SHORT CORNER

FA charges Emery

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Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after kicking a water bottle into the crowd during the 1-1 Premier League draw at Brighton on Boxing Day.

A Football Association spokesman said Thursday: "Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been charged following the game against Brighton yesterday (26 December 2018).

"It is alleged his action of kicking a water bottle during the fixture amounts to improper conduct. He has until 6pm (1800 GMT) on 2 January 2019 to respond to the charge," the FA spokesman added.

Spanish boss Emery went to speak to the home supporter nearest where the bottle landed immediately after the incident and again at full-time at the Amex Stadium.        

English football club strikes bizarre deal

AFP

A non-league club in the sixth tier of English football has struck an unlikely new sponsorship deal with a company that offers tours to North Korea, one of the world's most isolated countries.

Blyth Spartans, a club based in the northeast of England, displayed an advertising board during Wednesday's fixture promoting Visit North Korea, which offers travel packages to the impoverished communist state.

Images of the banner quickly began to circulate on social media, prompting both the company and club to confirm the partnership was indeed genuine.

"Visit North Korea is pleased to announce a sponsorship deal with English football club Blyth Spartans F.C.," it said in a statement on its website.            

Inter to play two home games behind closed doors

AFP

Inter Milan will play two Serie A home matches behind closed doors as punishment for the racist chants directed towards Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, the Italian league announced on Thursday.

Koulibaly was subjected to monkey noises from the crowd several times during Inter's 1-0 win at the San Siro on Wednesday, leading Napoli to ask for the match to be halted, without success.

Inter will also have to play another game with their North Stand closed.

In its statement, the league's disciplinary body mentioned "offensive songs of a racist nature towards Kalidou Koulibaly", but also "insulting songs of a territorial nature" towards Napoli fans.

Senegalese centre-back Koulibaly will have to serve a two-match ban for his sending off, after seeing a second yellow card for sarcastically applauding the referee.                

Kyrgios bitten by spider

AFP

Temperamental Australian star Nick Kyrgios revealed on Friday he was bitten by a spider over Christmas ahead of his defence of the Brisbane International.

The fiery 23-year-old posted a short video on his Instagram account showing him with what appeared to be a drip in his arm and being treated by medics.

"This spider bite outta contro," a caption to the video said.

He added to his nearly one million followers: "Got a spider bite on my foot. Christmas different every year."

Local reports said he spent the festive season in a Canberra hospital but was still on track to be in Brisbane for the tournament that starts on Monday.