Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com |
- Sunderland drawn to play Manchester United in Capital One Cup semi-final
- A-League shrugs off benefits of the Asian Champions League
- Stoke 0-2 Man Utd
- Stoke City v Manchester United – as it happened
- Sampson will pick Hodgson's brains for help
- Spurs 1-2 West Ham
- Weather wins as two matches abandoned and one suspended
- Spurs 1-2 West Ham
- Wilshere accepts charge from FA
- League chief hit by Ofcom ruling
- David Cameron and Michael Owen applaud the troops in Afghanistan
- Fifpro's tilt at the transfer market is to be welcomed
- José Mourinho may alter Chelsea's tactics in the hope of better results
- Pope Francis meets Argentinian football champions San Lorenzo – video
- The Fiver | A person of impeccable rectitude
- Which is the World Cup Group of Death?
- Who has the hardest World Cup 2014 draw? – interactive
- Rio's love motels, and other alternative accommodation for the World Cup
- Sport quiz of 2013
- Gus Poyet system can coerce Sunderland through crucial period | Louise Taylor
- Cristian Montaño appeals against Oldham sacking after spot-fixing claims
- Why Chelsea are still a better bet for the top four than Everton | Paul Wilson
- Barcelona and Real Madrid facing EC investigation over public funding
- Construction of Manaus World Cup stadium in Brazil halted following deaths – video
- Euro 2016: Uefa decision to separate Spain and Gibraltar beggars belief | Marina Hyde
| Sunderland drawn to play Manchester United in Capital One Cup semi-final Posted: 18 Dec 2013 02:28 PM PST • Manchester City take on West Ham in other last-four tie Sunderland's reward for beating Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup is a last-four encounter with the four-times winners Manchester United. Gus Poyet's side ousted José Mourinho's men with a victory in extra time at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday and they will welcome United, who comfortably beat Stoke, in the first leg in the week commencing 6 January, with the return at Old Trafford a fortnight later. The other semi-final pits United's rivals Manchester City against West Ham, who earned their spot at this stage after beating Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane. United last won this competition in the 2009/10 season and winning it this season may go some way to easing the pressure on David Moyes. After their 2-0 victory at Stoke on Wednesday night, the Scot admitted he is at a club accustomed to major honours. Sunderland are in the bottom three of the Premier League and their best result in this competition was reaching the final in 1985 – in the same year they were relegated from the top flight. "We had to win the game before we got into the next round but thankfully we did and we'll have a tough semi-final against Sunderland now," Moyes told Sky Sports 1. "It's a cup game and it shows you how well Sunderland can play when they beat Chelsea last night. They played well to get that result and they've got a new manager now. "A lot of things can happen between now and then but we're just really pleased we've got ourselves into the semi-final." Manchester City, who beat Leicester 3-1 on Tuesday, last won the competition in 1976. They have been knocked out of the semi-finals in two of the previous four seasons, while West Ham's best result was a final appearance in 1981. 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  |
| A-League shrugs off benefits of the Asian Champions League Posted: 18 Dec 2013 02:28 PM PST John Duerden: The tournament has its flaws but it can raise clubs' profiles as well as helping showcase the talents of Australian players  |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2013 02:01 PM PST
The Manchester United faithful left in fine heart after their side progressed to the Capital One Cup semi-finals, then awaited the prognosis on Wayne Rooney whose injury meant he missed this trip to the Potteries. With the Dutch international Robin van Persie already out for a month because of a groin problem the United manager, David Moyes, delivered the words no fan wanted when in the pre-game interview, he said: "Wayne Rooney is injured." Asked if the England forward will be fit for the festive season, Moyes answered: "We hope so." While United's season may hinge on when Rooney returns this was a thoroughly heartening evening for Moyes. He watched Ashley Young score his first goal since May 2012 and heard the away support sing his name in an offering of welcome succour during a game that was held up for five minutes in the first half by a hail storm which forced the referee Mark Clattenburg to take the sides off after half an hour. Stoke had last lost at the Britannia Stadium in late September, when Norwich City beat them 1-0 in the Premier League, with their manager, Mark Hughes, highlighting the impressive run that his team have been on. "We have lost just one of our last eight league and cup games, kept a clean sheet and could have bagged all three points at Hull on Saturday evening," he said. "I firmly believe we are heading in the right direction. "Now it's a small matter of navigating past one of my old clubs. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to emulate Tony Waddington and guide a Stoke City side to League Cup glory." To reach the semi-finals and move a step closer to matching the triumphant 1971-2 side of Gordon Banks, Jimmy Greenhoff and George Eastham, Stoke faced a United team including Anderson for the first time in three months and in which Tom Cleverley was playing behind Danny Welbeck in the position more usually occupied by Rooney. And it was United who began the brighter and they came close to scoring moments after the start when Welbeck found Ashley Young whose shot rifled the side netting. United's right-back Rafael Da Silva was the first to be bemused by the blustery conditions when a regulation ball from Chris Smalling bounced over his right leg and out of play. Keeping the ball on the ground was the response and Stoke showed how with a smooth move along their right flank that ended with Geoff Cameron cutting in and hitting a left-foot shot which failed to test David De Gea. United's season has been characterised by inconsistency and a lack of confidence. That was illustrated when Young delivered a dangerous corner into Thomas Sorensen's goalmouth but no team-mate attacked the ball. The best offered by United as the half hour approached was an Anderson attempt and a mazy run from Patrice Evra that again required a colleague to capitalise. It was at this juncture that the hail began to fall and Clattenburg took the sides off. The break lasted only a short time and while the conditions were more accommodating when play resumed it did little to raise the quality. United could have broken the deadlock when Cleverley's corner from the right was moved on by Smalling but his fellow defender Jonny Evans could not finish from close range. The contest needed a goal and the way in which Cleverley, Valencia and Anderson zipped the ball around to play in Rafael down the right suggested United were the more likely to score it against rather muted opponents. By the 58th minute Moyes had seen enough of Anderson and he was replaced by Javier Hernández. With United camped in the Stoke half the tie looked the visitors to win and moments later the United manager's substitution was vindicated when the Mexico striker provided the deftest of lay-offs from which Young blasted a shot past Sorensen after 62 minutes. United had gradually taken charge of the match as it wore on. However, there were still scares at their end of the field. The home midfielder Jonathan Walters fired in an effort from 30-yards that deflected off Evans for a corner but Stoke failed to profit. For Moyes satisfaction was complete when Evra confirmed the win with a finish with his right foot after Young had played the left-back into a scoring position, and the manager ended being regaled with the fond chant of "Come on David Moyes" to leave him in no doubt of the support he retains. 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  |
| Stoke City v Manchester United – as it happened Posted: 18 Dec 2013 02:01 PM PST Minute-by-minute: An easy win for United at the Britannia sets up a semi-final showdown with Sunderland. Scott Murray was watching  |
| Sampson will pick Hodgson's brains for help Posted: 18 Dec 2013 02:00 PM PST • New manager will assess fresh talent at January training camp Mark Sampson, the new coach of the England women's team, does not believe his lack of experience at international level will hold him back, although the 31-year-old is relishing the opportunity to draw on the knowledge of Roy Hodgson, whose office will be next to his at St George's Park. Sampson, who decided that Casey Stoney, the England captain, was not fit enough to be included in the 30-strong squad for January's training camp in La Manga, replaces Hope Powell, who was sacked in August after 15 years in charge of the national side. While Sampson, whose first match will be a friendly against Norway in La Manga, on 17 January, has not been involved with an international side before, he believes that managing at the highest level of the club game – he impressed at Bristol Academy in the Women's Super League – has prepared him for the role. Under Sampson, Bristol finished second in the WSL last season, reached two FA Cup finals and qualified for the Champions League for the first time. "In terms of managing an international team, I haven't got that experience but my experience of the highest level of the women's game is an important one," he said. "The WSL has got many international players. In my time at Bristol I worked with many internationals. We've worked with some of the best players across the country and other nations. "In terms of my understanding of the quality needed, it's certainly there. I'm in a fortunate position with the FA that they've supported me to observe England internationals. I've spent a lot of time with other countries looking at the work they do." Sampson, who received a message of support from Powell after his appointment, also plans to take advantage of working in close proximity to