Should Rooney seek his fortune abroad?
November 13, 2009
Manchester United fans will doubtless be pleased by Wayne Rooney’s latest comments pouring cold, or at least lukewarm water on the idea that he might move to Barcelona, or anywhere else for that matter.
Good news for United it may be, but I’m not so sure it’s in England’s interests for so few of the country’s leading players to try their luck abroad.
Whenever this subject comes up, I can’t help but look to the great strides made by Spain at international level, progress that must have been aided by the far more adventurous attitude taken by some of their players in recent times.
Spain used to have a similar reputation to England in this regard, with virtually everyone happy to stay at home and enjoy the riches available from clubs swimming in cash from huge TV rights deals. Heading into the 1998 World Cup, every member of the Spain squad played for a Spanish club, while four years later Gaizka Mendieta was the only export (and he was about to come home, after confirming a lot of prejudices in a nightmare season with Lazio).
Fast forward to Euro 2008, where a Spanish squad featuring Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres (all Liverpool) and Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) swept all before them.
Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but I suspect not. In the past, tensions always seemed to rise in the Spanish camp as long tournaments wore on (I covered them at Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup and at Euro 2004) but last year there was a new confidence about them.
Wouldn’t it be beneficial for England if their better players spent some time abroad, learning new languages, experiencing different cultures and absorbing new ideas?
I’m not specifically talking about Rooney, who I’m sure will go on and achieve even more at United. But would it really be so bad if players like him followed the example of Steve McManaman and David Beckham and tried something different.
PHOTO: Steve McManaman lifts up the European Cup at Madrid’s landmark Cibeles fountain May 25. Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 in the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris May 24 to secure their eighth European title.
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Celtic defender Kennedy forced to retire
November 13, 2009
Celtic defender John Kennedy retired from football on medical advice on Friday after losing his battle with a recurring knee injury.
Kennedy has struggled with knee problems since his Scotland debut against Romania in March 2004, when he suffered a serious ligament injury, following a challenge by Romanian striker Ionel Ganea, which kept him out for three years.
Several comeback attempts since then have failed and the 26-year-old, who made 45 appearances for Celtic after emerging from their youth academy, said: “It is with great regret that I have made this decision. However, given the medical advice which I received, this is the right decision.”
Hoops boss Tony Mowbray added: “It really is tragic that John’s career has been cut so short in this manner.”
GLASGOW (AFP)
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Chelsea claims compensation for injured Lampard
November 13, 2009
Chelsea will have to do without Frank Lampard for their Premier League summit meeting with Arsenal on November 29 after the England midfielder was ruled out of action for three weeks.
Lampard suffered a thigh injury while training with the England squad in Qatar on Thursday and flew back to London amid fears he could be sidelined for up to two months.
But after he was assessed by Chelsea’s medical staff on Friday morning, a club spokesman predicted that the muscle tear he suffered will need only three weeks to heal.
Chelsea will claim Lampard’s 151,000-pounds-a-week wages in compensation from the Football Association (FA) while he is sidelined.
The FA has dismissed reports that Lampard’s injury was caused by allegedly cramped conditions on the charter plane England used to fly to Doha for Saturday’s friendly with Brazil.
The same plane has been used by the squad for much longer trips, notably to Trinidad and to Kazakhstan.
LONDON (AFP)
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Schalke receive financial boost
November 13, 2009
Bundesliga giants Schalke 04 have received a much-vaunted financial boost after the city of Gelsenkirchen agreed to a €25.5 million investment in the club by its own energy service provider GEW.
The deal was sanctioned at a meeting of city councilors in the city hall on Thursday evening.
When the deal was first mooted several weeks ago, Schalke’s chairman Clemens Tonnies said the funds would be enough to see the financially-troubled club through to the end of the season.
The windfall should also alleviate the possible need for the sale of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, much to the relief of defender Marcelo Bordon.
Bordon was reported by the Bild newspaper to have said that it would be a good idea if Neuer were to be sold this winter, but he insists he was talking from a purely financial perspective.
“I didn’t say or mean that I am personally in favour of selling our goalkeeper, which is how it has been understood,” he said on his club’s website.
“Quite the opposite: If there is anything I would like on this issue, then it is to play together with Manu here at Schalke for as many years as possible.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Injured Lampard set to miss Arsenal clash
November 13, 2009
Chelsea’s medical staff has calculated that Frank Lampard will need three weeks to recover from his thigh injury. The 31-year-old midfielder sustained the knock during a training session with England.
Earlier reports suggested Lampard might be sidelined for up to eight weeks. The versatile midfielder returned home from Qatar on Friday, where the Three Lions are preparing for a friendly against Brazil, and the Chelsea medical staff revealed the injury is not as bad as first feared.
