Carsley: “An embarrassing case of cheating”

November 10, 2009

A controversial penalty proved to be decisive for Liverpool in their match against Birmingham City (2-2). Rafa Benitez’ squad needed a theatrical display by David Ngog to equalise. The French striker went to the ground after a tackle by Lee Carsley despite no contact appearing to have been made. Steven Gerrard converted from the spot.

“An embarrassing case of cheating,” Carsley described Ngog’s action. “I was absolutely nowhere near him.”

Birmingham City coach Alex McLeish also accused the French forward of diving. “It was a clear dive, it was not even close to being a penalty. This is a serious disgrace.”

Paul Haring

Tags: alex mcleish, birmingham city, coach alex, controversial penalty, David Ngog, disgrace, lee carsley, Liverpool, match, Steven Gerrard, striker

Ferguson, Platini question moneybags Madrid

September 5, 2009

UEFA president Michel Platini and Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson have implicitly questioned the wisdom of Real Madrid shelling out an unprecedented 250 million euros on new players this summer following the return of chairman Florentino Perez to the helm.

Construction magnate Perez returned earlier this year for a second spell in charge having been the man under whose tutelage Real launched their “galactico” era part one with the arrival of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Ronaldo and David Beckham.

But having gone even further this time in landing 94 million-euro man Cristiano Ronaldo from Ferguson’s United, as well as Kaka from AC Milan, Xabi Alonso from Liverpool and Karim Benzema from Liverpool, Platini and Alex believe Real’s spending spree is not necessarily going to turn them into world beaters.

“Florentino Perez wants to win everything and that’s why he has snapped up so many top stars. But we will see happens in May when the the Champions League final is played in Madrid,” Platini told Saturday’s Marca sports daily.

“The history of football shows it’s not always the big players who win tournaments, added Platini, who lifted the European Cup with Juventus as a player.

Marca quoted Ferguson as telling a reporter that “even if I respect them I don’t believe in what this Real Madrid represents.”

“Clearly, all these great players are going to produce good football and will provide their supporters with great days. It’s just that (coach Manuel) Pellegrini has yet to mould a team.”

MADRID (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, alex ferguson, Alonso, champions league final, coach alex, cristiano ronaldo, David, David Beckham, euro man, Ferguson, florentino perez, history of football, Karim Benzema, Liverpool, luis figo, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, Manuel, manuel pellegrini, michel platini, Milan, real madrid, ronaldo, spending spree, top stars, world beaters, xabi alonso, zinedine zidane

Grandel, three others out of Guadeloupe with injuries

July 6, 2009

OAKLAND – If Guadeloupe is going to repeat its semifinal outing in the 2007 Gold Cup, it will have to do it without four key players.

Goalkeepers Franck Grandel (shoulder) and Fabrice Mercury (hamstring), midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre (ankle), and defender Ronald Zubar (knee) are out with injuries.

All four are expected to miss Guadeloupe’s match against Panama Sunday.

Grandel, who was chosen the 2007 Gold Cup’s top goalkeeper and earned all-tournament team honors, has left Oakland for France where he is expected to rehabilitate with his new club Dijon.

Guadeloupe team officials said Grandel would have stayed had his shoulder been in better condition and would have waited to sign with Dijon.

Grandel didn’t have a club prior to being named to the Gold Cup roster. He’s considered one of the nation’s top players.

It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.

“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”

What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.

Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.

After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.

“Obviously because the players that were chosen, they were chosen for their quality and their experience,” Parnasse said. “So instead of now counting on the individual talent that was brought to this team, the players are going to have to bring themselves together and move forward.

It is not clear who will replace Grandel in goal. Assistant coach Alex Parnasse said Marius Fausta and Yohann Bus are possible replacements for both injured goalkeepers.

“We don’t know who will start,” Parnasse said in French through an interpreter. “It will be a game-time decision.”

What is clear is that Fabien Jerome, a defender, and midfielder Larry Clavier are slated to join the team as replacements.

Despite losing the handful of players to injury, Guadeloupe remains confident.

After all, they are not the favorite to win Group C, which includes Mexico.

By Ivan Orozco

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Tags: 2007 gold cup, Alex Parnasse, assistant coach, clavier, coach alex, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, dijon, fabien, Fabrice Mercury, fausta, France, franck grandel, game time, Goalkeeper, guadeloupe, handful, interpreter, Ivan Orozco, Jerome, Larry Clavier, Ludovic Sylvestre, Marius Fausta, mercury, Mexico, Oakland, Panama, parnasse, replacements, ronald zubar, team officials, time decision

United happy to be wearing white…just like 1991

May 27, 2009

Manchester United’s Red Devils will be wearing angelic white in Wednesday’s Champions League final, just how Alex Ferguson likes it.

Barcelona are the nominal home team for the ‘dream final’ in Rome and as their famous claret and blue tops clash with United’s usual red and their first choice blue away kit, the holders will wander onto the pristine Stadio Olimpico pitch in white.

“We’ll wear white, we are very happy with that,” Ferguson beamed.

Of course United wore white the last time they met and beat Barca in a European final, the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup showpiece in English clubs’ first year back in Europe after Heysel.

Former Barcelona striker Mark Hughes scored twice in the 2-1 win in Rotterdam.

What’s your prediction this time?

PHOTO: Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson arrives for a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League final soccer match against Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in Rome May 26, 2009. REUTERS/Max Rossi

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