soccer newzzsoccer newzzhot and fresh daily news from the magical world of soccer games players clubs international competitions transfers 
Articles
Kewell Close To Anfield Exit
2008-03-14 10:22:00 Injuries and patchy form has seen Kewell toil at Liverpool since moving from troubled Leeds in 2003, and he is only becoming a more marginal figure with time having not featured since the FA Cup defeat at Barnsley last month as well as being completely omitted from the squad that traveled to Milan in midweek.Now there are reports that the 29-year-old has asked Rafael Benitez for permission to link up with a second-string Australian squad in Singapore next week, rather than work on his fitness alone at Melwood.Benitez has not yet given Kewell an answer, but if he does agree that would be a clear indication that the Spanish coach is no longer planning with the player, who is known to still have several admirers in Italy and Spain. More About: Close , Anfield
Spurs Fans Angry With 'Bottler' Malbranque
2008-03-14 10:19:00 Malbranque was the regular penalty taker at former club Fulham but failed to step forward at the Philipps Stadion on Wednesday as Tottenham crashed out of Europe at the final 16 stage. Speaking after the game, assistant boss Gus Poyet said he had more time for players who step up to the plate and miss than those who don't want to get involved in shoot-outs. ?I told them you can only miss if you take one," said the Uruguayan of his conversations with Jermaine Jenas and Pascal Chimbonda, the two Spurs men not to convert. "The players who never miss are the ones who don?t step up.? 20-year-old Jamie O'Hara and midfielder Didier Zokora - who has never scored for the club - both volunteered ahead of Malbranque, and although they did score, Lilywhites fans are still disappointed. ?I don?t think Spurs had a plan at all past the fifth penalty and Chimbo, to his credit, stepped forward," wrote one fan on a message board. "Malbranque should have realised he was next . . . bit of a bottle jo... More About: Fans , Angry
BENZEMA EXTENDS LYON CONTRACT
2008-03-14 10:17:00 Lyon striker Karim Benzema has signed a new contract at the club until 2013, with an option for a further one-year extension.The France international has been attracting the attention of a host of leading European teams after a string of superb performances for Les Gones this campaign, but he has committed his future to the club he joined when he was eight years old.An statement on the club's website said: "Karim Benzema and the Lyon president agree that this extension is an important moment both for the player and for the club."The 20-year-old admitted last week he wanted to stay with the French champions, despite speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United."I want to be at Lyon next year," he told Spanish daily El Mundo deportivo. "There's still so much to do and I want to win titles with Lyon."(reopens) At the official announcement on Thursday, the 20-year-old Benzema reiterated that he never had any other desire than to win trophies with Lyon.He said: "In my head ... More About: Contract , Lyon
UEFA TO PROBE RACISM COMPLAINT
2008-03-13 19:08:00 UEFA have begun an investigation after Marseille defender Ronald Zubar claimed he was the victim of racist abuse from Zenit St Petersburg fans during their UEFA Cup last-16 tie on Wednesday.Zubar made the claims following the game at Zenit's Petrovski stadium, where Marseille lost 2-0 on the night to let slip a 3-1 lead from the first leg and exit the competition on away goals.After the game Zubar told the club's official website: "A banana was thrown at us, and there were monkey chants."It wasn't terrible, it just adds to the defeat and elimination. These are the kind of things you don't want to have to experience in life."On Thursday afternoon, UEFA announced an investigation would be carried out.An official statement read: "UEFA has opened an investigation into alleged racial abuse of Olympique de Marseille players by spectators at the UEFA Cup round-of-16 second leg against FC Zenit St Petersburg in Russia on Wednesday."If the investigation produces any findings, the UEFA Co... More About: Uefa , Racism , Complaint , Probe
LYON GO FOR BROKE IN MONACO
2008-03-13 19:07:00 Champions Lyon will look to overcome a seven-year jinx at Monaco on Saturday and establish a nine-point cushion at the Ligue 1 summit.Les Gones have not won in the principality since 2001, but know victory at the Stade Louis II this weekend would see them take a huge step towards a seventh successive title.Alain Perrin's team saw off second-placed Bordeaux 4-2 last Sunday to go six points clear and can pile the pressure on their closest rivals with victory over Monaco.Left-back Fabio Grosso told the club's official website: "What we did against Bordeaux, it is good. Now we must build on that win against Monaco."Perrin is likely to prefer Brazilian Cris ahead of Jean-Alain Boumsong for the clash at centre-back.Bordeaux host Strasbourg on Sunday without the services of key Brazilian midfielder Wendel, who sustained an ankle injury at the Stade Gerland last weekend.Third-placed Nancy will be looking to capitalise on any slip-ups by the top two when they visit relegation-threatened So...
