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Premier League could use goal-line technology in 2012-13

2012-07-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

Goal-line technology could be introduced in the Premier League midway through the 2012-13 season after it was approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Zurich.

Two systems - Hawk-Eye and GoalRef - have passed Fifa's criteria for use.
The technology will first be used at December's Fifa Club World Cup and, if successful, at the 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup.

How does Hawk-Eye work?

Hawk-Eye's system works by using six cameras, focusing on each goal, to track the ball on the pitch.
The system's software then uses "triangulation" to pinpoint the exact location of the ball.
If it crosses the goal-line an encrypted radio signal is sent to the referee's wristwatch to indicate a goal has been scored.
In line with Fifa's requirements, the whole process takes less than a second to complete.

The Premier League said it wanted it "as soon as practically possible."

A statement following IFAB's announcement added: "The Premier League has been a long-term advocate of goal-line technology.
"We welcome today's decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawk-Eye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible."
FA general secretary Alex Horne said it was up to the Premier League to decide on a timescale for implementation.
"It may be December until the technology is absolutely finally approved and installed in stadia," he said at a press conference in Zurich. "Priority is given to the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan.
"The Premier League need to talk to the two [technology providers] and the clubs. My understanding is that clubs are supportive and, in principle, as long as all clubs agree it could be introduced part-way through the season, it could be before the start of 2013-14 season, it could be part way through.

How does GoalRef work?

GoalRef uses a microchip implanted in the ball and the use of low magnetic waves around the goal.
The system then detects any change in the magnetic field on or behind the goal-line to determine if a goal has been scored.
The process takes less than one second, with the result electronically relayed to the referee.

"We have already got Hawk-Eye at Wembley, it needs to be calibrated and make sure it's working properly and licensed so we are nearly there and we could turn it on on quite quickly.

"The FA Cup would be our decision and we could say for the semi-finals and finals of the FA Cup we could turn it on, I don't think that is a very controversial decision."
Horne added that he felt it was "a hugely important day" for football.
"We believe that it is a great day for football. From an English perspective, today is a hugely important day. It is a cause we have had on our agenda for a number of years.
"This is about having the right technology helping the referee in a relatively rare occurrence."

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Goal-line technology to go ahead

And FA chairman David Bernstein also hailed the decision, saying: "I think it is a momentous day and I'm proud to have been part of this decision-making."
The systems will require testing after they are installed in each stadium to ensure they are working properly before they can be used, with licenses lasting for 12 months.
Hawk-Eye was tested at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium in May and Fifa thanked the FA for its assistance.
A Fifa spokesman said: "We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the Football Association for their willingness to support the live match tests, a critical part of Test Phase 2 for goal-line technology."
IFAB was keen to stress that technology will not be used to help referees make any other decisions.
The desire to bring in goal-line technology increased after Ukraine were denied an equaliser after the ball appeared to cross the line in a 1-0 defeat by England at Euro 2012.

What they said on Twitter

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand: "Goal-line technology approved... losing the essence of the game, debate, human error etc... saying that Hawk Eye in tennis is exciting!"
QPR midfielder Joey Barton: "Goal-line tech given green light in Zurich. At last, better late than never. Great news..."
Former USA captain Alexi Lalas: "So we finally have goal-line technology and the Higgs boson subatomic particle. This should clear everything up."

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said: "We see every season, every big tournament, we need it because there are some crucial moments within those games where you could find the right solution with a bit of technology."

Uefa president Michel Platini is believed to prefer the use of five match officials, something which was also approved by Fifa on Thursday.
The system, which sees an extra official posted behind each goal-line to monitor action in and around the penalty box, has been on trial since 2008 and was in use during Euro 2012 as well as last season's Champions League.

Football's governing body also lifted a ban on women wearing headscarves during games, clearing the way for the participation of many Islamic nations in top-flight competition.

2012-02-18T06:54:00.000-08:00

Neil Warnock appointed Leeds United manager

Neil Warnock has been appointed manager of Leeds United, promising fans he has "one big challenge left in me".

Leeds have been without a manager since Simon Grayson was sacked on 1 February.

The former QPR boss, 63, said: "I feel I have one big challenge left in me and believe Leeds is a club that should be in the Premier League.

"I want to be the man who is able to deliver this for a set of fans who never cease to amaze me with their numbers and loyalty."

Warnock, who was sacked as Queens Park Rangers manager in Januaryafter a run of eight Premier League games without a win, has signed a deal until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates said: "We believe the appointment is arguably the most important we have made.

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"The objective was to appoint a manager who had a proven track record of getting teams promoted and in Neil we have a man whose record is second to none.

"We want to be in the Premier League and we will support Neil in the quest to get us there."

Youth team boss Neil Redfearn, who has been in temporary control of first-team affairs at Elland Road, will take charge for Saturday's game against Doncaster Rovers before returning to his role in the academy.

Warnock, one of only 19 bosses to have taken charge of 1,000 domestic matches in England, spent 20 months at Loftus Road and led Rangers to promotion from the Championship last season.

He began his managerial career at Gainsborough Trinity before leading Scarborough to the Football League and winning successive promotions with Notts County.

Promotions with Huddersfield and Plymouth were followed by spells in charge of Oldham and Bury, with Warnock taking control at hometown club Sheffield United in December 1999.

He led the Blades to semi-finals in both the FA and League Cups and, after a play-off final defeat, promotion to the Premier League in 2006.

Warnock then took charge of Crystal Palace before moving to QPR.

Grayson, who was sacked after three years in charge at Elland Road, guided Leeds to promotion from League One.

2012-02-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

Live - Pakistan v England, third one-day international, Dubai

By Phil Dawkes

PLEASE MANUALLY REFRESH THIS PAGE (all times GMT)

GET INVOLVED: Tweet us using the hashtag #bbccricket , text on 81111 (UK) with "CRICKET" as the first word, or email tms@bbc.co.uk(with "For Phil Dawkes" in the subject line). Make sure YOU PUT YOUR NAME on your texts or we can't use them.

Match scorecard

From Kieren, on a train heading north, via text: "I'm with Ramiz Raja on this one, anything around 220 will be a tough chase under the lights and against their spinners."

50th over - Pkn 222 all out

Pakistan plunder eight runs from the final over, bowled by Broad. Cheema unexpectedly chips in with four of them, largely thanks to a well-timed flick through mid-wicket. His and Pakistan innings ends in calamitous fashion, though, courtesy fo a final-ball run out.

49.5 overs - WICKET - Cheema run out 5 (Pkn 222 all out)

Gul clips the last ball away and claims one run but is reluctant to take a second and leaves the charging Cheema stranded. He turns to try and get back but only makes it half way before being run out.

