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Allardyce hits out at Benitez

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has hit back at Rafa Benitez following the Liverpool’s recent victory over Rovers.

The Reds manager was critical of Rovers’ performance. But Allardyce believes the Spaniard’s criticism of Blackburn aimed at bouncing attention away from his own team’s recent struggles.

Allardyce told The Mail on Sunday, “Blackburn’s performance was the best any of my teams have played there.

“Benitez knows his team played poorly and were lucky to get a win so he deflected any criticism by personally criticising me.

“That covered the true facts that we had better opportunities than them and came extremely close to beating what is supposed to be an outstanding Liverpool team.

“Being able to wind up a manager is satisfying, even if it doesn’t quite work your way in terms of results.”

Big Sam accused Benitez of trying to hide his team’s struggles. The Blackburn boss claimed Benitez is angered of the difficulty he faces when the Reds meet a team managed by Allardyce.

Allardayce continued, “It just galls him that we make things difficult for him when he plays against my teams.

“There’s no love lost between us.

Allardyce said that the criticism aimed at him for his team’s style of play is more of a perception than a fact.

“The truth is Liverpool are having to dig out results when they are not playing well.

“They didn’t particularly earn the win last week but they dug it out.

“My reputation has been a perception for some time rather than a reality.

“It’s a great shame for the Blackburn players because it’s not their fault the manager is tagged by a so-called long-ball style.

“It’s just not factual.”

Tags: Allardyce, ball style, beating, Benitez, blackburn, boss, galls, Liverpool, liverpool team, mail on sunday, perception, rafa, reds manager, reputation, Sam, sam allardyce, shame, Spaniard, true facts, truth, victory

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Review ban upsets Makelele

Paris Saint Germain skipper Claude Makelele hit out Friday at his one-match ban saying it was “unacceptable,” after French football’s disciplinary body turned a yellow card into a suspension.

Makelele said he feared that referees would go after him following a squabble between his coach Antoine Kombouare and a rival over the ability of the 36-year-old former French international midfielder.

“It’s a shame this ban comes now. It’s unacceptable. I just hope there won’t be a Makelele case.”

“I ask refs to referee me the same as anyone. It’s a bit tiring all this,” he added.

Makelele ended up at the disciplinary hearing on Thursday in the aftermath of the spat between Kombouare and Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff.

Kombouare said Gourcuff “deserves a smack in the mouth”, for claiming Makelele was “past it”.

Makelele, who joined PSG from Chelsea in 2008, had been considered fortunate to avoid a red card for a foul on Sigamary Diarra and the disciplinary committee decided to review the case.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: aftermath, Antoine Kombouare, CHELSEA, Christian Gourcuff, Claude Makelele, diarra, disciplinary body, disciplinary committee, disciplinary hearing, french football, Germain, gourcuff, Lorient, midfielder, PARIS, paris saint germain, referee, referees, shame, skipper, spat, squabble, yellow card

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Hull not interested in Barton

Hull on Saturday dismissed reports linking them with controversial Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.

Hull want to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season but say they are not planning to offer the 27-year-old a Premier League lifeline.

Assistant manager Brian Horton said: “Joey Barton is a very good footballer. I know him, I have done things with him in Manchester.

“He has obviously had issues and that is a shame because he can be a very good footballer but at this present time I don’t think it’s an area that really needs to be looked at.”

Hull have had a frustrating summer in the transfer market with three high-profile targets opt for other clubs.

They lost Fraizer Campbell and Marc-Antoine Fortune to Sunderland and Celtic respectively with an attempt to sign Michael Owen also came to nothing as Manchester United stepped in.

Horton added: “It is frustrating, we are trying like hell.

“But they have gone to three big clubs. If we were losing Joe Bloggs from Division Three it would be a different matter.

“We want to bring someone in but we need to have a bit of patience, things will evolve.

“It’s not the fact we are not trying to get better players in.”

HULL, England (AFP)

Tags: brian horton, celtic, English Premier League, fraizer campbell, hull england, joe bloggs, joey barton, lifeline, manchester united, marc antoine fortune, michael owen, midfielder, NEWCASTLE, patience, premier league, present time, profile targets, shame, Sunderland

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Hull deny Barton rumors

Premier League side Hull City have denied reports linking them for a possible summer swoop of Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton.