HEERENVEEN EYEING PLAY-OFF RACE
2008-03-13 19:05:00 Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek knows a spot in the Eredivisie's top five is within his side's grasp as they prepare to face third-placed FC Groningen on Friday night.Verbeek's sixth-placed team are back in with a shout of finishing in the Champions League play-off places after last weekend's 3-0 win over NAC Breda put them within two points of NAC and gave them a two-point cushion over FC Twente in seventh.Fourth-placed Groningen have been the main benefactors of Heerenveen's four-match winless run prior to last weekend which saw them slip out of contention.A win at the Euroborg would definitely restore them to the top five and Verbeek knows all the pressure is on his side.He told the club's official website: "Groningen are ahead of us and the onus is on us to win."If we play as we did against Breda, a place in the top five is possible. It promises to be an exciting end phase to the season in which anything is possible."At the top of the tree, league leaders PSV Eindhoven fa... More About: Play , Race , Play-off
HENRY REVEALS BARCA HEARTACHE
2008-03-13 10:42:00 Thierry Henry has admitted struggling to adapt to life at Barcelona - because he is missing his daughter.The former Arsenal striker, 30, has not seen two-year-old Tea as often as he would like following his divorce last year shortly after his transfer to the Nou Camp."As you all know, I've got some personal problems and my daughter is the most important thing in my life," Henry said."I'm not happy because a father that only sees his daughter five times in the last eight months cannot be."If you know what it is to have a daughter then you can imagine what it is like. I'm not asking you to cry for me, only that people don't talk for me."The France international also believes his form - he has scored seven goals in 19 Primera Liga games - has not been helped by being played out of position at Barca."I played for eight years in a team in a specific position and now I'm at another club in another position with a different tactical system," he said."It's time to stop comparing the B...
SOUTHGATE TO CALL REFEREES' CHIEF
2008-03-13 10:41:00 Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is to contact referees' supremo Keith Hackett about Steve Bennett's performance during the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.Southgate was particularly unhappy with Bennett's decision to award Villa a controversial late penalty converted by skipper Gareth Barry which denied Boro a deserved three points.Boro defender Luke Young had his back to the ball when he inadvertently handled a fierce close range volley from Villa winger Ashley Young.Southgate is determined to stick to his policy not to overly criticise referees in public but he was clearly incensed by the award which cancelled out a first-half goal from Stewart Downing.Southgate said: "We will maintain our policy of not complaining about referees but I do question whether it is helping us. I have seen the incident again and our lad has got his back to the play."The volley is hit from a couple of yards away and it hits Luke Young and, if you are not looking at the ball, I don't see how it can be an... More About: Chief , Call
MOYES POSITIVE DESPITE DEFEAT
2008-03-13 10:39:00 Everton manager David Moyes insists there will be no fall-out from the club's UEFA Cup exit.He expects his side to bounce back on Sunday against Fulham and maintain their push for a Champions League place following the defeat by Fiorentina on penalties at Goodison Park.Chasing a 2-0 deficit, goals from Andrew Johnson and Mikel Arteta brought them level on aggregate.However, the Italians advanced to the quarter-finals 4-2 on penalties.Ayegbeni Yakubu and Phil Jagielka both failed to convert their spot kicks, leaving Mario Santana to claim the spoils.It was cruel on Everton who had dominated the game from the off and Moyes said: "We will dust ourselves down and move on."We have nine Premier League games left and we can look forward in a positive frame of mind as we are playing well."Johnson opened the scoring in the 16th minute when goalkeeper Sebastien Frey made a mess of a cross from Steven Pienaar.Frey then redeemed himself with a string of good saves before Arteta brought the tea... More About: Positive
CROWNING GLORY FOR BLACKBURN
