29 June 2004

Benitez Sued

Valencia are suing former coach Rafa Benitez to the tune of €3 million for breaking his contract. Benitez
had a year left to run on his contract and claims the club owe him €2.4 million in unpaid wages and
bonuses.


28 June 2004

Perez Hits Backs At Beckham's Fitness Claims

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has criticised David Beckham over comments that Real Madrid's
training was to blame for his lacklustre performances at Euro 2004 :

"We understand your concerns, David. We agree with you that training was not up to it but who did not
 train at all during the  Christmas break? Who keeps flying back to England when asked to rest?" 

Beckham said :

"I don't think we've done as much conditioning work at Madrid as we used to at Manchester United but
that's the way it is in the Spanish league. I didn't feel as fit in the second-half of the season as I did
in the first-half and maybe that's the way the Spanish game  is. Maybe it has spilled over into
Euro 2004, but I'm not going to make excuses."


28 June 2004

Parents - Don't Lie To Your Kids

After telling their four your old daughter they were going to a meeting a dentist and his wife arrived
at the Dragao stadium to watch the Czech Republic vs Denmark but the dentist, Norberto Moreira,
was the millionth spectator and to mark the occasion the couple were presented with tickets to final
on the pitch.


Gambler Kills Wife For Nagging

A Vietnamese truck driver, Vo Van Nghe, stabbed his wife in the back of her neck while she was
brushing her teeth. Nghe, 44, claimed his wife Pham Thi Tuyet Vinh, a 42 year old secondary school
teacher, had nagged him constantly after he lost almost €8000 in betting on the tournament.


Henry Critical of Slow Midfield

Thierry Henry believes the French midfield (or to be more precise Zidane) slows down the build-up
play making it difficult for him to have the same impact at international level as he does at club level
for Arsenal :

"With Arsenal, we try straight away to hit the striker early. The earlier I get the ball the better. We
need to try and play faster. If we don't play quick balls, the defense has time to regroup and this
becomes difficult. `It is frustrating there is not much room to move. Up front when you don't get the
ball it is difficult.'"

"Zidane is Zidane, I don't think he is monopolizing the ball too much. That's the way it is, but with
Arsenal it is more direct. I'm not attacking anyone, just we need to play quicker and alternate things
a bit. The earlier the ball, the better."


Zoff Hails Premiership Youngsters

Italy legend Dino Zoff, who was two minutes from leading his team to victory at Euro 2000 before
a late, late equaliser by France, has marked Premiership based youngsters for praise :

"The only new thing about this Euro was the emergence of the youngsters. Milan Baros, Wayne Rooney
and Cristiano Ronaldo are proof of that. It is they who have illuminated this tournament. England failed
again because they sent a bunch of exhausted players to the tournament and while Italy once more
turned out a good team they could not, as is the norm with them, cope with the pressure."


27 June 2004

Beckenbauer Blames Fatigue For Failure of Big Five

"The best-known players came to the Euro already tired because of the length and the intensity of
their championships (Spain, Italy, England, France & Germany). Players have to play so many
games both for club and country and it can mount up to a maximum of around 80 matches."


Adidas Predict Huge Success for Roteiro

Despite being almost universally unpopular with players, aside from those who as not coincidentally
sponsored by Adidas, Adidas predict that they will sell six million copies of the ball at a ball
busting €100 each. The ball is manufactured by Addidas and German chemical giants Bayer who
own Leverkusen.


Asian Press Turn on Beckham

The Asian press have turned on poster boy David Beckham after his terrible performances at Euro 2004
and highly publicised affair  (alleged) with Rebecca Loos :

"Blow it like Beckham" was the headline on Singapore's Straits Times. Another newspaper described
Beckham as "a one-sided player whose slide to mediocrity began the day he met his pop-star wife,
Victoria.". 

Beckham's clean cut image was a big hit in Asia but his profile has taken a hammering after the
Rebecca Loos scandal and his hat-trick of penalty misses (against Turkey and twice in Euro 2004)
and terrible performances since the turn of the year.


