The emergence of AS Monaco

(CNN) -- Favored haunt of James Bond, gamblers, luxury yacht owners and Grace Kelly fans, Monaco looks increasingly set to also become the preferred destination of any self-respecting world class footballer.

And who can blame them. What's not to like about the chance to strut your stuff in one of the world's most glamorous locations -- and not pay tax on your wages.

Monaco have come a long way in a very short space of time and, with the money the club's Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev has to spend, it is a team that has every chance of upsetting the status quo in French football next season.

When Rybolovlev -- worth $9.1 billion, according to Forbes -- bought a majority stake in the seven-time French champions in December 2011, Monaco were bottom of French football's second tier.

Fast forward a couple of years and Monaco have served notice of the extent of their ambitions by spending close to $180 million on signing Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, as well as Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.

This, just a matter of weeks after wrapping up the second-flight title, with a young side coached by experienced Italian coach Claudio Ranieri.

"It's hard to think of a more serious statement of intent," former Monaco chief executive Tor-Kristian Karlsen told CNN.

"Falcao is simply the best out-and-out center forward in the world. With a signing of this caliber [experienced defender Ricardo Carvalho will also play for Monaco next season], French football will seriously start closing the gap on the top European leagues."

Read: Monaco splash out $90 million on Porto pair

These are signings that are likely to give newly crowned French champions Paris Saint-Germain, another club revived by massive investment, a run for their money in defending their Ligue 1 title.

"Everything is possible," said Karlsen. "The team that won Ligue 2 -- even without the new acquisitions -- would have stabilized itself in the top eight of Ligue 1.

"But one should allow for the team to settle in the top half of Ligue 1 before expecting silverware," added the former Monaco chief executive.

Monaco's upwardly mobile progression evokes memories of Chelsea's transformation after another Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took control in 2003.

In financial peril before the Russian oligarch arrived, Chelsea's trophy cabinet room is now brim to overflowing with 11 cups captured in the space of 10 years during the Abramovich era.

Though at a no little cost. Abramovich has gone through nine managers, not to mention an estimated $1.5 biliion of investment in players and wages.

When Abramovich took charge of Chelsea, Ranieri was in charge of the team, though the Italian was eventually sacked by the Russian to be replaced by Jose Mourinho.

"Ranieri is an excellent manager," said Karlsen, who stepped down from the chief executive role before promotion due to personal reasons. "He was -- and, in my opinion, still is -- the ideal manager for this project.

"The experience, the class, the professionalism he brought has been immensely important," added Karlsen, who had previously been Monaco's sporting director before his promotion to the chief executive role in September.

"He is very pragmatic, is aware of the politics of the game and just as importantly he's a great ambassador. "

Read: Neymar on his way to Barcelona

Not that Monaco's "grand projet" has been universally welcomed by all in French football.

Under the principality's laws, foreigners do not pay tax on their wages and that has put Monaco at odds with the French Football Federation (FFF) and the French League (LFP) after the latter organization ruled that the club must move their head office to France by the start of June next year.

"Monaco has enjoyed a position in French football that is totally unfair and that hasn't been questioned," France Football's English correspondent Philippe Auclair told CNN.

"The club has enjoyed an unfair advantage over every French club. Monaco should be subjected to the same tax regime as the other clubs in Ligue 1," added Auclair, who acknowledged that the French football authorities have allowed this anomaly to go on for too long.

"In any other country this would be unthinkable. Imagine if Welsh clubs Cardiff and Swansea didn't operate under the same taxation regime as the other 18 English Premier League clubs?

"The league has a perfect right to ask Monaco for this and the law should have been applied a long time ago."

Read: The curious transfer of Claudio Yacob

But Monaco are refusing to play ball and have threatened to take legal action over the dispute.

"As part of this legal action, ASM FC will be seeking the annulment of the LFP's decision of March 21 requiring the club to establish its headquarters in France, as well as a claim for damages from the LFP as compensation for financial and commercial losses suffered as a result of that decision," Monaco said in a statement earlier this month.

Monaco said French Federation president Noel Le Graet, "acting on behalf of both the FFF and the LFP, demanded from AS Monaco FC a huge payment of $258 million in return for ending the current conflict without the club having to relocate its headquarters to France in order to remain in the French Championship."

Neither Le Graet or the LFP responded to CNN's request for comment.

The French Football Federation then issued a statement, insisting it was Monaco who brought up the figure.

"The FFF had decided (on April 18) to set up a meeting between the Federation, the French Professional League (LFP) and AS Monaco FC. Preliminary talks started with representatives from AS Monaco FC, during which the sum of $258 million was mentioned by AS Monaco FC," said the FFF.

"My personal opinion is that AS Monaco has been treated disgracefully by the French football authorities ," said Karlsen. "What Monaco are doing is to the wider benefit of the French game.

"French football should welcome this foreign investment -- it makes the league stronger, improves the competitive balance and brings much-needed global exposure."

Karlsen suggested that the French authorities were in danger of "shooting themselves in the foot," pointing out that when he was working for the club, Monaco had spent $6.4 million on Delvin N'Dinga from Auxerre.

"At the time Auxerre were struggling financially and on the brink of going out of business.

"Before the signing of Falcao, Moutinho and Rodriguez, I suspect the strategy had been to sign mainly French players from the domestic transfer market, but the club may well have reversed that strategy due to the scandalously poor treatment they have recently received from the French football authorities."

Before Rybolovlev's arrival, Monaco had been regular participants in European club competition until a steady decline set in, culminating in their relegation to Ligue 2 in 2011.

"Rybolovlev is very analytical and studious," said Karlsen of his former boss.

"He comes from a family of doctors and that is the way he has built his businesses -- by careful analysis.

"He's an avid student of the game. Whenever you go to his office you'll always find analytical books on the subject of football on his table, I'm obviously not talking about books like 'Fever Pitch,'" said Karlsen, referring to Nick Hornby's book about football fandom.

"He is very knowledgeable about football and for him the strategy is quite simple -- to be successful," added the Norwegian, who before joining Monaco as technical director in March 2012 worked as a scout for Zenit St. Petersburg.

"Since he took over, the financial commitment has been amazing.

"He has always delivered on his promise to be successful and he won't settle for second best."

However given Monaco's average attendance last season was just over 5,000, the question remains how Monaco will meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules, which requires clubs to only spend money they earn, if and when the principality club qualifies for Europe.

For now, though, those few thousand Monaco supporters can look forward to the treat of watching some of Europe's finest players.

Via: The emergence of AS Monaco

Monaco continues spending spree

(CNN) -- French club Monaco have served further notice of their intent to challenge at the top of world football by completing the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

The five-year deal for the Colombian, who has found the net 28 times for Spanish Cup winners Atletico in the league this season, is the latest in a series of high-profile acquisitions by the newly promoted principality club. The transfer fee wasn't disclosed by Monaco, but it was reported to be almost $80 million.

"I'm very happy to join AS Monaco and very happy to wear these new colors," Falcao said in a video message on Monaco's Web site.

Earlier this month Monaco's owner Dmitry Rybolovlev -- worth $9.1 billion, according to Forbes -- funded the transfers of Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for $90 million.

Read: Double swoop

When Rybolovlev acquired a majority stake in the club in December 2011, Monaco were bottom of the French second tier.

Italian coach Claudio Ranieri guided the team to the Ligue 2 title and will be expected to lead his expensively assembled squad towards the upper echelons of French football and, ultimately, into continental competition.

"We are absolutely delighted that Radamel Falcao has accepted the challenge of coming to play for AS Monaco FC," Rybolovlev told the club's Web site. "We are proud to have secured one of the best players in the world and confident that he will help ASMFC regain its rightful status."

The signing of Falcao is a major coup for the seven-time French champions.

The 27-year-old arrived in European football from Argentina's River Plate in 2009 and went on to score 41 goals in 51 games for Porto as the Portuguese team won the Europa League.

The Santa Marta-born forward moved to the Spanish capital in 2011 and his goals helped Atletico clinch the Europa League crown in 2012.

Falcao's stock rose considerably after he scored a hat-trick against Champions League winners Chelsea in the 2012 European Super Cup, played at Monaco's Stade Louis II Stadium.

He had been linked with a switch to Atletico's city rivals Real Madrid as well as a host of other illustrious European clubs.

Falcao's status for Atletico's final game of the season, at Zaragoza on Saturday, wasn't known.

Via: Monaco continues spending spree

'Human error' in Brazil stadium roof collapse

(CNN) -- Brazil's preparations for a major international soccer tournament have been hit by "human error" and heavy rain, which caused the roof of Salvador's host stadium to partially collapse.

The Arena Fonte Nova is due to host three matches in the eight-nation Confederations Cup, considered a warmup for the 2014 World Cup also in Brazil, with the first to be played on June 20.

But stadium administrators now face major repairs after a triangular tear appeared in one section of the roof on Monday as it buckled under the weight of rain water.

The Fonte Nova Participacoes (FNP) group, which manages the stadium, said in a statement: "The breakup of a part of the 36 panels of the roof membrane was (caused) by human error.

"The FNP checked the sealing cover the previous day, taking advantage of the non-operation of the Games stadium.

"During this procedure a portion of the membrane covering the metal deck was bent, which eventually became a barrier, causing an accumulation of rain water which prevented the correct outlets for drainage."

Read: Two stadiums miss Confederations Cup deadline

CNN affiliate TV Record showed aerial images of the stadium staff using buckets to remove pools of water from other sections of the roof to try to prevent further collapses.

