22 December 2006

Juve Lose €243 Million Contract


Digraced Italian giants Juventus have had their shirt sponsorship with oil company
Tamoil terminated following their relegation to Serie B for their role in the Calciopoli
scandal. Under the terms of the five year contract Juventus were set to earn
€106.50 between 2005 and 2010 with the remaining €136.50 if the contract was
extened for a further five years. Juventus had only collected €36.51 million before
their enforced relegation. Juventus have also had their contracts with Sky Italia and
Nike reduced by 30%.


21 December 2006

Borriello Tests Positive For Banned Substance

Milan striker Marco Borriello has tested positive for banned substance corticosteroids,
which are normally used to treat asthma and can be either ingested or injected. The
sample was taken following Milan's defeat against Roma at the San Siro on November
the 11th. A statement released by the club read as follows :

"AC Milan take note of the provisional suspension of player Marco Borriello and
is sure that will this situation will be cleared up soon in the best possible
way."


7 December 2006

G14 Warn FIFA

Arsenal vice-chairman and G14 chairman David Dein has warned FIFA over plans to
limit the number of foreign players in teams :

"This is totally illegal and it will be challenged. If FIFA want to light a fire
then so be it but it will be a very hot one. I hope this idea doesn't go any
further."

Lehmann Criticises Cole over Autobiography

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has criticsed former team-mate Ashley Cole for
releasing an autobiography at the age of 25 :

"Of course Ashley should expect criticism from supporters on Sunday. He should
get criticism. That is football. It makes the game exciting. If he didn't it would have
meant that he wasn't an important player but he was. He was a vital member of our
squad and we enjoyed some major successes with him. So obviously he should expect
some negative emotions when he plays against Arsenal. I do not understand why
young players write books. I do not know why a player at 25 wants to tell me all about
their big experiences. When I consider the age I am now, I would have a lot to tell
people but it seems to be an English habit to come out with books that nobody
needs. I don't know if Cole should have waited before writing his book but the English
mentality seems to be different to elsewhere. I will probably write one when I retire
but I am a bit older than these players. As I said, what is the point of writing a book
at 25?'"

Cole's book has laughably only sold 4,000 copies.

Barcelona and Real Madrid Deny Links to Drug Doctor

Barcelona and Real Madrid have denied suggestions that they have worked with
Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes who is under investigation in an inquiry into
doping in cycling.

A statement on Real Madrid's website read as follows :

"Real Madrid want to deny in a forthright way any link, direct or indirect, of
the club's medical services with Dr Eufemiano Fuentes.'

A spokesman added "Real Madrid have no links with Eufemiano Fuentes and never
have done. None of our players can go to another doctor without the permission
of the club and no one has asked permission to be treated by him."

A statement on Barelona's website read as follows :

"FC Barcelona categorically deny the information published today Thursday by the
French paper Le Monde in relation to a supposed and non-existent use of the
services of the Dr Eufemiano Fuentes with the club and a supposed and
non-existing specific link with the club's preparation plans last season. Furthermore,
Barcelona reserves legal means it considers convenient in the defence of the club's
interests."

On being questioned in reletion to these links Fuentes said :

"I cannot reply. I have been threatened with death. I have been told if I say
certain things myself or my family could have severe problems. I have been
threatened three times and I am not going to be threatened a fourth time"

UEFA Hand Feyenoord Record Fine

Feyenoord have been fined €125,000 following crowd trouble during last month's
UEFA Cup group stage tie away to Nancy. Feynoord supporters threw missiles on
the pitch and police had to use tear gas to stop them from invading the pitch as
the game was held up for half an hour.