Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com

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• FA backs cross-sport unit on fixing
• Eto'o will head to Major League Soccer next summer
• Swansea City 1-1 Hull City
• Tottenham fear Vertonghen out of Christmas fixtures
• Swansea v Hull – as it happened | Daniel Harris
• Celtic aim to disband Green Brigade after £10,000 damage at Motherwell
• Moyes accepts responsibility for form
• Tony Pulis brings tougher edge and a new energy to Crystal Palace
• City dream of gaining Bayern revenge
• Bayern Munich's global expansion plan
• Manchester United v Shakhtar Donetsk, 7.45 Tuesday 10 December
• The Fiver | Tedious set-pieces with a startling and scarcely believable denouement
• Roma's Mattia Destro rides again as Francesco Totti lifts the fans | Paolo Bandini
• Football Weekly: Manchester United and David Moyes face more misery
• Brazil urged to take stand as post-draw violence raises World Cup fears | Fernando Duarte
• Trio named on Ballon d'Or shortlist
• Real Madrid moves to send off Ultras Sur fans
• Manchester United consider January move for Wesley Sneijder
• The best goals of the week
• Roy Keane accuses Sir Alex Ferguson of having a 'massive ego' in new row
• Football quiz: Chelsea
• Bayern Munich ready to take on Premier League for world domination
• Brazil's child sex trade soars as 2014 World Cup nears
• Everton's Roberto Martínez pleased with 1-1 draw against Arsenal – video
• Portsmouth appoint Richie Barker and Steve Coppell

FA backs cross-sport unit on fixing Posted: 09 Dec 2013 03:00 PM PST • FA open to idea of pooling resources to combat global problem • Oldham's Lee Johnson devastated by Montaño arrest The Football Association would consider signing up to a cross-sport anti-corruption body that would provide a rapid response to allegations of match- and spot-fixing. As allegations of fixing reach ever higher up the football pyramid, FA sources say the governing body recognises that, given the global nature of fixing, there is a need for resources and intelligence to be pooled by sporting bodies, police and governments around the world. Such a body has been suggested by Rick Parry, the former Premier League chief executive, who told the Guardian that it is required owing to the complex nature of illegal gambling. In 2009 Parry chaired a government inquiry into sports betting integrity, on which the FA sat. On Sunday DJ Campbell became the highest-profile footballer to be arrested as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing. The Blackburn Rovers striker was the sixth person held in relation to the allegations. A former Portsmouth player Sam Sodje, his two brothers, Stephen, a businessman, and the Tranmere Rovers forward, Akpo, plus the latter's team-mate Ian Goodison and Oldham Athletic's Cristian Montaño were the others. All have been bailed until next April. Parry told the Guardian: "The problem comes when you add the international dimension. A lot of the problems, particularly in football, will emanate from Asia. But not all of them [the problems] – horse racing, for example, that has a fantastic integrity unit, is ahead of the field but they still find they have a lot of issues in the regulated English markets. "In terms of a pan-sports unit [it would] support and help really pool together the co-ordination of the activities of the sports, the betting operators and the police. There is a big opportunity now with the gambling bill going through parliament. "One of the objectives of that is to get tax revenues from major operators, Ladbrokes, William Hill, the others that have gone offshore – what better opportunity to take a modest percentage from the extra tax take and create an absolutely complex integrity unit." Parry said there are three reasons why there should be a cross-sport body. "One, I think it's a waste of resources for every individual sport to have a unit," he said. "Secondly there aren't necessarily that many capable people with the right level of expertise to go around. And thirdly, the advantage of a pan-sports unit is it allows intelligence to be shared across the board." The FA is working closely with the National Crime Agency regarding the six arrests and the separate investigation involving an alleged international illegal betting syndicate which the non-league footballers Michael Boateng and Hakeem Adelakun, who are both 22, were charged with conspiracy to defraud contrary to common law last week. Both had played for Conference South club Whitehawk in Brighton, before being dismissed before their court appearance on Wednesday. Parry's stance was echoed by Fifa's former head of security, Chris Eaton. "What we need to do in sport here is to prevent fixing in the first place and take the money out of the criminals' hands, that will stop them fixing. "I think all sports need to seriously consider anti-match fixing or integrity units of some kind." Eaton, who is currently sports integrity director at the International Centre for Sports Security, told Sky Sports: "When you are commercially roaming around the world, selling sport, you are targeted by criminals. This happens in any commercial enterprise. "There's been a global trend here. It's not just the authorities in England. Quite frankly I think the FA and the new National Crime Agency organisation have done a great job on very little information. But we know this needs a close and serious global examination. "You cannot rely on national agencies only in these instances. This is global crime. The source of most of these investigations seem to be coming from outside England, so you need to look at this in the international context. "They need to work together more, the whole purpose here is about preventing match-fixing and to try to disrupt these criminal organisations rather than going for prosecutions alone." The League Two strugglers Portsmouth will hold a meeting on Tuesdayaimed at "self-policing", according to the club's chief executive, Mark Catlin. "All you can do is check the people around you, notice anything suspicious and inform the players how serious an issue this is. We will be doing that [on Tuesday] as a club, speaking to the players and saying we have to be self-policing," he said. "If anyone sees or hears anything suspicious it's not a case of dropping a friend in it, it's about upholding the integrity of the sport. Things like this need to be dealt with internally. The people who will root this out are the players, the managers and the people within football." Oldham Athletics's manager, Lee Johnson, stated he was sickened by the arrest of Montaño. The 32-year-old told the club website: "Anybody who saw that report will have been devastated and sick to their stomachs. However, we have to let the authorities do their job and duties and we cannot prejudice that. "It is disappointing how somebody can get themselves into that situation. The reason why I am in [football] is because there are so many great people around the place who are giving everything to the cause." The FA Tranmere Portsmouth Oldham Jamie Jackson theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Eto'o will head to Major League Soccer next summer Posted: 09 Dec 2013 02:45 PM PST • Cameroon striker set for move to US when contract expires • Los Angeles Galaxy and DC United are potential destinations Samuel Eto'o's stint in the Premier League is set to be limited to a solitary season, with the veteran Cameroon forward expected to move to Major League Soccer once his contract at Chelsea expires next summer. The former Barcelona and Internazionale forward, a three-times European Cup winner, swapped Anzhi Makhachkala for Stamford Bridge in August for a cut-price £5m, with the Russian club conducting a fire-sale as they sought to restructure financially. Eto'o had worked under José Mourinho at San Siro and always appeared to be a stop-gap signing following Chelsea's failure to secure Wayne Rooney's release from Manchester United. Chelsea do not anticipate signing another forward in January despite Mourinho's frustration, expressed in the wake of Saturday's defeat at Stoke City, that Eto'o, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have only four league goals between them this season. No forward has a league goal away from Stamford Bridge this calendar year. With financial fair play rules to consider and the availability of elite players in January scarce, Mourinho and the club's recruitment department will address the need to strengthen their forward ranks in the summer. They will welcome back Romelu Lukaku to the fray following his season's loan at Everton but Eto'o, who has scored twice in nine Premier League appearances, is expected to open pre-contract talks with MLS clubs next month before departing for the United States at the end of the campaign. He has shown flashes of form, having taken time to adjust following his spell in the Russian league, but, like Torres and Ba, has failed to provide the consistent attacking edge in a Chelsea team brimming with creative players. Los Angeles Galaxy, DC United and Club Deportivo Chivas USA are potential destinations. Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire also likely to express interest. The four-times African player of the year had been heavily linked with FC Toronto, coached by the former Blackburn and Queens Park Rangers defender Ryan Nelsen, but is thought to favour a move to the US rather than Canada. Chelsea continue to monitor Rooney's contractual situation at Old Trafford – the England forward's deal expires in the summer of 2015 – as they consider their long-term options to bolster their forward line. There is long-standing interest in Monaco's Radamel Falcao, though the 27-year-old could potentially be priced even out of their range. As it is, Mourinho anticipates working with his trio of forwards for the remainder of this campaign before seeking fresh blood next summer, with Ba, who had been available for loan in August, also expected to leave. "At the end of the season we will be in better condition to analyse our squad, to analyse the market and, normally, make a couple of changes to improve the team for next season," said Mourinho, "but this season, we are ready to go to the end with the same people." Chelsea Samuel Eto'o MLS US sports Dominic Fifield theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Swansea City 1-1 Hull City Posted: 09 Dec 2013 02:42 PM PST Danny Graham had not scored for two clubs 11 months since leaving Swansea last January, but the immutable law of the ex struck again at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night when he gave Hull an early lead, only for his former teammates to claim a point with an involuntary equaliser from Chico Flores. The Welsh crowd joined in the applause for a player whose goals kept them in the Premier League, but were left rueing a lacklustre performance and a result which leaves them with only two wins from their last ten matches. Hull, naturally, were delighted with what was only their fourth point from a possible 24 away from home. That said, Steve Bruce felt they should have had a penalty for handball by Dwight Tiendalli. Swansea were poor and will have to play better than this against St Gallen in Switzerland on Thursday if they are to progress to the knockout stage of the Europa League. Beset by injuries, Swansea were without Michel Vorm, Angel Rangel, Wilfried Bony, Leon Britton, and Alvaro Vazquez, but had Michu fit to return as the focal point of their attack. Not for the first time lately, the Spaniard was a pale shadow of the striker who terrorised Premier League defences last season. For long periods here he was all but invisible. Hull, promoted as runners-up, have found goals hard to come by, averaging less than one per game and Robbie Brady, their leading scorer with three in the league, started on the bench. The Tigers have been without attacking teeth, and had lost three of their previous four, yet they have clawed their way into mid-table, despite an atrocious away record. Against opponents who favour just the one striker, Steve Bruce deployed a 3-5-2 formation, and one of his wing-backs, Ahmed Elmohamady, was instrumental in the opening goal, after eight minutes. The Egyptian international's cross from the right picked out Graham close in at the far post, where his cool finish belied that long barren run. The early goal quietened the home crowd for a time, as they pondered a scoreline that threatened to leave them with just two wins in their last ten matches. By contrast the contingent who had made the long trip from Humberside were in good voice, inviting Bruce to give them a wave – a request with which he was happy to comply. Swansea huffed and puffed in search of equality and Ben Davies produced a decent strike from distance, but their customary passing game was countered by assiduous defence, notably from Bruce's phalanx of centre-halves. The three of them did not lack support. With a precious lead to protect, Hull withdrew ten men behind the ball at the first hint of trouble, challenging the Welsh team to break them down. It was a task that proved beyond them in a frustrating first half, despite