UEFA to investigate racism claim
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Article summary
Newcastle United FC claim Internazionale FC's Christian Vieri made racist remarks to an opponent.
Article body
UEFA is to investigate allegations that Internazionale FC's Italian international striker, Christian Vieri, made racist remarks to Newcastle United FC's Lomana LuaLua during last night's UEFA Champions League match in Milan.
Official complaint
European football's governing body said that Newcastle had made an official complaint to the UEFA delegate at the match, alleging that Vieri, who scored Inter's first goal in a 2-2 draw, had made comments to LuaLua two minutes before the end of the game.
Disciplinary proceedings
UEFA said that it would instigate disciplinary proceedings and investigate the alleged offence, and that a decision would most likely be taken on 21 March, with any appeal dealt with on 3 or 4 April.
One-match suspension
Vieri picked up his third yellow card in this season's competition in the second half of last night's match, which means he is suspended from Inter's final Group A match away against Bayer 04 Leverkusen next Wednesday.