2008-03-12 19:41:00 Blackburn have announced that Crown Paints will be their new sponsors after striking a multi-million deal with the company.The three-year contract, which begins next season, is worth between ?4-5million, depending on the team's performance.Blackburn chairman John Williams said: "This deal gives us the opportunity to work with a major national brand with the added benefit of a strong local connection."We were looking for a long-term relationship with our new sponsor and this agreement forms part of a broader communications strategy for both of us."Crown Paints managing director Howard Luft said: "A large part of our Darwen workforce are Rovers supporters and I know they will be delighted with this announcement." More About: Blackburn , Glory
WENGER RULES OUT MAJOR SPENDING
2008-03-12 19:39:00 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted there will be no major transfer spending at the club in the summer.Wenger's cautious approach to the market in recent seasons has enabled him to build a squad that currently tops the Premier League, and he sees no reason to go on a spree in the close season even though the club will back him with cash.The Frenchman is determined to spend within his budget and will continue to place emphasis on the kind of continuity that is reaping rewards for the club."I will keep faith [with the current players] because we have worked hard for what we have now," said Wenger."I have said many times, the real target of a manager is to find the balance with what comes in and what goes out and build a team with these restrictions. It is to do well with the funds available."We have money because we made money, and we made money because we made the right decisions."I believe a football team is not about buying and selling. It is about building, patience, working... More About: Spending , Rules , Major
UEFA UNVEIL ANTI-DOPING POLICY
2008-03-12 19:39:00 Players at Euro 2008 will face anti-doping blood tests for the first time at a UEFA event as part of the organisation's stricter measures.Representatives from the 16 national associations playing in this summer's tournament signed the UEFA anti-doping charter at a two-day workshop in Vienna on Wednesday, which sanctions 300 unannounced blood and urine tests before and during the championships."With this treaty we want to show that we are fighting doping and supporting the WADA (World Anti -Doping Agency) cause," UEFA president Michael Platini said at a news conference.Marc Vouillamoz, head of UEFA's anti-doping unit, outlined the scheme."At the pre-event testing, we will take blood and urine samples of 10 players per team," he said. "We will also take two players per side after the final whistle of each of the 31 matches and test them."Vouillamoz said the punishment would fit the result, but individuals and not teams would bear the responsibility."Only when two or more players of ... More About: Uefa , Policy
Marseille Want To Sign Gourcuff
2008-03-12 10:00:00 Gourcuff was hailed by many as the “Petit Zinedine Zidane” when he joined the Rossoneri from Rennes in the summer of 2006. However the 21-year-old has been a huge flop, and has failed miserably to justify all the hype. He has started just four Serie A games this season, and it has become evidently clear that Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti has no confidence in the player. Marseille are looking to take advantage of the situation, and hope to bring Gourcuff to the Stade Velodrome to play alongside 20-year-old star Samir Nasri. “Gourcuff is part of a list, but he’s not the only one,” Anigo told RTL. “Why not play him with Nasri? Samir Nasri will sign a contract extension. But I can’t tell if he will stay next year. “Staying here for one or two years would be better for him and us. He’s a young player.” Gourcuff would certainly be open to the move, as he has come out in the Italian press on a number of occasions this year complaining about a lack of first team chances. More About: Sign
River Plot Aimar Return
2008-03-12 09:59:00 Speaking on Argentine radio, the River president stated that it is about time Aimar returned to the team where he first made his name, but also indicated that some financial sacrifice would have to be made on the part of the player if he was to come back to Argentina."We have a good group, but we want to attempt to bring in some great players. Pablo left us a long-time ago for Valencia, in January of 2001, and this is the moment for him to return," he told Radio La Red."Football is handled by the phenomenon of money and it depends on the player. If I try bring back a player who requests the same contract that he has in Europe, it is very difficult to be able to continue negotiations, but I do not like like to speak of other people's wallets."Aguilar is said to be desperate to bring a former River hero to the club after seeing their great rivals Boca Juniors successfully negotiate the return of Juan Román Riquelme to Argentina.They were involved in early discussions with Zaragoza o... More About: Return , Plot
