Mijailovic denies racism charges

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Wisla Krakow defender Nikola Mijailovic rejected accusations he racially insulted Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy during a UEFA Cup tie and said he was the real victim. "(McCarthy) was kicking me from the very start of the game. And, when I kicked back, he started to bawl, to insult me, he even started to stick his tongue out at me," said Mijailovic. On Friday, Blackburn asked European soccer's governing body UEFA to investigate whether its South Africa striker was racially abused by Mijailovic. Mijailovic claimed McCarthy kicked and insulted him throughout the game. "I came to him (McCarthy), pushed him and that was all. We did exchange insults, but not racial ones. It's all on the tape," he added. McCarthy was seen arguing with Mijailovic at the end of the match. If Wisla is found guilty of racism, punishments range from a warning to disqualification from future competition. Blackburn won the game 2-1. (AP)