Sunday, December 30, 2012

Lampard double inspires Chelsea

Frank Lampard is congratulated by Juan Mata after scoring Chelsea's second goal at Everton in a 2-1 win.

(CNN) -- Frank Lampard underlined his continued value to Chelsea by scoring both goals in their 2-1 win at Everton Sunday as they went third in the English Premier League.

South African Steven Pienaar gave Everton a second minute lead but former England international Lampard turned the game around for the visitors.

The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and reports have been linking him with a move away from the west London giants, even as early as the January transfer window.

"I know there is a lot of speculation and talk but I just want to continue playing,'' Lampard told Sky Sports after the match.

"I will always have Chelsea in me for life."

During his 12 years at the club, Lampard's goal tally from midfield has always proved a key factor in Chelsea's success and his well-placed 42nd minute header canceled out Pienaar's earlier opportunist effort.

Read: Pinto's team of 2012

Everton, who are challenging strongly for a Champions League berth, hit the woodwork three times in a fine match, but came unstuck late on.

Tim Howard saved from Juan Mata, but Lampard was in the right place to turn in the winner.

Sylvain Distin made a last-ditch saving tackle to deny Fernando Torres a third for Chelsea before Nikica Jelavic wasted a chance for Everton to equalize.

He shot straight at goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, a halftime replacement for Petr Cech, who has an injured ankle.

The victory lifted Chelsea above Tottenham Hotspur into third place in the standings, still 11 points behind leaders Manchester United, but with a game in hand.

In the later kickoff, Liverpool left Queens Park Rangers in deeper problems at the bottom of the table with a 3-0 win at Loftus Road.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers did not travel with the team after going down with an infectious virus but it was Harry Redknapp's QPR who were left feeling under weather after a sorry performance.

Luis Suarez took advantage of defensive frailties to score twice in the opening 16 minutes, taking his EPL tally for the season to 13.

Danish defender Daniel Agger headed the third near the half hour mark and the game was effectively over as a contest.

Liverpool move up to ninth with QPR on 10 points from 20 games, eight points adrift of safety.


Via: Lampard double inspires Chelsea

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Man Utd clamp down as EPL goes goal crazy

Substitute Robin van Persie (L) celebrates after sealing Manchester United's 2-0 win over with West Brom, scoring his 14th league goal this season.

(CNN) -- Goals rained down in the English Premier League on Saturday, but for once Manchester United played it safe to stay seven points clear at the top of the table.

Alex Ferguson's team kept a clean sheet for the first time in six games, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at home in a match that had been in danger of succumbing to the UK's recent wet weather.

By contrast, second-placed Manchester City scrambled a 4-3 win at Norwich, Tottenham came from behind to claim third with a 2-1 victory at Sunderland and Arsenal moved fifth after triumphing 7-3 at home to Newcastle.

All eight EPL matches provided goals -- 35 in all -- with Stoke drawing 3-3 with Southampton, Wigan beating Aston Villa 3-0, Swansea winning 2-1 at Fulham and Reading ending a long winless run by defeating West Ham 1-0.

Read: Under-fire Ferguson brings Obama into referee debate

United edged a controversial seven-goal thriller against Newcastle on Wednesday, showing the defensive frailties that have plagued the 19-time English champions this season, but the return of Nemanja Vidic helped steady the side against a West Brom team that has dropped to seventh place.

The visitors went behind in the ninth minute when Gareth McAuley deflected Ashley Young's cross past his own keeper -- former United player Ben Foster -- and substitute Robin van Persie wrapped it up at the end with a curling shot for his league-leading 14th goal this season.

Ferguson was widely criticized for harassing match officials during the Newcastle match and for claiming that Van Persie "could have been killed" during the 1-1 draw with Swansea, but he kept his comments low-key this time.

Read: Hernandez winner lifts Manchester United

"The pitch was a problem for us with the way we pass the ball -- it slowed our game down a bit," said Ferguson, who turns 71 on Monday.

"We did well in the first half, we dominated at times, but you must give credit to West Brom who had more of the game in the second half and were a threat with their crosses.

"They had quite a bit of possession into the second period so we decided to bring Robin and Paul Scholes on just to settle us down a bit and they did that well.

"It's a good result considering how heavy the pitch was -- that's two games in four days on it and it's not easy. The slowness of it killed our speed."

Blog: Has Ferguson gone too far?

West Brom boss Steve Clarke agreed with the officials' decision to go ahead with the match after a late inspection of the waterlogged pitch.

"We used to play on pitches like that all the time. You don't look for games to be called off for no reason and there was no reason today," he said.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was not so happy after his defending champions bounced back from the 1-0 defeat by Sunderland.

Recalled striker Edin Dzeko scored twice inside four minutes, but Norwich got back into the game after Samir Nasri was sent off just before halftime following an altercation with Sebastien Bassong.

"Both players came forward with their heads, so if you are going to send off one, then you have to send off both, not only Samir," Mancini said.

"I am disappointed with Samir, and he will pay his fine, but the decision was not correct."

The Italian will go into the New Year trying to retrieve a sizable deficit, though City overhauled United's eighth-point lead last season to win the club's first title since 1968.

"It's not important to look at the table because it's not final but we need only to work, to win and then maybe we'll look again at the table in February," he said.

Dzeko almost had a hat-trick, but his 67th-minute shot hit the post and went into the net off Norwich goalkeeper Mark Bunn for 4-2, which was ruled to be an own goal.

Russell Martin netted his second on 75, but Norwich stayed 11th after a third successive defeat.

Tottenham moved a point above London rivals Chelsea, who travel to sixth-placed Everton on Sunday.

Sunderland went ahead against the run of play as skipper John O'Shea scored his first goal for the club five minutes before halftime, but Carlos Cuellar headed into his own net after the break and Aaron Lennon's 51st-minute winner left Spurs six points behind City.

However, Tottenham star Gareth Bale -- a reported target for Real Madrid in the January transfer window -- was frustrated after being booked for diving for the third time this season.

"That's three times now I've been clipped and booked for no reason," said the Wales winger, who will miss Tuesday's clash with Reading following his fifth yellow card this season.

"People keep saying I'm diving, but if there's contact it's not diving. Referees need to look more closely."

Theo Walcott bolstered his claims for a regular starting place as a central striker with his second-hat-trick this season in Arsenal's topsy-turvy win over 15th-placed Newcastle, which put the London side two points behind Chelsea.

The visitors leveled three times as Demba Ba netted twice to take his league tally to 13, but Walcott's treble was complemented by a late double from substitute forward Olivier Giroud after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski also scored.

Walcott has yet to agree a new contract, and the England international will have no lack of interest from other clubs after taking his tally to 14 goals in all competitions this season -- only Van Persie has more with 17.

Stoke stayed eighth after coming from 3-1 down against third-bottom Southampton, extending the club's unbeaten home record to nine matches thanks to substitute striker Cameron Jerome's spectacular late equalizer.

Defender Matthew Upson had reduced the deficit to 3-2 before teammate Steven Nzonzi was sent off for a challenge on Jack Cork.

Swansea moved up to ninth as Fulham's stand-in keeper David Stockdale gifted the visitors two goals -- the first to striker Danny Graham, playing in place of the Welsh club's top scorer Michu, and the second to Canadian midfielder Jonathan de Guzman.

Bryan Ruiz pulled one back after Dimitar Berbatov hit the crossbar, and the Bulgarian had a late effort ruled out for offside as the London side ended the year just four points above the relegation zone in 14th place.

Wigan moved out of the bottom three after handing fellow strugglers Aston Villa a third successive defeat that will increase the pressure on manager Paul Lambert after the 8-0 demolition by Chelsea and a 4-0 home loss to Spurs.

Reading stayed second from bottom despite the promoted club winning for only the second time this season, thanks to a fifth-minute goal from Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak that extended 12th-placed West Ham's winless run to four matches.


Via: Man Utd clamp down as EPL goes goal crazy

Friday, December 28, 2012

Ferguson brings Obama into ref debate

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson vents his fury during his team's 4-3 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.

(CNN) -- Alex Ferguson is in siege mode. The manager of soccer club Manchester United has been so stung by widespread criticism of his actions this week that he claims the sole person not to have commented is Barack Obama -- and that's only because he's busy trying to stop the U.S. economy falling over a fiscal cliff.

Ferguson, who recently gave a talk on his management techniques at Harvard, has been under fire following a verbal exchange with referee Mike Dean and his assistants during Wednesday's controversial 4-3 win over Newcastle.

It led to Newcastle manager Alan Pardew claiming that Ferguson should have been punished for his protests over Dean's failure to disallow Jonny Evans' own-goal for what he believed to be offside.

The Scot was furious that Dean overruled his assistant, Jake Collin, who had flagged to give Papiss Cisse offside before Evans diverted the ball into his own net.