Hodgson. "If I can that's certainly something I want to do because he's a man who has fantastic knowledge of the international game and the club game," he said. "He's been around the game for such a long time, so if I can be involved with Roy at any stage it will be incredible for me and the team." Despite his relative youth, Sampson has been involved in coaching for a while after realising that he would not make it as a professional player. He describes himself as a modern, forward-thinking coach who places an emphasis on passing football and his first coaching role came at Swansea, where he ran the Welsh club's centre of excellence. Roberto Martínez was the manager at the time. "It was a fantastic experience for me to work with Roberto and Graeme Jones, his assistant," Sampson said. "They created a friendly environment where we could sit down for a cup of coffee occasionally and just discuss football." Stoney was not the only notable omission from the squad that will travel to La Manga, with Katie Chapman and Kelly Smith left out because of fitness issues. Rachel Yankey also failed to make the cut, but Sampson did not rule out a return for any of them. However, the training camp does represent a chance for new talent to catch the eye, with the seven uncapped players in the squad hoping to impress before England's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro on 5 April. England have started their qualifying campaign well, winning their first four matches under the caretaker, Brent Hills, who has since been named the head of women's elite development by the FA. Marieanne Spacey has been appointed as Sampson's assistant. Sampson hopes to name two goalkeeping coaches, one for the first team and one to oversee development of goalkeepers across the country. "That will really help us," he said. "It's a position we're conscious we want to develop world-class players in." 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  |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2013 01:57 PM PST
West Ham United had emphatically not read the script. This was supposed to be Tim Sherwood's big night; the first time that he had managed in the professional game and, also, the first steps towards redemption for Emmanuel Adebayor. Adebayor had become almost Tottenham Hotspur's forgotten man, although the chairman, Daniel Levy, remained well aware of the monthly direct debit that entered the striker's bank account. It was one of the reasons why he finally tired of André Villas-Boas, who would not pick him, and sacked the Portuguese on Monday. Sherwood picked Adebayor and he watched him put Tottenham en route to victory in this Capital One Cup quarter-final with a stunning right-footed volley. When he was substituted in the 78th minute, he departed to a standing ovation. Yet that was merely the prompt for West Ham to belatedly and spectacularly enter the game as an attacking force. And, after a few nibbles, they found a cutting edge to enjoy another victory at this stadium. Their supporters revelled in the Premier League win here a couple of months ago, which set in motion the unravelling of Villas-Boas' managerial tenure but this actually topped it. It was glorious because it had been so unexpected until the closing stages. But after Matt Jarvis had slammed home from Matt Taylor's pass, the substitute Modibo Maïga leapt majestically to guide home a header that brought further gloom to White Hart Lane. Maïga last scored on 1 December of last year. Tottenham departed to the familiar chorus of boos. It was impossible not to see Sherwood's first selection as the Tottenham manager as a reaction to what had gone before. There had been plenty of tut-tutting about Villas-Boas' refusal to play with two strikers, from all areas of the club, and so Sherwood did not mess about. He went for 4-4-2, the footballing equivalent of meat and two veg. Moreover, Emmanuel Adebayor was back as one of the strikers and, having previously played for only 45 minutes of the season, he had the bit between his teeth. He absorbed strong challenges and he fought – he was booked for one foul too many – but there were also moments of finesse; plenty of smart footwork. Everyone seemed determined to prove something at the outset against a West Ham team that missed many of its Premier League regulars. Sherwood lived every moment as the rain tumbled down. He had gone for the tracksuit-and-trainers look and it quickly became apparent that he would not be the silent touchline type. He could barely believe that his team could not turn their early purple patch into a goal and he showed it. When Jermain Defoe dragged wide of the post from close range in the second minute, he jumped and he screamed. Aaron Lennon had created the chance with a low cross, having beaten Razvan Rat for pace, and the winger was a threat. Andros Townsend fizzed a low shot wide from distance and, from a Lennon cross, Joey O'Brien suffered a meltdown and almost headed into his own net. The ball flew just past the post. Adebayor also had an effort saved by Adrian. All this in the first 10 minutes. West Ham had started with one striker in Carlton Cole, which was one more than they had used in their 3-0 league win here on 6 October, but their priority once again was to contain and seek to punch on the counter. After Tottenham's whirlwind start, they gained a foothold and began to frustrate their hosts. Sherwood's team needed to show greater subtlety. The first half descended into a bit of grind. Sherwood and Sam Allardyce swore at the fourth official, who copped the flak for the his colleagues' decisions and there was a lot of getting stuck in. West Ham's first effort on target came in the 35th minute and it was a tame one from Carlton Cole while Adebayor blazed over the crossbar under pressure from James Collins, but he was driving to get into dangerous areas. Adebayor was on the brink of trying too hard at times. He dropped extremely deep to hunt possession and he was eager to beat opponents. He took the ball off the toes of his teammates. But as Tottenham groped rather in the second half, Adebayor found a way to make the difference and send Sherwood into a frenzy of high-knee jumping excitement. Townsend bobbed and weaved before releasing Defoe down the left and his cross sought Adebayor. There remained plenty to do but his technique and body-shape was perfect. The right-footed connection was pure and there was the added bonus of seeing the ball ping down and in off the underside of the crossbar. They are always the best ones. West Ham, however, roused themselves. In dramatic fashion. The substitute Mo Diamé and Taylor forced Hugo Lloris into very smart saves before Jarvis stuck the first pin into Sherwood's bubble. It was route-one stuff, Maïga flicking on from a high ball and Taylor supplying Jarvis. But West Ham and Maïga had not finished, and his header from Diamé's cross was a beauty. There was craziness late on. Defoe and Glyfi Sigurdsson went agonisingly close before Maïga rattled the woodwork with a thumping left-footed drive. Sherwood was crestfallen. 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  |
| Weather wins as two matches abandoned and one suspended Posted: 18 Dec 2013 01:53 PM PST • Wigan v Sheffield Wednesday washed out The Wigan manager Uwe Rösler and Sheffield Wednesday caretaker Stuart Gray agreed Keith Stroud made the right call when abandoning their sides' Championship match at Hillsborough due to a waterlogged pitch. Rosler, in charge of his first league game on the road since replacing Owen Coyle, had more to be disappointed about than counterpart Gray as his side looked a good bet to secure a rare away win this season before Stroud called a halt to proceedings in torrential rain in the 59th minute. Midfielder James McClean, a £2m summer signing from Sunderland, scored his first goal for Wigan in the 24th minute, coolly sliding the ball under Wednesday goalkeeper Damian Martinez after a fortunate ricochet off defender Roger Johnson had sent him clear into the penalty area. "I've no complaints. The referee did the right thing," said fRosler, who made five changes to the side that halted a six-game losing run with victory over Bolton on Sunday and saw them miss a host of other golden first-half chances. "Safety first for the players for both teams. I felt that when you have so much water on the pitch that Nick Powell can't convert a one-on-one with the keeper because the ball's stuck in the water, I think the referee didn't have a choice but to call it off. "I think the referee was very good. In the first half when more rain came and settled on the pitch, I thought he was excellent and it was the right decision. "Obviously for us, as good as we played in the first half and in the second, as tough as our game programme is in the next few weeks, this was a blow. "I enjoyed myself so much the way we played in the first half against a team who has been on a high and beating top teams in our division, how we played on their pitch, how we quietened the crowd, how we dominated the game, I enjoyed myself so much. "My only criticism is that we didn't score more goals. The game should have been safe at half-time." Gray, in his fourth game in charge as caretaker following Dave Jones's sacking earlier this month and given an extended run by the chairman Milan Mandaric to stake his claim for the permanent role, also praised the referee, but admitted his side had clearly been second best "I'm totally disappointed with the first-half performance. We got outplayed, bullied, individual errors, decision-making. "I was happy to get in at half-time only 1-0 down, but for 15 minutes in the second I thought we bossed it. But in the end it had to be the right decision. The players' safety is the most important thing. "Players can't run with the ball, the ball's sticking. Sometimes it's quite amusing for the supporters, but you've got to think of the players' health." Crawley's FA Cup second-round replay against Bristol Rovers was also abandoned after 75 minutes due to a waterlogged pitch. The referee Stuart Attwell took the decision after initially just taking the players off to assess the worsening conditions. The game was goalless. Meanwhile, Stoke's Capital One Cup tie against Manchester United was suspended in the first half. Mark Clattenburg took the players off the pitch because of a hailstorm. However, the action resumed 10 minutes later. 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  |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2013 01:40 PM PST Capital One Cup: Tim Sherwood's first game in charge of Tottenham ended in defeat after West Ham scored two late goals  |
