ending his
13-month injury nightmare. The 22-year-old returned from a long-term knee
injury in West Ham United's 1-0 Barclays Premier Reserve League defeat by
Manchester United at Woodside Park on Friday. The Wales midfielder showed he
had lost none of his ability during an eye-catching 30-minute cameo, but was
naturally delighted to have swapped the treatment room for the pitch after
such a long spell out of the game.
Collison paid tribute to the medical staff and team-mates who have helped
him through a difficult year. "It's great to be back out with the boys,
that's what the rehab has been all about," he told West Ham TV. "It's down
to a lot of people working very hard with me. The medical staff at West Ham
has been brilliant - they haven't rushed me, they've helped me through it
and it's been a real team effort and it was great to be back out there. "I'm
obviously still trying to find my lungs a little bit and my sharpness, but
that's going to come with more minutes. It was just a great feeling to be
back out there with the boys and back amongst it."
Collison is a popular member of the dressing room and his club-mates were
out in force to support his welcome return to action. Compatriot Danny
Gabbidon and fellow Academy graduates James Tomkins and Zavon Hines were in
the stands to cheer their friend on, with Gabbidon and Tomkins offering
Collison a few last-minute tips before his entry to the game in the second
half. "Obviously it's great. There's a really good spirit in the camp at the
moment and those three boys have been the ones who've been closest to me
right throughout my injury and have helped me through it. "It's a lonely
path sometimes but those three have been there and it was nice of them to
come down and support the boys."
While Collison was all smiles after his comeback match, the one-time
reserve-team captain shared the disappointment of his colleagues following a
narrow defeat that was difficult to swallow. Michael Keane's opportunist
81st-minute goal was all that separated the sides, with West Ham unlucky to
take nothing from a game every player put 100 per cent effort into. "The
boys are disappointed. They put a real shift in and I know they were looking
to bounce back from their defeat on Monday. I know they were disappointed
with that, so they put a shift in. It was a scrappy game and a scrappy goal,
but I think you can take a lot of positives out of it still, and obviously
for me it's just a matter of getting minutes under my belt. "I'd like to be
involved. They've said I need to get some more minutes under my belt on the
pitch before I can push back into the first team, but I'm ready whenever the
manager needs me! "I think the next reserve game is against Aston Villa here
and it'd be nice to get a start in that one."
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Manager on Monday
WHUFC.com
Coming up short against the champions-elect left Avram Grant doubly
determined for the run-in
04.04.2011
Avram Grant was returning to work on Monday focused on seven more major
matches having taken heart if not points from a spirited showing against
Manchester United. At times on Saturday the Hammers went toe-to-toe with the
runaway league leaders and UEFA Champions League hopefuls, even taking a
two-goal lead and so nearly adding a third before a second-half fightback
from the visitors. Wayne Rooney, who had been given a whole week back with
his club after England duty unlike Hammers duo Robert Green and Scott
Parker, eventually swung the contest firmly back in the Red Devils' favour
with a hat-trick. However, fortune was also not with the home side on a
ultimately disappointing afternoon at a sold-out Boleyn - although no
excuses were being offered. "Against Liverpool and Tottenham we were able to
keep up our form in both halves but we need to give credit to Manchester
United," said Grant. "They had a lot of attacking power in the second half
and it was difficult for us. "The players did their best to take the points
and we wanted to win, but now we have to look to the next match. We are
ready for the challenge.
"We have seven more important games to come and it won't be difficult to
lift the team. We should not only focus on this performance but also
remember the other games we have played in the past weeks."
West Ham will go to high-flying Bolton next Saturday knowing that just six
points separate them and tenth spot, and that a win at the Reebok Stadium
could lift them up four places. Grant is backing his men and knows that a
fully-fit squad - bar reserve-team returnee Jack Collison and hernia victim
Junior Stanislas - will help their ambitions. "We need to just continue in
the positive way we have been. This will make us stronger. We know how to
come back after a setback and we know it will go to the end of the season."
Certainly he will not compromise his footballing principles and, with Owen
Coyle in charge, the Bolton battle promises to be one that could be as
attractive on the eye as it is compelling. That said, points rather than
performances are ultimately what will count come the evening of 22 May. "The
important thing for the rest of the season is first to play football, but by
good football alone you will not stay in the league. We have been improving
a lot. We have done well and it will be a combination of mentality, strength
and quality that we will need to do the job."
