31 January 2005 Shevchenko Injury Fears Allayed Milan's initial analysis of the injury suffered by star player Andri Shevchenko, thought to be a hole in his tibial muscle, proved to be false. The striker has a minor ankle injury and should be fit to return in 15 days time. Sacchi Rules out Adriano Sweep Real Madrid director Arrigo Sacchi has ruled out a summer move for Inter striker Adriano : "He is like a son to me and I was desperate and delighted to sign him at Parma but I would never steal him from Inter. You must also take into account the attackers that we already have at our disposal here. We have men like Raul, Ronaldo, Michael Owen and Robinho. The club know that we need defenders and midfielders, not attackers." 30 January 2005 Elber Released French champions Lyon have released injury prone striker Giovane Elber after he underwent two surgeries on a broken ankle. Souness Fires Parting Shot At Bellamy "Craig Bellamy has been a disruptive influence from the minute I walked into this football club with his attitude to the coaching staff, to me and to his team-mates. On the Friday before the Arsenal game I met the press at St James' Park and when I later arrived at the training ground Craig was taking off his boots in the boot room. I asked him 'What's the problem?' and he told me his hamstring was tight. I asked if he had tugged it and he said no, it was just tight. I then went on to the training ground where Dean Saunders said to me : 'You will never believe what he's just done?' "Dean said Craig had told the players prior to coming out on to the training ground that he was going to feign an injury and that is exactly what he has done. From that moment, I had an almighty problem. When we finished training, I said in front of the players 'Craig, you and I have got to go and see the chairman'. By 1pm we were in the chairman's office at the ground. The first thing the chairman asked was 'Craig, did you feign an injury this morning?' and Craig said 'yes' to that. At that point, I still had a conciliatory note so I asked what had brought things on and he said it was all the speculation about bringing new players in and him being used as a makeweight in a transfer. I reassured him that he had not been offered in any deal and I wanted him here but on my terms - my terms being that he was fully committed and not being disruptive about the place." Depor Want €6 for Pandiani "The price of the player is €6 million. If any club is interested in that then they could speak to us." - Deportivo president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro Campbell Looking for Foreign Challenge "I'm 30 now and in five years' time I won't be in this country. That's definite. Italy looks good to me because it would suit my kind of football. Spain is an option but the idea of tasting a new culture and learning another language, excites me the most." - Sol Campbell Record Losses For Chelsea To the surprise of absolutely no one Chelsea have announced record losses of €128 million for the tax year upto June 30, 2004. Chief executive Peter Kenyon said : "Two years ago we were seen as streets paved with gold. That is over. Chelsea is now being run properly. The club is being run as a business." Reports suggest Chelsea's transfer budget for next season will be cut by 20% to a modest €100 million. Chelsea Sign €140 deal with Adidas Chelsea have announced an 8 year kit sponsorship deal with Adidas worth €140. Chelsea will receive €17.50 million every year starting from July 2005. Fury at Cole Chelsea Link Jonathan Barnett, the agent of Ashley Cole, has blasted rumours that his client met with Jose Mourinho and Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon last Thursday : "Any suggestion that Ashley Cole has spoken to anyone at Chelsea is total and utter nonsense. There is no problem between Ashley and Arsenal. Ashley is extremely happy at Arsenal. He has neither asked for nor considered a move." 28 January 2005 Hoddle Recommended Wenger Glenn Hoddle has revealed that he recommended Arsene Wenger to Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein : "I was England manager when I got approached and asked about Arsene. At that time, no one in this country really knew about him. I just said to David Dein that he should go and get him. There were some reservations at that time but the proof is now there for all to see." Hoddle praised Wenger's training methods : "When I went there in 1987 they were already motorways ahead of teams in England. His attention to detail was something I had never seen before. When a player sees no stone is being left unturned by the manager, you do not have any excuses yourself." Milan to Retire Maldini's Jersey "Paolo will go on playing for many years to come. He represents the history of this club and when he decides to stop, his shirt will be retired." Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani "It is very satisfying and I did secretly hope for this gesture because I think I gave a great deal to this team over the years. The club has always been kind and respectful, which is a rare thing indeed in this business." - Paolo Maldini 27 January 2005 Del Bosque Sacked Vicente Del Bosque has been sacked by Besiktas after the cup defeat by Konyaspor. Besiktas have also been eliminated from the UEFA Cup and are fifth in the league. Inzaghi Injured Again Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi will be out of action for three weeks after fracturing a bone in his right hand during his comeback match against Udinese in Wednesday's Coppa Italia quarter-final match against Udinese. Serginho Handed Two Year Contract Milan have given 33 year old injury prone Brazilian winger Serginho a two year contract. Serginho's contract was due to expire at the end of the season. Henry Breaks Silence on Aragones Comments "There is no possible reason to say something like that. When I heard about what he had said, I was preparing for a game with France and I thought someone was telling me a bad joke but then I realised it was true. Surely there is some other way to motivate a player. I have had many bosses in my career and they have never said anything like that to motivate me." - Thierry Henry Mutu Drops Case Against Chelsea Adrian Mutu has dropped his claim for unfair dismissal against Chelsea after joining Juventus on a free transfer. Chelsea are still chasing Juventus for compensation. Max Moore Retires Joe Max Moore, not to be confused with Max Moon the lame gimmick Konan was given in the WWF, has retired from football after undergoing knee surgery. Moore was most recently at New England Revolution after joining the MLS club from Everton on a free transfer in 2003. Manchester United Give Pique 5 Year Contract Manchester United have given Pique a five year contract. The defender, who joined from Barcelona as a trainee, is seen as one of the best prospects in football. Ronaldo Annoyed At Substitutions Ronaldo has defended his decision to walk off the pitch after being substituting against Mallorca. Camera's caught the striker hurling his shirt in the tunnel : "No-one is untouchable here, but they always substitute me. I don't know any player who is happy when they are taken off. I was annoyed and angry. I always want to play and help the team but the anger was in the tunnel. If there was a camera there then that was bad luck, but I did not make a gesture on the pitch out of respect to my team-mates and the fans. Wanderley (Luxemburgo) does what he believes is right for the team, I don't think he uses me to make an example. I am not fed up. I accept what the coach says and do not ask for explanations." 26 January 2005 Adriano to Real Madrid - More Examples of Sloppy Journalism The rumours which have linked Adriano with a move to Real Madrid are more examples of sloppy journalism. Adriano's predictable response to a predictable question doesn't mean the striker is headed to Real Madrid. If you believe the speculation Real will sign Steven Gerrard for €45 million, Joaquin for €20 million, Robinho for €20 million and Adriano for €60 million. The simple fact is Real do not have the finances, if they did they would have signed both Joaquin and Vieira last summer and not paid for Ronaldo and David Beckham in instalments. There is a possibility that Adriano will leave the San Siro at the end of the season but only for Chelsea. Facchetti Blasts Adriano Rumours Inter president Giacinto Facchetti has reacted angrily to reports linking the club's star player with a move to Real Madrid : "Adriano is an Inter player and he's not moving. That's final. He said what he did in that interview because he just wanted to be polite after the praise he's received from Spain. Adriano has always said that he wants to stay but you never know what will happen at the end of his career. In 10 years time he could decide to change clubs." The speculation followed comments made by Adriano in an interview with Spanish television : "It is difficult now because I am an important player for Inter but I hope to play for Real in the future. Perez has always had good things to say about me and it would be great to realise his ream and mine." Today both Adriano and Real Madrid distanced themselves from the comments : "I'm tired of this story. I'm very happy here and I've always said that I want to win with this shirt. When I spoke about the future, I was referring to six or seven years down the line when nobody knows what might happen." Real Madrid released the following statement on their website : 1. Real Madrid has not held direct or indirect contacts with the player Adriano of Inter Milan. Nor has Real Madrid had contact with any mediator or manager of said footballer. 