30 March 2004

Van der Meyde Prefers Mickey Mouse League To Inter

Speaking on his annoyance at spending time on the Inter bench Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde said
he "would rather play in a Mickey Mouse league" than be a sub at the San Siro. Having joined the club
at the start of the season van der Meyde made no secret of his desire to leave :

"If an interesting club comes for me I will think about it." he told Voetbal International.


29 March 2004

Clueless FA Award Eriksson's Lack of Commitment

After continually being linked with a host of clubs and being seen publicly with representatives of
Chelsea football club the English FA have rewarded Sven Goran Eriksson with a new contract taking
him to the 2008 World Cup :

"I'm glad we've been able to come to an agreement to extend my involvement with the national team.
In an ideal world I would have liked to wait until after Euro 2004, but that was more or less impossible
with all the speculation. I have added to that speculation. From where I'm coming from there is nothing
wrong in listening to other people, other clubs, in England as well as other countries but it's best to kill
the rumours."

Eriksson admitted holding talks with Chelsea :

I was not close to joining Chelsea. I was listening. When clubs come and you have ambition you listen
to other jobs. You should be allowed to even if you are England manager. I have a contract until 2008.
I have a great job. It's bigger than I thought but it's always very difficult that who has this job should
be a saint, shouldn't earn a lot of money, shouldn't have a private life and shouldn't listen to other
offers." 

Arsenal Break Record

Arsenal set a new record for an unbeaten start to the season with their home draw against
Manchester United, beating the previous record of 29 games set by Leeds in the 1973 - 1974 season
and Liverpool in the 1987- 1988 season. Arsenal are bidding to become the first team in history to win
the Premiership without losing a match.


23 March 2004

Malesani Sacked

Modena have sacked Alberto Malesani following the weekend's home defeat to Reggina. Modena have
only won one of their 17 league games to date. Gianfranco Bellotto will suceed Malesani as coach.


21 March 2004

Barca Reveal Next Season's Targets

Barcelona, who have hit a rich vein of form and moved back into the title picture with 9 straight
league victories, are already planning for next season. Vice-President Sandro Rosell revealed that
Vieri and Trezeguet were the clubs first choice replacements following the impending departure
of the eternally useless Patrick Kluivert :

"Vieri has not been offered to us directly but we know that he would be very happy to come here
and join us at the Nou Camp. Arsenal will not release Thierry Henry the same goes for Milan and
Andriy Shevchenko. David Trezeguet is the right man, but we'll see what we can do for Vieri."

Trezeguet looks to be on his way out of Turin after the club refuse to yield to his new contract
demands. Trezeguet currently earns 1/3 of Alessandro Del Piero's weekly wage.


20 March 2004

Milan Sign Stam

Unconfirmed reports claim that Milan and Lazio have reached an agreement over the transfer of
Jaap Stam for a fee of €11 million. The defender will join on a two year contract at the end of
the season.


19 March 2004

Leeds Saved

Leeds United's future is safe after a local based consortium completed a €45 million takeover on
Friday. Under the agreement Leeds United PLC and a holding company will be placed into
administration before being wound up. The assets and reduced debts would then be taken over
by the Leeds United AFC organisation.

The consortium is led by the charismatic Gerald Krasner, a local businessman, and includes former
Elland Road legend Peter Lorimer.

Sagnol Reveals Arsenal Approach

"I am aware of Arsenal's interest. They are trying to find a successor for their Cameroon international
Lauren but I am currently under contract with Bayern until 2006 so we shall have to see."

Ferdinand Ban Upheld

In a move which will surprise absolutely no one an independent panel have rejected an appeal by
Rio Ferdinand against an 8 month ban for failing to attend a drugs test. The panel confirmed that
the ban will stand until the 20th of September 2004.


18 March 2004

Champions World Series

In a lame marketing ploy a series of high profile and lucrative pre-season friendlies in the US have
been dubbed the 'Champions World Series'. These matches will take place in late July and early
August :

July 24. Chelsea vs Celtic, Seahawks Stadium, Seattle
July 25. Manchester United vs Bayern Munich, Soldier Field, Chicago
July 26. Liverpool vs Celtic, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut
July 28. Manchester United vs Celtic, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
July 29. Roma vs Chelsea, Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
July 31. Manchester United vs Milan, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
July 31. Celtic vs Roma, SkyDome, Toronto
August 2. Chelsea vs Milan, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
August 3. Roma vs Liverpool, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey


17 March 2004

FIFA Stop Ringer Fiasco

FIFA have put an end to players with no genuine connection with a country from switching
nationalities. In their wisdom FIFA changed the rules of eligibility last year and several nations took
advantage most notably Tunisia who naturalised Brazilian striker Francileudo Dos Santos. Dos Santos'
son was born in Tunisia while he was playing for Etoile. The move comes in the wake of Werder
Bremen's Brazilian born striker Ailton admitting he would welcome an approach to play for Qatar.


16 March 2004

Baggio Announces Retirement (again), Reveals His Successor

"I have made the decision to quit (at the end of the season). I will have to stop eventually and with
these little fitness problems I think it best to do so now. Six operations on your knee do have an
effect. I am now paying the price for all that surgery. I am sorry to leave the game, especially for
all the fans who have supported me over the years."

Speaking on scoring his 200th Serie A goal against Parma :

"On Sunday I made a dream come true. I think that is what pushed me on from my first goal on
May 10 1987 at Napoli, bringing me all the way to Parma's Stadio Tardini. Dreams are what gave
me that desire, sparkand the angle of that shot to put my 200th football into the back of the net.
It all brought back every memory in this sport, it is the great passion of my life. In a moment of
great joy I must also contend with a difficult choice to quit. My entire career has been like that
with joy and suffering changing places in a strange dance but I give my thanks for all those
moments, both good and bad. Above all I thank everyone for making sure I never felt alone."