Craig in Blackpool, via TMS inbox: "Finn should be the second name on any England team sheet at the minute after Cook. Outstanding bowling whenever called upon."

Ramiz Raja on TMS: "Finn's fitness and pace is up and he is tailor-made for international cricket. I think we can say England missed a trick by not playing him in the Test matches."

49th over - Pkn 214-9

Ajmal twice takes evasive action and gets away with it, plundering two runs in the process. His dismissal brings in Cheema, who grabs a single from his first ball and then watches on as Gul edges the final ball of the over past Kieswetter for four.

48.4 overs - WICKET - Ajmal b Anderson 4 (Pkn 209-9)

Anderson's pace is too much for Saeed Ajmal and he is bowled off his pads, while looking to punch the ball into the leg side. Last man Aizaz Cheema joins the action.

Ramiz Raja on TMS: "Absolutely fabulous bowling from Finn, Adnan Akmal was going nowhere against him, he just wasn't good enough. The tail doesn't seem to have any form or class with the bat, if you have a thin batting line-up your tail has got to come to your rescue."

48th over - Pkn 205-8

Finn ends his spell in fittingly superb style. Just one run conceded and another wicket taken. He ends with 3-24 from his 10 overs. His claim for a Test spot is beginning to look to strong to ignore.

47.3 overs - WICKET - Adnan Akmal b Finn 9 (Pkn 204-8)

Adnan's frustration gets the better of him as he backs away to make room to force Finn into the offside but is bowled instead. Finn is one more wicket away from yet another impressive four-wicket haul. He deserves it. Saeed Ajmal is the new man for Pakistan.

47th over - Pkn 204-7

With his partner frustrated at the other end, Gul decides to take action and he connects superbly with a Patel delivery to send it into the stand behind the bowler. Pakistan past 200.

46th over - Pkn 196-7

Finn returns and raps Adnan on the pad with his first ball. An appeal draws nothing from the umpire. Finn's line and length was a challenge for the Pakistan top order and it proves an even sterner test for the tail. Adnan Akmal can do nothing but bat each delivery out for a maiden. Yes, a maiden. In the 46th over. Superb stuff.

Ramiz Raja on TMS: "Even a 220-230 would be a good total, batting under lights has been difficult and I think the spinners will enjoy bowling on this track, with a bit of dew and grip."

45th over - Pkn 196-7

Samit Patel replaces Jimmy Anderson as the lights kick in at the Dubai International Stadium. Gul has taken it upon himself to propel Pakistan on as he chips one into the leg side to claim two runs. Pakistan are edging towards 200.

44th over - Pkn 191-7

I said limping. Clearly Gul has other ideas as he dances down to the pitch of Swann's fourth ball and plants it in the stand beyond mid-wicket. Beyond that it was another tidy over.

Geoff Boycott on TMS: "Pakistan have got to stop all these dot balls."

43rd over - Pkn 184-7

After threatening to go on the charge a few overs ago, Pakistan are limping towards a total now. Anderson dominates Adnan and Gul as you would expect a bowler of his class to do against the tail. Just one run is conceded courtesy of Adnan's flick to mid-wicket from the second ball.

42nd over - Pkn 183-7

Swann concedes a single to Adnan and then a brace to Gul but keeps the latter on strike for the remainder of the over without a further run being added. Solid stuff from the spinner.

41st over - Pkn 180-7

Anderson is neat and tidy, restricting the Pakistan pair to singles until finally the pressure tells on Afridi and a good over becomes a great one for England. Umar Gul joins Adnan at the crease. Anderson is now the leading English wicket-taker against Pakistan in one-day internationals.

40.5 overs - WICKET - Afridi b Anderson 51 (Pkn 180-7)

A key quick-fire double from England swings the game firmly in their favour. Afridi knew the responsibility was his to give his side a competitive total, but in attempting to flick away a straight ball to leg he is cleaned up by Anderson. England are now into the tail.

40th over - Pkn 177-6

It's Afridi's turn to raise his bat as he reaches 50 himself from 52 balls , courtesy of a single from the returning Broad's first ball. That can't be many Boom Boom 50s that include only four boundaries. He's played extremely well. The wicket follows, though, to take the shine off Afridi's joy. Adnan replaces brother Umar at the crease.

39.5 overs - WICKET - Umar Akmal ct Patel b Broad 50 (Pkn 176-6)

Broad claims his third wicket, but it owes as much to Samit Patel as it does to the bowler. Broad's short ball forces Umar to miscue his shot to mid-wicket, causing the ball to loop up and allowing Patel to dive to snare a catch low down. He gets criticised for his fitness the spinner, but that was very agile. Unneccessarily, a review is called for, but it only proves for certain that England have taken a key wicket.

39th over - Pkn 175-5

England turn back to Anderson and is treated with respect by a sensible, yes sensible, Afridi. Shahid and Umar pick up four singles, the latter of which sees Akmal move on to 50 . He has played a key role in Pakistan's fight back, amassing that half-century from 88 balls.

38th over - Pkn 170-5

Finn is inches away from claiming a decisive wicket for England. He cuts one back from just short of a length and it darts through Afridi's defence but just over the stumps. Finn really is looking every inch an international bowler now. Afridi, though, has been every inch an international batsman for some time and he responds by lofting a drive straight back past the bowler for four. England won't mind that. It was a good length delivery and they will be happy to see Boom Boom taking more risks.

37th over - Pkn 164-5

Pakistan are playing this quite cannily after a disastrous opening. They are respecting the powerplay and refusing to get drawn into unchecked shots that cost them wickets, knowing Afridi could capitalise later. Afridi may be near a strike-rate of 100 but he has struck only two fours and one six. Broad returns for England. It is a good over with just three singles taken from it.

Nick Meekings on Twitter: "England's relative domination in the ODIs is nice to see but small consolation. For me Test cricket still means so much more."

36th over - Pkn 161-5

Pakistan take the batting powerplay as Finn returns to the England attack. With plenty of men on the leg-side boundary, the bowler adopts a short approach, which allows both Afridi and Umar to pick up runs but, crucially, not boundaries. It is a good philosophy from England and Finn is fulfilling his part with aplomb.

35th over - Pkn 157-5

Following a brief drinks break, Patel continues and does well to keep Pakistan's aggression at bay. He limits Afridi and Umar to prodding the ball largely to leg to plunder a series of singles. Afridi seems less inclined to swing away at Patel, aware of the danger his spin presents.

34th over - Pkn 152-5

Umar cuts Swann's first ball to pick up a couple of runs and sweeps to bring Afridi back onto strike. Shahid goes aerial with a sweep of his own, which falls safe and gives him a brace. A single from the next ball makes it six runs from the over. Pakistan are setting themselves for a big late charge. England could do with a wicket, ideally Afridi.