Mancini In Shock Quit Revelation
2008-03-12 09:57:00 Inter coach Roberto Mancini has just confirmed that he will be stepping down as the coach of the club at the end of the season. "I want to reveal something," he began, speaking after the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. "I want to say it clearly to avoid any controversy. "At the end of the season I will terminate my contract [which has four more years on it], and I will leave Inter."These will be my last two months on the Inter bench, and I hope to finish well by winning the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia."The decision has already been communicated to the players in the dressing room at the end of the match."He insisted, however, that the step has nothing to do with the defeat to Liverpool, and that his mind had already been made up."This decision would have been made even if we had won. It doesn't depend on tonight's defeat," he concluded.There have been calls for Mancini's head from certain quarters, but the timing of the announcement will have caught even the harshest of his critics by... More About: Shock , Quit , Revelation
HINKEL REVEALS SEVILLA CONTRAST
2008-03-11 18:45:00 Andreas Hinkel believes he has adapted to life at Celtic - after realising playing football in the Scottish winter is sometimes impossible.The former Stuttgart defender joined the Hoops from Sevilla in January amid one of the wettest recent winters in Scotland.The weather has added to a fixture backlog, with Celtic facing Dundee United at Parkhead on Wednesday ahead of a rearranged trip to Motherwell on Saturday.But the surfaces in the matches that have gone ahead have taken Hinkel aback and he could get a further shock on Saturday at Fir Park, where a waterlogged pitch forced the postponement of Tuesday's clash between Gretna and St Mirren.However, the right-back insists he is coming to terms with the switch from sunny Spain to soaking Scotland."At the beginning, it was a change for me because in Spain the pitches are better and all the teams want to play football," the German said."But here sometimes it's not possible to play football because the pitches are not so good."I had t... More About: Contrast
MIJATOVIC DISMISSES COMPARISON
2008-03-11 18:44:00 Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has dismissed any comparison between under-fire coach Bernd Schuster and previous incumbent Fabio Capello.Capello, now head coach of England, was sacked by Madrid despite leading them to the Primera Liga title.And there has been speculation in Spain that Schuster could suffer the same fate in the summer.But Mijatovic insists there were "special reasons" behind Capello's dismissal.He told the club's official website: "Bernd Schuster will continue at the helm of the team. We've never thought otherwise."We have great confidence in him and we are calm with regards to his future."What happened with Capello last year will not happen again. There were special reasons for the latter's dismissal."Schuster has come in for criticism following Madrid's exit from the Champions League at the last-16 stage to Roma.However, they have been dominant in the Primera Liga and currently top the table, eight points ahead of arch rivals Barcelona.Mijatov... More About: Comparison
HICKS DENIES FAN CLAIM
2008-03-11 18:43:00 Co-owner Tom Hicks has denied claims that he blocked an attempt to have a Liverpool fan installed on the Anfield board during negotiations with Dubai International Capital over their potential investment in the club.It had been claimed by DIC sources that the issue was one of the reasons why talks between the two parties collapsed on Monday.A DIC insider, heavily involved in talks with fans' groups over the club's future, maintained that the idea of a fan on the board did not appeal to Hicks' negotiators.But the American has now issued a statement through his London-based advisors.It said: "With regard to a report today claiming that 'talks between [Tom Hicks] and Dubai International Capital collapsed after the Dubains proposed putting a fans' representative on the Anfield board', I can confirm after consultation with Mr Hicks and his representatives at the meetings with DIC that at no time during any such meetings did DIC propose, nor did Mr Hicks or his representatives rejec...
