Man. City: City pull out of match with Genoa
Manchester City have put plans to play a charity match in Genoa this week on hold due to the weather in Italy.Manager Roberto Mancini was due to take a large group of first-team and elite development squad players to the city to play a game to raise money for Genoa flood victims.The club have announced that freezing temperatures, snow warnings and travel uncertainty have led to a postponement of the trip, which they hope to rearrange.City were to play a team named ‘Uniti Per Genoa’ made up of players from Mancini’s former club Sampdoria and Genoa. Source: PA
Man. City: City pull out of match with Genoa
Rangers: Davis wants strength in numbers
Rangers: Davis wants strength in numbers
Rangers captain Steven Davis has issued a plea for new players to bolster the squad after crashing out of the William Hill Scottish Cup to Dundee United at Ibrox on Sunday.Mervan Celik – who was substituted after just 45 minutes of his first start in the 2-0 defeat – was the club’s only capture of the January window despite the sale of top goalscorer Nikica Jelavic to Everton on transfer deadline day.Davis would like the club to make some new additions, and said: “The window is closed and it’s only frees that are going to be available but it would be nice to see a bit of investment in the team and try to add to what we’ve already got.”He added: “The problem is that we’ve got a lot of key players out as well and that’s something that’s gone against us this season.”Rangers’ financial plight has been well-documented as they await the verdict of a tax tribunal that could leave them with a bill of ?49million if they lose a dispute with HMRC, and Davis added: “That’s been hanging over us for a long period of time now.”But it’s disappointing to see players like Jelavic – a very important player – leave without really getting anybody in. That was a bit of a blow for the players.”As well as the Scottish Cup, Rangers have also exited the Champions League, the Europa League and the Scottish Communities League Cup.Their only hope of silverware now is the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title but – despite once boasting a 15-point lead – the Scottish champions now trail Celtic by a point having played a game more.Asked if Rangers’ season is in danger of crumbling altogether, Davis said: “It’s up to everybody in the dressing room to make sure that doesn’t happen. I think the league is still there for us, without doubt.”Sometimes it’s hard to reflect on it straight after the game when everyone is a little bit down and it’s hard to see the positives to take out of the situation. But we will get back to work, roll our sleeves up and get ready to go again.” Source: PA
West Brom.: Scharner warned off T-shirt repeat
West Brom.: Scharner warned off T-shirt repeat
West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner has been warned he could face Football Association action if he shows off his Baggies T-shirt again in Sunday’s derby with Wolves at Molineux.Scharner pulled up his match shirt and displayed the home-made T-shirt towards Wolves winger Stephen Hunt and upset fans during Albion’s 2-1 win in the first clash between the clubs this season.Wolves boss Mick McCarthy initially hitting out at Scharner in his press conference after the game, before relaxing his stance when it was discovered the T-shirt only displayed a West Brom logo. However, Scharner confirmed: “I already had a written warning from the Football Association over the shirt incident.”He added: “It would be very risky to do it again.”The shirt was designed by Scharner’s sons and the Austria international has since used the furore his actions caused to positive effect via charity.He said: “We have sold 600 copies of the shirt and raised £4,500 for an Austrian children’s charity.”Scharner made his comeback after an injury lay-off with an Achilles problem in Saturday’s 2-1 home setback against Swansea. Source: PA
Wolves: McCarthy appreciates Morgan support
Wolves: McCarthy appreciates Morgan support
Mick McCarthy feels he owes Wolves chairman Steve Morgan “a debt of gratitude” for his on-going support.The 2-1 victory at QPR on Saturday ended a nine-game winless streak and saw the Black Country club climb out of the relegation zone.And McCarthy told the club’s official website: “Can I just say something about my owner? We have won three games in 22 and I am still here as the manager of Wolves.”He added: “Let me tell you that is some level of support so let’s not forget that.”When everyone is writing negative stuff about me and Steve he has been as supportive as anyone else.”I owe him a debt of gratitude for that.”Much had been made of the visit by owner-chairman Morgan to the players’ dressing room after last week’s 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool.McCarthy maintained that matter had been “sorted out” quickly and, after the win over Rangers, the Wolves manager highlighted the support he has from the boardroom.Wolves host local rivals West Brom on Sunday and are awaiting the results of tests to a knee injury for on-loan Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong. Source: PA