FNP said repair work was already under way and that the stadium would be ready for its first Confederations Cup match, a Group B tie between Nigeria and Uruguay.

It added that the roof structure of the Fonte Nova arena had passed resistance tests, and stressed that this was an isolated incident. However, it confirmed it would now carry out a major inspection of the stadium.

The arena, in the north-east city of Salvador, was the third purpose-built stadium to be inaugurated ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Read: Brazil's shaky answer to the Vuvuzela

It will host six games during the world football's prestigious event and won praise when it passed its official test event last month.

But the partial roof collapse is the type of public relations disaster Brazil is desperate to avoid. The South American country is already drawing extra global scrutiny as it hosts back-to-back major sporting events, with the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro following next year's World Cup.

Rio's Maracana stadium, considered a cathedral of world football, finally reopened last month after a two-year, $500 million renovation.

But the Joao Havelange Olympic stadium in Rio, which is due to host the track and field events at the Olympics and is also home to Botafogo football club, has been closed indefinitely after it was found to have major structural flaws.

Read: Silva lining won't be enough for Brazil star

The Confederations Cup will also be a trial run of infrastructure -- from hotels to airports and urban transport.

More than half a million tickets have already been sold and many fans will want to travel from one city to another to follow their team.

The Confederations Cup pits continental champions against each other, with world champions Spain among the teams joining hosts Brazil.

For football fans it is a chance to savor some end-of-season international action, but for Brazil -- which last staged the World Cup in 1950 -- it is a chance to prove it can again host a major sporting spectacle.

Via: 'Human error' in Brazil stadium roof collapse

The curious transfer of Claudio Yacob

(CNN) -- The deal is done. The dream is reality. Photographers' flashbulbs pop as the club scarf is held aloft. Smiles and handshakes ensue.

It is July 2012 and aspiring English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion has just pulled off a major coup in securing the free transfer of up and coming Argentine international Claudio Yacob from Racing Club de Avellaneda.

It is another feather in the cap for the club's technical director Dan Ashworth, who is now working for the English Football Association as its director of elite development -- tasked with ensuring a production line of future England football stars.

Yacob's signing proves a masterstroke as the midfielder helps West Brom punch above their weight in the Premier League this season, finishing eighth in the table to secure the club's hightest points tally in a top-flight season after years of yo-yoing between England's two top divisions.

When Yacob, who will turn 26 this July, signed for West Brom, Ashworth told the club's website he was "pleased to have recruited a player of Claudio's caliber."

Yacob started his career at Racing, breaking into the first team at 17 before being appointed as captain while still in his teens.

"To achieve that at Argentina's third or fourth biggest club, and then break into the national team with the wealth of talent his country have to choose from, is no mean feat," Ashworth added.

Yet behind Yacob's transfer to England lies a more complex story which has emerged from interviews as well as emails, photographs and documents given to CNN.

"Rambo"

It's a story that involves threatened legal action by Yacob's former agent, while another Argentine lawyer, Ariel Reck, asked the English Football Association to investigate the transfer over the involvement of two unlicensed agents.

It is also a story that raises questions for the FA and world governing body FIFA in the way transfers are regulated and the role of both licensed and unlicensed agents.

The FA declined CNN's request to interview Ashworth, as did West Brom when asked if Yacob could provide his version of events of the transfer.

"We do not comment on whether or not we are looking into such matters," said the FA after CNN asked the organization to confirm if the governing body was investigating Yacob's transfer to West Brom.

According to a letter given to CNN by Reck, in November 2012 the English FA was asked to examine the alleged involvement of unlicensed agents -- including one nicknamed "Rambo," due to his resemblance to Sylvester Stallone's movie hero

The FA, which has never disputed receiving the letter, refused to answer any questions CNN put it to about the Yacob deal.

Back in Argentina, a threatened lawsuit from Yacob's former agent Marcelo Simonian awaits the midfielder.

In England there are nearly 500 licensed agents, while Italy has double that number.

But the sheer volume of people -- lawyers, family members, licensed and unlicensed agents -- now engaged in carrying out transfers presents huge logistical problems for both national federations as well as FIFA in resolving disputes when they arise.

Yacob's transfer presents a similar Gordian knot with the documentation handed to CNN by Simonian's legal team, as well as information provided by unlicensed agent Jose Daniel Villagran, suggesting a trail of discontented parties chasing compensation has been left.

Many players struggle when they move from South America to the combative English Premier League, but Yacob has adjusted seamlessly, increasing his transfer value for West Brom, with a number of major clubs reportedly monitoring his progress.

All of this while making five times as much as he was being paid in Argentina, where he was earning $350,000 a year with Racing.

Simonian, who is still listed on the authoritative transfer website www.transfermarkt.co.uk is still listed as Yacob's agent, is arguably Argentina's number one agent, representing a number of leading players, including Paris St Germain's$56 million playmaker Javier Pastore and Valencia midfielder Ever Banega.

According to Simonian's lawyer Matias Elmo, the Argentine agent represented Yacob for six years and, between March 2012 and July 2012, was negotiating with Ashworth and his subsequent replacement -- West Brom's legal director Richard Garlick.

Although now working for the FA, Ashworth worked as a consultant for West Brom for one day a week until the Premier League season ended.

Garlick declined to answer on the record a number of specific questions asked by CNN over the Yacob move.

Gung-ho approach

Despite Simonian's relationship with Yacob, when the deal was finally signed, another agent was on the official transfer documentation -- the lawyer Xabier de Beristain Humphrey.

Simonian's legal team have filed an "Acta de Mediacion" (mediation certificate) in Argentina that states he tried to reach an agreement prior to taking legal action against Yacob.

"Here in Argentina this is mandatory in order to sue somebody," explained one of Simonian's legal advisers Juan Ramilo, who works with Elmo. "Unfortunately, this instance has failed and we are now legally ready to sue Yacob".

Read: FIFA probes player with 'four birthdays'

If Simonian feels aggrieved, so too, do the two unlicensed Argentine agents, Villagran and Oscar Bianco.

They claim that they were cut out of what they say is the commission they were due on Yacob's transfer.

Bianco and Villagran contend they played a key role in Yacob's move, alleging that they brought him to England and accompanied him to Napoli to arrange a European Union passport, based on his Italian heritage.

On legal advice from his lawyer, Villagran declined CNN's request to provide purported mobile phone records that might have indicated the level of contact they had with Yacob and Humphrey as well as West Brom and Ashworth.

Villagran and Bianco have also been unable to provide CNN with any written contract that sets forth a relationship with Yacob in relation to the transfer to support their claim for compensation.

FIFA licensed agent Humphrey -- the agent of record on the transfer -- and his partner at DBW Global Limited, John Wallace, who are both lawyers, firmly deny the assertion that unlicensed agents were engaged on the deal.

"Villagran did not perform any agency services either on behalf of the player or the club in respect of the transfer of Yacob to WBA," DBW Global Limited said in a statement sent to CNN.

Having not been paid, Bianco and Villagran decided to take a more gung-ho approach to secure payment for their alleged involvement in Yacob's move to West Brom.

They got in touch with Reck, who contacted the English FA in November asking it to investigate Yacob's transfer "for the use of unlicensed agents in connection with the registration of the player for the club," according to a letter, a copy of which was given to CNN by Reck.

"It is my clients intention to report these acts to the FA, so you can investigate if they are in breach of the relevant regulations and to examine the responsibility of WBA and of the agent Xabier de Beristain Humphrey," said Reck's letter to the FA.

Under English Football Association rules "a player or club must not at any time use the services of, or seek to use the services of, pay, or seek to pay, either directly or indirectly, an unauthorised agent in relation to any agency activity."

So in May 2011, for example, the FA fined Queens Park Rangers 113,000 for breaking Rule A1 in relation to Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin's transfer to the London club.

English FA informed

On November 21 last year, the FA's Financial Regulations Officer, Lee Champion, informed Villagran by a purported email -- provided to CNN by Villagran -- asking him "about apparent email exchanges between yourself and Dan Ashworth of WBA in June/July 2012.

"The print quality of the emails is poor and they cannot be read this end. Can you please email copies of these emails direct to me or re-send more readable copies via fax."

The FA declined the opportunity to confirm or deny the authenticity of the purported email and, over several months, repeatedly declined to answer on the record a number of questions CNN asked it about the Yacob deal.

However, according to a source in Argentina with knowledge of the situation, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, the FA did speak to Yacob in December.

That source also says that Yacob returned to Argentina after West Brom's final game of this season in an attempt to resolve the legal complexities that have arisen from his transfer.

West Brom, for its part, insists that its conduct throughout the convoluted process of signing Yacob was exemplary.

"As with all of our transfer dealings, the negotiation process regarding the signing of Claudio Yacob complied fully with all FIFA and FA rules and regulations," said West Brom in a statement to CNN.

"All negotiations were conducted and concluded directly with a FIFA-registered agent."

However, like the FA, West Brom declined to address on the record a number of specific questions about Yacob's transfer put to it by CNN since February.

Email exchange

Villagran says he became involved in the transfer in May 2012.

Yacob was prepared to move to England and -- according to Villagran -- agreed to a financial arrangement with the Argentine fixer.

Villagran claims he aimed to obtain Yacob a salary higher than $1.3 million a year in the expectation of obtaining significant compensation for his work on the transfer.

