UEFA AWARE OF RASICM CLAIMS AGAINST THE LIVERPOOL PLAYERS BY SLAVOALBANIAN FANS!!!!!!

[Dimitris Kapitzis]

UEFA have confirmed they are aware of claims racist chants were directed at Liverpool's players during Thursday night's Europa League qualifying game against FK Rabotnicki in Skopje.

The governing body are waiting to assess reports from both the UEFA delegate and the referee before taking any action against FK Rabotnicki. Liverpool won the first leg of their third qualifying round tie against the FYROM side thanks to a brace from David Ngog.

But pictures emerged after the game that showed Rabotnicki fans appearing to direct so called 'monkey taunts' at Liverpool players. Liverpool started the game with two black players in Ngog and impressive 19 year old winger David Amoo.

A spokesman for UEFA told Press Association Sport: "We are aware of the matter but we are waiting for the reports from the delegate and the referee."

Once UEFA have assessed the reports, a disciplinary case could be opened against FK Rabotnicki.

FYROM football has had problems with racism before and their governing body was fined after England players Emile Heskey, Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell were subjected to abuse during an international in 2003.

Meanwhile Germany midfielder Sami Khedira, who played a major part in Germany's progress to the World Cup semifinals, is to join Real Madrid from VfB Stuttgart.

"VfB and Real Madrid have agreed on the midfielder's move to the Spanish capital," said a Stuttgart statement.

"As soon as the German international has passed a medical exam, he will put his signature on the contract."

VfB, where Khedira made his professional debut in 2006, said they were sorry to let the 23 year old go.

Finally 39 year old England goalkeeper David James has signed a one year deal with Championship outfit Bristol City.