8 March 2006

Rangers Sign €70 Million Deal With JJB Sports

Rangers have signed a 10 year licence agreement with JJB Sports, who are owned by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, worth €70 million. Rangers will receive an initial
payment of €26 million in June and annual payments of €4.40 million. The deal gives
JJB Sports the rights to sell all Rangers sportswear and leisurewear in their 439 UK
stores.

Germans in Hooligan Crackdown

Germany's Justice Minister, Brigitte Zypries, has said hooligans could face a trail within 24 hours after courts moved to speed up the legal process :

"If there is clear evidence, the perpetrators should face trial within 24 hours. We have undertaken judicial measures to ensure the necessary punishments are handed out."

Charlton Blames Foreigners For Diving

England and Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton has, laughably, blamed foreigners for the increase in diving in British football :

"The British always used to be called the gentlemen of sport. They would play the game correctly, with a stiff upper lip.  We seem to have drifted into some bad habits that others brought with them. We didn't used to have any of this in our country until players from abroad came in."

These comments beg the question who taught Owen, Beckham, Cole and Gerrard to dive?

Bellamy Arrested

Blackburn striker Craig Bellamy has been arrested in connection with an alleged
physical assault on a woman at a Cardiff nightclub.

Cameroon Coach Resigns

Cameroon coach Artur Jorge has send a letter to the countries sports minister
announcing his resignation. In the letter he wrote :

'I regret to inform you of my resignation as of today, and that I wish to put an end to our contract. As I am sure you are aware, article two of my contract has been breached on several occasions. Nevertheless, I do not want to use that as an excuse to cause a dispute.'

Under the terms of his contract, Jorge was responsible for squad selections, scouting, training camps and organising friendlies but claims interference and also of late payment of wages.

A government official said :

"We're not surprised by his resignation, because we already know that Artur Jorge has been on contact with potential employers in South America and Asia."

Jorge is most famous for winning the European Cup with Porto in 1987 but has done little of note since.

FIFA To Test For Heart Defects

FIFA have announced  players from all 32 teams will be tested for heart defects prior to the finals. Defibrillators will be available at all 12 stadia in the event players suffer a heart attack. Four players from each team will be randomly tested for drugs during the month long tournament and players will also be tested during April and May's friendly matches.

Klinsmann Criticised For No Show

The head of the 2006 World Cup organizing committee, Franz Beckenbauer, has criticised Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann for staying at home in California and not attending a workshop for World Cup coaches :

"Jurgen Klinsmann should have been here. This is a meeting he had to make and there are not too many of them. Of course he can go to the United States to see his family but he needs to spend most of his time here in Germany ahead of the World Cup. I do not know how many times I have spoken with him about it but clearly there is no point. If he can handle the criticism then fine. After the 4-1 in Italy (friendly defeat) it was necessary for him to be here to pick up the pieces. If he sees it differently then he must live with the criticism."

The workshop was attended by Carlos Alberto Parreira and Sven Goran Eriksson amongst others.

McCarthy Sacked

Sunderland have sacked Mick McCarthy following Sunday's loss at Manchester City, their 22nd league defeat of the season. Chairman Bob Murray, who is deeply unpopular with the club's fans for failing to give McCarthy funds to strengthen the squad, said :

"As Chairman I take responsibility for what has proven to be an unsuccessful and heartbreaking season, despite the best intentions, efforts and expectations of every one at the club."

"I feel deeply sorry that the excitement, optimism and aspirations of all Sunderland fans looking forward to a return to the Premier League have been rewarded in this way and I apologise for this. It is especially tough on supporters who have turned out in numbers week in, week out; despite seeing so little to raise their spirits. It is hard to see such loyalty unrewarded and I am sorry that performances and results have not mirrored the tremendous level of support that the club has been given."

"The club did not return to the Premiership just to make up the numbers and whilst we fully expected it to be a tough first season back, none of us expected to be in the position we are today. I would like to thank Mick McCarthy for his efforts for the club whilst at Sunderland and wish him and his family the best for the future. Looking ahead we will be taking our time to appoint a successor for what will be another very important season for the club in 2006."

Former captain Kevin Ball will take over as caretaker coach.

