Premier League News: Vidic has shaken on new deal to stay, say United

Vidic has shaken on new deal to stay, say United

By Gordon Tynan

Saturday, 24 July 2010

Nemanja Vidic has committed his long-term future to Manchester United, according to the club's chief executive, David Gill. The Serbia defender's current deal is up in two years but an extension to his contract has been agreed. Vidic had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

Gill said: "I am very pleased to confirm that we agreed terms with Nemanja three or four weeks ago on a new long-term deal with the club."

The length of the centre-back's extension was not disclosed, but Vidic's decision is a huge boost for United, given Rio Ferdinand's fitness problems.

Gill added: "It's yet to be signed – the paperwork is being sorted by our lawyers and checked by his advisers. He's still away on holiday but ... we've shaken hands on it and we're confident it will all be signed in early August."

Gill said he also intends discussing a new contract with Wayne Rooney. The England striker has two years to run on his current deal. Gill said: "The intention is to meet with Wayne when we're back from tour and he's back from holiday."

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Football transfer: OFFICIAL: Liverpool Sign England International Joe Cole

OFFICIAL: Liverpool Sign England International Joe Cole

The released Chelsea star has signed a contract with Liverpool...

By Stefan Coerts

Jul 19, 2010 2:40:00 PM

Premier League giants Liverpool have confirmed the capture of England international Joe Cole on a free transfer. The attacking midfielder was available on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.

The Reds have announced on their official website that they've agreed personal terms with Cole and that the gifted midfielder will undergo a medical in the next 48 hours. The highly rated winger will sign a four-year deal with his new club upon completion of the medical.

Cole is Liverpool's second signing of the summer transfer window. The Reds previously secured the services of Serbian international Milan Jovanovic from Belgian outfit Standard Liege on a free transfer.

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Liverpool sign Joe Cole on four-year deal 

By Carl Markham, Press Association

Monday, 19 July 2010

The capture of Cole was seen as being a key factor in proving to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who have both been linked with departures after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in Rafael Benitez's final season in charge, that Liverpool can still compete for quality signings. 

Cole is the second summer arrival at Liverpool after Serbia forward Milan Jovanovic joined following the expiration of his contract with Standard Liege. 

Cole will be seen as a direct replacement for Yossi Benayoun, who coincidentally moved to Chelsea for £5.5million earlier this month, and only time will tell who got the better of that exchange. 

Hodgson is still on the look-out for a new left-back with Fabio Aurelio having left and Emiliano Insua on the verge of completing his move to Fiorentina. 

After that the Liverpool boss will hope to secure commitments from Gerrard and Torres about their futures.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp, whose father Harry was keen on signing Cole for Spurs, said reports the player was holding out for the most lucrative contract were unfair.

"From what I know, compared to other players in the Premier League now, he's not being greedy at all," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.

"He just wants a good deal and rightfully so - he's a free agent and he's worked that situation nicely - but I know he's not asking for anything astronomical, like what is being portrayed in the press.

"He's just looking for the right club and he needs to play football now.

"He missed a lot of time at Chelsea last season with his knee injury and didn't quite get back to the level he showed previously.

"He needs to go somewhere, be loved, and play football and get back to being the Joe Cole we all know."

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Football news: The world interviews David Beckham

The world interviews David Beckham

People from 19 countries came together on Yahoo! to interview football superstar David Beckham in an unprecedented live video event.

Football fans from Taiwan to Mexico heard David's views on England's disappointing World Cup campaign, his thoughts on football management and the highs and lows of his glittering career.

Below you can watch the whole interview again, hosted by Gabby Logan.

Source...

Football news: Premier League - Xavi: Arsenal delaying inevitable over Cesc

Premier League - Xavi: Arsenal delaying inevitable over Cesc
PA Sport - Wed, 21 Jul 08:56:00 2010

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has said that Arsenal are merely "delaying the inevitable" by preventing Cesc Fabregas from joining the Spanish champions.

Fabregas was the subject of a reported £30 million approach by the Catalan club prior to the World Cup but the Gunners are reluctant to part with their prize asset, who has five years left on his current contract.

