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FOOTBALL

West Ham release Freddie Ljungberg

Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg was released from his contract with West Ham on Wednesday, a statement on the club's website confirmed.

Ljungberg, 31, suffered an injury-hit campaign at Upton Park last season after his three million pounds (€3.7 million) move from Arsenal.

He made just 28 appearances and opted to negotiate an early release just one season into his four-year contract.

Ljungberg, who spent nine years at Arsenal, will now consider whether to continue playing, with West Ham’s website claiming “leading clubs at home and on the continent as well as the United States and Asia” are interested in signing him.

“I gave my all at West Ham and enjoyed my time there but the decision is the best for the both of us. Now I will take my time to consider my football future,” Ljungberg told the club’s website.

Scott Duxbury, West Ham United CEO, added: “We respect Freddie Ljungberg’s position and are pleased we could reach agreement and wish him all the best in the future. This deal is mutually acceptable to both parties.”

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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