Soccer news

Kaka fears for Italian game

2007-11-13T15:15:00.000-01:00

AC Milan midfielder Kaka believes Italian football is 'losing credibility' and has warned of the long-term implications of further football-related violence. 'These acts of violence risk keeping the star players and champions away from playing in Serie A,' he warned. [+]

Sevilla play down reports

2007-10-26T13:48:00.000-01:00

Sevilla have insisted Juande Ramos remains their coach - but their players and Spanish journalists seem less convinced that the 53-year-old will stay. Ramos is reportedly the man Tottenham want to replace the sacked Martin Jol at White Hart Lane but he took training as normal on Friday after a brief chat with club president Jose Maria Del Nido. [+]

'It's time to deliver'

2007-10-24T14:09:00.000-01:00

John Arne Riise has spelled out Liverpool's European task - no more mistakes allowed. The Norwegian defender will be part of the Champions League team to face Besiktas in Istanbul tonight in a Group D clash vital to both sides. Liverpool have taken just one point from two previous group matches, while the Turkish side have lost both their games in the competition. [+]

2007-10-18T14:13:00.000-01:00

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has announced an extension of the 'lock-down' Agreement by club directors on the sale of shares in the club.

The move appears to rule out the possibility of a takeover bid in the immediate future at least.
Hill-Wood announced that club directors would only sell their stake to 'permitted persons' before April 2009 and had to give fellow board members 'first option' until October 2012. However, there was a termination clause in the agreement in October 2010.

Hill-Wood said: 'Members of the board are committed long-term shareholders and to strengthen the current position they have entered into a new agreement which replaces the existing lock-down agreement which expires next April.

'Under the new agreement, the board members have agreed not to dispose of any of their interests in the club before April 18, 2009, other than to certain permitted persons such as close family.

'After that date, for the remainder of the term of the agreement, they can only sell their shares to another person if the other parties to the agreement do not wish to buy them. The agreement is for five years (until 18 October 2012), although it can be terminated early by the parties on its third anniversary (18 October 2010).'

The original agreement came in the wake of vice-chairman David Dein's departure from the board due to 'irreconcilable differences', believed to be over the involvement of American businessman Stan Kroenke, who has acquired a 12.2% stake in the club.

Excluding Dein, the directors, who at the time of Dein's departure owned 45.45% of shares in the club, entered into the agreement for one year.

Dein has since sold his 14% stake to Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov, whose Red and White Holdings Ltd have now built up a stake of around 23%, prompting rumours he may launch a takeover bid +

Drogba wants to quit Chelsea

2007-10-18T14:10:00.000-01:00

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba wants to quit Chelsea three years after joining the Londoners. 'I want to leave Chelsea. Something is broken with the club,' Drogba is reported as saying in a magazine article due to be published on Friday. Drogba, who has scored 43 goals in the Premier League, was one of the players most affected by former manager Jose Mourinho's departure last month. [+]

Premiership Fixtures

2007-10-12T09:58:00.000-01:00

12:45 UK
Everton
v
Liverpool
Goodison Park

15:00 UK
Arsenal
v
Bolton
Emirates Stadium

15:00 UK
Blackburn
v
Reading
Ewood Park

15:00 UK
Fulham
v
Derby
Craven Cottage

15:00 UK
Man City
v
Birmingham
City of Manchester Stadium

15:00 UK
Middlesbrough
v
Chelsea
The Riverside Stadium

15:00 UK
Wigan
v
Portsmouth
The JJB Stadium

17:15 UK
Aston Villa
v
Man Utd
Villa Park

Milan angry at Dida ban

2007-10-12T09:37:00.000-01:00

AC Milan have described UEFA's decision to hand Celtic a small fine but ban Dida for two Champions League matches as 'disproportionate and illogical' to last week's Parkhead drama. [+]

Celtic must cough up £12,500 now, with the same sum suspended for two years, after a 27-year-old home supporter ran on to the pitch and gave Dida a cheeky tap following Scott McDonald's winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Milan on October 3.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body last night found Celtic guilty of charges of 'lack of organisation' and 'improper conduct of supporters', and the financial penalty was described by Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell as 'proportionate to the incidence in question and a fair outcome'.

Celtic could have received a far greater punishment and will not appeal, however Milan have confirmed they will mount a challenge to UEFA's independent control and disciplinary body verdict.

Dida's reaction to being approached by the fan was found to have breached UEFA's 'principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship'.

Dida gets 2 match ban

2007-10-11T17:39:00.000-01:00

AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has been suspended by UEFA for two Champions League games following his antics after a Celtic fan invaded the pitch at the end of last week's match at Parkhead. Celtic have escape with a fine of just £25,000 for the incident which followed Scott McDonald's last-gasp winner. [+]

Celtic have been fined £25,000, half of which is suspended, for their part in the incident which saw a pitch-invading supporter approach the Brazilian goalkeeper after Scott McDonald scored the late winning goal.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body found Celtic guilty of charges of 'lack of organisation' and 'improper conduct of supporters'.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell was pleased with the outcome.