In a solitary email exchange between Villagran and Ashworth, which West Brom acknowledges to be authentic, the club's former technical director details the length of Yacob's proposed contract -- a three-year deal with the option of a fourth year -- that would pay him $1.5 million gross a year plus performance and appearance bonuses.

In the email -- dated July 18 2012 -- Ashworth writes in English, while Villagran replies in Spanish.

"I am sorry, I don't speak Spanish and I tried to call back," writes Ashworth in the email to Villagran.

"I think all the contract has been explained, it is a three-year deal with a further option of one year which is very common in England.

"I promise to look after Claudio if he does well, it is a fantastic chance for him to play in the Premier League and fulfill his dream."

Based on the email thread provided to CNN by Villagran, that email appears to have been forwarded by Villagran to Yacob.

Two days later on July 20 -- as part of the same email thread -- Yacob asks Villagran or Bianco to call him urgently at the Radisson Blu hotel in Birmingham.

Visa application

At the beginning of July, West Brom had written a letter in support of visa applications -- again the club acknowledges this document to be authentic -- for Yacob and his brother Diego, as well as Villagran and Bianco to assist them in their travel arrangements to the UK.

"The above individuals are traveling to England to meet with representatives of West Bromwich Albion to discuss Claudio Yacob signing a professional football contract with the club," reads the West Brom letter in support of the visa applications of the traveling party to England --Yacob, his brother and the two unlicensed agents.

"Mr. Villagran and Mr. Bianco are Mr Yacob's advisers and are traveling with him to negotiate on his behalf with West Bromwich Football Club.

"Once those contract negotiations are completed Mr. Villagran and Mr. Bianco will be returning to Argentina."

According to a British Airways email (from account BA.e-ticket@email.ba.com), addressed "Dear Mr. Humphrey" -- an email given to CNN by Villagran -- four flights costing nearly $11,000 were arranged for Yacob, his brother Diego as well as Villagran and Bianco to travel from Argentina to Britain.

The Mastercard credit card of a "Mr. Xabier Humphrey" is detailed on that email as having paid that sum of money.

Humphrey and Wallace declined the opportunity to confirm or deny the authenticity of the email from British Airways.

Read: Human traffic: Africa's lost boys

Villagran has provided CNN with a series of photos of what he says is of the party's trip to London and West Bromwich.

One picture shows Humphrey smiling with Villagran and Yacob outside a London hotel in Swiss Cottage.

Another picture taken at West Brom's home ground -- The Hawthorns -- shows Yacob and Villagran holding their thumbs up, with Ashworth, Wallace and Humphrey in the background.

West Brom and the two lawyers -- Humphrey and Wallace -- declined to confirm or deny the authenticity of the photographs.

Stumbling block

During negotiations on July 11, according to Villagran, Yacob's relationship with Simonian presented a potential stumbling block to the deal's successful progression -- specifically that the player's contract was still in force with the Argentine agent until July 14.

Villagran says that it was decided to sign the contract on July 11, but to date it as having been signed on July 20.

Simonian's lawyer declined to specify the details of the agent's contract with Yacob contract. West Brom also declined to say when the transfer contract -- dated July 20 -- was actually signed.

"If the parties intended to sign the contract one day but for it to be binding subsequently, then that is completely lawful," commented sports law specialist and partner at Olswang LLP David Roberts.

"However, best practice would be to document that intention clearly in the contract."

Read: Using Facebook to bounty-hunt football's 'disappeared' players

Villagran further alleges that a second snag to the transfer's successful conclusion was that Yacob needed an EU passport and that he accompanied the player to Naples to get one.

Which leaves the FA having to determine, if it has decided to investigate the transfer, the alleged role of unlicensed agents in this deal and just what was the exact nature of the relationships -- if any -- between Bianco and Villagran and Yacob and Humphrey?

West Brom, as well as Wallace and Humphrey, all declined to answer questions relating to when the contract was signed and whether they had knowledge of Villagran's alleged involvement in the trip to Naples.

Despite Brazilian club Botafogo's reported late interest in signing Yacob, West Brom officially announced his transfer on July 24.

The deal was done. The dream was reality. But what kind of reality did Yacob's transfer really involve?

Additional reporting by Patrick Sung

Via: The curious transfer of Claudio Yacob

Belles toll: Women's game in uproar

(CNN) -- Funded by the wealth of its mega-rich Abu Dhabi owners, Manchester City brought about a new order in men's football -- now it might be about to do the same in the women's game.

But at what cost? Doncaster Belles, one of the most famous and iconic names in women's football is on the brink -- and its fate has people up in arms.

Normally promotion and relegation is decided by a club's place in the league, but the Belles are to be demoted for "commercial and marketing reasons."

Last month, the English Football Association announced its plans for a new two-tier Women's Super League, with eight teams set to compete in the top flight and 10 in the second from next season.

The Belles, a founder member of the Premier League and one of the most successful clubs in the game's history, was expected to maintain its place in the Super League's first division, despite finishing second from bottom for the past two seasons.

Instead the two-time league winners and six-time FA Cup winners suddenly finds itself jettisoned from the top flight and told it will have to play in the second division next term.

Meanwhile Manchester City's ladies team has been included in the top flight -- a move which has been construed by some to be financially motivated given the club's commercial appeal.

For Doncaster, it couldn't have come at a worse time given that women's football is on the up.

According to the latest FIFA figures, an estimated 29 million women across the world play football with around 12% of those being youth players.

Lyon have won universal praise for their style of football, though the French side was recently beaten in the Women's European Champions League final by German side Wolfsburg -- a game staged at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium.

The FA's decision over Doncaster has been described as a "joke" and "unjust" by the general manager of Arsenal ladies, Vic Akers, with accusations that the decision is "more about money than football."

Doncaster has appealed and as a result told CNN that it was unable to offer any comment in fear of jeopardizing its chances of success, while City were also not willing to comment.

The FA will also not comment.

Iconic

According to an email received by CNN, the decision has been based around the criteria of "financial and business management, commercial sustainability and marketing, facilities (including ground grading criteria) and players, support staff and youth development."

While not enjoying the same kind of backing as the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal or City's commercial appeal, Doncaster was confident its bid would be accepted.

"They've just taken the eight best bids and put them in the top-flight," said journalist Tony Leighton, one of the most authoritative voices in women's football.

"It's not just about what happens on the pitch but the criteria off it too, and perhaps that is where Doncaster have come up short.

"They haven't always been the best managed and they don't have a huge relationship with the men's team, although they do have an association and play at the same stadium.

"But the FA have announced, after just one game of the new season that Doncaster will effectively be relegated.

"After one game? How can you motivate a group of players when they know they will be relegated anyway?"

While the local community had hoped to ride crest of the wave of a women's game thriving around the world, instead the Belles are wondering just where to go next.

Domination

From 1978 to 1993, Doncaster dominated women's football in England, losing just one league match in 15 years -- a record eventually brought to an end by Arsenal in the second season of the National Premier League.

In contrast, City, which is owned by the deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mansour, has never competed in the top-flight of the women's game.

"The FA will make no further comment until this process is complete, when final confirmation will be given on all clubs that will enter FA WSL1 or FA WSL2 in 2014.," said an FA statement. "This is expected to be completed in due course."

City have played just one season in a national league, finishing fourth, and the decision to include them in the Super League's top division at the Belles' expense has left supporters outraged.

"It's important that it's made clear that we are not protesting, and campaigning along the lines that Doncaster Belles categorically deserves its place in the top flight of the women's game due to its historical standing," Glen Wilson, editor of respected Doncaster website, Popular Stand, told CNN.

"What we are saying is that having done so much, and achieved so much in and for the women's game in this country, without significant financial backing, or by partnering with a successful men's club, it has earned the right to defend its top-flight status in the way it achieved it; on the football pitch.

"I cannot see how the Belles' application, and all it offers to the criteria set out by the FAWSL, could fall down below that of a team who have only played one season in a national division such as Manchester City.

"And with the FA not stating its reasoning, and refusing to comment afterward, it leads us to draw only one conclusion; money."

Formed in 1969, the club became a trailblazer in Britain, becoming the country's very first social enterprise with women's football at its heart.

The Belles Community initiative, which was launched four years ago, enabled the local population to take advantage of social, health and educational resources and allowed young girls to get involved in the sport.

Thriving community

According to the 2011 census, there are 302,400 people living in Doncaster, which is in Yorkshire, northern England.

The men's football team, which was playing non-league football just 10 years ago, is now playing in the country's second tier for the first time in 50 years.

But in a city which Liverpool and England legend Kevin Keegan was born, it is the achievements of England Ladies star Karen Walker which are celebrated.

Walker scored 40 goals in 83 appearances for her country, becoming only one of two from Doncaster to have been inducted into the FA Hall of Fame along with former teammate Gillian Coulthard.

Both women played a huge role in getting girls into football and helping the sport grow both locally and nationally.

Only last October, the FA announced a new five-year plan to encourage women to take up the sport and increase participation within the UK to 253,600 by 2018.

Hayley Paterson was just one of those who came through the club's Academy as a teenager before moving into journalism where she now reports on the Belles.

"Did the Belles finish bottom last term? No. Did the team finish bottom the season before that? No. So why was that decision made?" asked Paterson, who works for the city's local newspaper.

"It's saddening to see the club that I grew up with treated this way. We might just be 'little Donny' but that club is a pioneer of the women's game.

"It is the very reason women's and girls football is thriving in this country. The club is the only ever-present in the top flight and yet, in a flash, it is the only team replaced by Manchester City.

