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Gunners go for Chamberlain




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Updated Jan 24, 2011 10:09 AM ET
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal's intention to sign Southampton wonderkid Alex Chamberlain, with his dad Mark fully in favour of the move.
The 17-year-old is regarded as one of England's brightest talents and he has already turned heads with a series of impressive displays for the League One outfit.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Chamberlain, who is the club's second-youngster player behind Theo Walcott, already has six league goals to his name from just 24 league appearances.
Although Manchester United and Liverpool are both keeping tabs on the teenager's services, although it seems that Arsenal could be the frontrunners for his £10million-rated signature.
"We will try now," Wenger said. "We need an agreement with Southampton.
"We need an agreement with the player, and we are not the only ones on the case.
"But we try as hard as we can as I like him as a player."
Alex's father Mark, who played for England between 1982-84, believes Arsenal are his son's ideal destination due to their ability in nurturing talent.
Wenger is known for his ability to snap up footballing talent and moulding them into first-team regulars, such as Cesc Fabregas, Walcott and Jack Wilshere.
"Arsenal, with the manager there, they way play and how they develop players I think they are the ideal choice," he told Sky Sports News.
"I am his dad. I've worked with both. They both got different attributes. Theo has already played 100 Premier League games for Arsenal, played for England and has scored a hat-trick. He's a really good player.
"Alexander is a little different. He's a bit better technically. He's more of a central midfielder player than a wide player.
"He's coping very well. It's all speculation. It's the time of the year when things do happen. I think if anything is happening the club will keep us notified."
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins acknowledges it will be a challenge for the youngster to focus his efforts on his game despite the intense speculation surrounding his future.
"It must be challenging for any young man and we've tried to deal with it as best as we can and be concentrated on the job in hand," said Adkins said.
"He's getting fitter and stronger and that's the important thing."

Harry laughs off Woodgate link




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Updated Jan 24, 2011 7:09 AM ET
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed that there is no chance of defender Jonathan Woodgate joining rivals Arsenal this month.
Gunners chief Arsene Wenger is know to be looking at potential central defensive recruits and is reportedly considering a move for Woodgate.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The 31-year-old has recently returned to full training following a horrific spell on the sidelines through injury which have limited him to just three league games since the start of the last season.
Asked about a potential deal with Arsenal, Redknapp confirmed: "No, not a chance. We wouldn't let him go there.
"We want to keep him," said Redknapp, admitting that they would look at giving Woodgate a new deal, with his current contract due to expire in the summer, if he could prove his fitness.
"He's out of contract in the summer so if we let him out on loan, then we're giving him away unless he signs a new deal before he goes.
"And you couldn't do that right now in case he breaks down. He needs to stay here and see how it goes and if he's okay, we can sit down at the end of the season and give him a deal for next year.
"But it would have to be heavily loaded as a pay-as-you-play deal.
"I love Jonathan but you can't keep paying wages to a boy who doesn't play all year.
"Jonathan's been out of the team for two years but played 45 minutes against a QPR team Neil Warnock sent although I think they were waiters from the Shepherd's Bush area.
"It wasn't a great test but Jonathan's doing well. He's coming back and when he's fit, he's a top, top centre half."

Ancelotti sets sights on United


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Updated Jan 25, 2011 3:50 AM ET
Carlo Ancelotti is sure Chelsea have "turned the corner" following their 4-0 win at Bolton and still believes Manchester United can be caught.
After a dismal run of just two wins in 12 Premier League games, Chelsea have used their seven-goal FA Cup mauling of Ipswich a fortnight ago as a springboard to a brighter future.

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Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka followed up a stupendous early opener from Didier Drogba against Bolton before Ramires capped a fine night for the Blues when he scored his first goal for the club.
The result leaves Chelsea seven points adrift of United, who also have a game in hand.
However, Ancelotti is not giving up the fight, especially as his side still have to face the leaders twice.
"That is the end of the bad moment," he said.
"It was an important performance and now we have to look forward with confidence.
"To close the gap is not going to be easy. At this moment Manchester United are so far in front.
"But step by step, we can do it, although obviously we have to win the games against them."
Chelsea will feel more bullish about achieving that aim with Drogba in his present mood.
A season scarred by contracting malaria seemed to be passing the Ivorian by until this evening.
His 35-yard rocket shot did not give the impression of a man low in confidence. And Ancelotti was delighted to see it fly past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
"Finally Didier Drogba played a fantastic match," said Ancelotti. "It was a fantastic goal.
"His power and personality are very important for this team. It is crucial that he came back fit and dangerous."
Ancelotti will understand doubts persist.
Such is Chelsea's position that they need to remain unbeaten over the final 15 games to retain a realistic hope of keeping their hard-won title.
Judging by their bench at Bolton, they still lack the depth within their squad to be confident of meeting that challenge.
That just adds to the pressure for new signings, although an agreement is still to be reached with Benfica for central defender David Luiz, who is set to become Chelsea's most expensive purchase since Andriy Shevchenko.
"It is not done," said Ancelotti.
"We are trying to find an agreement with Benfica but nothing is decided. We just have to wait and see."
In completing a hat-trick of wins for the first time since the beginning of November, Chelsea were extending Bolton's run of games without a win to five, two of them they were directly responsible for.