| Wilshere accepts charge from FA Posted: 18 Dec 2013 11:39 AM PST • Wilshere accepts charge over gesture at Manchester City Jack Wilshere has reluctantly agreed to accept the Football Association misconduct charge for the gesture that he directed at Manchester City fans on Sunday and he is now expected to be banned for two matches – the forthcoming Premier League derbies against Chelsea and West Ham United. Arsenal are unhappy that Wilshere stands to miss two important matches, rather than just one and they have complained about how Liverpool's Luis Suárez received only one game for the same offence – raising his middle finger to Fulham supporters at Craven Cottage two years ago. Suárez was photographed when he made the gesture whereas Wilshere was caught on video and Arsenal believe that has counted against their player in some way. They are baffled as to why that may be the case and they will seek clarification from the Football Association on the issue. The club will also offer mitigating evidence on Wilshere's behalf, namely that the England midfielder was the subject of personal abuse from the City crowd, which led him to react in the way that he did during the second-half of his team's 6-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium. On a separate point concerning retrospective action on incidents that the match officials might not have seen, Arsenal are surprised that the City midfielder Yaya Touré's high challenge on Olivier Giroud has not brought any kind of censure. Arsenal hope that the FA will listen to their mitigation and ban Wilshere for only one game and, given that he and they have not appealed against the charge, it will certainly not be increased beyond two matches. But they are braced for two, which is the punishment that Blackpool's Tom Ince received after gesturing at the referee in a Capital One Cup tie at Preston North End in August. The offence, unseen by the official at the time, was caught on video. Wilfried Zaha received a one-match ban last season after making a single finger gesture at away supporters during Crystal Palace's 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Selhurst Park. The incident was not caught on video. Arsenal are determined to bounce back after the City defeat, which completed a miserable week for them after the 1-1 home draw against Everton and the 2-0 Champions League defeat at Napoli, which meant that they advanced into the last 16 of the competition as group runners-up. They then drew the holders Bayern Munich. Their lead at the top of the Premier League has been cut to two points. 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  |
| League chief hit by Ofcom ruling Posted: 18 Dec 2013 10:58 AM PST While chief executive at Leeds United the club's radio station made 'unjust and unfair' broadcasts amounting to 'harassment' Shaun Harvey, chief executive of the Football League, is at the centre of a damning ruling by the regulator Ofcom over "unjust and unfair" broadcasts amounting to "harassment" made by Leeds United's in-house radio station, Yorkshire Radio, while he was the club's chief executive. It is the latest in a series of adverse rulings about the club's misconduct when Harvey was their chief executive and Ken Bates chairman, from 2005 until Bates sold the club last year. Harvey resigned from the club, under the ownership of Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House, in July, and in October was selected by the Football League to be its chief executive, to the astonishment of many Leeds supporters. Ofcom has found that in December 2010, Harvey "instructed" Yorkshire Radio to make at least six broadcasts claiming they were "searching for the whereabouts of Melvyn Levi", a former club director, because the club was suing Levi for money they claimed he owed. The broadcasts caused "distress and anxiety" to Levi and his wife Carole, Ofcom ruled, and were "particularly damaging" to him. The ruling found that when a club representative went to the Levis' home to serve legal papers on him, Carole Levi said, truthfully, that Melvyn was away. Harvey and Bates did not believe that, however, and Harvey then told Yorkshire Radio to make the broadcasts, inviting fans to look out for Levi and contact the radio station if he was spotted. Ofcom found that this use of the club's radio station amounted to harassment of Levi, and breached Ofcom's code requiring broadcasters to avoid unfair and unjust treatment of people. "The fact that Yorkshire Radio deemed it acceptable at the time was of great concern," Ofcom ruled. The adjudication – following a complaint by Levi and his solicitors, Ford and Warren of Leeds – comes after a court judgment last year which found that Leeds under Bates and Harvey had committed the civil offence of harassment against Levi, by the radio broadcasts and derogatory statements published about him in the official matchday programme. Leeds county court heard that this harassment had caused significant personal distress and made both of the Levis ill. Giving evidence in court to defend the treatment of the couple, Harvey said he had not considered Mrs Levi's feelings when he instigated the broadcasts, because the "business of running a football club" did not allow him room to do so. Leeds were judged to have harassed Melvyn Levi and ordered to pay £10,000 damages, plus the couple's legal costs after a trial with QCs on both sides. In 2009, Bates was found to have libelled Levi in his chairman's column in the Leeds matchday programme, which the judge, Sir Charles Gray, found was "riddled with material inaccuracies" about Levi, a lifelong supporter of the club. Leeds spent £1.25m on their lawyers, Carter-Ruck, in 2010-2012, and Harvey said in court that the legal actions were costing "fortunes". Leeds were claiming Levi and his business partner Robert Weston owed £190,400, which Levi and Weston have defended arguing that they were never repaid £1.4m which they loaned the club. While Harvey was the Leeds chief executive, he and Bates had a poor relationship with the club's supporters trust, which was constituted according to recognised Supporters Direct principles and grew to have 9,000 members. Yorkshire Radio was found by Ofcom earlier this year to have made "unfair" broadcasts about the trust's chairman, Gary Cooper. Bates said on the radio, unchallenged by the programme's presenter, that he had looked at Cooper's match attendance record on the club's computer and had used that information to undermine Cooper's credentials as a fan. Cooper, like Levi, had no notice that he was to be mentioned in these terms on the airwaves, and was subsequently given no opportunity to respond, in breach of the Ofcom code. Ofcom also found that Yorkshire Radio had "unwarrantably infringed" Cooper's right to privacy. In April, the Information Commissioner found "it does not appear" that Leeds United had complied with the principles of the Data Protection Act to process information "fairly and lawfully", when they used Cooper's personal data in that way. Harvey was the Leeds chief executive under Bates for seven years, having originally been appointed by the previous owners, including Melvyn Levi. For six of those years – before and after Leeds under Bates and Harvey collapsed into administration in 2007 owing around £35m, including £7m unpaid taxes – the club was owned via an offshore company in the Cayman Islands, a tax haven. Harvey gave evidence to a parliamentary select committee inquiry in 2011 that he did not know who the club's owners were. The Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, told the committee his league's rules would be stronger than the Football League's on the question of Leeds' ownership. Two weeks later, the club announced that the offshore owners – who have still not been named – had sold the club to Bates, who owned it via a company registered in another tax haven, Nevis in the West Indies. Previously Harvey was chief executive at Bradford City for 10 years, which included the club's promotion to the Premier League in 1999. In 2002 after Bradford's relegation the club collapsed into administration, only narrowly avoiding liquidation, after most of its assets, including parachute payments, the stadium and even players, had effectively been mortgaged. Bates sold Leeds a year ago to GFH, whose chief investment officer, Salem Patel, told the Guardian that the club had "a cashflow shortfall" principally because of a building project on Elland Road's east stand, which was financed by selling future season ticket and sponsorship income, and the ground's catering rights. GFH is understood to have since put £20m into Leeds, closed the loss-making Yorkshire Radio, and plans shortly to sell 75% of the club to a consortium led by the current managing director, David Haigh. GFH retained Harvey as chief executive, until he resigned in July. Three months later, the Football League, chaired by Greg Clarke, unveiled Harvey as its chief executive, a new position designed to address issues including club ownership, governance and compliance with league rules. The League is thought to have decided Harvey's long experience at clubs, including promotion, relegation and more than one administration, made him suitably experienced to lead the league itself in its 125th year. Cooper said the trust now has a good, open dialogue with the club. "This Ofcom ruling is a reminder of some awful practice," Cooper said. "I find it astonishing that the Football League decided Shaun Harvey is the best person they could find for a position of such authority." Asked for his reaction, Harvey did not apologise to Melvyn and Carole Levi or express any contrition. He said the ruling concerned events that occurred in 2010, adding: "I believe it is in everyone's best interest to move on." Bates, too, has not apologised to the Levis and described the ruling as "much ado about nothing". 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  |