"People want answers. I want answers as a fan and as a reporter."

Hardened criminals

With passions running high last Sunday's Women's FA Cup final was marred by the alleged heavy handling of those protesting against the FA's decision.

With the game being played at the Keepmoat Stadium -- the home of the Belles -- stewards confiscated a banner, leaflets and a bell from supporters who had yet to even make their way from the car park to the stadium.

According to an FA spokesperson, "It was taken by officials from Doncaster Rovers as it was deemed to be unsuitable," though the banner has since been returned.

Tony Greenhall, the campaign spokesman, believes protesters have been treated as "hardened criminals".

"The FA's actions throughout this episode have been underhand and demeaning to such an important sporting organization," Greenhall told CNN.

"From the surreptitious release of the original statement regarding the FAWSL restructuring, through to the draconian treatment of concerned fans at the Women's FA Cup Final on Sunday.

"The FA's own guidelines boast of transparency in the decision making process yet they ignore all questions from fans and media.

"Doncaster Belles is a historic club, not just important to the town but to the whole of football. The fact that they can be shabbily discarded at the sight of a fat bank account shows the guardians of the game hold sporting principles in contempt."

Petition

Greenhall is not alone in his dismay at the FA's decision with an online petition having received over 7,000 signatures so far.

"There cannot be much to choose between the application of the Belles and that of Manchester City," added fanzine editor Wilson.

"The difference must have been negligible, so with that in mind why not just take the obvious route of announcing that whoever finished bottom of the FAWSL would be relegated at the season's end?

"Had that been the case, and the Belles had been that team, we wouldn't have a petition with over 5,000 signatures, we wouldn't be organizing protests, we would have said fair enough, that's football, that's how it works.

"But to decide that no matter how your season pans out you will be relegated arbitrarily at the end of the season makes a mockery of the league and to an extent the women's game."

Fighting on

Wilson remains pessimistic over the fight to force a rethink by the FA.

"No matter how loud we shout the FA will probably get away with this," concedes Wilson.

"They don't seem to realise that the reason why we are going to women's games in greater numbers, and following the game more regularly is because it offers a refreshing change from the hyperbole and money-centric men's top flight.

"Well, at least it did until a few weeks ago. Now the talk is of 'franchises' and 'products' rather than clubs, and competition.

"Whether played by men, women, children, or toy robots it is still a sport, and so standing in the game should come down to performance on the pitch; that's all we want for the Belles -- to be considered and governed as a sports team rather than as a potential lure for 'commercial partners'."

No decision is expected until early June, but Belles fans just want to find out whether the club's appeal has been successful, while others just want the FA to front up and confirm its position.

"What I want from the FA is an explanation," added Leighton.

"I've spoken to the FA on several occasions and all they say is 'look at the press release, there won't be any further comment.

"I don't think they'll change their mind and they'll probably stick with Doncaster going down, or perhaps they might expand the top division to make room.

"But they've shot themselves in the foot with the way they've handled the whole situation."

Via: Belles toll: Women's game in uproar

Platini warns players over racism

(CNN) -- The head of European football has told players not to walk off the pitch if they are racially abused, saying any decision to stop a match should be left to the referee.

UEFA president Michel Platini's comments come just one week after AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who was subjected to "monkey chants" in a recent match against Roma, told CNN he would leave the pitch if he was abused in future.

Read: Balotelli makes racism vow

Balotelli's teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off the field during an exhibition match against a fourth division team in January and while Platini support's Boateng's decision, it is a situation he is keen not to see repeated.

"It's not a matter for the player to regulate the game and to stop the game; it's a matter for the referee," Platini, who has been president of European football's governing body since 2007, told CNN in an exclusive interview.

"It's not normal that people in 2013 are being insulted about their color, about the difference of color. It's not normal. It's very tough for the player on the field."

Read: UEFA steps up racism fight

But Platini fears that if a team is "not happy" and is losing a match its players could decide to leave the field for reasons that might having nothing to do with racist abuse.

On Thursday, UEFA announced a raft of new racism regulations -- part closures of stadiums, match abandonments and full stadium closures in the event of discriminatory chanting.

Clubs would be handed a fine of $65,000, a figure which has drawn criticism as being too meager for football teams which are multi-million dollar businesses.

But Platini defended the severity of that financial sanction.

"It's not a question of money," explained the Frenchman, who said clubs are often left in a difficult position when trying to deal with fans who attend games armed with political agendas.

In the past Platini has also faced criticism for his stance on goal-line technology (GLT), with the Frenchman often portrayed as a "luddite" for opposing the use of a system which FIFA has embraced.

GLT debuted at last year's Club World Cup and is set for another run out in June's FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

But the 57-year-old Platini defended his position, insisting money should be spent on developing the game at grassroots level rather than GLT.

"It will cost me $67 million to have GLT," continued Platini, who was crowned European Footballer of the Year in 1984.

"I have to put it in all the games in the Champions League and all the games in the Europa League. I have to put it in Kazakhstan, in Manchester and in Turkey.

"It costs me $67 million, for one goal, two goals a year? I prefer to invest that for the use football in the grassroots."

Championed as a possible successor to FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the next election in 2015, Platini would not be drawn on whether he has ambitions to succeed the 77-year-old Swiss.

"He will be 79," said Platini. referring to how old Blatter will be at FIFA's next presidential elections. "If he thinks it's time to stop, it's up to him."

Read: How Germany became uber cool

If Platini does succeed Blatter as head of football's global governing body, one item on his agenda will be the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, particularly with regard to what time of the year that tournament should be staged.

Fears have been raised over playing the tournament in its usual June-July slot, which would see players compete in high temperatures.

Platini has long been an advocate of playing the tournament in the European winter, a proposal which has been met with staunch opposition as it would disrupt the traditional season for Europe's major leagues.

"If I am president of FIFA or not president of FIFA," declared Platini, "I will always support we have to play in winter."

Via: Platini warns players over racism

Rafael Benitez to take charge at Napoli

(CNN) -- Two weeks after leading Chelsea to glory in the Europa League, Rafael Benitez has been unveiled as the new coach of Italian team Napoli.

Benitez guided Chelsea to a 2-1 victory over Benfica in Amsterdam earlier this month having been appointed as the team's interim manager following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo in November.

The former Liverpool and Valencia boss moves to Naples on a two-year deal as a replacement for Walter Mazzarri, who has taken over at Inter Milan following the sacking of Andrea Stramaccioni.

Mazzarri's Napoli finished the 2012-13 campaign second in Italy's top division, securing the team a place in next season's European Champions League. It was the club's best finish in the league since winning Serie A in 1990.

Read: U.S. soccer market now taken seriously

"Now that the agreement is confirmed, I can say I am very happy and very satisfied for having committed to a great club with an illustrious heritage like Napoli," the 53-year-old Benitez told his official website.

"I understand the history of the city and how the club forms a fundamental part of the culture and traditions of Naples.

"I must confess that I am extremely excited because I can share my passion for football with the fans of Napoli; it is proven that they are very, very special."

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis tweeted a picture of himself shaking Benitez's hand, and wrote: "Rafa Bentez is the new coach of Napoli. A great man with international experience. A leader."

Benitez endured a difficult time at Stamford Bridge.

Read: Robben to the rescue for Bayern

Chelsea fans refused to accept him as a result of a rivalry he had had with the club while manager of Liverpool between 2004 and 2010 despite the club qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Europa League.

The Spanish coach's first job at Napoli will be attempting to keep hold of star striker Edinson Cavani who is reportedly a target for Benitez's former employers Chelsea and Manchester City.

Chelsea's Europa League triumph was the latest in a long list of major honors won by Benitez.

The Madrid native won the same tournament -- then known as the UEFA Cup -- with Valencia in 2004, as well as two Spanish league titles.

He then moved to Liverpool where he won the FA Cup in 2006, but the crowning moment of his career to date arrived a year earlier when he led the Anfield club to Champions League glory.

Losing 3-0 to AC Milan at half time in the 2005 final, Liverpool scored three second-half goals before going on to seal a dramatic penalty shootout victory in Istanbul. Liverpool also reached the 2007 Champions League final.

Benitez parted company with Liverpool in June 2010 before taking over at Inter just one week later.

His spell at Inter Milan was mixed. Benitez won the FIFA World Club Cup with Inter before being sacked in December 2010.

Fitness coach Francisco de Miguel Moreno and goalkeeping coach Vicente Javier Valero Berchili, who were both part of Benitez's backroom team at Liverpool, Inter Milan and Chelsea will join the Spaniard at Napoli.

Via: Rafael Benitez to take charge at Napoli

Balotelli's racism vow

Editor's note: CNN will publish a full exclusive interview with AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli on Friday May 17 at 1200 ET, where he says he thinks he was treated unfairly in England, finds it hard being a global icon and admits having a love for women and fast cars.

(CNN) -- Leading international soccer player Mario Balotelli has had enough -- the AC Milan striker has vowed to walk off the pitch next time he is racially abused at a football game.

Balotelli, who was subjected to racist chanting during Sunday's Italian league game against Roma, has told CNN in an exclusive interview that he came close to leaving the field following the abuse at AC Milan's San Siro stadium in a match that finished 0-0.

The 22-year-old put his fingers to his lips in front of the visiting supporters' section as a section of fans directed "monkey chants" at him and teammate Kevin Prince-Boateng.

"I always said that if it (racism) happened in the stadium I will just do like 'nobody says nothing and I don't care,'" Balotelli told CNN.