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Seb shines on big stage
WHUFC.com
West Ham United youngster Seb Lletget is this week targetting a place in the
FIFA U-20 World Cup
04.04.2011
Sebastian Lletget will face the biggest match of his career to date on
Wednesday night when he lines up for the United States against Guatemala in
a winner-takes-all Under-20 international. The team that triumphs in the
2011 CONCACAF U20 Championship quarter-final will automatically earn a place
at the FIFA U-20 World Cup this summer. Guatemala are hosting the
continental tournament but the US will be favourites, especially after an
impressive 2-0 defeat of Panama to earn their last-eight berth. Lletget was
involved in the second goal for Kelyn Rowe, who had also struck the opener,
clipping the ball through for his team-mate to wrap up the win. The No8 had
also played a full 90 minutes in the 4-0 earlier group win against Suriname
on 29 March. The Hammers youngster would be expected to go with the US to
the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia should they qualify for the tournament
between 29 July and 20 August. The four CONCACAF qualifiers will join the 15
other nations, including England, Australia and the hosts Colombia.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham manager Avram Grant banned and fined by FA
BBC.co.uk
West Ham manager Avram Grant has been handed a two-match touchline ban and
fined £6,000 by the FA for comments made about match official Mike Jones. He
was found guilty of improper conduct over the comments made after the 2-1 FA
Cup defeat at Stoke on 13 March. Grant's ban starts immediately and it means
he will miss the vital Premier League games against Bolton Wanderers and
Aston Villa. Relegation-threatened West Ham lie in 18th place with seven
matches left. Grant - who denied the initial charge - hinted that referee
Jones had favoured Stoke out of guilt for missing Frederic Piquionne's
apparent handball in scoring the equaliser for West Ham. "Until they scored
[the second] goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything for them," Grant said
after the match. Grant was also annoyed by the failure to award West Ham a
penalty when James Tomkins was jostled by Jon Walters. "It was a penalty for
us at the end which he didn't give. Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I
think it was the effect of the first goal for us," added Grant.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham examine claim of racist abuse at Upton Park
BBC.co.uk
13:56 GMT, Monday, 4 April 2011 14:56 UK
West Ham are investigating a report that the families of Victor Obinna and
Frederic Piquionne were racially abused by fans at Upton Park on Saturday.
The pair, originally from Nigeria and New Caledonia respectively, appeared
as West Ham substitutes in the 4-2 defeat by Manchester United. West Ham are
reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses. They said in a statement
that anyone found guilty of racial abuse "will be dealt with appropriately".
Co-chairman David Sullivan told the Evening Standard he would be "appalled"
if the allegations of racist abuse proved correct. "It is particularly sad
that the families of our players were so treated," he said.
West Ham's supporter plan states that "there is no place for racism,
prejudice and abuse in football" and it warns that in the past fans have
been banned from the Boleyn Ground and convicted on criminal charges for
their behaviour at matches. "I believe all human beings are equal. We are
all born with different physical attributes," added Sullivan. "We will be
monitoring CCTV, interviewing stewards and taking strong action against
offenders if these allegations are proved to be correct."
It has been reported that a relative of Obinna, who had been watching the
match from an executive box, confronted spectators about the abuse. West Ham
are one of 30 professional clubs to have achieved the first level of the
Racial Equality Standard set up by the Kick It Out campaign.
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Messenger Shot!
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 4th April 2011
By: Staff Writer No.2
The Football Association have handed Avram Grant a two match touchline ban
following comments made after the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City. Grant's
comments came following a poor display from referee Mike Jones which
effectively handed Stoke the quarter final display on a plate. Asked
whether he felt that Jones had tried to 'even things up' Grant replied
"Until they scored [the second] goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything
for them,"
Grant was also annoyed by the failure to award United a penalty when James
Tomkins was thrown to the floor by Jon Walters: "It was a penalty for us at
the end which he didn't give. Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it
was the effect of the first goal for us."