Despite a less than satisfactory result on the night his club bid farewell to legendary striker Nat Lofthouse, Trotters boss Owen Coyle was keen not to look on the bleak side.
However, he is about to discover who the most sturdy characters in his dressing room are.
"I am hurting because I never envisaged that outcome," he said.
"But the margins in this league are tight and we have come out on the wrong side again.
"We need to pick ourselves up. There is no fairy dust or magic wand in football. It is about hard work.
"When you are winning and everything is going well, anyone can play because confidence is high.
"It is when you have lost a couple and confidence takes a hit, that you need to see the mental courage.
"We need players to say they will be the ones who help us turn the corner."

Houllier hails Villa improvement






Updated Jan 25, 2011 3:58 AM ET
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is delighted to see his players smiling again and confident they are now "physically and mentally stronger".
Houllier, who took over in September, saw his team move clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday.

Wolves 0-3 Liverpool |Recap
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Aston Villa 1-0 Man City | Recap Blackburn 2-0 West Brom | Recap Bolton 0-4 Chelsea | Recap Blackpool vs. Man Utd
Wigan vs. Aston Villa Liverpool vs. Fulham BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

A goal from £18million signing Darren Bent on his debut enabled Villa to gain revenge for the 4-0 humiliation at Eastlands on December 28.
And, with one defeat in five games ahead of the game against Wigan, Houllier admits his camp is a lot happier than the last time they faced City.
He explained: "You can't prepare for a game if someone is pulling a face - it drains the energy. And there was a time when the players playing were moaning and whining.
"We probably have the best job in the world so when you see unhappy people not doing basic things, like being focused and ready, you get angry."
Houllier is pleased with his team's improvement since the turn of the year, adding: "We were probably at our lowest when we played there.
"But in five games since the start of year, we've won two, one away in the FA Cup and one against Manchester City, who are one of the best sides.
"We've drawn two, at Chelsea and Birmingham, coming from behind. I think a couple of months ago it would have been the other way around.
"We have lost to Sunderland, when we were down to 10 men.
"The team is physically and mentally stronger - that is an important aspect. There's a major change there.
"But we have to stay humble. Players must combine ambition and humility - that's the cocktail to win."
New signing Jean Makoun, who is set to make his debut at the DW Stadium, has the right temperament for Houllier.
The manager said: "He'll be travelling, he's always happy, not a moody, moaning kind of player."
The central midfielder, signed from Lyon, may even start the match. Villa also welcome back Emile Heskey from suspension, while Kyle Walker returns from a back injury.
However, Stephen Ireland remains sidelined with a knee injury and defender Stephen Warnock, who has been linked with Liverpool, is still training with the reserves and will not feature.
"When you play five games in 14 days you need freshness in some areas...a team isn't 11 players and 11 sulking, everyone's got to know we all contribute."

Blackpool reject Adam request






Updated Jan 24, 2011 10:20 AM ET
Blackpool have rejected a transfer request from midfielder Charlie Adam, who is a January target for Liverpool, Aston Villa and Birmingham.
Seasiders boss Ian Holloway has told Liverpool to "put up or shut up" over their pursuit of the Scotland international.
Holloway confirmed Adam had put in a transfer request on Monday but said there was no issue to discuss because Liverpool's offer of £4million does not meet his club's valuation.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

"If I was the Liverpool manager, I would want to buy him because they have never replaced Xabi Alonso," said Holloway.
"But you have to come up with the right amount of money. I don't want to stand in his way, but they have to put up or shut up."
Holloway revealed chairman Karl Oyston had taken a call from the Reds' director of football strategy Damian Comolli on Sunday night, which merely left the picture even more confused.
"He ummed and aahed and apparently did not make much sense," said Holloway.
The Seasiders chief also confirmed he had given no thought to leaving Adam out of Tuesday night's high-profile encounter with Manchester United.
"Not a chance," he said.
"If I tried to stop that boy playing against Manchester United, he would probably kill me.
"Charlie loves this club and just because he puts a transfer request in doesn't change that."
Meanwhile, Holloway has confirmed defender Stephen Crainey will miss Tuesday's game with an ankle injury, but striker DJ Campbell will play having missed Saturday's home defeat to Sunderland after being struck down by a bout of food poisoning.
Goalkeeper Richard Kingson is also fit after being forced out of the weekend encounter as he needed stitches in a head wound.
"I am realistic about this game," Holloway said.
"When we were supposed to play Manchester United, they had just beaten Blackburn 7-1. They only won 5-0 against Birmingham, so that is a bit better.
"If we are not two goals down after 10 minutes, I think we will have done well."