Arsenal appeared to gain the upper hand in the protracted saga when Barca coach Pep Guardiola conceded on Monday that the North London club would have the final say on the 23-year-old's future.

But Xavi, a member of Spain's victorious World Cup squad alongside Fabregas, is confident a deal will be reached to take the former Barcelona trainee back to the Camp Nou - be it this summer or next.

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Barcelona Star Xavi: Cesc Fabregas Is Just 'On Loan' At Arsenal

It's only a matter of time...

By Zack Wilson

Jul 21, 2010 8:22:00 AM

The Barca midfielder has insisted that Fabregas wants to come to Camp Nou and that the Gunners only have his Spain team-mate "on loan", and the Londoners can do nothing to stop him leaving evenutally.

"We know where Cesc wants to be this coming season, but perhaps there is not enough time for Barcelona and Arsenal to agree a deal," Xavi told The Daily Express.

"Arsenal need to understand they are only delaying the inevitable. If we don’t manage to get his signature this season then Arsenal only really have him on loan for a year – because there is nothing they can do to stop him joining next summer."

The Barca man also feels that the very latest that Fabregas will move will be next summer as a deal is inevitable.

“His [Fabregas’s] people will have a whole season to sort out the deal between the two clubs and it will happen at the very latest next summer," he added.

"I haven’t given up on him joining us this season but, if he doesn’t, it won’t be more than a year before he is back home.

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Football rumor news: Franck Ribery Prostitution Scandal Leads To Charges Against Soccer Star

Franck Ribery Prostitution Scandal Leads To Charges Against Soccer Star

PIERRE-ANTOINE SOUCHARD and SAMUEL PETREQUIN | 07/20/10 04:05 PM

PARIS — A French judge issued preliminary charges Tuesday against soccer stars Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema for soliciting an underage prostitute – the latest setback for a national team that returned from the World Cup in disgrace and disarray.

Ribery and Benzema were questioned Tuesday as part of a probe into a suspected network of prostitutes that operated out of a nightclub on Paris' glitzy Champs-Elysees, a judicial official told The Associated Press. She was not authorized to be publicly named, according to office policy.

The scandal, which broke before the World Cup began June 11 and has been front-page news in France, includes allegations by a self-described escort girl who says Ribery flew her to visit him as a birthday present to himself when she was still under 18. Ribery is married with two children.

Real Madrid striker Benzema and Bayern Munich forward Ribery could face up to three years in prison and a euro45,000 ($60,000) fine if convicted of paying to have sex with a minor. They are among the most famous soccer players in France.

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Franck Ribery Admits To Child Prostitute Sex: Report

First Posted: 04-21-10 03:57 PM   |   Updated: 06-21-10 05:12 AM

French soccer star Franck Ribery admitted to having sex with a 17-year-old prostitute, sources tell the Guardian. Ribery, who has been called "the jewel of French football" by none other than soccer legend (and infamous World Cup headbutter) Zinedine Zidane, claims that he did not know the teenager was underaged when they slept together.
The 27-year-old soccer player has not been charged with a crime, but purchasing sex from anyone under 18 is illegal in France. Ribery's famous teammate is also in the middle of the scandal.
The French prostitution investigation marks the second major scandal to rock international soccer in recent months. In England, the World Cup team's soccer captain relinquished his title after he was reported to have carried on a torrid affair with a teammate's ex-partner.


Source: Huffington Post

Franck Ribery, French Soccer Star, Questioned In Child Prostitution Probe

First Posted: 04-19-10 10:09 AM   |   Updated: 06-19-10 05:12 AM

France's international soccer team has become mired in scandal after two of its most famous players were called in for questioning by police investigating allegations of child prostitution.

Franck Ribery and Sidney Govou were questioned in connection with an investigation into a Paris nightclub that may have employed underage girls.

"He was questioned as a witness - for us the matter stops there," said Ribery's lawyer, Sophie Bottai.
However, Sky News reports that another unnamed player has admitted sleeping with a girl under the age of 18, but claims he did not know her age at the time.

The allegations center on a nightclub in Paris's exclusive Champs-Elysees district, where prostitutes were reportedly frequented by French soccer stars.