Liverpool: Carragher out for Spurs revenge
Liverpool: Carragher out for Spurs revenge
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is an admirer of Tottenham’s attacking style, but is out for revenge when the north London club visit Anfield on Monday.Their meeting earlier this season ended in a 4-0 defeat – their worst since the spring of 2003 – after the Reds had Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel sent off.Liverpool are unbeaten at home since last May when Spurs, coincidentally, inflicted Kenny Dalglish’s only home defeat since returning as manager, and Carragher said: “Spurs have probably been the most impressive team in the league for me this season.”He added: “I know they aren’t top but they’re great to watch. They play great football, very fast paced and they certainly showed that against us at White Hart Lane.”That was our biggest defeat of the season and something we want to rectify. The game changed a bit towards the end when we were down to nine men and the scoreline flattered them to a certain extent but they played really well that day.”We didn’t start well enough and they caught us out. They also won at Anfield towards the end of last season. That’s probably in the mind as much as anything.”We realise we’re playing against one of the best teams in the league and it’s going to be very difficult. But we have proved in the last two home games, against the two teams above Tottenham (Manchester City and Manchester United), that we’re more than a match for anyone in the country.”Carragher also believes they can still achieve their aim of a top-four finish despite strong competition from Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle.”The situation will change all the way between now and May,” the 34-year-old told liverpoolfc.tv. “At times we’ve been in there, at times we’ve been out of it.”We’ve just got to stay within touching distance and focus on ourselves. We’ve got Chelsea at home towards the end of the season and hopefully that game will prove to be vital.” Source: PA
England: Davies suggests Capello breach
England: Davies suggests Capello breach
Former Football Association chief executive David Davies has suggested that England manager Fabio Capello may be in breach of contract after he openly challenged the decision to strip John Terry of the national team captaincy.The Italian spoke out in defence of Terry, who was removed as England skipper by FA chairman David Bernstein on Friday without any consultation with Capello, during an interview with Italian broadcaster Rai 1 on Sunday.”It is being taken very seriously by the FA because it may be that Fabio Capello has breached his contract,” Davies told BBC’s Breakfast Time show.”You have to ask what his motive is. You have to suspect he wants to prevent John Terry retiring as a player before Euro 2012 but there are wider issues.”You could have what some of the media are calling a morality circus while England are trying to win the second major tournament in football.”A contract may have been breached, there is strong leadership now at the FA from David Bernstein. Last week he wasn’t slow to take things forward and he may not be slow to do so now.”The FA opted to axe Terry as captain once it was known the Chelsea defender would not face trial over allegations he used racist language to Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road in October until July, after Euro 2012. Terry denies the charge.Asked whether he was in agreement with FA’s decision, Capello said: “No, absolutely not.”I have spoken to the chairman and I have said that, in my opinion, one cannot be punished until it’s official and the court – a non-sporting court, a civil court – has made a decision to decide if John Terry has done what he has been accused of.” Source: PA
Chelsea: Managers United over officials
Chelsea: Managers United over officials
Andre Villas-Boas and Sir Alex Ferguson both lambasted the performance of the match officials in Sunday’s thrilling 3-3 draw between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea boss Villas-Boas blasted referee Howard Webb for giving Manchester United a second penalty for a dubious foul from Branislav Ivanovic on Danny Welbeck in the box.Villas-Boas claims Webb’s decisions changed the course of the game as Chelsea were cruising towards a crucial victory before two penalties were given against them, and said: “The second penalty was very, very dubious.”He added: “I don’t know if Howard Webb had the correct angle to make the decision, maybe the linesman made the decision but it was very unlucky from him to give it.”I’m not sure if he was compensating from anything in the first half, but it was the wrong decision.”United manager Ferguson was thrilled to see his team come back from 3-0 down to steal a valuable point, but he was furious at the performance of linesman Darren Cann, who failed to notice a foul from Gary Cahill on Welbeck after the striker raced through in the first half.Ferguson has a history of disagreements with Cann after the linesman gave penalties against his team when they were playing Arsenal and Liverpool.”They should’ve had a man sent off in the first half,” Ferguson said. “Danny Welbeck’s clear through and he was brought down. Okay, it’s outside the box, (but there was) no decision.”That linesman, who’s given a penalty kick against us from 40 yards away last year against Liverpool, this year against Arsenal – and he can’t see that?”I don’t blame Howard Webb – he needed help in that situation and he didn’t get it. That assistant referee, who’s all too happy to flag at Old Trafford for penalty kicks, didn’t give them.” Source: PA