Alonso Axed For Kidding Around
2008-03-11 09:27:00 Xabi Alonso will not play for Liverpool against Inter tonight after refusing to fly out to Milan with the rest of the teamThe midfielder was anxious to remain behind in Liverpool on Monday, where girlfriend Nagore was about to give birth to the couple's first child. Alonso hoped he could then fly out to Italy and hook up with the rest of the squad after the event, but manager Rafa Benítez was having none of it and has struck Alonso's name from the squad. "He wanted to come out here but only if everything was okay," revealed the Liverpool boss. "We could not wait and had to make a decision. You cannot wait and wait and wait for any player. There comes a time when you have to decide and make use of your squad." It is unknown what the long-term consequences of the former Real Sociedad midfielder's actions will be, but relations with Benítez had only just returned to normal after Alonso fell out with his coach over poor form earlier in the season. The Liverpool manager is clearl... More About: Kidding
Parma President: It's Everyone's Fault
2008-03-11 09:27:00 Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has insisted that everyone is to blame for the Club’s poor season so far.The Gialloblu are currently in the drop zone but only a point off safety and on Monday the club announced that they had sacked former coach Domenico Di Carlo but Ghirardi insists that it’s not all the ex-coach’s fault.“It’s not right just to put the blame on the coach everyone needs to take a look at their conscience, the club, the players and the former coach,” Ghirardi told Parma TV.“We are currently evaluating certain alternatives to guarantee us a good finish to the end of the season.“It will be a coach with experience and I want to make an important but slightly tough decision.“I am used to not letting people down and the club has clear ideas. We will know from Tuesday who will be in charge of training.”Reports in Italy have suggested that the club are interested in former Inter coach Hector Cuper.Cuper was in Milan this weekend celebrating the Inter cen... More About: President , Parma , Fault
Shevchenko 'Fed Up' At Chelsea
2008-03-11 09:25:00 Reports emanting from Italy suggest Andriy Shevchenko has told Roman Abramovich of his dissatisfaction with life at Chelsea . Meanwhile wife Kirsten is apparently due in Milan this afternoon to view an apartment. Could a return to AC Milan be looming?There is no doubt that many Rossoneri fans would welcome Shevchenko back with open arms after his massive contribution to the side in years past. And according to reports in newspapers the Ukrainian striker has told Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich that he is fed up of being "undervalued" at Stamford Bridge. Shevchenko appears to have fallen behind Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou in the strikers pecking order and after two less-than-spectacular years in English football he is understood to want out. The final straw may have come last week, when as his teammates prepared for the win over Olympiacos in the Champions League, Shevchenko was playing against Reading reserves at Brentford's Griffin Park. The Italian press clai...