From Kush in London via text: "This is the closest we'll ever see to Afridi "digging in". His strike rate is above 90 though!"

33rd over - Pkn 146-5

In light of Afridi's eagerness to take Bopara apart, England sensibly make a bowling change that brings Patel back into the action. The spinner speeds through an over, with Pakistan steering deliveries into gaps to regularly pick up runs.

32nd over - Pkn 140-5

Afridi is clearly the man who can inflict maximum damage on England, but he and Umar are sensibly picking up 1s and 2s whenever they can. They regularly work Swann away to keep the scoreboard moving. Will Pakistan use their batting powerplay to allow these two to capitalise?

Ramiz Raja on TMS: "Pakistan going along at a good pace but it's all about batting out the 50 overs, it's important that this partnership continues for another 10 overs at least."

31st over - Pkn 135-5

Afridi stands as Bopara delivers. Shahid drives for a single, has strike returned to him next ball, then lofts a drive to the mid-off boundary. An Anderson mis-field (a rarity) in the mid-off area allows Boom Boom one more run to take him to 26 off 28 balls.

Sunil Gavaskar on TMS: "If Afridi can hang around Pakistan will be hoping to get to around 200."

30th over - Pkn 128-5

Well, it was only a matter of time before Afridi connected. He simply can't help himself. Swann's first ball is smashed down the ground for a straight six. He drills another to wide long-off, but Patel fields well to restrict it to two runs. Boom Boom adds another run with a drive to mid-on. The crowd have woken up a bit now that Boom Boom is in town.

29th over - Pkn 119-5

Ravi Bopara is into the attack with his medium pace. Afridi's eyes light up and he leans back to swing a short-arm pull through midwicket for four. After returning to the strike, Umar is similarly eager to pile into the Essex man but cannot connect with a couple of wild swings.

From Steve, bored in the office, in Chester, via text: "England don't need do do anything special from here just keep things tight, Afridi will get himself out if we restrict him of any 1s and 2s. And they hardly have a strong lower order!"

28th over - Pkn 114-5

Another good over from Swann that could have seen him claim the wicket of Umar. The batsman flicked away aerially to mid-wicket, but it was just beyond the grasp of the diving Samit Patel. Just two runs conceded as England continue to dominate.

Sunil Gavaskar on TMS: "The timing of the [Kieswetter] dive was a bit wrong but he's certainly been a lot better here that he was in India."

From Jareth, on the train to the Stadium of Light, via TMS inbox:"I'm torn between wanting us to skittle them out and soundly beat them to avenge the test whitewash, and wanting them to post a score competitive enough to allow Chef to go for his hat-trick."

27th over - Pkn 112-5

Broad fancies his chances of an lbw against Afridi but gets little response from Aleem Dar. The umpire's judgement is proved correct when replays show it was heading down leg. Unpertrubed, Afridi continues in typically aggressive fashion, swinging and missing before claiming a single. Next man Adnan Akmal will be on the edge of his seat.

26th over - Pkn 110-5

Never scared of going on the attack, regardless of the circumstances, Afridi swings away at Swann's second delivery, mis-timing his shot dreadfully, but he gets away with it and claims a single. Swann keeps it tight otherwise and concedes just two more runs.

25th over - Pkn 107-5

Umar angles Broad's second ball down to third man for a single, bringing Afridi to face. England shift their field appropriately, bringing in a slip in the knowledge that Afridi could well be tempted to swing away. Boom Boom keeps out two deliveries before pulling away to midwicket for a single. Umar returns to strike and gets lucky when his stab presents a low catch to Kieswetter, only for the keeoer to spill his one-handed diving effort.

24th over - Pkn 103-5

Swann continues to twirl away. Afridi gets off the mark with a little tickle to short leg and Umar adds a brace and a final single. It takes Pakistan past the 100 mark, but their position is precarious.

Jason McWood on Twitter: "Being a bit porky never hampered Shane Warne...."

23rd over - Pkn 99-5

Broad returns to the attack, concedes two runs from his second ball courtesy fo Umar's flick past midwicket, but other than that keeps it tight. Pakistan need something special now.

22nd over - Pkn 97-5

Swann concedes three runs early on but tightens up after and the run out makes it a very successful over for England. The new man is Shahid Afridi, who may be Pakistan's last hope for amassing a match-winning score here.

21.4 overs - WICKET - Shafiq run out 18 (Pkn 97-5)

Well that's something from nothing. Swann draws an lbw appeal after rapping Shafiq's pad but this is waved away. However, the batsmen attempt a run only to change their mind and Shafiq is forced to dive to try and get back into his ground. Alastair Cook quickly returns the ball to Kieswetter, who whips off the bails and a replay shows Shafiq's bat was in the air when this action was taken. That, my friends, is out.

21st over - Pkn 94-4

Much to his frustration, Shafiq is finding England fielders with regularity. He and Umar are able to keep the scoreboard ticking over with some well-taken singles from Patel's over. These two batsmen are starting to find a rhythm now.

From Martin in Perth, WA, via TMS inbox: "Re unplanned bodily functions - Phil, it sounds like you might have had a problem with your follow through."

20th over - Pkn 89-4

Anderson is just dragging his bowling a little short at times. After Umar nicks a quick single, Shafiq is able to slash away and earn a boundary down to third man. He wafts twice more to the following two deliveries but fails to connect with either to Anderson's relief. It's third time lucky for Shafiq, though, as he smashes one to the cover boundary.

19th over - Pkn 80-4

Another rapid over from Samit flies by with Shafiq unable to get off strike. The batsman had a couple of meaty swings but found only England fielders and the pressure increases with a superb maiden.

18th over - Pkn 80-4

Umar adds two runs with a push behind square before Anderson is wayward from his third delivery and the ball is diverted for four off the leg of Umar. Two further singles take Pakistan to 80.

Jack Allum on Twitter: "Can someone please explain to me how Patel is picked when he is in the condition he is in? He surely can't be fit."

17th over - Pkn 72-4

Patel continues and earns an lbw appeal with his fifth delivery as Shafiq tries to drill the ball through mid-wicket. Nothing doing, though. A steady stream of singles keep Pakistan ticking over.

16th over - Pkn 68-4

We're into the bowling powerplay as Jimmy Anderson returns to the attack. It's a solid return for the Lancashire lad. Umar nicks a quick single after dropping the ball into the off side, but then Shafiq flashes and is fortunate not to nick off to Kieswetter. Another run is added from the final ball from a neat angled shot down to third man by Shafiq. Pakistan are very slowly rebuilding here after England's four-wicket blitz.

