24 May 2007
Maldini Hails Milan As World's Best
"This club has provided me with a lot of amazing emotions and this (5th European Cup win) is another example. We've been the best team in Italy, Europe and the world over the past 20 years and the cycle hasn't ended yet. We've got something different (to other clubs). For some time we've had this special mentality. Sometimes we have unsuccessful seasons but we always bounce back the next year, even when people dismiss our chances." - Paolo Maldini
18 May 2007
Ronaldinho To Miss Copa America
Ronaldinho has followed Kaka' in requesting to be left out of Brazil's Copa America squad :
"It is well known to you that during the last few years I have been subjected to intense and uninterrupted physical activity. I have been unable to take the recommended and necessary periods of rest which may, on occasion, have an influence on the high level of performance demanded by my professional commitments with my club and, principally, the Brazilian national team. I have always shown satisfaction and a sense of responsibility in serving Brazil during my career. Wearing the yellow shirt is, for me, a motive of pride and love for my country. I'm grateful for the respect and the attention which the organisation has always shown towards me and, thanks to the excellent and open relationship that we share, I ask for your understanding in my request. I hope that I will soon be able to serve Brazil with the pride and satisfaction I have always shown and I'm certain that the future will bring me marvellous moments with Brazil."
In a statement the CBF (Brazilian FA) said :
"Ronaldinho, of Barcelona, asked the technical staff of the Brazilian national team to be excused the Copa America, on the grounds of tiredness and the need for a holiday."
16 May 2007
Hungarian FA Docks Club Three Points For Racist Chanting
In stark contrast to the empty words of FIFA and UEFA, the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) has docked club Ujpest three points following racist chanting during a 2-0 home victory over champions Debreceni on the 4th of May. An official statement read :
"According to FIFA guidelines concerning racism, the disciplinary action after a racist act can be the closure of a stadium, deduction of points or even elimination from the championship."
Ujpesti manager Szilard Danyi issued the following statement on the clubs website :
"It doesn't matter whether we like it or not, a fair decision has been made. I would ask all of our supporters to think about all factors when they appraise the situation and try to create an atmosphere at matches so that this never happens again. I discussed the topic with the owner and we decided to accept the decision."
12 May 2007
Kaka' Opts Out of Copa America
"I haven't had a break for three seasons. "I won't have the form to achieve what is expected of me at an international level."
Kaka'
9 May 2007
Ferguson Certain of Milan Success
"I'd bet for sure that Milan will win the Champions League (against Liverpool). I'm absolutely certain of it. I said to Carlo at the end of our semi-final that there is no way he can now not win this competition. Carlo gave me a magnificent bottle of wine but I immediately told him I would only drink his wine once I see him lifting the Champions Cup."
7 May 2007
Ferguson Hails Terrific Achievement
"It's a terrific achievement to win the Premiership because it has taken 90 points to do that over the last two or three seasons. That is a hell of a total to go at. Nobody has really lived with Chelsea over the last couple of years, so at the start of the season I knew we would have to stay with them all the way this time but we have done better than that because we have been ahead of them for such a long time but I have to say that Chelsea are the most resilient team we have come up against in a race for the title. They never give in and I thought they were unbelievable in the final 15 minutes at Arsenal on Sunday. They looked like they were going to score because they are a very resilient team. When they signed Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack last summer, I felt those players were bought to win the them the Champions League and I was hoping they would concentrate on that but they have competed on four fronts right until the very end and that just shows the huge strength in depth that they have." - Alex Ferguson
Costacurta Follows Team-Mates Into Management
Legendary 41 year old Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta will become Carlo Ancelotti's second assistant alongside former defensive team-mate Mauro Tassotti at the end of the season.
5 May 2007
Premier League To Sue YouTube
English football's Premier League is to sue YouTube for "knowingly misappropriated and exploited this valuable property". Millions of fans worldwide upload soccer to the phenomenally popular website.