Risky decisions pay off, says Madrid man Mourinho

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admitted his team selection gamble in the crucial clash against Real Mallorca was a high-risk strategy.

Risky decisions pay off, says Madrid man Mourinho



Real edged a 1-0 win to stay four points behind Barcelona with French striker Karim Benzema grabbing the only goal to end a week when his lacklustre performances had caused friction between Mourinho and general manager Jorge Valdano.
But it was a poor first half on Sunday and an unhappy Mourinho responded with a double substitution with Xabi Alonso and Mesut Ozil coming on for Fernando Gago and Kaka.
"My decisions were risky, but I allowed the midfielders who will play in Sevilla (in the midweek Spanish Cup semi-final against the holders) to rest tonight," said Mourinho.
"(Sami) Khedira is injured, but he will play on Wednesday. I wanted to avoid being in a difficult situation by half-time against Mallorca. The 0-0 score was good because we knew we were going to make changes to the lineup in the second half.
"The double substitution helped the team make an immediate improvement."
Mourinho also praised the Real fans for their patience and for not turning against the team.
"If the fans support the team it means they support the coach, because I am the team," Mourinho told the club's official website.
"I need the fans to be with the team, and they are. I cannot expect them to be incredibly happy tonight, but it is very complicated to play nine games in January at a very high level. The team still has its limitations, but it continues to win, which is what really matters."
Goalkeeper Iker Casillas meanwhile leapt to the support of 35-million-euro Benzema who grabbed the goal, but then missed a handful of chances to add to the scoreline.
"He will make all the front pages and news reports. He has an introverted character but he has opened up and has the whole support of the dressing room," said the captain Iker Casillas.
"He is young and has a lot of talent."

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Monday, January 24, 2011 2:06 AM
Football's hat-trick hitmen light up Europe

Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov led a European parade of hat-trick hitmen that included Arsenal's Robin van Persie, Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich and Sevilla's Luis Fabiano.

Football's hat-trick hitmen light up Europe



Bulgarian star Berbatov bagged his third hat-trick of the season in the 5-0 Old Trafford demolition of Birmingham to take his tally to 18 goals and keep United clear at the top of the Premier League.
His impressive contribution also extended United's 21-game unbeaten run since the season began.
"Dimitar is getting up towards that 20-goal mark, which is going to be important for us," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.
Berbatov's hat-trick saw him equal Ruud van Nistelrooy's club record from the 2002-2003 season by scoring three hat-tricks in a season.
He is also only two hat-tricks away from the Premier League record of five scored in a season by Alan Shearer in 1995-1996.
The all-time record is held by United legend Denis Law, who struck seven in the old First Division in 1963-64.
"Dimitar is realising his ability," said Ferguson. "The other players sense it too. They are playing their part in playing with him. He has special qualities."
Van Persie now has six league goals in an injury-curtailed season after his hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Wigan which kept Arsenal on United's shoulder.
The Dutchman could have claimed a fourth but fluffed his penalty attempt.
Van Persie is now back to his best after missing three months with an ankle problem but coach Arsene Wenger insists the striker cannot expect to play every game.
"He's back in form," said Wenger. "He was already fit and sharp last week.
"It's important to have him back but we have plenty of offensive players so let's hope we can keep him fit until the end of the season and it's up to us to use him in the right proportion of games we play.
"He handles it alright. He is intelligent but of course he wants to play."
In Germany, Gomez took his season's league total to 15 with three of the goals in Bayern Munich's 5-1 rout of Kaiserslautern although the defending champions are a massive 14 points behind runaway leaders Borussia Dortmund.
"That's my job, I know what is required of me," said the 25-year-old Gomez.
"And I know things go your way, like they did in the first half, when I hung back a little bit and took my time. It happens when you are going through a purple patch, which I am at the moment."
Brazil's Fabiano hit his hat-trick in the 4-1 win over bottom club Levante to take his seaon's total to eight.
Fabiano, who earlier this month became only the fifth Sevilla player to reach 100 goals for the club, kept his team in a comfortable mid-table position.
His goal-scoring form also boosted the team ahead of Wednesday's Kings Cup semi-final against Real Madrid.
"Every game is a final now and we have to continue playing like this," said Fabiano.
"It will be a great game against Real Madrid and we have to go into the match to get a victory against them and try to go on to retain the Cup.
"They are a great team but we can beat them. We want another title and to leave Madrid empty-handed."

Nicholas Chow, Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:36:42 GMT
A Ryan Giggs tribute: 5 most memorable moments

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Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs reached another milestone last weekend when he made his 600th league appearance for United in a match against Tottenham. As a tribute to one of the football's living legends, xinmsn Sports takes a look at five most memorable moments that defined Giggsy's career.