Geoff Boycott on TMS: "I've seen quite a lot of people here for a Pakistan match but this is a pathetic crowd."

From Steve in Jarrow: "Once played in a game which was abandoned because the umpire was going to be late for Bingo."

15th over - Pkn 65-4

It's a double spin change as Samit Patel enters the attack. Pakistan work him around the crease to add a further five runs. And that's drinks.

14th over - Pkn 60-4

Graeme Swann and his lovely spin is into the attack and makes an efficient start, going for just a brace of singles.

From Pete Blott, via TMS inbox: "I played in a club game years ago where the umpire was violently sick during the bowler's delivery stride, with the result that the unfortunate bowler slipped over into the residue. The bowler got back to his feet and promptly laid the umpire out with a single punch. The game was delayed by some half an hour whilst clothes were changed and tempers cooled but both parties had a drink together in the bar afterwards."

I've got a story of mine involving unplanned bodily functions on a cricket pitch, but I fear it is wildly inappropriate to tell it here. Maybe I'll save it for Cricket text commentary uncut.

13th over - Pkn 58-4

Such is Umar Akmal's style that after blocking four balls he unleashes on a slightly wayward delivery from Broad and hammers it to long-off for four. A further single follows from the final delivery.

12th over - Pkn 53-4

A rare wide from Finn starts the over, before Pakistan take a very risky single in the circumstances as Shafiq skips through following a dab to leg. Had Pietersen hit with his throw, Shafiq could have been in trouble. Umar is left to block until nicking a single off the last ball.

From Dan in Cumbria: "A few seasons ago our local cup final match was abandoned after the umpire fell on the wickets injured the batsmen and snapped the wickets while breaking his finger. Epic."

11th over - Pkn 50-4

Broad completes a wicket maiden. His second on the trot. The new man is Umar Akmal and there is a serious amount of pressure on his and Shafiq's shoulders.

10.3 overs - WICKET - Misbah-ul-Haq ct Swann b Broad 1 (Pkn 50-4)

It just gets better and better for England. Broad may have had a bad first over but he has struck back in style. Another off-stump delivery has its length badly judged by Misbah who looks to drive through cover but succeeds in only steering the ball to Graeme Swann at slip. Misbah looks to the sky, England high five around him.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew on TMS: "I prefer the one review rather than two because you can't gamble, you've got to be sure what you're doing is right, otherwise you've lost it for the team. I'd like to see one in Test cricket."

Tafi75 on Twitter: "Played a 20-20 game earlier today in Dubai. Could hardly see the batsman from long on. Thankfully the sandstorm has subsided."

From Naveed Jawaid, via the TMS inbox: "In Karachi 1997, our match was abandoned as ground was booked for a marriage ceremony going to happen in the ground later in the eve."

10th over - Pkn 50-3

Finn's consistency is rewarded again, not only with a wicket but with an economical over that sees the newly arrived Misbah-ul-Haq steal a single from a edgy forward defensive prod but no other runs. England are on top. Take Broad's first over out of the equation and it would look very worrying for Pakistan, if it doesn't already.

9.1 overs - WICKET - Hafeez lbw Finn 29 (Pkn 49-3)

England on a roll now. Hafeez gets half a step in to a full Finn delivery and is rapped on the front pad. The umpire's finger is quickly up in response to a vocal appeal and after briefly considering a referral, Hafeez opts against it and trudges forlornly from the pitch.

9th over - Pkn 49-2

This is much more like it from Broad. The wicket has transformed him as he adopts an efficient line and length to keep new man Asad Shafiq on strike for five deliveries without scoring.

8.1 overs - WICKET - Azhar ct Kieswetter b Broad 5 (Pkn 49-2)

Broad certainly can follow suit. And more. The bowler's first well-placed delivery draws a nick from the outside of Azhar's bat and Kieswetter has a simple take behind the stumps. The effectiveness of off-stump bowling, illustrated in one delivery.

8th over - Pkn 49-1

Finn brings a return to order, with the big man sticking to that simple off-stump line. Just two runs conceded and Pakistan's tide is stemmed. Now, can Broad follow suit?

Geoff Boycott on TMS: "Anything short they're going to go for and there's a good chance with an edge or off the middle it will go for four. Pitch the damn thing up full up and straight! Get it in the blockhole!"

From Nick the Physio in Bolton , via TMS: "Once played a club cricket game in Staffordshire when a bull raided the pitch scattering the fielders,batters and umpires!! We did finish though."

7th over - Pkn 47-1

England's first bowling change sees Stuart Broad on for Anderson. It's not a good start as a wayward delivery outside off is hacked to the backward point boundary by Hafeez. That was a gift. Another short, wide ball two deliveries later is again hacked away, this time by Hafeez, and Eoin Morgan catches at point. But wait, it's a no ball. The free hit is smashed to the cover boundary. As is the next ball. And the next. Wide, short and simply not good enough from Broad.

Matthew Wright, via TMS inbox: "You live a charmed life Phil. Setting sun behind the bowler's arm! I've lost my off-stump several times because of that!"

6th over - Pkn 31-1

Finn is hitting that corridor of uncertainty with regularity here and the Pakistan batsmen are duly respectful. Azhar skips through for a single from the fourth delivery, with Samit Patel scurrying round to collect and hit with a throw. You won't be surprised to learn Patel was a bit slow out of the blocks and Azhar makes it home.

From Chris Clarke, via TMS inbox: "As a teenager I recall playing a cricket match for the 1st Burnham Boys Brigade Company at St Andrews Way playing fields in Cippenham. It must have been about 1957. Play was hastily abandoned and we beat a hasty retreat when a gang of angry hornets took exception to our presence!"

5th over - Pkn 28-1

Much better over from Anderson. There is one wayward delivery - the last - which Hafeez chops away to fine leg, where Kevin Pietersen dives to prevent a boundary, but two runs are conceded.

From Pete, via TMS inbox: "I once was in a school match called off because the temperature in the middle was higher than body temperature. Spoilsport teachers."

4th over - Pkn 24-1

The new man following Farhat's dismissal is Azhar Ali, who treats Finn with the respect he has earned. The new man does manage to add two runs from a flick to leg.

3.4 overs - WICKET - Farhat ct Kieswetter b Finn (Pkn 22-1)

As in his opening over, Finn again plugs away on a consistent off-side line and is rewarded as he draws a nick from a push from Farhat, which Kieswetter dives to his left to take superbly. Finn is the man with the ball at the moment.

Simon Twells on Twitter: "Might be a bit more interesting to see how our batsman react when chasing down a score."

