FA To Investigate EPL U21 Game Incidents; Inter Milan Fined For Fans' Behavior

The FA "is to investigate after a series of ugly incidents" at Monday night's Premier League U21 clash between Liverpool and ManU, according to John Drayton of the London DAILY MAIL. Liverpool striker Adam Morgan "was confronted by a pitch invader late in the second half of the match" at Langtree Park, the home of St. Helens rugby league club. There "were also two instances of flares being set off in the stands, with one being thrown onto the pitch." There were also reports of "distasteful chants being made by a section of the visiting support," but Merseyside Police said that "no complaints had been made to them and there was no record of any incidents in which they were involved at the fixture" (DAILY MAIL, 2/26).

ITALIAN ISSUES: The BBC reported Serie A side Inter Milan has been fined €50,000 ($65,340) after its fans "were found guilty of racially abusing former Inter striker Mario Balotelli." Ex-Manchester City striker Balotelli was also fined €10,000 ($13,100) for an "insulting gesture" toward Inter fans. The 22-year-old Italian int'l, who joined Milan in January, "raised a finger to his lips during Sunday's match at the San Siro in an apparent attempt to stop the abuse from the Inter fans." But Serie A's disciplinary commissioner deemed that "he had gesticulated to the opposition supporters and a fine was imposed" (BBC, 2/26).