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Topic: STRICTLY FOR THE DIE HARD SOCCER FANS. (Read 23659 times)
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Neville upset at teammates' bans
« Reply #800 on: August 17, 2006, 11:02:50 PM »
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Manchester United's Gary Neville has criticised the Football Association's decision to enforce the suspensions given to Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.
The duo were dismissed against Porto and will start three-match bans on 23 August, which will see them miss ties with Charlton, Watford and Spurs.
Neville told MUTV: "It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.
"But what do you expect? I certainly didn't expect anything else. We don't look after our own in this country."
Scholes and Rooney were shown red cards for violent conduct and serious foul play by Dutch referee Ruud Bossen during the friendly on 4 August.
Manchester United appealed to the FA but their wrongful dismissal case was turned down by an independent commission this week.
Scholes and Rooney are free to join the squad for the season opener against Fulham, although Rooney is still struggling with a groin strain.
Source: BBC Sport
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Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has branded the three-match bans handed out to Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes as "shocking".
Rooney and Scholes will both be forced to sit out the Premiership encounters with Charlton, Watford and Tottenham as a result of their dismissals in the recent pre-season tournament in Amsterdam.
While Sir Alex Ferguson has so far kept his counsel on the verdicts, handed down by an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday, the United boss can hardly be anything other than annoyed given he was surprised the cases even reached the Football Association in the first place.
And Neville has wasted little time in dismissing the outcomes as exactly what he expected.
"It is a shocking decision, absolutely shocking," he told MUTV. "But what do you expect? I certainly didn't expect anything else. We don't look after our own in this country."
With Rooney doubtful for Sunday's Premiership opener against Fulham on Sunday with a groin strain, it could be the middle of September before the England striker is seen on domestic duty for the Red Devils.
United tackle Fulham this weekend knowing a flying start to the new campaign is required to exert any pressure on back-to-back title winners Chelsea.
Having come through 80 minutes of Steve McClaren's first game in charge of England, Neville is hoping to be involved against Chris Coleman's men after finally overcoming a groin problem which has prevented him making a single pre-season appearance for the Red Devils.
"I couldn't have asked for anything more than a chance to play for England," said Neville.
"Hopefully I can get some extra training under my belt and hopefully be ready for Sunday because I am desperate to be involved with the lads."
Source: Fox Sports
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Chelsea files complaint with England FA over Leeds
« Reply #801 on: August 17, 2006, 11:05:01 PM »
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Chelsea have filed a complaint with the Football Association against Leeds United owner Ken Bates and his club.
Chelsea said Leeds chairman Bates had made "rude, insulting and inappropriate comments" in a dispute between the clubs over three young players.
In early August Leeds made a formal complaint to the Football League, which was then referred to the FA, over three alleged illegal approaches by Chelsea.
The players involved are Michael Woods, Tom Taiwo and Danny Rose.
Bates claimed the Blues signed youngsters Woods and Taiwo after making illegal approaches.
He added that the Premiership champions - his former club - failed in their attempts to sign a third teenager, Rose.
A Leeds spokesman said: "We are totally amused and look forward to receiving their Chelsea Football Club's detailed evidence to support their complaint."
In a statement issued on Thursday Chelsea said Bates had made a reference to the Stamford Bridge club's directors that was "discriminatory in terms of race, nationality and religion".
"Such comments have no place in football, a sport which is rightly committed to fighting racial intolerance and bigotry," the statement added.
In June 2005, Chelsea were fined £300,000 and given a suspended three-point deduction by the Premier League following an investigation into claims that they had 'tapped up' Arsenal defender Ashley Cole.
Cole and Blues manager Jose Mourinho were each fined £75,000 for their part in the affair.
Bates sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003.
Source: BBC Sport
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LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - English champions Chelsea have filed a complaint with the Football Association against former owner Ken Bates, accusing him of bringing the game into disrepute.
The club said Bates, now chairman of Leeds United, had made 'rude, insulting and inappropriate comments' when he accused Chelsea two weeks ago of making illegal approaches to players.
Bates, who sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003, said he was reporting the London club to the FA for making illegal approaches to sign Tom Taiwo and Michael Wood and when attempting to sign Daniel Rose from second division Leeds.
'There are football procedures in place to deal with that specific dispute,' Chelsea said in a statement on Thursday.
'Chelsea will comply with those, will not discuss the case publicly other than our previously stated position and will contest it vigorously.
'However there are also existing football rules that prohibit rude, insulting and inappropriate comments being made about other club owners, chairmen and personnel.'
Chelsea said Bates had made a reference to Chelsea's directors that was 'discriminatory...in terms of race, nationality and religion'.