Ten Cate completes move to Stamford Bridge

2007-10-11T17:32:00.000-01:00

Chelsea have confirmed former Ajax boss Henk ten Cate has joined the club as assistant first-team coach. The Dutchman will work alongside Steve Clarke and under Avram Grant at Stamford Bridge. [+]

Ten Cate will work under manager Avram Grant and alongside Steve Clarke although Chelsea are still searching for a goalkeeping and fitness coach, together with a scout.

A statement on Chelsea's official website said: 'Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Henk ten Cate has joined as assistant first-team coach and we would like to welcome him to the club.'
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has provided the club's hierarchy with more food for thought as speculation over Frank Lampard's future at Stamford Bridge continues.
Lampard has resisted all attempts by Chelsea to sign a long-term extension to his current contract and following the shock departure of coach Jose Mourinho, rumours persist that the Barclays Premier League club are ready to cash in on the England international.

A Coach's Nightmare

2007-10-11T02:01:00.000-01:00

Imagine a coach's worries when he knows that he is not able to make choices regarding the selection of his players? or when he is influenced on the players to buy to the club?

What do you think happens? It usually causes a lot of problems for the entire club. The coach doesn't trust his players and the players as well lose trust in their manager.

Hostility sets in and thus leads to VERY BIG PROBLEMS.

Let me know what you think. LEave a comment

Ajax coach rejects chelsea job

2007-10-09T15:58:00.000-01:00

Ajax coach Henk ten Cate insists he has no imminent plans to quit the Amsterdammers and take a coaching job at Chelsea.

His remarks follow Ajax's elimination from the UEFA Cup and press reports linking him with a role at Stamford Bridge as assitant to Avram Grant

"I will be as normal on the bench when we meet Sparta on monday".

The magic of Soccer!

2007-10-08T01:08:00.000-01:00

Have u ever wondered why the game of soccer attracts so many people from different works of life? why people from all over the world leave whatever they were doing and spend the next 90 minutes in front of a television screen? THATS THE MAGIC POWER OF SOCCER! The game of soccer is very entertaining and spell-bounding. it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The game is played for 90 mins by two teams each with it's own players of 11. Each team tries to score as many goals as possible against each other. Players on each team consists of the goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and attackers.

Goals are scored by the use of the head or the leg and only the goalkeeper allowed to use his hands. Skills are displayed by individual players each trying to outwit the opposition and eventually score goals.

Soccer is indeed a game of exciting opportunities. it is very exciting to watch. watching players display amazing skills with ease really keeps one entertained and helps relieve stress.
Soccer is enjoyed all around by the world by people of different races, cultures and ethnic backgrounds. it unites people during international competitions like the World Cup, Copa America, Champions League etc

The Magic of soccer is indeed a force to contend with!

Arsenal back on top of Premier League with victory over Sunderland

2007-10-07T12:59:00.001-01:00

A Robin van Persie double helped Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.A 3-2 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium extended the Gunners' winning run to ten matches in all competitions.

But Arsene Wenger's side were pushed hard by the top flight newcomers, who rallied from two goals down to get within ten minutes of a badly-needed point before Van Persie prodded home his second goal of the lunchtime encounter after being superbly set up by substitute Theo Walcott.

Arsenal had looked set for a much more relaxing afternoon as a superb free-kick from Van Persie and a close-range strike by Philippe Senderos gave them a two-goal advantage inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Ross Wallace pulled one back for Sunderland and a header from Kenwyne Jones got Roy Keane's side back on level terms just after the interval.Sunderland finished the match with ten men after defender Paul McShane received a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Arsenal's Belarus midfielder Alexander Hleb.

Anelka 'waiting for big club'

2007-10-06T11:29:00.000-01:00

Nicolas Anelka has revealed he is 'waiting for a big club' to come calling. Bolton Wanderers' top scorer, who only signed a four-year contract extension at the end of August, has been the star of what has otherwise been a difficult season for the Trotters but still has the ambition for another huge transfer in his career. [+]

Gilberto laments snub

2007-10-05T22:17:00.000-01:00

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva admits he has found it difficult to watch Arsene Wenger's side storm to the top of the Premier League while he kicks his heels on the bench.

The player, one of the Arsenal's stalwarts last term, has started only four of the team's 11 unbeaten games in the current campaign and only two in his established position in the centre.

The Brazilian, 31 on Sunday, missed much of the pre-season because of his involvement in the Copa America but is determined to fight his way to back into the side and insists he respects Wenger's decision.

"it's so hard. The only thing i need to do is do my job, respect the manager's decision, respect the other players and the way they play at the moment"

Benitez Slams Critics

2007-10-05T21:44:00.000-01:00

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hit back at critics of his squad rotation policy, pointing to "big names" who disappointed against Marseille.

The alarm bells were ringing in Porto last time out in the Champions League and they were clangimg louder still, after the shattering home defeat at Anfield.