Lampard could miss a number of games including the top matches against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Paul Haring
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Barry wants Robinho at City
November 13, 2009
England international and Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has urged Brazilian star Robinho to stay at Manchester City, and claimed that any team in the world would welcome him.
Robinho’s future at Eastlands appears to be in doubt and he has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
He is also a candidate to feature in his country’s friendly international with England in Doha on Saturday despite injuries having sidelined him at City.
But, despite all the controversy, England midfielder Barry is keen for his club-mate to show his commitment to Mark Hughes’ side.
Barry said: “Robinho is one of the best players in the world and the way he plays football is typically Brazilian.
“All his flair and attacking abilities are probably the best around.
“I’ve only played three or four games with him since I came to City at the start of the season.
“But training with him on a regular basis is superb and he is great to have around.
“He’s a big star for Man City and a big star for Brazil.
“I’m not too sure how his fitness is at the moment and he has missed a lot of games for us.
“But I’m keen for Robinho to stay and he is a class player any team in the world would welcome.”
The possible absence of skipper John Terry with a calf injury has added to England’s problems and they will be missing many of their first-choice players.
But Barry is urging the players who are given a chance to use it to stake their claim to be part of Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad next summer.
England were decimated in similar fashion when they took on Germany in Berlin 12 months ago and produced an excellent performance to triumph 2-1.
Barry said: “When the fixture was announced, a lot of the players were looking forward to coming out here and playing Brazil but all the injuries seem to have come together.
“At the same time, the chance is now presenting itself for a lot of players to stake their claims.
“We are playing against the best team in the world so, if you can perform to a good level against them, it’s going to put you forward in line for the World Cup.
“The history for England recently has been injuries leading up to the big tournaments and, touch wood, that doesn’t happen next year.
“But you do need a big squad so there will be players trying to put their name forward.”
Barry is a massive fan of Brazilian football and knows a win against them would add to the high level of confidence that has developed among the players after clinching a World Cup spot with nine victories from 10 qualifying games.
He said: “I suppose, when I was growing up, the player that stands out would have been Ronaldo, who was a great striker.
“Brazil have always had great flair and have been the number one nation in football for a lot of years.
“To put in a performance against Brazil and get a victory would lift everyone’s spirits. The confidence is already high but a victory would send it through the roof.
“Playing Brazil is something I’ve been looking forward to for a while. To test yourself against them, with their history, is a big challenge.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
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Referees´ rep slams ban on United boss Ferguson
November 13, 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson was told he’d “got off lightly” by the union representing England’s top referees after receiving a four-game touchline ban for an outspoken attack on referee Alan Wiley.
The Manchester United manager, who admitted a Football Association (FA) charge of improper conduct, publicly labelled Wiley as “unfit” after his Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3.
But on Thursday he was banned for four games, of which two are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, fined 20,000 pounds (33,148 dollars) and warned as to his future conduct following his “grossly improper and wholly inappropriate” comments about Wiley.
However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of officials’ union Prospect, accused the FA of “flunking” the issue by not imposing a harsher punishment upon the 67-year-old Scot and so undermining their own ‘Respect’ campaign, designed to encourage better behaviour towards referees.
“From our point of view it is disappointing. The Football Association had a chance to make a point and they flunked it,” Leighton said. “We don’t think this is sending the right message out to other managers.
“This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex but he has a particular stature within the game and if he is seen to be getting off lightly other managers may think what he said was not beyond the pale.”
Peter Griffiths, chairman of the commission which imposed the ban on Ferguson, said after Thursday’s hearing: “Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements and stature within the game.
“Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities.
“The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate. He should never have said what he did say.”
Ferguson, who will receive the commission’s full findings on Friday, has the right of appeal.
But should he accept the ban, Ferguson is now set to be barred from the dug-out for United’s Premier League matches later this month at home to Everton and away to Portsmouth
The commission said the suspended sanction would be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010/11 season on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.
Ferguson accused Wiley of not being “fit enough for a game of that standard” and of “walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest”.
Soon after the original incident, Ferguson apologised to Wiley for speaking out, although, significantly, not for the content of his remarks.
“I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views,” Ferguson said.
“My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game.”
Following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance.
He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an “absolutely ridiculous” position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
LONDON (AFP)
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Faithless Ferguson sounds a familiar tone (Updates with ban)
November 13, 2009
Thursday update: Nothing to do with this incident, of course, but worth noting that Ferguson has been banished to the stands, receiving a two-match ban and a fine of 20,000 quid for the comments he made about Alan Wiley in October.
So, the FA has decided to get tough with the United boss. Are they right to do it? Read the full story here.
You might think Alex Ferguson would have realised, after half a century in the professional game, that the view from the manager’s dug-out is rarely objective or entirely accurate.