The Daily Telegraph writes that many French players feel free to visit prostitutes due to France's privacy laws, which prevent their personal lives being revealed.

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Football news: Top 10 Most Memorable Bosman Transfers Of All Time

Top 10 Most Memorable Bosman Transfers Of All Time

In view of Joe Cole's recent free transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool, Goal.com looks at 10 of the most memorable Bosmans since the landmark ruling in 1995...
Jul 20, 2010 1:30:00 PM

Please note that the 10 moves below are rated in terms of how memorable the transfer was, and not necessarily how successful...

10) Joe Cole - Chelsea to Liverpool 2010

At No.10 we start with the most recent. For the first time in his career Joe Cole has moved away from London after five years at schoolboy club West Ham and seven at Chelsea where he won three Premier League titles. The former child prodigy has struggled badly with injuries in recent seasons, but at 28 still has a lot to offer providing he can stay fit.

9) Javier Saviola – Barcelona to Real Madrid 2007

Another child superstar, Javier Saviola never lived up to the early promise he showed as a teenager at River Plate where he was inevitably labelled as the “new Diego Maradona”. The pint-sized forward lost his way at Barcelona after a bright start in 2001, and hoped for a resurrection with a Bosman to bitter rivals Real Madrid in 2007. Was a benchwarmer for two seasons before Benfica ended his misery last year.

8) Edgar Davids – Ajax to Milan 1996

One of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, Davids completed a high profile Bosman transfer to Milan from Ajax in time for the 1996-97 season. But, his spell at San Siro was a complete disaster and just over a year later he was sold on to Juventus for just £5.3 million. In Turin, Davids returned to being the best midfield pitbull on the planet.

7) David Beckham – Real Madrid to LA Galaxy 2007

After 10 trophy-laden seasons at Manchester United, and another four campaigns at Real Madrid where he won the 2007 La Liga title, football's biggest media seller of the noughties made a Bosman move from the Spanish capital to Los Angeles Galaxy.

While the transfer fee may have been nothing, the deal was a mega-million-money bonanza with estimates that 'Golden Balls' potentially could earn US$250 million during his five year contract. On the pitch, Beckham has not been too successful with the Galaxy, winning just the Western Conference in 2009, and he has even missed sections of two MLS seasons with loan moves to Milan.

6) Mathieu Flamini – Arsenal to Milan 2008

Flamini enjoyed a breakout season at Arsenal in 2007-08, forging a superb midfield partnership with Cesc Fabregas of which the highlight was outplaying and eliminating Milan in the Champions League last 16.

But, Arsenal failed to agree a new contract with the Frenchman who then joined Milan on a Bosman in the summer. The transfer was hailed by most as the signing of the season, but it hasn’t turned out too successful so far. Flamini has struggled to hold down a regular starting position, although there is more hope for him under new coach Massimiliano Allegri.

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Football transfers: Top 10 Transfers That Never Were

Top 10 Transfers That Never Were

Some stories are just too good to be true as we rank 10 of the greatest moves which failed to happen. Oh, what might have been...
 
By Patrick Reilly
Jul 18, 2010 1:30:00 PM

10) Frank Worthington: Huddersfield Town - Liverpool (1972)

Worthington followed in the footsteps of George Best by combining peerless footwork on the pitch with an equally voracious appetite for all the good things in life off it. He was all set to sign for top dogs Liverpool in 1972 but failed a medical due to high blood pressure, mainly as a result of to his legendary prowess in the bed hopping stakes. Manager Bill Shankly remained keen on the player and told him to take a rest and come back for another medical afterwards. True to form Worthington went on holiday and partied hard for a few weeks. He came back and failed the medical again. The move fell through with Worthington quipping: "I just saw it as their bad luck." Still, he did score this beauty some years later.

9) Ronaldinho: Paris Saint Germain - Real Madrid (2003)

Ronnie nearly signed for Scottish minnows St. Mirren in 2001 to get used to European football before a fake passport scandal intervened. Two years later he was close to joining Manchester United until he eventually plumped for Barcelona. The Brazilian was considered to be too 'ugly' for Real Madrid's Galacticos, who signed David Beckham instead. Ronaldinho won everything in sight with the Catalans, even earning a standing ovation from the Bernabeu after a virtuoso display in 2005. 

