Sad Day For English Football Over Racism Rows

The English FA's independent commission has slapped an eight match ban on Liverpool's Luis Suárez, and given him a £40,000 fine. It all stemmed from the match between Liverpool and Manchester United back in October when Suárez called United's Patrice Evra certain names that Evra took offence to.

They did not accept Suárez's argument that the words he used were perfectly acceptable for someone from Uruguay. The Uruguayan had argued that it came down to cultural differences and semantics, and that what was unacceptable in the UK was ok in South America.

Liverpool,  Suárez's club, might appeal the verdict. They are deeply unhappy with the verdict.

And further south in London, Chelsea's John Terry has been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service that he is to be prosecuted over an alleged racist slur made towards the Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry will appear before West London magistrates' court on 1 February charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. This was alleged to have taken place  made during the Chelsea match with  QPR at Loftus Road on 23 October.

In one way it's sad that racism has reared its ugly head again, but good in another way in the fact that at least it is being taken seriously by the authorities.

Both Manchester Teams Out Of Champions League

It's so embarrassing! Manchester United getting knocked out of the Champions League last night after losing 2-1 to Basle means they drop down to the Europa League.

Manchester city, too, even with a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, await the same fate. A win by 2-0 at Villarreal secured Napoli's Champions League place for the next round, which meant City losing out on a place.

Both Manchester teams have of course only themselves to blame because of poor results in previous matches. But somehow watching Manchester United play on a Thursday night just doesn't seem right.

FA Cup Third Round Throws Manchester Teams Together

The FA Cup third round-round threw up a match that will have mixed emotions for both sets of Manchester supporters. City and United go head-to-head in a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium next month.

Neither side will want a struggle to get through to the fourth round, but that's what's in prospect. It is unlikely to be an easy passage for either side.

Manchester United will be looking for revenge after being humiliated 6-1 in the Premiership by City.

The only other all Premiership match is between Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers.

The ties will be played on weekend of January 7/8