Reuters



5) Becoming Manchester United's most decorated player
In a match against Tottenham Hotspurs on 16th January 2011, Giggsy earned his 600th league appearance for United. At the age of 37 and has a playing career of more than 20 years, Giggsy has already played more games for the club than any other player, and probably achieved more too. He is the first United player to have played in all 11 Premier League winning teams, the first player in UEFA Champions League history to have scored in 11 successive seasons and the last active player to be named in the Football League 100 Legends list.

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Agence France-Presse, Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:49:05 GMT
Beckham trains at Spurs as loan talks continue

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David Beckham trained with Tottenham for the first time on Tuesday as Spurs boss Harry Redknapp expressed his hopes that a loan deal for the midfielder could yet be agreed.

The former England captain smiled and joked with Spurs players as he took part in a light session at the club's training ground in Essex.
Redknapp said Spurs were still hopeful that the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder could be signed on a short-term deal before returning to the United States for the start of the Major League Soccer season in March.
"There is nothing at the moment, but we will see what happens, who knows?" Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS BELOW TO VIEW PICTURES OF DAVID TRAINING AT SPURS
For more on this story, click here.

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By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 11:06 PM
New injury scare for Ferdinand

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson played down fears that Rio Ferdinand could miss the titanic Premier League showdown with leaders Arsenal after a new injury scare.

England defender Ferdinand limped out of United's 1-1 Champions League draw with Valencia on Tuesday with a hamstring problem which has cast doubt over his availability for next Monday's Old Trafford clash with Arsene Wenger's team.
But Ferguson said afterwards he is confident that Ferdinand, who missed the World Cup with a serious knee injury, will be in the team for a match that could go a long way to shaping United's season.
"It's a tight hamstring - not a tear or anything like that," said Ferguson, after seeing his side advance to the Champions League last 16 as Group C winners.
"I'm sure he'll be okay for Monday. He felt it at half time but wanted to carry on. But we have several days now to make sure he is right."
United are already missing key players due to injury and cannot afford any more casualties during what is a crucial stage of the season.
After Arsenal, Ferguson's team travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea and victory in both games will ensure United will be top of the Premier League at Christmas.
Paul Scholes and Patrice Evra are both nursing minor injuries while Equador winger Antonio Valencia and midfielder Owen Hargreaves are long-term casualties.
Former England striker Michael Owen has just returned to training after a lengthy absence.
Anderson's second goal since joining United from Porto in July 2007, which cancelled out Pablo Hernandez's first half goal, earned his side the point which cemented United's place at the top of Group C on a frustrating night in which the hosts wasted countless chances at Old Trafford.
It means United will avoid European heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona when the draw for the last 16 is made on December 17.
However, they will have to improve their finishing before the knockout phase resumes in February. United could be paired with AC Milan or Inter Milan.
"Now will just have to take what we get. Hopefully we will get them (Real Madrid or Barcelona) later on. We can make progress, that's the most important thing," added Ferguson, who is demanding more goals from Anderson.
"He should get more. He's a terrific talent, the boy, great pace and power, a strong boy. We're pleased he got the goal and it may help him."
Ferguson produced a surprise before the game by naming inexperienced 20-year-old goalkeeper Ben Amos in the side ahead of Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak.
"We told him a couple of weeks ago he was playing and he did very well when you consider in our back four we had two young boys," said Ferguson. "His best moments were in the second half. He got better as the second half went on."
Valencia are also through to the last 16 after finishing runners-up in the group, and coach Unai Emery declared himself satisfied with his side's efforts.
"We have to be happy with a 1-1 draw at Manchester United," said Emery. "We showed a lot of character."

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Friday, January 21, 2011 4:10 AM
Ronaldo secures Real Madrid's Cup semi-final spot

Cristiano Ronaldo fired in a first-half goal as Real Madrid edged bitter city rivals Atletico 1-0 to reach the Spanish Cup semi-finals 4-1 on aggregate.