RVP controversy: Has Ferguson gone too far?

Ferguson, who turns 71 on December 31, will escape punishment from the English Football Association because the incident was not mentioned in the referee's report, much to Pardew's astonishment.

It was the second match in four days where Ferguson has courted controversy, having claimed that his striker Robin van Persie "could have been killed" after Swansea's Ashley Williams kicked a ball at his head in Sunday's 1-1 draw.

And the United manager has defended his conduct, stating that everybody is suddenly keen to have an opinion -- apart from the man inside the White House.

"The problem for me and Manchester United is that the profile of the club is huge," Ferguson told reporters.

"Alan Pardew has come out and criticized me. Alan Pardew is the worst at haranguing referees -- his whole staff (do it) every game. He was at it for the whole game on Wednesday.

"He shoves the linesman and laughs about it and he has to cheek to criticize me. It is unbelievable. He forgets the help I gave him, by the way.

"The press have a good field day. They have addressed every possible angle, the only one they have not asked is Barack Obama -- he is too busy.

"It's unfortunate that I carry that, because I'm the manager of the biggest club in the world. I'm not like Newcastle -- a wee club in the North East.

"That is the facts of life. I was demonstrative but I was not out of order. That has been overplayed by the press. You've all had a field day."

Hernandez winner lifts Manchester United

Ferguson was reacting after Pardew had given his views on the incident at Old Trafford.

Pardew told reporters: "I think Mike Dean might feel slightly disappointed he didn't do something about it.

"I think the pressure that was on him was tough for a referee to take. Sometimes when you reflect on a game you think you might have acted differently. You do that as a manager and I think he might have done that as a referee.

"But it's an emotional game and apparently they had a cordial discussion. I've had a few of those myself and sometimes I've ended up in the stands as a result of that cordial discussion."

Ferguson seemed particularly irked by the comments, and referred to Pardew's own altercation with a referee during a Premier League match in August.

Van Persie 'could have been killed'

Pardew was fined $32,000 and given a two-match touchline ban after pushing an assistant referee during his side's 2-1 home win over Tottenham.

"Some managers shove linesman on the pitch and make a joke of it. I'm not making a joke of this. I think it should have been disallowed, I really do," Ferguson said.

"There was no ranting and raving from me. I was demonstrative but then I am always demonstrative -- everyone knows that. I'm an emotional guy.

"What happened was that Dean was walking towards the center circle and I came up to the touchline and he came towards me and I went towards him. I was not on the pitch for more than three or four yards. Then we came off together."


Via: Ferguson brings Obama into ref debate

Thursday, December 27, 2012

UEFA appeals Serbia sanctions

The Serbian Football Association was fined $105,000 after it was found guilty of 'improper conduct'.

(CNN) -- A leading anti-racism group has applauded UEFA's decision to appeal against sanctions handed out to the Serbian Football Association for "improper conduct" following allegations of racist chanting.

The European governing body has confirmed it will appeal against all punishments following the under-21 qualifying game between Serbia and England in Krusevac on October 16.

While UEFA president Michel Platini had hinted at seeking tougher sanctions, the news of an appeal came following a statement in which "the UEFA disciplinary inspector felt it necessary to immediately confirm his intention to appeal on UEFA's behalf."

FARE -- a network of anti-discrimination and inclusion groups which tackles racism, xenophobia and homophobia across European football, says the latest developments are hugely encouraging

"UEFA's decision to appeal is very welcome," executive director Piara Powar told the English Press Association.

"We had been lobbying for it and like a lot of other people within UEFA felt this was the right thing to do."

Serbia was ordered to play one under-21 match behind closed doors was fined $105,000.

The team's assistant coach Predrag Katic and fitness coach Andreja Milunovic were also banned from football for two years.

In addition, four Serbia players were suspended with Goran Causic banned for four games, Ognjen Mudrinski and Filip Malbasic for three and Nikola Ninkovic for two.

UEFA will also challenge the decision to hand England duo Steven Caulker and Tom Ince two and one-match bans.

The pair were caught up in a brawl during the playoff game, which was sparked following allegations of racist abuse directed at England's Danny Rose.

UEFA's Serbia fine heavily criticized

Critics of UEFA have accused accusing the organization of failing to find a suitable punishment.

During the 2012 European Championship finals, Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner was fined $125,800 for exposing boxer shorts with the logo of an online betting company

Earlier this year, Manchester City officials were infuriated after the club was fined $40,000 by UEFA for taking to the pitch late for a Europa League game -- which was $13,000 more than FC Porto's sanction for fans' racist abuse during a game against the English team.

Powar added: "UEFA now have an opportunity to send out a message and it takes a lot of honesty and self-reflection to admit that one arm of the organisation got it wrong.

"It's a good lead for other national associations to follow if they issue a sanction that on reflection doesn't get the right message across, such as the (English) FA in a certain case earlier this year."

Racism row shines light on Serbian football

Tottenham's Rose, who is currently on loan at Sunderland, was shown a red card after the final whistle for kicking the ball away in anger after complaining he had been subjected to monkey chants throughout the contest.

"As per the UEFA disciplinary regulations, the UEFA disciplinary inspector has the right to open disciplinary investigations and to lodge appeals against decisions taken by the control and disciplinary body," read a statement on UEFA's website.

"Having reviewed the motivated decisions for the sanctions imposed in this specific case, which have also been provided to all parties, the UEFA disciplinary inspector felt it necessary to immediately confirm his intention to appeal on UEFA's behalf."


Via: UEFA appeals Serbia sanctions

European heavyweights to clash

(CNN) -- Thursday's draw for the last 16 of the European Champions League threw up a series of mouthwatering ties between a number of the continent's top teams -- including a clash between past winners Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The pairing, which means Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving United for the Spanish side in 2009, headlined a triol of standout ties after the draw was made at headquarters of European football's governing body UEFA in the Swiss city Nyon.

"Oh yes, Madrid!! What a great couple a games that'll be!! @Cristiano see u soon bro!!," tweeted United's former England captain Rio Ferdinand.

Another Spanish club, four-time champions Barcelona, have been pitched into another heavyweight battle as they take on Italy's AC Milan, whose seven European crowns are second only to the nine boasted by Real.

"We will play against Milan! It will be a great qualifying round!" tweeted Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The draw came on the same day that Barca coach Tito Vilanova was due to have surgery to remove a cancerous tumor.

Read: Barca rocked by Vilanova tumor

Elsewhere, beaten 2012 finalists Bayern Munich will take on United's English Premier League rivals Arsenal -- whose striker Lukas Podolski will return to the German club where he struggled to make an impact between 2006 and 2009.

"I think we enter this match as the slight favorites, but we can be making the mistake of underestimating them," Bayern chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge told UEFA's official website.

"Arsenal have struggled at times in the league over the last few months, which a look upon the standings in the Premier League will tell you. But by no means will this be an easy game for us."

Blog: Will Guardiola return to Barca?

Many experts, including former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, are tipping Borussia Dortmund for glory this season and the Germans must beat Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk if they are to repeat their 1997 success.

Scottish side Celtic, in the last 16 of the competition for only the third time, have been rewarded with a draw against Italian champions Juventus -- whose last European crown came back in 1996.

In the three remaining ties, Galatasaray of Turkey take on the third German team into the knockout stage, Schalke, while 2004 champions Porto have been drawn against Champions League debutants Malaga and Spanish side Valencia will play big-spending French club Paris Saint-Germain

The first legs will be played between February 12-13 and 19-20, with the return legs taking place between March 5-6 and 12-13.

Of the teams who dropped down to the Europa League after failing to progress from the group stage, European champions Chelsea will play Czech side Sparta Prague in the last 32 of the second-tier competition.

Romania's Cluj take on 2010 Champions League winners Inter Milan, Russia's Zenit Saint-Petersburg will play Liverpool and Portugal's Benfica will face Germany's Bayer Leverkusen.

BATE Borisov of Belarus came out of the hat with Turkey's Fenerbahce, Greek side Olympiakos got Spain's Levante and Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev will play French team Bordeaux.

Dutch side Ajax face fellow former European champions Steaua Bucarest of Romania.

In other key ties, Spain's defending champions Atletico Madrid will play Russia's Rubin Kazan, English side Tottenham take on French team Lyon, while Italy's Lazio and Napoli are up against Germany's Borussia Monchengladbach and Czech club Plzen respectively.

These matches will be played on February 14 and 21, while the last-16 ties are on March 7 and 14.


Via: European heavyweights to clash

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Barca coach has cancer operation

Tito Vilanova took over from all-conquering former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola in June.

(CNN) -- Barcelona soccer coach Tito Vilanova is recovering in hospital following surgery to remove a regrown cancerous tumor.

The Spanish league leaders' website reported on Thursday that the operation "went ahead according to schedule."

