Briefs
A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Milan walk off after racist abuse is hurled at Boateng
AC Milan walked off the pitch during a friendly match at Italian lower side Pro Patria yesterday in protest at racist chanting by the home fans, causing the game to be abandoned after less than half an hour.
“Milan left the pitch following racist insults on the part of a minority of the Pro Patria fans directed at (Kevin-Prince) Boateng, (M’Baye) Niang, (Urby) Emanuelson and (Sulley) Muntari,” the club said on their website.
A video posted on YouTube showed the Ghana midfielder Boateng in possession near the penalty area when jeering was heard from fans nearby.
He stopped playing, collected the ball and kicked it towards the stands. He then took his shirt off and walked off the pitch and his team-mates followed.
Captain Massimo Ambrosini said the jeering had started before the walkoff.
“We were annoyed from the beginning,” he said.
“We gave a strong signal, although we regret it because a few have spoiled it for everyone else.”
Boateng took to Twitter to give his thoughts in a succinct message.
He said: “Shame that these things still happen . . . #StopRacismforever”
Pato leaves Milan for his native Brazil
Alexandre Pato will return to Brazil after AC Milan last night confirmed they had reached an agreement with recently-crowned Club World Cup champions Corinthians over the forward’s transfer.
The 23-year-old has reportedly signed a four-year €15m deal after revealing his desire to return to his homeland last month.
Milan confirmed Pato’s departure, after five years at the San Siro, in a brief statement on their website.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao have announced striker Fernando Llorente is in talks with Juventus about a move to the Serie A champions. The 27-year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season and the Spanish international has stated that he will be leaving.
Honours even in scrappy derby game
Honours were even as Hearts and Pat Fenlon's Hibernian played out a goalless draw in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle last night.
The third capital clash of the season was scrappy and Hearts' Ryan Stevenson and substitute Jason Holt were left to rue missed second-half opportunities, while John Sutton hit the bar with a header in stoppage time.
Hibs consolidated their fourth-placed position ahead of the winter break, while Hearts remained ninth.
Since Hearts won May's Scottish Cup final 5-1, earning the ultimate bragging rights, Hibs have drawn two league encounters and claimed a semblance of revenge in the cup by dumping out the holders in a fourth-round clash at Easter Road in December.
