16 June - 30 June 2001

15 JUNE 2001

Passport Scandal Makes Veron Move Unlikely

Manchester United have dismissed Italian reports that they signed Argentinean
playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron from Lazio on Thursday. A spokesman said :

"We have not signed Veron. If we had with the amount of money involved we
would have had to inform the stock exchange."

Veron is one of the players involved in the fake passports scandal. FIGC
(Italian FA) prosecutor, Carlo Porceddu, has recommended that the players
which also include Alvaro Recoba (Inter) and Dida (Milan), be banned for
two years. A FIFA spokesman said that ban would be in effect worldwide.

Buffon Beaten Up by Police

Parma and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was beaten-up by police after
they pulled him up for overtaking a supporters coach. The player was not
seriously hurt and has said he will not press charges :

"I am not pressing charges. I can understand their position. The police are
in a tense situation and can also lose control. The matter is over and done
with."

Must have been Roma supporters  - Roma play Parma in a match which will
decide the Serie A championship this Sunday.

McClaren Stays, Taylor Goes

New Middlesbrough coach Steve McClaren will continue his role with England
but Leicester's Peter Taylor was told to quit by chairman Peter Elsom.

Frank De Boer Banned

UEFA have given Dutch defender Frank De Boer a one year ban after he
tested positive for Nandrolone in March's UEFA Cup tie against Celta Vigo.
FIFA has confirmed the ban will also prevent Frank De Boer from playing at
international level.


14 JUNE 2001

Riquelme = Zidane

I've watched Riquelme playing for Argentina in various youth tournaments
but I wanted to see him at a higher level and this is about as high as it
gets - the 2nd leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final between Palmeiras
and Boca Juniors.

Let me start by saying Riquelme = Zidane. That's the assist machine
Zidane of this season not the lazy, circus trick merchant of last
season. I can't think of anyone else to compare him to. His game is
totally different to that of other playmakers like Totti, Beckham or
Figo.

The match (Palmeiras V Boca) finished 2-2, Boca won on penalties. Marcos
(Palmeiras 'keeper) gifted Boca the opener and Riquelme put them 2-4 up
on aggregate with a super goal. He dribbled around a few players before
finding the corner of the net. Fabio Junior pulled a goal back with a nice shot
on the turn and an own goal gave Palmeiras the equaliser. The match was
held up in the first half when an idiot Palmeiras fan ran onto the pitch and
took a running kick at the linesman. The action replays over both legs really
sucked.

Alex missed the first penalty and it serves him right for taking so long.
Riquelme's penalty was pure violence but Magrao (Palmeiras) scored one
of the penalties of the season - an outrageous chip.

I wasn't really impressed with Boca other than the 'keeper Cordoba (who
made a fantastic save in the second half) and of course Riquelme. As for
Palmeiras - Magrao, who looks 13, really impressed me over both legs.
He's absolute class. I think he's a wing back or winger. Fabio Junior
reminds me of Jardel. Great at holding up the ball and linking with other
players. He looks clumsy but is superb in front of goal. Alex scored a good
goal in the first leg and did absolutely nothing for the remaining 179 minutes
of the tie.

Riquelme stood out like a sore thumb, he was a class above his team-mates.
He compensates for his lack of pace with the best close control in the World.
His passing is immaculate. He beats Zidane for workrate and shooting. I think
Zidane's vision and dead ball delivery are better. I don't know what Barca are
playing at. They should pay Boca whatever it takes to get his signature.

Saviola Going Nowhere - River

"Saviola is River's and no one else's. I don't know why they say he's been
sold (to Barcelona). As a matter of fact, he has just agreed to extend his
contract for two more years." - River Plate director Rodolfo Cuina

Director Leaves Besiktas Millions

Sevket Belgin has left Besiktas £26.5 million. Belgin was a former director of
the club and passed away last week.

Professional Referees - Dutch Follow English Lead
 
"Our goal is to have a group of 22 professional referees (next season). Among
them a number of semi-professionals because not every referee will be
prepared to give up their job." - John Blankenstein, head of referees at the
KNVB (Dutch FA)

New Contracts For Milan Trio

Brazilian winger Serginho (2005), midfielder Daniele Daino (2003) and
goalkeeping liability Sebastiano Rossi (2002) have extended their contracts
with Milan.

West Ham - Roeder Appointed

Glenn Roeder has filled the coaching position left vacant by Harry Redknapp.
Roeder was part of the coaching staff at the London club.