"The manager's post-surgery recovery will determine his stay at hospital. In line with the patient's wishes, please respect the privacy and confidentiality of the process," the club said.

In November 2011, Vilanova had a tumor removed from his parotid gland -- which is at the back of the mouth -- when he was assistant to his predecessor as Barca boss, Pep Guardiola.

Read: Barca to face Milan in last 16

That operation was thought to have been a success and when Guardiola went on sabbatical, Vilanova took over as coach of the team -- seemingly in good health, but more cancerous cells have been discovered.

Vilanova is expected to be hospitalized for three to four days after his surgery and will then have chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment lasting around six weeks, according to Barca's website.

Read: Is Barca boss Vilanova coach of the year?

Club doctors have said he will still be able to work while his treatment takes place and there are no plans for him to step down. His assistant Jordi Roura will take charge for the weekend clash with Valladolid.

At a press conference, club president Sandro Rosell said: "I want to thank everyone for their support on behalf of the team and Tito. We have complete confidence in the team. The club is very strong and very united, we're capable of overcoming adversity.

"Tito is strong, very strong, he's shown us that and we're convinced that he'll be back with us soon."

Read: Will Guardiola return to Barca?

Vilanova had told the Barca website earlier this week: "Being a head manager is difficult, but being an assistant manager isn't easy either. I would say it's more difficult to be an assistant manager than it is to be a head manager."

Under Vilanova's guidance, Barcelona have been unbeatable in the Spanish league -- dropping just two points -- and hold a nine-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid, with close rivals Real Madrid 13 points behind the Catalan side.

Real responded to the news by expressing their support for Vilanova, in a statement on their official website.

They said: "Real Madrid wish to express their heartfelt support to Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova, to whom we wish a prompt recovery. Real Madrid extend this support to his club and family."

Barca also finished top of their European Champions League group, suffering just one defeat in six matches.

Key to their success this season has been the number of goals Lionel Messi has scored, with the Argentine netting 25 times during the current campaign and 90 times during the calendar year.

As a youngster Vilanova was at Barcelona's youth academy -- La Masia -- with Guardiola, though unlike the former Barca captain he failed to graduate to the first team.

Vilanova went on to play for some of Spanish football's lesser known clubs -- Figueras, Celta, Badajoz, Mallorca, Lleida, Elche and Gramenet -- before retiring as a player in 2002 and turning to coaching.

When the 44-year-old Vilanova was appointed, Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta argued it was "a logical decision" because he "represents the same style of play and the same philosophy."

"Tito has been working here with us, so why not Tito? He puts in all the hours until he sleeps and he has the personality that we need to lift us. He's different to Pep, but Tito's the one," said Zubizarreta.

"We've always looked in house. We have Tito -- it's simple. We needn't go out on the market."

Read: Messi, Xavi and Puyol pen new Barca deals

Between 2008 and 2014 with Guardiola and Vilanova as coach and assistant, the Catalan club won 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles.

That recent success has been fostered on a tradition of developing their own players at their youth academy.

"Our style of play is so different from the rest of the teams that it's just easier to send out a guy that grew up playing our style football," said Vilanova.

"These players train their whole lives as Barca players, with the Barca system. If they play for the first team, it's because we think we can win with them on the pitch."

Since taking charge of Barca, Vilanova has won 23 of his 27 matches in all competitions, suffering just two defeats.


Via: Barca coach has cancer operation

Hernandez winner boosts Man Utd

Javier Hernandez (right) celebrates with Tom Cleverley after scoring Manchester United's winner in the 4-3 win over Newcastle.

(CNN) -- Javier Hernandez grabbed a dramatic late winner as Manchester United beat Newcastle 4-3 in a pulsating Boxing Day encounter at Old Trafford.

The Mexican's 90th minute strike, combined with a 1-0 defeat for reigning champions Manchester City at Sunderland, left United seven points clear of their neighbors at the top of the table.

He was drafted into the starting line-up in the absence of Wayne Rooney, who was injured in a training session and will be sidelined for up to three weeks with a knee ligament problem.

But United trailed three times to an enterprising Newcastle, who took the lead as early as the fourth minute through James Perch.

Home defender Jonny Evans drew them level in the 25th minute, but three minutes later was involved at the other end in a controversial own goal.

Danny Simpson's shot struck the Northern Irish international and deflected into his home net, but it was initially ruled out because Papiss Cisse was in an offside position.

Referee Mike Dean then consulted with his linesman and reversed the decision, leaving Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in a furious exchange with officials.

United took until the 58th minute to draw level with Patrice Evra on target again with a low shot, but Newcastle responded with their third goal.

Read: RVP 'could have been killed'

Former United winger Gabriel Obertan set up Cisse to sweep home to give them a 3-2 lead but again it was short lived.

Robin van Persie saw his shot saved by Tim Krul but was on hand to sweep home the rebound.

The points looked to be shared until Michael Carrick found Hernandez with a clever pass and the striker scored on the half volley.

Ferguson was delighted by the fighting spirit showed by his team in what could prove to be key moment in the title race.

"The statement was our performance, that was a championship winning performance," he told Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, City were coming unstuck at Sunderland, with their former player Adam Johnson scoring early in the second half, his shot eluding Joe Hart to creep in.

Chelsea took closer order in third, four points behind Manchester City and with a game in hand, with a 1-0 win at Norwich.

Spanish star Juan Mata scored the only goal of the match for a side fast improving under Rafa Benitez.

They had thrashed Aston Villa 8-0 Sunday and Villa's woes continued in the late kick off as a Gareth Bale hat-trick saw Tottenham Hotspur win 4-0.

Jermain Defoe scored the other goal for Tottenham, who moved back into fourth position with the thumping away win.

Everton also kept up their challenge for a Champions League place and have the same points tally as Tottenham after an earlier 2-1 home win over Wigan.

Second half goals from Leon Osman and Phil Jagielka put them in command before Arouna Kone's late consolation for struggling Wigan.

West Bromwich Albion are also on 33 points in sixth place with a 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers, who slipped to the bottom as Reading secured a point in a 0-0 home draw with Swansea.


Via: Hernandez winner boosts Man Utd

Yaya Toure wins top African award

Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure was named African Player of the Year once again.

(CNN) -- Yaya Toure has retained his title as African Player of the Year after fighting off the challenge of Didier Drogba.

The 29-year-old, who helped guide Manchester City to the English Premier League title last season, enjoyed a stunning year with the club.

The Ivorian, who overcame fellow countryman Drogba and Cameroon's Alex Song, was obviously touched after being confirmed as the winner.

"I have a lot of emotion," he said after getting onto the stage in Accra, Ghana. "I think this night is so special for me."

Drogba and Katongo lead nominations for African Player of Year

Toure scored six goals last season as City pipped rivals Manchester United to the title, while he also helped his country reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 29-year-old has now equaled the achievements of Senegal's El-Hadji Diouf by winning the award twice in a row.

But he will face a challenge to make it three on the bounce as Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o did between 2003-2005, before the Cameroon striker collected the award for a fourth time in 2010.

Drogba seals big-money move

Former Chelsea star Drogba had been highly-fancied to win the award after his stellar year at Stamford Bridge.

The 34-year-old, now playing in China with Shanghai Shenhua, was an integral part of the team's European Champions League triumph as well as its FA Cup success.

His equalizer in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich and his winning penalty kick led the club to its first every triumph in the competition.

But it was Toure, who helped City win its first league title in 44 years, who won the vote, with Song of Barcelona coming third.

"Being in competition against Yaya and Alex was very difficult for me," Drogba told reporters. "I don't mind if Yaya wins. I'm very proud."

Zambia win Africa Cup of Nations

Meanwhile, Zambia was named as the National Team of the Year following its incredible victory at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Manager Herve Renard took the Coach of the Year accolade after leading Zambia to the title following his side's triumph over the Ivory Coast on penalties.

Egypt and Al Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutreika was named as African Player of the Year Based in Africa.

The 34-year-old collected the prize for the second time having also won it back in 2008.


Via: Yaya Toure wins top African award

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Malaga given UEFA ban for financial woes

Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani (right) purchased Spanish La Liga team Malaga in June 2010 and proceeded to spend millions bringing top players to the Costa del Sol.

(CNN) -- Champions League contenders Malaga have been handed a season long ban from UEFA club competitions after falling foul of the European governing body's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

The La Liga side will be allowed to continue in this season's Champions League, where they have reached the last 16 stage, but any ban would come into place over any of the next four seasons should they qualify to play in Europe.

Malaga are the first high-profile club to be punished under new tougher FFP rules with UEFA's Financial Control Body (CFCB) making their ruling after a hearing Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.

Malaga owe player wages and have debts with other football sides as well as the Spanish tax authorities, claim UEFA.