Grant will be banned from the touchline for the upcoming crunch games
against Bolton and Aston Villa. Predictably, Mike Jones, whose actions were
at best incompetent and at worst downright dishonest has not been asked to
explain his dreadful display.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant handed two-match ban
Hammers boss sanctioned by FA over referee comments
Last Updated: April 5, 2011 12:16am
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has been handed a two-match touchline ban by
the Football Association The Israeli coach has been sanctioned for comments
he made to the media following an FA Cup clash with Stoke on 13th March. The
Hammers boss was disappointed with the performance of the match officials at
the Britannia Stadium and vented his anger after suffering a 2-1 defeat. His
remarks, about referee Mike Jones, have now seen him punished by the
authorities. At an Independent Regulatory Commission, Grant was charged with
improper conduct relating to media comments. As well as facing two games in
the stands, he has also been fined a total of £6,000. The ban comes into
effect immediately, meaning Grant will be absent from the dugout when West
Ham go to Bolton on Saturday and play host to Aston Villa on 16th April.
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Hammers investigate racism claims
Obinna & Piquionne families allegedly abused at Upton Park
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo Last updated: 4th
April 2011
SSN
West Ham have confirmed they are investigating claims that the families of
players Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne were racially abused by
spectators at Saturday's match against Manchester United. Reports have
suggested relatives of Obinna confronted supporters in the Main Stand at
Upton Park after they and guests of Piquionne were abused. The families were
sitting in a box behind fans watching the game when they claim a small
section began hurling racist abuse at them. An altercation is understood to
have taken place after at least one family member left the box to go
downstairs and confront fans. West Ham have now confirmed they are
investigating the incident and will take appropriate action if required to
do so.
Investigation
"West Ham United are investigating the events around Saturday's match
against Manchester United after allegations of racist abuse," read a club
statement. "The club takes such matters seriously and, with the Police, is
reviewing CCTV footage and gathering witness information. Anyone found
responsible will be dealt with appropriately. "This is an isolated incident
and our supporters, like the club, are proud of the positive relationship
with Kick It Out - holding the Racial Equality Standard - and Show Racism
the Red Card. "West Ham United would like to restate the seven-point
supporter plan it printed in Saturday's matchday programme and also promoted
on its matchday screens around the ground."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison returns to action
Hammers' midfielder makes significant step on road to recovery
By Ben Collins Last updated: 4th April 2011
SSN
Jack Collison has set his sights on regaining full fitness after making his
long-awaited return from injury. The West Ham midfielder has been out for
the last 13 months after suffering a serious knee injury. But the
22-year-old was back in action on Friday with a 30-minute run-out in the
reserves' 1-0 defeat by Manchester United. Collison admits he is some way
from being back in first-team contention but is pleased to have made another
significant step on his road to recovery. "It's great to be back out with
the boys, that's what the rehab has been all about," the 22-year-old told
the club's official website. "It's down to a lot of people working very hard
with me. The medical staff at West Ham has been brilliant.
No rush
"They haven't rushed me. They've helped me through it, it's been a real team
effort, and it was great to be back out there. "I'm still trying to find my
lungs a little bit and my sharpness, but that's going to come with more
minutes. It was just a great feeling to be back out there with the boys and
back amongst it." Collison was cheered on by fellow Academy graduates James
Tomkins and Zavon Hines, while fellow Wales international Danny Gabbidon was
also at Friday's game. "There's a really good spirit in the camp at the
moment," Collison added.
Support
"Those three boys have been the ones who've been closest to me right
throughout my injury and have helped me through it. "It's a lonely path
sometimes but those three have been there and it was nice of them to come
down and support the boys." Collison is now hoping to be given a start in
the reserves' game against Aston Villa next Tuesday, which will also be
played at Bishop's Stortford FC.
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It's Back to Front Against Man Utd, as 'Operation Reebok' Beckons!
April 4th, 2011 - 2:21 am by S J Chandos
West Ham Till I Die
Going in to the Man Utd match, two things were pretty obvious. Firstly, the
potential weaknesses that Man Utd had at the back. They currently have a
lot of injuries in defence and there was a patched up feel about their
rearguard. Secondly, in contrast, up front Man Utd had all of their
enormous attacking resources available for selection. For me, the pivotal
question was: could we win the midfield and put enough pressure on their
back line to win the match? Or would we be blown out of the water by a
potent strikeforce of Rooney, Berbatov and co?
