European football round-up: Fabregas denies racially abusing Kanoute and says his conscience is clear

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas denied yesterday that he racially abused Sevilla’s Malian striker Frederic Kanoute in Saturday’s 0-0 La Liga draw at the Nou Camp and the pair later settled their differences by telephone.

“I want to categorically deny that I made any kind of racist insult towards any Sevilla player,” the Spanish international and former Arsenal captain wrote on his Twitter account after local media reported the accusation, “I will not tolerate anyone accusing me of things that I’m not,” added the 24-year-old.

“If they are frustrated by a decision that has gone against them on the football pitch then there are others ways to deal with it.

“To cry racism is cowardly and an easy option to excuse your own poor behaviour. My conscience is completely clear. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Kanoute said he had been “provoked and insulted” during a mass brawl which erupted after Barca were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage time. He did not mention Fabregas by name or use the word racist. Before the penalty kick was taken, an angry Kanoute kicked the ball away from the spot and appeared to grab Fabregas around the throat before being sent off. Lionel Messi’s effort was then saved by goalkeeper Javi Varas.

Cristiano Ronaldo fired Real Madrid top of La Liga with a superb 14-minute hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Malaga on Saturday.

Kevin-Prince Boateng scored a hat-trick within 18 minutes of coming on as a half-time substitute as AC Milan bounced back from being 3-0 behind to win 4-3 at Lecce in an astonishing Serie A match yesterday.

Mario Yepes’ 82nd minute header completed the fightback for the defending champions who trailed to goals from Uruguayans Guillermo Giacomazzi and Carlos Grossmuller and a Massimo Oddo penalty after a shambolic first-half display.

Antonio Di Natale, league top scorer last season, scored twice to give Celtic’s Europa League rivals Udinese a 3-0 win over Novara which took them top and Argentine Erik Lamela, 19, scored seven minutes into his Serie A debut in AS Roma’s 1-0 win over Palermo.

Inter Milan won for the only the second time in seven Serie A outings this season when a Thiago Motta header gave them a far from convincing 1-0 win over Chievo. Udinese, unbeaten after seven games, lead with 15 points while Juventus, who are also unbeaten after being held 2-2 by Genoa on Saturday, have 13.

Nene’s double helped Paris St Germain seal a 2-0 home win over promoted Dijon at the Parc des Princes to reclaim the outright lead in France’s Ligue 1. The Brazilian winger netted from close range following good work from Jeremy Menez on 42 minutes and completed the scoring on 90 with an angled drive off a post.

Rennes climbed to third after Julien Feret’s goal 16 minutes from time sealed a 1-0 win at Auxerre