Nedved Extends Contract

Lazio's awesome Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved has signed a new contract
that will keep him at Lazio until 2006. Nedved will earn £2.5 million a season
(£48,000 per week, £208,300 per month)

Andersson, Jancker - Bayern Open To Offers

Bayern Munich's commercial manager Uli Hoeness has said the club are willing
to let defender Patrick Andersson and striker Carsten Jancker leave the club.
Andersson has been linked with a move to Barcelona while Jancker is
reportedly a target for Fulham.

Professional Refs In Premiership

Professional referees will officiate Premiership matches next season.
Referees will be encouraged to work full-time with the incentive of earning
upto £60,000 per year. 24 referees and 48 assistant referees will be
appointed.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has spoken in the past of the need for
professional referees.

I personally think that the single most important quality in a referee is
simply common sense and common sense is an attribute that people are born
with, it cannot be taught so I fail to see how the advent of professionalism
will eradicate refereeing errors. I have said many times in the past that
Serie A referees are the best in Europe. They are not card happy, are
generally fair and are the only referees who consistently book players for
diving or playacting. An equally important trait of Italian referees is that
they speak freely to players on the pitch and explain their decisions. The
problem is England is referees do not communicate with players.

Scolari's Brazil

New Brazil coach 'Big Phil' Scolari has named the following players for the
World cup qualifier against Uruguay in Montevideo on July 1st. As I hinted
at earlier in the week Mario Jardel, who played under Scolari at Gremio, has
earned a long overdue international recall :

Goalies
Marcos (Palmeiras)
Dida (Milan)

Full-backs
Cafu (Roma)
Belletti (Sao Paulo)
Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
Serginho (Milan)

Defenders
Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen)
Antonio Carlos (Roma) *
Roque Junior (Milan)
Cris (Cruzeiro)

Midfielders
Mauro Silva (Deportivo)
Emerson (Roma)
Fabio Rochemback (Barcelona) **
Rivaldo (Barcelona)
Alex (Palmeiras)
Juninho Paulista (Vasco)

Forwards
Euller (Vasco)
Ewerthon (Corinthians)
Geovanni (Cruzeiro)
Romario (Vasco Da Gama)
Jardel (Galatasaray)
Elber (Bayern)

* More commonly known as Zago
** Rochemback has recently joined Barcelona

Thanks to Bordon for the list.


12 JUNE 2001

Brazil - Big Phil New Coach

As Lléo predicted earlier this week 'Big Phil' Luiz Felipe Scolari has been
named the new coach of Brazil. As coach Scolari has won every major honour
at club level including two Copa Libertadores trophies. Galatasaray striker
Jardel, who made his name under Scolari at Gremio, should get a long overdue
recall to the national team following Big Phil's appointment.

New Coach Costs Boro £38 Million

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson's hiring of Steve McClaren will cost the
club £38 million. Middlesbrough will have to pay McClaren's former club
Manchester United £2 million in compensation. Former Middlesbrough coach
Bryan Robson and his assistant Viv Anderson will be paid £3 million in
compensation. McClaren's five year contract is worth £8 million and he will
be given a transfer budget of £25 million.


11 JUNE 2001

Parma Accept Bid For Thuram

Parma have accepted Lazio's bid of £23.5 million for French defender Lilian
Thuram. Thuram will hold talks with the club later in the week.

West Ham Accept Bid For Chelsea

West Ham have accepted a bid of £11 million for midfielder Frank Lampard Jr.
Lampard will hold talks with Chelsea when he returns from holiday. Chelsea
are still hoping to sign Emmanuel Petit from Barcelona.

Veron's Agent Heading To Manchester

"We have a problem with Lazio over Veron's future and so this week we will
travel to Manchester for a meeting with United." - Gustavo Mascardi, agent
of Juan Sebastian Veron

Brazil Coach Leao Sacked by Lléo

After leading Brasil to its worst ever performance in an official
competition (however much of a joke it was), Leão was sacked from the
position as the NT manager. Not surprising, given that he couldn't really do
anything with the bunch of players he was allowed to call up (well, not much
anything beyond beating, or at least SCORING, against Canada, Japan B (!)
and Australia B-, which he didn't).