the intermittent prompting of Jonjo Shelvey, whose game, as ever, resembled the proverbial curate's egg. The half-time stats said it all. Swansea had enjoyed 67 per cent of the possession, yet had failed to produce a single strike on target. The tempo of their passing was too slow to negotiate a route through Hull's five men in midfield where, in Britton's absence, they were ineffective. Jose Canas, his stand-in, was anonymous when he wasn't just plain poor. Michael Laudrup was concern personified on the bench, his brow increasingly furrowed at his team's failure to translate near-monopoly of the ball into goals. Substitutions were inevitable in the circumstances, and the first saw Jonathan De Guzman give way to Alejandro Pozuelo. Fast growing restless, the crowd urged their team to "Come on", and the players responded with the equaliser after 58 minutes, albeit a fortuitous one. Following a corner, Shelvey's centre from the left was no better than what had preceded it, but it hit Chico five yards out and flew in past the startled Allan McGregor, who had no chance to keep it out. Goals change games, as the cliche-mongers tell us. and now, belatedly, Swansea, stirred themselves and went for the win. The introduction of another winger, Wayne Routledge, was intended to improve the lines of supply. It was Hull, however, who might have had a penalty midway when Alex Bruce's header was blocked by Tiendalli, using his hands. Swansea City Hull City Premier League Joe Lovejoy theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Tottenham fear Vertonghen out of Christmas fixtures Posted: 09 Dec 2013 02:30 PM PST • Spurs await further scan results on defender's ankle injury • Vertonghen absence would be blow during hectic fixture list Tottenham Hotspur fear they will be without their influential and versatile defender Jan Vertonghen for the entire Christmas period as they await further scan results on his ankle injury. Vertonghen was injured late on during the victory at Fulham last Wednesday night and sat out Saturday's win at Sunderland. An MRI scan suggested ligament damage but the 26-year-old has since undertaken further tests to determine the extent of the injury. An initial prognosis suggested he could face a lay-off of up to four weeks, with Spurs hopeful their worst fears are not confirmed by the latest round of scans. Although Vertonghen would have expected to sit out Thursday's visit of Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League, with Tottenham already qualified as group winners for the knockout stage, the game against the Russian club is the first of eight stretching up to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on 4 January. That sequence includes a London derby against West Ham United in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals and significant league clashes with Liverpool, Southampton and Manchester United. Vertonghen had been filling in at left-back over recent weeks after injury cut short Danny Rose's bright start to the campaign, leaving André Villas-Boas with Kyle Naughton – more naturally a right-back – and Zeki Fryers to fill in on that flank. Their resources in the centre are also severely stretched, with the midfielder Etienne Capoue having deputised on Wearside alongside Michael Dawson after Vlad Chiriches also suffered an injury at Fulham. The Frenchman's display in the 2-1 victory drew praise from Villas-Boas. "We had to shuffle the back four completely," said the manager. "Etienne deserves credit. We spoke to him during the week. We all want him to succeed here and great performances lke that mean he's back on track. Everyone is extremely happy for him." Tottenham Hotspur Dominic Fifield theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Swansea v Hull – as it happened | Daniel Harris Posted: 09 Dec 2013 01:54 PM PST Minute-by-minute report: Who will come out on top in the mid-table clash? Find out with Daniel Harris Daniel Harris

Celtic aim to disband Green Brigade after £10,000 damage at Motherwell Posted: 09 Dec 2013 01:50 PM PST • 128 fans suspended for both home and away matches • 'We will not allow the great name of Celtic to be damaged' Celtic have made moves to disband the Green Brigade section at Parkhead after labelling events during Friday night's match at Fir Park "indefensible". A reported £10,000 worth of damage was caused to seats in the lower away section of the South Stand, just above a Green Brigade banner, during the 5-0 win against Motherwell. A flare was let off in the same area before the game and two green smoke bombs were thrown into the goalmouth, one of them landing yards from the Celtic goalkeeper, Fraser Forster. The club have handed "precautionary suspensions" to 128 supporters preventing them from attending home and away matches, and 250 season ticket-holders housed in section 111 – the Green Brigade's corner of Celtic Park – will be moved to other parts of the ground. Neil Doncaster, the Scottish Professional Football League's chief executive, branded the events at Fir Park as "shameful" as he undertook to help the police track down those responsible for damaged seats. A Celtic spokesman said: "Following events on Friday evening at Fir Park Stadium, Celtic Football Club today announced that it has issued precautionary suspensions against 128 individuals preventing them attending matches involving Celtic, pending further investigation. These suspensions will cover matches at Celtic Park and away matches. "In addition, the club will be relocating around 250 season book holders in Section 111 to other areas within the stadium, or offering refunds covering the remainder of the season to those who do not wish to be relocated. Events such as those on Friday night do not represent the Celtic support or the club. These events were an embarrassment to our great football club and are absolutely indefensible. "It is clear that there is an element which has no hesitation in bringing Celtic's name into disrepute. This is something the club will not tolerate and we therefore have no other option but to take this action. We will not allow the great name of Celtic to be damaged in this way – our supporters deserve more than this. "While recent events are very regrettable, we would like to thank our many thousands of fans for the wonderful, positive backing which they continue to give to Celtic. We are sure these supporters will understand the position which the club is in and we are also sure they will unite with the club as we move forward." The Green Brigade released a statement on Sunday insisting that its members were not responsible for the damage but also admitting it should have been more effective in self-policing the section at Fir Park. Celtic have already given the ultras group one reprieve this year after reversing a decision to shut down section 111 following complaints about safety breaches back in August. Meanwhile Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the club after the Green Brigade unfurled a banner depicting the IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands and Scottish warrior William Wallace during last month's Champions League fixture with Milan. Police Scotland are looking into the "significant damage" caused to the seats at Fir Park but confirmed no arrests were made inside the ground. Doncaster has confirmed that the league body will take action against Celtic, with disciplinary proceedings expected to be initiated against the club by the end of this week. Under the SPFL rule H40, Celtic, if found guilty, could be ordered to pay for the damage. Celtic Motherwell Scottish Premiership theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Moyes accepts responsibility for form Posted: 09 Dec 2013 01:32 PM PST • Old Trafford manager admits team need all-round improvement • 'The players are hurting. They're used to winning' David Moyes has said he will take the blame for Manchester United's erratic results in his first season as manager, describing it as a "tough" introduction to life after Sir Alex Ferguson and admitting the team need to improve in every department. That process will begin in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with United needing a draw against Shakhtar Donetsk to win a qualifying group that has passed smoothly compared with the chequered performances that have left them ninth in the Premier League, 13 points off Arsenal at the top. After losing at home to Newcastle for the first time since 1972, on the back of Everton's first win at Old Trafford since 1992, United are in danger of chalking up three successive defeats on their own ground in the space of six days. The last time they went down three times in a row at Old Trafford was in the 1962-63 season when they finished 19th, their lowest position with Matt Busby as manager. Moyes said his players were "hurting" and Ferguson's successor accepted his results were not good enough for a club with United's ambitions. "I take complete responsibility for the results. Fortunately they have been good in the Champions League but they have not been good in the Premier League, so I take responsibility for them as well. I would like them to be much better and I have no doubt they will be. "The biggest transition is that a manager who was here for 26 years has moved on and a new manager has come in, so it is a transitional period for the whole football club, not just for me and the players. "We've been inconsistent at times, we've played very well in some of the games in the Champions League, not so well in the Premier League, albeit we've lacked a little bit of good fortune in one or two games which might have made a difference." He added: "I think it's a bit of everything we could do better. We would like to play better generally, we would like to pass it better, we would like to create more chances and to defend better when those moments arrive, so I think it's all around we're trying to improve. But it was only a few weeks ago when we had beaten Arsenal and Leverkusen, and we were talking very well about the team." Moyes was asked how he was coping with the intense spotlight that always accompanies a run of bad results for United. "It is tough because the expectancy is to win all the games. The players are hurting. They're used to winning and when they don't win that hurts them. They care very much about the team and the club. They are good lads and they will respond in the right way. There will be no doubt about that." Moyes was accompanied as he spoke by Rafael da Silva, the team's right-back. "Of course it hurts," the Brazilian said. "As a United player I want to win every single game. We must work more and improve ourselves." United qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League after the 5-0 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, a performance that illustrates Moyes's point about their inconsistency, coming during a run of four Premier League games that have yielded only two points.There are, however, obvious benefits to ensuring they maintain their place at the top of Group A, bearing in mind the winners all avoid each other in the next round. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid have ensured they will be in that part of the draw. Bayern Munich will almost certainly join them and that brings a clear edge to the Donetsk game. A win for the Ukrainian side would mean United finishing as runners-up. "It's important to give ourselves the best possible chance in the next round," Moyes said. "The big job was to make sure we qualified. We have done that and hopefully we can finish off the group unbeaten. If we do that, that will see us through." The manager accepted, though, that his team need to show more belief and conviction. "In recent games we haven't quite finished the games the way we would have liked to," he said. "We have tried to make changes to improve things but it hasn't quite happened." Manchester United David Moyes Sir Alex Ferguson Champions League Shakhtar Donetsk Daniel Taylor theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Tony Pulis brings tougher edge and a new energy to Crystal Palace Posted: 09 Dec 2013 01:06 PM PST Marouane Chamakh and Cameron Jerome are no longer isolated up front as manager's tweaks work wonders at Selhurst Those seeking firm evidence of the Tony Pulis effect had to wait only a little over three minutes of Crystal Palace's game with Cardiff City on Saturday. It did not manifest itself in a clichéd punt up field towards a beanpole striker, or even a throw-in propelled like a javelin into a clutter of bodies in the penalty area. Instead it was exposed by Marouane Chamakh winning a simple free-kick. Cardiff were mustering for another foray into the Palace half when the much maligned striker snapped at his marker, regained possession and, as he protected the ball, was crunched and left in a heap. Palace won a free-kick and could encroach into Cardiff territory, a nervy start having already been overcome. Within a few minutes they would be ahead as further hassling and harrying prompted panic in the visiting ranks. By the end of the match a side who had appeared out of their depth a month ago were level on points with the