Trade alert! Mixed martial artists, kickboxing hotness and fitness champ Ron "Choir Boy" Stallings has uploaded a behind-the-scenes video that many of you may enjoy. After flexing in the locker room ...
The 6'0 and 185lb middleweight champ is seen stripping off for his weigh-in before fighting Mike Massenzio on September 14. The "packaging" is very! nice!
Watch AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "SPORNO: MMA Hotness Ron Stallings Strips Down and Weighs In" »
PHOTOS: Getty, AP
Football superstar and newly-minted "icon and hero" Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring both of Italy's points during Thursday's 2-1 upset over Germany in the Euro 2012 football championships semi-final match. Italy will face Spain in the final on Sunday.
Balotelli was shown a yellow card after stripping off his jersey after his first goal ...
Balotelli's scoring is sweet revenge after the racist abuse he suffered earlier in the EURO 2012 games. A few more images AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "SPORNO: Mario Balotelli Strips Down After Scoring at EURO 2012" »
PHOTOS: Getty, Reuters
Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson (R) share a sporno-tastic moment after Sunday's EURO 2012 match against France. And this is a low-key "celebration" for Defoe!
More photos of Johnson looking nipple-tastic in his uniform during today's 1-0 win over Ukraine AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "SPORNO: Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe Strip Down at EURO 2012" »
PHOTOS: GETTY, AP
European football's governing body has announced it will discipline Croatia after "hundreds" of fans hurled racist abuse, "monkey chants" and threw several bananas at Italy's Black football superstar Mario Balotelli. It happened Thursday during Croatia's 1-1 draw against Italy at the European Championships in Poland, reports the Daily Mail and SKY Sports.
UEFA acted after the FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) network announced on Friday their observers heard between 300 and 500 Croatia fans chanting monkey noises at Italy striker Balotelli in Thursday's match. That followed reports a photographer witnessed a steward retrieving a banana from the pitch as well as hearing the same chants.
It is understood UEFA are still probing allegations the Manchester City striker, 21, was subjected to monkey chants in Italy's opening match against Spain on Sunday. Saturday's announcement of proceedings against Croatia followed a 25,000-euro ($33,000 USD) fine on Friday after their fans set off and threw fireworks and missiles, and a supporter invaded the pitch, during Sunday's win over Republic of Ireland.
Mario Balotelli is Italy's first born-and-bred Black footballing superstar. The 21-year-old striker was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants. Balotelli has previously announced that he will walk off the pitch if subjected by racist abuse—and he did just that on Friday.
This is just the latest and perhaps most egregious example of racist abuse at the EURO 2012 games. Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie was subjected to monkey chants during his side's opener against Russia last Friday. The Netherlands' four Black players also faced racist jeers from on-lookers during training on Wednesday.
The EURO 2012 games are hosted by Poland and Ukraine, which was represented last month at Eurovision by a Black contestant. "Of the 20 selected national teams, 8 have at least one black player," reports Afro-Europe. England, France and the Netherlands have the highest number of Black players.
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PHOTO: Getty, Reuters
If thick slabs of beefcake with a lil chest fur are your "thing" ..
English defender Glen Johnson strips down and applauds the fans after Sunday's EURO 2012 match between France and England in the Ukraine. A few more photos of Johnson looking fit and nipple-tastic in his uniform AFTER THE JUMP ...
Continue reading "SPORNO: England's Glen Johnson Strips Down at EURO 2012" »
PHOTO: Getty
Keep it classy. Russian soccer fans hurled racist abuse at the Czech Republic's sole Black footballer and attacked game officials at the opening of the European Championship in Poland on Saturday. This is despite the fact that Russia won the Euro 2012 Group A match 4-1 over the Czech Republic, reports CBS News.
Expert spotters from the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network identified verbal insults targeted at Theodor Gebre Selassie, who is black. Fans also displayed a nationalist "Russian Empire" flag which "we take as evidence of far-right sensibilities," FARE executive director Piara Powar said. Film circulating online Saturday also showed some Russian fans attacking stadium stewards after the match.
Four security personnel were treated in a hospital but were not badly injured, a Polish police spokesman said. Police are studying security video footage to identify fans involved. UEFA said in a statement that "around 30 fans" attacked the stewards.
Selassie was born in the Czech Republic to an Ethiopian father and Czech mother. Czech's lone black player said he's experienced "much worse" abuse, reports the AP.
The 25-year-old left back plays in the Czech league for champion Liberec and has been targeted by Sparta Prague fans in the past. Gebre Selassie said he was ready to forget the incident involving Russia fans. "Personally, I'm ready to put it behind me. I see no reason to discuss it with the media," he said, declining to give details about the abuse. He also said he didn't want to officially complain.
Last year, the Czech football association's disciplinary committee investigated Sparta Prague, whose fans were suspected of abusing Gebre Selassie in a league match. In a statement to the committee, the player said he was absolutely sure he was targeted, but wasn't in favour of any punishment for Sparta.
The incident follows another ugly situation in Poland. The Netherlands' four Black players faced racist jeers from on-lookers during training in Krakow on Wednesday.
The EURO 2012 games are hosted by Poland and Ukraine, which was represented last month at Eurovision by a Black contestant. "Of the 20 selected national teams, 8 have at least one black player," reports Afro-Europe. England, France and the Netherlands have the highest number of Black players.
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4 Banned After Racist and Homophobic Taunts
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