| David Cameron and Michael Owen applaud the troops in Afghanistan Posted: 18 Dec 2013 10:10 AM PST It's a game of two halves apparently, but whose team is Cameron on? And can you remind us what the mission was? Cameron: To all of those who doubted our resolve in Afghanistan, I say to you this. Mission Accomplished. British troops: Did we hear that right? Cameron: If you don't believe me, take it from my new foreign secretary Michael Owen instead. Michael Owen: It's never easy playing Afghanistan in their own back yard and the boys have done all that's been asked of them. They've been tight, professional, defended in depth and tried to nick something on the break. It's been a decent result. British troops: And just what were our objectives, again? Cameron: To restore opium production to its pre-war levels, to create instability in the region and to pull out before the next election while claiming a huge victory. British troops: Ah, so that's what we were doing. Then I see your point. Job done, Mission accomplished. Cameron: Very good, men. Fall out. British troops: Where to? Cameron: The dole queue. Owen: Keep battling, guys. It's a war of two halves. Now which side are you on, Mr Cameron? Cameron: I'm Team Nigella. Judge: Are there any other ongoing court cases you'd care to risk prejudicing? Cameron: Mmm, let me think. Blair: It is terrible when old friends fall out, isn't it? Rupert Murdoch: Then you shouldn't have sneaked off to my California ranch with Wendi behind my back. Osborne: And why is the IFS giving me such a hard time about everyone getting so much worse off? Look how much cash Nigella had sloshing around her handbag? Nadhim Zahawi: Quite right. The problem with this country is that everyone's got far too much cash. Let's limit child benefit to parents with just two kids. Everyone: Why would you want to do that? Zahawi: So that there's enough dosh for me to claim money to heat my stables. It's an outrage I couldn't get away with claiming it on expenses. Nadine Dorries: I know what you mean. I can't live on £65K a year. Clegg: Can I appear in this column, please? Boris: Ah, the lap dog speaks! Clegg: Woof. 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  |
| Fifpro's tilt at the transfer market is to be welcomed Posted: 18 Dec 2013 09:46 AM PST The latest move by the football unions' umbrella body is aimed at curbing agents' power and dealing with third-party ownership – and may thus be a good thing The creation of the Premier League is commonly held to be modern football's Big Bang moment, providing the catalyst for the explosion of money, greed, entertainment and exponential growth that followed. But a ruling in December 1995 in the European court of justice that allowed an obscure Belgian player, Jean-Marc Bosman, to force through a move to French second division side Dunkerque was arguably just as pivotal. Not only did Bosman's case, which went all the way to Europe's highest appeal court, pave the way for freedom of movement for players within the continent at the end of their contracts in accordance with EU law but it swept away Uefa's "three plus two" rule that had acted as a check on the number of overseas players in each side. From there, it was a short hop to Chelsea becoming the first Premier League side to field a non-UK starting XI at Southampton four years later and a huge increase in the wealth of players and agents. Not that any of it did Bosman himself many favours, doomed as he was to remain better known for his exploits in the courtroom than on the pitch. By the time he emerged from his five-year legal battle, he was divorced and dealing with depression, living in his parents' garage in Liège. Having effectively become a pariah in a European football and, facing huge legal and tax liabilities, he was forced to get by on benefits. Bosman was backed in his case by Fifpro, the little known but influential umbrella body for players' unions throughout the world. Whether the consequences of its latest legal intervention are as far-reaching remains to be seen. Its full frontal assault on the assumptions that underpin the transfer market could, if successful, fundamentally change the fabric of the game. Fifpro is in bullish mood, having recently made pivotal contributions to the debate around workers' rights on Qatar, the controversy over concussion and the heat players will face at this summer's World Cup: it is confident that its intervention will have a major effect on the way football is run. "Fifpro will not stand by and watch from the sidelines as football players' rights around the world are systemically disrespected and the football industry dismantles itself," said Fifpro's president, Phillipe Piat, announcing the move. Many clubs would argue that, under the informal agreement reached in 2001 between Uefa, Fifa and the EU on the principles of the transfer system and the Bosman ruling that followed, the balance of power has tipped decisively in favour of the players and their agents. Able either to sit out their contract and realise the financial benefits of a free transfer or renew on favourable terms, the biggest players are in the box seat. But Fifpro would argue that this holds true for only a tiny minority of players at the top of football's pyramid and that the vast majority remain "shackled" to their club on unfair terms. "Football players are workers and only when they are able to enjoy the rights enshrined in law and enjoyed by all other workers, will Fifpro be satisfied", added Piat, who announced the transfer system as his "top priority" when elected Fifpro president in October. There are two competing legal principles at work, forming a tension at the heart of EU policy. On the one hand, sport's "specificity" is recognised, making it a special case in comparison to other industries. On the other, there are the overarching principles that govern EU labour law and freedom of movement. Fifpro's real concern lies with the flaws in a global system that has been warped out of recognition by third-party ownership, in which several individuals or companies can own the economic rights to a player imported from, say, South America or Africa at a young age, and agents who collectively earn more than $750m from the game annually. Third-party ownership is outlawed in English football but, while Uefa and Fifa have said they are committed to banning the practice, it remains commonplace across Europe. In timely fashion, Fifpro has also linked its campaign to growing alarm at the scale of match fixing across the world, often in leagues where players are poorly paid and therefore open to grooming by crime syndicates. "Thousands of players worldwide are not paid on time, or not at all, while 28% of the global transfer market is paid to agents and lost to the game. Something is not right with this picture," said the Fifpro European president and PFA deputy chief executive, Bobby Barnes. "Unpaid players are vulnerable targets [for] crime syndicates, who instigate match fixing and threaten the very existence of credible football competitions. The current industrial model of football fails to ensure a professional management and compliance culture that is capable of safeguarding our game against internal and external abuse," he said. "It [also] encourages speculative, unsustainable, immoral and illegal investment models like third party ownership of players." Insiders at Europe's biggest leagues are confident that Fifpro's target is not the trade of players between their clubs but rather the picture lower down the pyramid. So while Jim White can perhaps rest easy in his bed, any move by Fifpro to make progress on issues such as third-party ownership and to limit the influence of agents should be welcomed. 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  |
| José Mourinho may alter Chelsea's tactics in the hope of better results Posted: 18 Dec 2013 09:25 AM PST Adopting a more cautious style may produce more points but could also incur the displeasure of Roman Abramovich, who is known to prefer entertaining football Chelsea have rarely combined both style and success in recent years, and it seems José Mourinho is set to sacrifice the former in search of the latter. With a difficult fixture list over the Christmas period, Mourinho has prepared the ground for a defensive-minded shift. "We may have to take a step back in order to be more consistent at the back," the Portuguese manager said after Chelsea's surprise Capital One Cup exit at Sunderland on Tuesday evening. "It's something I don't want to do, to play more counterattacking, but I'm giving it serious thought. If I want to win 1-0, I think I can, as I think it's one of the easiest things in football. It's not so difficult, as you don't give players the chance to express themselves." That harks back to Mourinho's first Chelsea side – he won the Premier League in 2004-05 with a functional but highly effective starting XI. The club won 1-0 on 11 occasions, and set Premier League records for the most clean sheets (25) and fewest goals conceded (15) on their way to an unprecedented final total of 95 points. The side featured no true playmaker, with Frank Lampard and Chelsea's wingers charging directly towards goal. It was results over aesthetics. Mourinho insists that the quality of Chelsea's possession play this season has been excellent, and believes the problem is purely the lack of killer instinct up front. Having previously complained about his strikers not scoring enough, Mourinho is now concentrating on his side conceding fewer goals. His comments are particularly intriguing considering Chelsea's next four opponents – Arsenal, Swansea, Liverpool and Southampton. All four play positive, possession-based football and attempt to control the game in the opposition half – Arsenal and Liverpool are the current top two, while Swansea and Southampton are the division's leaders in terms of average possession. It would be an appropriate time for Mourinho's side to become more reactive, soaking up pressure