26 June 2004

Figo's Popularity Slips with Shirt Lifters

According to figures on the website portugalgay.pt Luis Figo has lost his position as the most
desirable footballer to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo won 14% of the votes, Nuno Gomes 13%, Pauleta
finished third on 12% with Figo in fifth place with 9% of the votes.


25 June 2004

England Make Portuguese Sick

130 people needed treatment for fainting and nerves at the Stadium of Light during the hosts
quarter-final tie against England.


Saez Quits

Inaki Saez has resigned as manager of Spain after his team's pathetic showing at Euro 2004. 


24 June 2004

Captured Troops Allowed To watch England

A group of British soldiers (six marines and two soldiers) captured by Iran's revolutionary guards
were allowed to watch Monday's England vs Croatia match said deputy commander Admiral Ali Fadavi :

"They were so demoralised and could not even talk, so to cheer them up we mobilised our resources
so they could watch the England vs Croatia match"

The soldiers were released on Thursday.


23 June 2004

Ivanisevic Finds England Victory Hard To Stomach

Speaking at Wimbledon, Croat Goran Ivanisevic was critical of England despite their comfortable victory
over his country :

"We made England look like Brazil, but some of the guys in the England team are third division.
I don't want to name names but they are really bad. I would like England to go through. I think how
people celebrate here, how they live for football is good. I would like England to win but I think the
two best teams so far are the Czech Republic and Denmark."


21 June 2004

Muller Un-Impressed by German Strikers

'Der Bomber' Gerd Muller, who scored a ridiculous 68 goals in just 62 games for the German
national team in a glittering career, has criticised the level of strikers being produced by his country :

"In our day we were all dangerous. There were seven or eight of us who were better than today's
strikers but I feel sorry for them too. The problem starts in midfield, there are too few balls played
through to them."


18 June 2004

German's Critical of Portuguese Coverage of Euro 2004

Free to air German satellite TV channels ARD and ZDF have criticised the host broadcasters for their
appalling coverage of Euro 2004 :

ARD commentator Reinold Beckmann said :

"In the opening match, they showed too many slow motion replays."

ZDF commentator Bela Rethy added :

"The replays often show just the goal itself but not the build-up."

French Critical of Pitches

France Euro tour manager Henri Emile has voiced the concerns of his players over the pitches at the
stadia :

"You would almost say it was a mix of real and synthetic grass. We asked UEFA to water the pitch
an hour before the game but they refused."

UEFA have banned watering of pitches four hours prior to kick off.


17 June 2004

Totti Banned For Three Matches

UEFA have given Francesco Totti a three match ban for spitting at Denmark's Christian Poulsen
during Italy's goalless draw against Denmark. Totti was lucky to escape a red card for a criminal
foul on Rene Henriksen. The Italian media and fans were universal in their criticism of Totti, many
called for him to be sent home from the tournament. Totti, who will be available for selection if Italy
reach the semi-finals, apologised for his behaviour :

"I am very distraught at what has happened. don't recognise myself from the images that were shown.
I give a full public apology and I would like to make it clear that the true Francesco Totti is not the one
on the video."


16 June 2004

Benitez Era Starts At Liverpool

As expected Rafael Benitez, fresh from winning La Liga and the UEFA Cup with Valencia, has succeeded
Gerard Houllier as Liverpool coach :

"I am very, very proud to be joining one of the most important clubs in the world in one of the best
leagues in the world and I want to win."


New Coaches For Parma, Lecce and Chievo

Parma have announced Silvio Baldini as the successor to Cesare Prandelli. Baldini was previously in
charge of Palermo, who have been promoted to Serie A. Despite taking the team top of Serie B
Baldini was sacked for criticising club president Zamparini. 

Chain smoking, tactically naive idiot Zdenek Zeman has taken charge of Lecce. Despite finishing
10th and playing some great football the club inexplicably sacked Delio Rossi last month.

Mario Beretta has been unveiled as Chievo's new coach after Luigi Del Neri left to take charge of
European Champions Porto. Beretta was previously in charge of Ternana who finished seventh last
season.


