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Football Briefs: Atletico report Barcelona over Griezmann approach

Last updated on: December 19, 2017 22:59 IST

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Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann celebrates

IMAGE: Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann celebrates. Photograph: Sergio Perez /Reuters

Atletico Madrid have reported Barcelona to FIFA for an illegal transfer approach for Antoine Griezmann.

 

The French forward has been linked with the Catalan club in the Spanish media and Barcelona director Guillermo Amor told Movistar on Sunday that president Josep Maria Bartomeu may have made contact with Griezmann's family, who are also his representatives, over a potential move.

"Atletico Madrid have presented a complaint about Barcelona for repeated contact between Barcelona, the player and his people," Atletico told Reuters.

"Griezmann has a long contract and this cannot be permitted, while the club also considers it could affect the competition [La Liga] in which Barcelona are currently top and Atletico are second."

Barcelona, who were issued with a one-year transfer ban in 2014 for signing under-age players by world football governing body FIFA, did not respond when asked for comment.

FIFA said they had received the complaint from Atletico, but had no further comment at this stage.

Griezmann, 26, signed a new Atletico contract in June until 2022, which has a 100 million euro ($118.2 million) release clause.

 

I-League: Chennai City beat Churchill Brothers for first win

 

Chennai City scored a goal in each half as they beat Churchill Brothers 2-0 to record their first win in the Hero I-League, in Vasco on Tuesday.

 

ChennaiCity dominated the match and created several scoring chances. Jean Michael Joachim (45+1 minute) and Murilo Almedia (51st minute) were the scorers for ChennaiCity.

 

DebutantsChennaiCity have four points from five matches, while Churchill Brothers remain winless at the bottom of the table after five outings.

 

Desperately seeking a win to come out of the drop zone, both teams started on an attacking note.

 

Hosts Churchill Brothers played short passes but were found wanting in the danger zone, helping ChennaiCity to distate terms.

 

The visitors created more scoring chances but were unlucky twice as the ball hit the woodwork.  Soosai Raj, who was a livewire upfront, threatened the rival defence with good crosses but their strikers could not capitalise.

 

Jean Michael Joachim got the better of a rival defender before slotting the ball into the net past goalkeeper James Kithan off a long ball from Veniamin Shumeiko.

 

ChennaiCity looked well organised in the midfield and defence. They doubled the lead when Murilo Almedia, who got the ball inside the box, fooled his marker and unleashed a left-footer that found the back of the net.

 

Churchill Brothers, who put up an impressive performance against East Bengal in their last match, looked a pale shadow today as they lacked urgency in attack and allowed the visitors to dictate terms.

 

The home team was reduced to 10 men when Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw received his second yellow for a foul on Jesuraj in the 66th minute.

 

I-League: Mohun Bagan held to goalless draw By Neroca

An insipid-looking Mohun Bagan were held to a goalless draw by debutants Neroca FC in an I-League match in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Much to the delight of the Mariners' fans, Sony Norde and Ansumana Kromah were back after they saw their side share honours with Shillong Lajong. The duo suffered injuries against Churchill Brothers.

Eze Kingsley was suspended and Rana Gharami made his first I-League start with the Green and Maroons. Dipendu Dowary was relegated to the bench while the unimpressive Naro Hari Shrestha was chucked out of the 18-man squad for Azharuddin Mallick.

Rana Gharami was adjudged the Hero of the Match for his impressive performance.

While Mohun Bagan's attack appeared toothless with Aser Dipanda cutting a sorry figure, it was the midfield which included Raynier Fernandes and Shilton D'Silva that held on.

Even Rana Gharami was impressive in the way he handled the backline in the absence of Kingsley.

The Manipuri outfit looked content with the draw but Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen will be worried about his captain Norde's injury after he was stretchered out of the field, further aggravating his knock on the left knee.

The Green and Maroons have now dropped four points at home and it looks set to cost them dear in the title race as they remain on the third spot with nine points from five outings.

Man arrested over alleged hate crime against City's Sterling

Raheem Sterling

IMAGE: Raheem Sterling. Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images via Reuters

A man has been arrested over allegations of a hate crime against a player for the English soccer club, ManchesterCity, at the club's training ground, police said on Tuesday.

Greater Manchester Police said a 29-year-old man was in custody on suspicion of racially aggravated assault and the incident, involving City forward Raheem Sterling, was being treated as a hate crime.

"Racism will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester and has no place in civilised society," Detective Chief Inspector Paul Walker said in a statement.

"We take every report incredibly seriously."

Sterling scored twice in City's 4-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

The club has yet to comment.

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