The Fan

Penalty shootouts instead of draws? Two points for a score draw? A bonus point for a team winning by more than two goals? These are not the latest madcap ideas from ‘soccer’ Stateside, but radical proposals the French League are taking very seriously in an effort to tackle the dearth of goals.

From: The Observer

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The problem of racial abuse in Spain rumbles on:

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has described the 9,000 euros fine imposed on Real Zaragoza for the racist abuse of Samuel Eto’o as “ridiculous”.

Even though the 9,000 euros fine (US$10,000) is significantly larger than the usual $700 imposed on Spanish clubs for such offences, Blatter believes the Spanish federation must do more to punish those involved in racist behaviour.

From: BBC

 

Blatter has called for punishements to include loss of points or even relegation. Eto’o has suggested a 1 year ground closure.

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Cole grabs late England winner

England win their final friendly before World Cup Final squad selected

ENGLAND beat Uruguay 2-1 in their final warm-up match before this Summer’s World Cup in Germany. Goals from Crouch and Cole late in the second half helped England overcome Uruguay who led from Pouso’s fantastic first half volley.

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Frank Lampard’s hamstring injury gives Steven Gerrard the opportunity to stake his claim for England’s attacking midfield role that he has played with devastating effect for Liverpool. His club manager Benitez had called for Eriksson to rest the Liverpool captain tonight, but there was no way Gerrard was going to miss this chance in front of his own fans at Anfield.

Gary Neville, on the other hand, may not be looking forward to tonight’s game so much, after the abuse he received at Manchester Utd’s recent FA Cup defeat at Liverpool.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard withdrawn from the team after complaining of a tight hamstring.

From: BBC

 

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Alex Ferguson has offered Trinidad & Tobago captain Dwight Yorke the opportunity to train with Manchester United prior to the World Cup.

Trinidad & Tobago will play England in the group stage on 15 June.

With Ferguson regularly playing two of England’s potential star players (Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney) out of position in midfield, could it be his deliberate intention to spoil England’s World Cup chances?

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Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o threatened to leave the pitch after being subjected to racial abuse by Real Zaragoza supporters on Saturday.

From: BBC

 

FIFA and UEFA must now put the Spanish FA under huge pressure to sort this out. Spain’s coach Luis Aragones was fined just 3,000 euros for racism remarks about Thierry Henry and Zaragoza received a paltry 600 euros fine for a similar incident last season.

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Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has resigned, to be replaced by vice-president Fernando Martín.

Despite big name (and money signings) of Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, Figo and Robinho (amongst others), the club have not won a major trophy since 2003 and are in danger of another barren season unless they can overturn a 1-0 deficit to Arsenal in the Champions League.

One positive for Pérez has been Real recently overtaking Manchester Utd as the richest club in the world.

From: Guardian Football

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4: Paul Jewell’s unlucky number?

League Cup Final is manager's fourth 4-nil defeat to Utd

MANCHESTER UTD’s 4-nil win over Wigan in Sunday’s Carling Cup Final was Wigan manager Paul Jewell’s fourth 4-nil defeat by United.

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More ‘fans’ crossing the line between passion and lunacy…

Chelsea have promised to punish any fans found to have made death threats to referee Terje Hauge in the wake of the Champions League loss to Barcelona.

Source: BBC

 

Related: Smith ambulance attack condemned

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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

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