In the first 45 minutes, it appeared that the former scenario had asserted
itself. We actually started the match with our play looking quite
disjointed. However, the power and pace of Cole and Ba forced Evra and Vidic
in to foul play and that resulted in Mark Noble's two excellently converted
penalty kicks. It was not a totally convincing 2-0 lead, but we were, where
we were! Going in at half-time 2-0 up was comforting, but there was always
the fear that Man Utd could change the game via the attacking riches on
their substitutes bench. It must be wonderful to have the luxury of being
able to call upon £20-30m strikers off the bench to get you out of a hole.
There was always a danger that if we conceded one goal, others would follow.
We needed that decisive third goal to clinch the win. And we came quite
close with Hitzlsperger's abortive volley and the excellent free kick, that
flew wide by the narrowest of margins.
At half-time, Man Utd went for broke offensively and we failed to respond
tactically. With the introduction of an extra striker, for Evra, and the
use of Giggs as a auxiliary left-back, surely we should have looked to
pressurize Giggs in this unfamiliar role. Personally, I would have
introduced Victor Obinna on the left flank, as a substitute for Carlton Cole
and moved Demba Ba in a more central striking position. And I would have
specifically charged Obinna with running at the veteran at every
opportunity, thus pinning him back and forcing him on the back foot. Giggs
succeeded because he was able to play most of the second half on the attack,
but would he have fared so well if he had to defend against a skillful
player like Obinna? Similarly, I would also have been tempted to replace
O'Neill with Piquionne on the right flank, earlier in the match. to try to
pin back their right-back's dangerous forward runs. In this situation,
attack really was the best form of defence! Unfortunately, we just sought
to contain them in the second half and, as a consequence, got absolutely
pulled apart.
Yet again we were on the rough end of some highly dubious refereeing.
TheFA's respect campaign is all very good and proper, but how about
accompanying it with a drive for professional competence amongst referees.
The free kick for Rooney's first goal should not have been awarded. For me
Noble won the ball. Having said that, one must acknowledge the 'top draw'
quality of Rooney's strike. Although the pathetic failure of the West Ham
wall to jump at the free kick was a contributing factor. Wally Downes needs
to drum these 'basics' in to players defending set peices! Hitzlsperger
certainly seems to have got caught in two minds and could have blocked
Rooney's strike from his position at the end of the wall. The referee
'bottled it' in his decision not to send off Vidic. If not for the
challenge in the first half, he should definitely have gone for the crude
hack on Ba at the beginning of the second half.
But no, Mr Mason failed to do what the rules dictated and that denied West
Ham the opportunity to defend their 2-0 lead against a 10 men Manchester
Utd. There is no absolute guarantee that we would have overcome those 10
men, but it would have been a strong possibility. Then Lee Mason compounds
his misdemeanours further by awarding a joke penalty against Matt Upson.
No, really, it was never a penalty, not in a million years! Yet, the
official dutifully gives it and Rooney needed no further invitation to
complete his hat trick. Man Utd's fourth goal was just sloppy, with Matt
Upson at fault on that occasion.
I see that Mark Noble has been subject to the usual criticism that follows
whenever we fall to a defeat. Well I really do not see that at all. In my
view from the BMU Noble was the best performing of the midfield triumvirate
of Parker-Hitzlsperger-Noble. Parker always gives 100% and this match was
no different, but he did not have the same impact on Saturday. Perhaps it
was a physical consequence of his exertions for England, or the fact that he
had not fully recovered from the calf strain that he picked up against
Wales. But it is a mark of the man, that we notice when he falls just a
little below the extremely high standards that he consistently sets. I
thought that Hitzlsperger had a relatively quiet game, he did nothing wrong,
but was not as dominant as we have seen him. While Noble was constantly in
the action, seeking the ball and trying to move it. He does not have great
pace, so what? Noble's importance is his ability to use the ball, switch
play and play decisive balls forward to the strikers.
I like the Jacobsen-O'Neill combination on the right flank. O'Neill's
industry and willingness to cover, gives Jacobsen a lot of assurance when
pushing forward. In contrast, Bridge does not benefit from the same sort of
consistent cover on the left flank, which can be a problem for him when
going forward. It is 'swings and roundabouts' with O'Neill's selection.