team the other side of the relegation cut-off. New management seems to provoke flurries of form. Sunderland were devoid of conviction and winless when Gus Poyet replaced Paolo Di Canio, and promptly won his first three home matches in all competitions. Rene Meulensteen upgraded from head coach to manager at Fulham and oversaw an improved display in defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and a comfortable, yet impressive, victory over Aston Villa on Sunday. Pulis inherited a team who had been under Keith Millen's caretaker stewardship for a month following the departure of Ian Holloway and was in the stands at Hull when they secured their first away win of the season. Palace's run stands at 10 points from five games. They are fifth in the Premier League's form guide over the last six fixtures and travel to Chelsea on Saturday anything but daunted. The concern expressed by some at Pulis's appointment had been born of memories of Stoke's muscular aggression and direct approach that had ruffled feathers so effectively among the elite, even if such snootiness rather suggested Palace had scintillated consistently in the Championship over recent seasons. Those who witnessed the pragmatic style implemented under Dougie Freedman in reinventing this team, transforming them into a side with backbone, might offer perspective. Palace had hardly been a blur of incisive attacking intent under Holloway this season either and had scored only seven league goals in 12 games as Pulis prepared to take charge of his first match proper, a defeat at Norwich. What they had required was toughening up and re-energising. That is what the new man has implemented. There has been no discernible change in the team's style, whether that be direct or patient in the buildup, but Palace have gone back to basics. They have reverted to the solidity of a 4-4-2, providing a platform for a defence that has shipped only once in five matches and, at the other end, ensuring Chamakh and Cameron Jerome are less isolated than the lone forward had been in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The side are pressing forward, seeking to stifle opponents at source. They are not at Southampton levels as yet – far from it – but they can still unsettle. Cardiff were harassed out of possession just as West Ham had been. Urgency still goes a long way and can shake players whose form has slumped from their doldrums. The captain, Mile Jedinak, has spoken of the change being "fresh and positive" at the training ground. As yet there has been no revolution in terms of daily sessions. Palace's players are not reporting to the local swimming pool as they once did for Iain Dowie but they are increasingly meeting up late morning to settle into their working day by brunching together, with Pulis often taking training in the afternoon. That might appear insignificant but there had been splits in this camp, with cliques between new players and old. Any time to bond as a group is welcome. The manager has spoken of the basic principles by which he has always operated: discipline, organisation, respect. This team probably needed reminding of all three – an old school approach was precisely what Palace required. "The gaffer has come in, nailed down a few things he wanted and the boys have responded really well," Jedinak said. "It is new and we are still learning from him. As long as we keep showing that same attitude towards each other and the gaffer it is very encouraging." There had been nothing up-and-under about the Australian's slick link-up with the full-back Joel Ward which saw the hosts cut through Cardiff ranks at breathtaking pace. The improvements have been evident. If Palace had been exasperatingly blunt at Norwich in his first game in charge and rode their luck at times against West Ham, they were impressive against Cardiff. Chamakh's confidence grows with every outing, a player relishing support from the flanks and faith from the dug-out. Barry Bannan is looking more like the youngster who had briefly threatened to illuminate Aston Villa's first team. Jerome, after 21 scoreless matches, has his own point to prove both to Pulis, who had under-used him at Stoke, and to the Palace board who might otherwise have been tempted to free up a loan place in January. The manager will still try to sign five players in next month's window to raise the quality at his disposal and, by keeping his side in contention, he can aspire to attract players to Selhurst Park. These are early days but that familiar spurt of form after an appointment has offered hope. The co-chairman, Steve Parish, had stated he had recruited a "track record" to the club in turning to Pulis. The prospect that Pulis might emulate his achievements in keeping up Stoke does not seem quite so outlandish. Tony Pulis Crystal Palace Dominic Fifield theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

City dream of gaining Bayern revenge Posted: 09 Dec 2013 01:00 PM PST • Clear three-goal win needed to finish top of Group D • Manuel Pellegrini still likely to rotate his team On the face of it Manchester City's trip to play Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena has the look not just of an impossible job but of a rather meaningless one too, a high-end exhibition match with all the trimmings. City need to beat Bayern by three clear goals in their own indomitable illuminated doughnut of a stronghold to overhaul them at the top of Group D rather than simply qualify in second place. It may happen. Just as Manuel Pellegrini – who on the eve of City's final Group D match still seems not so much dismayed at fielding questions from the English press as filled with an ineffable sorrow –may yet arrive at Tuesday's post-match debrief juggling Knusperhäuschen biscuits and handing out Glühwein. But it is probably best not to count on it. For all that, this is still the most intriguing of half-dead rubbers, even if almost all of the peripheral interest is on City's side. Before training in the Allianz Arena Martín Demichelis, a Bayern player for seven and a half years, was asked if City were coming to Bavaria to seek revenge for the chasteningly decisive 3-1 defeat at the Etihad in October. "Yes, we are," he said. "In football a lot can happen. We're playing 11 versus 11. It's very hard to win here but we must try to do that. We also have a very good squad and great players, and right from the start we have to do our best and score a goal. "It's very hard to say what the weak points are for Bayern Munich. Every week I could analyse them and it's very hard to see a weak point for this team. We have to play with real fire in our stomachs." It is understandable that City would wish to apply a little balm to the memory of that previous defeat, during which Bayern looked not just a more settled, seasoned European power but a team from another footballing planet. Never mind that with the visit of Arsenal on Saturday in mind Pellegrini is certain to rotate his team. And never mind that when it comes to seeking revenge City are simply going to have to join the queue here: Bayern have won their past 11 matches, their past 10 in the Champions League and 7-0 away from home at the weekend. Pellegrini is too shrewd not to use the trip as a testing ground for his evolving team before the group stages. There could be no greater test of his commitment to playing with two strikers than a match against Europe's midfield superpower, a champion team that almost make a fetish of midfield strength, technical and numerical. One man who seems almost certain to play is Joe Hart, whose travails reached a tipping point against Bayern in October. "For him [Hart] it is a very important game," Pellegrini said. "I am not thinking about the past, just thinking about the future. What is sure is I trust him." Manchester City Bayern Munich Champions League Barney Ronay theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Bayern Munich's global expansion plan Posted: 09 Dec 2013 10:49 AM PST The chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, says the member-owned club wants to mirror the commercial success of the Premier League while keeping football affordable for fans In the heart of the European football super club that is Bayern Munich the chairman, former international centre-forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, is steadily explaining some finer detail in the story of how they reached where they are today. It is a tale of relentless progression by a member-owned club, masterminded by the former players Rummenigge, Franz Beckenbauer and above all, since 1979, the president Uli Hoeness, fundamentally different from the clubs-for-sale, eyewatering ticket prices, sheikh- and oligarch-funded spectacle of the Premier League. Bayern, European champions, Bundesliga title holders, German Cup and Super Cup winners, host Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City in the final Champions League group match , at the monumental 71,000-capacity Allianz Arena, after 10 straight wins in the competition, a record. Pep Guardiola, Bayern's globally coveted coach, a trophy signing himself, can, injuries permitting, regularly field seven gilded members of the German national team, yet 16,000 fans can stand and watch football of this highest quality for Bundesliga season tickets costing €150 (£125). It is a badge of pride for Hoeness and Rummenigge to offer such seriously affordable prices, while still harvesting from multiple sponsorships, TV income and corporate tickets a booming €433m (£363m) income in 2012-13, a galaxy above any other Bundesliga club, enabling Bayern to compete with Europe's elite. "We have to care about a football club's social responsibility," Rumenigge says. "We have expensive tickets, in the lounge and business areas, and thanks to those we can still sell standing tickets at around €7.50 per match, cheaper than it costs to go to the cinema in Munich. A poor guy, maybe without work, we want him to be able to go and watch football. That is our obligation. "I believe this is part of the Bundesliga's success story; every club is careful not to charge too much; and if you watch the game on television, you see it sold out, a wonderful atmosphere, fans singing and dancing. I think many fans in England are very close to the Bundesliga for that reason because they like this kind of culture still alive in Germany." This culture, zealously guarded by Bayern's supporters' groups, including the renowned ultras Schickeria, is significantly protected by the Bundesliga clubs being owned by the fans themselves, apart from the historic exceptions, Wolfsburg, owned by Volkswagen, and Bayer Leverkeusen by the pharmaceutical company Bayer. At Bayern the members, now numbering 225,000, still own 82% of the club and vote every three years for the senior advisory board directors, including Hoeness, the patriarch who has sought to infuse a family warmth into a club aiming relentlessly for success. Bayern sold the other 18%, in 2002 and 2009, to the German giant companies Adidas and Audi, in return for €165m, which ate into the €346m cost of constructing the arena. After naming rights from the insurance conglomerate Allianz the money borrowed to build the stadium, sold out for every game since it opened in 2005, is set to be fully paid off by 2018. There are no plans to sell further stakes, Rumenigge says, despite offers, which they have turned down. "We had some requests, from certain people around the world, from the US, from Arabic countries, to invest money in Bayern," he says, declining to name the suitors. "But we refused. Because it was clear that our fans don't like it – and we, telling you the truth, don't like it as well." Confidence remains in supporter-ownership, which the Bundesliga institionalised in 2001, passing the now iconic rule that "50% plus one" of a club must be controlled by members. Bayern have gone further, the members resolving that no more than 30% can ever be sold. Rumenigge explains the system's merits as a mix of preserving the game's essential culture and requiring good financial management if clubs cannot rely, as City and Chelsea do, on personal wealth from the world's super-rich. "Maybe because I played football at the highest level I believe we have to be a bit careful with football," he says. "This is why I support financial fair play. As well as competing, we hope Bayern Munich can be an example; keeping the sense of a club, having former players involved, this is the whole basis of what we are doing. In England, where a club can be owned by a sheikh, this is," he says, pausing, "a difference of philosophy." Yet if this seems so enviable, that fans become actual co-owners of the European champions with a €60 membership fee – which delivers them money off tickets and other benefits – millions of German football fans do not see Bayern as benevolent. The club is regarded by many much like Manchester United were in English football in the 1990s, as a ruthless, over-commercialised, clinical winning machine. That resentment was seriously reinforced in May when Bayern paid €37m to lure Mario Götze's impish skills away from Borussia Dortmund, brutally undermining Bayern's