The new manager will probably be Luiz Felipe Scolari, Cruzeiro's DT. There
are only details to be set, but he's almost ensured for the WCQ game against
Uruguay. Off the top of my head, the trophies he won (club in brackets, and
not counting the state leagues):

1991 Brazilian Cup (Criciúma!)
1994 Brazilian Cup (Grêmio)
1995 Copa Libertadores (Grêmio)
1996 Brazilian Championship (Grêmio)
1998 Brazilian Cup (Palmeiras)
1999 Copa Libertadores (Palmeiras)
1999 Copa Merco$ul (Palmeiras)
2000 Rio-São Paulo Tournament (Palmeiras)
2000 Champions Cup (Palmeiras - this competition was worth the
Libertadores 2001 spot)

Plus, this is a guy who knows how to work with limited resources (a problem
he might have to deal here and there with the NT, but as a general rule he
won't) and is a leader. I can only be optimistic if this is confirmed. Leão
was only a fill-in, in a time where no one wanted the job after the scandals
Luxemburgo was involved (Leão was the 4th or 5th choice). Now Brasil has a
true manager again. Let's hope for brighter times.

Lléo

Violence In Italy Continues

A policeman was stabbed by a Roma supporter as fans travelled home from
Roma's match away to Napoli.

Record Sponsorship Deal For ITV

Coca Cola will sponsor ITV's Premiership programs in a deal worth £50 million
over three years. A record for UK TV sponsorship.

Swiss Name New Coach

Former international Kobi Kuehn has succeeded Enzo Trossero as coach of the
Switzerland national team. Trossero resigned last week.

McClaren Set To Be Named Boro Boss

Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren will be named coach of
Middlesbrough on Monday. His first two targets are thought to be Manchester
United midfielders Quinton Fortune and Jonathan Greening. Fortune was
recently placed on the transfer list at his own request.


9 JUNE 2001

Real Madrid About Enter Transfer Market

Lazio striker Marcelo Salas is expected to be the clubs first summer signing.
Salas resisted attempts by Lazio to sell him to Parma last season but has
been benched in recent weeks following the return from injury of Claudio
Lopez.  Deportivo defender Manuel Pablo is also expected to join the newly
crowned Spanish champions. Juventus playmaker Zinedine Zidane remains the
clubs top target. 

Coloccini Will Return

Fabricio Clocking, currently on loan to San Lorenzo, claimed that new Milan
coach Faith Terim said he will take the 19 year old defender back to Milan.
Terim has been scouting for Milan in South America following his resignation
as Fiorentina coach.

Valencia Target Kovacevic

Valencia have offered Juventus £13 million for bench warmer Darko Kovacevic. 
  
Deschamps Begins Coaching Career

Didier Deschamps will coach Monaco next season. Deschamps has been
appointed Technical Director as he does not have a coaching diploma - a
requirement for all coaches in the French league. The 32 year old former
captain of France has ended his playing career.


8 JUNE 2001

Barca's Search For Coach Over

Barcelona have given caretaker coach Carles Rexach a one year contract worth
£800,000. Barca will then once again try to hire long time target Arsene
Wenger whose contract with the London club expires at the end of next
season.

Lippi Set For Juve Return

In what seems an incredibly stupid decision, Juventus have confirmed that
former coach Marcello Lippi will replace Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the
season. Lippi quit Juve in February 1999 following a 2-4 home defeat by Parma
last season and walked out on Inter earlier this season just months after taking
charge. 

Reid Admits Interest In Laslandes

"Lilian is a player I admire and he is one of the few I'm currently looking
at." - Sunderland coach Peter Reid


7 JUNE 2001

Elber For Sale, Price £15 Million

"We will sell Elber but we will demand a fee of nothing under 50 million
marks (£15.6 million)" - Bayern Munich President Frank Beckenbauer

Thuram Ready To Leave Parma

"If they have set a price (£20 million) that says the have every intention of
letting me go. There are clubs that any player would happily go to. Manchester
United is one of them." - Lillian Thuram

I think he will join either Lazio or Real Madrid. Man United are unlikely to match
the wages offered by the other two clubs.

Dyers Agent Hints At Move Abroad

The agent of 22 year old Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer suggested that the
player, linked with £20 million moves to Leeds and Manchester United, is more
likely to join a top European Club IF he leaves St James' Park :

"I don't think Manchester United are favourites, I think there  are other clubs
ahead of them. There are two in Italy (Juventus & Inter) and one in Spain
(Real Madrid)."

Dyer is currently recovering from shin splints surgery.

50 Goal Larsson Extends Contract

Swedish striker Henrik Larsson has extended his contract with Celtic until 2004.
Larsson has scored over 50 league goals this season for the Scottish
champions.