'Such comments have no place in football, a sport which is rightly committed to fighting racial intolerance and bigotry,' the statement added.
In June 2005, Chelsea were fined 300,000 pounds ($562,500) and given a suspended three-point deduction by the Premier League following an investigation into claims that they had 'tapped up' Arsenal defender Ashley Cole.
Cole and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho were each fined 75,000 pounds for their part in the affair.
Source: ESPN
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LONDON (AP) - Chelsea filed a complaint to the Football Association on Thursday against Leeds United and its chairman Ken Bates for bringing the game into disrepute.
Chelsea's move was in response to a formal complaint made by Leeds to the FA on Aug. 3 alleging the Blues lured away two of its youth players - Tom Taiwo and Michael Woods.
In a statement on the Chelsea Web site, the club said it would comply with the "procedures in place to deal with that specific dispute. However, there are also existing (soccer) rules that prohibit rude, insulting, and inappropriate comments being made about other club owners, chairmen and personnel."
Bates' reference to Chelsea's directors as "a bunch of shysters from Siberia" is one of the comments that prompted the complaint.
"Chelsea believes these comments are part of a personal campaign being waged by Mr. Bates against our club and his actions cannot be allowed to masquerade erroneously as being in the interests of football as he claims," the statement said.
Bates sold Chelsea to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for a 17 million pound (US$32.1 million; ?25.1 million) profit.
"We are totally amused and look forward to receiving (Chelsea's) detailed evidence to support their complaint," Leeds replied in a statement.
Chelsea denied any wrongdoing in the cases of Taiwo and Woods. Bates demanded the Blues be punished for its actions with a fine, deduction of points, banning of registration of new players or suspension from European competitions.
Source:Fox Sports
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The 'Don't Let It Happen Today' Gossip
« Reply #802 on: August 17, 2006, 11:10:01 PM »
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Kuyt closer to Prem move? Collins John set for Toon switch? And much, much more...
KUYT CLOSE TO POOL. AGAIN
You've probably read a version of this phrase on at least a dozen separate occasions this summer but Dirk Kuyt is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a move to Liverpool.
Confounding the belief that footballers are short of a few grey cells, the striker has told Feyenoord he wants to join Pool instead of Newcastle.
The Guardian reports that the striker 'has already met the Merseysiders' manager, Rafael Benítez, to discuss the transfer though negotiations between the two clubs are understood to be ongoing. Funds are relatively tight at Anfield and, while Liverpool could offer Feyenoord a deal worth up to £10m for the international, they would look to stagger payments over the course of his contract.'
TOON'S LATEST BIG-NAME STRIKER IS...
Having been strongly linked with Kuyt and Inter Milan's want-away Obafemi Martins, Newcastle are now poised to sign...wait for it...Fulham's Collins John.
Although Glenn Roeder, unsurprisingly, favours Martins, The Guardian claims that Collins is 'a favourite of the St James' Park chairman Freddy Shepherd and a deal has been agreed between both clubs and the player. '
Shepherd also identified Alan Shearer as Mary Poppins so is clearly something of an authority upon the subject of strikers.
WHY WOULD ANY CLUB WANT TO SIGN ANDY REID?
With the Premiership season now just three days away, there is an air of desperation around the remaining buyers in the transfer market. Apropos to nothing, Man City want to sign Tottenham's lardy midfielder Andy Reid.
According to The Independent, Tottenham are willing to let the Premiership's most rotund player depart, although City are expected to make signing a replacement center-half their priority with Sylvain Distin bound for Boro.
The latest news on that particular saga is that Distin was discussing terms with Boro last night.
POMPEY RETURN FOR FERNANDES
Harry Redknapp is finally set to spend some of the reputed £30m burning in his sagging pockets after Alexandre Gaydamak's takeover at Pompey.
After a frustrating summer, Redknapp is close to following up the arrival of Kanu with the club-record transfer of Manuel Fernandes.
The Times says that the Benfica midfielder is close to fitness after failing a medical at Fratton Park last month with a groin injury. 'Fernandes, a player who was once compared to Claude Makelele by José Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has been training and receiving treatment at the club for the past three weeks and is expected to sign on completion of a further medical, for about £8.5 million.'
BOLTON TARGET TRISTAN
The Daily Mirror reports that Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is in talks with Spanish striker Diego Tristan about a £2million move from Deportivo La Coruna.
The 30-year-old has reportedly fallen out with his current employers and told he can leave the club. The Mirror says that Allardyce has turned to Tristan 'as they may not be able to afford their first-choice targets - Nicolas Anelka and Dutchman Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.'