KEANE: TACTICS NOT TO BLAME
2008-03-10 18:22:00 Sunderland manager Roy Keane has defended his tactics in the Premier League defeat by Everton, insisting he was right not to go gung-ho against the Champions League hopefuls.Keane started the home match with a 4-5-1 formation, deploying Kenwyne Jones as a lone striker, and saw his side go down to a 1-0 defeat after Andrew Johnson bundled the ball past Craig Gordon via a deflection off his arm.The Black Cats only looked like threatening the Everton goal in the last 10 minutes - Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard producing two fine saves in stoppage time - but Keane does not regret playing it tight against David Moyes' men.Although Jones was often alone in the penalty area, fellow forwards Daryl Murphy and Anthony Stokes started on the flanks, with Michael Chopra and Rade Prica coming on as second-half substitutes."We didn't have two up front but we had Murphy out wide on the left, Chops did well on the right and we had Grant (Leadbitter) and Kieran (Richardson)," Keane said."So I don't... More About: Tactics , Blame
KEEGAN MAY LOOK NORTH OF THE BORDER
2008-03-10 18:22:00 Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has revealed there are "four or five" players in Scotland who are interesting him ahead of the summer transfer window.Keegan, who has been linked with a move for in-form Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, was at Ibrox last Thursday to watch Rangers beat Werder Bremen 2-0 in the UEFA Cup.The former England manager spent a lot of time north of the border running his Soccer Circus business before returning to Tyneside in January and believes the Scottish game is improving.But he thinks he would have competition for any signing bids."I think you will see more and more Premier League managers looking at Scotland because there is some talent here," Keegan said."I don't mean this disrespectfully but probably, for the last six or seven years, that wasn't always the case."We are like any other club, we will look for talent wherever we think it can improve us. Whether it be Scotland, Lithuania, Russia, that's what you do."At the moment I think Scotland has got four or... More About: North
PETROV WANTS TO STAY AT VILLA
2008-03-10 18:20:00 Midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has insisted he will not be looking to quit Aston Villa after losing his first-team spot.The Bulgaria international was taken off at half-time against Newcastle last month and then left out of the side for the games against Reading and Arsenal.Petrov has struggled to produce the form that persuaded Villa manager Martin O'Neill to pay Celtic ?6million for his services in the summer of 2006.But he is determined to fight to regain his place rather than ask for a move.Petrov said: "I haven't produced my best form for Villa but I haven't been complaining. I just get on with things and the manager picks the team. But I will be back playing for Villa."Sometimes it doesn't go well for you but you still do your best for your team-mates and that's the way I'll carry on. I'll never give up. A few people have said to me 'what do I want to do'?"But I'm not the sort of person who is a quitter and I'm not thinking about a transfer."I'll carry on working hard ... More About: Stay
VILLARREAL SHOCK BARCA
2008-03-10 09:37:00 Jon-Dahl Tomasson's late winner gave Villarreal an unexpected 2-1 win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday.The defeat leaves the Catalans eight points behind leaders Real Madrid with just 11 games remaining this season.Marcos Senna gave Villarreal the lead from the penalty spot after Victor Valdes had clumsily clattered into Guillermo Franco on the half-hour mark, and although Barcelona Xavi equalised halfway through the second period, the visitors retook the lead through Tomasson's strike nine minutes from time.Barcelona threw men forward late on, but Villarreal held on for a victory which sees them close to within four points of the Catalans in third place.Barcelona were deprived of the services of winger Lionel Messi, who pulled a hamstring in Tuesday's Champions League win over Celtic.And the Argentinian was sorely missed as the home side searched for inspiration early on.Samuel Eto'o tested Diego Lopez with a smart shot after just two minutes, but the Catalans created l... More About: Shock
JUVE BOUNCE BACK TO BEAT GENOA
2008-03-10 09:36:00 Juventus bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Fiorentina by consolidating third place with a victory at Genoa on Sunday.Zdenek Grygera put the Bianconeri ahead in the 25th minute and then turned provider for David Trezeguet to settle matters eight minutes later.Genoa fought valiantly and hit the post through Marco Borriello early in the second half, but the damage had been done by Juve's first two shots on goal, which were enough to earn the visitors all three points.The win moves Juve four points clear of Fiorentina, who were beaten 1-0 at Siena earlier on Sunday, while Genoa sit ninth.After a day of rain in Genoa, the pitch at the Luigi Ferraris stadium was very slick and Juventus seemed to have more difficulty adjusting to the conditions.Several low balls skimmed off the surface with Mohamed Sissoko and Nicola Legrottaglie both missing clearances when Marco Borriello and Giuseppe Sculli were looking to pounce on any loose ball.That is precisely what Borriello did when Rod... More About: Back , Bounce , Juve , Beat