before pouncing on the counterattack. While Mourinho has generally used a 4-2-3-1 system this season, his comments suggest a return to 4-3-3 could be imminent. That would allow an extra holding player at the expense of a playmaker, providing a solid, combative midfield triangle. Mourinho has played this way on occasion this season – in the 3-0 victory away at West Ham, Mikel John Obi sat behind Frank Lampard and Ramires, while Oscar drifted inside from the right. However, this shape does not suit the composition of Chelsea's squad. Last week Mourinho ruled out playing David Luiz in midfield, which means only Mikel, Lampard, Ramires and Michael Essien are competing for the three central midfield slots – and Essien is suspended for Monday's trip to Arsenal, having collected a booking against Sunderland. It also means Mourinho's nine attackers – six attacking midfielders and a trio of strikers – would be competing for just three places. Even if Mourinho is preparing his side for a change in approach, rather than a change in formation, he may encounter problems with Roman Abramovich. The Russian owner is known to favour an attack-minded style, although Chelsea's recent major successes – Mourinho's two titles and the Champions League and Europa League triumphs in the past two campaigns – have arrived following a much more cautious, reactive strategy. Mourinho understands the importance of the Christmas fixtures in capturing the Premier League. In his two title-winning campaigns, Chelsea boasted 100% records over the festive period, whereas in his one failure, 2006-07, Chelsea failed to win their three post-Christmas contests. Over the next four matches, we can expect constant tactical tweaks, heavy rotation in the final third and a more defensive Chelsea. 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  |
| Pope Francis meets Argentinian football champions San Lorenzo – video Posted: 18 Dec 2013 09:21 AM PST It's not every day you host your sporting heroes. Pope Francis greeted members of the San Lorenzo football club at the Vatican  |
| The Fiver | A person of impeccable rectitude Posted: 18 Dec 2013 07:51 AM PST ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE?If he had chosen a different sector, Arsène Wenger might be wearing fuchsia robes and hyacinth garlands and living on a self-sufficient commune with a small but devoted band of followers, all of whom would be convinced their leader knows the destiny of man and the real significance of parsnips. But Wenger went into football and so, over the years, he has channelled his powers of persuasion into depicting his club as a moral crusader, a pristine font of righteousness in a sport full of grime and villainy. The doctrine that Wenger has attempted to drum into the brains of wantaway Arsenal players in recent years is that they were playing for something bigger than trophies or cash; they were playing for the honour of The Right Way. Players were encouraged to sign up so they could be part of the eventual triumph of Good over Better but Evil – except last summer, when Wenger tried to prise Luis Suárez from Liverpool via the triumph of contractual loopholes over reason. Wenger's plot was foiled, of course, partially because by effectively flipping Vs and smirking (or was that smoking?) as they made their bid, Arsenal managed to get Liverpool's dander right up. But Liverpool know that Arsenal, chastened and possibly wiser, could be back in January and they may not be alone: other prospective buyers include Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich – basically, think of a club that even $tevie Mbe admits is a "big gun" compared to Liverpool and that club could be improved by Suárez, especially as he is eligible for the latter stages of Big Cup. And if those big guns don't come calling in January, then they certainly will next summer unless they are as ignorant as they are rich, in which case they needn't worry, as David Cameron might sort them out with a job. But he won't find them a better striker than Suárez. What, then, can Liverpool offer Suárez to stay? Well, it has emerged today that the prominent Anfield mandarin Ian Ayre met the Uruguayan's agent to begin discussions on a new contract. The current one has over two years left to run so Liverpool could still play hardball with anyone who tries to lure away Suárez before then but it would be a lot easier if the player were so happy at Liverpool that he would voluntarily shun temptation. So Liverpool are going to offer to make him the highest-paid player at the club. But other clubs could still offer him more. Perhaps, then, Liverpool could promise Suárez that they will win the Premier League or become Big Cup regulars? Not impossible but other clubs could make that sound more credible. Perhaps Liverpool could try to see whether they would have more luck with the moral crusader line than Wenger did by, say, getting all their players to warm up in T-shirts expressing their support for ? Hohoho. Perhaps, then, they could let him keep the captain's armband, give private tuition to Jon Flanagan whenever he wants and retain the affection of the Anfield crowd? Yes, that is what Liverpool's contract negotiations boil down to: a fearsome busker combo of Ayre, John W Henry, Brendan Rodgers and Mbe serenading Suárez with endless renditions of All You Need is Love. And that's why most Liverpool fans know they should just enjoy Suárez while they can. LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE TONIGHTJoin Scott Murray for MBM coverage of Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United. QUOTE OF THE DAY"Women talking football tactics, it's so beautiful. I think it's fantastic … you know what 4-3-3 means – don't you?" – France coach Laurent Blanc gets his 1970s on after a question from Aftonbladet journalist Johanna Franden during a PSG press conference. FIVER LETTERS – STILL WITH PRIZES"Yes, it's true that, as the Fiver asserted yesterday, Glenn Hoddle was useless as Tottenham manager in a past life. So, in view of Hoddle's comments passim, wouldn't making him Tottenham manager again represent a fitting punishment for past sins?" – Derek McGee. "Re: busting the piranha 'frenzy' myth (yesterday's Fiver letters). So Piranha 3DD was made-up rubbish?" – Andy Shawcross. "Given that BA couldn't find an aircraft to stay the presumed short period that England will be in Brazil next summer (yesterday's Bits and Bobs), can I be the first to suggest that they instead take a boat? It may liven up the selection process if the original squad is whittled down with a walk-the-plank-style punishment for the unsuccessful. Watching Carl Jenkinson swim back to England would solve the problem of any lack of motivation in the squad, and give the media something interesting to talk about in the run-up to the competition, as opposed to the usual drivel about the potential colour of Wayne Rooney's laces" – Phil Hurst. "An excellent sponsorship opportunity now exists for Virgin Airlines to become the carrier of a nation's inevitably thwarted dreams. Maybe with a slogan along the lines of 'When You Know You Won't Be Going All the Way: Fly Virgin'" – Justin Kavanagh. "Long-time pedant, first-time writer, so may I be the 1,057th to point out that both of yesterday's underground station answers (yesterday's letters), if using the uncontracted Saint instead of St, do actually contain letter(s) from the excluded lists. Can these trivia be incorporated into a London Underground-related, unfunny, tea-time(ish) email instead – called perhaps 'The Central Line' or 'Tubeway Army'? Finally, what is the demographic of the Fiver's readership? I ask as it is some time since I coloured in the letters of the teams in the league tables, excluding (or including) Hull" – Des Kelly (and no others). "Definite articles excluded, what tea-timely email doesn't contain any letters in 'laughs'?" – Brian Scorben. • 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: Andy Shawcross, who wins a copy of Tor! The Story of German Football, by Uli Hesse. Thanks to all for their kind provision of Fiver letters prizes. JOIN GUARDIAN SOULMATESWe 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. BITS AND BOBSJosé Mourinho is threatening a major tactical rethink at Chelsea following their Capital One Cup defeat at Sunderland. "Football is about getting results and it's quite frustrating," he sniffed as Petr Cech began extra shooting practice. Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Sergio Agüero will be out for up to eight weeks with calf-knack. "I am not a doctor so it's very difficult," prescribed Pellegrini. Pablo Zabaleta also sustained hamstring-twang in the Milk Cup win at Leicester. David Moyes may let Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha head out on loan in January. "The truth is we haven't had anyone phoning up at the moment," he hummed. Real Madrid and Barcelona are among seven Spanish clubs that are being investigated by the European Commission over public funding. The Fiver isn't holding its breath over that one. And Watford have named former Chievo boss Giuseppe Sannino as Gianfranco Zola's successor. RECOMMENDED VIEWINGAn early festive treat. The He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special. STILL WANT MORE?Here's a splendid interactive from Guardian Team USA! USA!! USA!!! which breaks down the hardest World Cup 2014 groups and games. Uefa's decision to separate Spain and Gibraltar in Euro 2016 qualifying beggars belief, writes Marina Hyde. What does the changing role of holding midfielders tell us? Jonathan Wilson tackles the Question. Which footballers have appeared in panto? Which clubs have used their pitch as a skating rink? All this and more in the Knowledge Christmas archive special. David Hytner picks out five things that Tim Sherwood must address in his interim stint at Spurs. Oh, and if it's your thing, you can follow Big Website on Big Social FaceSpace. SIGN UP TO THE FIVERWant 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. TOMORROW: FIVER AWARDS 2013 …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  |
