Ferguson pledges to play strong team at Hull
May 22, 2009
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hit back at claims he will field a weakened team at Hull on Sunday by insisting he would never damage the reputation of the Premier League.
The newly-crowned champions will travel to Rome next week to begin preparations for their Champions League final against Barcelona on Wednesday.
And speculation has been rife that Ferguson could put out a severely weakened side on the last day of the league season against Phil Brown’s relegation-threatened team.
Hull are one point and one place ahead of third-from-bottom Newcastle, while fellow strugglers Sunderland and Middlesbrough are also fighting to preserve their top flight status.
Ferguson admits he will rest some of his most important and influential players for obvious reasons, but insists that the side he does select at the KC Stadium will still be expected to win.
Ferguson, who is expected to include players such as Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher, Nani and Garry Neville in his line-up, said on Friday: “All the speculation and conjecture, I don’t think it has been fair.
“I think it’s important to a league that has the best integrity in the world.
“We will play our part in that. No matter which team I will play, I expect us to win.
“Nobody should worry themselves unduly about our intentions on this particular occasion.
“We are expected to win and will go there to win. That’s the responsibility we’ll always have.
“I did contemplate phoning the three managers involved, Gareth Southgate, Alan Shearer and Ricky Sbragia.
“Then I thought to myself well, Ricky Sbragia worked here and knows this club. He knows exactly what we are going to do.
“Gareth Southgate and Alan Shearer have played against us many times and know exactly what it’s like to play against Manchester United.
“So then I dismissed that idea because they must know that we will be doing our best.
“That’s always our intention, no matter where we are. To win a game of football.
“The other thing you’ve got to remember as well is that if I can trust them in a semi-final (of both the League and FA Cups), why can’t I trust them on the last game of the season when we’ve already won the league?
“It’s such a natural thing for us, to play players who have represented us in big games before. All the players involved on Sunday will also be going to Rome. They have been part of the squad all season.”
Ferguson admitted he was not surprised to see a club of Newcastle’s stature struggling in the bottom three of the table with one game remaining.
He added: “The pressure at the bottom never changes. Once the turn of the year comes along and you are down that bottom six or seven or whatever, it’s never easy. It’s only over the last few years that West Ham have bucked the trend.
“They won seven out of their last nine matches and that was a miracle – for that to happen in the modern game.
“Once you are down at the bottom of this league it’s very difficult to get out of it.
“It’s no surprise to see some big names down there. It happened to Nottingham Forest, to Newcastle before. It’s happened to Manchester United.”
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Chelsea faces UEFA disciplinary on June 17
May 22, 2009
GENEVA (AFP) – UEFA said Friday that Chelsea as well as Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa will face European football’s disciplinary body on June 17 following incidents in the Champions League tie against Barcelona.
The governing body said it had started disciplinary proceedings against the London club over the “improper conduct of players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters”.
Drogba and Bosingwa also face proceedings “for being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments,” UEFA added in a statement.
Drogba faces potentially severe sanctions over his confrontation with Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after Barcelona’s injury-time goal sent the London side crashing out of the Champions League semi-final last month.
His case was further aggravated by him screaming an obscenity into a television camera about the official.
UEFA examined both the referee’s and the delegate’s reports before it decided to refer the case to its Disciplinray and control Body.
The club and both players have until May 29 to file their submissions in the case.
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Wenger makes his point with customary elegance
May 22, 2009
“Highly intelligent” and “Arsene Wenger” sit neatly together in countless newspaper columns outlining the exploits, achievements and travails of the cerebral Arsenal manager.
Consequently there was no elaborate deconstruction required following an interview with a French television channel at the club’s training ground this week.
Wenger, who habitually brushes aside any question of his allegiance to the north London club, was asked his thoughts about yet another approach from Real Madrid if Florentino Perez returns as president.
“With Florentino Perez in charge, the project he has put forward would be interesting for any coach but I would prefer not to comment on this,” Wenger replied.
Wenger was fully aware that he had already commented. His response followed a sometimes acrimonious question-and-answer session with the Arsenal shareholders on the previous night and grumbling among fans who have been forced to absorb higher season ticket prices during a fourth consecutive season without a trophy.
