30 November 2003

Euro 2004 Finals Draw

	Group A		Group B		Group C		Group D
	Portugal		France		Sweden		Czech Republic
	Spain		England		Italy		Germany
	Greece		Croatia		Denmark	Holland
	Russia		Switzerland	Bulgaria		Latvia

Saviola Robbed, Literally

Barcelona striker Javier Saviola was robbed on a motorway while travelling to training.
Two cars forced him onto the hard shoulder of a motorway and demanded he hand over
his possessions. Saviola wasn't hurt and arrived at training later that day.

Ancelotti Preparing For Intercontinental Cup Final

"We will send some players to Japan before the rest of the team so that they can recover from the
jet leg. It is a very important match and we want the players to be as fit as possible. This year we
are more concentrated than last year and we are scoring a lot thanks to Shevchenko's great
performances." - Carlo Ancelotti


29 November 2003

No More Whinging From Capello

"All we must do is to be a determined and focused side that plays good football. The rest we will
leave to those who ply their trade off the field. I shall not comment on any of these issues outside
the football field whether it be about finances, doping or referees. We should all learn from the
rugby World Cup. The fans, the players and especially the press who in football seem intent only
on looking for the next point of controversy." - Fabio Capello


27 November 2003 

Real Madrid vow to keep on spending

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told reporters at a press conference that the club will sign
'the best player in the world' in the summer, presumably Thierry Henry :

"This year we will again be trying to sign the best player in the world. He has already been in
contact with us."

Perez also defended the clubs policy of not signing defenders :

"I don't think we will be doing anything in December. It would be a sign of weakness and in any
case all our exiting defenders are internationals." 


25 November 2003 

Premiership Players Named In Rape Scandal

Newcastle United's Titus Bramble and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole have been named as the players
accused of raping a 17 year old goal in a London hotel.


24 November 2003

Milan director general Ariedo Braida :

"We are keeping a very close eye on two Brazilians. The first is Sao Paulo striker Luis Fabiano and
the other is Alex, a central defender who plays for Santos. Fabiano is a tall target man, similar in
style to Christian Vieri but I want to see a bit more of him first."


21 November 2003 

Deisler Suffering From Depression

Bayern Munich midfield Sebastian Deisler is suffering from depression. Deisler's doctor, Florian
Holsboer, said :

"It can be over in a few weeks but it could also last a long time. He is physically and psychologically
fit but he is going through a phase of depression which is not compatible with his profession."


13 November 2003

Ronaldo & Milene To Divorce

Ronaldo and Milene Domingues are set to divorce after 4 years of average. Rodrigo Paiva, a spokesman
for the player, said :

"Although the couple continued to live together, they no longer had a husband, wife relationship."

Paiva dismissed rumours that Milene was having an affair with a Real Madrid player, David Aganzo,
currently on loan to second division Levante.


12 November 2003

Owen Desperate For Champions League

"In an ideal situation, Liverpool will do well this season and challenge for the league but I really need
to be playing in the Champions League and that is something we have to remedy. I have never doubted
my own ability. I've done the business at the top level before. I don't want to be just a normal
professional. I aim to reach the top and to do that you've got to play against the best teams in the
world. It is impossible to say about my future at Liverpool. If they are winning the league every year,
there will not be any decision to make about playing abroad." - Michael Owen


10 November 2003

Reid Sacked

Leeds have sacked Peter Reid after they were beaten 6-1 at Portsmouth. Reid will be paid £850,000 in
compensation.


6 November 2003

Mihajlovic Hit With 8 Match Ban

The wretched Sinisa Mihajlovic has been given an 8 match ban and €12,700 fine by UEFA for spitting
on Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu during a Champions League match. UEFA have taken Mihajlovic's
previous disciplinary record into account - the Lazio defender was previously fined for racially abusing
Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.


4 November 2003

Fowler Fined €170,000

Manchester City have fined striker Robbie Fowler €170,000 after he was photographed drinking and
smoking in an Essex nightclub. 

Adriano Out For 2 Months

Parma have suffered a massive blow with the news that striker Adriano will be out of action for at least
two months after injuring a hamstring during last week's league match with Brescia.


3 November 2003

Mutu Loves English Game

Chelsea's Romanian forward made the following comments in Italian newspaper Controcampo.

"I'm going through a fantastic period of form with Chelsea at the moment. I made the right choice
(joining Chelsea) even though I miss Parma but I certainly don't miss Italian football. In England
the referees stop the game for 10 to 12 fouls per match. In Italy 60. I prefer the British attitude.
Football's a game for men."

Mutu was also full of praise for the supporters and healthy crowds at English grounds :

"Then the spectators over here are great - crowds of 40,000 or 50,000 people who support you and
never whistle at you. It's not like that in Italy. Over here they appreciate me. You (Italians) only
revere Brazilians and Argentines. In Italy, if you're from the East it's a different story."