| Which is the World Cup Group of Death? Posted: 18 Dec 2013 07:36 AM PST Guardian Interactive have analysed Fifa's rankings and declared that Germany, Ghana, Portugal and the USA will play in the Brazil World Cup's toughest group  |
| Who has the hardest World Cup 2014 draw? – interactive Posted: 18 Dec 2013 07:30 AM PST The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is approaching and the draw has been made. The selection process placed each country in a group of four teams. Here's how the eight groups shape up  |
| Rio's love motels, and other alternative accommodation for the World Cup Posted: 18 Dec 2013 07:24 AM PST The cost of hotels in Brazil's World Cup host cities has soared, but football fans can still find a bed for the night in Rio, if they look beyond hotels at alternative accommodation options It might be noisy, and even a bit awkward, but football fans heading to Rio for the World Cup might have to settle for a "love motel" in the city, such is the shortage of more traditional accommodation. Such motels in Brazil are generally used by couples looking for a "romantic" time away from the home or the office. Rooms are charged by the hour (usually a minimum of four to six) but with demand for accommodation during the World Cup at record levels, and prices in host cities up by as much as almost 250%, some motels are changing their booking policy, making it possible to book in advance, or to book for a night, rather than just a few hours (see examples below). A number of motels are also revamping and registering with the Ministry of Tourism. Hotel comparison site Trivago looked at the average cost of hotels in host cities and found that it will be more expensive to stay in Rio than any other host city. A double room on 28 June (the night of the second-round match at the Maracanã that England will play in should they finish second in their group) will cost an average of £373; and the price for the night of the final (13 July) is slightly less, at an average of £370. Elsewhere, it found that prices have increased by as much as 105% in the three cities where England will play its group matches (Manaus, Belo Horizonte and São Paulo), compared to the average during June and July 2013. Manaus is proving to be the most expensive location at £198 for a standard double room on 14 June. Love motels aren't the only alternative option for fans. In October, Guardian Sport reported on the increasing number of guesthouses on offer in Rio's favelas; and other travel companies are finding clever solutions to the shortage of hotel rooms. Love motelsPanda Hotel in Botafogo is an upmarket property with decent-sized rooms and all the services of a regular hotel. Specialities include a private swimming pool, dining room, and group rooms with a dancefloor and hot tub. All rooms have air conditioning and a TV. Vip's Suites is Rio's best-known motel. It offers stunning views overlooking the ocean between Leblon and São Conrado. Rooms vary from a double with a veranda to a triple with private swimming pool, hot tub, dancefloor, barbecue area and dining for eight. You'll need to get a taxi. The Elegance Hotel is situated close to the city centre and a five-minute taxi ride from Santos Dumont, Rio's domestic airport. All suites have air conditioning, TV and Wi-Fi. A private sauna, whirlpool and dancefloor are also available. CampsitesTour operator Real Holidays is offering week-long stays at campsites in three World Cup cities: Barra da Tijuca in Rio; Salvador – which will cater for up to 3,000 people; and Pipa, Natal. As well as offering onsite pools, big screens, bars and football pitches, campers will get free transfers to the matches, free daily beach transfers, free beer and caipirinhas and a free barbecue meal every other day. Don't expect to get much sleep! HomeswapsAnother way round the extortionate prices is to consider a home swap. Love Home Swap – which has more than 46,000 homes listed in 150 countries around the world – has seen a significant increase in properties in Rio. It now has 150 places in Brazil available to swap, including 50 in Rio, 20 in São Paulo and 15 in Bahia. Examples include a modern home in leafy, upmarket Jardim Botanico. Some of its properties are also available to rent. Renting a propertyWhile locals are cashing in by renting out their own homes, rental companies such as HolidayLettings, Homeaway and BrazilRentMyHouse still have availability in self-catered properties in Rio and beyond. HolidayLettings, which has seen demand triple, has a two-bedroom apartment in Copacbana, Rio, available for the week of 13-20 June for approximately £1,095. Rental site Homeaway The pop-up hotelIf lack of availability, rather than price, is the issue and you'd like to be in one of the most popular neighbourhoods in town, Design Hotels are creating a six-room pop-up hotel in a mid-century house in Santa Teresa. Taking advantage of the hillside location, with sweeping views across the city, the Maria Santa Teresa will be open throughout 2014, hosting plenty of tie-in events and providing a luxurious base to watch the games. Rooms cost £214 a night and there is still availability during the tournament. Although the fact that facilities include a "private helicopter on call" and "a 15-metre yacht, ready and waiting" should tell you all you need to know about the clientele they are aiming for. With additional research by Nadia Nightingale 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  |
| Posted: 18 Dec 2013 07:15 AM PST Andy Murray won Wimbledon, Sir Alex Ferguson retired and England's cricketers won and then lost the Ashes, but were you paying attention to the details?  |
| Gus Poyet system can coerce Sunderland through crucial period | Louise Taylor Posted: 18 Dec 2013 06:46 AM PST Three points at the Stadium of Light against Norwich will give much-needed impetus to Sunderland's great escape An exhausting, distracting, self- destructive, irrelevance or a springboard to success? "Poyetry" in motion or a cruel chimera? Sunderland supporters should have an inkling as to the answer by Saturday teatime. If Gus Poyet's team can beat Norwich City at the Stadium of Light and collect three precious Premier League points, Tuesday night's League Cup quarter-final, extra-time, 2-1 win against Chelsea may well have been worth it. Should the confidence accrued from seeing off José Mourinho's players help secure further points from subsequent festive fixtures at Everton and Cardiff, and at home to Aston Villa, Sunderland's great escape might, just might, really be feasible. Alternatively, should fatigue set in against Chris Hughton's better-rested team, Sunderland's current five-point shortfall from safety may widen. Looking on the bright side, all the indications were that the much-vaunted emphasis of Poyet's predecessor, Paolo Di Canio, on fitness appeared to finally be vindicated against Chelsea. After being outclassed for long periods of normal time – and conceding their sixth own goal in 11 games under Poyet – Sunderland equalised in the 88th minute through Fabio Borini's fine finish before appearing much stronger than Mourinho's side as they clinched that extra-time win. Di Canio always said the benefits of his regime would properly kick in around Christmas time and Poyet could be poised to capitalise. It is also worth noting that, so far this season, Sunderland have suffered fewer injuries than in previous years. Di Canio's methods have been fully deconstructed but perhaps the Italian had something to do with certain hamstrings holding up better than before? Poyet's creditable vision of his side –who, under both the Uruguayan and Di Canio have at times played significantly more attractive football than during the days when Martin O'Neill and Steve Bruce were in charge – eventually mastering a possession game should also save energy previously wasted on attempting to get the ball back and chasing lost causes. To play good football you first need to identify the correct framework. If Di Canio's essentially 4-2-4 formation proved too daring – although it won high praise from Arsène Wenger – Poyet's generally preferred 4-1-4-1 seems much better suited to Sunderland's current stage of evolution. Finally, they have a coherent playing philosophy and, as any general will tell you, tactics tend to be of little use without an overall strategy. Poyet hit upon the 4-1-4-1 system during a previous League Cup win over Southampton when the sweet passing Ki Sung-yueng shone in the deep-lying screening role between midfield and defence. Four days later the South Korean starred in the same role as Manchester City lost 1-0 on Wearside in only Sunderland's second Premier League victory of the campaign. A substitute on Tuesday – Ki was being rested ahead of Norwich – he stepped off the bench to score Sunderland's splendid winner and reduce Mourinho to a rambling, confused post-match wreck. The reality that Ki – on loan from Swansea – was regarded as Michael Laudrup's fifth-choice midfielder emphasises what good coaching and management can do for players. Similarly Poyet's successful experiment against Southampton highlights the potential benefits of supposedly meaningless cup ties. Happily Poyet is not merely doing wonders for Ki but looks like bringing the best out in Jozy Altidore, the powerful, if less than prolific, Emile Heskey-esque, United States striker currently keeping Steven Fletcher out of the starting XI. After an impressive performance against Chelsea in the lone striking role he is growing into, it will be no surprise if Altidore starts ahead of the gifted but arguably less effective – in this configuration at least – Fletcher on Saturday. Tellingly, injuries dictated that the Scotland striker did not experience a proper pre-season and the lack of such a foundation seems to have detracted from his once free-scoring performances. Accordingly everything is far from hunky dory for a manager who only last week acknowledged he was "not enjoying" the toughest experience of his football career. While Wes Brown's return to the defence following almost two years sidelined with a knee injury so serious that, as recently as the summer, the former Manchester United centre-half was advised to retire, has clearly bolstered Poyet's survival hopes, precedent is not on Sunderland's side. Whatever happens