LYON OVERCOME TITLE RIVALS
2008-03-10 09:35:00 Lyon went six points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with a 4-2 win at home to title-rivals Bordeaux.Two goals from Matthieu Bodmer gave Lyon an early lead before Wendell pulled one back with a 34th-minute free-kick.Karim Benzema restored the two-goal advantage five minutes after the break, although a Fernando Cavenaghi penalty made it 3-2 on the hour.Abdulkader Keita grabbed a fourth goal at the end as Bordeaux failed to break OL down in the closing stages.The win was Les Gones' fifth in a row at the Stade Gerland, and their positive start was rewarded with the opening goal on 11 minutes.Fabio Grosso received the ball on the left of the area from a Keita cross, and his blasted shot across goal was diverted in by Bodmer at the far post.The 25-year-old midfielder grabbed his second with a superb strike on 24 minutes.From the edge of the penalty area Bodmer controlled the ball on his chest, dribbled past Souleymane Diawara and then fired a half-volley into the left corner.Alejandro Alons... More About: Lyon , Title , Overcome , Rivals
DISTIN REJECTS RONALDO COMPLAINT
2008-03-09 19:12:00 Sylvain Distin launched a staunch defence of the art of tackling after Portsmouth clinched a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley.While Sulley Muntari scored the winner from the penalty spot against hot favourites Manchester United with 13 minutes to go, Distin found himself in the eye of a storm.Top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he was not offered enough protection by referee Martin Atkinson.The United winger felt he should have been awarded a penalty in the sixth minute when he danced into the area only for Distin to block his path.Ronaldo's boss Sir Alex Ferguson was also livid with Atkinson after seeing his team's dreams of the treble die and felt the official contributed to his team's downfall.Distin is adamant his challenge was fair."If every time you touch a player it is a penalty, how do you defend?," said the former Manchester City centre-half."This is football - it is a contact sport."I went shoulder to shoulder with him. I was not going to move out of t... More About: Complaint
CELTIC SURVIVE, RANGERS PROGRESS
2008-03-09 19:12:00 An injury-time equaliser from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink kept Celtic 's Scottish Cup hopes alive at Aberdeen on Sunday.The Dons had looked set to pull off a shock win when an excellent goal from Jeffrey De Visscher gave them the lead with 11 minutes to go.But Vennegoor of Hesselink stabbed home from close range in the dying seconds to earn the Bhoys a replay at Parkhead.Celtic rattled the woodwork twice in the first half - via Scott McDonald and Vennegoor of Hesselink.However famous home win looked on the cards when De Visscher exchanged a series of passes on the edge of the box with Lee Miller before firing home.Only a couple of good saves from Artur Boruc kept Celtic in the game, while at the other end Gordon Strachan's side hit the post for the third time - Paul Hartley rattling the upright from long range.However, Celtic did pull level in the first minute of added time when Vennegoor of Hesselink prodded in a tempting low cross from substitute Georgios Samaras to leave Dons bos... More About: Rangers , Survive , Progress
FIFA TO REVIEW TAYLOR BAN
More articles from this author:2008-03-09 19:11:00 FIFA are to examine Martin Taylor 's infamous foul on Eduardo to see whether the Birmingham defender's three-match ban should be extended, it can be revealed.The world governing body are to call for the Football Association to send them the disciplinary file on the incident involving Taylor, which left the Arsenal striker with a badly-broken leg.Taylor has insisted the tackle was clumsy rather than malicious, and that has been accepted by Arsenal.But FIFA president Sepp Blatter said his organisation have the right to ask for such files to ensure that appropriate sanctions have been issued.Blatter, speaking in Gleneagles following a meeting of the International FA Board, said: "We will ask for the file."We have now the right to ask national associations to give us the file - and if we, the authorities, feel it [the suspension] is not enough then we will come back on that."Blatter said the issue of "violent attacks" needs to be looked at, adding it has even been suggested that offend... More About: Review , Fifa 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
|
 |
|
 |
