Barca backs Messi over abuse claims

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona has staunchly defended Lionel Messi over claims he racially abused a black Real Madrid player several seasons ago.

Dutch midfielder Royston Drenthe, currently on loan to Everton, was quoted in a Dutch magazine as saying he was taunted by the Argentine forward and three-time FIFA player of the year during several of their Spanish League encounters.

Barcelona said in a statement that the accusations "are well wide of the mark" and that Messi "has always shown maximum respect and sportsmanship towards his rivals."

Drenthe, who is black, claims Messi used the word "negro" in a negative tone. Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned for eight games for taunting Manchester United's Patrice Evra in a similar manner this season.

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Japan backs out of Copa America

Buenos Aires — The Argentine soccer association says Japan has pulled out of July's Copa America for the second time due to problems forming a team following March's earthquake and tsunami.

The AFA, the Copa America host, quoted JFA president Junji Ogura on its website Monday saying "the majority" of European clubs with Japanese players have refused to release them for the July tournament.

Ogura was quoted as saying it would be difficult to call up Japan-based players because delays caused by the natural disasters had forced changes to the domestic soccer schedule.

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