Ronaldo secures Real Madrid's Cup semi-final spot



Real will tackle holders Sevilla in the last four while Barcelona, who saw off Real Betis 6-3 on aggregate, despite losing the second leg of their quarter-final 3-1 on Wednesday, will meet Almeria.
Almeria had seen off Deportivo La Coruna 4-2 on aggregate in their last eight encounter.
Ronaldo, the Spanish League's top scorer, found the target in the 23rd minute from eight yards.
Xabi Alonso created the goal with a sweet, crossfield pass to Sergio Ramos who in turn found the unmarked Ronaldo.
Atletico, last year's runners-up, were desperately disappointing and created few chances on their home ground having lost 3-1 in the first leg last week.
Fran Merida had Atletico's best opportunity but fired weakly into the arms of Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the 51st minute.
Real's win came just hours after general manager Jorge Valdano Thursday denied reports of a rift between him and coach Jose Mourinho.
"I have no problems at all with Mourinho," the Argentine told reporters.
"Crazy things are being said. All this commotion that has happened in recent days doesn't make any sense," he said, according to sports newspaper AS.
"Since Sunday, we have had dinner together... We speak constantly, we messaged each other just yesterday."
Rumours of friction between the two were fueled by comments Valdano made after Madrid's shock 1-1 draw against bottom club Almeria on Sunday, a result which left them four points behind league leaders Barcelona.
The general manager said French striker Karim Benzema, who spent the much of the match on the bench, was suffering "a great injustice".
Real Madrid are on the hunt for a new striker to replace injured Argentine Gonzalo Higuain, who could be out for the rest of the season, but Valdano is reportedly pushing for Benzema to start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo up front.
On Wednesday, in what was interpreted as a rebuke to Valdano, Mourinho said he had spoken about the need for a new striker in November when it was obvious that Higuain would be out for some time.
But Valdano Thursday said his post-match comments were misunderstood.
Mourinho "interpreted that phrase as a message (to him) but that was not my intention."

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 2:50 PM
Real Madrid in new spat over ref

Real Madrid angrily protested Wednesday after Spain's football federation referred in an online article to coach Jose Mourinho's spats with referees.

The club complained of a "lack of respect" by the Royal Spanish Football Federation over an article that alluded to Mourinho's dissastisfaction with some referees.
Real Madrid said it was "extremely serious that from its own web site the Spanish Football Federation should make these references to our coach, which clearly reveals prejudices far from the objectivity, neutrality and balance that should govern official news from this organisation."
The football federation's web site had carried an article about the King's Cup quarterfinals derby clash coming up Thursday between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
It said Turienzo Alvarez would referee the match "under the gaze of Mourinho, who believes he has been wronged by referees in the latest league match days."
The phrase, widely reported by the Spanish press, was quickly taken down from the site.
After Real Madrid's shock 1-1 draw at bottom side Almeria Sunday, Mourinho blasted the referee, Miguel Angel Perez Lasa, who had turned down a succession of penalty appeals.
"I hope that Perez Lasa does not referee our games again and also those of Barcelona. I do not complain about referees and I prefer to talk positively about them. However, I have known Mr Lasa since 1996 and the Lasa of 2011 is exactly the same," Mourinho said.
The Real Madrid coach was slapped with a two-match touchline ban in November for insulting the referee during a Spanish Cup match. And in December he said he was tired of having to defend his team against refereeing mistakes.
Spain's press said the Referees' Technical Committee had asked the Spanish league's disciplinary body to open an investigation into Mourinho's latest comments about Perez Lasa.

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Saturday, January 22, 2011 9:21 PM
I'm not Inter's saviour, says Leonardo

Inter Milan coach Leonardo denied on Saturday he is the club's saviour and also insisted that predecessor Rafael Benitez should not be blamed for the team's early season struggles.

Leonardo took over from the Spaniard just before Christmas after Benitez was shown the door following an outburst against the club's directors.
He had just won the Club World Cup but his side were seventh in Serie A -- although with two games in hand -- and had finished runners-up in their Champions League group.
Inter seem rejuvenated under the Brazilian, though, and five wins in a row has seen them move up the league table and reach the Italian Cup quarter-finals.
But Leonardo says it's too simple to attribute the club's change in fortunes to the change in coach.
"Nothing happens for one sole reason, it's a series of things that either make you a zero or a hero," he said.
"Hence it's not a case of me arriving and everything goes well, but I've arrived, the players are coming back (from injury), there's enthusiasm and there's also the base work done by Rafael Benitez that has allowed the players to come back.
"If there were many injuries under Benitez it could be that there were some misunderstandings, and that could happen with me too.
"Everything together gives a result and other things together give another one.
"You can't analyse one thing and say Benitez is to blame, Leo is the saviour, that would be too superficial.
"Maybe now Benitez will go to another club, things will go well and he'll win everything.
"Here, things went a certain way, that's life. So I think it's absurd and embarrassing for the players to be commenting on what went before and what there is now, it's not fair, leave them alone."
Leonardo was answering a question about comments star striker Samuel Eto'o made earlier this week when he said the players owed Benitez an apology for not performing for him as they are for Leonardo.
But the Brazilian refused to criticise his player.
"The players should feel calm, they should say what they think without the risk that it's interpreted in the wrong way.
"And often we place too much importance on what's said or not said.
"I base my opinions on what I see on a daily basis from an amazing forward. Eto'o is in amazing form right now.
"Together with (Diego) Milito they're forming an incredible partnership and then there's (Goran) Pandev, who's also improving."
While he may well eulogise over his attacking options after 15 goals in five games, Inter have been vulnerable at the back, conceding seven.
But Leonardo denies they have problems in defence.
"I've heard talk about defensive worries but honestly I don't think there are any," he added.
"There are many moments in games and so far I think we've managed them well."

