• Europa League

Spurs progression marred by reports of racism

ESPN staff
March 14, 2013
Highlights: Inter Milan 4-1 Tottenham

Tottenham players were allegedly subjected to racist chants by Inter Milan supporters during the Europa League last-16 second leg clash at the San Siro on Thursday.

Spurs were defeated 4-1 after extra-time on the night but managed to progress into the quarter-finals of the competition on away goals thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor's strike, with the tie finishing 4-4 on aggregate.

The result was marred, however, by monkey chants that appeared to be directed at several Tottenham players, including Adebayor, while an Inter fan was seen waving an inflatable banana.

"It's a very sensitive situation,'' Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said of the chanting. "UEFA set out to act on that situation. It was very, very easy to hear the chanting so I am sure that UEFA will act on it.

"It's difficult for Inter Milan because it is something that in some way has happened before. It doesn't mar the game but it is something that should have been avoided.''

It is not the first occasion in which the Premier League side have had problems against Italian clubs in the Europa League this season. Lazio were hit with a fine following racist chanting in their Group J tie at White Hart Lane in September, while they were also reprimanded once again for racist behaviour in November's return game in Rome.

Inter were fined €50,000 last month following their fans' racial abuse of AC Milan's Mario Balotelli during the latest Milan derby.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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