against Norwich they are destined to remain bottom on Christmas Day. Ominously, since the Premier League's inception, only West Bromwich Albion, in 2004, have avoided relegation after propping everyone else up on 25 December. And the last time Sunderland beat Chelsea in the League Cup – in 1985 when they went on to reach the old Milk Cup final, losing to Norwich – they also ended up getting relegated. All Poyet can do is, temporarily at least, subscribe to the theory that history is bunk and reflect on the encouragement offered by a home fixture list unusually daunting through the autumn but which now offers a series of theoretically "winnable" games. With virtually no margin for error, it must be hoped that January's two-leg League cup semi-final is not too much of a draining distraction. Much depends on whether Lee Cattermole – a good player Poyet is capable of making very good but still a disciplinary liability and the spiritual leader of a group of slightly "old school" players in the dressing room – finally proves he really is maturing; whether Adam Johnson can justify his £10m transfer fee when it matters; and if Emanuele Giaccherini can keep demonstrating precisely why he is an Italy international. The impending transfer window beckons but, even if Poyet and Roberto De Fanti, Sunderland's director of football, can agree on targets, players are bound to be reluctant to join a relegation-bound side. Meanwhile there could be a need to stave off bids for Fletcher. Problems, problems … but beneath them all there is a real sense that if Sunderland can survive this season, Poyet is capable of leading them, blinking, into the Premier League's sunlit uplands. 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  |
| Cristian Montaño appeals against Oldham sacking after spot-fixing claims Posted: 18 Dec 2013 06:27 AM PST • Forward was released by club following arrest The sacked Oldham forward Cristian Montaño has "vehemently denied" allegations of spot-fixing and will challenge the club's decision to terminate his contract. The Latics announced on Monday they had dismissed the 22-year-old former West Ham trainee following his arrest by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of its probe into spot-fixing in football. The NCA, which was acting on information passed to it by a newspaper report, last week bailed Montaño and five other players until April, without bringing any charges against them. Oldham had originally suspended Montaño but sacked him on Monday following their own investigation, citing gross misconduct. However, Montaño has hit back at the club for axing him and not listening to his protestations of innocence. A statement issued by barrister Roy Ledgister, representing Montaño, said: "Following his arrest for spot-fixing, Cristian Montaño is disappointed to have learned of Oldham Football Club's decision to terminate his employment contract. "Despite reports to the contrary, he had been suspended on full pay to enable the club to investigate. He will now mount an appeal challenging the club's recently and unexpectedly announced decision to terminate (his contract), which seemed illogical as it appears no proper investigation was carried out. "Moreover a police/criminal investigation is ongoing without charges having been brought. The club would usually have interviewed their player as part of their investigation, instead they chose to engage in 'lengthy discussions' with their lawyers. "Cristian has at all times been available to speak with them and naturally, as is his right, would have liked to have made sure that the club and its fans understood his denial of wrongdoing. It appears, however, that he has been prejudged by the club on the inconclusive material presently available. "He vehemently denies being involved in spot-fixing and welcomes the criminal investigation, with which he will fully co-operate." Oldham had claimed Montaño's conduct had breached club discipline, while insisting the move to sack him would not prejudice the NCA's legal case. In their statement on Monday, issued on their website through CM Solicitors, they said: "After a thorough investigation carried out by Oldham Athletic Football Club relating to the conduct of Cristian Montaño and following lengthy discussions with our team of legal advisers at CM Solicitors, a decision has been made by the club board to dismiss the player forthwith. "Notwithstanding and without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigation, it is our view that the player's conduct, in not only bringing the name of Oldham Athletic but also the football authorities into disrepute, amounts to very serious breaches of club discipline and therefore constitutes gross misconduct. "Oldham Athletic take matters such as this extremely seriously and believe it was essential to act as swiftly as possible in conjunction with our legal advisers to investigate and deal with this matter decisively once they became aware of the allegations and irrespective of any other investigations and proceedings by other agencies." 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  |
| Why Chelsea are still a better bet for the top four than Everton | Paul Wilson Posted: 18 Dec 2013 05:44 AM PST Romelu Lukaku's displays during Everton's impressive start to the season are embarrassing Chelsea – but José Mourinho will probably have the last laugh despite their stuttering form Now that Chelsea are struggling for goals, have been scared by Crystal Palace and beaten by Sunderland in the space of a week and seen the season's first silverware opportunity go by the board, it seems obvious José Mourinho made a major miscalculation on the last day of summer transfer trading by assuming Samuel Eto'o would have more of an impact up front than Romelu Lukaku. The latter's form at Everton is already embarrassing Chelsea, but under the terms of the deal he cannot be recalled until the end of the season. Everton have him until summer, and they are using him to push towards the Champions League places. The doomsday scenario for Mourinho must be that Everton manage to grab a top-four spot at Chelsea's expense, returning Lukaku just in time for a run in the Europa League. It is an entertaining possibility, but for several reasons it is unlikely to happen. Though strongest of the chasing group so far this season, Everton have won only half their 16 matches. The four clubs above them have all managed 10 wins or more, and whether Chelsea's form is stuttering or not, that makes the present top-four favourites to finish as the final top four. For Everton to achieve a Champions League finish, three fairly unlikely things have to happen. One, they must continue playing well for the rest of the season, beating rivals such as Liverpool (at Anfield), City (Everton lost at the Etihad) and Chelsea (without Lukaku) when the head-to-heads come along. Two, one of the present top four (Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and City) will have to drop out of contention. Three, Manchester United will have to remain out of the picture in mid-table and not complicate proceedings by climbing back into the reckoning in the second half of the season. The last condition may not appear wholly unlikely at the moment, though United's next three games are against West Ham, Hull and Norwich, so it might be wise to check the situation again at the end of the year. The way Liverpool, and Luis Suárez in particular, have been performing suggests they are capable of remaining in the title race, not just the top four, for the foreseeable future. With City finally beginning to look ominously good, you could be looking at Arsenal and Chelsea as potential weak links in the present top four. Outrageous, I know, but even Mourinho would admit Chelsea are underachieving at present and there were signs at the Etihad on Saturday that all might not be completely happy within the Arsenal camp if important results remain elusive. Those are the straws Everton must clutch at if they harbour hopes of a Champions League berth, and they are having a terrific season. Tottenham, who are not, have just sacked their manager on the pretext that they had no confidence André Villas-Boas could guide them to a top-four finish, and while the league table and the majority of Spurs fans would not disagree with that conclusion, the writing was on the wall as soon as Arsenal and Liverpool made such impressive starts to the season. Spurs must have been hoping to leapfrog their north London neighbours to claim a top-four place, because at the start of the season, with no realistic prospect of Chelsea, City or United dropping out, Arsenal appeared the weakest link. No sooner did that perception change and United fall off the pace than Liverpool stepped up to take advantage. So even if United fail to rally this season, there are still two north-west clubs and two London clubs ahead of Everton and Spurs. If Spurs were hoping to make a significant gain on Liverpool at the weekend they were sadly mistaken. They could not make a top-four spot last season with Gareth Bale in the side, and the best that can be said of his replacements is that between them they have so far failed to come up with the galvanising effect the Welshman managed by himself in the past. If you were invited to put money now on Spurs finishing above United in the table, never mind cracking the Champions League or getting past Arsenal, you probably wouldn't be trampled in the rush. The only thing that could dramatically upset these calculations is a staggering piece of business in the January transfer window that drastically alters the dynamic between leading clubs, though we know from experience that that is a rarity. You occasionally get staggering pieces of business, such as the Andy Carroll-Fernando Torres last-day drama of January 2011, though that season only Newcastle emerged from the transaction demonstrably better off, even if Torres did go on to Champions League success a year later. Yet Chelsea find themselves in need of a striker, Liverpool have a very useful one, and the mischief-maker in Mourinho might fancy testing Anfield's determination to keep hold of Suárez with an astronomical bid. So might Real Madrid, for