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Thursday, January 20, 2011 12:30 PM
Milito tweaks hamstring

Inter Milan's Argentina forward Diego Miltio has tweaked his hamstring, tests conducted on Thursday showed.

Milito was hauled off after just 20 minutes of Wednesday night's 3-2 home win over Cesena having minutes earlier given the nerazzurri a 2-0 lead.
Inter boss Leonardo had said it was merely precautionary because Milito had felt tension in his hamstring.
But now it transpires that the 31-year-old has irritated an old problem and will undergo physiotherapy.
Inter made no comment on how much time he would be out if indeed at all.

Writing on the wall for Blatter?


Sepp Blatter has been in charge of FIFA since 1998.

Jamie Trecker is a senior soccer writer at FoxSoccer.com. A working journalist for 25 years, he covers the Champions League, European soccer and the world game for http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer




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Updated Jan 24, 2011 6:49 PM ET
Powerful Asian soccer federation head Mohamed bin Hammam today fired a broadside at FIFA president Sepp Blatter, saying it was time for the embattled chief to go.

Speaking exclusively to the Associated Press, bin Hammam said that Blatter had been with the organization for too long and implied that the Swiss leader was hurting FIFA's reputation.

The interview was overtly political as bin Hammam is testing the waters for his own presidential campaign after helping to steer Qatar to the shock landing of the 2022 World Cup. However, Bin Hammam's comments are also the first public sign of discord in FIFA since the end of the Joao Havelange era, and perhaps evidence that Blatter may have made a major political misstep with his handling of the World Cup bidding process.

Bin Hammam is not a saint, by any stretch. He continues to defend the two ExCo members who were caught soliciting bribes on camera prior to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and has long decried the media's investigations into FIFA corruption. It's something of a stretch for him to suggest that replacing members will clean up the cesspool -- while continuing to insist that the folks with their hands caught in the cookie jar are clean. But, the Asian Federation head has a point -- Blatter is increasingly looking like damaged goods on the world stage.

Blatter took office under a cloud in 1998, beating UEFA head Lennart Johansson in a campaign that was marred by allegations of bribery (one member, Farra Ado of Somalia, has said he was offered $100,000 for his vote). Financial mismanagement has been a consistent theme of recent years, with one of FIFA's former staffers, Michel Zen-Ruffinen, claiming that Blatter covered up nearly $100m in losses by their now defunct marketing partner ISL (that case was settled in Swiss courts).
Lawsuits have also been a fixture. One major case saw FIFA lose a suit filed by MasterCard in an American court over breach of contract.

Blatter is also notorious for impolitic and odd pronouncements. He once said female footballers should wear more revealing outfits (after once claiming that the future of the game was "feminine"), tried to force through a player rationing plan that contravened European law, and explicitly blamed the media for uncovering clear evidence of corruption under his watch. He is also known for his fierce resistance to any sort of replay technology, despite his own, unflattering statements about his referees.

However, under Blatter, FIFA has staged three World Cups in this new century, events which both spread the game's crown jewel to Africa and Asia. For a while, there was enough money flying around for folks to think of Blatter as the eccentric uncle who happened to make everyone a mint.

This past year might have changed all that. The South African Cup, which was Blatter's personal baby, hit all the wrong notes. There were dreadful performances on the field, atrocious officiating, and serious questions about the morality of having an African country spending massive amounts of money on infrastructure.
It was a major black eye for FIFA and fiscal disaster to boot, with the governing body having to pour a billion dollars into the competition. Despite South Africa's loud protests to the contrary, the fact is the Cup was a hard sell at the gate, and FIFA's official hospitality company declared bankruptcy shortly afterward. The Cup finished darkly -- the final itself was one of the poorest and roughest in the history of the tournament.

The latest allegations of corruption might have been the last straw. Blatter's response was seen as ineffective and paranoid, and even he was forced to admit that holding the bidding for two World Cups at the same time -- ostensibly to increase "marketing opportunities" -- was just an invitation to collusion.

In bin Hammam, Blatter might have met his match. The Asian Fed chief has apparently been clearing the decks. It is rumored that he engineered the unseating of long-time Korean powerbroker Chung Mong-Joon in this month's AFC election for Jordanian delegate Ali bin Al Hussein. While bin Hammam has publicly said he supported the South Korean, it's difficult not to note that Chung's loss removed a major player from the presidential race. Chung had once challenged Blatter previously, and was widely expected to run; with him out of the Asian congress, he is now ineligible to hold FIFA's top office.

