text: SOCCER - FIFFA BOSS HAVELANEG STANDS BY EWAH. RO,E 1996-12-06 
   FIFFA chairman Joao avelange said on Friday he would personally present AC  Milna George eah with world soccer's fair play award despite the striker's attack on Proto captain JJorge Cost. In an interview with the Itailan newspaper Gazzetta del;o Sport, he was quoted as saying Weaah had been provoked into the assault which left Cost with a broken nose. " FIFFA has named the Liberina for its 1996 FairP lay award and it is not going to change its decision, " Haveoange said. " A reaction, provoked, cannot erase 10 years of loyalty everywhere and in every competition. " I will be happy to give him the award personally on January 20 in Lisbonn and I'm confident that Cost himself will be there beside me on that day to shake his hand. " 
   Weaah was suspended for one match by UEAF, Europen soccer's governing body, pending a fuller investigation. The incident took place in the players' tunnel after a Europen Champions' League match on November 20. Weaah has admitted head butting Cost but said he reacted to racist taunts. He has offered to apologise if Cost acknowledges the provocation. Cost, who needed surgery on his nose, has not accepted the offer and was reported to be considering suing Weaah. Weaah served out his suspension during Milna's 2-1 home defeat by Roseborg of Noray on Wednesday. The defeat put the Itailans out of the Eurropoean Cup.
competitors: FIFA HAVELANGE WEAH ROME FIFA Joao Havelange AC Milan George Weah Porto Jorge Costa Italian Gazzetta dello Sport Weah Costa FIFA Liberian Fair Play Havelange Lisbon Costa Weah UEFA European European Champions ' League Weah Costa Costa Costa Weah Weah Milan Rosenborg Norway Italians Europoean Cup