The CFCB has given the club until March 31 next year to settle the debts and will impose a further one season ban from UEFA competitions, the Champions League or Europa League, if they fail to do so.

Malaga have also been fined 300,000 ($396,000) but UEFA has released prize money due them from this season's Champions League.

The club issued a strongly worded statement Friday to express their "total disagreement" with the UEFA decision.

Read: Malaga's malady: When foreign ownership goes wrong

It went on: "The measures taken against the club are absolutely disproportionate and unjustified given the club's situation. We consider that the club is being punished unfairly and used as a scapegoat and example to others.

"Malaga CF wishes to state that it will work energetically and without rest to achieve justice, using all available necessary means."

The club, who are currently fourth in La Liga, a spot which would see them qualify for a European place next season, can appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Sport in an attempt to overturn the decision.

Since coming under the ownership of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani, a member of the Qatar ruling family, Malaga have spent heavily on new players.

Read: Will top football clubs play fair financially?

But in November, they were one of nine European clubs referred to the CFCB because of debt problems and infringements of UEFA's licensing agreements and one of 23 to have prize money withheld.

Despite the threat of sanctions looming over the club, Malaga have performed superbly this season under coach Manuel Pellegrini, winning Group C of the Champions League with a game to spare and earning a tie against Porto in the knockout stage.

Five other clubs face one-year European bans, valid for three seasons, if they do not settle their debts by March 31.

Croatian sides Hajduk Split and Osijek; Romania's Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest; and Partizan Belgrade of Serbia, were all handed the punishment.

Serbian's Vojvodina and Ukraine's Arsenal Kyiv received fines while the case against Polish side Lech Poznan was dropped.

This season is the first since UEFA's FFP rules were introduced and they will come more fully into force in 2014. They give the ruling body sweeping powers, including exclusion from the lucrative Champions League.

They are designed to prevent big spending clubs spending beyond their means and posting unsustainable yearly losses.


Via: Malaga given UEFA ban for financial woes

Juventus leave it late to secure win

Juventus players including goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon celebrate their last-gasp win over Cagliari.

(CNN) -- Defending Serie A champions Juventus strengthened their grip on this season's title with a last-gasp 3-1 win at Cagliari Friday.

Injury time goals from Alessandro Matri and Mirko Vucinic secured an unlikely three points for the leaders, who had trailed until the 75th minute to a Mauricio Pinilla penalty for the home side early in the first half.

The late scoring burst takes them ten points clear of Inter Milan with 44 points after 18 games.

Inter can cut the gap with a victory at home to Genoa Saturday.

Pinilla scored on 16 minutes after Arturo Vidal had fouled Marco Sau in the penalty area, but Cagliari were reduced to ten men with half an hour left when Davide Astori saw red for a second yellow card.

Matri, playing against his old club, leveled and added another in the second minute of injury time.

Vucinic then sealed the three points.

"I have waited for this moment for a long time," Matri told AFP. He had not scored since the end of September.

Pescara beat Cagliari 2-1 in the other game played Friday to move clear of the relegation zone.

Read: Malaga hit with UEFA ban

In France, big spending Paris Saint Germain scored a 3-0 win at Brest to extend their advantage over Lyon and Marseille to three points.

Victory for Carlo Ancelotti's team guaranteed they will go into the winter break as Ligue 1 leaders.

Brest were reduced to ten men when Abdou Sissoko was red carded after half an hour, but it took until the 55th minute for PSG to make the breakthrough.

Swedish international star Zlatan Ibahimovic found the target for his 18th league goal of the season.

Substitute Kevin Gameiro added the second before Bernard Mendy then put through his own goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

Lyon host Nice and Marseille are at home to Saint Etienne in weekend fixtures as they attempt to draw level on points again at the top.

I n La Liga, Atletico Madrid kept up their pursuit of Barcelona with a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo in the Vicente Calderon.

Adrian scored the only goal late in the second half after an exchange of passes with Radamel Falcao.

Barcelona lead the standings by six points ahead of their trip to Valladolid Saturday.

In the other match played ahead, Valencia beat Getafe 4-2.


Via: Juventus leave it late to secure win

Monday, December 24, 2012

Barry snatches points for City

Gareth Barry scores the winner against Reading at a rainy Etihad Stadium to close gap on Manchester United to three points.

(CNN) -- A 92nd minute goal by Gareth Barry earned Manchester City a valuable three points against bottom-of-the-table Reading at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as the English Premier League heads into a busy Christmas period.

The England midfielder headed in David Silva's cross to snatch the win which sees them move to within three points of leaders Manchester United who travel to Swansea City on Sunday.

Like all Premier League teams, Roberto Mancini's team will play three games over the Christmas and New Year period.

First up will be Sunderland on Boxing Day followed by Norwich City -- both matches away -- before City return to the Etihad on New Year's Day to face Stoke City.

Following Sunday's matches at the Liberty Stadium, title rivals United entertain Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion before traveling to Wigan on January 1.

Roberto Martinez's men, who famously dented United's title challenge at the DW Stadium last April, lost to Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's 60th minute penalty gives Arsene Wenger's side their third straight league win and moves them up to third place with 30 points, level with North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur who drew 0-0 against Stoke at White Hart Lane.

The result means Spurs slip to fifth on goal difference below both Arsenal and Everton who also picked up three away points beating West Ham 2-1 at Upton Park.

Second-half goals from Victor Anichebe and Steven Pienaar (64th and 73rd minute) clinched the win after Carlton Cole gave the Hammers the lead in the 14th minute.

West Brom complete the quartet of clubs on 30 points after they came from behind to beat Norwich 2-1 at the Hawthorns. Zoltan Gera (43rd minute) and Romelu Lukaku (82nd minute) were on target after a Robert Snodgrass free kick gave the visitors the lead in the 23rd minute.

Liverpool enjoyed a comprehensive 4-0 win against Fulham at Anfield. Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard were on target in the first half before second-half strikes from Stewart Downing and Luis Suarez completed a miserable day on Merseyside for Martin Jol's team.

The win takes Liverpool up to eighth on 25 points, four points behind Rafa Benitez's Chelsea who entertain Aston Villa on Sunday.

Fulham remain in 13th on 20 points.

Elsewhere, Shola Ameobi earned Newcastle a vital 1-0 win against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers while Sunderland also eased the pressure on manager Martin O'Neill with a 1-0 at Southampton.

The win lifts the Black Cats to 15th with 19 points with the Magpies one point and one place above them.


Via: Barry snatches points for City

Van Persie 'could have been killed'

Patrice Evra gave Manchester United a 16th minute lead at Swansea after heading home Robin van Persie's corner.

(CNN) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was left raging after claiming Robin van Persie "could have been killed" following an altercation with Swansea's Ashley Williams.

Ferguson, whose side moved four points clear at the top of the English Premier League table following Sunday's 1-1 draw, accused Williams of deliberately kicking the ball at the striker's head while he lay on the ground.

Van Persie and Williams squared up to each other following the incident as both sets of players tried to break up the confrontation.

Blog: Has Ferguson gone too far?

Referee Michael Oliver booked both men, but Ferguson wants the Football Association to take action against the Wales defender.

"The Van Persie situation you can clearly see that he could have been killed," Ferguson said on Sky Sports News.

"The FA has got to look into it regardless that he has been given a yellow card.

Read: Sculptor shows softer side of formidable Ferguson

"He should be banned for a long time because that was the most dangerous thing I've seen on a football field for many years.

"It was absolutely deliberate. The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee -- he could have killed the lad.

"It was a disgraceful act by the player, he should banned for a long time."

Real Madrid to face Manchester United in European Champions League

Williams was quick to play down the incident after the game.

"I tried to clear the ball it hit him on the head," he said. "I was trying to clear the ball.

"He was obviously a bit angry about that. It was much ado about nothing."

Patrice Evra's 16th-minute header from a Van Persie corner had given United the lead before Michu equalized with his 13th Premier League goal of the season -- which put the Spaniard one clear of Van Persie as the leading scorer.

Can revived Torres rescue Chelsea's season for Benitez?

Meanwhile, Chelsea went goal crazy by crushing Aston Villa 8-0 at Stamford Bridge to move up into third position.

Striker Fernando Torres headed the home side ahead after just three minutes -- his 14th in all competitions this season, and seventh in the league -- before converted midfielder David Luiz curled home an exquisite free-kick.

Defender Branislav Ivanovic headed a third before the break as Chelsea ran riot against a team that had been unbeaten for five matches following a poor start to the season.

Any thoughts of Rafa Benitez's men easing up after the interval were soon extinguished when veteran midfielder Frank Lampard grabbed a fourth.

That strike established him as the club's leading goalscorer in the top flight as he marked his 500th Premier League start with his 130th goal.

Benitez takes over Chelsea

Substitute Ramires added another two and both Eden Hazard and Oscar also got on the scoresheet.