And considering that the president looks more like a piñata than a leader with each passing day, perhaps a change at the top wouldn't be the worst thing. Certainly, some football fans around the globe would delight in the removal of their bete noire.
The real question is: Is there anyone out there with clean hands and modern ideas who would be better?
Jamie Trecker is a senior writer for FoxSoccer.com covering the UEFA Champions League and European football.

Paul the Octopus gets memorial

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Updated Jan 20, 2011 1:18 PM ET



Paul the celebrated octopus has finally got his tentacles wrapped around a football.
The Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen on Thursday unveiled a memorial to the World Cup's most unlikely star: A 2-meter (6 1/2-foot) tall plastic replica of Paul clutching a ball in his eight arms.

Aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said Paul's cremated ashes were placed in a gold-leaf-covered urn inside the ball. Paul died three months ago.
"We acted upon the wishes of fans and created a place of remembrance," Munzig told The Associated Press. "This monument was also built to show visitors just how much people around the world loved Paul."
Paul correctly tipped the outcome of all seven of Germany's games at last year's World Cup, plus the Spain-Netherlands final. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag.
The oversized football that the immortalized Paul sits on is covered with different national flags and also has a small window through which visitors can look at the urn.
In addition, the aquarium created "Paul Corner," which includes newspaper clippings in many different languages that tell of Paul's global fame and exhibits gifts sent to the museum.
A family in Spain sent a glass of mussels in oil as a reward for Paul after he correctly predicted that Spain would win the World Cup, Munzig said. A fan from New Zealand tailored a red, sleeveless football shirt for Paul - with a hole for each tentacle.
As for Paul's successor, a six-month old octopus brought from France and also named Paul, Munzig said it still isn't clear whether he will also try his tentacles at forecasting.
"We're not pushing him into being an oracle against his will, that's for sure," Munzig said. "But if he is going to develop an interest in football and forecasting, we'll be very supportive of his talents."

Bin Hammam rubbishes winter idea




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Updated Jan 14, 2011 12:34 PM ET
AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam claims Qatar can "stand alone" in hosting the World Cup and has ruled out moving the tournament to the winter.
A suggestion of spreading matches around the Persian Gulf for the 2022 tournament came from UEFA president Michel Platini, but Asian football confederation Bin Hammam is not interested.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has also said that the tournament should be moved to the winter in order to combat the sweltering temperatures, however, Bin Hammam has dismissed this idea.
"I believe Qatar can stand alone and organise the competition by itself," Bin Hammam told Sky Sports News.
He added: "And I'm really not very impressed by these opinions to distribute the game over the Gulf or change the time from July to January - it's actually premature, you know, it's people's opinions and they're just discussing it on no basis or no ground."
If the World Cup was moved to the winter it would have a huge impact upon European domestic leagues and it is likely that a two-month mid-season break would be required.
Bin Hammam appears to understand this situation, as he said: "It's not up to one, two or three members of FIFA to talk about changing the time without getting the real stakeholders' opinions.
"I know that football in Europe has quite a history, it is quite a business involving a lot of financial, media, marketing - a lot of things.
"It is unfair to these people that we talk about changing the calendar or the time without their full consultation and their full approval and their full agreement - I'm actually not happy to see that happening without the real stakeholders' part of this discussion."
The disagreements over the Qatar World Cup have added to speculation that Bin Hammam will challenge Blatter for Fifa's leadership at this year's election.
Asked if he was planning to run against Blatter, Bin Hammam replied: "No comment.