3rd over - Pkn 19-0

Anderson starts with a beauty that nips away from the ailing Hafeez. The batsmen looked uncomfortable there but gets off strike with a little prod to leg. Jimmy's inconsistent line costs him, though, as he concedes two boundaries, Farhat flicking both through leg. Positive start from Pakistan, enabled somewhat by Anderson.

2nd over - Pkn 10-0

After his wicket-taking exploits in the first two matches, it is Steven Finn opening from the other end for England. His is a far tidier affair than Anderson's as the Pakistan batsmen show the big pace bowler some respect. A solid line outside off-stump restricts them to just one further single.

Nicholas Rowe, via the TMS inbox: "A match I played in was abandoned because 'Sandstorm stopped play' - any other obscure reasons matches have been abandoned?"

Not that obscure, but I have played in a game abandoned because of sunshine, when the setting sun fell directly behind the bowlers arm from one end.

1st over - Pkn 9-0

It's Jimmy Anderson with the first over for England. Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat opening for Pakistan. Pakistan are off the mark first ball with Hafeez chopping down to third man for a single. They then add the first boundary from the next ball as Farhat flicks one of his legs to the fine leg boundary. Pakistan make it a good first over by adding a further four runs.

1058: Alastair Cook leading England out on to the pitch at the Dubai International Stadium. We'll be under way very soon. As expected it's a packed crowd. Not really.

From Bilal Vorajee via Twitter: "Cant wait to seet Alastair Cook bat and get another century, come on England!!!"

From Tony in Leeds, via the TMS inbox: "Don't worry about the technology regression, it's a bit like watching Sir Geoffrey's batting - slightly painful with nothing happening for minutes at a time, but somehow strangely comforting."

1052: Yesterday also saw England's women get their five-match Twenty20 series with New Zealand off to a winning start courtesy of a six-wicket victory in Wellington. Anya Shrubsole was the hero for the tourists, taking 5-11 in her four overs.

1049: Before we get under way here, there are results from elsewhere in the world of cricket to either bring you/remind you of: in Wellington yesterday, New Zealand beat South Africa by six wickets in a Twenty20 encounter, while in Sydney Sri Lanka beat Australia by eight wickets via Duckworth/Lewis in a Triangular Series match.

1045: TMS is now up and running over on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.Head over and let Aggers, Geoffrey and the boys guide you through the action. As well as me, of course.

From BBC Sport's Tim Peach in Dubai: "At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium - sandstorm seems to have lessened - conditions still not great, though."

1042: You may have seen yesterday that England's cricketers needed to don sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sand as it stormed its way around Dubai. No suggestions as yet that the match is under threat, butJonathan Agnew has tweeted to suggest it won't be very pleasant for the players today due to the grainy stuff.

1039: Unfortunately, you won't be able to enjoy this service in all its refreshed glory as technical problems mean we're having to adopt a minimalist approach. I and the rest of BBC Sport are hugely apologetic for this.

1034: TOSS NEWS

The coin goes up and Misbah-ul-Haq calls correctly. The Pakistan captain opts to bat. Their hopes of notching their first win of the series are not helped by the absence of Younus Khan through illness. Asad Shafiq replaces him. They have also made a change of of wicket-keeper with Adnan Akmal, replacing Abdur Rehman taking the gloves from his brother Umar Akmal. England are unchanged, as you would expect.

1030: Welcome all to what could well be England's UAE redemption. After being comprehensively outplayed in the recent three-Test series by Pakistan, Andy Flower's side have rallied in impressive style for the one-dayers. Victory here in Dubai will see them convert an unassailable 2-0 lead in this four-match series into a winning one. If I was you I'd forget about that shower, surround yourself with a vast collection of easily-digestible snacks, put your feet up and enjoy.

2012-02-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

Live - Saturday football

All times in GMT

GET INVOLVED: Tweet me @mikehensonbbc using the hashtag#bbcfootball or text me on 81111 (UK) with FOOTBALL before your message. Make sure YOU PUT YOUR NAME on those texts though.

By Mike Henson

1426: Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay puffs out his cheeks in the posh seats as the match comes to an end and what remains of the home crowd boos.

David Morris on Twitter: "What a load of rubbish- I think AVB may have had his chips- so poor at the moment."

1426: Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay puffs out his cheeks in the posh seats as the match comes to an end and what remains of the home crowd boos.

FULL-TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Birmingham

1423: Birmingham pump into the Chelsea box from a deep free-kick, but Curtis Davies can only direct his header over the top.

1421: Lampard cracks it into the base of the Birmingham wall and the chance is gone. Three minutes of injury time to see a winner emerge.

1420: Possibly the last chance for Chelsea who have a free-kick on the edge of the box with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard over it...

1418: A late opening from Birmingham as David Luiz steps up and fails to win his header. Nathan Redmond nips in behind him but he doesn't look comfortable and runs around the ball to take a shot with his favoured right foot. It is a bit of a duffer and runs gently through to Petr Cech.

1415: A big penalty shout for Chelsea as Branislav Ivanovic attempts to surge on to Didier Drogba's smart backheel. The Serbian hits the deck as a defender runs across the back of him, but Martin Atkinson is not interested.

David Pleat on BBC Radio 5 live: "Although Chelsea have completely dominated possession in this half, Colin Doyle hasn't been unduly worried."

1414: Frank Lampard trots on but the crowd are not happy about the fact that Juan Mata is the man heading in the opposite direction. Chris Burke has replaced Wade Elliott for Birmingham.

1413: There are four fixtures in the Scottish Premier League today with troubled Rangers expected to have the biggest football crowd in the UK today for the home game with Kilmarnock. Thomas McGuigan will guide you through all today's Scottish football action.

Adam, from Kidderminster, texts: "It doesn't matter if Chelsea win this now, it will just mask what is clear to everyone - AVB doesn't seem to be getting anywhere near the best out of these players."

1411: Ten minutes remaining and Chelsea are still probing around the fringes of the Birmingham box. There is not a lot of penetration though and Frank Lampard is being readied on the sidelines for the home side.

1408: Jordan Mutch wins a free-kick for Birmingham. It is 40-odd yards out but he takes it on himself with a decent low hit thudding into Petr Cech's midriff.

Mark Lawrence on Twtter: "That's why Sturridge is a great player, becoming all rounded."

1404: Raul Meireles sees an effort from the edge of the box, deflect down into the turf and loop over the bar. Chelsea sense they are getting closer.

1403: Chris Hughton has removed Adam Rooney and thrown on Jake Jervis for Birmingham.

1402: Branislav Ivanovic almost gets on to a loose ball in the area after Juan Mata's cross has been fended away by the Birmingham defence. Wade Elliott is across sharply to block his effort.

1400: Birmingham has dropped back since the goal and it has allowed Branislav Ivanovic to press forward more and more frequently on the right flank. The Serbian has had a good game, looking neat and tidy on the ball.