G-14 Flex Their Muscle To FIFA

Despite FIFA's attempts at restructuring the Club World Championship which would see the
European and South American champions given a bye to the knockout stages, the G-14 are adamant
that they will not compete :

"We're satisfied with the current competitions and have no wish to fill the schedules even more.
No club from the G-14 will participate in this FIFA competition. We refuse to play the World
Championship and our decision is final." G-14 spokesman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Fortune Out For A Year

Manchester United's Quinton Fortune will be sidelined for a year following knee surgery on an injury
sustained in training.

38 Year Old Carboni Extends Valencia Stay

Valencia have extended the contract of Serie A reject and serial fouling rubbish defender Amedeo
Carboni until 2006, taking him to his 307th birthday.


15 March 2004

Ancelotti Unfazed By Chelsea Rumours

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed speculation that has linked him to Real Madrid and Chelsea :

"I have absolutely no doubt about my future. Everyone knows the way I feel about this club. I have
a contract until 2005 and you know what it means sentimentally to me to be in charge of Milan."

Ancelotti claims he is unfazed by Milan president Silvio Berlusconi's continual outbursts to the press :

"Berlusconi's invasions haven't upset me. There has always been a good relationship between me
and the president. We talk about the club , but that is only right. I welcome his comments because
they help me in my job."

Sacchi Hails Current Milan Side, Laments Adriano Sale To Inter

Reflecting on the record setting pace of his former club, former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi made the
following comments in a TV interview :

"I would say that they (Milan 2004) are technically better than my team, even if mine changed the
face of Italian football. Both sides are great even if it was easier for me back then. Yet Milan today
are bringing something new into the sport. They are playing with an attacking mentality that reminds
me of South American or Spanish football. Yet defensively they are Italian. They play an international
brand of soccer. I could only have two foreign players in my side (actually three) but I think we were
better tactically. Who would win if the two sides met? I don't know. It would be a good game though."

Sacchi, who has a behind the scenes role at Parma, says he warned Inter President Massimo Moratti
over signing Adriano in January :

"I told Massimo Moratti that it would be a mistake. He is only 21 and needs to play in a tranquil
environment but he will be back because he is one of the most devastating players that I have ever
seen in my life."


13 March 2004

Champions League Draw

Quarter-Finals (March 23-24, April 6-7)
Porto v Lyon
Real Madrid vs Monaco
Chelsea vs Arsenal
Milan vs Deportivo

Semi-Finals (April 20-21, May 4-5)
Real Madrid/Monaco vs Arsenal/Chelsea
Milan/Deportivo vs Porto/Lyon

Final : 26 May 2004


10 March 2004

Atletico Rejected Approach For Torres

Atletico Madrid have rejected an offer of €36 million plus Diego Forlan from Manchester United for
teenage striker Fernando Torres.


4 March 2004

Smith Appointed Taggart's Number Two

In a move which borders on desperation and stupidity Manchester United have appointed
Walter Smith, who did such a wonderful job at Everton, as assistant to Sir Taggart Ferguson until
the end of the season.


3 March 2004

Man United Top Rich List Again

Manchester United have been confirmed as the 'richest' club in the world for the seventh successive
season. The list is based on turnover and quite obviously not on the true reflection of wealth i.e.
spending power. Deloitte & Touche's director Dan Jones explained the reasons behind weighing
based on turnover :

"We use turnover because if a club has large revenues and manages them well, the club will
become rich."

1. Manchester United	€250
2. Juventus		€216
3. Milan			€198
4. Real Madrid		€191
5. Bayern Munich		€161
6. Inter			€161
7. Arsenal		€150
8. Liverpool		€149
9. Newcastle United	€137
10. Chelsea		€133


2 March 2004

Ronaldo Extends Contract

Ronaldo has put an end to no speculation whatsoever over his future by signing an extension to
his Real Madrid contract that ties him to the club until 2008.


1 March 2004

UEFA Hand Two Match Ban To Roberto Carlos

Real Madrid defender Bobby Carlos has been handed a two match ban for striking Bayern defender
Martin Demichelis in the face. The referee missed the incident but Bayern made an official protest
to UEFA and sent them a video of the incident.

Russians Pull Out Of Roma Deal

A Russian consortium that was on the verge of a €400 million takeover of Roma have pulled out of
the deal after investigations were started by Italy's finance police into the false accounting of
soccer clubs.

Following another scintillating performance (1-4 away victory over Parma) the club revealed their
net loss in the six months to December 2003 was €47.8m.

Chelsea Fund PSV's Signing Of Alex

Chelsea have signed a deal with PSV effectively making the Dutch giants their nursery club.
PSV's chairman, Harry van Raaij, admitted the London billionaires funded the signing of Santos'
giant Brazilian defender Alex, a target of a host of clubs including Milan and Real Madrid :

"Nothing's been properly finalised just yet but there are clear advantages for everyone concerned.
It is true Chelsea are behind this signing. Everyone's hopeful we can continue to work together."

Alex is expected to join Chelsea after two seasons in Eindhoven.

Wenger Rejected Real Madrid

Arsene Wenger has revealed that he turned down an approach from Spanish Champions
Real Madrid last summer :

"I refused Real because, on the playing front, the project lacked a bit of spice. Also, becoming a
national coach does not interest me. What does, is trying to win the Champions League against
20 clubs - 18 of which have a bigger budget ."

Guatemala's Keeper Dies After On Pitch Collision

Municipal's 27 year old goalkeeper Danny Ortiz died after colliding with Comunicaciones forward
Mario Rodriguez during a league match. Ortiz fell into unconsciousness after taking a blow to the
chest and later died in hospital.