15 June 2004

Zaccheroni Quits, Inter Line-up Mancini

Alberto Zaccheroni his resigned as coach of Inter. In an interview with the Corriere dello Sport he said :

"I've resigned because despite having the faith of President Giacinto Facchetti, I don't have support
from the club. I'm also going because nobody is keeping me informed of what we are doing on the
transfer market. It is a shame because I was convinced that we had a good chance of success if I was
given a full season. My past shows that, when I had the possibility to work from the beginning of the
season, I have never lacked results. I arrived here when Inter were eighth in the League and I finished
fourth but this hasn't been enough. In the Champions' League, we were eliminated by Lokomotiv
Moscow. In the Coppa Italia, we went out only in the semi-finals with Juventus on penalties.
I remain convinced that, with only a few player changes, we would have become competitive on a
high level."

Inter's puppet President Giacinto Facchetti (Moratti still pulls the strings) confirmed that the club
have been holding talks with Lazio's Roberto Mancini :

"We have reached an agreement with Mancini and although there are a few details to work through,
I don't think there will be any real problems. As of yesterday, he is practically the Inter Coach."


Yartsev Sends Mostovoi Home

Loudmouth Russia playmaker Aleksandr Mostovoi has been sent home after criticising coach
Georgi Yartsev and claiming the team wouldn't reach the quarter-finals :

"The unethical comments made by Aleksandr Mostovoi about Russia's chances of qualifying mean
he cannot stay with the team any more."

Russian Football Union vice-president Valery Draganov undermined Yartsev's position by siding with
Mostovoi :

"I really regret this decision, it does not help the team. Even if Mostovoi spoke out critically against
the coach, I don't think it is a reason for such a quick dismissal. We don't have enough players of
Mostovoi's calibre. People like that are worth their weight in gold."


13 June 2004

Arsenal Release 17 Players

Arsenal have released the following players :

Bailey
Bradley
Chilvers 
Holloway
Kanu
Sam Kanu
Keown
McDonald
Nicolau
Papadopulos
Paulinho
Probets
Shaaban
Small
Stepanovs
Sulaiman
Wiltord


Friday 11 June 2004

Brazil Copa America Squad Highlights Competitions Status

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has picked an experimental squad for the upcoming Copa America
tournament and rested all the teams star players for Septembers World Cup qualifier against
Bolivia. Kleberson is the only member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning side in the squad :

Goalkeepers
Julio Cesar (Flamengo)
Fabio (Vasco da Gama)

Defenders
Bordon (Stuttgart)
Cris (Cruzeiro)
Juan (Leverkusen)
Luisao (Benfica) 
Mancini (Roma)
Maicon (Cruzeiro)
Gustavo Nery (Sao Paulo)
Gilberto (Sao Caetano)

Midfielders
Alex (Fenerbahce)
Diego (Santos)
Dudu (Kashiwa Reysol)
Edu (Arsenal)
Julio Baptista (Sevilla)
Felipe (Flamengo)
Kleberson (Manchester United)
Renato (Santos)

Forwards
Adriano (Inter)
Luis Fabiano (Sao Paulo)
Ricardo Oliveira (Valencia)
Vagner Love (Palmeiras)


10 June 2004

Totti Re-iterates Need For Enforcements

Roma captain Francesco Totti has again called for the debt ridden club to strengthen the squad following the
sale of Samuel and impending sale of Emerson :

"I spoke with the club, telling them that 5 or 6 players, including Gilardino, must come to remain competitive
otherwise I would feel cheated and I might not keep my promise of not leaving Roma."

Totti also refused to rule out a move to Milan saying "Never say never."


9 June 2004

Ancelotti Adds Fuel To Totti Rumours

When asked about speculation linking Milan with Ronaldinho and Totti :

"I think that Totti is much better and he would be perfect for us. This is my opinion but I hope that it is
clear to everybody that these are only dreams because there is no kind of deal on the table with the
Roma captain or the Brazilian."