that matter. It is generally assumed that Suárez could move on at the end of the season, and that a substantial bid from a dream destination in Spain might not be resisted even if Liverpool are back in the Champions League by then, though there is no guarantee that matters will be resolved that neatly. Liverpool are sensibly trying to tie Suárez to a new contract to protect themselves against predatory interest in the summer, though in point of fact he is a highly desirable commodity right now. Not only is he in the form of his life, scoring goals for fun, picking up awards and putting past controversies behind him, he is fully free to play Champions League football in the second half of the season. That, as any manager looking to make a killing in January will tell you, is a rarity. When Chelsea paid £50m for Torres nearly three years ago, he was far from in the form of his life, and neither did his performances pick up on joining a new club. Goodness knows what price Suárez in his present mood would fetch using that as a guide, though there seems no good reason why Liverpool should expect offers to start arriving only at the end of the season. Most top players are cup-tied in some way by this stage. This one isn't. If Suárez does stay at Anfield past January, there is no doubt Liverpool can be regarded as serious Champions League contenders. This is a new development since last season, and it means someone new will have to miss out. At the moment that looks like Manchester United, and Brendan Rodgers will be feted on Merseyside should that happen, but nothing is yet set in stone, least of all this season's top four. 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  |
| Barcelona and Real Madrid facing EC investigation over public funding Posted: 18 Dec 2013 04:57 AM PST • Also: Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna, Elche and Hercules Real Madrid and Barcelona are among seven Spanish clubs which are being investigated by the European Commission over public funding, it was confirmed on Wednesday. Along with Real and Barcelona, who are the two most successful clubs in Spanish football, the Commission has also opened an inquiry into their fellow top-flight sides Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna and Elche. The Segunda División side Hercules are also under investigation as the Commission seeks to determine if state aid received by those clubs is in line with European Union regulations. A Commission statement read: "The European Commission has opened three distinct in-depth investigations to verify whether various public support measures in favour of certain Spanish professional football clubs are in line with EU state aid rules." The Commission said it had concerns that the funding provided significant advantages to those sides to the detriment of other clubs which have to operate without such support. Explaining what each of the seven clubs is being investigated for, the statement continued: "The Commission will firstly investigate possible tax privileges for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, and Osasuna. In another inquiry it will assess whether a widely reported land transfer between the city of Madrid and the club Real Madrid involved any state aid in favour of the club. "Finally, it will examine the compliance with EU state aid rules of guarantees given by the State-owned Valencia Institute of Finance for loans that were used to finance the three Valencia clubs Valencia, Hercules and Elche, while those clubs were seemingly undergoing financial difficulties." Joaquín Almunia, the Commission vice-president in charge of competition policy, said: "Professional football clubs should finance their running costs and investments with sound financial management rather than at the expense of the taxpayer. Member states and public authorities must comply with EU rules on state aid in this sector as in all economic sectors." 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  |
| Construction of Manaus World Cup stadium in Brazil halted following deaths – video Posted: 18 Dec 2013 04:30 AM PST Workers building the overdue Arena da Amazônia in Brazil have gone on strike following the deaths of two workers last week  |
| Euro 2016: Uefa decision to separate Spain and Gibraltar beggars belief | Marina Hyde Posted: 18 Dec 2013 04:04 AM PST If Spain and Gibraltar can't put their 'sensitivities' aside for 90 minutes of football, they should be shown the door Which tends to be worse: politicians attempting to do sports administration, or sports administrators attempting to do politics? It's certainly one of the most finely balanced contests in world sport, and one to mull as we turn to news that Uefa has announced that Gibraltar and Spain will be kept apart in the qualifying groups for the 2016 European Championship. They've had a meeting about it in Bilbao, apparently, and it has reportedly been decided because of the "sensitivities" between Spain and Gibraltar, over which the Spanish claim sovereignty, but which is formally classed as a British Overseas Territory. I think you'll agree this latest episode certainly puts that famous 1914 letter to the Times into perspective, reporting as it did a football match between English and German troops in no man's land. There were vague "sensitivities" there, you may recall, in that both sides were formally charged with returning to killing each other in the morning in the most bloodily futile way possible – but they somehow managed to buck up about it all, with the reported scoreline being 3-2 to the English. For Spain and Gibraltar, it seems, there is to be no qualifying truce. Perhaps you never heard anything quite so pathetic in all your puff – or perhaps you are from Gibraltar and have already decided to stop reading in favour of penning a furious missive to me explaining what it is like to live with the perpetual threat of open warfare hanging over your head. For reference, I have had three-word reply cards printed with the words "Try Congo darling". Far more important than diplomatic relativism, of course, is the fact that this is football. After making such a play of admitting Gibraltar, a country whose population numbers significantly fewer than half that of the Camp Nou, Uefa has made a wholly unnecessary ruling. Quite what Michel Platini imagines he is achieving with this latest gesture is unclear – we must assume it was promised to Spain if they agreed to drop their long fight against Gibraltar being admitted to Uefa. All of which gives the lie to what big-time football is always telling us about its nebulous powers to make the world a better place. After all, isn't it part of the point of sport to be apart from all the quotidian wrangling, if only for 90 minutes? For instance, a Cuban side should conceivably have to face the USA, if chance so decides, and Iran should have to play Israel if that's the way the cookie crumbles (as indeed it has in the past) – even if it means the dreaded extra security being laid on, for which Fifa won't even have to foot the bill. And if such a tie means some cafeteria furniture will get thrown in a host country town centre later that evening … well, worse things have happened at sea. Worse things, in fact, have happened in most countries that nurse what we might euphemise as a "niggle" with another – and worse things have happened at one point or another in any of the host countries in which they might play 90 minutes of football. The rules for all tournaments should be simple: if you want to play in a big, grown-up football championship, then from qualifying onwards, you play whomever you're drawn against – end of story. And if you honestly can't manage it, then you must of course feel free to withdraw from the tournament at your very earliest convenience. No one should get a free pass, of any stripe – certainly no one who wants to play at all. There is absolutely no reason on Earth for sport to pander to the sort of diplomatic dickishness in which Spain and the Brits are engaged. It's not as if we're talking about two countries, one of whom ethnically purged the other inside of the last decade. This is Spain and Gibraltar – who should feel chastened to be reminded that Mali, still effectively a failed state and torn by coups, internecine insurgent conflict and Islamist rebel attacks – somehow managed to move past that to finish third in this year's Africa Cup of Nations. Thrown into that sort of relief, I frankly could not care less about Spain and Gibraltar's lame-arse hokey cokey over diplomatic bags and annoying queues for Christmas shoppers at the border: surely the ultimate first world problems threatening not to spill over into the ultimate first world conflict, starring people who would run a mile from the sort of wars countless less fortunate people on the planet are required to endure. If Uefa's assessment really is that neither side could possibly put their differences aside for 90 minutes, then both should be cordially invited to choose whether participation or this so-called principle is more important to them, and shown the tournament door if the latter is deemed more vital. And yet, and yet, having said all that … perhaps I am being too hasty. After all, if turned to the right advantage, this technique does represent perhaps the best hope England has of winning any major tournament in the foreseeable future. If we could just declare war on – or at least detonate "sensitivities" with – Germany, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Croatia, Ukraine, France and Russia in the next year or so, we could totally win Euro 2016. Or at least get a bye all the way into the final, where we'd lose on penalties to Gibraltar. 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  |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Football news, match reports and fixtures | theguardian.com To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
Written by TBMU Admin
We are Manchester United Fan located around the World which provides user friendly, effective and easy to browse info regarding our Team. Each support/info is free. Support us by clicking the ads located in this site. Thanks
Posts
0 comments :
Post a Comment