Beautiful game has ugly side

Report says eastern Europe has 'terrifying lack of respect for players'

BRUSSELS - Professional football in eastern Europe is struggling with a "terrifying lack of respect" for the rights of players who are being exposed to increasing violence, racism and match-fixing, according to a report issued on Tuesday.

FIFPro, the global union for professional players, revealed their findings in what they have called The Black Book Eastern Europe, after a survey of nearly 3,400 players in mainly eastern Europe with others from southern Europe adding their voices to a survey that makes astonishingly somber reading.