McCarthy praised the fans for their support :

"I've enjoyed every single minute of it. I'm sure I've got support and I'm sure there are people that think otherwise. It's been tough these past few months but it's been a pleasure and I've been fortunate. I've done my best and can't do anything more I'll move on and eventually do something else. It's been brilliant and I've thoroughly enjoyed the support of the fans."

Mourinho Takes The Flack

Jose Mourinho claims being spat at and jeered (when he arrived in Barcelona) ahead of the club's champions league clash is part of his continuing strategy to take the pressure off his players :

"I am the first one to leave the airport and I know what I am doing. After that the players don't have anything. It was the same at the hotel. I left the hotel two or three minutes before and the guys follow me so it's easy for them. Tomorrow I will go to the pitch before the game and try to take the good feeling of the crowd but I can't do anything once the referee starts the game. It's up to the players, but we have players with some experience and they can handle the situation."

Portugal Suffer Massive World Cup Blow

Portugal and Deportivo defender Jose Andrade has been ruled out for upto six months following knee surgery, the second major injury the player has suffered in the last three seasons.

UEFA Chief Executive Speaks on Diving, Refs and Racism

UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson claims diving is more of a problem in England then in the rest of Europe (largely because of the poor officiating) :

"It seems it has been significantly more in Britain than in the other parts of Europe, although there have been reports from international games as well."

Olsson also said FIFA were considering using two referees :

"The use of two referees will be discussed in the summer. Previous tests haven't been successful because of communication. We haven't foreseen any tests in the near future but it is one of the matters that has come up in discussion with clubs in terms of dealing with this behaviour."

And talked tough on tackling racism though UEFA have yet to take strong action despite previous threats and continued problems, especially in Spain :

"We have been discussing also within UEFA whether we should have other measures, such as taking points away from a club, for example, or changing a result but this is a very tricky one because you cannot have the matches decided in the boardroom or by the disciplinary bodies. It should be decided on the pitch, so our first objective has to be to get everybody involved around the match to create the correct atmosphere."

"We have to do something. Generally speaking, it seems we have a tougher climate coming up, especially between fans and players and officials. What we now see and have seen over this season concerning the abuse of people because of colour and other things is absolutely not acceptable.  'This is something we definitely have to address in a better way."

MPs Round on Klinsmann After Italy Thrashing

Norber Barthle, Christian Democratic Union :

"It would be nice if Mr Klinsmann could explain his ideas and how he wants us to be world champions. The game against Italy was awful and you are left asking how he can make up ground by the summer. The Federal Government is the biggest sponsor of the World Cup and I would just like a few answers."

Reinhold Henker, Social Democratic Party :

"Klinsmann has good players to call on but there are too many uncertainties. He should start stating clearly who he is counting on."

DFB (German FA President) Theo Zwanziger tried luck on the bright-side :

Ballack Rules Out Inter Move

Michael Ballack's representative, Michael Becker, has said the player will not join option Inter :

"He will definitely not be joining Inter. Michael will only continue his career with a club who can win the Champions League. At the present time, Inter are third in Serie A, while Bayern are at the top of the German Championship."

Becker suggest Chelsea are favourites for the midfielders signature :

FIFA Refuse to Back Down in Photo Row

FIFA President Sepp Bladder has refused to back down in the row over the use of
photos on the Internet during the World Cup. Responding to a letter sent by the
World Association of Newspapers (WAN) Bladder said :

"The regulations concerning the use of photographs on the Internet are not open
to further negotiation because FIFA and Infront have already gone as far as they
can in view of current contracts"

Infront hold the image rights for the tournament and under their deal with FIFA
internet sites cannot show more than five photos from each half and two for extra
time and penalty shoot-out. We'll see about that.

WAN have threatened FIFA with legal action.

Chelsea Legend Dies At Funeral

Chelsea striker Peter Osgood who was known as 'The King of Stamford Bridge' has
died aged 59 after collapsing at a family funeral. Osgood was taken to the nearby
Wexham Park Hospital.

Osgood scored twice on his debut in 1964, aged just 17, in a League Cup replay
against Workington Town. He scored in every round of Chelsea's 1970 FA Cup
campaign, heading the equaliser against Leeds in a 2-1 final victory. The following
season Chelsea won the Cup Winners Cup, beating Real Madrid in the final. Osgood
won four England caps and was part of England's 1970 World Cup squad. He also
won a FA Cup winners medal with Southampton.