only serious Bundesliga rival and their opponents in the Champions League final. Dortmund's coach, Jurgen Klopp, and chief executive, Hans-Joachim Watzke, made anguished complaints and Gotze was so unsettled he did not play for Dortmund in the Wembley final, which Bayern duly won 2-1. This season Götze scored in Bayern's crucial 3-0 win at Dortmund on 23 November, Guardiola's team coasted to a 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Eintracht Braunschweig a week later, with 78% possession of the ball, and now, following their 7–0 victory at Werder Bremen over the weekend, they are four points clear and a 23rd Bundesliga title looks already unstoppable. It is not only a growing observation in England – where, Rumenigge acknowledges, the Premier League's random mix of owners has somehow produced more genuine title rivals – that the Bundesliga, for all its qualities, is being judged in danger of failing in the most important respect: competitiveness. In Germany itself, as Raphael Honigstein has reported, senior football figures are voicing concern. Felix Magath, former Bayern coach, has lamented that the Bundesliga is now "pre-awarded to Bayern". The Eintracht Frankfurt coach, Heribert Bruchhagen, has called for the top clubs' Champions League money to be distributed to other clubs to even out a huge advantage; Bayern earned €63m from Uefa last year, plus matchday income from the Champions League matches. The former Bayern goalkeeping legend Oliver Kahn said recently that Bayern and Dortmund have grown too big for the Bundesliga and forming a European league of top clubs from different countries would be "more honest". Rumenigge, responsible for conducting the football politics for Bayern and chairman of the European Clubs Association, seems to linger just a little on the merits of Kahn's suggestion, before saying: "I am not in favour." He insists the Bundesliga is "fantastic", points out that football fortunes can change and, while Bayern are dominant now, Dortmund won the league in 2011 and 2012, Wolfsburg in 2009, Stuttgart in 2007 and Werder Bremen in 2004, five different winners in 10 years – even if Bayern won all five other titles. He is the concentrated opposite of apologetic, about both signing Götze and Bayern's dominance. He blames Dortmund for failing to sign Götze to a new contract and even claims credit for keeping Götze in the Bundesliga, rather than see him go to Manchester City, with whom his agent was talking, or elsewhere abroad. "I understood the reaction of Dortmund," Rumenigge adds. "But I phoned the chairman and I met him in my holidays, explaining to him why we did it, I said: 'Please stop these kind of polemics.'" On the issue of Bayern's team of champions and unmatchable income making the German league uncompetitive, Rumenigge rejects those calling for more sharing; instead Bayern are intent on going further. Seeking to take advantage of this high point, Bayern plan to market the club internationally, challenging the dominance in Asia and the US of the Spanish giants and the Premier League. Senior German football figures, confident they have stewarded their game well, regret falling so far behind the Premier League in international exposure. Christian Seifert, the Bundesliga chief executive, told the Guardian the Bundesliga did not even sell TV rights internationally until 2005. "This was a very underdeveloped area," he said. "Bayern won the Champions League in 2001, were in the 1999 final, Bayer Leverkeusen were in the 2002 final, the German national team were European champions in 1996 and reached the World Cup final in 2002. So I doubt English football was better than German football but we were not even trying to sell it around the world. It was a lack of management attention." Rumenigge can rattle off the difference now: "International TV rights in Germany?" he asks sternly, "€70m a year. The Premier League? €800m." Bayern are determined to expand into international sponsorships, merchandise and overseas playing tours, as Premier League clubs have done for years while German clubs and coaches have traditionally resisted. "We have to follow these big English teams," he says. A new international director, Jörg Wacker, has been appointed and Bayern plan to open an office in New York within weeks, then one in China. Guardiola, that most appealing and internationally admired coach after his achievements with Barcelona, is central to this plan. Jupp Heynckes "could not have done better last year," Rummenigge says of the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup-winning clean sweep but Heynckes was nearing retirement and Bayern decided they could not miss Guardiola's availability in his sabbatical year after his resignation from the Camp Nou. "We saw him as the future, he could take Bayern Munich to another level and, if we did not take that opportunity, he would go somewhere else," Rumenigge says. Having worked with him now and watched Guardiola's training sessions a touch longingly from his office window, Rumenigge speaks of Guardiola, as many people seem to do, as having near-mythic qualities. "This coach, he is like a … a holy," he enthuses. "He thinks 24/7 just about football and he is so creative. I never met a similar guy in football like him. That was the reason we signed him and we are happy with him. He is a nice guy, he is very smart, he is never arrogant – and he gives us also a big image." "In these plans for the new international division, Pep is playing a main role. He is probably the most popular, the most important coach in the world and our team is growing in popularity. The coach himself, composed, progressing with his German, proclaimed himself happy at Bayern after the win over Braunschweig, in which Kroos arrowed unerring diagonal passes, Götze was persistently elusive and a powerful Arjen Robben scored both goals: "I came for these players," Guardiola said. "I was in my home, I saw them and, when I received the offer from Bayern, I said: 'I would like to train these players.' I have had to adjust. "The teams here play completely different than in Barcelona; here in two or three seconds there are four or five players breaking 40 metres into our box. I am trying to change my methodology and also for the players to understand me and play the best we can. Bayern is a huge club, an enormous club, and they deserve to play as they have in their history." Key to Bayern's vision, and their answer to the challenge that they have grown unhealthily big for the Bundesliga, is that German football should see their success and current appeal as a prime asset, to attract the world. "People are looking at us being too strong in the Bundesliga national level but we are looking at the European and international level and we see we have to go further," Rumenigge maintains. "We will open our international offices, tour abroad and, in the end, it will help the Bundesliga. The other Bundesliga clubs will follow automatically the example; they have to. We see Bayern Munich as the locomotive of the Bundesliga." This prospect of raising the Bundesliga's global popularity is unlikely to even out competition with Bayern, who are planning to earn directly, now from overseas expansion, but this is Rumenigge's line: Bayern are not for sharing more income; instead they will be the "locomotive" for the Bundesliga's growth. He points out they have reached this pinnacle of success through their own work, ever since Hoeness arrived in 1979 with the 70s greats gone, Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, to final pay-days in the US, and Bayern in financial crisis, having finished 12th in the Bundesliga in 1978. "Uli came in then, and the outcome was that to solve the financial problem," says Rumenigge with a slice of dry humour, "I had to be transferred to Internazionale." Rummenigge is not keen to talk about the €250,000 fine he had to pay in September after failing to declare at customs two Rolex watches he brought back from an ECA meeting in Qatar. "That is an exclusively private story," he says, "It is solved completely." The watches, he says, were a gift: "It was from a friend, not a gift from the Qataris. I believed you do not have to declare gifts but you do. I had to pay a nice fine." Hoeness, surveying his life's work after he retired from his own glittering Bayern and international playing career, now faces potential hubris on a mountainous scale. Last year, as Bayern were scaling the heights for which he had worked so obsessively, Hoeness was exposed in the German media for having failed to pay tax on an investment account in Switzerland. The initial money was a loan from Robert-Louis Dreyfus, the Adidas chief executive who died four years ago; Adidas and Hoeness have denied any connection to Bayern's deals with Adidas. Hoeness made a declaration to the German tax authorities, and paid the outstanding tax, but still faces trial, in March, under German tax evasion law and could go to prison. Hoeness has cultivated a family feel to Bayern, involving former players including Beckenbauer as a vice-president in the 1990s, and the famous rehabilitation of Muller from alcoholism into a coach for the club. Hasan Salihamidzic, the Bosnian member of Bayern's 1999 and 2001 Champions League final teams, recalled Sunday brunches with Hoeness at the barbecue and said he regarded him, genuinely, as "a second father". Hoeness has been embraced, not condemned, by the club. At last month's members' annual meeting, with four trophies on the top table and the record income presented, Hoeness, tearful, asked the members to await his trial's conclusion, then decide if they want him to continue. Rumenigge insists this is a justifiable stance: "I can't evaluate from the legal point of view but I hope the best for him and everybody in the club hopes the best for him because he is the ... the master of the universe here." Having worked their way back, never going into the red nor signing a player they could not afford, Rumenigge says, building up crowds and membership after payTV fuelled football's boom in the 1990s, developed a youth system that produced Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Müller and other world-class mainstays, then raised the money themselves to build the arena and leave the old olympic stadium, where the running track distanced the crowd from the team, Bayern Munich are focused on pushing on, not being reined back. Bayern Munich Bundesliga European club football Premier League La Liga David Conn theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Manchester United v Shakhtar Donetsk, 7.45 Tuesday 10 December Posted: 09 Dec 2013 09:47 AM PST A third defeat at Old Trafford in one week against Shakhtar Donetsk would be an unwanted record in the history books It is probably a good measure of Manchester United's difficulties that if David Moyes's side are defeated on Tuesday it will be the first time they have lost three consecutive home games since a week before the Cuban missile crisis. David Moyes was not even born when Manchester City, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers all won at Old Trafford over the space of three weeks in the autumn of 1962. And the last time United racked up a hat-trick of home defeats in one week? Forget it. It has never happened in the club's history. A negative tone, perhaps, but that is what happens when a team have just lost a 21-year unbeaten record at home against Everton, and a 41-year one against Newcastle United, during four traumatic days that have dropped them into ninth position in the Premier League. They are 14 points worse off than the same stage last season, with a 28-point swing in favour of Arsenal, and Moyes probably did not help himself a great deal when he was asked whether he needed something to lift his spirits. "No, not after the [Newcastle] game," he replied. "That raised my spirits." Work that one out. United's manager made a lot more sense when he talked of it being a "tough" moment in his professional life and, though his team have already qualified for the next stage of the Champions League, the visit of Shakhtar Donetsk has the potential to be another less than straightforward occasion. The Ukrainians have to take three points from Old Trafford to qualify and, in that scenario, Moyes's men would finish as the runners-up in Group A, exposing themselves to the possibility of playing Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and, almost certainly, Bayern Munich in the next round. Moyes admitted he is considering resting players for Sunday's game at Aston Villa but he also has injury issues to contemplate – Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Patrice Evra all joined Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini on the list of absentees in training – and has to be aware of not taking too many risks. "It's important to give ourselves the best possible chance in the next round," he said. "The big job was to make sure we qualified. We have done that, and hopefully we can finish off the group unbeaten. If we do that, that will see us through." The paradox is that it is only a couple of weeks since United travelled to Germany and thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 5-0, their most emphatic away win in the European Cup since 1957. United were unbeaten throughout October and November, and yet in the Premier League there is also the jarring statistic that they have scored only three goals from open play at Old Trafford all season. "We've been inconsistent at times, we've played very well in some of the games in the Champions League, not so well in the Premier League, albeit we've lacked a little bit of good fortune in one or two games which might have made a difference," Moyes said. "I think it's a bit of everything we could do better. We would like to play better generally, we would like to pass it better, we would like to create more chances and to defend better when those moments arrive, so I think it's all around we're trying to improve. But it was only a few weeks ago when we had beaten Arsenal and Leverkusen, and we were talking very well about the team." At least there was no sign of a manager outwardly feeling the strain. Moyes was smiling as he took his seat, with a larger than usual audience for his press conference, but there was a telling moment when it was put to him that he had recently said the squad were good enough. Did he still think the same? "The question I got asked was: "Is the squad big enough?" and I said: "Yes, the squad is big enough". Your question is slightly different." But is it good enough? "I believe the squad is big enough, yes." It was a revealing answer. Manchester United possible (4-2-3-1): De Gea; R da Silva, Ferdinand, Evans, Buttner; Cleverley, Jones; Valencia, Rooney, Young; Van Persie. Manchester United David Moyes Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League Daniel Taylor theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