"But this time I think I've changed my mind a little bit. If it's going to happen one more time, then I'm going to leave the pitch because it's so stupid."

Read: Italian Federation incurs Blatter wrath

The abuse led to the game being halted for two minutes as the stadium's PA announcer warned the Roma supporters to end the abuse or the match would be stopped.

Balotelli is not the first player from AC Milan -- one of Europe's top clubs, having won 18 national titles and seven continental crowns -- -- to face racist abuse this season.

In January, Boateng did walk off the pitch after being racially abused during a friendly against Pro Patria.

That action prompted governing bodies FIFA and UEFA to rethink the way clubs and players are punished if they are found guilty of racist abuse.

Balotelli revealed that his teammate Boateng -- who was a guest speaker at the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in March -- persuaded him not to leave the field of play on Sunday.

"I spoke with Prince," added Balotelli. "I was about to leave the pitch on Sunday, but they thought I wanted to leave because we had some difficulty with the game and then we are going to win 3-0.

"I said 'no, it's better we play and I will talk,' that's it.

"But if it wasn't for this reason, then I was going to leave the pitch on Sunday."

Read: Meet Italy's proud football racists

On Monday Roma was fined $65,000 by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) -- a punishment that drew sharp criticism from FIFA president Sepp Blatter

"What is $65,000 for such an incident? I'm not happy and I will call the Italian Federation," the head of football's world governing body told the FIFA website. "That's not a way to deal with such matters."

Throughout the season Italian football has been plagued by racist incidents as the country struggles to deal with the problem.

Only last month, Inter Milan was fined around $60,000 by European governing body UEFA after its fans were found guilty of "improper conduct" after racist chants were directed at Tottenham's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

In February, Roma's fierce city rival, Lazio, received its fourth UEFA charge of the season for racist behavior with the club accruing fines of up to $300,000

Mancini's sacking no surprise for Balotelli

"Family's little black boy"

This is not the first time Balotelli has suffered racist abuse.

The striker was targeted by fans of his former club -- Inter Milan -- in a Serie A game after he joined Milan in a $30 million deal from Manchester City in January.

Inter was fined $65,500 by the FIGC following the incidents while the player was also hit with a $13,000 fine for aiming a gesture at fans as he left the field at the full time whistle. Balotelli played for Inter between 2006 and 2010.

The 22-year-old was also subjected to racist abuse while on international duty with Italy -- Croatia fans were found guilty of throwing bananas at the forward during the 2012 European Championship Finals.

There was also embarrassment for Milan in February when the club's vice president Paulo Berlusconi, the younger brother of former prime minster and team owner Silvio Berlusconi, was caught on camera referring to Balotelli's arrival by saying: "OK, we are all off to see the family's little black boy.

"He's a crazy head. All the young ladies are invited as well -- you can even have a chance to meet the president (Silvio Berlusconi)."

The video, which was featured on the website of Italian Newspaper La Repubblica, was condemned by anti-racism campaigners.

Milan have won the Italian title 18 times and the European Cup (now known as the Champions League) seven times.

Via: Balotelli's racism vow

Real announce Mourinho exit

(CNN) -- Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, the nine-time European champion's president Florentino Perez announced at a news conference on Monday.

By his own admission Mourinho, who won one La Liga crown and a Copa del Rey with Real after taking charge in 2010, has endured what he has called his "worst season" in management.

"The club and manager agree that the timing is right to bring the relationship to an end," said Perez.

"On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for all his hard work over the last three years."

Read: PSG block Ancelotti exit amid Real rumors

Mourinho will stay on for Real's remaining league fixtures, with an away trip to Real Sociedad on May 26 and a final home game at the Bernabeu on June 1 against Osasuna.

Real will finish second in La Liga this year, trailing champions Barcelona by 12 points after 36 rounds.

The parting of ways comes three days after Mourinho was sent off as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, a first defeat by their neighbors in 14 years.

Real president Perez explained that the decision was a "mutual agreement", so paving the way for Mourinho to make a return to England's Premier League.

"I know in England I am loved," said the Portuguese last month. "I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one."

The 50-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to former club Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup between 2004 and 2007.

Read: Benitez delivers European glory

This year's Europa League champions will be without a coach on June 1, with the contract for interim manager Rafa Benitez expiring at the end of May.

The decision to part ways via "mutual agreement" means neither Real nor Mourinho will have to pay one another millions of dollars in compensation had either of them broken the terms of their contract.

After winning La Liga last year, Mourinho had signed a new four-year deal with the Merengues.

The compensation package was believed to be a potential obstacle to his return to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich paid Mourinho and his coaching staff some $27 million after his contract ended early in 2007.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti, who formerly led Chelsea himself, is rumored to be Mourinho's replacement.

On Monday, Perez denied that any deal has been agreed to replace the former Inter Milan and Porto manager.

"We have no pre-contract signed with any managerial candidate," he said. "It's something we'll have to look at in the coming days."

Ancelotti confirmed on Sunday that he had asked to leave the French champions, while the club's Qatari owners suggested he already had an agreement in place with Real.

Desperate to be crowned champions of Europe for a record tenth time, with their last success dating back to 2002, Real Madrid turned to Mourinho just days after he lifted the Champions League with Inter Milan, ending a barren 35-year run for the Italians.

Yet the Portuguese was beaten in the semifinals of the competition each year with Real, who were knocked out by Borussia Dortmund last month.

Without a trophy in the two years prior to his arrival, Mourinho did at least return silverware to the club - winning the Copa del Rey in his first season in charge.

In 2012, he guided Real Madrid to their first league crown in four years and amassed a record tally of 100 points along the way, so eclipsing the previous best held by great rivals Barcelona.

A new deal soon followed but matters soured this season as Mourinho clashed with several star players, notably goalkeeper Iker Casillas -- who was demoted from the first team in recent months -- Sergio Ramos and Pepe.

During his 176 games in charge, Mourinho has led Madrid to 127 victories - losing just 22 games along the way.

Via: Real announce Mourinho exit

Man City's NYC venture

(CNN) -- Two of the richest organizations in sport announced Tuesday that they have partnered to buy a Major League Soccer franchise in New York.

English Premier League side Manchester City will be the majority owner with MLB giants New York Yankees also claiming a stake in the team -- which will be named New York City FC (NYCFC).

The MLS currently has 19 clubs -- including the New York Bulls -- with NYCFC looking to join the league for the 2015 season.

"This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

"The New York area is home to more than 19 million people -- and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city," he added.

Abu-Dhabi owned Manchester City will take the lead on recruiting the management team, staff and players for the new franchise, which will be on the hunt for a permanent home in the Big Apple -- with the Flushing Meadows area of Queens identified as a possible location.

"New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fan-base," Ferran Soriano, the Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City said.

Read: LA Galaxy claim second straight title as Beckham departs

City, who saw their own cross city rivals Manchester United wrest the EPL title from them this season, have already expanded their activities in the United States by setting up community programs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

They have an existing marketing deal with 27-time World Series champion Yankees and the Manchester City squad will be in New York to play a friendly against fellow EPL giants Chelsea at the Yankee Stadium Saturday.

"We are pleased to be associated with this major move by MLS to increase its presence in the New York market," said Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the Yankees.

Steinbrenner said they wanted to work with City to "create something very special for the soccer fans of New York."

The Red Bulls, who are owned by the soft drinks company bearing that name, have recruited the likes of former Arsenal, Barcelona and French international star Thierry Henry and have a growing fan base.

Watch video: Henry enjoys life at the Bulls

They have a purpose built stadium in New Jersey, while the New York Cosmos have also reformed and will join the second-tier of the MLS later this year.

In the 1970s the Cosmos boasted a legendary line-up which included Brazil's Pele and former German international captain Franz Beckenbauer.

They even played for two seasons at the Yankee Stadium but they folded in 1984 -- the same year the then North American Soccer League (NASL) collapsed.

Since the formation of the MLS in 1996, football has enjoyed steady growth in the United States -- boosted by the arrival of David Beckham to Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.

Beckham, who helped Galaxy to the MLS championship for the past two seasons, retired after a brief spell with Paris Saint-Germain and is reported to want to set up his own franchise in the league.

Via: Man City's NYC venture

Sausage jokes to uber-cool respect

(CNN) -- The Germans are coming -- and this time London cannot wait.

Germany suddenly finds itself in the unusual position of being uber cool, and that is in no small part thanks to the first all-German European Champions League final on Saturday, when Bayern Munich takes on Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium, the home of English soccer.

From triple world champion Sebastian Vettel revving up as the poster boy of Formula One, to Oscar-winning actor Christoph Waltz, -- who is the son of a German father and Austrian mother -- starring on the big screen, Germany has a newfound confidence about itself.

And yet, some stereotypes just won't disappear.

Within minutes of Dortmund's semifinal victory over Real Madrid, the first "jokes" began to emerge with the UK's tabloid papers jesting that "fans had their towels on the seats already" -- a reference to German holidaymakers' apparent habit of claiming sun loungers at beach resorts.

Traditionally the British have had a particularly testing relationship with Germany, and it has much to do with the two World Wars of the 20th Century.

As recently as a decade ago, stereotypical images of Germans decked out in Lederhosen, socks and sandals goosestepping to the beat of the Oompah Band armed with a Bratwurst and quaffing a Weissbier were not uncommon in British red-top tabloids.

On the terraces, England fans would taunt their German opponents with songs about World War II and the infamous "Ten German Bombers song" where the victory of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain is recounted.

