Competitions
Thu, February 23rd 2006
MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool have issued a joint statement condemning the fans who attacked the ambulance taking Alan Smith to hospital at the weekend.
“These people aren’t real fans of football,” United and Liverpool said in a joint statement. “Both clubs feel the mindless actions of a few idiots should not overshadow the efforts of all involved to make sure Alan received the best possible treatment as soon as possible.
From: icLiverpool
Reports in several newspapers on Thursday claimed the ambulance was surrounded by people who threw stones and bottles at it and even tried to rock it from side to side.
Related: Liverpool fans shame at Smith chants
Wed, February 22nd 2006
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has tried to reduce the dispute caused by the quality of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge pitch by saying, “Chelsea will be affected by the pitch just a much as ourselves ...We are not complaining.”
Barcelona captain Puyol also added: “There are no excuses. We are experienced enough to play on all kinds of surfaces,” but suggested that his team would be affected more.
Unfortunately, former president Joan Gaspart was less content to join his club’s line: “I don’t find it normal and I don’t think it is correct. I am sure it was done with bad intentions.”
Mon, February 20th 2006
Mourinho: “Sometimes you see beautiful people with no brains. Sometimes you have ugly people who are intelligent, like scientists”
“Our pitch is a bit like that. From the top it’s a disgrace but the ball rolls at normal speed.”
Section of the fans spoil efforts of the majority
It was a great shame to read reports of ’Liverpool fans singing gleefully about Smith’s injury (Guardian)’ at Anfield yesterday.
Mon, February 13th 2006
Would you take the Newcastle job if you were O'Neill?
There is no doubt that the English FA were correct to state that Eriksson would be leaving after the World Cup. It ended potentially months of newspaper speculation.
However, you have to feel some sympathy with Premiership clubs caught up in the middle of the decision…
Fri, February 10th 2006
Everton’s Duncan Ferguson will serve a seven match ban for his sending off at Wigan.
He has received an additional 4 match suspension for striking Chimbonda, on top of his original 3 matches for punching Scharner.
The sending off was Ferguson’s 8th in the Premiership, equalling Patrick Viera’s record.
Fri, January 27th 2006
England land ‘soft’ group in Euro 2008 draw
ENGLAND, Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, Macedonia, Andorra
via BBC
Mon, January 23rd 2006
The BBC is reporting that Sven-Goran Eriksson will quit as England coach following this summer’s World Cup finals.
Thu, January 12th 2006
German consumer watchdog group, has reported that four of the country’s World Cup stadiums have “considerable deficiencies”.
Mon, January 9th 2006
Somebody tell Ferguson
While so many lower league teams raised their games and fans’ hopes, Manchester Utd once again treated the Cup with disdain.
Firstly, congratulations to all the teams who contributed to one the best 3rd rounds in recent history. From plucky efforts from the non league teams and a great giant killing by Leyton Orient, to some great perfomances from Championship teams against Premiership rivals, most notably Luton and Leicester.
While Burton rightly received enormous praise in the national media for their nil-nil draw with Manchester Utd, Alex Ferguson’s choice to field a team of nobodies (again, after Exeter last season) was a huge let down. Until Rooney and Ronaldo came on as subs in the second half, it was a team you’d have been disappointed to see in a pre-season friendly and while Burton will be delighted with money spinning replay it will be a shame for the Burton players not to have been able to compete against Utd’s international stars.
One has to wonder why Ferguson did it? Considering the are out of Europe and stand little chance in the Premiership, the FA Cup is their only chance for a major trophy. I cannot believe Ferguson is saving his players for the League Cup, so the depressing conclusion is that finish 2nd (or even 3rd or 4th) in the league is now more important than actually winning the FA Cup.