1358: Didier Drogba manages to convince Martin Atkinson to give a free-kick with a trademark theatrical fall. From his reaction as he picks himself up he seems to think he has been pinched on the arm. Bizarre.

1356: Massive relief around Stamford Bridge as that goal went in and I suspect it was particularly felt in the home dug-out.

GOLAFLASH: Chelsea 1-1 Birmingham (Sturridge)

Branislav Ivanovic gets his head up out on the right flank and whips over a pinpoint cross that Daniel Sturridge snaps his neck muscles into, directing a powerful header down into the bottom corner past a helpless Colin Doyle.

1351: Another delicious first touch from Juan Mata as he tames a bullet fired his way from a defensive colleague. He is briefly free of Curtis Davies' attentions but fires his shot narrowly wide.

1349: Andre Villas-Boas ditches the defensive anchor as he replaces Jon Obi Mikel with Salomon Kalou.

1347: A neat set-piece routine from Birmingham as David Murphy dummies Jordan Mutch's low corner and Nathan Redmond is poised behind him. The youngster crashes his shot well over the bar though.

1344: Adam Rooney tussles with Gary Cahill as he attempts to break upfield in pursuit of an attempted through ball. The Chelsea defender is the one pinged by Martin Atkinson and he becomes the second player booked.

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty on Twitter: "Torres hooked at half-time. Been really hoping he would recapture the brilliance of his Liverpool days but hope running out now."

1341: Didier Drogba barges his way after Branislav Ivanovic's cross-field hoof. It has too much pace on it for the Ivorian, but he retrieves the ball and plants it back on the turf for Colin Doyle's free-kick. The crowd lap it up and there feels like there is life in this Chelsea side again.

1338: Didier Drogba is sniffing around a long ball forward, chasing it all the way through to Colin Doyle and earning grateful cheers from the home support.

Elad Levy on Twitter: "Fans chanting for Mourinho in San Siro last night and Stamford Bridge today. That's special!"

1336: Not long is the answer. Fernando Torres off and Didier Drogba on as the second half gets under way.

1333: How long will Andre Villas-Boas be able to resist throwing on Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard? Could his skin be saved by the Stamford Bridge old guard who he has been employed to oversee the gradual exit off?

Tor Noppharat on Twitter: "AVB, you have 45 min more to save your job. Chelsea players, only 45 min more till job complete."

Kush, from London, texts: "This is shocking. The Chelsea starting eleven are all aged under 30. No excuses."

1328: Suddenly there feels like there is a whole lot more than a quarter-final place at stake. If Chelsea had been behind but looked coherent and dangerous, they might have kept the crowd with them. As it is, it feels like Andre Villas-Boas's hold on their affections might be reaching a potentially fatal tipping point.

David Pleat on BBC Radio 5 live: "Chelsea playing against a very patient side, they're not pushing people forward, they're not playing recklessly. They've got to get someone up alongside Torres, there's a lack of penetration with a Lampard-like figure coming through the centre."

Owen Phillips reports from Stamford Bridge:

Beleaguered Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has had to play down the significance of some of his squad texting former manager Jose Mourinho. Following this first half, owner Roman Abramovich may be putting the Real Madrid boss back on speed dial. Chelsea have created little, missed a penalty and the visitors deserved to go ahead. AVB may only have 45 minutes to save his job.

BBC Radio 5 live's Mark Pougatch , at Goodison Park for Everton v Blackpool, on Twitter: "Kevin Ratcliffe with us at Goodison today still laughing at my assertion that "Mata will definitely, definitely score this penalty...""

David Pleat on BBC Radio 5 live: "I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the Chelsea dressing room at half-time. I just wonder if the manager will look at Mikel and wonder if he can dispense with him in midfield and put another attacker on."

1320: A rumble of discontent greets the half-time whistle. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck is on his feet applauding but he doesn't have a lot of company.

HALF-TIME: Chelsea 0-1 Birmingham

1319: Fernando Torres miscontrols Branislav Ivanovic's low cross and the ball flicks up for Juan Mata to nod at goal. A comfortable save for Colin Doyle from the diminutive playmaker though.

Ryan Smith on Twitter: "Could be the most important team-talk of AVB's career."

1315 : A chant of Jose Mourinho's name goes round Stamford Bridge and it gathers a fair bit of momentum before dying out.

1314 : Jon Obi Mikel tries his luck from further out and makes a slightly grubby connection. The ball trails wide.

1312 : Great technique from Daniel Sturridge as he lashes a dipping half-volley a foot over from 25 yards. That at least woke up some of the home fans.

1310 : Nathan Redmond has another little burst down the left and fires in on optimistic shot from a tightening angle. Petr Cech is down in plenty of time to claim it, but Birmingham have looked as likely to get a second as to be pegged back.

Dave in London texts: "We were poor under Big Phil, not great at times under Carlo, but it has been a long time since I have seen a Chelsea team as incompetent as this. Truly shocking."

1307 : David Luiz dusts himself down and slaps a shot goalwards from the resulting free-kick. It is a sweetly struck effort and Colin Doyle has to be alert to push it off the bar.

1306 : David Luiz sets off on an amble upfield and skips past a couple of Birmingham midfielders before being dumped on his backside by Jordan Mutch. Referee Martin Atkinson adds Mutch's name to his little black book.

1304 : Juan Mata butchers an attempted chipped through ball and the ball flies clean through to Colin Doyle. Worrying for Chelsea when their best player starts catching the bug.

David Pleat on BBC Radio 5 live: "It was a silly challenge from Wade Elliott, he didn't have to go in. That was a fine save though and should give Birmingham great heart. It's on such moments that seasons get defined, that cup glory begins."

1300 : Fernando Torres almost gets a touch as he canters on to Daniel Sturridge's low cross, but Curtis Davies does very well to nip in front of the striker and poke it away from him.

1256: Wade Elliott's needless hack at Ramires' shins gives Juan Mata the chance to haul his side back level after a little over a minute. The Spaniard's penalty is hard and low, but not quite far enough into the bottom left and a sprawling Colin Doyle palms it on to the post. A superb stop.

PENALTY SAVED

CHELSEA PENALTY

GOALFLASH: Chelsea 0-1 Birmingham (Murphy)

Trouble at the Bridge. It is not much of a delivery from the corner but Nathan Redmond's set-piece skids through the six-yard box and after Curtis Davies has swiped and missed, David Murphy applies the finishing touch at the far post.

1251: Jon Obi Mikel punts aimlessly long with on blue shirts anywhere in sight of where the pass endsn up. The crowd were not impressed.