Liverpool had followed up a very fortunate draw in Porto in their first group match with an even worse performance on Wednesday night.

Benitez quotes "it was a poor game for us, we did not play well and we did not make many chances. It was clearly not our day"

Carrick adds to United injuries

2007-10-04T14:37:00.000-01:00

Manchester United have suffered a major injury blow after midfielder Michael Carrick was ruled out for up to six weeks with a fractured right elbow. The 26-year-old suffered the injury during the latter stages of his side's win over Roma at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Although he appeared fine immediately after the game, x-rays have revealed the full extent of the problem. [+]

Terry set to start for Chelsea

2007-10-03T15:25:00.000-01:00

Chelsea manager Avram Grant will reportedly take a risk over the fitness of skipper John Terry and start the England centre-half in Valencia, despite the player having suffered a broken cheekbone on Sunday. Terry took part in team training at Valencia's Mestalla stadium wearing a face mask and Grant admits he will not stand in his way - after the club's medical department cleared him to play. [+]

Champions League Fixtures

2007-10-02T03:22:00.000-01:00

TUESDAY 02 October
CSKA Moscow v Fenerbache
Inter Milan v PSV
Man Utd v Roma
Dynamo Kiev v Sporting
VfB Stuggart v Barcelona
Lyon v Rangers
Steaua V Arsenal
Sevilla v Slavia Prague

Champions League

2007-10-02T02:31:00.000-01:00

Soccer fans all over the world would be kept entertained for 90mins today, matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions league.

Clubs from the English premiership, Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and others would do battle on Tuesday and Wednesday for soccer supremacy.

Skills, strength and accuracy would be tested as these clubs go head to head against each other.

Champions League Contenders:

2007-10-01T13:31:00.000-01:00

FC Dynamo Kiev will take on sporting Clube de Portugal for the first time in Kiev with both sides looking to kick start their 2007/2008 UEFA Champions league campaigns following match day 1 defeats by AS Roma and Manchester United FC respectively.

The two sides have never met in European club competition.

In total, Dynamo has played six competitive games against Portuguese opposition winning two and losing four.

Both of those victories came in home games.

AC Milan stumbles again, Juve goes second

2007-10-01T01:41:00.001-01:00

Kaka converted a second half penalty to earn AC Milan a 1-1 draw with lowly Catania at San Siro as the European Champions poor domestic form continued on Sunday.

Juventus moved up to second place in the table when David Trezeguet's stoppage time goal snatched a 1-0 win over cross town rivals Torino.

Milan, who visit Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday, have not won in Serie A since their opening day victory at Ganoa five games ago.

After six games Milan are 11th with seven points.

Juventus have 13 points from six games, one point lower than leaders Inter Milan who thrashed AS Roma 4-1 on Saturday.

Fiorentina are third on 12 points after Saturday's 3-0 win at Tuscan rivals Livorno, while are 4th with 11 points.

Lazio who rested several first choice players ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid drew 1-1 at Reggina at Sunday.

Germany crowned World Cup champs

2007-10-01T01:41:00.000-01:00

A ruthlessly efficient Germany tamed Brazil Sunday to win the World Cup final 2-0 with goals from Prinz and Simone Laudehr, making them the first nation to successfully defend their title.

The Germans also owe a huge debt to unbeatable goalkeeper Nadine Angerer who saved a second half penalty fro world player of the year Marta that left the Brazilians numb.

The result meant Germany's watertight defense went through the entire tournament without conceding a goal.

LATEST RESULTS

2007-09-30T15:45:00.000-01:00

PREMIERSHIP
Man city 3 Newcastle 1
Chelsea 0 Fulham 0
Derby 1 Bolton 1
Portsmouth 7 Reading 4
Sunderland 1 Blackburn

SOCCER FIXTURES

2007-09-29T15:05:00.000-01:00

PREMIERSHIP
Birmingham v Man Utd
Chelsea v Fulham
Derby v Bolton
Man City v Newcastle
Portsmouth v Reading
Sunderland v Blackburn
West Ham v Arsenal
Wigan v Liverpool

SPAIN
Today
Levante v Barcelona
Real Zaragoza v Sevilla

Tomorrow
Almeria v Racing Santander
Atletico Madrid v Osasuna
Espanyol v Deportivo
Getafe v Real Madrid
Real Betis v Mallorca
Recreativo Huelva v Valencia
Valladolid v Athletico Bilbao

GERMANY
Today
Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
Hamburg v Wolfsburg
Hansa Rostock v VfB Stuggart
Karlsruhe v Borussia Dortmund
VfL Bochum v Nuremburg
Werder Bremen v Arminia Bielefeld

Tomorrow
Cottbus v Eintracht Frankfurt
Hannover 96 v MSV Duisburg

ITALY
Today
LIvorno v Fiorentina
Roma v Inter Milan

Tomorrow
AC Milan v Catania
Cagliari v Siena
Empoli v Palermo
Napoli v Genoa
Reggina v Lazio
Sampdoria v Atalanta
Torino v Juventus
Udinese v Parma