The prospect of Wenger defecting to the Bernabeu after 13 years at Arsenal inspired an instant response in north London and one gratifying to the many supporters of a sensitive man committed to his vision of the beautiful game and convinced that style and success are not mutually exclusive. The group Redaction has mobilised a march of supporters for Sunday’s home match against Stoke and online petitions backing Wenger have been launched.
Wenger met Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Wednesday and was diplomacy personified afterwards. “There’s nothing to worry about,” he said. “I’m staying here. If that changes I will let you know, but don’t worry about that. It’s not an issue.”
To the majority of fans a semi-final spot in this season’s Champions League and fourth place in the Premier League, based on frequently brilliant if often brittle football, are no petty achievements. For the uncommitted, Arsenal in full flow are a reminder of the splendour which attracted them to sport in the first place.
The problem is the relentless pressure to succeed which distorts modern sport and has turned football clubs into franchises. Impatient chief executives believe pouring millions into their clubs should ensure success. The reality is more complex than a balance sheet.
If Wenger were to leave, Arsenal would lose a great and committed manager with a proven track record including two league and FA Cup doubles. His captain Cesc Fabregas may very well head to the exits along with a host of other carefully nurtured young talent. And where, then, would the club turn?
No man or manager is infallible. Frank McLintock, captain of the 1971 double-winning Arsenal side, alluded to a stubborn streak in Wenger and the lack of physical strength in the spine of the current team.
“If you do question his policy it can feel a bit like criticising the Pope,” McLintock wrote in the Guardian. “The team needs an immediate injection of power.”
A modern version of the rugged Scotland centre-half would be a start. It should not be beyond the wit of Wenger or the budget of Arsenal.
PHOTO: Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger watches during their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, May 16, 2009. REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Sunderland boss Sbragia frets over relegation
May 22, 2009
SUNDERLAND, England (AFP) – Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia admits his side will have only themselves to blame if they are relegated from the Premier League on Sunday.
Sbragia’s team go into their last match of the season at home to Chelsea just two points and two places above the relegation zone.
A defeat for the Black Cats coupled with victories for Newcastle, who play away to Aston Villa, and Hull who are at home to Manchester United, would see Sbragia and company relegated.
Sbragia, who took over when Roy Keane quit the Stadium of Light earlier this season, concedes that Sunderland can offer no excuses for their precarious position because they have been in woeful form in recent weeks.
“It’s happened over the 37 games, we have not been consistent enough,” he said on Friday.
“From our point of view, we have conceded too many and not scored enough, so it is down to consistency.
“We have had many chances to get out of the position we are in – we have not taken them and we are down to the final game.”
Sbragia’s men have won only one of their last 12 matches and the prospect of facing FA Cup finalists Chelsea has many Sunderland fans fearing the worst.
But the Sunderland manager draws inspiration from Bradford’s remarkable escape back in 2000, when David Wetherall’s goal sealed an unlikely and decisive victory over Liverpool to keep them up on the last day of the season.
“I am confident we still stay in the Premier League. I am confident but we have got to go and do it,” he said.
“I can remember Bradford playing Liverpool and nobody gave Bradford a hope in hell, and they won 1-0, so it can always happen.
“We have got to go out there and be a bit braver and take the game to them.
“Anything can happen in football, and we hope we can come out with a win.”
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Shearer confident ahead of Newcastle´s last gasp
May 22, 2009
NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Alan Shearer expects Newcastle to avoid relegation with a victory in the biggest match in the club’s history at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Shearer’s side will drop out of the Premier League for the first time in 16 years if they lose at Villa or if Hull and Sunderland win their fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.
It is a dire situation for one of England’s best supported clubs, who routinely pull in crowds of over 50,000 despite not winning a major trophy since 1969.
The cost of relegation would be measured in pound notes as well as pride at St James’ Park. The financial damage of relegation is estimated at around 60 million pounds in television revenue and commercial spin-offs, which would be a major blow to the value of a business in which owner Mike Ashley has invested a total of around 250 million pounds.
Shearer, who returned to the club as manager on a caretaker basis after Joe Kinnear’s heart operation, is well aware of the significance of the game, but the former Newcastle striker is convinced his players will rise to the occasion.