2. Every time Real Madrid is interested in any player, they will inform the team the said player belongs to. FIFA Sign €268 Million Deal With Addidas FIFA have signed Addidas to a 7 year agreement (2007 - 2014) as their official sports equipment supplier in a deal worth €268 million. Toure Given 3 Match Ban Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has been given a three match ban for violent conduct after elbowing Alan Shearer in the face during Sunday's 1-0 win at Highbury. Sinama-Pongolle Out For Season Liverpool's injury woes continue with news that striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle will miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final victory over Watford. With only three fit strikers (Baros, Morientes and Mellor) expect Liverpool to enter the transfer market. No Offers For Bellamy Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepard has revealed that the club have yet to receive an offer for injury prone trouble causer and Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy. Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for the player after his public row with coach Graham Souness : "We haven't had a serious offer for him in the last 48 hours. There has been one enquiry with a view to a loan deal but that's it. There has not been one major club express any interest in him whatsoever. If something does happen in that respect, then we'll consider the offer or offers but nobody is kicking my door down and the fax machine is quiet. He's damaged his reputation, hopefully not beyond repair." Manchester United & Porto Eye Nine-year-old Manchester United and European Champions Porto have sent scouts to watch 9 year old Jean Carlo Chera who is more commonly known as Anderson. The president of the Sport Association of Parana, who are looking after the development of the player, said : "This child has created fascination. Everyone that sees him play can't believe what they see." Bojinov Rejects CSKA Offer Lecce striker Valeri Bojinov says he is unwilling to move to CSKA Moscow. The Russian club, who are sponsored by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's company Sibneft, are though to have offered Lecce €12 million for the 18 year old : "With all respect to CSKA, I'd like to wait for proposals from Italy and maybe from other leagues like England, Spain, Germany, France. I'm only 18-years-old and I can't accept a move with the only consideration being the financial aspect. I don't want to be tied to CSKA now and then not have the possibility of joining an important Italian club or, maybe Chelsea. That would be another thing." Serie A Looking At Tax Breaks To Stave Player Exodus "We are taking steps to reduce the taxation on foreign workers in Italy, which includes football players. Our tax laws are much higher than in Spain and England, around 40% compared to 25% overseas and that is a factor in transfer deals (players leaving Serie A for other leagues)." - League President Adriano Galliani 25 January 2005 San Siro Ready for Artificial Turf FIGC (Italian FA) president Franco Carraro claims synthetic pitches could be introduced in Serie A next season, much to the delight of Milan and Inter, after UEFA lifted the ban following improvements in synthetic technology : "We have to ascertain whether the new generation of synthetic playing fields affect the environment and players' performances. Once that has been verified, I think an artificial pitch can be used in the top flight from next year without problems. The UEFA decision is based on the notion that it is better to play on a good artificial pitch than a mediocre natural one." Milan train on synthetic surfaces at their state of the art training facility (Milanello) and coach Carlo Ancelotti was quick to point of the benefits : "Playing on an artificial field means it is totally straight all the way through. There are no holes and no bumps, so the ball runs quickly and true. It's the perfect environment for technically gifted players who like to pass the ball around." The San Siro pitch has to be re-laid several times a season following problems with natural light after a third tier was added in preparation for Italia 90. Rodders Sacked Sky Sports pundit Rodney Marsh has been sacked after making a joke about the Indian Ocean Tsunami disaster during Monday Evening's phone in show 'You're on Sky Sports'. Marsh joked David Beckham had turned down a move to Newcastle after hearing of the trouble with the 'Toon Army in Asia'. The decision to sack the outspoken and charismatic pundit was made in the morning after reviewing his comments. A spokesman said : "During the live night-time phone-in, Rodney made comments that were offensive and inexcusable. An apology was made within the programme and Rodney's comments were edited and removed from later transmissions. These remarks should never have been made and Sky would like to offer its apologies to those who were offended." Van der Sar Stays at Fulham Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has signed a two year extension to his Fulham contract. Nedved Feared the Worst Juventus playmaker Pavel Nedved has spoken of his relief after he was stretchered off on Sunday after slamming his left leg into Brescia's Domizzi when attempted a shot : "I thought I was finished with football, I thought it could be the end. I felt a really bad pain, more than the one I had during Euro 2004 when I got an injury to my left knee. Leaving the pitch I was sure I had played my last match. I