And if a referee does happen to make a mistake, which he is bound to do in the high-speed hurly-burly of a Premier League match, the Scot might also have come to the conclusion that venting your spleen at the powerless fourth official is a waste of everybody’s time.
But no, it seems not. Week after week, month after month, season after season, barely a match passes without Ferguson complaining about something that didn’t go United’s way.
On Sunday, when he might have been questioning his decision to play only one striker in a cautious approach to the showdown with Chelsea or berating his walkabout defence for failing to defend the key free kick, he found three reasons why John Terry’s goal should not have stood.
The initial foul on Ashley Cole by Darren Fletcher should not have been given, he said. Wes Brown was impeded in trying to defend the subsequent Frank Lampard free kick and Didier Drogba was offside and obscuring Edwin van der Sar’s view of the ball when it went in.
Of the hat-trick, the initial one appeared to have the most merit but any number of aggressive tackles are deemed fouls these days and Cristiano Ronaldo used to benefit as much if not more than anyone else in that regard.
The marginal contact between Drogba and Brown is also small beer in the current climate where wrestling in the box ahead of free kicks and corners has become an established part of the game. Rest assured that when Steve Bruce was patrolling the centre of United’s defence he would not have allowed himself to so easily be taken out of the game at a vital moment.
TV replays were inconclusive over Drogba’s position and, even if all three moans were justified, people have surely just stopped listening.
“You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that’s the way the players are talking in there — it was a bad one,” he said, with Wayne Rooney chipping in by apparently mouthing “12 men” at a TV camera as he trudged off at the end.
PHOTO: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London November 8, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
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Should FIFA throw the book at Maradona for outburst?
November 13, 2009
Argentina coach Diego Maradona will appear in person before a disciplinary hearing at FIFA headquarters on Sunday to explain his foul-mouthed outbursts (plural) following the win over Uruguay in Montevideo last month.
The result, at the very end of an 18-match campaign, finally clinched Argentina’s place at the 2010 World Cup after they had looked in serious danger of missing out for the first time since 1970. Maradona “celebrated” with an expletive-laden tirade at the hapless touchline reporter who went to interview him.
If he had left it at that, he could perhaps have passed it off as a heat of the moment incident. Instead, he spewed out more obscenities — which he says were aimed at the media — at the post-match press conference, broadcast live on a number of networks in several countries.
FIFA quickly caught on and opened disciplinary proceedings for his unruly behaviour. These could result in a stadium ban which, if applied only to competitive games, would effectively rule him out of part or possibly all of Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
Maradona would basically be restricted to organising training sessions (which so far under his leadership have resembled playground kickabouts) and giving motivational speeches at the team hotel to his players.
Maradona said he was angry at non-stop criticism of his coaching and team selections, reports that he has fallen out with his coaching staff and suggestions that he is not up to the job.
The criticism came after he used more than 70 players and lost World Cup qualifiers to Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Ecuador.
The Clarin newspaper also pointed out that when he was on the sidelines, Maradona was perfectly happy to publicly slag off his predecessors Marcelo Bielsa, Jose Pekerman and Alfio Basile.
Some media say they are tired of Maradona giving exclusive interviews to a few hand-picked chums and ignoring the rest, with the added insult that, when he does give a press conference, it is invariably cancelled or delayed.
What should FIFA do? And, if he is banned, should Argentina look for someone else who could actually coach the team from the dugout?
PHOTO: Argentina coach Diego Maradona celebrates after his team won its 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay in Montevideo October 14, 2009. REUTERS/Andres Stapff
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Atlante drawn to face Al Ahli-Auckland winner, possibly FC Barcelona
November 13, 2009
CONCACAF Champions League champion Atlante will play the winner between Egypt’s Al Ahli and Auckland City of New Zealand in its opening game at the Club World Cup in December.
Thursday’s draw at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace set the pairings and schedule for the annual club championship December 9-19.
Atlante would begin play December 12 against Al Ahli or Auckland with the winner of its match to play European champion FC Barcelona in the semifinals four days later.
The third-place and title match are set for December 19.
CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer is the chairman of the Club World Cup organizing committee and oversaw the draw.
First Round
Wednesday, December 9
Al Ahli FC (Egypt) vs. Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
Friday, December 11
TP Mazembe (DR Congo) vs. Pohang Steelers FC (Korea Republic)
Second Round
Saturday, December 12
Al Ahli-Auckland winner vs. Atlante FC (Mexico)
Semifinals
Tuesday, December 15
Mazembe-Pohang winer vs. Estudiantes (Argentina)
Wednesday, December 16
Al Ahli-Auckland_Atlante winner vs. FC Barcelona (Spain)
Fifth Place
December 16
Mazembe-Pohang loser vs. Al Ahli-Auckland_Atlante loser
Saturday, December 19
Third Place
Semifinal losers
Championship
Semifinal winners
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates
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