It could have been worse for Villa, who were indebted to several impressive stops by U.S. keeper Brad Guzan, including a penalty save from Lucas Piazon.

"Everything (impressed me) the performance of the team," Benitez said.

"We have been talking before about the mentality of the team; attacking, creating chances we had good movement, we were good in defense. As a team we had the balance we are looking for."

The defeat was Villa's worst in the top flight in its entire history and left manager Paul Lambert's team three points off the relegation zone.

"We were second best. We have to hold our hands hold our hand up, we never turned up at this level we can't play like that," Lambert said.

"We always learn, it will certainly be a wake-up call. It's been going fine for us and it is only Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs that have turned us over. We will bounce back."

Meanwhile, Netherlands striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has signed a new two-year deal with Bundesliga side Schalke.

The 29-year-old, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, will now remain in Germany until 2015.

"I have thought long and hard over this decision and I am very grateful that the bosses at Schalke gave me this time," he said on the club's official website.

In France, Marseille moved level on points with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain and second-placed Lyon following a 1-0 win over Saint Etienne.

Andre Ayew scored the only goal of the game to put Marseille third in the table on 38 points but with an inferior goal difference at the halfway stage going into the winter break.

Elsewhere, Valenciennes moved up to sixth with a 2-1 win over Evian, while Toulouse earned a 2-0 victory over Sochaux.


Via: Van Persie 'could have been killed'

Schmeichel backs Dortmund for title

(CNN) -- Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel is backing Borussia Dortmund to cause a shock and win the European Champions League.

Schmeichel captained United to European club football's biggest prize in 1999 and believes Jurgen Klopp's German champions have the ability clinch Europe's premier competition.

"I'm looking at Dortmund this time," the Dane, who skippered United as they secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Bayern Munich 13 years ago, told CNN, ahead of Thursday's last -16 draw.

"They've surprised everyone; they've put everything they have into the Champions League.

"They're behind in the league, as champions, which is not great, but they play exciting football. I think they have one of the managers for the future; the big clubs will certainly try and get him."

Read: Messi commits his future to Barcelona

Klopp has led Dortmund to back-to-back German titles and guided the 1997 Champions League winners to the top of a group which contained Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax after failing to reach the knockout stages last season.

"I think we'll get a surprise this year and I'm leaning a little bit towards Dortmund," continued Schmeichel. "They play such a great game which fits the Champions League. Maybe we will have a surprise winner."

In addition to Dortmund, Schmeichel also talked up the chances of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Catalan side have won all but one of their Spanish League matches and, in Lionel Messi, possess a player who has scored a record 90 goals in 2012.

Blog: Is Barca's Vilanova coach of the year?

However, Schmeichel suggested Barca's opponents could take heart from Chelsea's defeat of the four-time European champions at the semifinal stage last season.

"We know how to stop Barcelona now because we saw what Chelsea did," said the former Danish international keeper.

"It requires a little bit of luck and Chelsea had that, but I don't think you can beat Barcelona over two games without having played well.

"You could see the confusion of the Barca players -- they didn't have a plan B and I think you need to have that.

"You need to have more than one style of playing in the Champions League and I think that's why it is interesting to follow Barcelona -- how are they going to react now? But Barcelona will always be the team to beat."

By way of comparision, Schmeichel feels that Real Madrid have a coach in Jose Mourinho who can adapt a team to any situation.

Real have endured a torrid start to the La Liga season and sit 13 points off table-toppers Barca, but Schmeichel suggests Mourinho could be the man to lead Real to a much-coveted 10th European crown.

"We've seen this with Mourinho when he was at Chelsea and Inter Milan," added Schmeichel.

"They are very, very hot and then they are cold. But when it comes to the Champions League and Mourinho, it is a guarantee they will be there or thereabouts because he's a master in that tournament.

"With Mourinho there is a plan B, a plan C, you can carry on. He can set his team up in so many different ways."

If United is the club which remains closest to Schmeichel's heart, the Dane argues manager Sir Alex Ferguson needs to find a quick solution to a defense which has shipped 30 goals in 23 league and Champions League matches.

"We have been defending terribly this year and even Alex is out there now publicly stating we have to improve," admitted Schmeichel. "Every game we have to score three goals to win the game, you're under too much pressure.

"Three goals is a lot to score in the Champions League, I'm not saying its impossible but at this stage of the competition, it is really tough. You have to stop conceding."

Schmeichel hopes the recent return of defender Nemanja Vidic, who has suffered an injury-ravaged 12 months, will help shore up United's shaky backline.

"He's basically been out for a year. He came back against Sunderland, it was great to see him there and we're all hoping he is going to be the player he was. We need him for his leadership, but we need him for his defending as well."


Via: Schmeichel backs Dortmund for title

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Van Persie "could have been killed"

Patrice Evra gave Manchester United a 16th minute lead at Swansea after heading home Robin van Persie's corner.

(CNN) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was left raging after claiming Robin van Persie "could have been killed" following an altercation with Swansea's Ashley Williams.

Ferguson, whose side moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League table following the 1-1 draw, accused Williams of deliberately kicking the ball at the striker's head while he lay on the ground.

Van Persie and Williams squared up to each other following the incident as both sets of players tried to break up the confrontation.

Sculptor shows softer side of formidable Ferguson

Referee Michael Oliver booked both men, but Ferguson wants the Football Association to take action against the Wales defender.

"The Van Persie situation you can clearly see that he could have been killed," Ferguson said on Sky Sports News.

"The FA has got to look into it regardless that he has been given a yellow card.

"He should be banned for a long time because that was the most dangerous thing I've seen on a football field for many years.

"It was absolutely deliberate. The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee, he could have killed the lad.

"It was a disgraceful act by the player, he should banned for a long time."

Real Madrid to face Manchester United in European Champions League

Williams was quick to play down the incident after the game.

"I tried to clear the ball it hit him on the head," he added. "I was trying to clear the ball.

"He was obviously a bit angry about that. It was much ado about nothing."

Patrice Evra's 16th minute header had given United the lead before Michu equalized with his 13th Premier League goal of the season.

Can revived Torres rescue Chelsea's season for Benitez?

Meanwhile, Chelsea went goal crazy by crushing Aston Villa 8-0 at Stamford Bridge to move up into third position.

Fernando Torres headed the home side ahead after just three minutes before David Luiz curled home an exquisite free-kick.

Branislav Ivanovic headed a third before the break as Chelsea ran riot.

Any thoughts of Rafa Benitez's men easing up after the interval were soon extinguished when Frank Lampard grabbed a fourth.

That strike established him as the club's leading goalscorer in the top-flight as he marked his 500th Premier League start with his 130th goal.

Benitez takes over Chelsea

Substitute Ramires added another two and both Eden Hazard and Oscar also got on the scoresheet.

It could have been worse for Villa, who were indebted to several impressive stops by U.S. keeper Brad Guzan, including a penalty save from Lucas Piazon.

"Everything (impressed me) the performance of the team," Benitez said.

"We have been talking before about the mentality of the team; attacking, creating chances we had good movement, we were good in defense. As a team we had the balance we are looking for."

The defeat is Villa's worst in the top-flight in its entire history and leaves them three points off the relegation zone.

Manager Paul Lambert said: "We were second best. We have to hold our hands hold our hand up, we never turned up at this level we can't play like that.

"We always learn, it will certainly be a wake-up call its been going fine for us and it is only Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs that have turned us over, we will bounce back."

Huntelaar

Meanwhile, Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

The 29-year-old, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, will now remain in Germany until 2015.

"I have thought long and hard over this decision and I am very grateful that the bosses at Schalke gave me this time," the Holland striker said on the club's official website.

France

In Ligue 1, Marseille moved level on points with leaders Paris Saint-Germain and second place Lyon following a 1-0 win over Saint Etienne.

Andre Ayew scored the only goal of the game for Marsille, which sits third in the league on 38 points but with an inferior goal difference.

Elsewhere, Valenciennes moved up to sixth with a 2-1 win over Evian, while Toulouse earned a 2-0 victory over Sochaux.


Via: Van Persie "could have been killed"

Schmeichel backs Dortmund for Euro glory

(CNN) -- Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel is backing Borussia Dortmund to cause a shock and win the European Champions League.

Schmeichel captained United to European club football's biggest prize in 1999 and believes Jurgen Klopp's German champions have the ability clinch Europe's premier competition.

"I'm looking at Dortmund this time," the Dane, who skippered United as they secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Bayern Munich 13 years ago, told CNN, ahead of Thursday's last -16 draw.

"They've surprised everyone; they've put everything they have into the Champions League.

"They're behind in the league, as champions, which is not great, but they play exciting football. I think they have one of the managers for the future; the big clubs will certainly try and get him."

