Zokora eager to meet Anderlecht again for revenge

Mike McGrath
Saturday 08 December 2007 01:00 GMT
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Didier Zokora wants revenge on the supporters who threw missiles at him by defeating Anderlecht in the final of the Uefa Cup providing the Belgian side are allowed to remain in the competition.

Zokora was struck by a lighter towards the end of the 1-1 draw at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on Thursday night, a result that put Tottenham through to the knockout phase but left the hosts needing a positive result later this month against Getafe. Anderlecht could also be thrown out of the tournament if Uefa hand out their most severe punishment following the ugly scenes in Brussels.

As well as Zokora being targeted, goalkeeper Paul Robinson picked up a metal bar and handed it to the fourth official at the end of the game.

"Uefa have opened disciplinary proceedings against Anderlecht for the throwing of objects by spectators," said a Uefa spokesman. Uefa will meet on 13 December to hear the case and will take into consideration previous trouble involving Anderlecht. Earlier this season the Belgians were fined for crowd trouble during a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.

Should they stay in the tournament, Zokora believes beating them in the final next May would be a fitting way to answer the hooligans. "It would be great to face Anderlecht in the final and get some kind of revenge," he said. "That's football."

Zokora is also braced for the fight to get Spurs away from the Premier League relegation zone. "I was happy for us to get a point in Belgium because this will give us confidence before we play Manchester City, a big team, at home. I am sure Tottenham will come back. If we win two or three games the confidence will come back quickly."

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