Peep Show, one of the most popular British TV sitcoms of recent years, is one of the more contemporary programs to reference the "Sausage-munching Bosch" and "Fritz, the Bratwurst Guzzler."

But former tennis star Boris Becker believes his country's successful hosting of the World Cup in 2006 has helped transformed Germany's image.

"I think we have shown the world how diverse and multicultural Germany has become," says the six-time grand slam champion, who has been hugely popular in Britain since winning Wimbledon at the age of 17 in 1985.

"We did a great job with the visiting fans," he told CNN. "And whoever was there seven years ago has seen a different side of Germany and have realized that the new Germans are much 'cooler.'

"I wouldn't say that the English are falling in love with Germany, but I think they have respect for what Germany has achieved in the sporting world.

"There is a new multicultural wave coming from Germany, which is very international and very cosmopolitan."

Swashbuckling style

Britain, too, has come a long way in its perception of Germany since John Cleese famously goosestepped his way around Fawlty Towers as hotel owner Basil Fawlty in one of the country's most beloved TV comedies during the 1970s.

It's not just the swashbuckling style personified by Bayern and Dortmund that has helped reinvent attitudes to Germany -- it's also been reinforced by the nation's football team under the guidance of ultra-cool Joachim Low.

Comprised of players from the German, Polish, Turkish, Tunisian and African communities, Low's squad produced the kind of exhilarating and vibrant football which helped the team reach the final of the 2008 European Championships, as well as the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup and 2012 Euros.

Behind the scenes, the Bundesliga, with its low ticket prices, safe standing areas and stylish infrastructure, has eclipsed the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga as the hipsters' choice.

These days fans from all over Europe flock to stand on Dortmund's famous Sudtribune terrace, to catch a glimpse of Bayern or venture further to the likes of St. Pauli in Hamburg, a favorite with many foreign supporters.

"The weather is good and the beer is better," quipped the Bundesliga's chief executive Christian Seifert after being asked why German football attracts so many tourists.

"But I think it's more to do with safe standing, the relatively low ticket prices in relation to very attractive games and a good atmosphere at the stadium," he told CNN.

"In 2006, more English tourists were in Germany than ever before and in those four weeks we had great marketing and great weather. It was the best summer I can remember.

"After the World Cup, a lot of investment was made in stadium infrastructure, so it was really easy to get there.

"We have a relatively low amount of season tickets, so it's possible to get a ticket in the 'free' sale at a fair price. If then, somebody says they want to see a Bundesliga game, then that's great."

Football fans are also attracted to the Oktoberfest, a 16-day celebration of beer held in Munich each year, with its clubs and bars making it a popular destination for bachelor parties and weekends away.

Jingoistic stereotypes

Matthias Krug, an author and journalist, says he heard and witnessed anti-German chants and rhetoric when he lived in England between 2004 and 2007.

The nations' footballing rivalry stems back to the 1966 World Cup final, when England controversially beat West Germany in extra time at Wembley as Geoff Hurst scored a goal that is still debated to this day.

West Germany got revenge in Mexico four years later, while the English have since suffered heartbreak against "Die Mannschaft" in several high-profile tournaments since -- though 2001's 5-1 triumph in a World Cup qualifier in Munich provided some respite.

"I once traveled on a train in northern England which was completely packed and then people suddenly began singing a vivid song about one English victory in football and two in wars," says Krug, who lived in Nottingham between 2004 and 2007, but now works in Qatar.

"I think fighter pilots from the RAF were also mentioned. It must have been my looks which sparked them. I don't remember having said a word, either pre- or post-singing," he told CNN.

"Obviously stereotypes related to Germany, both positive and negative, that have been very strong as a result of history and also our sporting history.

"They also vary greatly; others in England showed a strong sense of respect for the achievements and consistency of German football."

In 1996, before England hosted a semifinal clash with Germany at the European Championships, the tabloid Daily Mirror published a front page with the words, "Achtung, surrender, for you Fritz, ze Euro 96 Championship is over."

Ten years later, The Sun newspaper provoked fury from German Chancellor Angela Merkel after publishing an unflattering photo of her from behind while she changed into a swimming costume with a headline of: "I'm bigger than the Bumdestag."

That incident provoked fury in Germany and no shortage of embarrassment in the UK.

But it's not just in Britain, where this deep-rooted hostility towards Germany is alive and kicking.

Most recently, Merkel has suffered from having her economic policies compared to those of the Nazis by the Hungarian Prime Minister, while the the German leader has also been lampooned by the Greek press.

Media perception

According to the 2011 UK census, there are 274,000 Germans living on British shores.

"At the moment it is really cool to read all the very well-informed and positive articles about German football in the British press," says Karl Pfeiffer, the director of educational links at London's Goethe-Institut.

"Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the media perception of German football and Germany in general has dramatically changed," added Pfeiffer, who has lived in England since 1986.

"Personally I never encountered stereotypical comments or remarks, but parts of the press here before 2006 were a different matter.

"In my job I work on a German football project with Arsenal, which has two great and popular German players, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker.

"The project is for school children and it is great to see how interested they are in in German football, too."

Dortmund's success in reaching the final has particularly struck a chord with neutral fans given the club almost went out of business eight years ago.

Under the guidance of charismatic coach Jurgen Klopp, whose popularity has seen a pop song written about him, Dortmund's run to the final has left even the most hard-hearted of seasoned aficionados willing on the men in yellow and black.

"It is really nice to see how well Dortmund and Klopp are liked all over Europe," Sandra Goldschmidt, a devoted follower of the club, told CNN.

"Everyone loves a little fairytale story like ours from nearly having to go into administration to being in a Champions League final, and that is really all thanks to Klopp.

"I guess that people in England also really admire it that we have done this without making big-money signings but by finding talents."

So as Bayern and Dortmund fans walk down Wembley Way, originally constructed by German prisoners of war in the 1940s, it will provoke a timely reminder of how the world has moved on.

And it is Krug's hope that Saturday's showpiece will galvanize further change in attitudes towards Germans.

"This year's Champions League final may well prove to be a temporary culmination of changing perceptions towards Germany," he said.

"Football has the power to change worldwide stereotypes and perceptions. It's done so in the past and it will do so again."

Via: Sausage jokes to uber-cool respect

UEFA steps up racism fight

(CNN) -- After a year where football's name has been dragged through the mud by a series of racism controversies, UEFA has announced that players and officials will face a 10-match ban if found guilty of racist abuse.

Following a meeting of UEFA's executive committee in London Thursday, the European governing body confirmed the bans would apply to its own competitions, while other national associations remain free to decide on their own punishments.

The new tougher sanction comes just over a week after the English Football Association drew criticism for its plans to introduce a minimum five-match suspension for racism.

Read: UEFA wants 10-match bans for racist abuse

"An association should adopt the same or similar measures. UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose," said UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino at a press conference.

"I don't think you measure the way of fighting against racism in one simple measure and sanction.

"The way I read the FA's decision is that it could be five matches and it could also be 15. The FA is sure their way of regulating is more correct for England.

"It's their decision but it doesn't mean they do more or less than us. Everyone has to do what they can do in this field.

"The FA is autonomous and knows best what is best for England to do in the fight against racism. It is probably one of the countries where the most has been done."

According to details released by UEFA, clubs and national side's whose fans are found guilty of racist abuse will be punished with a partial stadium closure as a first offense, while a second offense will lead to a complete closure.

Read: Balotelli threatens to walk

Only last week, AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli told CNN that he was prepared to walk off the pitch if racially abused once again.

The Italy striker was subjected to "monkey chants" by visiting fans during Milan's goalless draw with Roma at the San Siro.

"I always said that if it (racism) happened in the stadium I will just do like 'nobody says nothing and I don't care,'" Balotelli told CNN.

"But this time I think I've changed my mind a little bit. If it's going to happen one more time, then I'm going to leave the pitch because it's so stupid."

Balotelli is not the first player to have suffered racial abuse while playing for AC Milan -- one of the most revered clubs in Europe having won 18 league titles and seven European Cups.

Read: Boateng wants refs to have stronger powers

In January, midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng walked off the pitch in disgust after being racially abused by a section of supporters during a friendly game at Pro Patria.

Since then, UEFA has stated its intention to introduce stricter punishments for those found guilty of racism after being heavily criticized in the past for being too lenient.

The new rules are intended to curb racism at clubs such as Italian club Lazio, which has been charged four times by UEFA so far this season, with the Italian side paying $300,000 in fines.

Europe's governing body also plans to introduce the implementation of biological passports for players in the future.

Biological profiles are built up by collating an athlete's drug test results over time, therefore making it easier to detect differences which could indicate the use of a banned substance.

A new UEFA anti-doping program will also examine 900 samples given in the past five years to decipher whether steroids have been used.

On Friday, UEFA is expected to announce changes to the Europa League with the winner set to be granted a place in the Champions League from 2015.

Meanwhile, Berlin's Olympic Stadium will host the 2015 Champions League final, while Warsaw will welcome the finalists of the Europa League.

Via: UEFA steps up racism fight

Robben to Bayern's rescue

(CNN) -- The woe is over for Bayern Munich in Champions League finals after it defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in a pulsating all German contest in London on Saturday.

The woe is over, too, for Arjen Robben, who scored the winner in the 89th minute and set up Mario Mandzukic's opener in the 60th. Ilkay Gundogan's penalty in the 68th had pulled Dortmund level prior to Robben's nifty decider.

