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FOOTBALL

English football coach plays down Sweden job

With speculation rife as to who will take over from Lars Lagerbäck as Sweden's national football coach, Fulham boss Roy Hodgson - who started his managerial career in Sweden - says he has yet to be approached about the job.

Hodgson has been linked with the job since Lars Lagerbäck’s nine-year reign as Sweden manager ended on Wednesday following the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.

The 62-year-old began his managerial career with Swedish club Halmstad in 1976 and also had spells with Malmö and Örebro in the Swedish league.

He admitted he was flattered to be mentioned as a candidate but played down any suggestion he might be interested in leaving the Premier League club.

“I haven’t been contacted about the Sweden job,” Hodgson said. “I have a contract until the end of the year here so I’m not free to take a job until June or July.

“Firstly, as far as I know Sweden have always gone for Swedish coaches and I would be very surprised if they don’t go for another Swedish coach.

“And secondly I’m quite happy here so hopefully my time here will continue a bit longer.”

Hodgson confirmed he has not held any formal discussions with Fulham’s hierarchy about a new deal but he believes his future remains in west London.

“I would like to think the job that I have done here, and am doing here, is a good one,” he added.

“If a new contract offer comes up then I’ll consider it. Every week things change, your position is stronger and weaker week by week dependent on whether you have won a game or lost a game.”

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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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