You gain a great deal in terms of industry and cover, but he does not
provide the most potent attacking threat. With Picquionne and Sears its the
other way around! Perhaps we need o start with O'Neill's graft against the
Man Utds Chelskis and Man Citys, but can afford to include more attacking
flair against less formidible PL opposition?
Matt Upson has been outstanding of late. Against Liverpool, Stoke City and
Spurs he was very dominant at the back. He did not have such a good game
against Man Utd, but for me the first choice centre-back pairing remains
Upson and either Da Costa or Tomkins. At least that is the situation until
the end of the season, when it is likely that Upson will move on a Bosman,
even if we survive. In contrast, I thought that Da Costa did very well on
Saturday and, in many respects, out shone his older, more experienced
central defensive partner. A Da Costa-Tomkins partnership would be
interesting, but it is a new partnership that is best tested next season.
Personally, I have my reservations as to whether they are botha bit too
right sided to form the perfectly balanced partnership, but who knows?
Perhaps they can compensate for that? It is good to see young Jordan Spence
doing well, on loan, at Bristol City. Hopefully, he can push on and compete
for a starting slot with us next season. While Matt Fry has also done well
on loan at Charlton, although they have been playing him at left-back. He
certainly has potential at left full back, but it is as a naturally left
sided central defender that Fry's future probably lies. Still, these are
considerations for next season, hopefully after a successful fight against
relegation.
Victory against Man Utd would have made all our lives so much easier.
Things would certainly look more positive today, with us in mid-table on 35
points, with 7 games to go this season. Needless to say, this is West Ham
and we rarely do things the easy way! I was anxious to avoid it going to
the last day of the season against Sunderland, but that's the way that it
might turn out. If so, lets hope that it is entirely in our own hands, a
'if we win, we stay up' type scenario! We do not want to be dependent upon
other results going our way, as this weekend proved, there can be too many
variables at play in those situations, especially if our relegation rivals
play teams with nothing much riding on the result. Mind you, considering
Sunderland's terrible recent form, they may be relegation threatened
themselves on the final day? That would certainly set up a really highly
competitive finale to the season!
Personally, I see no reason to revise my season long prediction that we will
avoid relegation. I did not factor in a West Ham win against Man Utd in to
my core calculations, I saw it more as a nice potential points bonus.
Thankfully, we do not face Man Utd's £30m forwards every week. Next weekend
sees us facing the very different, but still challenging away match against
Bolton Wanderers. Hopefully, they may be a bit distracted by the
forthcoming FA Cup Semi-Final against those 'anti-football' cheats, Stoke
City. However, I would not rely upon that, we need to set our stall out
well, perhaps with Tomkins coming in again at right-back, and grab a win up
there. In terms of the balance of probabilities, we are certainly over-due
a victory over them and this would be an excellent time to deliver it.
The squad need to put the Manchester Utd disappointment behind them and
concentrate on winning the next match. They need to approach it as
'operation reebok,' a highly professional smash and grab raid for three
vital points. It is not beyond this team, they just need to get their
mental approach, selection and tactics right on the day. If they can do
that, the three points are potentially there for the taking.
SJ. Chandos
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Av is Hammered by the FA
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 04 Apr 2011
The Sun
AVRAM GRANT has been hit with a two-game touchline ban for slagging off
referee Mike Jones. The West Ham boss has been hammered for his comments
about the ref after the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Stoke last month. Grant, who
was fined £6,000, now sits out Saturday's trip to Bolton and the relegation
six-pointer at home to Aston Villa. He was clobbered by an improper conduct
charge for his criticism of the ref. Jones allowed a dodgy equaliser from
Hammers striker Freddie Piquionne to stand, awarded Stoke a hotly-debated
missed penalty and snubbed West Ham's spot-kick appeals. At the time Grant
said: "Until they scored he gave everything for them."
The FA classed that as questioning the referee's integrity and have hit him
hard as part of a clampdown on managers hitting out at officials. Manchester
United boss Alex Ferguson had to sit out his team's 4-2 win at West Ham on
Saturday as part of a five-game touchline suspension for blasting ref Martin
Atkinson. Grant's ban capped a sorry weekend for West Ham, who are
investigating claims relatives of black players Piquionne and Victor Obinna
were racially abused by their OWN fans during the United game.