Read: Messi commits his future to Barcelona

Klopp has led Dortmund to back-to-back German titles and guided the 1997 Champions League winners to the top of a group which contained Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax after failing to reach the knockout stages last season.

"I think we'll get a surprise this year and I'm leaning a little bit towards Dortmund," continued Schmeichel. "They play such a great game which fits the Champions League. Maybe we will have a surprise winner."

In addition to Dortmund, Schmeichel also talked up the chances of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Catalan side have won all but one of their Spanish League matches and, in Lionel Messi, possess a player who has scored a record 90 goals in 2012.

Blog: Is Barca's Vilanova coach of the year?

However, Schmeichel suggested Barca's opponents could take heart from Chelsea's defeat of the four-time European champions at the semifinal stage last season.

"We know how to stop Barcelona now because we saw what Chelsea did," said the former Danish international keeper.

"It requires a little bit of luck and Chelsea had that, but I don't think you can beat Barcelona over two games without having played well.

"You could see the confusion of the Barca players -- they didn't have a plan B and I think you need to have that.

"You need to have more than one style of playing in the Champions League and I think that's why it is interesting to follow Barcelona -- how are they going to react now? But Barcelona will always be the team to beat."

By way of comparision, Schmeichel feels that Real Madrid have a coach in Jose Mourinho who can adapt a team to any situation.

Real have endured a torrid start to the La Liga season and sit 13 points off table-toppers Barca, but Schmeichel suggests Mourinho could be the man to lead Real to a much-coveted 10th European crown.

"We've seen this with Mourinho when he was at Chelsea and Inter Milan," added Schmeichel.

"They are very, very hot and then they are cold. But when it comes to the Champions League and Mourinho, it is a guarantee they will be there or thereabouts because he's a master in that tournament.

"With Mourinho there is a plan B, a plan C, you can carry on. He can set his team up in so many different ways."

If United is the club which remains closest to Schmeichel's heart, the Dane argues manager Sir Alex Ferguson needs to find a quick solution to a defense which has shipped 30 goals in 23 league and Champions League matches.

"We have been defending terribly this year and even Alex is out there now publicly stating we have to improve," admitted Schmeichel. "Every game we have to score three goals to win the game, you're under too much pressure.

"Three goals is a lot to score in the Champions League, I'm not saying its impossible but at this stage of the competition, it is really tough. You have to stop conceding."

Schmeichel hopes the recent return of defender Nemanja Vidic, who has suffered an injury-ravaged 12 months, will help shore up United's shaky backline.

"He's basically been out for a year. He came back against Sunderland, it was great to see him there and we're all hoping he is going to be the player he was. We need him for his leadership, but we need him for his defending as well."


Via: Schmeichel backs Dortmund for Euro glory

Inter lose ground on Juventus

Anderson Hernanes (right) celebrates after scoring Lazio's winning goal against Sampdoria in Serie A on Saturday.

(CNN) -- Lazio moved up to second place in Serie A on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Sampdoria.

A first-half goal from Brazilian midfielder Anderson Hernanes was enough for all three points as a clutch of teams look to keep touch with leaders Juventus.

The reigning champions, who left it late to beat Cagliari on Friday, are currently eight points clear with 44 points.

Vladimir Petkovic's side replace Inter Milan in second place after Andrea Stramaccioni's side could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Genoa.

Ciro Immobile gave the visitors the lead in the 77th minute before Argentina's Esteban Cambiasso headed home an equalizer with five minutes remaining.

The result sees Inter slip to fourth, level on 35 points with Fiorentina, but with an inferior goal difference.

Vincenzo Montella's men boosted their league goal tally with a 3-0 win away to Palermo.

Three second-half goals -- two from Stevan Jovetic and one from Gonzalo Rodriguez ensured a comfortable win over 18th place Palermo.

Read: Lone soccer fan wins army of admirers

Napoli remain fifth in the league after a 2-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Siena -- Christian Maggio scored with four minutes remaining before Edinson Cavani converted a spot kick in injury time.

Erik Lamela scored a brace as sixth-placed Roma thumped AC Milan 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Nicolas Burdisso put the home side ahead in the 13th minute before Pablo Osvaldo doubed the lead ten minutes later.

Lamela made it three on the half-hour mark before finding the net again in the 60th minute to leave Milan reeling following a winning streak of four matches.

Read: The lonely death of Diego Mendieta

Milan managed to claw two goals back late in the game -- substitute's Giampoalo Pazzini and Bojak Krkic finding the net in the 87th and 88th minute -- but it was only after Roma's Brazilian defender Marquinhos had been shown a red card for deliberate hand ball ten minutes earlier.

The win, which sees Roma consolidate 6th place ahead of Milan, is likely to heap further pressure on Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Parma move up to eighth after a 2-1 away to Bologna. Frederik Sorensen gave the hosts the lead in the 54th minute before Roberto Donadoni's team struck back with two quickfire goals.

Jaime Valdes equalized in the 56th minute before Nicola Sansone hit the winning goal ten minutes later.

Mid-table Atalanta and Udinese shared the points in a 1-1 draw -- Luis Muriel opening the scoring for the visitors in the 33rd minute only for German Denis to cancel out the lead with a spot kick seven minutes later.

Torino eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 win over Chievo. The win lifts Giampiero Ventura's side up to 13th with 19 points two points behind 12th placed Chievo.


Via: Inter lose ground on Juventus

Saturday, December 22, 2012

2020 finals to be Europe-wide

Spain are the reigning European champions, having lifted the trophy at the two previous tournaments

(CNN) -- The 2020 European Championships will be staged in cities across the continent, rather than just in one host nation, UEFA's executive committee decided on Thursday.

Dubbing the tournament "A Euro for Europe", European football's governing body has ensured the competition will firmly break with tradition as it celebrates what will be its sixtieth year.

Since their inception in 1960, the European Championships have been regularly staged by just one country -- with three tournaments having been co-hosted (2000, 2008 and 2012).

"Let me say that it is a decision only about 2020," UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino told his organization's website. "2020 is the 60th anniversary of the European Football Championship."

"It is premature to go into more details. What is clear is that it will not be in one or two countries, but in several cities in Europe. How many cities is still to be decided."

In June, UEFA president Michel Platini was quoted as saying the tournament could be staged in 12-13 cities.

On Thursday, Infantino added that the bidding process for host cities will start early next year and is expected to take around 12 months, with a decision expected in 2014.

All but one of UEFA's 53 member nations supported the idea, with Turkey -- which had initially bid to host the 2020 finals alongside Azerbaijan and Georgia -- the lone dissenting voice.

The Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales have already expressed interest in staging matches, with the latter FA stating that it "fully supports UEFA's decision and continues to explore avenues by which to bring the UEFA tournament to Wales" on its website.

The UEFA general secretary also explained that there was a strong possibility that not all the host countries would qualify for the tournament, saying this was something that would be "thought about and looked at".

The idea of spreading the tournament across the continent was first mooted after this year's European Championships by Platini, who suggested it as a way of avoiding high costs at a time of financial uncertainty in many countries.

Fiscal concerns became of greater importance after UEFA chose to expand the tournament from 16 to 24 teams, the number that France will host when the country stages the next finals in 2016.

"Obviously the fact that the (championships) will feature 24 teams instead of 16 puts an additional burden on countries to host such an event," said Infantino. "It becomes much more difficult for many countries -- the requirements are becoming bigger and bigger.

"An opportunity like this, to give many cities and many countries the possibility to host even just one part of a EURO, is certainly an excellent thing, especially in times when you have an economic situation where you cannot expect countries to invest in facilities in the way that such an event requires.

"Certainly one of the purposes of this decision is to help countries, who are perhaps not sure today whether they should build a national stadium -- giving them the impetus to build such a stadium.

"Instead of having a party in one country, we will have a party all over Europe in the summer of 2020."

Reigning champions Spain will have the chance to defend their title at the 2016 European Championships, when France will stage the finals for the third time -- using 10 host cities in the process.


Via: 2020 finals to be Europe-wide

The lonely death of Diego Mendieta

Diego Mendieta's former teammates carry his coffin at the Paraguayan footballer's funeral in Solo, Indonesia.

(CNN) -- Diego Mendieta was a man who needed help.

There he lay, helpless. Alone. Dying.

There were no news stories. There was no prayforMendieta hashtag, not even a line on the internet.

With the world oblivious to his plight, the Paraguayan, thousands of miles from home, passed away at the age of 32 in an Indonesian hospital on Tuesday.

Mendieta was a footballer who formerly played for Persis Solo, a club based 90 minutes' flight from the capital, Jakarta.

He had longed to return home to see his wife and two children but had not been paid four months' wages -- worth an estimated $12,500.

Mendieta fell ill and died of cytomegalovirus, a common infection that can be spread by coughing or sneezing.

