Said & Done: ‘It was clumsy. But there was no racist intent’ – Alexei Sorokin

Quote of the week

Spartak Moscow in racism row after controversial video posted on Twitter Read more

Russia 2018 head Alexei Sorokin – reflecting on Spartak Moscow’s tweet about black players training in hot weather captioned “see how the chocolates melt in the sun”: “It was clumsy. But there was no racist intent.”

• Also reacting to the deleted tweet last week: a) Fifa, ruling it was not their “responsibility” to act; and b) Russian FA disciplinary head Artur Grigoryants, pledging “to study all sides of this incident”. Grigoryants’ previous best work: reacting to Spartak fans racially abusing Emmanuel Frimpong in 2015 by banning Frimpong for “his insulting gesture” back at them.

Guardians of the week

The EFL: responding to Karl Oyston naming son Sam as Blackpool’s CEO, two months after the Oystons were found to have “illegitimately stripped” the club of £26.77m: “The appointment is a matter for the club, not the EFL. We will offer Sam all the support he requires.”

• Among Sam’s credentials: paying £20,000 for libelling a supporter in 2015, mocking fans online, and running the club’s loss-making hotel. Also joining the new-look board: Natalie Christopher, daughter of owner Owen.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Karl and Owen Oyston: new-look board. Photograph: Getty Images, REX/Shutterstock

Meanwhile

Also making good governance headlines last week:

a) Ghana FA executive Winfred Osei Kweku Palmer, sorry for saying Ghana would have qualified for the World Cup if only they’d bribed referees properly. Palmer, who told local radio: “If we’d spent $300,000 and stood to benefit by about $8m, I see nothing wrong with it”, clarified: “I render an unqualified apology. It won’t happen again.”

b) Ghana’s national president Nana Akufo-Addo, pledging to act against all forms of corruption in public life, apart from in football. “The FA, according to Fifa rules, must be devoid of [governmental] interference. Fifa is very insistent on that.”

c) Brazil FA head Marco Polo Del Nero: choosing to dispute his “unjust” Fifa ethics ban via video link from Brazil because of his fears about being arrested if he travels abroad. Del Nero, accused in New York of racketeering and money-laundering, denies wrongdoing.

And d) Gianni Infantino, on tour in Bermuda eight months after he sacked the ethics team investigating him, telling critics to move on: “The past is the past, we have to make things better.” His broader vision: “The key is to to bring football back to Fifa and Fifa back to football ... Football is a magical game that you play with your feet - but most importantly with your heart.”

Other news: best moral lead

Spain: Former Sevilla president José Maria del Nido – calling out Real Betis for “unsporting conduct” in over-celebrating their derby win. Del Nido, talking via video link while serving seven years for embezzlement, said Betis lack class. “They did everything but a bus parade.”

‘Lack of respect’ – Borussia Dortmund hit out at Arsenal over Aubameyang Read more

Most unsettling

Arsène Wenger – criticised by Dortmund for “unsettling” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the eve of a match. Wenger’s view in September on clubs unsettling players on the eve of matches: “You sit there before the games and in players’ minds they have no clarity. Are they in? Are they out? Are they half in? Are they half out? Are they tapped up on the afternoon of a game? It’s not the way to work, and it’s uncomfortable. It’s time to kick that out.”

Best road trip

Carlos Tevez, back at Boca after a year away. His journey: Jan 2017 – “China’s league keeps getting better: it’s intense, a big challenge, and I will bring my passion. Thanks to the fans, I have a new home now.” Jan 2018 – “I was on holiday in China. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Carlos Tevez in Shanghai, January 2017. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Manager news

Making moves last week:

a) Southend - sacking Phil Brown six days after he hailed chairman Ron Martin for his backing: “I mean, a lot of chairmen might have gone a different way. But his record’s impeccable: three managers in fourteen years. That’s phenomenal in my opinion.”

b) Brazil: Caio Couto, coach of women’s champions Santos, “put out” to be sacked via WhatsApp: “Such disrespect. Sack me if you want, but look me in the eyes while you do it.”

c) France, 8 Jan: Bordeaux president Stéphane Martin, telling reporters to ease off coach Jocelyn Gourvennec. “We’re in an unprecedented crisis, of course. But stop talking about the future of Jocelyn. All these questions, frankly, it’s getting morbid.” 18 Jan: Sacks him.

And d) Portugal, 14 Jan: Belenenses president Rui Pedro Soares, tired of questions about coach Domingos Paciência. “Listen, Domingos is the coach of Belenenses. Will he still be in five, 10 years? I don’t know. In 20 years? No. But today Domingos is coach of Belenenses, and tomorrow, Domingos is coach of Belenenses.” The next day: Domingos isn’t coach of Belenenses.

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Big vision of the week

Yanmar, Manchester United’s Global Tractor Partner, revealing the vision behind their new official Manchester United YT359 tractor: “[To help] people all around the world experience the thrill of the beautiful game, towards the realisation of a prosperous society for all.”

Most regrets

Argentina: Fourth tier Sportivo Dock Sud’s goalkeeper coach Diego Svery, issuing a clarification after viral video showed him suspending players by ropes tied around their ankles and firing shots at them over burning fences. “I never meant any harm. It’s a lie that I put bags on their heads: they were T-shirts with holes in. But I regret again any distress. I just have passion for football.”

And kick of the week

Brazil: São Paulo’s U20 Cup game against Botafogo - held up when a “veteran ball boy exchanged curses with players” then kicked a substitute while fans chanted “Ball boy, ball boy”. São Paulo’s Liziero: “He took stuff really personally. I never saw anything like it.”