Source: Fox Sports
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Spain's display against Iceland leaves Aragones cold
« Reply #803 on: August 17, 2006, 11:11:01 PM »
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MADRID, Spain (AP) - Spain coach Luis Aragones says his team's 0-0 draw with Iceland was "probably its weakest match" since he took charge.
"It was a typical start-of-the-season match in which we weren't fit and you notice this when you face a defensive team," Aragones said after Tuesday's friendly. "We wanted to win. We lacked speed, particularly in front of goal."
The match in Reykjavik was Aragones' 27th game in charge, with his only defeat coming in its previous game - the 3-1 loss to France in the World Cup second round which continued Spain's disappointments in major tournaments.
Aragones said he was surprised by Iceland's committed approach, which led to several fierce tackles on his players, in a match which was a rehearsal for the teams' two meetings in qualifying Group F of the 2008 European championship.
"I'm not sure why they went in so hard in a friendly. For them a goalless draw was important. A goal would have opened up their defense but we couldn't achieve it," he said.
Aragones' disappointment was reflected in gloomy headlines in the country's sports press on Wednesday.
Marca said it was "The silliest match of the summer," while As' headline ran "Farce in Iceland."
Spain, which begins its qualifying campaign on Sept. 2 against Liechtenstein, found its most positive note in captain Raul Gonzalez's 100th international appearance.
Aragones said he felt "happy" for Raul, Spain's all-time top scorer with 44 goals, who is only surpassed by former goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta, who played 126 times for Spain.
"He deserves to have played that number of times for the national team. He's good with the ball, he can play and his cunning gets him into scoring positions as a supporting forward although he couldn't do it (today)," Aragones said.
Raul told Spanish TV that reaching a century was a "real landmark."
"I'm happy about that even though the match wasn't good. To have defended the national team such a long time means I have worked a lot and that I have convinced all the coaches we have had," said Raul, who made his international debut in October 1996.
Source: Fox Sports
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Experimental Italy's loss not surprising
« Reply #804 on: August 17, 2006, 11:22:50 PM »
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LIVORNO, Italy (AP) - This wasn't the same Italy that won the World Cup.
With seven players earning their first cap for the Azzurri, Italy suffered a 2-0 loss to Croatia on Wendesday in its first game since winning a fourth world championship title in Germany a month ago.
New coach Roberto Donadoni fielded virtually a third-string side to give the World Cup regulars extra rest. Meanwhile, Croatia's experienced squad included 14 members of its team that was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup.
"We knew that our players' preparation was behind. But the players from the World Cup are even further behind," Donadoni said. "If I had called them up it would have been even uglier. They're physical condition isn't acceptable."
Brazilian-born striker Eduardo put Croatia ahead in the 28th minute, heading the ball in as Italy's central defenders Giulio Falcone and Christian Terlizzi looked confused over assignments.
Falcone and Terlizzi were two of seven debutantes for Italy.
Eduardo's Dinamo Zagreb teammate Luka Modric banged in a rebound for Croatia's second after Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia was unable to cleanly grab a long drive by veteran Milan Rapaic in the 42nd.
Amelia, who was Italy's No. 3 keeper in Germany, was the only member of Italy's World Cup squad called up for the match.
"This was a chance to look at some other players," Donadoni said. "We shot 11 times on goal, (Lazio striker Tommaso) Rocchi stood out, and those who came in off the bench also did well."
The loss snapped Italy's unbeaten streak at 25 games. The Azzurri had not lost since falling 1-0 to Slovenia in October 2004, compiling 16 wins and nine draws since then. It was the second longest streak in Azzurri history. Italy went 30 games without losing from 1935-39, a period that included the country's second World Cup title in 1938.
The regular Azzurri are expected back for Italy's next game - against Lithuania in Naples on Sept. 2 to open Euro 2008 qualifying. Italy visits France four days later in a rematch of the World Cup final.
"There is some amount of worry for Naples," Donadoni said. "But we have to think positive. We have 15 days and I'm going to continue to tour Italy to see how the players are."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic also made his debut.
Bilic replaced Zlatko Kranjcar, who was fired after the World Cup. Croatia scored only two goals in three games in Germany, losing to Brazil and drawing with Japan and Australia.
Bilic was a defender on the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup.
Bilic's central defenders Josip Simunic and Dario Knezevic were solid in heading the ball clear to thwart several Italy chances.
Italy missed on several other occasions as Donadoni kept his team attacking in a three-forward lineup that began with Mauro Esposito, Cristiano Lucarelli and Rocchi and ended with Franco Semioli, Andrea Caracciolo and David Di Michele.