Tottenham fan Luka texts: "People need to drop the pressure on Torres a bit, he's not worth 50 million, but he's still a great striker and the pressure is clearly getting to him, its games like these that will help him regain confidence and find his old form."

Tom Whall on Twitter: "Nice to see Nathan Redmond on show today. Fantastic talent."

1249: Juan Mata almost drags down Daniel Sturridge's cross at it loops over the top of Jonathan Spector, but the ball trickles off his in-step and the chance goes with it.

1247: Stephen Carr has hobbled off after getting caught by Ryan Bertrand a little earlier in the piece. He is replaced by former West Ham man Jonathan Spector who gets the welcome you might expect an ex-Hammer to get.

1244: Nathan Redmond has a run at Gary Cahill and earns a corner, but David Luiz sees off the set-piece.

1243: Daniel Sturridge attempts to skirt round Curtis Davies as Juan Mata's run drags Stephen Carr away to create a bit of space. Davies has a slip and a slide during the chase but just about recovers to snuff out the danger.

David Pleat on Birmingham's Nathan Redmond on BBC Radio 5 live: "He's exploded onto the scene this season, a lot of scouts are looking at him. It'll be fascinating to see how he copes, he'll be up against Ivanovic who's a very strong defender."

1237: Birmingham's away kit is a right old hodge-podge of colours with a yellow shirt on top of their normal white and blue home shorts and socks. I can not see it on offer in their online club shop and it doesn't surprise me.

1235: Branislav Ivanovic makes an early foray forward down the right flank, but runs the ball just a little too far and it is out for a goal-kick. Birmingham fans have taken all of three minutes to tell Andre Villas-Boas he is getting sacked in the morning and advise Fernando Torres that he doesn't know what he is doing.

1232: A little late, but we are up and running in west London.

1231: John Motson on BBC Radio 5 live says he has spoken to Chelsea captain John Terry who says it is unlikely that he will be fit to face Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday despite returning to training. The defender is currently out of action with a knee injury.

Sekar C on Twitter: "Wondering how many goals Lukaku would have scored had he started instead of Torres."

1229: Captain Stephen Carr has a little chat with the Birmingham mascot before leading his yellow-shirted visitors out onto the pitch. Nice touch. Kick-off in T minus one minute.

BBC pundit Gordon Strachan on Football Focus: "Andre Villas-Boas is a young manager who wants to keep the media happy. Sometimes he should just get on with his job quietly. I think he needs a bit of help from Chelsea instead of them saying answer all these questions."

1225: The teams are being announced at Stamford Bridge and the crowd react with regulation cheers and jeers according to which set of Blues is being read out.

Lewis in Sheffield texts: "People need to lay of AVB, he's inherited what is more or less still José's team. He needs to be given time to dismantle and put together his own squad."

Owen Phillips reports from Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea leave out midfield duo Michael Essien and Frank Lampard so the fit-again Ramires and John Obi Mikel start. Misfiring forward Fernando Torres gets another chance to impress but Didier Drogba is back on the bench and Gary Cahill and Ryan Bertrand come into the defence.Birmingham's selection problems all come up front where Nicola Zigic and Marlon King are both ruled through injury, meaning Adam Rooney comes in to lead the line.

Chelsea v Birmingham

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Bertrand, Ramires, Mikel, Meireles, Sturridge, Torres, Mata. Subs: Hilario, Essien, Lampard, Drogba, Malouda, Bosingwa, Kalou.

Birmingham: Doyle, Carr, Davies, Ibanez, Murphy, Redmond, Fahey, Mutch, Elliott, Gomis, Rooney. Subs: Butland, Caldwell, Burke, Spector, Asante, Reilly, Jervis.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

1217: You have to get up early in then morning to keep up with Leeds chairman Ken Bates who has snared Neil Warnock to be manager until the end of next season. Can the former QPR and Sheffield United boss pull off his promotion party piece once again?

Cian Wolfe on Twitter: "Some of AVBs decisions are a bit bizarre. Only Cahill's second game. And sturridge on the RW? No! Put him as CF!"

1210: Birmingham's fleet-footed young winger Nathan Redmond is one to watch today. He looked electric in the first game I saw him in against Maribor back in December.

Max from Gravesend texts: "I'm 21 today, an easy victory for Chelsea with no stress today would be the perfect birthday present!"

Chelsea fan Sam texts: "It says an awful lot about how far Chelsea have fallen under AVB that Birmingham at home looks like an upset."

1202: If you have a selection for your team's Cup final single or, bizarrely, have anything to say about the actual football, then we are here for you. Text on 81111 from within the UK, with FOOTBALL and your name on messages, or tweet on hashtag #bbcfootball from anywhere. Go, go, go.

1157: The Blues are first up on the menu for today with an awkward encounter against Birmingham and there is a nice Premier League v Championship theme running through the main course. Here's how we go, with all kick-offs 1500 GMT unless otherwise stated:

Chelsea v Birmingham (1230 GMT)

Everton v Blackpool

Millwall v Bolton

Norwich v Leicester

Sunderland v Arsenal (1715 GMT)

1154: Judging by the reports coming out of Cobham, it might be difficult to herd the current Chelsea squad around the mic for a happy team sing-a-long. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has said it is 'normal' for some of his players not to back his project, as long as the owner does. Over to you Roman?

1151: I'm pretty sure that the sound of Dennis Wise, Gianfranco Zola and Suggs crooning Blue Day was what did for Middlesbrough in the 1997 Cup final. We need more of those fearsome battle cries.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Didier Drogba is on the bench for Chelsea with Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge up front. Gary Cahill starts in defence. More to come shortly.

1145: Is that the heady secent of silver polish in the air? The rustle of timetables to north-west London being checked? If your team is still in the FA Cup they are two victories from a Wembley semi. Three wins away and they will be able to head down the recording studio and revive that grand old tradition of the Cup final single.

2012-02-14T04:40:00.001-08:00

Barcelona looking to bounce back in Champions League

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 FIRST LEGS (BAYER LEVERKUSEN V BARCELONA & LYON V APOEL NICOSIA)

Venues: BayArena & Stade Gerland
Date: Tuesday 14 February 2012
Kick-off: 1945 GMT

Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, live TV coverage on Sky Sports 2 & 4

Barcelona will try to put Saturday's shock Spanish league loss to Osasuna behind them when they continue their Champions League defence on Tuesday.

They travel to face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their last-16 tie, only three days after the loss.

However Leverkusen have played down their own chances, sporting director Rudi Voeller saying: "We're not dreamers but realists."

In Tuesday's other last-16 game, French side Lyon host Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus.

