Thu, August 9th 2007
In a BBC interview, Fifa vice-president has declared his dislike of England and how he will fight to derail England’s World Cup 2018 bid.
“There are moves to give it to England. I must fight that.
“It will be Italy, Spain, or even France who will get the World Cup if it goes to Europe.”
With no disrespect to Italy, Spain or France, but all three of those countries have hosted the World Cup since England, and must be less deserving than other European nations to hold the championships.
Warner goes on to claim that the Concacef should host the tournament, despite one his arguments against England being:
“England invented the sport but has never had made any impact on world football.”
From: BBC
Following up: Take that, Ken Bates
Leeds will begin the new season at the foot of the League One table after their appeal against a 15-point penalty was rejected at a meeting of Football League chairmen.
From: The Guardian
Rangers are set to sign French striker Daniel Cousin for $1.5 million. Cousin is so unpopular with his current club Lens’ fans that he now only plays in away games.
The first signs that he might get the move he craves came when Lens agreed he would no longer have to play in their home matches.
Cousin has been given a torrid time by Lens fans and insists fears over his own safety sparked an unusual request to be used in away games only.
From: The Daily Record
Wed, August 8th 2007
5 to watch for the new season
Some large transfer fees were paid out over the summer. Which new signings will make the biggest difference…
Fri, August 3rd 2007
Leeds United Ltd 2007 have been granted permission to play in the forthcoming League One season after being assured of their Football League share but must do so with the handicap of a 15-point deduction.
From: The Telegraph - Leeds United handed 15-point deduction
Sorry saga close to an end
The inevitable has finally happened, leaving Tevez free to leave West Ham. The Hammers seem happy with the deal, hoping that the Premier League will now draw a line under the whole shady situation.
Thu, August 2nd 2007
Fifa has warned the Scottish FA that its plan to use video evidence to hand out retrospective yellow cards for diving would contravene the rules.
If that wasn’t bad enough…
Fifa suggests that it would first have to propose a rule change to the International FA Board, but that does not meet until March.
March! That’s 8 months time. Surely a Fifa committee can meet more frequently than this - what do they do for the rest of the year?
From: BBC - Fifa could thwart SFA video plan
When asked if he [Van Persie] would be prepared to revert from attractive football to play for a side who won 1-0 every week and earned more trophies, Van Persie replied: “Small chance. The way I see it, I would never give that up. There are only a few teams in Europe who play the way Arsenal play. I will always play for a team where I earn less money but play fantastic football rather than a team where you can earn lots of money and win every week…
“I don’t like to run after people all game long; I like that they run after me.”
Without meaning to slander a whole nation, there’s something very Dutch about that statement. Style counting more than substance.
It’s one thing to say he is prepared to be paid less money to play in the style he wants, but when the amount of money he is earning is so much greater than the fans that are paying his wages who are wanting to win trophies, it sticks in the throat a bit.
From: The Guardian
Fri, July 27th 2007
[Alex Ferguson] admitted that he has no intention of ending his interest in a player he believes will be a crucial addition to his squad.
Ferguson said: “I would imagine that we can all get things done before the deadline, but we would wait for Tevez anyway if we have to. We’ve gone so far now, there’s no point stepping back.
Perhaps, if Ferguson had not fielded a weakened team against West Ham on the final day of last season, he could have relegated the Hammers rather than Sheffield Utd, presumably invoking a release clause in Tevez’s contract.
From: Man United to tough it out for Carlos Tevez - Telegraph
Thu, July 26th 2007
After several months gathering dust, this website is currently receiving a bit of spit and polish in time for the new season. Please bear with us - a new, improved service will be launching soon!