"This was the antipasto of what awaits the regular starters," Lucarelli said. "Let's not forget that Italy is the world champion and everyone wants to beat us."
Source: Fox Sports
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Croatian fans form swastika during match with Italy
« Reply #805 on: August 17, 2006, 11:23:31 PM »
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LIVORNO, Italy (AP) - A small group of Croatian fans formed a human swastika midway through an exhibition game with Italy on Wednesday.
Sitting on one end of Livorno's Armando Picchi stadium in a section walled off from Italian fans by large barriers, about 200 Croatian supporters arranged themselves into the Nazi symbol about 30 minutes into Croatia's 2-0 win.
Livorno is known as a left-wing town and the Croatian fans were apparently trying to incite the home fans.
Police eventually moved in, forcing the fans to stop.
Source: Fox Sports
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World champion Italy behind schedule
« Reply #806 on: August 17, 2006, 11:24:34 PM »
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LIVORNO, Italy (AP) - Five weeks after its World Cup win in Germany, Italy is behind schedule.
With the World Cup stars still regaining their condition after vacations, new coach Roberto Donadoni selected a third-string squad that lost a friendly 2-0 to visiting Croatia on Wednesday.
The Azzurri's form for a rematch of the World Cup final with France in three weeks could be a major problem.
Italy plays its first competitive match since the World Cup against Lithuania on Sept. 2 to start its attempt to qualify for the 2008 European Championship. The rematch with France four days later is another qualifier.
"We have to prepare for two big games," Donadoni said. "I hope the players from the World Cup are in top condition for these matches."
After a scandal-filled offseason, the start of the Italian league season was delayed two weeks to Sept. 9-10.
Players based in the French and other leagues should have several games under their belt by the time Italy plays France again.
Many of the players who starred for Italy in Germany are far behind in their preparation.
Striker Luca Toni only recently started training again with Fiorentina after his bid to join Inter Milan failed.
Italy's other starting striker at the World Cup, Alberto Gilardino, is having trouble regaining his form and AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is considering dropping Gilardino from his lineup for Tuesday's return leg of Champions League qualifying against Red Star Belgrade.
Filippo Inzaghi is in form, and scored for Milan in the opening leg against Red Star.
Playmaker Francesco Totti has still not announced if he will continue playing with the national team.
Wednesday's game did offer Donadoni a chance to look at some prospective new players for the national team. He was impressed by the play of midfielder Fabio Liverani and his Lazio teammate Tommaso Rocchi at forward.
"I can't reproach the guys for anything," Donadoni said. "Actually, I would say they did more than I expected. We gave up two goals attributed to inattentiveness, but inattentiveness linked to physical condition that couldn't be at its best considering this was our first outing (of the season) and the clubs only started working out again recently."
Donadoni can take some solace with the fact that the three coaches who guided Italy to its four World Cup titles - Vittorio Pozzo, Enzo Bearzot and Marcello Lippi - also lost their debuts.
"If I could try the same team for another two or three games, things would certainly go better," Donadoni said. "Clearly I don't like to lose and I would have preferred to start with a different result. But we have to move forward and prepare ourselves as best we can for the next matches."
Source: Fox Sports
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Germany 3, Sweden 0
« Reply #807 on: August 17, 2006, 11:29:00 PM »
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GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) - The coaching transition from Juergen Klinsmann to Joachim Loew went more than smoothly for Germany when it trounced Sweden 3-0 Wednesday in a friendly.
Miroslav Klose scored two goals and Bernd Schneider added another for Germany, which beat Sweden 2-0 in the second round of the World Cup, scoring both goals inside the first 12 minutes.
This time, it had an even better start, scoring twice in the first eight minutes.
"We applied a lot of pressure from the start and scored two early goals. After that, we could be calm," Loew said.
Schneider used a perfect pass behind the Swedish defense from Tim Borowski to knock the ball under the bar. Borowski was playing instead of captain Michael Ballack, who has a hip injury.
The second goal came from Klose, who shook off two Swedish defenders and used the outside of his boot to beat Rami Shaaban in the Swedish goal.
Klose rose to head in a sharp cross from Bastian Schweinsteiger and finish Germany's total dominance in the first half.
Loew spent two years as assistant to Klinsmann before taking the top job when Klinsmann stepped down after leading Germany to third place at the World Cup.
"We tried to carry on the momentum from the World Cup and I am very pleased that my first game was successful," Loew said.
Germany's first 2008 European Championship qualifying match is against Ireland on Sept. 2 in Stuttgart.
Source: Fox Sports
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