Frank Sinclair Extends Contract

Leicester defender Frank Sinclair has extended his contract until 2004.

Mathis Out For Six Months

New York/New Jersey Metrostars forward Clint Mathis will be out of action
for six months after tearing cruciate ligaments in his right knee on Tuesday.

Mazzone Extends Contract

64 year old Carlo Mazzone has extended his contract with Brescia for another
two seasons.


6 JUNE 2001

Fulham Bid For Riise Accepted

Monaco have accepted a bid of £4 million for Norwegian midfielder John Arne
Riise. The player will now discuss terms with the London club. Fulham's
coach, Jean Tigana, signed Riise while in charge of Monaco. Fulham are also
reported to be preparing a bid for Milan striker Oliver Bierhoff who is surplus
to requirements following the arrival of Javi Moreno from Alaves.

Solskjaer Extends Contact

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has extended his contract with Premiership Champions
Manchester United until 2006.

Lazio In Pole Position For Thuram

The Italian press claim Lazio are favourites for the signature of Parma's
French defender Lillian Thuram. Parma are almost certain to sell the
player who has laboured through the past two seasons.


5 JUNE 2001

Robson Quits Boro

Middlesbrough coach Brain Robson has agreed to leave the club by mutual
consent after 7 years in charge. Robson's assistant, Viv Anderson, has also
left. Robson said "At the last game of the season the fans made my mind
up.", "when you lose the fans I think it's time to move on."

Manchester United's assistant coach, Steve McLaren, is expected to be named
new coach when he returns from holiday at the end of the week.

Here is a brief run-down of Robson's 7 seasons in charge of the club.

1994-1995 : Appointed coach in 1994. The club are promoted from Division
One into the Premiership

1995-1996 : Signs Juninho

1996-1997 : Signs Emerson and Fabrizio Ravanelli. Loose two cups finals - the
League Cup to Leicester and FA Cup to Chelsea. Relegated from the
Premiership. A 3 point deduction, given when Robson refused to play Blackburn
due to 'injuries' costs the club dearly

1997-1998 : Juninho leaves for Atletico Madrid, Emerson for Tenerife and
Ravanelli for Marseille. Robson signs Paul Gascoigne. The club are promoted
as Division one runner-ups

1998-1999 : Signs Gary Pallister

1999-2000 : Signs Christian Ziege. Juninho makes a brief return, on loan from
Atletico Madrid

2000-2001 : Gascoigne leaves on a free transfer to Everton.  Ziege joins
Liverpool. Robson, now famous for signing injury prone players past
their sell by dates, signs Alen Boksic from Lazio. After a bright start the
club nose-dive down the table into a relegation battle. Terry Venables is
appointed 'first-team' coach in December and saves the club from relegation.

Benitez Succeeds Cuper

Rafael Benitez, currently in charge of second division Tenerife, has signed a
two year contract with Valencia as successor to Inter bound Hector Cuper.

Coaching - Early Start For Deschamps?

Monaco have sacked coach Claude Puel. President Jean Luis Campora has
offered the coaching position to former captain of France Didier Deschamps.
Deschamps (32) is currently on Valencia's bench.

Hector Cuper New Coach of Inter

According to the Spanish press Hector Cuper signed a two year contract with
Inter on Sunday in a deal worth £2.1 million per season. Cuper has lead
Valencia to successive European Cup finals.

Inzaghi - Milan's Next Target

In what is depressing news for Milan supporters the club will hold talks with
Juventus and Italy striker Filippo Inzaghi on Wednesday.


2 JUNE 2001

Wenger Admits Interest In Nakata

I have already approached Roma. There is a big gap over what they are asking
(for Nakata) and what we are willing to pay but both clubs are in talks."
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger

Trap Hints At Baggio Recall

When asked :

"Would it take a miracle to see Baggio in the national side again?"

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni replied :

"I don't know about you but I believe in miracles. We'll see."


1 JUNE 2001

Barcelona Sign Giovanni by Bordon

Cruzeiro just announced the sale of their revelation forward GIOVANNI to
Barcelona for 18 million dollars.
 
Palmeiras' ALEX, Flamengo's PETKOVIC and Vasco's JUNINHO PAULISTA are
linked now to Cruzeiro as likely substitutes for GIOVANNI.
 
With this deal, it is very likely that Barca's appetite for JAVIER SAVIOLA may
have reduced.

Bordon
bordon_is_gone@hotmail.com