Continue reading the main story

“We're not dreamers but realists. We want to make sure of the Europa League place and secure international football that way

”

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller

However, it is the game at the BayArena that is attracting the most attention, especially following Barcelona's 3-2 defeat by Osasuna, a second defeat of the season which further harmed the defence of their La Liga title, leaving them trailing table-toppers Real Madrid by 10 points.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has insisted the Catalans are focused on all competitions.

"We'll fight to the end in all three competitions, whoever thinks the opposite is wrong,'' he warned. "We have to give everything every game, and we'll do this until the end of the season.''

With Tuesday's trip to Leverkusen in mind, Guardiola chose to rest midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez for the Osasuna defeat but both are likely to start in Germany.

However, midfielder Sergio Busquets is a doubt after missing two games but will travel with the team.

Leverkusen have problems of their own at present having claimed only one win from their last seven games. The club is also at odds with midfielder Michael Ballack after managing director Wolfgang Holzhaeuser described his transfer back to the club as a "failure".

Ballack will not play on Tuesday after tearing a calf muscle in training on Sunday and he is joined on the sidelines by fellow midfielder Sydney Sam and striker Eren Derdiyok, both of whom have foot injuries (the latter after stepping on broken glass in his bathroom last week).

In France, surprise package Apoel Nicosia will be aiming to continue their impressive run in this season's competition against Lyon.

The exploits of the smallest club left in the competition have gripped the football-crazed island of Cyprus and Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Manduca says the club will travel to frozen central France confident they can upset the odds again.

"It's a big opportunity for us, it's a big game," he told his club's website. "Everybody is focused and everybody wants to play. We will try our best to bring back a good result from France."

Lyon have reached this stage of the competition in each of the last nine seasons and they remain in contention for silverware on three fronts domestically.

However, they have not looked commanding of late and recently lost 2-1 at home to relegation-threatened Caen.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas expressed frustration at his side's inability to react against Caen and criticised their lack of effort, but coach Remi Garde dismissed suggestions the result would unsettle his squad ahead of the first leg at Stade Gerland.

"It's obviously not good preparation but if we'd won, you could have said that we'd be going into the game with too much confidence," he said.

"We'll call ourselves into question. Every match has its own context and with the flavour of the Champions League, Tuesday will be very different.

2012-02-14T04:31:00.000-08:00

HMRC to ask court to put Rangers into administration

Rangers has filed for protection against its creditors

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is set to ask the Court of Session to put Rangers Football Club into administration.

The legal move counters the club's bid on Monday to file for protection against its creditors.

The papers served on behalf of Rangers directors would give the club 10 days to resolve its differences with HMRC.

However, the response from HMRC suggests it is seeking to take charge of events. The court hearing is set to take place on Tuesday morning.

Rangers owner Craig Whyte confirmed on Monday that the club had filed legal papers at the Court of Session in Edinburgh to appoint administrators.

Tax dispute

It was thought that the club had 10 days to make a decision on whether to proceed, but the HMRC action may change the dynamic of the situation.

The two parties are at loggerheads over a disputed tax bill and penalties of up to £49m.

HMRC believes the Ibrox club owes the cash over its use of Employment Benefit Trusts (EBTs) to pay staff over a 10-year period.

Rangers disputes this and has contested the claim in a first tier tax tribunal, which is due to report within weeks.

It alleges the Ibrox club did not administer the scheme properly and underpaid tax.

After the club signalled its intention to go into administration, owner Craig Whyte said the eventual tax liability facing Rangers could be as high as £75m - a sum it would be unable to pay.

He said the best outcome would be to reach a creditors agreement which would allow the club to continue trading.

Mr Whyte is believed to be a secured creditor of Rangers and could collpase the club if HMRC block a creditors agreement.

The chairman could opt to pursue the legal routes of recievership or pre-pack administration to avoid paying any tax liabilities.

These routes would involve Rangers' assets being transferred to a new company or companies and the old club - formed in 1873 - being left behind with the unpayable debts. It would, almost inevitably, be wound up.

In these cases, HMRC, as an unsecured creditor, would receive very little if anything.

The moves over administration from HMRC could be viewed as part of ongoing maneouvres to exert some control over any insolvency process.

2012-02-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

Zambian footballers remember a lost generation of players

Too often in the world of football, events are described as a "tragedy" and "disaster".

But in the space of a few moments, late on 27 April 1993, Zambia's football dreams were extinguished by genuine tragedy.

After taking off from Libreville in Gabon, a Zambian military plane carrying most of the national squad crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, within a mile of the Gabonese coast, killing all 30 people on board.

Among those who perished were the coach, Godfrey Chitalu, and 18 players including Kelvin Mutale who had just scored a hat-trick against Mauritius in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Zambians were en route to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier which they were expected to win. In fact, Zambia were expected to reach the World Cup for the first time in their history.
The former Chelsea manager Ian Porterfield took charge and led them to second place in the following year's Africa Cup of Nations.

The country's football federation cast far and wide to gather players from the diaspora so they could continue their campaign and, in the end, they only missed out on a place at USA 1994 by a single point.

For the best part of the next 20 years, Zambian football entered the doldrums.

Now they are back in the Africa Cup of Nations final and, in a twist of fate, the Zambia team is back in Libreville for the first time since the crash.

On Friday, the current generation of players gathered on the Gabonese beach, just a few hundred metres from the place where the plane went down, to pray and cast flowers into the surf.

With them was the captain of the 1993 squad, Kalusha Bwalya, who is now president of the Football Association of Zambia.

He was not on that flight. Because of his contract with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, he had planned to make his own way to Senegal.

"I'm happy that the boys were able to come here on merit to reconnect with the past," he told BBC Sport.

"Some of the football that the old team played was marvellous and I think that the boys have done us proud in this Africa Cup of Nations."

Zambia, who have only one Europe-based player in their squad, shocked one of the pre-tournament favourites, Ghana, in the semi-finals and now meet the overwhelming favourites in the final, Ivory Coast.

"I am very happy that we come here to contest the final," said Bwalya.

"It is something that the boys, the fallen heroes, dreamed about and we're dreaming of bringing glory to our country. I couldn't have wished for a better time to come here. It's been a long journey."

2012-02-11T07:03:00.000-08:00

Liverpool's Luis Suarez snubs Patrice Evra handshake

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez refused to shake Manchester United defender Patrice Evra's hand before Saturday's game between the fierce rivals.

Suarez, who was banned for eight matches after racially abusing Evra when the sides met at Anfield in October, snubbed Evra in the pre-match handshake at Old Trafford.

Evra reacted angrily and tried to grab the Uruguayan's hand.

England defender Rio Ferdinand then refused to shake Suarez's hand.

Saturday's lunchtime kick-off was the first time Evra and Suarez had come into contact following the incident last year, which saw Suarez banned for eight games and fined £40,000.