The Liverpool born midfielder, who is one of many high-earners at St James’ Park, could be offloaded by the Magpies following their unxpected relegation.

While Tigers boss Phil Brown is keen to strengthen his squad after only narrowly avoiding the drop last term, but has no plans to bring in the controversial 27-year-old to the KC Stadium.

When asked if there was any truth in the rumours, assistant manager Brian Horton said: “No.”

“Joey Barton is a very good footballer. I know him, I have done things with him in Manchester.

“He has obviously had issues and that is a shame because he can be a very good footballer but at this present time I don’t think it’s an area that really needs to be looked at.”

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: boss, brian horton, earners, English Premier League, HULL, hull city, joey barton, kc stadium, Liverpool, magpies, Manchester, midfielder, NEWCASTLE, phil brown, premier league, present time, relegation, shame, St James, st james park, swoop, tigers, truth

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Honduran midfielder Thomas signs for Wigan

LONDON (AFP) – English Premier League side Wigan have signed Honduran international midfielder Hendry Thomas on a three-year contract, subject to international clearance.

The 24-year-old was due to join the Latics last summer but his transfer was torpedoed as he did not meet the work permit criteria in terms of the number of times he had played for his country.

That situation has now improved and a deal was agreed a couple of months ago between the clubs, with the player now passing a medical and agreeing terms.

Thomas was originally spotted by former manager Steve Bruce, who has now left the club to take over at Premier League rivals Sunderland.

He will be the third Honduras international to play for Wigan, with left-back Maynor Figueroa featuring in every Premier League match last season and fellow midfielder Wilson Palacios becoming a pivotal figure before his January transfer to Tottenham.

“Everyone knows how well Wilson and Maynor have done in the Premier League and it is no wonder there was lots of interest in Hendry, who comes from the same club as those two and has impressed,” said new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez.

“What happened last season here was a shame but the player now has the chance to prove himself over here.

“He is a powerful figure in midfield, who can sit in front of the back four and destroy attacks, or can also come forward and score.

Thomas is now a regular for Honduras and has won 31 caps for his country.

“What happened last year was very disappointing for me personally,” he said.

“But I have worked hard all season to stay fit and qualify for the work permit rules and it is a dream come true for me to come to England.

Tags: caps, contract subject, England, English Premier League, fellow, hendry, Honduras, latics, london, match, maynor, midfield, midfielder, palacios, pivotal figure, roberto martinez, score, shame, Steve Bruce, Sunderland, Thomas, Wigan, Wilson, wilson palacios

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South Africa striker Parker uncertain for Brazil

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – South Africa face a worrying 24 hours to find out if striker Bernard Parker will be fit for Thursday’s Confederations Cup semi-final against Brazil.

Parker picked up a minor knee injury in training on Wednesday and is due to undergo medical tests later on Wednesday and in the run-up to kick-off.

Coach Joel Santana reported: “Bernard had a slight problem and he was advised not to continue training.

“He’ll be having check-ups to see if he is able to play. It’ll be a shame if he doesn’t take part tomorrow (Thursday) as he’s a new and spontaneous talent.”

The Red Star Belgrade forward has been instrumental in getting South Africa into the last four with his two goals sinking New Zealand to help the hosts take the runners-up spot in their group.

That brace was sweet redemption for Parker after he unwittingly blocked Kagisho Dikgacoi’s goal-bound header in the 84th minute of the opening 0-0 draw with Iraq.

The winner of Thursday’s game will play the victor of Wednesday’s semi-final in Bloemfontain between Spain and the United States.

Tags: Belgrade, Bernard, Bernard Parker, bloemfontain, brazil, check ups, coach, confederations cup, hosts, Iraq, Joel Santana, johannesburg, knee injury, medical tests, New Zealand, Parker, red star belgrade, runners, santana, shame, South Africa, Spain, sweet redemption, United States, ups, WC Qualifying South-Africa

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Cristiano Ronaldo ignores Portuguese award

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to receive the Portuguese ‘Personality of the year 2008′ award, becoming the first recipient in 20 years to ignore the honor all-together.

“We are not going to hand over the award as [Ronaldo] hasn’t replied in any way to the invitation to receive it,” said organisation president Belen Rodrigo.

“It is a shame not having received even a few words of gratitude from his part. Previous winners always received it with great pride. Ronaldo doesn’t value the award with which he represents his country,” she added.