Robben was labeled a villain by Bayern fans last year, when he missed a penalty and other opportunities in the final against Chelsea.

"I do not know how many times I dreamed about it but I said to many people that tonight was going to be our night," Robben told Sky Sports.

No wonder he was celebrating wildly at the final whistle.

Indeed the euphoria among Bayern players at Wembley was fully understandable, since this was a team that had lost three of its four previous finals, two in agonizing fashion.

It began in 1999.

Minutes away from beating Manchester United, two injury-time goals from the Red Devils deprived Munich and led to one of the most lasting images in Champions League history -- defender Samuel Kuffour overflowing in tears and pounding the turf at Barcelona's Nou Camp in frustration.

Kuffour would later say it was destiny for United.

The same, perhaps, could have been uttered when Chelsea inflicted more heartache in 2012 in Bayern Munich's own stadium.

With Bayern firmly in control of the game at 1-0, this time a late effort from Chelsea striker Didier Drogba tied proceedings and prompted extra time -- when Robben didn't captalize from the spot -- and then penalties.

Paying the price for missed opportunities -- Robben and striker Mario Gomez were particularly guilty -- Chelsea prevailed to give the Blues their first trophy in football's most prestigious club competition.

Read: Bayern loses final at home

Another English team had gotten the better of Bayern Munich. The heart of Bayern's midfield, Bastian Schweinsteiger, was on that occasion inconsolable, mirroring Kuffour.

"We knew after last season what we needed to do and we have improved," Robben said.

There was a sense of destiny about Dortmund, since Jurgen Klopp's men scored two injury-time goals in the second leg of the quarterfinals against Malaga to advance.

But when Borussia Dortmund couldn't convert its superiority in the first half into goals, Bayern Munich slowly got into the game.

Bayern, which won the Bundesliga title by 25 points over Dortmund and crushed Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League, now has the chance to emulate the United team of 1999 and achieve the treble. Jupp Heynckes' men will be the heavy favorite in the German Cup final on June 1 against VfB Stuttgart.

If not for a tax scandal involving Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, who was at Wembley, the season could almost be classified as perfect.

Some would ask: "Who needs Pep Guardiola?" But his arrival next season, replacing Heynckes, potentially heralds an exciting period. He can take advantage of a highly skilled side in implementing his possession based style.

Mario Gotze will add to Munich's impressive squad, making the move from Dortmund in the off-season. An awkward scenario in the final was avoided since midfielder Gotze, described as a "once in a century player" by German legend Matthias Sammer, missed out due to injury.

Read: Gotze misses final

Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, whose four goals in the semifinals against Real Madrid bolstered his reputation further, is being linked with a move to Bayern.

In short, the future could bring even more trophies.

What must Dortmund -- thought of by some as a team of destiny after its injury-time comeback in the quarterfinals against Malaga -- be thinking?

It was Dortmund, which nearly went bankrupt in 2005, who made the much brighter start, even though Klopp appeared anxious as he took his spot on the bench.

While Dortmund's fans clad in team colors of yellow and black sang in the stands, the usual smile on his face wasn't to be found.

Polish international Jakub Blaszczykowski's shot from outside the box might have sailed harmlessly over the bar in the 10th minute, but it signaled the start of an impressive spell.

Lewandowski, much sought after, made a fine run inside the box before he ran out of room and was unable to deliver a cross.

A minute later, Lewandowski's curled effort from distance was comfortably pushed over the bar by Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer.

Neuer, the German No. 1, would be busy in the next 10 minutes, stopping Blaszczykowski with his legs from close range -- his best save of the evening -- keeping out Marco Reus' left-footed strike and thwarting Sven Bender.

Neuer was unusually busy, since he averaged a mere two saves per game all season.

Such was Bayern's frustration that winger Franck Ribery used an arm to cast aside Lewandowski. Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness, an analyst for British television, said Ribery deserved a red card.

Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli, however, didn't even show him a yellow. Rizzoli would be in the spotlight later.

Read: Bayern snares Guardiola

Bayern finally worked its way into the game midway in the half.

Ribery found himself in space on the left and put in an inviting cross for striker Mandzukic -- who started ahead of German international Gomez. His header was tipped over the bar by Roman Weidenfeller.

On the ensuing corner, midfielder Javi Martinez leapt the highest, though his header didn't hit the target.

Now Weidenfeller was busy.

He made himself big to deny Robben and near the end of the half, defender Mats Hummels misjudged a ball in the air to hand the alert Robben a second chance. Weidenfeller utilized his face to keep the match scoreless at the interval.

Dortmund didn't start as well in the second half, yet wasn't put under any pressure by Bayern.

That changed in the 59th minute, when Mandzukic's header fell straight to Weidenfeller. The shot was tame, but Dortmund's frailty in the air was again exposed.

Bayern took the lead a minute later, as Robben finally dealt with Weidenfeller.

When Weidenfeller charged off his line, Robben went around the German and sent a low cross to Mandzukic, who had the simplest of tap ins.

Bayern was on its way. Or was it?

Needing to stay tight at the back for the next 10 minutes, Bayern defender Dante gave Dortmund a lifeline. He completely missed his clearance in the box and kicked Reus in the stomach.

Rizzoli awarded Dortmund the penalty, but Dante -- already booked -- didn't receive a second yellow.

Stopped three weeks ago by Neuer on a penalty, Lewandowski gave way to IIkay Gundogan. The diminutive midfielder sent Neuer the wrong way in the 68th.

Read: Dortmund's miracle comeback

Bayern fans must have thought it was dj vu, especially when Dortmund defender Neven Subotic made a last-ditch clearance with Robben about to pounce from a yard out.

Both teams continued to press forward, and Weidenfeller dived to his left to stop David Alaba. Rizzoli waived play on when Thomas Muller felt he was impeded by Subotic, the last man, but Bayern's angst didn't last long.

With Dortmund's defense unable to clear, Robben waltzed into the box and deftly wrong-footed Weidenfeller.

It was redemption for Robben and Bayern.

Via: Robben to Bayern's rescue

Crystal Palace promoted to Premier League

(CNN) -- Two days after staging the biggest club game on the planet, Wembley Stadium hosted the richest match in world football - with Crystal Palace taking spoils worth $180 million as they gained promotion to the English Premier League.

Less than 48 hours after Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 to lift the European Champions League, Crystal Palace beat Watford 1-0 after extra-time to earn promotion from the Championship, the division immediately below the Premier League.

Read: Bayern Munich win Champions League

The winning goal in front of a packed crowd containing honorary Watford chairman Elton John and outgoing Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho came from Kevin Phillips, whose professional career started at Watford and who had lost his three previous playoff finals.

He was given the chance after 105 minutes from the penalty spot and despite the intense pressure of securing riches galore for his club on a sweltering day at Wembley, a man who turns 40 in July was coolness personified as he fired high into the net.

The kick was effectively worth $180 million - with half of that coming from television revenue and another $90m from the parachute payments that go to any team that drops out of the Premier League.

With the team that finishes bottom of the Premier League earning a minimum of $1.1m in addition to the extra revenue brought in from gate receipts, Palace's owners can plan for the future with real optimism even if the club is relegated after just one season in the top flight.

The club hierarchy had craved promotion so that funds could be used to redevelop their Selhurst Park stadium.

"We are in the Premier League - so God help us," laughed winning coach Ian Holloway. "It is absolutely massive to be back in the Premier League. They have plans to do up the ground and I am so happy for everyone connected with the club."

Relegation has befallen Palace every time they have gained promotion to the Premier League, while only nine of the 21 playoff winners have managed to stay in the division the following season, so Holloway is likely to have a busy summer trying to improve his squad.

He already knows that he must do without winger Wilfried Zaha, who was the outstanding player on the pitch and whose trickery was finally rewarded when he won the penalty at the end of the first period of extra-time.

Zaha, the 20-year-old who earned his first England call-up last November, agreed to join English champions Manchester United in January, so becoming the last signing of outgoing manager Alex Ferguson.

He was bought for $24 million and instantly loaned back to the club whose academy he joined at the age of 10, six years after moving to London from his native Ivory Coast.

"I'm speechless - this is a dream come true," Zaha told Sky Sports television after the game. "This is all I wanted, leaving Palace knowing they are in the Premier League. I just told myself to give it all I can - 100%, 200%.

"I've been at the club so long. All I want to do is help out the team, I'm so glad we made it to the Premier League."

Monday's success caps a remarkable turnaround for Palace.

Three years ago, fans were fearing for their favorites' future as they protested outside a bank as a club founded in 1905 was threatened with extinction.

Docked 10 points by the Football League for going into administration, Palace not only escaped liquidation but also managed to avoid relegation to the third tier of English football on the last day of the 2009-2010 season.

Palace fans would have been nervous again in the last minute of extra-time as Watford's Fernando Forestieri curled an effort towards the far corner only for Joel Ward to clear off the line.

Read: Wigan win FA Cup to keep romance alive

The club joins Cardiff and Hull in winning promotion to the Premier League from the Championship, with Queens Park Rangers, Reading and Wigan Athletic heading in the opposite direction.

Gianfranco Zola's Watford, who were seeking a return to the top flight for the first time in six years, ultimately paid the price for slipping up on the final day of the season, losing at home to Leeds United when victory would have earned promotion.

The club has been criticized this season for bringing in a number of players on loan from sister clubs Udinese (Italy) and Granada (Spain), which are also owned by the Pozzo family.

