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Guzan targeted by hooligans in Austria
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By Martin Rogers
Augist 20, 2010
American goalkeeper Brad Guzan will be questioned as part of an investigation after being targeted by soccer hooligans during a Europa League match for his club team Aston Villa.
Guzan, who was part of the United States’ World Cup squad in South Africa, was pelted by an array of projectiles during Villa’s 1-1 draw at Austrian club Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday.
“We knew it was going to be hostile,” Guzan told the Daily Star newspaper. “I got hit by some drinks and there were lighters and coins and stuff. You don’t like to see it anywhere in football. You try to do your best because the referee can’t go into the stands and remove people.”
European soccer’s governing body UEFA has waged a largely successful war against soccer hooliganism for several years and is determined to find out more details about Thursday’s events.
A UEFA source told Yahoo! Sports that an investigation “will be instigated” and that the probe “will include Guzan’s version of events.”
Guzan was in Villa’s starting 11 to replace regular keeper and fellow American Brad Friedel, as head coach Kevin MacDonald used a second-string lineup in order to preserve his stars for English Premier League duty.
The former Chivas USA player has impressed in his limited playing time since moving to England two years ago. MacDonald expressed his admiration for the way Guzan handled the abuse he and his teammates received in Vienna.
“I am proud of the boys because this was not an easy place to come,” MacDonald said. “The referee got involved and it was up to him to get that sorted.
“When you come to these places, I’m not saying you expect objects to be thrown, but you do expect the crowd to be very vociferous in support of their home team, and very anti the opposition. That’s something these players will have to learn to deal with if they want to go to the very top.”
Rapid Vienna’s Gerhard Hanappi Stadium had a tense atmosphere throughout the match. The home fans’ mood got worse by star forward Nikica Jelavic’s pre-match decision to refuse to play as part of his attempt to force a transfer to Scottish club Glasgow Rangers.
UEFA recently teamed up with senior political figures from several European nations in a bid to stamp out soccer hooliganism. While the throwing of objects onto the field of play will not generate as much attention as physical acts of violence between rival fans, it is the kind of action UEFA is determined to abolish.
Rapid Vienna may be hit with a fine for its fans’ behavior against Villa. More serious indiscretions can cause clubs to be penalized by playing matches behind closed doors without supporters.
“I’m sure UEFA officials were at the game and will look into it,” Guzan said.
• Soccer, World Cup News Archive Index
2010, 2009
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