The Fiver | Tedious set-pieces with a startling and scarcely believable denouement Posted: 09 Dec 2013 09:03 AM PST Click here to have the Fiver sent to your inbox every weekday at 5pm, or if your usual copy has stopped arriving PAGING POIROT Fiver aside, there is perhaps no creative formula more successful and enduring than the Agatha Christie whodunnit. Like The Fiver, it centres around a murder, and comprises a formulaic series of apparently tedious set-pieces, before ending with a startling and scarcely believable denouement, during which an amateur arrogance smugly reveals his or her supreme intelligence and sensitivity - and in so doing, points out the murderer, whose identity ought to have been obvious all along. Generally, the suspects keep to a proforma. There'll be the elderly, avaricious polymath, eager to settle every possible score prior to departure, and desperate to eke every last shilling from his reputation and achievements, regardless of whose interests he damages or imperils. But, just as much, he dreads his usurpation, and as such, is bent on ensuring that no one ever forget his primacy. Usually, there'll be a creepy, single man involved, his motivation, more often than not, money at the expense of everything else. He'll say anything to get it, he'll do anything to get more of it, and he cares nothing for what he damages in the process. He dresses badly, sports an inane grin, possesses no talent, and radiates a cloying disgust for everything he considers beneath him and everyone less wealthy than him. But he knows where the bodies are buried, and this makes him dangerous. Almost always will be found a detached and untrustworthy arriviste, lacking substance and gravitas, but somehow allowed to impose his purported charms on the pretty girl coveted by his betters. Often, that pretty girl will already have been damaged by the remorseless rigours inflicted upon her by the whims and needs of the other suspects, all of whom profess concern for her well-being and all of whom must be mistrusted, to varying degrees. Then, finally, there's the hired help, usually found below stairs: the butler, the waiter, the cook and ilk. Weak of mind and louche of morals, they are accordingly unreliable and capricious, driven by a sense of blamelessness and indignance. Of course, the genre works because one might legitimately suppose the murderer to be any of them. Each is either wicked enough to be responsible, negligent enough to be responsible, or both, sufficiently selfish not to care enough about the death and destruction they perpetrate. They know that their behaviour cannot possibly escape detection because present in their stately home lurks a renowned amateur detective – but the urge to obey the evil inclination is too strong for them to resist, and they bargain on someone else taking the blame. And for a bit, someone else does take the blame, for there can be only one murderer. He or she might be in cahoots with an accomplice, but they will be peddling a single angle – the genre is modernist after all, consumed by its compulsion to seek linear plots and easily digestible solutions. One person suffers, one person must have done it to them. Wrong! Published in 1934, Murder on the Orient Express was the world's first post-modern murder tale, and revealed that each suspect took a turn to administer the knife, each equally culpable in a narrative that shook the existential identity of the genre to its core, forcing it to re-evaluate everything it had previously supposed was so. It ignored it. Apropos of nothing, Manchester United used to be managed by Lord Ferg, is now managed by David Moyes, is owned by the Glazers and played for by players. It is analysed and reported upon by a media that likes easy answers and simple headlines. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Everything is about control and power. He's still striving for it now even though he's not manager. There's massive ego involved in that" – Roy Keane, who was not bothered about Lord Ferg's comments about him in his book, proves just how unbothered he is as he takes aim at his former boss. FIVER LETTERS "RE: Derek McGee's assertion in Friday's Fiver that Luis Aragonés's recent pronouncement should be considered 'one-and-a-half personning' appears to work on the assumption that it is half-way between the first and third person. This however is somewhat inaccurate as this would in fact be the second person, which in itself presents a problem as he would then have said (referring to himself), 'You are past, you're over. You do not coach anymore,' (in itself an interesting development in football's continuing attempts to baffle through incorrect use of personal pronouns). To avoid this mathematical and grammatical inconsistency perhaps the most accurate description would be to sum the two persons, meaning that he in fact used the hereby unheard-of fourth person (outside of Finnic languages)?" – Henry Tuck "Derek McGee's interpretation of Luis Aragonés' changing from first to third person as being one-and-a-half personning shows a shameful lack of research. A quick Urban Dictionary search tells us it is actually called 'thirst personning' – Michael Hunt  "After watching the World Cup draw, my esteemed colleagues and I decided to get ahead of the game and start casting the inevitable documentary of England's exciting trip to Brazil ('Crumble in the Jungle'). While some parts were obvious – Daniel Craig as $tevie Mbe, Ricky Gervais as 'Arry Redknapp, etc – we are torn between Joe Pesci and Danny DeVito for Sepp Blatter. Any chance that 1,057 pedants would have an opinion or two on this?" - Marcus Ladd • Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. And if you've nothing better to do you can also tweet the Fiver. Today's winner of our letter o'the day is: Henry Tuck who wins a signed copy of Sid Lowe's book, Fear and Loathing in La Liga, which we'll be giving away as a prize all week. JOIN GUARDIAN SOULMATES We keep trying to point out the utter futility of advertising an online dating service "for interesting people" in the Fiver to the naive folk who run Guardian Soulmates, but they still aren't having any of it. So here you go – sign up here to view profiles of the kind of erudite, sociable and friendly romantics who would never dream of going out with you. RECOMMENDED VIEWING From a 40-yard screamer to a trio of superlative free-kicks: the best goals of the week BITS AND BOBS The Fifa Ballon d'Or committee deliberated for many days over the shortlist for this year's award, coming up with three wildcard selections: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribéry. The Sevilla president José María Del Nido has stepped down after losing an appeal against a seven-year prison term for misappropriation of public funds. "The day I never wanted to see has come," he said, very much echoing The Fiver's thoughts on a Monday. Manchester United are pondering a bid for 2010's Wesley Sneijder. England's World Cup squad will have jabs to prevent diseases such as yellow fever and rabies, but curiously not the one that leads to the whole team panicking and treating the ball like a pinless hand grenade at tournaments. Meanwhile, several fans were seriously injured in Brazil as the match between Atletico Paranaense and Vasco da Gama was held up for more than an hour as supporters attacked one another. Blackburn striker DJ Campbell and former Pompey player Sam Sodje are among six men who have been nabbed by the bill over allegations of spot-fixing. Richie Barker has been given the Portsmouth manager's job. And he'll have new director of football Steve Coppell upstairs to offer motivational advice. "I jumped at the opportunity," said Coppell, who usually just jumps before being shoved. The Queen's Celtic's Green Brigade fans' group has apologised for bother in the away end at Motherwell that resulted in smoke bombs being lobbed on to the pitch and seats being smashed to pieces. "We should have had greater control of the bodies present within our block and our failure to do so has resulted in events which are unacceptable," sobbed a Green Brigade suit. And former Port Vale keeper Stuart Tomlinson is quitting football for a career as a greased-up, creatine-guzzling, lycra-clad, wrestle-monkey in America. "Looking forward to a new job (with the) WWE. Swapping two posts and a net, with four posts and ropes – USA bound!" he Randy Savaged. STILL WANT MORE? Our writers came up with 10 Premier League talking points so that readers could ignore them and jump straight to the comments. Download Football Weekly Now! Download Football Weekly Now! Download Football Weekly Now! Or don't. It's a free world. Brazil World Cup organisers are bracing themselves for a fresh dose of flak after authorities failed to prevent crowd trouble again, writes Fernando Duarte. Mattia Destro's return for Roma has lightened the weight of expectation on old man Francesco Totti's shoulders, reckons Paolo Bandini. Oh, and if it's your thing, you can follow Big Website on Big Social FaceSpace. SIGN UP TO THE FIVER Want your very own copy of our free tea-timely(ish) email sent direct to your inbox? Has your regular copy stopped arriving? Click here to sign up. SHOOT THE WHOLE DAY DOWN Daniel Harris theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Roma's Mattia Destro rides again as Francesco Totti lifts the fans | Paolo Bandini Posted: 09 Dec 2013 08:21 AM PST The striker's winner against Fiorentina after a lengthy injury saga has revived his side's Serie A title hopes while the captain's return to fitness has raised spirits Like true believers, they waited for their saviour to return. Candles were lit, prayers were said and songs sung in His honour. Somebody even hung a banner outside the Colosseum, prematurely celebrating His arrival. "Welcome back, captain!!!" it read. Francesco Totti had barely returned to training following the hamstring injury he suffered in mid-October but Roma fans were placing all their faith in him to lift their team out of a rut. In seven weeks without their captain, they had lost their grip on first place, falling behind Juventus after a run of four consecutive draws. They had scored only five goals in six games since Totti was sidelined. Before that, they had 22 in nine. Of course, this was more than just a coincidence. Totti had been in exceptional form to start the campaign, unpicking defences in ways that only he knows how – with a perfectly timed flick here or a no-look pass there. Already, he had six assists and three goals. Bluntly put, neither of his replacements – Adem Ljajic or Marco Borriello – could offer the same quality when deployed as the central forward in Rudi Garcia's 4-3-3. Even so, Roma's dry run had to do with more than just one player. Gervinho had also been absent for the first two of those drawn games, in which his pace and direct running were sorely missed. There had been a dip, furthermore, in the performances of several others, from the veteran Maicon through to the young Alessandro Florenzi. Some journalists suggested tiredness might be a factor, even though this team did not have European competition to worry about. Amid the speculation, however, another absentee seemed to have been forgotten. Mattia Destro had been unavailable since the start of the season as he continued his rehabilitation from a lengthy injury saga that began when he tore the meniscus in his left