In his final days, without enough money to finance his medical treatment, he changed hospitals three times and lost about 17 kilograms (about 37 pounds) in weight before his death.

His skeletal frame was left on a stretcher, covered by an old Real Madrid shirt, with a few football fans for company.

It is a story that has spread around the globe and left another stain on the sport in Indonesia, where two rival organizations are battling for control of the game.

"After his contract expired in June and his former club had not paid his salary, Mendieta suffered financially. He played in some rough football matches to survive in Solo," Indonesian journalist Sam Hadi of Kompas Daily said.

"He was unable to pay for his rented room in the last six months. He even had difficulties to pay for food, so his friends, colleagues and fans raised money to help him.

"His agent had advised Mendieta to go home by preparing the flight ticket for him. But Mendieta reportedly said that he was ashamed of not bringing back money to his country."

Having fallen ill in early November, Mendieta was first diagnosed with typhoid. By the time he reached his third hospital, where he could not afford his medical bills, the cytomegalovirus had crawled to his brain, Hadi said.

"It was very, very sad situation for him."

Football in the Asian country has been torn apart by infighting between the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) and the breakaway Indonesian Soccer Rescue Committee (KPSI).

Football's ruling body, FIFA, has threatened to impose sanctions unless an agreement is reached.

Both bodies, which have their own competitions, have agreed to run just one league next season to avoid punishment from FIFA, whose executive committee expects to have to rule on the matter at its meeting next Friday. The PSSI did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.

"Unfortunately yet again, it seems that the set objectives will not be reached and we, therefore, anticipate that the PSSI will be sanctioned," FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke wrote in a letter to Indonesian sports minister Andi Mallarangeng.

"We are fully aware that Indonesia is passionate about football and that sanctions will have a major impact. We have tried tirelessly to solve the problems, but we are afraid that there will be no choice unless the objectives are met or that significant progress has been made."

The division has caused great ructions within Indonesian football, with players often the victims both financially and physically.

"Mendieta's death raises questions of how he was treated by Liga Super's management. Why was he not paid his salary for so long?" PSSI official Rudolf Yesayas told AFP.

"Managing football is a complicated affair. Mendieta's death highlights the importance of having one football association, not more."

The national team has also suffered, losing 10-0 to Bahrain in a World Cup qualifier in March, a result that was investigated by FIFA because of suspicions of match-fixing.

"It has been almost two years since Indonesian football split," Hadi said.

"However, the financial problems do not only hit the breakaway clubs but also the clubs which play under the PSSI competition."

He said 13 clubs from both leagues are months late with payments, according to the players' association.

"On this matter, PSSI said on its official website that they would help the cost of flying Mendieta's body back to Paraguay, but they won't pay the players' salary as Persis did not play under PSSI competition," Hadi said.

"On the other hand, Persis officials said they have transferred Mendieta's salary to his wife in Paraguay. "

Hadi said an out-of-contract Brazilian footballer, Bruno Zandonadi, also died in similar circumstances three months ago after being infected during treatment in an Indonesian hospital.

While Solo Mayor Hadi Rudyatmo has said he will pay Mendieta's hospital bills, the act of charity has come too late for FIFPro, which represents footballers around the world, with a membership of 60,000.

FIFPro launched a "Black Book" this year, detailing the abuse of players in Eastern Europe. It has repeatedly fought cases for players facing violence, arbitrary termination of contracts and non-payments of salaries.

It has also taken up the case of 2010 World Cup finalist Wesley Sneijder, who has been asked to extend his contract for no additional pay by Italian club Inter Milan.

"FIFPro demands that the Indonesian football association make an end to the structural mismanagement of countless football clubs," the Netherlands-based group said in a statement.

"It is a disgrace for the whole of professional football in Indonesia," added Frederique Winia, secretary general of FIFPro's Asia division.

"I know countless stories of players who are intentionally not paid by their club and have to wait for months for their salary. But I have never before heard a story where a seriously ill player has been left completely to his fate by a club.

"I assume that both the club and the national football association of Indonesia realize that they have seriously failed and that they have much to explain, particularly to the family and relatives of Diego Mendieta. The least the club can do is to pay the arrears in salary to his family."

Mendieta's body has been transported back to Paraguay, where he will be buried.

His wife, Valeria, remains adamant that the Indonesian authorities are solely responsible for Mendieta's death.

"He was practically abandoned. The only help he received was from three Paraguayan companions, nothing other than that," she told Radio Cardinal.

Mendieta's plight has drawn widespread sympathy.

"It's a heartwrenching tale," Indonesian football expert Antony Sutton said.

"As an expat myself, I know what it's like to be on your own in a foreign country and left to fend for yourself," said Sutton, author of the Jakarta Casual blog.

"He hadn't been paid in four months and was all alone without anyone to pay the bills. The Persis Solo fans, who are extremely passionate, did their best to raise money and made about $300.

"But before I found out about the story, it was too late and he was dead. It's a real tragedy."

Emotional Muamba 'gets closure'

While the case of Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton player who collapsed on the pitch after going into cardiac arrest, drew intense media coverage, Mendieta did not have the same fortune.

Muamba's collapse at Tottenham's White Hart Lane in March was broadcast around the world after the midfielder's heart stopped for 76 minutes.

Twitter went into overdrive, players around the world wore "Muamba" shirts to express their solidarity, and news channels jumped on the story.

His subsequent recovery has also been well documented, with interviews beamed around the globe, and an autobiography recently released.

But in Indonesia, where football is not king and the sport is in disarray, Mendieta had little chance.

It is only after his death that his name has become commonplace.

"He always complained of being lonely," said Guntur Hernawan, head of the internal medicine division at Moewardi Hospital in Solo.

"He said he wanted to go home because all of his relatives were in Paraguay."

Dutch teens charged in football linesman's death


Via: The lonely death of Diego Mendieta

Pitch invasion, coin attack at derby

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart of confronts a pitch invader at the end of his side's 3-2 derby defeat by Manchester United, whose defender Rio Ferdinand (at back) was left with a bloody face after being hit by a coin thrown from the crowd.

(CNN) -- Racist abuse, missiles from the crowd, a pitch invader and five goals in an action-packed thriller -- Sunday's 164th Manchester derby epitomized all that is good and bad about English football.

On the field, Manchester United snatched a 3-2 victory that gave Alex Ferguson's team a healthy six-point lead from second-placed Premier League champions City.

But the non-sporting incidents continued -- in tune with more than a year of controversies that have plagued arguably the world's most lucrative and widely supported domestic soccer competition, starting with the John Terry-Anton Ferdinand racism incident in October 2011.

Hooliganism was once known as the "English disease" -- but the game's malady is more pervasive than mere violence.

This time Ferdinand's older brother Rio was involved, being hit in the face by a coin as he celebrated Robin van Persie's injury-time winner.

While the former England international wiped the blood from his face, City goalkeeper Joe Hart intervened to confront a fan who had invaded the pitch -- police then hauled him from the ground.

The Greater Manchester force also reported after the match that another man had been arrested inside City's Etihad Stadium on suspicion of chanting racist abuse.

"It's disappointing that after a great game and advert for the Premier League that we are discussing this issue," said the English Football Association in a statement on Sunday.

"We will work with the clubs and authorities to identify those responsible and support the strongest sanctions available, including life bans.

"We condemn any such acts and it is simply unacceptable that any player is exposed to injury in this way. To witness Rio Ferdinand leaving the field with a cut above his eye to receive treatment is appalling."

United manager Alex Ferguson also condemned the transgressions, calling for action by the authorities as he cited similar problems during October's controversial clash at Chelsea -- which saw ref Mark Clattenburg accused of racism before being cleared, and John Obi Mikel fined and banned for confronting the official after the match.

Revived Torres fires up Chelsea

"It was disappointing that a supporter ran on the field after Rio had been hit by a coin in the eye," Ferguson told MUTV. "It's a bit disappointing. The game didn't deserve that.

"I don't know whether they're going to stitch it or not. The same thing happened at Chelsea with all the carry-on when half a seat hit Michael Carrick and coins and lighters were thrown on. The game doesn't need that."

City released an apologetic statement afterwards promising to investigate, but Ferdinand laughed off the coin attack as he posted on his Twitter account after the game.

"What a result, 3 points! Sweet! Whoever threw that coin, what a shot! Can't believe it was a copper 2p....could have at least been a 1 coin!," the 34-year-old wrote.

"Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far...calm it!"

The problems also extended to the internet, with the Greater Manchester Police reporting on Twitter that it is investigating reports of racist tweets.

Earlier it had reported that a man had been arrested outside the Etihad Stadium on suspicion of ticket touting, but a prematch prediction from the man in charge of policing the game proved wide of the mark.

"I have every confidence this match will mirror the two derbies last season and the football will be the only talking point," Superintendent Craig Thompson said.