8) Preben Elkjaer: Lokeren - Arsenal (1984)

A star of Denmark's 1986 World Cup side, Elkjaer was being lined up for a switch to England two years earlier. The Gunners hesitated and took a punt on the more industrial Paul Mariner, who was already 31 and the former Ipswich player did precious little in his time at Highbury. Elkjaer meanwhile moved to Serie A and played a huge part in Verona's unlikely Scudetto triumph in 1984-85.

7) Luis Figo: Sporting Lisbon - Parma/Juventus (1995)

At the age of 22 Figo was all set to make his move from Portugal to the top league of the 90s - Serie A. He made the mistake of signing deals with both Juventus and Parma, who were both chasing his signature, and it didn't go down well with the authorities. Figo was slapped with a two-year ban on moving to Serie A so he had to switch to Barcelona instead. The Portuguese maestro would move to the peninsula a decade later with Inter after succeeding with Barca and Real Madrid.

6) Johan Cruyff: Ajax - Dumbarton (1982)

Along with Ronaldinho's crazy transfer to St.Mirren, Cruyff was another legend who almost ended up in Scotland. The Dutch master was wooed  in the early 80s, when he was in the midst of a contract dispute with Ajax, by the plucky second division outfit. Sadly for headline writers the transfer didn't happen, ensuring 'Cruyff's Dumb Move' never made the front page. 

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Lesotho Soccer World Cup 2010 news: Lesotho tops list of foreign World Cup visitors

Briefing the media in Pretoria, Gigaba said 188,702 Lesotho nationals had entered the country, while 173,043 had departed SA.
He attributed this to Lesotho's close proximity to South Africa.

Other top arrivals and departures included Zimbabweans, Mozambicans, Swazis and Batswana.

Arrivals from the United States totalled 44,512.

"At the moment we are really happy about the trends we are seeing," he said.

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Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Uruguay - Ghana Preview

The Celeste meet the Black Stars in a quarter-final encounter that few would have predicted...

After a 40-year absence from the World Cup quarter-finals, Uruguay, winners of the competition in 1930 and 1950, have made a spectacular return to football’s greatest stage. Only 90 minutes against Ghana stand between the Celeste and a first semi-final appearance since Mexico 1970.

Oscar Tabarez has his team well drilled at the back and boasting one of the most potent strike-forces in the competition at the other end of the pitch. When Lee Chung-Yong scored his scrappy header for South Korea in the last 16 affair, it was the first time the Celeste had leaked during the tournament. Rocked by this blow, Luis Suarez scored a terrific curling shot with 10 minutes to play, his second goal of the match, to book a place for Uruguay in the last eight.

Thus far, Tabarez has managed to stay pretty cool over the enormity of what his side could achieve this summer. The semi-finals are within Uruguay’s grasp, but the coach has managed to remain humble.

“Before we began this World Cup, we saw this great harmony among the players and I said to them: ‘The people back home have aspirations, they have dreams and we have to deliver them’,” he explained, according to FIFA’s official website.

“We all have objectives, both professional and personal, and our objective is to go as far as we can in this tournament.”

It could be argued that Uruguay have yet to face top quality opposition this summer. France, whom they met in the group stages, were fantastically disappointing, while Mexico, South Africa and South Korea are solid but unspectacular teams at such a level. Indeed, it could even be argued that the Black Stars will be the Celeste’s toughest test to date.

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Lesotho Soccer World Cup: Netherlands vs Brazil World Cup Quarter-Final Preview

After respectively seeing off the threats of Slovakia and Chile in the second round, it will be Bert Van Marwijk’s Netherlands and Dunga’s Brazil that will contest the first of the World Cup quarter-final ties – and what a tie it promises to be.

With just three FIFA world ranking places between them (Brazil top and the Netherlands in 4th) it would appear, on paper at least, that we have a potential feast of technically superior football on the cards.

However, the Dutch come into the game off the back of several fairly underwhelming, pragmatic Group E performances and have yet to really live up to the ‘totaal voetbal‘ philosophy that all Oranje World Cup squads are supposed to intrinsically embody.