Cops are trawling through CCTV footage and matchday stewards are being
questioned in a bid to find the culprits. A police spokesman said: "Officers
are investigating after an allegation of racist abuse by spectators during
the West Ham and Manchester United match." The aggrieved players' guests did
not complain at the time. But West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan said:
"We'll be taking strong action against offenders if these allegations are
proved. "I happen to be small and have been the subject of 'heightism' for
many years."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sullivan promises punishment for any Hammers fans found guilty of racism
Published 23:00 04/04/11 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror
Police have joined West Ham's probe into the race row during Saturday's
defeat to Manchester United. The Hammers confirmed yesterday they are
investigating claims guests of strikers Victor Obinna and Frederic Piquionne
were racially abused by a section of the club's own fans – as revealed in
Mirror Sport. Initial enquiries have established there was an incident on
Saturday and the club are now viewing CCTV footage to ascertain what went
on. The club's co-chairman David Sullivan has promised tough sanctions for
any fan found guilty of any offence. Sullivan said: "It is particularly sad
that the families of our players were so treated. I believe all human beings
are equal. We are all born with different physical attributes. "We will be
monitoring CCTV, interviewing stewards and taking strong action against
offenders if these allegations are proved."
West Ham are one of 30 professional clubs to have achieved the first level
of the Racial Equality Standard set up by the Kick It Out campaign. A club
statement said last night: "West Ham are investigating the events around
Saturday's match against Manchester United after allegations of racist
abuse. "This is an isolated incident and our supporters, like the club, are
proud of the positive relationship with Kick It Out – holding the Racial
EqualityStandard – and Show Racism the Red Card."
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West Ham United manager Avram Grant handed two-match touchline ban and
£6,000 fine
By Telegraph staff and agencies 6:14PM BST 04 Apr 2011
Telegraph.co.uk
Avram Grant, the West Ham United manager, has been handed a two-match
touchline ban and fined £6,000 for comments made about match official Mike
Jones, the Football Association has confirmed.An Independent Regulatory
Commission found the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager guilty of
improper conduct relating to comments made to the media in the aftermath of
the his side's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke on March 13. Grant's ban will
commence with immediate effect and means he will miss the Premier League
games at Bolton this weekend and at home to Aston Villa the following week.
The Israeli made the comments after seeing his side knocked out of the
competition at the quarter-final stage and claimed that his side should have
been awarded a second-half penalty. Grant hit out at referee Jones' handling
of the second half, which began with Stoke being awarded a penalty just 13
seconds after the restart. Matthew Etherington missed the spot-kick but
Grant intimated he felt that Jones had been swayed by the home fans after
Frederic Piquionne appeared to handle in the lead-up to the West Ham's
opener in the first half.
"I think maybe this is the reason the referee started the second half very
strange," Grant said of Stoke's penalty award. "Until they scored [the
second] goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything for them. "It was a
penalty for us at the end which he didn't give. What happened with [James]
Tomkins was more bushido [the Japanese code of conduct for samurai
warriors]. "Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it was the effect of
the first goal for us."
Grant was charged with improper conduct for the comments on the same day
that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a five-match
touchline ban and a £30,000 fine for his verbal attack on referee Martin
Atkinson at Chelsea in February. Speaking almost three weeks ago, Grant
argued that fellow managers will stop giving honest answers if they continue
to be reprimanded by governing bodies and echoed Ferguson's comments that
"football is the only industry you can't tell the truth in".
"I don't have much to say," said Grant. "I can say only that after the game
in the interview I did not speak about the referee. "Then one of the
journalists asked me about the referee - ask him why he asked me - and I
gave an honest opinion. "I didn't put a question mark on the integrity of
the referee or anything because I spoke with the referee, I shook his hand
after the game. "And again I gave an honest answer. If it is against the
rules, I don't know."
He added: "One thing for sure is I don't think the managers will give an
honest opinion about [football decisions if this continues]. I am sure about
this." West Ham confirmed to Press Association Sport that they will make a
statement on the punishment in due course.