knee back in January. While the rest of Rome was fretting about Totti's status, the 22-year-old was finally closing in on a first-team return of his own. Destro had come back from this injury once already, playing in seven games for Roma between April and May of this year. He even started the Coppa Italia final against Lazio, before being called up to represent Italy at the Under-21 European Championship over the summer. Here is where the story gets a little murky. Destro made three appearances for Italy during the group stage of that tournament but did not feature in the knockout phase. By the time he returned to Rome, his injury had flared up again and a very public back and forth began over who was to blame for this development. Giuliano Cerulli, the surgeon who had operated on Destro's knee after the initial injury, accused the national team's medical staff of making the forward do too much, too soon – a slightly curious claim given that he had already played those seven games for Roma. Angelo De Carli, doctor for Italy's Under-21 side, rejected such assertions, insisting that the player had suffered no new injury while playing for the Azzurrini. Others pointed the finger at Destro himself, asserting that he had put on weight during his time out and that this was placing an additional strain on the damaged knee. The validity to such claims is open to debate but one way or another the striker's condition had become a cause for concern. Some feared this injury might derail his career altogether. That would have been a cruel blow to a player who was only just getting started. Signed by Roma to replace Fabio Borini in the summer of 2012, Destro was touted as one of the most promising young talents on the peninsula. Still only 21 years old at the time, he had scored 12 Serie A goals for Siena in the preceding season – the most by an Italian player of that age since Roberto Bettega in 1970-71. Destro's first season in Rome, though, had been a frustrating one. Even before the injury, he had failed to shine under Zdenek Zeman. Although he finished the season with seven goals, more had been expected. It was understandable, then, that fans should be so much more preoccupied with the condition of Totti before Sunday's game against Fiorentina. This was a fixture they needed to win in order to stay in touch with Juventus at the top of the table. The Bianconeri had beaten Livorno two days earlier to move temporarily six points clear in first place. During Roma's initial run of 10 consecutive wins to start the season, many pundits had sought to qualify their success by insisting the real test of their quality would be how they reacted to an eventual first defeat. Instead, it was the first draw that everyone should have been worrying about, the Giallorossi following up a creditable enough 1-1 scoreline away to Torino with rather more disappointing stalemates against Sassuolo, Cagliari and Atalanta. They were headed towards another such result – or perhaps even worse – when Destro was introduced in the 57th minute on Sunday. Roma had scored first at the Stadio Olimpico, Gervinho eluding defenders wonderfully to tee up Maicon in the seventh minute but Fiorentina equalised through Juan Vargas and seemed to have the upper hand early in the second half. Moments after Destro came on, Alberto Aquilani missed a golden opportunity to put the Viola 2-1 up. Instead, Roma's substitute would strike at the other end. Once again it was Gervinho who provided the assist, cutting the ball back from the goalline towards his team-mate on the edge of the six-yard box. But it was Destro whose instincts took over, timing his run perfectly at the near post, despite having a defender quite literally hanging off his shirt. The striker duly ripped the said item of clothing off as he tore away to celebrate under the curva. Destro was on the pitch for only 32 minutes – being taken back off by Garcia in the final minutes as the manager sought to reinforce his midfield following a red card for Miralem Pjanic. The striker did not seem to mind. He had done what he came here to do. "I've been out for so long, I couldn't take it any more," said Destro. "Scoring today was stupendous, even if the most important thing for me was just to get back on the pitch. I have suffered through this long absence, it is wonderful to be able to put this ugly time behind me." Garcia, likewise, was delighted. The manager had taken a great interest in Destro's rehabilitation, arranging entire friendlies just so the player would have an opportunity to play in match conditions before this comeback. Now he hopes to be repaid in goals. Roma, even with Totti in the side, were arguably still missing a player of Destro's characteristics – a natural scorer who thrives inside the 18-yard box. His goal on Sunday served to reinforce the impression of Roma as Juventus's chief title contenders, cutting the champions' lead back down to three points. And perhaps it might even have eased the weight of expectation on Totti, who watched happily from the bench on Sunday. Destro's goal helped to ensure his hamstring would have another eight days to recover, before the trip to Milan on 16 December. Talking points • Napoli are also supposed to battle for the Scudetto this season, but slipped to eight points behind Juventus this weekend. That is partly just a consequence of the champions' tremendous recent form (right now they are on pace to hit an improbable 101 points this season), and, as already mentioned, there is a lot of season left ahead of us. But recent results have been troubling for Rafael Benítez, with just one win (and three defeats) in his team's last five games across all competitions. Napoli have conceded 17 goals in Serie A – more than three times as many as Roma – and blew both a 2-0, then a 3-2 lead against Udinese on Saturday, eventually drawing 3-3. The Partenopei were jeered by their fans at full-time and Benítez has been criticised for both his team selection and tactical rigidity. Suffice to say, there is not much optimism to be found ahead of Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Arsenal, which Napoli would likely need to win by three goals to progress. • Inter also drew 3-3 this weekend, having twice trailed at home to Parma. It has been a puzzling season so far for the Nerazzurri, who have lost just once but who draw far too often. It was suggested in the wake of this latest setback that such results might even impact their ability to upgrade the squad in January – since new owner Erick Thohir might not be inclined to spend if he thinks his team will not make it into the Champions League anyway. • Sampdoria's improvement under Sinisa Mihajlovic continued with a 2-0 win at home to Catania – their first under the new manager after a pair of draws. It was capped with a really rather nice finish across goal from Manolo Gabbiadini, too. • Also excellent was Mario Balotelli's free-kick to rescue a point for Milan away to Livorno. The fact that Milan needed to rescue a point away to Livorno, however, is obviously rather less encouraging for the Rossoneri. There are many who believe that a change of manager is required to get this team moving in the right direction again, but owner Silvio Berlusconi mostly seems to think that Milan just need a bigger injection of his own winning personality. "Last year, after a disastrous first half of the season, I got more involved with Milan and we grabbed third place," he noted. True enough, although at the corresponding point last year the Rossoneri were still only 14 points off first place and 10 off third. This year those gaps are up to 22 and 14 points respectively. • Vladimir Petkovic's position as manager of Lazio is looking even more precarious after his team suffered its sixth defeat of the season. There is no shame in losing to this Torino side (although there ought to be plenty of shame for Alessio Cerci after this shabby excuse for a corner) who look capable of challenging for a European spot this season, but Lazio have now won just once in their last 10 Serie A games. "I know that when you lose games, your job is at risk," acknowledged Petkovic afterwards. Results: Bologna 0-2 Juventus, Livorno 2-2 Milan, Roma 2-1 Fiorentina, Verona 2-1 Atalanta, Cagliari 2-1 Genoa, Inter 3-3 Parma, Napoli 3-3 Udinese, Sassuolo 0-1 Chievo, Sampdoria 2-0 Catania, Torino 1-0 Lazio • Latest Serie A table Serie A Roma Fiorentina European club football Paolo Bandini theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Football Weekly: Manchester United and David Moyes face more misery Posted: 09 Dec 2013 08:03 AM PST On today's Football Weekly, James Richardson has Barry Glendenning, James Horncastle and Michael Hann are in the pod to try to make sense of another nonsensical weekend in the Premier League, where there were surprise wins, comedy own goals and star virtuoso performances aplenty yet again. We start with the league leaders Arsenal, who were held at the Emirates by Everton, and whose former manager David Moyes oversaw another home defeat as Manchester United lost at home to Newcastle. After rounding up the rest of the games at the top and bottom of the league, we turn our attention to the few midweek Champions League games that mean anything, before finishing off with a look at the action in the Championship, and assessing England's chances of getting four points from a World Cup group featuring Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica. Amy Lawrence and Owen Gibson will be with us on Thursday, and hopefully you will be too. James Richardson Ben Green Barry Glendenning Michael Hann

Brazil urged to take stand as post-draw violence raises World Cup fears | Fernando Duarte Posted: 09 Dec 2013 06:09 AM PST As crowd trouble at a match only two days after the World Cup 2014 draw spreads alarm, the host nation faces criticism over its capacity to deal with troublemakers So within two days of the World Cup draw, Brazilian football was making the news for all the wrong reasons. On Sunday images of despicable violence taking place at the game between Atlético Paranaense and Vasco da Gama in the southern textile town of Joinville were spread around the world, bringing shame on the country. The images paint a scary picture that will add to the criticism faced by Brazilian football. The year of 2013 has been horrendous. In February, a flare fired by Corinthians fans killed Kevin Espada, a 14-year-old supporter attending a Libertadores Cup game against San Jose in Oruro, Bolivia. Although the incident did not happen at a Brazilian stadium, it shed light on the cosy relationship between clubs and ultras, often subsidised by directors for political and sporting gain. Initially punished by Conmebol with games played behind closed doors, Corinthians managed to overturn the decisions. A couple of months later, some of the hooligans who had been arrested by Bolivian authorities, one of them a São Paulo city councillor, were involved in a punch-up at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium, one of the World Cup venues, in a match against Vasco. That should have set off all the alarms but instead both teams were told to play four matches at least 100km away from their home bases, a slap on the wrist that could not be more ineffective, given these are teams with a national appeal. They were not the first and will not be the last – unless Brazilian authorities start to take this problem seriously. While Brazilian football has not experienced anything like the Heysel tragedy, there are fears that violence in stadiums is escaping the control of the authorities. Incidents in the vicinity of grounds have been on the rise and a study published in August by the Rio de Janeiro State University claimed that 36 supporters died in incidents in the last two years. The most daunting aspect of the troubles in Joinville, though, is that everybody could see it coming. Atletico-PR, based in Curitiba, another World Cup host city, were punished in October by the Brazilian Football Confederation for crowd trouble, which led to the use of Joinville, 130k away. The game against Vasco was crucial for both teams – the Rio side needed a win to avoid the drop, while Atletico were fighting for continental football. Everything pointed to a tense atmosphere. Instead of a strong police presence inside the ground, private security was in place. Fighting fans quickly overwhelmed the personnel at the stadium and now everybody is pointing fingers. Everybody seems to be getting it wrong, especially when it comes to the way clubs and authorities deal with the ultras. It is time they acted before something extremely bad happens. Clubs need to stop turning a blind eye to hooligans and the authorities must punish supporters involved in trouble. Above all, clubs have to be sanctioned if their supporters are involved in violence. This is the time for harsh penalties, such as point deductions and even exclusion from competitions. It is no surprise a lot of tweets and Facebook posts after the trouble in Joinville referred to the European ban on English clubs after Heysel. That approach towards hooliganism was highly thought of in Brazil, even before things reached this point. Today, it is looking more popular than ever. World Cup 2014 World Cup Brazil Fernando Duarte theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Trio named on Ballon d'Or shortlist Posted: 09 Dec 2013 06:04 AM PST • Fifa announces three-man shortlist for 2013 award • Sir Alex Ferguson among contenders for coach of the year Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribéry will fight it out for the title of the world's best player after Fifa announced its shortlist for the 2013 Ballon d'Or. Messi has won the award in each of the last four years, while Ronaldo won the award in 2008 and has since been repeatedly placed second. Ribéry has had a sparkling year for the treble-winners Bayern Munich. Gareth Bale did not make the cut from the 23-man longlist despite scoring 26 goals for Tottenham last season before becoming the world's most expensive player when he joined Real Madrid for €100m in September. The winner will be revealed at the Fifa Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich on 13 January. Ronaldo is favourite for the prize after scoring 34 league goals for Real Madrid last season and guiding Portugal to World Cup qualification. Ribéry is in contention for another award after being named Uefa's best player in Europe for the 2012-13 season, in which he helped Bayern win the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. Messi has continued to be prolific since being awarded the 2012 prize, leading Barcelona to another La Liga title with 45 goals and Argentina to a place at Brazil 2014. The 23-man list was compiled by the Fifa football committee and a group of experts from France Football and announced on 29 October. The nominees were confirmed after a voting process that was open to the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams of Fifa's 209 member associations as well as to international media representatives selected by Fifa and France Football. Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired following 26 years as Manchester United manager, is nominated for the Fifa world coach of the year for men's football award alongside another former manager, Jupp Heynckes, who led Bayern to their treble. Jürgen Klopp, whose Borussia Dortmund side lost the all-German Champions League final to Bayern, is the third nominee. The five-time Fifa's women's player of the year Marta of Brazil is shortlisted for the 2013 award alongside the 2012 winner, Abby Wambach of the United States. Germany's Nadine Angerer is the third player on the shortlist. The three nominees for the Fifa Puskas award for the "most beautiful goal of the year" were also announced. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's acrobatic volley for Sweden against England in November 2012, Nemanja Matic's volley for Benfica against Porto in Portugal's Liga Sagres and Neymar's shot for Brazil against Japan in June's Confederations Cup are the contenders. Ballon d'Or Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo Franck Ribéry Fifa theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Real Madrid moves to send off Ultras Sur fans Posted: 09 Dec 2013 06:01 AM PST Spanish club reportedly plans to reassign far-right group's seats behind goalmouth to less violent and racist supporters For 33 years, they've been the loudest and often most embarrassing fans in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. But now Real Madrid is looking to replace the Ultras Sur supporters with a more respectable crowd. Come January, the club president, Florentino Pérez, will reassign the Ultras' seats to younger, better behaved supporters, and will ban some of the most radical Ultras from the stadium, according to the Spanish sports daily AS. From their seats behind the south goal, the members of the extreme-right group have for decades boisterously cheered on Real Madrid. Considered to be one of the most powerful fan groups in La Liga Española, the group counts on an estimated 1,000 members. It is noted for its neo-Nazi paraphernalia, violence and racist chants. The Ultras Sur recently grabbed headlines in Spain after four members were fined €3,000 (£2,513) and banned from sporting events for a year after they flaunted swastikas and other Nazi symbols during a match against Atlético Madrid. Other members of the group were caught selling fascist memorabilia at a school market. And a violent bar brawl last month between factions of the Ultras Sur was blamed on an internal dispute. According to AS, Pérez is planning on replacing the Ultras' 885 seats with a new "fans sur" stand of 1,600 seats next year. Younger season ticket-holders will be encouraged to move to this section and lead the stadium in cheering. Real Madrid's press office refused to confirm the reports. The move has been compared to measures taken by Joan Laporta, who on becoming president of FC Barcelona in 2003 banned the far-right Boixos Nois fans from Camp Nou. While their members have been spotted at the stadium since then, the group continues to be officially banned. During his three years as coach with Real Madrid, José Mourinho defended the Ultras Sur fans, whom he credited with creating an atmosphere in the stadium. After a match in which Real Madrid beat Osasuna 7-1, Mourinho told reporters that if it had not been for the Ultras Sur and their cheering, "you would think the stadium was empty". Spain Europe The far right Real Madrid Atlético Madrid Barcelona José Mourinho Ashifa Kassam theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Manchester United consider January move for Wesley Sneijder Posted: 09 Dec 2013 05:49 AM PST • David Moyes reactivates interest in Galatasaray midfielder • Dutchman came close to signing for United two seasons ago Manchester United have reactivated their interest in Wesley Sneijder, with David Moyes considering a January move for the Galatasaray playmaker. With the champions 13 points behind the leaders, Arsenal, and seven from a Champions League berth there is a renewed urgency to bolster the squad particularly in midfield. Sneijder came close to signing for United two seasons ago before the deal fell through because of contractual issues and. The Dutchman, who reportedly has release clause of around £13m, would represent a bargain. Moyes reiterated again at the weekend that he would not rush into moving for players. Yet the landing of Sneijder, who has a proven pedigree as a Champions League winner and World Cup finalist with Holland, would lift the club while sending a statement of intent to United's rivals. Sneijder recently parted with his agent, Soren Lerby, so there is a sense that the 29-year-old is considering his future, despite being contracted to the Turkish club until 2016, where he earns a reported salary of €5m (£4.2m) a year. Manchester United Galatasaray David Moyes Transfer window Jamie Jackson theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

The best goals of the week Posted: 09 Dec 2013 04:57 AM PST From a 40-yard screamer in the 97th minute to a backheel heavy team goal, via free-kicks from Zlatan, Balotelli and Ronaldinho Paul Campbell

Roy Keane accuses Sir Alex Ferguson of having a 'massive ego' in new row Posted: 09 Dec 2013 04:55 AM PST • Keane says 'everything is about control and power' • Former United midfielder rates Brian Clough as best manager Roy Keane believes Sir Alex Ferguson is still trying to exert "control and power" at Manchester United despite retiring as manager in the summer. The Irishman, who was Ferguson's midfield driving force for the club between 1993 and 2005, says the Scot has a "massive ego" and rated his former boss at Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough, as the best manager he had worked with. United have endured a difficult start to life under Ferguson's successor David Moyes, having lost three Premier League games at Old Trafford already this season to sit ninth in the table. Keane said of Ferguson, now a director at United: "Everything is about control and power. He's still striving for it now even though he's not manager. There's massive ego involved in that." Keane, who left United in 2005 after a fall-out with Ferguson, was speaking in an ITV4 documentary called Keane and Vieira: The Best of Enemies which airs on Tuesday night concerning his rivalry with the former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. He said that his relationship with the former United manager is now "non-existent". The Irishman even took issue with Ferguson praising him in his recently released autobiography for "covering every blade of grass" in the 1999 Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus. Keane added: "Stuff like that almost insults me. I get offended when people give quotes like that about me. It's like praising the postman for delivering letters." Keane admitted he had cried in his car when his United career came to an abrupt end over a candid interview he gave to the club's in-house television station criticising his team-mates. He said: "Of course I was upset: I did shed a few tears in my car for about two minutes. But I also told myself I had to get on with my life. I walked out with nothing, I had no club lined up and I was injured. "I told David Gill I had been injured playing for Man United. I could have played for Manchester United easily for another couple of years." Keane laughed off the furore surrounding the infamous MUTV interview and said he felt the row between Ferguson and then club director John Magnier over the stud rights to racehorse Rock of Gibraltar had to have had a "negative effect" on the club. Keane said: "I managed the dressing room: that was my job. If people didn't think [the Rock of Gibraltar row] had a negative effect on the club then they are in cuckoo land." Keane said Ferguson's strongest trait was his "ruthlessness", while labelling "loyalty" his biggest weakness. And now Ferguson has retired, Keane revealed he and his son have season tickets at Old Trafford. Roy Keane Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Football quiz: Chelsea Posted: 09 Dec 2013 04:32 AM PST Today's headscratchers are SW6-specific

Bayern Munich ready to take on Premier League for world domination Posted: 09 Dec 2013 03:59 AM PST • Rummenigge says Bayern are 'locomotive' of German football • Bayern will open offices in the US and China in next six months The European champions Bayern Munich are planning to build on their football and financial success with an international campaign of marketing and summer tours, promising to be the "locomotive" for German football's effort to rival the Premier League and Spanish La Liga's global popularity. Bayern's chairman, the former international centre forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, told the Guardian he rejects complaints that Bayern's playing strength and huge wealth is making the Bundesliga uncompetitive, arguing instead the club's success and profile should be considered a great asset to German football. While criticising the tradeable ownership of the Premier League, in which England's top clubs have been bought by US investors, Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, Rummenigge said Bayern, still 82% owned by the club's 225,000 fan-members, admire and will seek to emulate the English game's profile and earnings overseas. Bayern will open an office in New York "within weeks", Rummenigge said and prepare for a summer of playing tours. Another office will be set up in the new year in China where, Bayern, like Premier League clubs, anticipate huge commercial opportunities. "The Bundesliga is today growing and doing well but the Premier League by far is still number one in the world," Rummenigge said. "The English clubs are doing a fantastic job internationally and we have to follow. Then, when we start this initiative, the other Bundesliga clubs have to follow the example of Bayern." Pointing to the gap between the Premier League's international TV deals from 2013-16, which at £2.3bn is more than 10 times that of the Bundesliga's current €70m a year, Rummenigge said: "You see the Bundesliga, and Bayern Munich as the locomotive of the Bundesliga, has to do much more." This has become Bayern Munich's response to the growing observation that the club, with its 71,000-capacity Allianz Arena, lucrative sponsorships, European playing success and propensity still to sign their Bundesliga rivals' best players, have become too overwhelmingly strong for the German league. Already this season they are four points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and the club's former coach, Felix Magath, recently argued that the Bundesliga is "pre-awarded to Bayern". To the suggestion from Eintracht Frankfurt's coach, Heribert Bruchhagen, that the German clubs playing in the Champions League should share their money around the Bundesliga, Rummenigge argued Bayern's strength should not be clipped but built upon. "People are looking at us being too strong in the Bundesliga at national level," Rummenigge said, "but we are looking at the European and international level and we see we have to further and, at the end, it will help the Bundesliga." Bayern's clean sweep of European Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup and Super Cup and a relentless commercial operation, despite 16,000 season tickets offered to members at only €150, €7.50 per domestic match, produced a record income in 2012-13. Bayern's total, €433m, was almost €130m more than the club's nearest rivals in the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund, who made €305m, and Bayern's signing from Dortmund of Mario Götze, leaked just before the Wembley Champions League final between the two clubs, has reinforced the growing divide. Bayern's income was similar to the £363m record turnover of Manchester United, whose international earnings, principally from sponsorships, Bayern will now seek to emulate. Bayern earned €150m from matchday income, including their winning run in the Champions League, £102m from sponsorship, with shirt sponsor T-Mobile omnipresent at the Allianz Arena, and €44m from domestic TV rights. Champions League earnings were €63m, the source of Bruchhagen's complaint that Bayern are now operating on another financial planet from the other Bundesliga clubs. Despite German football's success in club and national team competitions and a widespread admiration for the Bundesliga's quality and atmosphere, the league has been slow to grow internationally. Christian Seifert, the Bundesliga chief executive, told the Guardian a "lack of management attention" had led to the Bundesliga not even selling TV rights internationally until 2005. "This was a very underdeveloped area," Seifert said. Pep Guardiola, the coach whose signing was such a coup for Bayern, is central to the plans to take the club's appeal worldwide and so grow the Bundesliga's popularity and international income. "He gives us a big image," Rummenigge said of Guardiola. "In these plans for the new international division, Pep is playing a main role. He is probably the most popular, the most important coach in the world." Bayern Munich Bundesliga European club football David Conn theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. 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Brazil's child sex trade soars as 2014 World Cup nears Posted: 09 Dec 2013 03:36 AM PST Officials and campaigners fear explosion in child prostitution amid rising demand from football fans A tiny figure in minuscule white shorts and a pink strapless top leans against a metal fence outside a school in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará state, north-east Brazil. She has gloss-coated lips, and her yellow headband, holding back long hair, glows in the lamplight along Juscelino Kubitschek Avenue, which connects the city to the Castelão arena, one of the venues for the 2014 World Cup. A car pulls up. The girl climbs in. This is a common scene around the stadium in Fortaleza, considered Brazil's child prostitution capital and a magnet for sex tourism, according to local authorities. Transvestites also work the dusty pavements of this newly renovated thoroughfare but young girls are in higher demand. "As soon as they hit the avenue they're picked up," says Antônia Lima Sousa, a state prosecutor who works on children's rights in Fortaleza. "It's really a matter of minutes. You'll find them around town during the day too." Despite more than a decade of government pledges to eradicate child prostitution, the number of child sex workers in Brazil stood at about half a million in 2012, according to the National Forum for the Prevention of Child Labor, a non-governmental organisation. That's a fivefold increase since 2001, when 100,000 children worked in the sex trade, according to estimates by Unicef, the UN children's charity. And with the World Cup approaching in June, officials and campaigners fear an explosion in child prostitution as sex workers migrate to big cities from interior states and pimps recruit more young people to meet increased demand from local and foreign football fans. "We're worried sexual exploitation will increase in the host cities and around them," says Joseleno Vieira dos Santos, who co-ordinates a national programme to fight the sexual exploitation of children at Brazil's Human Rights Secretariat. "We're trying to co-ordinate efforts as much as we can with state and city governments to understand the scope of the problem." But the authorities have a battle on their hands as sex workers prepare to cash in on a bumper trade. The Minas Gerais State Association of Prostitutes, which represents sex workers in one of Brazil's largest states, is even offering free English lessons to prostitutes in the capital Belo Horizonte, another World Cup host city. "There'll be a lot more people circulating in this area during the games for sure and the city will be full of tourists," says Giovana, 19, a transvestite working a corner near Castelão stadium. "I know there'll be more work for everybody – women, girls, everybody." Big bucks The tournament is expected to attract 600,000 foreign visitors to Brazil who will spend an estimated 25bn reals (£6.5bn) while travelling around the country, the Brazilian tourism board, Embratur, says. The championship could inject 113bn reals into the economy by 2014, Fifa has said, citing an Ernst & Young report. Brazil's government will have spent 33bn reals on stadiums, transport and other infrastructure by the time the tournament kicks off, as well as £6m on advertising. In contrast, very little is being spent on fighting the sexual exploitation of minors, campaigners say. The Human Rights Secretariat has set aside 8m reals for host cities to set up projects to fight child prostitution, but not all cities have programmes in place to absorb the funds, Santos says. His department is finishing a review of child prostitution in key locations and will then decide what action to take. But any programmes will scratch only the surface. "We realise we're only touching the tip of the iceberg with these actions for the World Cup, but we hope to build capacity and implement longer-lasting programmes in the future," Santos says. Beyond the Human Rights Secretariat, the government could not provide accurate data on total spending to fight child prostitution but campaigners say some schemes have been shut down. They argue that the government is not doing enough to address the problem. "This subject isn't really part of the government's agenda and we don't see a willingness to combine efforts or increase resources to address the sexual exploitation of children," says Denise Cesario, executive manager of Fundação Abrinq, a local partner of Save the Children International. The lure of Fortaleza Sex tourism occurs across Brazil but Fortaleza – one of the north-east's top tourist destinations with white sandy beaches and about 300 days of sunshine – is the industry's main hub. A culture of machismo, combined with extreme poverty and drug use, has created the perfect environment for sexual exploitation, say social workers like Cecília dos Santos Góis, who works for Cedeca, a children's rights charity. "Women in the north-east have traditionally been treated as second-class citizens, as objects even," she says. "Many fathers see their young daughters as a source of income and that is a cultural attitude that's hard to change." More phone calls are made from Fortaleza to a nationwide toll-free number to report child sexual exploitation than from any other Brazilian city on a per capita basis, experts say. Many of Fortaleza's young sex workers see prostitution as a way of escaping their circumstances. But for 16-year-old Jessica, a tall brunette, her escape plan has landed her in trouble. She began sex work with local clients, earning about $18 (£11) a night, before graduating to bigger nightclubs and groups of foreign tourists for about $90 a night. Police arrested her in September in a raid on a club on Iracema beach, a crowded neighbourhood packed with lively restaurants, hotels and bars. They took her to one of four shelters for underage prostitutes, a discreet two-storey house in a lower-class neighbourhood, accessible only through a narrow iron gate watched around the clock by security guards. She is waiting for a judge to decide whether she can return home to her mother. Waiting for a prince Sitting in the small room she shares with three younger girls, Jessica says one of her regular clients, a Spaniard, has promised to take her to Europe. "I told him I was 18 and I was getting my passport," she says, tucking a rainbow-coloured tank top into green and yellow tropical-print trousers. "I paid 500 reals for a fake ID and was saving money to buy a fake passport. But in the end I was afraid to go." Leonora Albuquerque, one of the shelter's co-ordinators, says Jessica's story is typical. "Like so many girls who get into this life, Jessica has fantasies that she will find her prince charming – a foreign client who will fall in love with her – and he'll take her to Europe and buy her fancy clothes, perfume, jewels," she says. Pimps and clients are rarely punished and when prosecutors do manage to build a case against them, survivors often change their testimonies and the cases are thrown out, says Francisco Carlos Pereira de Andrade, a criminal prosecutor who specialises in child exploitation. Of 2,000 cases before his department, which handles sexual violence against children, only about 20 involve child prostitution. The face of sex tourism in Fortaleza is also changing, making it more difficult to catch criminals, Sousa says. Instead of working the streets, organised rings of pimps, hotel managers and taxi drivers recruit young girls. Foreign clients order the underage prostitutes before they arrive in Fortaleza and they are delivered directly to their hotels, Sousa adds. Girls on the menu Friday night at Iracema beach and a small group of blond German men are drinking beer at pavement tables, watched closely by a bouncer. Six adult sex workers stand nearby, some sitting with them, swishing their hair from side to side. But the tourists have something else on their mind. "They're waiting for a cue to let them know the girls they ordered are ready," says social worker Góis, on one of her routine surveillance rounds of child prostitution hubs. "The bar is involved. The taxi drivers that wait on the corner are probably involved too. And some hotels nearby are part of this network." While international sex tourism is prominent in Fortaleza, it represents only a third of all reported child prostitution cases. Prostitutes with Brazilian clients, from Ceará or surrounding states, are far more common, prosecutors say. That was the case for Vanessa, who was 13 when police picked her up in October, not far from Castelão stadium. She left her home in a poor neighbourhood when she was 10, after her stepfather started to beat her, she says. She has lived mostly on the streets, going to shelters now and then and spending nights with clients, some of whom she calls friends. Her chubby cheeks, perfectly aligned white teeth and sparkling eyes make it hard to believe she is undergoing treatment for crack cocaine abuse. "I want to study; I really like maths. But sometimes I just want to disappear and go and live on Mars with the astronauts," she laughs. Last month, Vanessa broke into the maintenance room at the shelter, took a ladder and scaled the 2.5-metre wall surrounding the building, according to Albuquerque, who works at the shelter. She convinced two other girls, aged 12 and 13, to go back with her to the Castelão stadium area. It was the fourth time she had escaped in less than six months. "It's very hard to convince these girls to lead normal lives," Albuquerque adds. "Most of them think abuse and selling their bodies is just a fact of life." Child protection Prostitution Children World Cup 2014 World Cup Social care Sex Sexual health Health theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Everton's Roberto Martínez pleased with 1-1 draw against Arsenal – video Posted: 09 Dec 2013 03:13 AM PST Everton manager Roberto Martínez says he is extremely pleased with his squad's performance against Arsenal

Portsmouth appoint Richie Barker and Steve Coppell Posted: 09 Dec 2013 02:58 AM PST • Barker named manager after recent sacking at Crawley • Coppell 'jumped at opportunity' to be director of football Portsmouth have named Richie Barker as their new manager and Steve Coppell as director of football. Barker, 38, has agreed a rolling contract to take over at Fratton Park less than two weeks after he was sacked by League One Crawley. He replaces Guy Whittingham, who was sacked by Portsmouth two days earlier following a winless run of seven matches which left them 18th in League Two. Barker said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I'm very excited to be at this club with its great history. "Everyone knows how passionate the people of Portsmouth are about their football club." The former Crystal Palace and Brighton manager Coppell, 58, worked in a similar role with Barker at Crawley. He said: "It's a new challenge for me and I'm very excited. Richie asked if I'd like to be involved and I jumped at the opportunity." Portsmouth theguardian.com © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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