thought my meniscus and ligaments were completely broken, I thought I wouldn't recover but it isn't so, and so you'll have to put up with me again, luckily in bout 20 days I'll be back on the pitch." Woodgate Back by March Simon Bayliff, the agent of professional cripple Jonathan Woodgate claims the Real Madrid defender will be ready for action in late February : "He is on his way back. When you are out for that amount of time stories grow but he is confident he will be fit and playing again soon, hopefully by the end of February. When you get a repeated injury in the same area it takes a longer time to recover. The club are not throwing caution to the wind. They want to make sure he is absolutely 110% before he comes back." 24 January 2005 Oscar del Calcio Awards The Oscar del Calcio awards (football Oscars), as voted for by the players of Serie A were handed out today. Kaka' was the big winner walking off with both the best player award and best foreign player award. Kaka's Milan team-mate Andriy Shevchenko had to settle for the SMS fans award. Paolo Maldini beat Milan team-mates Allesandro Nesta and Jaap Stam (who was nominated for his performances at Lazio) to win the best defender award. Carlo Ancelotti was, not surprisingly, voted best coach. The best Italian player award went to Francesco Totti and despite conceding 41 goals in 32 games last season, Gianluigi Buffon undeservedly walked off with the best goalkeeper award. Best Goalkeeper : Buffon (Juventus) Best Young Player : Gilardino (Parma) Best Coach : Ancelotti (Milan) Best Defender : Maldini (Milan) Best Referee : Collina Best Italian Player : Totti (Roma) Best Foreign Player : Kaka' (Milan) SMS Vote : Shevchenko (Milan) Best Player : Kaka' (Milan) Lebanese Millionaire Saves Servette Lebanese business Joseph Ferraye has saved debt ridden Swiss giants Servette. Servette were on the verge of bankruptcy with debts of €7.2 million. Ferraye will invest €13 million a season and a further €13 million on a new training center. Zoff Takes Charge of il Viola Dino Zoff has replaced Sergio Buso as coach of struggling Fiorentina. Fiorentina sacked Buso earlier today after a string of bad results. Zoff's first match in charge will be Wednesday's Coppa Italia clash with Roma. The former Italy coach has signed on for an initial six months : "I'm very enthusiastic about this opportunity even if I know that I have a lot of responsibility. This club has a great tradition and it is only right that this is respected. I have a contract for six months but with an option for another year after that initial period expires. I have long term plans here and the club has some interesting ideas for the future. This is what made me accept their offer." Arsenal Face Transfer Ban The FA have fined Arsenal €15,000 for using an unlicensed agent in the deal which saw 18-year-old Dutchman Quincy Owusu-Abeyie join from Ajax in 2002. Arsenal have been warned that if they are found guilty of a similar offence anytime in the next two years they will be banned from making any transfers in the subsequent transfer window. Muller Sacked Lens have sacked Joel Muller after Saturday's defeat left them in 14th place. Muller, who is ironically chairman of the league managers association, is replaced by his assistant Francis Gillot. Big Ron in new Race Row Disgraced former TV pundit 'Big' Ron Atkinson has infuriated Chinese internationals Hao Haidong and Sun Jihai with comments he made in Sheffield last week : "The Chinese people have the best contraception in the world but I can't understand why there's so many of them because their women are so ugly." Hao Haidong, who was in the city negotiating with Sheffield Wednesday said : "This guy should really have never said this, he should be condemned and attacked. I heard he is a habitual offender but this kind of conduct, I think, really doesn't represent the majority, he is a special case. What this guy said really shows how un-modern he is, this kind of person should be beaten black and blue and made to thoroughly shut up." Manchester City defender Sun Jihai, currently sidelined with injury, added : "Different races of course have differences but what does he mean by saying this? This guy is no good, does he think that only whites are special? This is like the insult to Desailly." As well the infamous Marcel Desailly comments Atkinson made a similar off air comment during the 1990 World Cup which was picked up by viewers in the Middle East. He described a Cameroon player as having 'no brain' to which fellow commentator the late Brain Moore replied "You mean no football brain?". Off camera Ron Atkinson asked Moore if he thought "he got away with it" before adding "I'll only get into trouble if his mother's back home watching the game sitting up a tree." Pennant Charged With Drink Driving Arsenal midfielder Jermaine Pennant has showed why he has failed to make the grade at the club by smashing a Mercedez Benz, which belongs to team-mate Ashley Cole, into a lamppost while drunk. Pennant has been charged and will be sentenced at a later date.