Zambrotta Prefers Trezeguet

"I read that now there are good possibilities that Trezeguet stays. I hope he does because in these
years he gave us a lot and not just goals. In the past days I also read about the possibility of Vieri
joining us. Bobo was good for us, but between him and Trezeguet, I choose David."
Juventus defender/midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta


ESM Team of The Season

Based on appearances in the ESM (European Soccer Magazines) team of the month awards :

GK. Timo Hildebrand (Stuttgart)
RB. Paulo Ferreira (Porto)
CB. Walter Samuel (Roma)
CB. Roberto Ayala (Valencia)
LB. Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)

RM. Ludovic Giuly (Monaco)
MF. Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
MF. Francesco Totti (Roma)
LM. Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)

FW. Andriy Shevchenko (Milan)
FW. Thierry Henry (Arsenal)


Ex-Ajax Coach Ridicules Advocat

Holland coach Dick Advocaat has cancelled his membership of the association of professional coaches
(CBV) in Holland following an attack by AZ Alkmaar coach Co Adriaanse. In an interview with the
highly respected Voetbal International magazine he said 'one will never win a European Championship
with Dick Advocaat'. On Tuesday Co Adriaanse ignored the CBV's plea to apologise to Advocat saying
"If I can't express my opinion, I have no reason to be part of this union." a remark which promoted
Advocaat and his assistants Bert van Lingen and Jan Wouters to leave the association.


7 June 2004

Del Bosque Returns To Coaching

Former Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque has replaced Mircea Luscesu as coach of Besiktas. Lucescu
left last month for Shakthar Donetsk.


4 June 2004

Moggi Confirms Vieri Rumours

Juventus director Luciano Moggi has confirmed speculation that the club intend to sign Vieri :

"There is an obstacle in our path to Vieri and it is an economic one. I will visit Forte dei Marmi to eat some
nice fish soup but I won't tell you who my dinner companion will be. 

When Moggi was told of an earlier interview in which Vieri denied that he was interested in a move (see
below) he replied :

"For a move to go through you need the acceptance of three parties - the player and both clubs. Those
who say nothing are tacitly accepting a situation, so Juve are staying silent. Seeing as Inter are also
refusing to comment, I'll assume they are also making a statement of acceptance."


Vieri Insists He's Staying

Christian Vieri has denied that he is set to leave the Nerazzurri for a return to Juventus :

"I haven't asked to be sold and if Inter want to keep me then I won't be moving, not to join Juventus
or any other club."


Solari Costs Real Madrid €8 Million

The Court of Arbitration for Sport have ordered Real Madrid to pay Inter €8 million after the
club appealed against FIFA's order to pay Inter €10 million after Santiago Solari refused to join
them as part of the deal that took Ronaldo to Real Madrid. The Court of Arbitration said :

"Real Madrid and Inter Milan have decided to settle the controversy related to the interpretation of
the transfer agreement of Ronaldo." 

Real have to pay Inter €7 million by the end of the month and a further €1 million by the end of
June 2005.


Totti Latest To Criticise Euro 2004 Ball

It's a bi annual move of immense stupidity. Football manufacturers unveil a new, revolutionary
football which meets with almost universal approval from the players themselves. Francesco Totti
has become the latest player to criticise Addidas' Roteiro, the official ball of the Euro 2004
championships :

"It's too hard and it doesn't rebound that well"

Totti joins a list which includes Helguera, Joaquin and Silvestre. England captain David Beckham is a
big fan of the Roteiro, Beckham is of course sponsored by Addidas.


Queiroz Rejoins Man Utd

As expected Carlos Queiroz will rejoin Manchester United as Alex Ferguson's assistant coach next season.


Monaco Wipe Out Debts

Didier Deschamps, prompted by Fabio Capello leaving Roma for Juventus, has extended his contract as
Monaco coach until 2007. The club also announced that a cash injection of €50 million.


Mourinho's Long Term Plan

Unlike predecessor Claudio Ranieri new Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho is planning to use the clubs
Academy to develop a core of English players for the first team :

"Last night I was spending my night analysing a document about the Academy, because I have to be ready
for my feedback in relation to this document. I try to be very organised and I try to explain to the board
what I like, and because of that I'm making a few documents for the board to explain what I want and
what I like. So if you ask me would I like to have many English players in my team - yes, I would like."


