Pompey boss Grant pleads for sympathetic court verdict

February 12, 2010

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant believes his crisis-hit club deserves a sympathetic verdict when its future is decided in the High Court.

Premier League Pompey face a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs and were this week given some breathing space to stabilise their finances and prove the club is a viable business under new owner Balram Chainrai.

The Fratton Park outfit owe 7.4 million pounds (8.5 million euros) to the Revenue and have a host of other creditors as debts have mounted to over 60 million pounds (68 million euros).

Portsmouth confirmed on Friday that the High Court hearing to decide their fate has been set for March 1.

“Portsmouth Football Club has been informed by the High Court that the hearing of the winding-up petition against the club by HMRC has been provisionally fixed for Monday, March 1,” a statement read.

“The club is working towards bringing new finance into the business and is in advanced talks with prospective buyers.”

Chainrai is trying to find new investors to avoid Portsmouth being wound up or put into administration and is speaking to two parties but no deal has been agreed yet.

And Grant, who is trying to focus on Saturday’s local derby at Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round, called on the High Court to remember Portsmouth is more than a business to its supporters.

“When you buy a building or a property, there are no feelings behind this. But this is not a normal business,” Grant said on Friday.

“The team belong to the fans because they support the club from the day they are born until they day they die.

“We need to think about this. When someone is doing something wrong, you punish them and this is not an easy case because there is money involved.

“But they need to think about the fans, the players and the staff also.”

Pompey’s clash with League One Southampton is sure to be a fiercely-fought encounter as the old enemies meet for the first time in five years.

Grant knows it will take more than fighting spirit for his side, currently bottom of the Premier League, to reach the last eight.

“Everybody has spoken to me about the history between these clubs,” he said.

“But I don’t want to use the word they say because I don’t think it’s a war. On the pitch, it is a big competition but we need to play football.

“I think Southampton play well as a team – they defend as a team and they attack as a team. I think this is the Alan Pardew way – he did the same at West Ham and it will be tough.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 60 million, Alan Pardew, avram grant, breathing space, creditors, easy case, fighting spirit, Fratton Park, hm revenue and customs, hmrc, london, march 1, new finance, old enemies, pompey, Portsmouth, portsmouth football club, premier league, prospective buyers, Southampton, viable business, west ham, winding up petition

Italy considers vaccinating players for swine flu

September 25, 2009

Italian football officials are considering large-scale vaccinations for players to protect against swine flu.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi told the ANSA news agency Friday that “the possibility of vaccinating all the players on every team is being considered.”

Earlier this month, Italy announced its first swine flu victim was a 51-year-old man with chronic heart problems who died in a Naples hospital.

Italy expects swine flu to peak between December and January, with 1.5 million to 3 million cases. A vaccination campaign beginning Nov. 15 will immunize up to 40 percent of Italy’s 60 million people. The first wave of vaccinations will target 9 million, including health workers. A second wave will begin in February.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: 5 million, 60 million, ansa news agency, coach marcello lippi, flu, football officials, health workers, heart problems, Italy, italy coach, naples, old man, second wave, swine flu, vaccination campaign, vaccinations

Real set for 60mln euro Ribery bid: press

August 29, 2009

Real Madrid are preparing an audacious 60 million euro last minute bid to lure Franck Ribery away from Bayern Munich before the transfer window closes at midnight on Monday, Spanish sports daily Marca suggested here Saturday.

Real, who on Friday sold Dutch striker Arjen Robben to Bayern, are ready to make “a last attempt” to buy the highly coveted 26-year-old, the paper states.

The Spanish club’s president Florentino Perez held talks about the French star’s transfer with his Bayern counterpart, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Friday, As reported.

Real have been chasing 26-year-old Ribery for weeks but up to now have met with stiff resistance from Bayern who insist Ribery is staying put in Munich.

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: 60 million, Bayern, bayern munich, counterpart, florentino perez, franck ribery, french star, karl heinz rummenigge, last attempt, MADRID, marca, Munich, paper states, real madrid, ribery, robben, spanish club, spanish sports, stiff resistance

Real star signings no guarantee for success: Fergie

July 29, 2009

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Real Madrid that signing superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka could unbalance their team.

The Spanish club paid a world record 80 million pounds fee to sign Ronaldo from United and splashed out 60 million pounds for AC Milan’s Brazil playmaker Kaka.

Lyon striker Karim Benzema has also moved to the Bernabeu but Ferguson is unconvinced by Real’s decision to sign so many high-profile players.

“There’s a very good example of a team in the 1950s, Sunderland, who spent so much money it was known as the Bank of England club. They didn’t win anything and in the end they got themselves relegated,” Ferguson told The Times.

“I’m not saying Real Madrid will get relegated, but it’s difficult and they will have plenty of problems with balance.