Jackson's doc to plead not guilty in star's death
Jan. 25, 2011, 4:54 AM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's doctor is ready to go to trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death, his lawyers say.
Dr. Conrad Murray was expected at an arraignment Tuesday, at which his lawyers say he will plead not guilty. They said he will not seek a plea bargain and that they had no qualms about going to trial in spite of strong prosecution evidence at a preliminary hearing aiming to prove that the doctor's gross negligence killed Jackson.
"We're going to go to trial," said defense attorney J. Michael Flanagan. "I think our case is really solid. We were very pleased with the way the evidence went at the preliminary hearing. ... This should result in an acquittal."
Others outside the case were not as confident of Murray's chances.
"If I were advising him, I would be talking to the district attorney to see what they would be willing to accept," said criminal defense attorney Steve Cron. He said that an offer of probation with community service and temporary suspension of Murray's medical license would be worth considering if it were proposed.
"I think there's a good chance he's going to go down on this," said Cron. "If they go to trial, they've got a lot of explaining to do."
If convicted, Murray could face a maximum of four years in prison. But his defense is not just an effort to avoid prison; it's a fight for his professional life.
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor suspended his California medical license pending the outcome of the trial. A conviction on a felony could mean that Murray could never practice medicine again.
"I think ultimately, it will not go to trial," said Dana Cole, a defense attorney not involved in Murray's case. "There's too much risk."
He said a plea of guilty or no contest could bring a better result for the doctor than a jury verdict.
"No Superior Court judge is going to want to send him to state prison for this case," said Cole who noted that Murray has no prior criminal record. and is charged with the lowest level of manslaughter. Prosecutors do not allege he wanted to kill Jackson.
Cole suggested that "creative solutions" could be crafted, including a term of house arrest to avoid the long, costly ordeal of a trial.
District attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said, "The people are ready to proceed with this case."
In the six-day preliminary hearing, a portrait emerged of a doctor trying to help his famous client overcome debilitating insomnia with propofol, a powerful surgical anesthetic not intended for home use. Jackson had used it before and demanded it, calling it his "milk."
A coroner testified that Jackson, 50, died of a propofol overdose in combination with other drugs on June 25, 2009. His death was classified as a homicide.
Murray's behavior before and after Jackson stopped breathing was detailed by household staff and paramedics. It was backed up with phone records, e-mails and, most importantly, a transcript of Murray's nearly three-hour interview with police.
Murray said he gave Jackson a low dose of propofol after spending 10 hours trying to get him to sleep using other drugs. When the star appeared to doze off, Murray said he left the room for two minutes to go to the bathroom, then returned to find Jackson not breathing.
He delayed calling 911 for between 25 minutes and an hour while he tried to revive him, testimony showed.
"He abandoned his patient and didn't resuscitate appropriately. That's the key," said Dr. Richard Ruffalo, an anesthesiologist who testified for the prosecution.
Legal experts said several defenses are available to Murray. Among them is the suggestion by his lawyers that Jackson, desperate for sleep, self-administered the fatal dose of propofol while Murray was out of the room. That theory would mean he either injected propofol into an IV line or swallowed the drug, which is meant to be administered intravenously.
Prosecution experts are likely to challenge that scenario. They also could say Murray was negligent in leaving the drug on a night stand where Jackson could reach it.
"They've got to explain why Dr. Murray was giving him propofol in the first place, in a setting where it is not normally given," said Cron, who has been watching the case.
He said Murray's team has many questions to answer, including why he left the singer without a monitor, why he delayed calling 911, why he attempted CPR on a bed rather than the floor, and why he did not tell paramedics he had given Jackson propofol.
"All these are little bits of evidence," said Cron. "None of them alone caused his death, but all together they may have."
Although it was risky, Cron said Murray may have to testify in his own defense.
"My guess is he will have to explain some of these things and present his persona to the jury as a reasonable, competent doctor," Cron said.
Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Australian Open 2011: Roger Federer admits to stealing towels after games

from Neil McLeman in Melbourne 25/01/2011

ROGER FEDERER won through to his eighth consecutive semi-final Down Under - and then admitted he steals four Australian Open towels after every match.
The world No 2, seeking his fifth title here, showed no mercy to the friend Stanislas Wawrinka 6-1 6-3 6-3.
But the defending champion was given more trouble by court-side interviewer Jim Courier who asked how many $55 (£35) towels the multi-millionaire had "stolen" this week.
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Federer said four each match - for a total of 20 so far - and explained: "I give them away 'cause my friends all want them. I might take one, if that!"
The Swiss superstar, who now leads Wawrinka 7-1 in their clashes, said: "I think it was a good match for me really. I started off well. I was able to serve and return really well which I didn't expect myself to do, because last time I played him he was really able to get the free points he was also getting in the match against Monfils and against Roddick.
"I expected him during today to even serve bigger, because the ball travels faster through the air. For some reason I was able to return him well. On my own service games I was really good, too. I think that really set the tone for a good match for me."
Federer will face the winner of this morning's quarter-final final between Novak Djokovic and Tomas Berdych - the two men who have beaten him in the last two Grand Slams - in the semis.

Australian Open 2011: Li Na backed to become China's first Grand Slam winner

from Neil McLeman in Melbourne 25/01/2011
LI NA was backed to become China's first Grand Slam winner after the No 9 seed returned to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
Andrea Petkovic, who dumped out Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, went down 6-2 6-4 to Li Na. The Chinese No 1 also reached the last four here last year before losing to eventual champion Serena Williams.
And the German said: "I think she played really well. I think she's going to win the tournament.
"I don't want to put pressure on her obviously. It's just a feeling. Sometimes you get the feeling during the match that somebody is really strong and just has that confidence going on, that aura maybe."
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Li, who is married to her coach Jiang Shan, said: "I wish I can win the tournament. I mean, first obviously thanks for her. Maybe she's more confident. But if I need to win tournament, still have two step I need to do."
Li will now face Caroline Wozniacki after the No 1 seed fought back from a set down to beat Italian Francesca Schiavone 3-6 6- 3 6-3.
The other two quarter-finals tomorrow will see favourite Kim Clijsters face No 12 seed Agnieszka Radwanska and No 2 seed Vera Zvonareva taken on Wimbledon semi-finalist Petra Kvitova.