BBC Announce On-line Commentary

BBC Radio Five Live have secured the rights to broadcast commentary from Premiership matches
until 2007 a deal which includes the rights to broadcast commentary live from the BBC Sport website :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive


Del Neri Gets Shot At The Big Time

Luigi Del Neri has worked wonders with little Chievo in recent seasons but after being linked with a move
to one of the Serie A giants he now finds himself in charge of European Champions Porto. Del Neri faces
the difficult task of replacing Jose Mourinho and several of the teams star players.


3 June 2004

Santini Quits French National Team For Spurs

Tottenham have announced Jaques Santini as their new coach. Despite a perfect record during qualifying,
the French FA haven't offered Santini a new contract leaving him free to take charge of Spurs after
Euro 2004.


Rivaldo Sells Soul For Sand

In a move which brings shame to a once great reputation, former World and European Footballer of the
year Rivaldo has turned down offers from Bolton and Celtic to join the Qatar football league for an
estimated €180,000 per week. Rivaldo's move follows hot on the heels of another past it,
Christoph Dugarry.


2 June 2004

Ranieri Returns To Valencia

Claudio Ranieri has returned to former club Valencia. Ranieri coached the current Spanish champions
between 1997 - 1999, winning the Copa Del Rey in his final season in charge.


FIFA Suspend Kenya

FIFA has suspended the Kenyan Football Federation after continual interference from their government.
Kenya will not be able to compete in any matches, at any level.


Mourinho Confirmed As Chelsea Coach

In his first press conference as Chelsea coach the charismatic Jose Mourinho cut this fantastic promo :

"Chelsea represent a fantastic challenge for me. It is a great club with a world-class squad of players.
We have top players and, sorry if I'm arrogant, but we now have a top manager. The English Premiership
is recognised as the best league in the world and I am really excited at the prospect of competing week in,
week out at the highest level in England as well as in Europe. I have been asked how I will cope with the
pressure, how I will cope with these players, how I will cope with the urgent ambition to win titles. 
You don't have to ask me again because that's what I live for." 

"English football is a big passion for me. There were some big clubs chasing me very hard. This was a
fantastic position for me and the people in my boat, and Chelsea was a perfect choice for me. I don't
want to sound arrogant, but I think I am a special manager because I have won the Champions League."

Mourinho suggested that he would reduce the squad to a manageable size :

"I won't work with big squads. I like small squads. I will have 21 outfield players, plus the goalkeepers
because this is the right amount for the specific work we want to do." 


Queiroz Claims He Was Mislead

Former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz has blamed Florentino Perez' transfer policy for the clubs
spectacular spring collapse :

"I made my biggest mistake in January. I should have left when we were leading the league and doing
well in the Cup and the Champions League. Maybe if I had gone then Real might not have ended the
season as they did. I asked that Morientes be allowed to stay and I am convinced that with him in the
squad alongside Geremi, Makelele and Milito then Real would have ended up with one or two trophies."

"If you were promised a car with air conditioning, four wheels, leather seats and metallic paint and
you were then given one without any of that how would you feel?" 

Queiroz blasted Perez for claiming he lacked the authority necessary to deal with the clubs stars :

"I don't want to lower myself to the same level as others who have not shown me any respect. In
sporting terms things didn't go well but that doesn't mean we should lack courtesy or elegance.
I am not going to do that because I don't want to confuse Real Madrid with the president of the club." 


1 June 2004

Benitez Walks Out On Valencia

In a shock move coach of Spanish champions Valencia, Rafael Benitez, announced his resignation following
speculation linking him with the Liverpool job. Valencia have become Spain's dominant team winning
2 of the last 3 league championships. Benitez wouldn't comment on the Liverpool speculation and insisted
he would take time to weigh up his options.


Sammer Replaces Magath, Marwijk Replaces Sammer

Mattias Sammer has left Dortmund to coach Stuttgart. He replaces Felix Magath, who left for Bayern.
Dutchman Bert van Marwijk replaces Sammer at Dortmund. van Marwijk lead Feyenoord to UEFA Cup
success in 2002, against Dortmund.