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Van Marwijk says: "We are here for one reason. To win the big prize. We have to believe it. Against Brazil, perhaps we might be the underdogs for the first time in South Africa.

“People laughed at us when we said we were capable of winning the World Cup. But you have to show a real mentality, a constant focus. I think we are showing that."

Lively Lambertus, 58, knows the Dutch have never won “the big prize”, though they reached the final in Germany (1974) and Argentina (1978). The Brazilians have won five global crowns on four continents – Asia, North America, Europe and at home – and appear destined to win Africa’s first World Cup.

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Lesotho World Cup: World Cup 2010 Comment: Can Ghana Break Africa’s Quarter Finals Jinx?

“Yes We Can” was the response of jubilant soccer loving fans in the west African nation as Ghana beat the USA on Saturday evening to make it to the last eight of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Black Stars have become the third African side since the inception of the global football fiesta some eight decades ago to make it to the quarter finals. The last time an African country made it to the quarters was eight years ago. Cameroon got there in 1990 and Senegal replicated them in 2002.

Africa has remained moribund at the quarters and hopes were high that the first World Cup on African soil would bring a lot of blessings to the continent. However, all but one of the continent’s representatives have already kissed goodbye to the historic event.

The four-time African champions with the youngest squad have lifted the African flag high and continue to impress. They showed a lot of character, team work and harmony against the USA to go beyond the second stage.

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World Cup 2010: Ghana unfazed by African pressure

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac says the pressure of being the last African side in the World Cup will not hinder his team in their World Cup quarter-final.

The Black Stars, who carry the hopes of the host continent, face Uruguay on Friday aiming to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals.

"We're not under any obligation to make history but that doesn't mean we don't want to," said Rajevac.

"We will not change our style or worry about so-called pressure."

A 2-1 win over the United States helped Ghana into the last eight of the World Cup.
We have made Africa proud - Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan

We have made Africa proud - Gyan

But for Ghana to progress further, Rajevac believes his side will have to be alert to Uruguay's attacking threat.

"Uruguay have a great tradition and players playing in the best leagues in Europe," added Rajevac.

"They have to be one of the best teams in the world. They deserve every respect and Forlan is a fine player.

"But we will play the way that has brought us success so far.

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Ghana is an interesting squad to watch out as to how far they could go in this Lesotho Soccer World Cup 2010 tournament. But with a sad note the squad are going to the quarterfinals without their key players, Jonathan Mensah and Dede Ayew.

Lesotho World Cup 2010: Quarter Final Preview

We are just one step away from the semi finals as eight teams remain in their battle for glory. Our first match pits five time champions, Brazil, against the pioneer of “total football”, The Netherlands. Brazil has won all their games, with bunch of goals; as usual this team is lethal when they’re attacking, but despite the results they’re lacking ball possession with the midfield; which, naturally, is very important to be able to press and manage much better times on the field. The Netherlands can take advantage of this, since they have a very competitive line of midfielders, starting with Sneijder and Van Bommel; Robben, for his part, will have to work harder on his performance as the Brazilian defenders can read his moves easily if he becomes predictable on doing the same play. After all, this could be a very tight scoreless match ending up in penalties.

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Key Players to watch at the quarterfinals

Netherlands – Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder
Brazil – Kaka, Robinho
Ghana – Asamoah Gyan
Uruguay – Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez
Argentina – Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi
Germany – Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller
Spain – Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente, David Villa
Paraguay – Paulo Da Silva

World Cup Winners
Argentina – 1978, 1986
Brazil – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Uruguay – 1930, 1950

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Lesotho Soccer World Cup Schedule of Match in Philippine time

The Lesotho Soccer World Cup quarterfinals is about to start and the action will surely heat up at the world cup. Every game is must see. Here is the schedule of matches for the quarterfinals of the Lesotho Soccer World Cup in Philippine time.

Netherlands    vs.   Brazil        -    2 Jul 10:00 pm
    Uruguay    vs.    Ghana        -    3 Jul 2:30 am
    Argentina    vs.   Germany  -    3 Jul 10:00pm
    Paraguay    vs.    Spain        -    4 Jul 2:30 am