In the past, the award has been received by well known personalities as Luis Figo and European Commission President Jose Barroso.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: belen, cristiano ronaldo, English Premier League, European, european commission, european commission president, few words, hasn, invitation, Jonathan Roorda, luis figo, Manchester, manchester united, personalities, personality, President Jose Barroso, pride, recipient, rodrigo, ronaldo, shame, words of gratitude

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Zaki on his way out at Wigan

LONDON (AFP) – Egyptian striker Amr Zaki is set to leave Wigan after manager Steve Bruce announced that he would not take up the option of making his loan deal permanent.

The 26-year-old had a tremendous start to the season after joining from El Zamalek, with eight goals in his first 10 matches, but he has not scored from open play since mid-October and his last goal came on December 28.

Zaki has been badly hit by injuries and his relationship with Bruce has turned sour.

In early April he was fined for the fourth successive time after returning late back from international duty, leading to Bruce labelling the player “the most unprofessional I have worked with”.

Zaki has played only three times since then and the knee injury sustained at West Brom just over a week ago means he has almost certainly played his last game for Wigan.

Bruce also felt the player allowed his head to be turned by links with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool after making an early impact on the Premier League.

“I’ve made my decision already, a letter has gone to his club, we will not be taking up the option to sign him when his loan ends,” said the Latics boss.

“The writing has been on the wall for a while now but it’s a shame, it really is.

“There was no doubt Zaki had the world at his feet last October when he scored those two goals against Liverpool at Anfield.

“He had a wonderful chance over here but he was badly advised I think, he listened to the wrong people.

“If he had listened to the people he should have done – his adviser is a decent fella – he would have been okay.

“It’s a shame it’s worked out this way, he set us on fire with those goals earlier in the season.

Tags: adviser, amr, amr zaki, anfield, CHELSEA, december 28, el zamalek, English Premier League, fella, knee injury, last game, Liverpool, loan deal, MADRID, no doubt, premier league, real madrid, shame, Steve Bruce, striker, west brom, Wigan, Zaki

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Matthäus to leave Maccabi Netanya at end of season

German manager Lothar Matthäus will have to leave Maccabi Netanya at the end of this season. The Israeli club is in financial trouble and no longer able to afford the coach.

“Maccabi Netanya proposed to terminate our contact, which was set to end in 2010, as result of the economic recession. I agreed. It’s a shame because I would have liked to stay longer,” Matthäus commented.

The former midfielder and World Cup winner joined Maccabi at the start of the season after being without a club for almost one year. In 2007, the German was fired from Red Bull Salzburg despite co-leading the team to the Austrian title.

Maccabi are currently in fourth position in the Israel Ligat Al, nine points behind leaders Maccabi Haifa.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Bundesliga, coach, economic recession, financial trouble, haifa, israel, jonathan, lothar matthäus, Maccabi, midfielder, netanya, red bull salzburg, roorda, Salzburg, season, shame, World, world cup winner

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Gemma Atkinson & Marcus Bent Split

The on-off WAG Gemma Atkinson is off again with ‘baller Marcus Bent, shame they make a cute couple!

Apparently the pair split due to work commitments but I think that’s a poor excuse, there must have been more to it than that… But unfortunately only Gem’s and Marcy know what that is.

Anyway on to brighter things like Gemma’s beauty tips, the WAG has revealed all in Fabulous magazine.

To keep her skin looking lovely, Gem uses Elemis Maximum Moisture Day Cream and Maximum Replenish Night Cream. She also carries around a trusty pot of vaseline for her lips.

Gemma is somewhat of a gym freak, so looks pretty great but even she admits to having a little cellulite and has regular sport massages to help get her circulation going.

And also makes sure she protects herself with lots of suncream and aftersun lotion whilst on her many holidays.

So there you have it all you need to look like Gemma Atkinson, well it’s a start!

Go to Source

Tags: baller, beauty tips, cellulite, circulation, commitments, Cream, cute couple, Fabulous, fabulous magazine, freak, Gemma, gemma atkinson, hellip, lips, lotion, lsquo, Marcus Bent, marcy, massages, Maximum, Moisture, night, pair, poor excuse, pot, Replenish, rsquo, shame, skin, Source, split, Sport, start, suncream, vaseline, wag, WAGS, Whilst

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