“I wouldn’t want to be coach Manuel Pellegrini picking his first team with all those individuals. I told Ronaldo he will end up playing centre half because they don’t have one.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 60 million, ac milan, bank of england, bernabeu, brazil, england club, Ferguson, kaka, Karim Benzema, london, Lyon, MADRID, Manchester, manuel pellegrini, Milan, playmaker, real madrid, ronaldo, sir alex ferguson, spanish club, Sunderland, world record

United chiefs allow Fergie to splash cash on players

July 23, 2009

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been told he can spend up to 60 million pounds on new players.

Ferguson has been relatively quiet in the transfer market since the end of the last season despite losing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

The Scot paid 16 million pounds for Wigan’s Antonio Valencia, three million pounds for Bordeaux starlet Gabriel Obertan and landed Michael Owen on a free transfer from Newcastle before insisting he wouldn’t be making any more signings.

That angered some United fans, who claim United’s owners, the Glazer family, have weakened the club’s financial position by amassing huge debts when they bought the Premier League champions.

Glazer family spokesman Tehsin Nayani conceded that United have to fund interest payments of 43.3 million pounds a year to service the 750 million pounds loan used to buy the club.

But he insists their financial position remains healthy enough for Ferguson to spend big on players if he wants.

“We do have debt service and carry a significant amount of debt,” Nayani told the Sun. “But our interest payments are around 43.3 million pounds a year while our operating profit was 80 million pounds topped by an extra 25 million pounds from transfer profits.

“So we are talking about a net amount of about 60 million pounds. That’s cash that can be reinvested in the squad, doing up the toilets or new carpets.

“The point is there is money coming into United. One thing that is certain, because of globalisation and the growing middle classes in India and the Far East, the appeal of football is set to grow. We are part of that story.”

United have been criticised over their failure to make a big signing while neighbours rivals Manchester City have been splashing the cash with a host of expensive new arrivals.

Yet Nayani claims Ferguson is selective regarding his transfer policy and that he will not pay over-the-odds or fund excessive salaries.

“The truth is a lot more prosaic than that,” Nayani added. “The delay is because the manager has not been able to locate the players that he believes fit into the Manchester United mindset, ones that are motivated to play for United.

“You don’t want mercenaries, to pay over the odds for players not willing to give their all for the club.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 60 million, alex ferguson, Antonio Valencia, Bordeaux, Carlos, carlos tevez, cristiano ronaldo, debt service, family spokesman, financial position, Gabriel Obertan, Glazer, glazer family, globalisation, India, interest payments, league champions, london, manager alex ferguson, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, michael owen, NEWCASTLE, operating profit, premier league, ronaldo, Scot, starlet, the Far East

Ibrahimovic claims Chelsea interest

July 12, 2009

Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed Sunday that Premier League giants Chelsea are set to make a 60 million pounds (97 million dollars) move for him.

The Swedish international said: “I am fully aware that Chelsea want to sign me and, of course, it is very flattering. They are one of the biggest teams in Europe and the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world.”

He told the News of the World: “Money is not the most important thing. I will base my decision on what’s good for me, what suits me.

“It is about asking: will I still be able to be special in the league that I am going to, to the team that I am going to?

“Are my qualities right for the Premier League or not?”

Ibrahimovic, 27, has spent the past five years with the Serie A side who won the Italian league title this season, and has netted more than 150 league goals to date as well as 20 for his country.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: 60 million, CHELSEA, English Premier League, Europe, giants, Inter, inter milan, italian league, london, Milan, million dollars, news of the world, premier league, Serie A, striker, swedish international, world money, zlatan ibrahimovic

Barcelona want to keep Eto´o: president

June 22, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Sunday he hoped Samuel Eto’o would see out the rest of his career at the club despite interest in the Cameroon striker from major European clubs.

Eto’o “is the best striker in the world, highly valued in the market. It would be nice if he could finish his career at Barca,” said Laporta.

But “Eto’o’s contract ends next season and that requires us to sit and talk. The club wants him to continue for many more years, always in line with our wage structure,” he was quoted as saying on the club’s website.

Eto’o was Barcelona’s top scorer in the league last season with 30 goals, and helped them win a unique treble of league, Spanish cup and European Champions League trophies.

But the 28-year-old has reportedly sparked interest from big-spending English Premier League club Manchester City and Italy’s Inter Milan.

Spanish media say Barca value him at 60 million euros.

Tags: 60 million, Barcelona, cameroon, champions league, club manchester, contract, English Premier League, European, european champions, inter milan, Italy, joan laporta, LA Liga, MADRID, manchester city, Milan, samuel eto, samuel eto o, spanish cup, spanish media, striker, top scorer, treble, trophies, wage structure

Barca chase Mascherano – report

June 18, 2009

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) – European champions Barcelona are hot on the trail of Liverpool’s Argentine international midfielder Javier Mascherano, Catalan sports daily Sport reported Thursday.

