23 September 2005
Stoichkov Banned for 4 Games
Bulgaria's national team coach Hristo Stoichkov has been banned for four games
after claiming UEFA's Swedish President Lennart Johansson was "aware in advance
of how the game would end" after Bulgaria were beaten by Sweden 3-0 in a World
Cup qualifier in September.
Neville Out for Six Weeks
Manchester United and England right back Gary Neville has been ruled out for six
weeks after undergoing surgery on a groin injury.
22 September 2005
Puyol Extends Contract
Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol has extended his contract with the Spanish champions
until 2010 and now has a €150 million buy out clause.
Kidnapped Coach Freed
Ruben Omar Romano, the Argentinean coach of Mexican side Cruz Azul, has been
freed following a police raid. A spokesman said :
"He is free and six people, four men and two women, have been arrested. The
operation was carried out at a house in the city."
In July 47 year old Ruben Omar Romano was forced out of his 4x4 by five men and
into another car.
21 September 2005
Udinese Blackmail Iaquinta
Udinese striker Vincenzo Iaquinta has been dropped from the first team squad after
he refused to extend his contract which doesn't expire until 2007. Udinese general
director, Pietro Leonardi, said :
"He's the only player who does not recognize himself in the ‘Udinese Project' of
sporting solidarity, aimed at achieving the important targets reached and to
reach. All the team players have shown a lot of trust in the Udinese essence,
some of them renewing their contracts without exceptions. Vincenzo Iaquinta
puts himself, today, in a distant optic from the common project."
Gilberto Silva Extends Contract
Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has signed a four-year contract extension with
Arsenal tying him to the club until 2009.
20 September 2005
Rooney Banned for Two Games
UEFA have banned Wayne Rooney for two games after his controversial dismissal by
incompetent referee Kim Milton Nielsen during Manchester United's champions
League match against Villarreal earlier in the month. Nielsen booked Rooney after
a Alvares dived under minimal contact from the striker. Rooney mocked Nielsen's
decision to award a yellow card by clapping and in turn earned himself a second
yellow.
19 September 2005
Barca Tie-Up Rijkaard
Frank Rijkaard has extended his contract with the club for a further two years until
2009. Rijkaard was appointed first team coach in 2003 and was weeks away from
the sack before a dramatic turnaround in form saw Barca finish second and the
following season win La Liga.
2005 FIFPro Awards
The 2005 FIFPro (international professional football players union) have voted
Ronaldinho as their player of the year and Wayne Rooney has won the young player
award. The full list of awards is as follows :
Player of the Year : Ronaldinho (Barcelona & Brazil)
Young Player : Wayne Rooney (Manchester United & England)
Fans Young Player Award : Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United & England)
GK : Dida (Milan & Brazil)
DF : Paolo Maldini (Milan)
DF : Cafu (Milan & Brazil)
DF : Nesta (Milan & Italy)
DF : Terry (Chelsea & England)
MF : Makelele (Chelsea & France)
MF : Ronaldinho (Barcelona & Brazil)
MF : Lampard (Chelsea & England)
MF : Zidane (Real Madrid & France)
FW : Shevchenko (Milan & Ukraine)
FW : Eto'o (Barcelona & Cameroon)