Newcastle Utd.: Cisse strike pleases Pardew
Newcastle Utd.: Cisse strike pleases Pardew
Manager Alan Pardew was thrilled to see his big-money investment pay off at the first opportunity as Papiss Cisse fired Newcastle to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on his debut.The 26-year-old Senegal striker came off the bench to clinch the points which took the Magpies back into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League table and fully justified Pardew’s faith in him. Cisse cost the club approaching £10million when he joined from German side Freiburg last month, and he could hardly have launched his career in England in better fashion.Pardew said: “In my career, I have been lucky with strikers in debuts, and that’s struck again today. I am really pleased because it’s a big investment for the club.”He added: “While Mike [Ashley] sanctioned it and Mike is the owner and [managing director] Derek [Llambias] had to see the deal through, it’s fans’ money.”I have got to spend fans’ money here – if we don’t get anyone coming into the stadium, we haven’t got any money, so I like to spend it well.”We have worked hard on that, we have taken our time and we hope we got it right. He has had a great start today, [but] that’s all at the moment.”Cisse claimed the headlines in spectacular style with a fine 71st-minute strike – a fitting way to end a hard-fought encounter which might have gone either way.He controlled Jonas Gutierrez’s left-wing cross on his chest before smashing a left-footed volley high into keeper Shay Given’s top-right corner to confirm himself has a rightful successor to the famous number nine shirt.The Senegal international had earlier passed up a series of opportunities after replacing the injured Leon Best as a 14th-minute substitute, but did not fluff his lines when his big chance arrived.Newcastle had taken a 30th-minute lead, against the run of play, when Demba Ba drilled home his 16th goal of the season from close range. But Robbie Keane levelled deep into first-half stoppage time and Villa might have snatched a point at the death but for fine saves from Tim Krul to deny first Ciaran Clark and then substitute Gary Gardner. Source: PA
Jeremie Janot: You Ain’t Warm Unless You Pee Your Pants
Jeremie Janot: You Ain’t Warm Unless You Pee Your Pants
St Etienne keeper Jérémie Janot believes the best way for players to keep warm in cold conditions is to wear a wetsuit – then pee in it. Image: THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images.
Dangerously cold weather and unplayable pitch conditions wreaked havoc on Ligue 1 action this weekend after parts of France were struck with blistering, near-freezing temperatures (-13 degrees Celsius/8 degrees Farenheit). Three matches had to be abandoned altogether and players returning from the African Cup of Nations were advise to sit this weekend out or else risk freezing their fatigued arses off.
Literally.
Image: L’Equipe.
While doctors encouraged players to “watch the game on TV” from the temperature-controlled comforts of their homes, St Etienne’s goalkeeper, Jeremie Janot, offered his colleagues a more clever frostbite-fighting tip: urinate in a surfer’s wetsuit.
Um…come again, Jeremie?
“I have tried everything but I have not found anything better than a surf suit,” he told L’Equipe. “Once, when there was 15 minutes to go in the match, I p*ssed in it before going directly to the shower fully clothed.”
And unfortunately, he isn’t the only professional who resorts to peeing himself like a like kid.
“Some keepers like Gregory Coupet do it too.”
Is there a treatment facility for victims of TMI, Kickettes? We’re desperately seeking a referral.
Man. Utd.: United strike back for Chelsea draw
Man. Utd.: United strike back for Chelsea draw
Javier Hernandez came off the bench to grab a late equaliser as Chelsea squandered a three-goal lead in Sunday afternoon’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea cruised in to a 3-0 lead thanks to an own goal from Jonny Evans, a wonder strike from Juan Mata and a header from David Luiz.The home side looked set to coast to victory but Wayne Rooney smashed home two second-half penalties and Hernandez wrapped up an epic comeback from the champions with a header six minutes from time. Source: PA