“It’s bigger than a cup final, a hell of a lot bigger than a cup final,” Shearer said on Friday.
“We have got one last throw of the dice and we have got to give everything in this particular game and see where we get to.
“I am totally convinced we will get out of it, yes, and I think more importantly, so are my players.
“I am trying to be as relaxed as possible. Obviously, I live in the city, I am aware of what it means, but also my players are aware of what it means as well.”
Shearer, who answered his hometown club’s SOS call with just eight games of a traumatic season remaining, insists the black mark on his CV if Newcastle do go down would be irrelevant compared to the stain on the club’s reputation.
“I am not important in this, Mike Ashley is not important in this. What is important is the football club. That will always be bigger and better than any one individual,” he said.
“Hopefully, I am standing on Monday morning talking about Newcastle as a Premier League football club. That’s the aim.
“We have now got a chance to save Newcastle – that’s the important thing. Anything else can wait, and anything else is irrelevant.”
Shearer hopes that captain Michael Owen, who is expected to train on Saturday as he continues his recovery from a groin injury, will be able to play some part at Villa Park.
However, right-back Habib Beye has been ruled out with his hamstring injury and Sebastien Bassong is suspended, with Shearer facing a choice between Fabricio Coloccini, David Edgar and Ryan Taylor as he attempts to put together another back four.
While Shearer will concentrate on events at Villa Park, he will also be hoping that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will do him a favour by fielding a side which can beat Hull despite reports the Scot will use reserves ahead of next week’s Champions League final against Barcelona.
Shearer said: “He has got a very important game on Wednesday, a huge game, a European Cup final, so he can play whatever players he wants, he can rest whatever players he wants.
“But we are talking about Manchester United here, the biggest and best squad in the league, so whatever team he puts out will be capable of beating Hull.”
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Real denies pre-agreement for Ronaldo transfer
May 22, 2009
MADRID (AFP) – Spanish giants Real Madrid denied Friday persistent media reports that it has a pre-agreement to sign Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
“Real Madrid wishes to deny news that have appeared in several media regarding an alleged signing of Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo. No pre-agreement exists between the club and the player, his agent or Manchester United,” it said in a statement.
“As everyone knows, Real Madrid tried to sign the player last summer, but Manchester United firmly stated he would not be transferred,” it added.
Spanish sports dailies AS and Marca on Friday reported Ronaldo’s pending transfer to Real on their front pages while top-selling daily El Pais said last week the player and United had both signed agreements.
Under those, Manchester would let the 24-year-old 2008 FIFA World Footballer of the Year leave after July for a minimum of 80 million euros (110 million dollars), El Pais said.
Former Real vice-president Juan Onieva told Spanish radio on Wednesday that the pre-agreement regarding Ronaldo’s transfer did in fact exist but he said signing the player for tens of millions of euros would be “madness”.
Onieva, who was Real’s vice-president from 1995 to 2000, on Wednesday announced that he will be a candidate for president of the club in elections slated for June 14.
He will face off against former Real president Florentino Perez, who ran the club from 2000 to 2006 and is the runaway favourite to win the elections.
Ronaldo, who is under contract with United until 2012, has dismissed the reports linking him with a move to Real, saying he is happy at the English club.
Real tracked Ronaldo all of last summer following his Champions League and English Premiership triumphs and 42 goals across the campaign before United boss Sir Alex Ferguson stepped in and emphatically vetoed his departure.
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Wenger vows to stay with Arsenal
May 22, 2009
LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger has moved to silence speculation over his future after the Arsenal manager was linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Wenger triggered reports that he could be prepared to leave the Gunners when he admitted that working at Real, if Florentino Perez wins the Spanish club’s upcoming presidental election, would be an “interesting project”.
It was suggested that Wenger had shown interest in Real as a warning to Arsenal’s board that they should come clean about the lack of funds available for him for to sign new players.
But Wenger, who was also unhappy with criticism from fans at a recent shareholders meeting, held clear-the-air talks with Arsenal’s directors and said on Friday there could be little doubt about his dedication to the north London club.
“I have shown my commitment always to this club, in good and in bad times and in the worst times, but I don’t think that people can question my commitment,” Wenger told Arsenal TV.