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Obinna keen on West Ham stay despite alleged racism in Man United defeat
By SAMI MOKBEL Last updated at 10:30 PM on 4th April 2011
Daily Mail
Victor Obinna is still open to a permanent West Ham move despite allegations
of racism towards his family at Upton Park. On the same day as manager Avram
Grant was handed a two-game touchline ban, the Hammers launched an
investigation into claims the families of Obinna and Frederic Piquionne were
abused by a small group of supporters during the 4-2 home defeat against
Manchester United on Saturday. But in a confusing twist, both Obinna and
Piquionne have denied their families were targets of racial slurs - despite
the club probe. Grant is keen to keep Inter Milan striker Obinna - who is on
a season-long loan at Upton Park - beyond the end of the season and the
allegations could have thwarted the Israeli's hopes of signing the Nigeria
star. But Obinna's representative, Michael Coker, told Sportsmail on Monday
night: 'We have no idea where these allegations have come from. 'I have
spoken to Victor and as far as we know nothing was said to his family. 'Even
if it was true, Victor is a professional and an incident like this would
have no bearing on whether he decides to join West Ham.'
Similarly, Piquionne's agent Stephane Courbis said: 'I can't explain where
this has come from. 'Freddie has no knowledge of it - nothing happened to
his family.'
However, Sportsmail understands there was an incident involving racist
remarks during Saturday's game and the club are continuing their
investigation despite Obinna's and Piquionne's denial. Co-owner David Gold
said: 'We will be monitoring CCTV, interviewing stewards and taking strong
action against offenders if these allegations are proved to be correct.'
Meanwhile, Grant has been hit with a two-game touchline ban and fined £6,000
for comments made about referee Mike Jones after West Ham's FA Cup defeat to
Stoke on March 13. The ban starts with immediate effect and means he will
miss the vital Barclays Premier League clashes at Bolton this weekend and at
home to Aston Villa the following week.
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Manchester United should throw the book at Wayne Rooney as Football
Association bares its teeth at last
By Jason Burt, Deputy Football Correspondent 7:30AM BST 05 Apr 2011
Jason's Twitter
Telegraph.co.uk
It wasn't just Telegraph Sport who thought enough was enough on Monday. The
Football Association agreed, charging Wayne Rooney for using offensive
language during Manchester United's victory over West Ham on Saturday.
Enough, it seems, is finally enough. There is definitely a mood afoot to
deal with such matters and the only hope is that the FA will now be
consistent and carry on. The organisation appears emboldened — perhaps the
Premier League's headline-grabbing push for the Respect campaign last week
has prompted a reaction — and there is understood to be a depth of feeling
that a certain level of conduct now has to be maintained.
As the Telegraph Sport headline read, sometimes a line must be drawn in the
sand. The FA's reasoning is clear. Hopefully a line has now been drawn.
There is a big distinction between swearing on the field of play and, as
Rooney did, grabbing a camera and directing a volley of abuse into it. It
was a self-evident breach of the FA rules.
It was both threatening and abusive. It was indecent and insulting. And it
was beamed to 211 countries. It wasn't just the swearing, it was his
aggression, his violent approach. The hope is that the FA is not making it
up as it goes along here and that it is also not simply reacting to the
media – only time will tell.
Recent punishments for Blackburn's Gaël Givet, sent off after abusing a
referee following the final whistle, and, on Monday, for West Ham manager
Avram Grant for accusing a referee of bias, suggest that the FA are taking a
clearer path.
It will be argued that Rooney has been victimised or harshly treated,
because of who he is. It will be claimed that such language is used all the
time, that he is not a role model — well he is by accepting the endorsements
– that children are not so easily influenced, which is wrong, or that he
received severe provocation from the
But that all misses the point, which is about the behaviour of a Premier
League footballer and the minimum standards that are deemed acceptable when
playing a game for which he is richly rewarded. It's about a sportsman being
reminded of his personal responsibilities and that this extends to showing
respect. Showing respect for the game, his fellow professionals, the
supporters in the stadium and the viewers at home.
Who exactly deserved to be told to "---- off" by Rooney on Saturday
afternoon? Who had earned such abuse? Why subject people to this? Beyond the
bewilderment of trying to understand why he gets so angry — saying he is
highly charged and lost in the moment simply doesn't wash. It would be
fascinating to hear why he really felt moved to have behaved like this when
he had scored a hat-trick which should bring nothing but joy for a striker.
What the world needs now is for United to also punish Rooney, by fining him
for his behaviour, reminding him of his responsibilities. They, also, should
say "enough is enough".
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