Despite the last 10 competitive meetings between Watford and Palace producing 38 goals, Monday's game at Wembley ended goalless after 90 minutes - as the massive expectation seemed to weigh upon both team's players.

Nonetheless, all associated with Crystal Palace can now look forward to Wednesday 19 June with great excitement as that is when the 2013-14 Premier League fixtures are set to be released.

Via: Crystal Palace promoted to Premier League

Neymar on his way to Barcelona

(CNN) -- Not content with having the world's best player, Lionel Messi, on their books, Barcelona have moved to sign Pele's "modern successor" -- Neymar.

A day after Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final at Wembley to be crowned Kings of Europe, it was announced that the much coveted Brazilian striker would join Barcelona for five years. The transfer fee wasn't disclosed, but one Brazilian newspaper said the buyout clause surpassed $80 million.

The move, on paper, should boost a Barcelona side that features an ageing Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol, three club stalwarts.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas and forward Alexis Sanchez have struggled, many would say, since joining from Arsenal and Udinese, respectively.

Barcelona might have won the Spanish league title, but it was crushed by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals. The defeat stung.

Some labeled Barcelona a one-man team after losing 7-0 on aggregate, referring to four-time world player of the year Messi.

Read: Bayern crushes Barca

Messi was inhibited by a hamstring injury in the first leg and didn't play at all in the second. Without him, Barcelona offered little resistance.

Pele, considered one of the greatest football players of all time, said last year that Neymar -- his fellow Brazilian -- was even better than Messi, an Argentinean.

Barcelona lavished praise on Neymar, too.

"The player is known for his exquisite technical skills, which makes this free-scoring striker a nightmare for any defense," Barcelona said on its Web site. "His style is beautiful to watch and he has received recognition and praise from the legendary Pele himself, of whom many believe he is the modern successor."

Neymar, the current South American player of the year, revitalized Santos, Pele's former club, scoring 138 goals in only 229 matches. He helped Santos win the 2011 Copa Libertadores and the 2010 Brazilian Cup.

With Neymar expected to move on when his contract was due to expire next year, a transfer to Europe was widely anticipated.

He had been previously linked with Barcelona, as well as Chelsea and Real Madrid, among other clubs. Last week Santos said it had accepted offers from two teams.

At 21, he is an established international with Brazil and will be counted on to lead the nation in next year's World Cup on home soil, although he has also drawn criticism from Pele for some of his outings. Neymar struggled in the 2012 Olympic final against Mexico.

Fellow Brazilian international Thiago Silva defended him.

"Our biggest star nowadays is Neymar and I think people have to have a little bit more respect with the professional that is Ney," he told CNN.

"He's a great guy with a very pure and good heart and people sometimes make things up and start talking rubbish where there's nothing to talk about.

"I would like to ask for people to have a bit more patience with him because he's our biggest star at the moment."

Neymar's last game for Santos comes Sunday against Flamengo as the Brazilian season's opening weekend began.

"My feelings for the club and the fans will never change," Neymar said. "I made it sure that I play (the last match) so I can have the opportunity to once again enter the field wearing the team's jersey and to hear the (fans) chant my name.

"Only a club like Santos FC could give me everything I have experienced on and off the field. I thank the wonderful fans who supported me even in the most difficult moments. Titles, goals, dribbling, celebrations and songs that fans created for me will be forever in my heart."

Neymar wasn't only a success on the pitch in Brazil.

He earns a reported $20 million a year in salary and endorsements, and he was recently named SportsPro's most marketable athlete for a second consecutive time.

Santos said it tried to convince Neymar to stay.

"Every effort was made to keep him in Brazil as long as possible, even offering to renew the current contract, which ends in July 2014," Santos said in a statement.

"At this time, however, it was not possible to compete with the terms offered from abroad, which affected the decision of the player to review his professional life."

Via: Neymar on his way to Barcelona

Monaco splash out $90 million

(CNN) -- AS Monaco signaled their intention to use their financial muscle in the summer transfer window with an audacious double swoop Friday for Porto pair Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez,

Monaco, backed by Russian billionaire owner Dimitri Rybolovkev, will return to France's Ligue 1 next season after wrapping up the second-flight title, and other high profile signings are expected.

Portuguese champions Porto said the deal was worth 70 million euros ($90.6 million) with 21-year-old Colombian international striker Rodriguez valued at 45 million euros and midfielder Moutinho worth 25 million euros.

A statement on their website described the deal as the "biggest in Portuguese football history" and the club has made a profit of over 50 million euros from the original fees they paid for the players in 2010.

Read: Becks bows out as PSG celebrate title

Monaco confirmed that both had signed five-year deals.

The 21-year-old Rodriguez, who has helped Porto to three straight domestic titles, was reportedly a target for English Premier League champions Manchester United, while Moutinho nearly join their EPL counterparts Tottenham Hotspur last season.

Monaco, coached by Italian Claudio Ranieri, have also been linked with Atletico Madrid's Colombian striker Radamel Falcoa, who carries a 60 million euros price tag and is wanted by a clutch of Europe's elite clubs.

Watch: What makes Ibrahimovic tick?

With money apparently no object, the team from the principality, will look to rival the new French champions Paris-Saint Germain, who have Qatari backing, enabling to sign such names as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the now-retired David Beckham.

Monaco were regular participants in European club competition, reaching the final of the Champions League in 2004.

But a steady decline set in, culminating in their relegation to Ligue 2 in 2011.

Rybolovkev took over at the end of that year and has pumped in money to help the return quickly to the top flight under the stewardship of former Chelsea coach Ranieri.

Via: Monaco splash out $90 million

Balotelli makes racism vow

Editor's note: CNN will publish a full exclusive interview with AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli on Friday May 17 at 1200 ET, where he says he thinks he was treated unfairly in England, finds it hard being a global icon and admits having a love for women and fast cars.

(CNN) -- Leading international soccer player Mario Balotelli has had enough -- the AC Milan striker has vowed to walk off the pitch next time he is racially abused at a football game.

Balotelli, who was subjected to racist chanting during Sunday's Italian league game against Roma, has told CNN in an exclusive interview that he came close to leaving the field following the abuse at AC Milan's San Siro stadium in a match that finished 0-0.

The 22-year-old put his fingers to his lips in front of the visiting supporters' section as a section of fans directed "monkey chants" at him and teammate Kevin Prince-Boateng.

"I always said that if it (racism) happened in the stadium I will just do like 'nobody says nothing and I don't care,'" Balotelli told CNN.

"But this time I think I've changed my mind a little bit. If it's going to happen one more time, then I'm going to leave the pitch because it's so stupid."

Read: Italian Federation incurs Blatter wrath

The abuse led to the game being halted for two minutes as the stadium's PA announcer warned the Roma supporters to end the abuse or the match would be stopped.

Balotelli is not the first player from AC Milan -- one of Europe's top clubs, having won 18 national titles and seven continental crowns -- -- to face racist abuse this season.

In January, Boateng did walk off the pitch after being racially abused during a friendly against Pro Patria.

That action prompted governing bodies FIFA and UEFA to rethink the way clubs and players are punished if they are found guilty of racist abuse.

Balotelli revealed that his teammate Boateng -- who was a guest speaker at the United Nation's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in March -- persuaded him not to leave the field of play on Sunday.

"I spoke with Prince," added Balotelli. "I was about to leave the pitch on Sunday, but they thought I wanted to leave because we had some difficulty with the game and then we are going to win 3-0.

"I said 'no, it's better we play and I will talk,' that's it.

"But if it wasn't for this reason, then I was going to leave the pitch on Sunday."

Read: Meet Italy's proud football racists

On Monday Roma was fined $65,000 by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) -- a punishment that drew sharp criticism from FIFA president Sepp Blatter

"What is $65,000 for such an incident? I'm not happy and I will call the Italian Federation," the head of football's world governing body told the FIFA website. "That's not a way to deal with such matters."

Throughout the season Italian football has been plagued by racist incidents as the country struggles to deal with the problem.

Only last month, Inter Milan was fined around $60,000 by European governing body UEFA after its fans were found guilty of "improper conduct" after racist chants were directed at Tottenham's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

In February, Roma's fierce city rival, Lazio, received its fourth UEFA charge of the season for racist behavior with the club accruing fines of up to $300,000

Mancini's sacking no surprise for Balotelli

"Family's little black boy"

This is not the first time Balotelli has suffered racist abuse.

The striker was targeted by fans of his former club -- Inter Milan -- in a Serie A game after he joined Milan in a $30 million deal from Manchester City in January.

Inter was fined $65,500 by the FIGC following the incidents while the player was also hit with a $13,000 fine for aiming a gesture at fans as he left the field at the full time whistle. Balotelli played for Inter between 2006 and 2010.

The 22-year-old was also subjected to racist abuse while on international duty with Italy -- Croatia fans were found guilty of throwing bananas at the forward during the 2012 European Championship Finals.

There was also embarrassment for Milan in February when the club's vice president Paulo Berlusconi, the younger brother of former prime minster and team owner Silvio Berlusconi, was caught on camera referring to Balotelli's arrival by saying: "OK, we are all off to see the family's little black boy.

"He's a crazy head. All the young ladies are invited as well -- you can even have a chance to meet the president (Silvio Berlusconi)."

The video, which was featured on the website of Italian Newspaper La Repubblica, was condemned by anti-racism campaigners.

Milan have won the Italian title 18 times and the European Cup (now known as the Champions League) seven times.

Via: Balotelli makes racism vow