Arsenal have gone four seasons without a trophy after falling at the semi-final stage of the Champions League and FA Cup this season, but Wenger believes his team’s record in Europe over the last few seasons is still better than Real Madrid’s.
“I do not have to repeat every week exactly the same thing. I believe we had recent disappointment but overall since eight months (ago) I’m very proud of the way the team has improved,” he said.
“You speak about Real Madrid – they waste a lot of money and they have gone out in the last 16 of the Champions League for five consecutive years.
“We are very sorry that we haven’t won a trophy, but many clubs would be proud of the record we have in the last four years.
“With such a young team, if you consider the value of the team, the quality of the team and the investment we have made in the last four years, we do not have to be ashamed of the quality of the football we have shown.
“That is the most frustrating thing – the club is going in the right direction and we have to be strong enough to continue to do that.”
Arsenal’s Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been linked with a move to AC Milan and Wenger admitted the situation was complicated.
Asked if he was confident Adebayor would stay, Wenger said: “Yes, but that depends as well. It’s very difficult to go into any individual assessment with that.
“The only things I can say is that Adebayor is under contract and he’s with Arsenal, and that’s it.”
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Bougherra free to aid Rangers´ title push
May 22, 2009
GLASGOW (AFP) – Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra is free to play in Rangers’ title decider at Dundee United after his red card against Aberdeen was downgraded to a yellow by a Scottish Football Association review panel on Friday.
Bougherra was sent off for a high challenge on Dons keeper Jamie Langfield during last week’s 2-1 win at Ibrox.
But the SFA ruling means he is now available to play at Tannadice on Sunday because referee Stuart Dougal asked the panel to review his decision.
Rangers are two points clear of Glasgow rivals Celtic going into the final weekend of the season and victory over United would secure their first Scottish Premier League title in four years.
Aberdeen’s appeal against the dismissal of Charlie Mulgrew in the same game was also successful. The former Celtic player had his red card reduced to a yellow and will be free to play against Hibernian at Pittodrie.
Meanwhile, Celtic defender Glenn Loovens will also face the disciplinary committee as will Celtic’s Australian striker Scott McDonald.
Loovens was reported to the panel over a challenge on Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu during the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on May 9.
McDonald was referred by Dougal after the referee examined TV footage of his tackle on Dundee United defender Lee Wilkie three days later.
The disciplinary committee will not meet until the end of the season and any potential suspension would take effect next season. Both players will be free to face Hearts on Sunday.
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Wright-Phillips to miss England´s WCup qualifiers
May 22, 2009
MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra with a knee injury.
Wright-Phillips was expected to be named in Fabio Capello’s squad for the June double-header, but City manager Mark Hughes said on Friday the former Chelsea star is due for a knee operation that will sideline him for several months.
Hughes had hoped Wright-Phillips would play in City’s clash against Bolton on Sunday to prove his fitness for England. Instead he is set for a “wash-out” of his knee in the hope he can return for the start of next season.
“Shaun trained earlier this week but he got a reaction,” Hughes said. “Now he will have to see a specialist.
“He is not going to be available at the weekend and he may well have a wash out of his knee in the close-season that would enable him to be fit for the start of pre-season training.
“He has worked really hard trying to get fit but this problem needs to be addressed and we must look at it.”
Group Six leaders England face Kazakhstan on June 6 and host Andorra at Wembley on June 10.
Wright-Phillips’ absence is the latest blow to Capello, who has already lost injured goalkeepers David James and Ben Foster for the qualifiers.
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Exploding egg just the first of Broadfoot’s troubles
May 22, 2009
Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot is an unlucky man.
Earlier this month, the 25-year-old Scotland international was taken to hospital after an egg he was microwaving exploded. He was trying to poach the egg but hot liquid squirted out when he opened the microwave door, burning his cheek.
There followed lots of newspaper headlines about him having “egg on his face”.
The player was already ruled out for the rest of the season because of a series of niggles.
Now he has been told he won’t play again until November following surgery on his left foot.
It seems he isn’t a broad foot after all…
PHOTO: Scotland’s Kirk Broadfoot celebrates scoring against Iceland during their World Cup 2010 Group 9 qualifying soccer match in Reykjavik September 10, 2008. REUTERS/David Moir
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