Thew club’s head of technical affairs Txiki Begiristain and director of football Raul Sanllehy met with the player’s two agents for two hours at a Barcelona hotel, according to Sport, to thrash out a potential deal and “establish the interest of the two parties.”

Mascherano has been dubbed unsellable by the Reds’ Spanish coach Rafael Benitez, who says he would not even sell the player for 60 million euros.

Tags: 60 million, Argentine, Barcelona, barcelona hotel, barcelona spain, catalan, chase, daily sport, director of football, european champions, hot on the trail, Javier Mascherano, LA Liga, Liverpool, mascherano, midfielder, rafael benitez, raul, Raul Sanllehy, reds, Spain, spanish coach, sports, technical affairs, thew, txiki

Al Fahim´s Portsmouth bid ´going ahead´: spokesman

June 16, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – A bid to take over Premier League club Portsmouth by an Abu Dhabi investor is set to go ahead, a spokesman for the billionaire buyer was reported as saying on Monday.

Sulaiman Al Fahim has provided documentation showing his offer meets requirements set by the Premier League, a spokesman for Al Fahim told BBC sport.

Last month Fahim said he had agreed in principle to the deal after meeting Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie in Rome.

However premiership officials expressed doubts, notably about Fahim’s role in the Abu Dhabi United Group’s takeover of Manchester City in September. The same investor is not allowed to have a controlling interest in more than one club, according to League rules.

The only party involved in the take-over bid is Fahim’s company “Al Fahim Asia Associates,” the spokesman insisted.

Current owner Alexandre Gaydamak has reportedly accepted an offer of around 60 million pounds from the property billionaire.

Earlier this year, 32-year-old Al Fahim was reported to have inquired about buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich as part of a consortium believed to have bid more than 700 million pounds.

But he eventually settled on Portsmouth and plans to overhaul the Fratton Park club, who finished 14th in the Premier League this season, a year after winning the FA Cup.

Fans in Portsmouth are keen to see a new owner inject funds into the club which got through three managers – Harry Redknapp, Tony Adams and Paul Hart – for much of the season, while star players Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra were sold.

Tags: 60 million, abu dhabi, al fahim, alexandre gaydamak, bbc, billionaire, CHELSEA, controlling interest, defoe, doubts, English Premier League, FA Cup, Fratton Park, Harry Redknapp, lassana diarra, london, manchester city, paul hart, Peter Storrie, Portsmouth, premier league, roman abramovich, ROME, star players, Tony Adams, united group

Ribery and Bayern have a big decision to make

May 29, 2009

Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery is a joy to watch. His acceleration, ball control and creative play have quickly elevated him to the Bundesliga’s biggest asset.

But come next week the Frenchman could be gone as the pulling power quickly fizzles out of the German league.

Werder Bremen’s Diego has already left for Juventus. Hertha Berlin strikers Andriy Voronin and Marko Pantelic have said goodbye to their fans and Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko also looks set to leave.

The potential departure of Ribery, rumoured to be close to a deal with Chelsea, Real Madrid and every other major European club while his wife is reportedly looking for a house in Barcelona, largely depends on him.

Despite a contract to 2011, if Ribery decided he wanted to move on there would be little stopping him, even with a 50-60 million price tag. Ribery happens to be one of these players who can turn a match around and few teams would hesitate to come up with the cash.

Bayern have said he is not on the market, but this looks more like a feeble attempt to ward off any predators. Bayern manager Uli Hoeness then said this week he would not even pick up the phone if the figure was around 40 million euros. But somehow neither Hoeness nor general director Karl-Heinz Rumenigge have ruled out he could indeed go.

Bayern have tried to keep Ribery happy during a troubled season. They did finally secure second spot winning automatic qualification for the Champions League, which seemed to be a minimum requirement for the gifted French playmaker to stay on.

Then they dished out about 30 million euros for Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez and hinted another big name could come after consultation with new coach Louis van Gaal. Ribery had long said the team needed strengthening and now the club is coming through.

Then there are the fans. Adored in Munich like no other, it is unlikely that he will find a major European club where he will enjoy the kind of superstar status only he enjoys in Bavaria.

Bayern may be kind to Ribery now. They could be equally ruthless though if the right buyer came along. With Hoeness planning to become club president in the new year, the business-minded manager, who has long said the credit crunch is going to bite even deeper, would be delighted to take over with an injection of 50 or 60 million in cash.

New signigns Anatoliy Timoschuk, Ivica Olic, Alexander Baumjohann and Gomez will also keep them competitive even without Ribery.

PHOTO: Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery celebrates his goal after scoring against Bayer Leverkusen during their German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Munich, May 12, 2009. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

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