Fabregas Denies Kanoute Racial Abuse

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied that he racially abused Sevilla's Malian striker Frederic Kanoute in Saturday's 0-0 La Liga draw at Camp Nou.

Barca were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage time but before the spot 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 and afterwards Kanoute said he had been "provoked and insulted" during a mass brawl which erupted after the award of the penalty. He did not mention Fabregas by name or use the word racist.

Fabregas has denied he made any racist comments and the pair have now settled their differences by telephone.

Fabregas wrote on his Twitter account after local media reported the accusation: "I want to categorically deny that I made any kind of racist insult towards any Sevilla player.

"I will not tolerate anyone accusing me of things that I'm not.

"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."

Regretted incident

Kanoute had earlier written on his Twitter account that he regretted the incident - which came at the end of Uefa's Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) week - saying it "was not a good example".

"Nonetheless there was provocation and insult, as you are already aware," he said.

"But don't think about it anymore. His behaviour, like mine, was bad. Issue closed. Let's get on with the football."

Fabregas and Kanoute later spoke by telephone and said they had said sorry.

"We both apologised and agreed the matter was settled," Fabregas Tweeted.

Kanoute added on his Twitter feed: "The issue was explained and we are both adults and aware that we were at fault yesterday. The matter is closed."

Fabregas's Barca team-mate Daniel Alves defended the Spaniard at a news conference following a training session on Sunday.

"There are moments when your pulse is racing and you don't say please when you are asking for things," the Brazilian defender said.

"But it's clear there was no racist insult, above all from Cesc, who is a fantastic lad and would never do that."

Fabregas Misses Arsenal Germany Trip

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has not been included on the club's training tour of Germany as speculation about his future continues to grow.

Fabregas, 24, has been linked with a move to Barcelona, who bid £27m for the Spain international midfielder in June.

Arsenal say Fabregas has been left behind because of the hamstring problem that also saw him miss the Asia tour.

Striker Nicklas Bendtner and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia were also absent amid reports of impending moves.

However, new signing Gervinho did make the trip as did contract rebel Samir Nasri.

Earlier this week European champions Barcelona said they would "fight" to sign Fabregas.

A delegation from Barcelona, led by vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, is said to have been in London determined to push through a deal to bring Fabregas back to the Nou Camp, although Arsenal remain steadfast in their £40m valuation.

As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have. The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committedArsene Wenger

"The position at the moment [with Fabregas] is a 'no comment' situation because there is no movement at all," Gunners manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official website.

Wenger has always spoken publicly of his desire to keep his captain, as he has of Nasri. The France international has yet to pen a new deal, sparking more speculation he could also leave in a £20m move to title rivals Manchester City.

"[It is] not completely [sorted that Samir will stay], but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks," Wenger added.

"Almunia has been contacted by a few clubs, Bendtner as well. As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have.

"The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committed."

After facing Cologne at the Rhein Energie Stadion on Saturday, Arsenal will remain in Germany as they continue preparations for the Emirates Cup on 30-31 July.

Guardiola to Battle for Cesc Fabregas

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says the club will "fight to the end" to sign Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The European champions had a bid of about £27m rejected by the Gunners in June this year.

"Barcelona have made an offer, Arsenal another and we have until 31 August to try to reach an agreement," said Barca coach Guardiola.

"We will fight to the end to try to get Cesc because we believe he will improve the team and the squad."

Arsenal are believed to value Fabregas, 24, at around £40m but Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has already indicated his club would only pay as much as £35m for the player, who has four years left on his contract with the Premier League side.

"There is a sum of money in the strong box set aside for this signing but if it doesn't work out it will be kept in the box for something else," said Guardiola.

Fabregas, a product of the Barcelona youth academy before joining Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003, has been linked with a return to the Nou Camp for the last two seasons.

But Barcelona's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said he hoped a deal for the Spain international could be done this time around.

"The position towards Arsenal is one of maximum respect because the club own the player," said Zubizarreta. "Also towards the player (himself).

"From there, our position is to try and see eye to eye [on a deal], creating proposals that may be of interest, while always maintaining the maximum respect.

"We don't have a style of doing things by force."

Guardiola also spoke out against the possibility of Fabregas forcing his exit from the Gunners, saying: "I think that Cesc has to do what Arsenal ask.

"For me, I wouldn' like one of my players to say 'now I'm not training because I want to go'."

Zubizarreta indicated that Barcelona's priority before the end of the transfer window was signing a striker, with Udinese's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez set to move to the Nou Camp.

The former Spain goalkeeper said: "As we understand it, we are in the final stages of the negotiations to sign Sanchez and an agreement will happen very soon.

"But I would have said the same thing this time last week. As in a good film, it seems sometimes the end takes a little longer."