Qualify for finals
Qualify for play-offs


8 October 2003

Ferdinand Averts Player Strike

A telephone call by Rio Ferdinand has averted a player strike which would have seen England thrown
out of the European Championships. On Tuesday evening representatives from the England squad -
David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes met with the FA and refused to travel to face Turkey
in England's crucial Euro 2004 qualifier unless Rio Ferdinand, dropped due to 'forgetting' to take a
drugs test, was re-instated.

European Champions Reject Offsets For Stars

Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani has revealed the club have turned down several approaches for
some of the teams star players :

"This summer Abramovich offered €50 million for Shevchenko and the same amount for Nesta but we
turned it down. In 2001 Real Madrid offered approximately €82 million for Shevchenko, and Berlusconi
said 'no' Years before (Alex) Ferguson proposed almost anything on several occasions to take Maldini
to Manchester."

He also revealed interest by Chelsea was the reason behind Kaka's early arrival :

"Kaka was supposed to arrive in 2004 in our plans but we were forced to sign him as Chelsea had
advanced their offer - a substantial offer, as is common with Abramovich. I have to thank the
Sao Paulo president Marcelo Portugal, who stuck to his word and was not influenced by the money,
and also Kaka, who earns less than he would have earned in London. Kaka will become one of the
best players in the world."

Robson Appointed Nigeria Coach

Bryan Robson, who has been out of work since being sacked by Middlesbrough in 2001, has been
appointed coach of Nigeria :

"After talking to him, we are impressed with his knowledge of our country's football. He said that
he is capable of winning the Nations Cup for Nigeria and we have no reason to doubt him."
Nigeria FA Chairman Ibrahim Galadima

Jody Morris Arrested

Leeds midfielder Jody Morris has been arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a
20 year old women in Leeds city center on Monday.

Compostela Fan Killed

31-year-old Compostela supporter Manuel Rios Suarez died after taking blows to the kidneys when
trying to break up a fight between Deportivo and Compostela fans in a Spanish Cup game.


7 October 2003

Ferdinand Could Face Drugs Ban

Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand could be banned by the Football Association
after failing to give a urine sample 2 weeks ago at the clubs training ground. Ferdinand gave a sample
four days later, which proved negative. In some cases 4 days is enough to flush drugs out of your
system. Of course I'm not suggesting Rio Ferdinand did that.

Ferdinand's agent, Pini Zahavi, said :

"He was asked to take this test on a Sunday, but he could not because he was moving house. He did
provide one four days later and it was negative, which is the most important thing. I cannot understand
why this is happening. The FA are shooting themselves in the foot if they take the decision to ban him." 

Zaccheroni Favourite To Succeed Cuper?

Alberto Zaccheroni will almost certainly be among the favourites to replace Hector Cuper as coach of
Inter - because he is currently out of work. Zaccheroni gained notoriety at Udinese playing a 3-4-3
system and finishing 3rd in the league with Bierhoff spearheading the attack. Zaccheroni took Bierhoff
with him to Milan and won the scudetto in his first season in charge. Failure in Europe cost Zaccheroni
his job and he eventually joined Lazio as a replacement for Sven Goran Eriksson but was never given
a chance by their notoriously impatient fans and was hounded out of the club last season. At Inter
Zaccheroni has the personnel to play his favoured 3-4-3 system.

Last Chance For Cuper

"Cuper will remain. He’ll look to make amends for the errors he made because that is what his job
entails. I accept the fact that you can get one game wrong but there mustn't be any more mistakes
from now on." - Inter President Massimo Moratti

Cuper made no excuses for the loss to Milan (1-3) :

"I’m responsible for the loss. I know my job is on the line but that was the case last season too.
I believe in my work and I’m hopeful for the future. We will recover from this setback."


6 October 2003

Liverpool Player Shot In The Arse

Liverpool defender Jon Otsemobor was shot in the arse while drinking in a bar at the weekend.
20 year old Otsemobor has made one appearance for the first team. An 18 year old man was shot in
the hand and thigh. Neither were injured and Otsemobor was back in training on Monday.


3 October 2003

Italian Footballers Association Reiterate Need For Video Evidence

AIC (Associazione Italiana Calciatori) President Sergio Campana made the following comments after
several controversial incidents in Serie A league matches :

"In this moment in time when football is working to recover credibility among the public it is necessary
for players to show professionalism and proper conduct on the field. Therefore we ask our members to
avoid improper conduct and blatant dissent. We have always battled to help referees and improve the
rapport between officials and players. We at the AIC therefore propose that the Federation introduces
video evidence to sanction clear simulation and serious dishonest behaviour that has not been
witnessed by the referee." 


2 October 2003

Gadaffi Clear To Play For Perugia

Al-Saadi Gadaffi, son of Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi, is clear to make his debut for Perugia after
resigning from his position on the Juventus board, a condition laid down by the FIGC (Italian FA).
Gadaffi Jr's company (Lafico) hold a 7.5% stake in Juventus.

Southgate Slates Standards Of England Players

Former England International Gareth Southgate, still playing at Middlesbrough, has hit out at the
standards of physical fitness and lack of discipline off the pitch of England's young players in his new
book 'A Football Friendship' :

"As a kid, I thought the top of the game would be packed with unbelievable quality - now I work with
international players who have poor technique and a lack of focus. As England players we have to
look at ourselves more critically, especially we have to take greater responsibility for our physical
fitness. I am thinking particularly of the young and talented English players, who, if they do not settle
for more disciplined and professional lifestyles, are going to lose good career opportunities to foreign
players." 

Southgate was full of admiration for World champions Brazil :

"For all the hype that is generated when England go to a major tournament, our record is pretty
ordinary. English domestic football doesn't prepare players for the technical challenge of the World Cup.
I looked at Brazil and marvelled at their physical condition. These guys are magnificent physical
specimens who are also technically outstanding. Time after time they mount a serious challenge at the
World Cup. Are their lifestyles better than ours? I imagine they are. Are they better coached? Again my
feeling is that they are. I couldn't help noticing that when our lads looked at them, it was with a touch
of awe." 

While very critical (and rightfully so) of England coach Sven Goran Eriksson :

"Sven has given us a definite and easily understood game-plan without broadening our tactical
approach. I feel we need to expand our game to succeed at the highest level. When he speaks to the
team he keeps it simple, makes sense but doesn't inspire."