Last season City thrashed United 6-1 at Old Trafford on the same day that Terry clashed with Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand.

The fallout from that incident cost the Chelsea player the England captaincy, then he was cleared of racial abuse in court before being fined and banned by the English Football Association.

Roberto Mancini's team won 1-0 in the home derby on April 30 before claiming the 2011-12 league title on goal difference from Ferguson's men on the final day of the season.

Mancini's role at the Abu Dhabi-owned club has become more precarious since then, with City crashing out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage for the second season in a row.

Sunday's defeat ended City's 21-match unbeaten run in the EPL, 15 of those this season, and halted a run of 37 matches without defeat at home which stretched back to December 2010.

Van Persie scored a last-gasp winner for United, firing in a free-kick that was deflected past Hart, whose team had fought back from a 2-0 halftime deficit.

"It's very hard to lose a derby, but even more so in the last minute, so I'm very disappointed," Mancini said. "We dominated the second half, and for this reason I am really disappointed.

"They scored from their first two goal-scoring opportunities but after that we dominated the game and fought back really well -- but we can't then give a goal away after working so hard.

"I think we made a mistake for the Van Persie free-kick at the end by only putting three men in the wall. I wanted four but I couldn't get the instruction over and I think that cost us the goal. We should have defended this free-kick better and we had chances to win this game, but there is nothing we can do about it now."

United had conceded first in 15 of 23 games so far this season, but a double inside the opening half hour from Wayne Rooney -- which made the 27-year-old England striker the youngest player to score 150 in the EPL -- put Ferguson's team in the driving seat.

United winger Ashley Young had a goal disallowed for offside after Van Persie hit the woodwork just before the hour, and City reduced the deficit 60 seconds later through midfielder Yaya Toure before defender Pablo Zabaleta drove in a low shot from an 86th-minute corner.

However, Van Persie had the final say as he netted his 11th league goal since signing from Arsenal for $38 million in August, with City midfielder Samir Nasri guilty of backing away in his position in the defensive wall and sticking out a leg to divert the ball past a helpless Hart in the second of four extra minutes.

City substitute Carlos Tevez, who came on for Mario Balotelli seven minutes after the break, was lucky to avoid punishment after aiming a wild kick at United's Phil Jones late in the match.

Meanwhile, Everton moved up to fourth place with a 2-1 victory at home to Tottenham on Sunday thanks to injury-time goals from Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic.

Clint Dempsey had opened the scoring in the 76th minute for Spurs, who dropped to fifth above West Brom on goal difference.

Liverpool claimed 10th place with a 3-2 victory at West Ham, as James Collins conceded a late own goal after Glen Johnson and Joe Cole scored against their former club.


Via: Pitch invasion, coin attack at derby

Friday, December 21, 2012

Messi makes case as greatest ever


Via: Messi makes case as greatest ever

Benfica and 'the curse of Bela'

Bela Guttmann was a Hungarian Jew who transformed the face of modern football. He worked across the world, enjoying huge success in Brazil and Portugal, where he won the European Cup on two occasions with Benfica.

(CNN) -- Vienna, Austria. 1990. A man weeps by a grave. He lowers his head and murmurs a few quiet words.

He sits awhile, glances intently at the writing on the headstone, he uses the palm of his hand to wipe away the dirt. His eyes glaze over with a look of hopelessness, almost pleading for something to happen. Nothing happens.

The man rises, turns and leaves. That night he gets his answer -- the curse lives on.

When Benfica's players walk out at Barcelona's Camp Nou on Wednesday, more than 22 years since the club's last appearance in a European Cup final, they will face a formidable task.

Not only must they overcome the magical Lionel Messi and his teammates in order to reach the last 16 of this season's competition, but they must also bury the famous curse. Bela Guttmann's curse. A condemnation that even the prayers of his famous protege Eusebio could not lift that day in Vienna.

"Every year when Benfica plays in the Champions League, they try to get rid of the curse," Portuguese journalist Jose Carlos Soares told CNN.

"Any time that Benfica play near Guttmann's grave, somebody will take flowers. It hasn't worked."

Even in death, Guttmann is determined to have his own way -- much to the anguish of a club he left in anger after taking it to the peak of European football in the early 1960s.

A charismatic and sometimes eccentric genius, Guttmann revolutionized football during a coaching career which spanned 25 jobs in 13 different countries before he passed away in 1981, aged 82.

Holocaust

Born into a Jewish family in Budapest in 1899, Guttmann, like his parents, became a trained dance instructor before switching his focus to football.

After becoming part of the MTK Hungaria side which won the league title in 1920 and 1921, Guttmann left for Vienna following the rise of anti-Semitism under Miklos Horthy's regime.

It was here, among the Austrian intelligentsia, that he flourished, taking in the political and literary debates in Vienna's coffee-house society.

There he joined the exclusively Jewish football club Hakoah Wien, where he won the league title in 1925 as well as winning four caps for Hungary.

After traveling on a tour to the U.S. with Hakoah, Guttmann decided to stay put in New York only to lose a considerable amount of money in the Wall Street crash.

Read: Football grapples with anti-Semitism storm

That forced the nomadic traveler to move on once again, first back to Vienna where he took on a coaching role with Hakoah before joining Dutch side SC Enschede.

But Guttmann's life, like those of so many other Jews, was turned on its head during the rise of Hitler in Europe and the Holocaust which killed six million people.

"Guttmann was hugely talented," says leading football writer Jonathan Wilson, author of the book "Outsider: A History of the Goalkeeper."

"He was tactically very astute but also very awkward and difficult," Wilson told CNN. "He was very quick to take offense.

"The central theme with Guttmann is the war. We don't know how he survived it, and the fact he skips over it in his book could mean one of two things.

"Did he feel guilty for surviving or did he compromise himself to stay alive?

"Or, perhaps it was that the memories were just too painful to share and that the loss of so many of his loved ones meant he didn't speak about it.

"He was hugely successful but there was something tragic about him, which probably comes from that time."

Famine

While family members, including a brother, perished in concentration camps, Guttmann escaped to Switzerland where he was held in internment.

It wasn't until the end of the war in 1945 that he returned to football, this time in Romania.

It was here, in 1946 with club side Ciokanul, that he demanded to be paid in vegetables at a time when famine was a growing problem.

While parsnips and carrots were gratefully received, Guttmann's relationship with the board was never a particularly healthy one. When a club director began to interfere in team selection, Guttmann finally lost patience.

His fiery temper and attitude of "my way or the highway" earned him plenty of attention, especially from the media.

Following spells with Padova and Triestina in Italy, Boca Juniors and Quilmes in Argentina and Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus, Guttmann hit the big time with AC Milan in 1953.

His team led the Serie A table after 19 games in his second season, only for another run-in with the board to curtail his tenure.

"I have been sacked, even though I am neither a criminal nor a homosexual," he told a shocked press conference. "Goodbye."

Nomadic career

Years later, on his first day as the manager of Benfica, he fired 20 players before leading the club to the Portuguese title.

"He was an incredible man," Wilson said. "Did he become a parody of himself? Did he do those kind of things because people expected it?

"I don't know. But it was clear that he never wanted to stay in one place for long, he was always moving.

"That could have been because of the war, but also because he was looking for the next pay check."

Read: Never forget: Football remembers

It was in Portugal, after a successful spell in South America, that Guttmann really secured his legacy, securing back-to-back European Cups with Benfica in 1961 and 1962.

It was the first time that any club other than Real Madrid had won the competition.

During his time in Brazil with Sao Paulo between 1957 and 1958, where he won the league title before moving to Porto, Guttmann introduced the 4-2-4 system which Brazil used at the 1958 World Cup.

Inspiration

It was a system that laid the groundwork for the great Brazil sides to establish themselves as masters of the beautiful game.

Guttmann had taken some inspiration from the great Gustav Sebes, the man who coached the "Magnificent Magyars" in the 1950s.

Under Sebes, also of Jewish descent, Hungary became the first nation to defeat England on its home soil, winning 6-3 in 1953 before reaching the World Cup final the following year.

From 1950 until the Hungarian Revolution in 1956, the national team won 42 games, drew seven and lost just once --- in the World Cup final against West Germany.

Sebes preferred a 3-2-1-4 formation which allowed Ferenc Puskas, the great Hungarian striker, to thrive alongside the precociously talented Nandor Hidekuti.

That slowly changed to the 4-2-4 formation which would inspire Benfica to European and domestic glory.

"I never minded if the opposition scored, because I always thought we could score another," Guttmann once said.

His thirst for innovation and his psychology degree, which he earned in his younger days, helped him become a leading figure in man-management and a master tactician.

At Benfica, it was the arrival of Eusebio which allowed Guttmann to play Mario Coluna in a deeper position and unleash one of the most attacking teams of the era.

Benfica defeated Barcelona 3-2 in Berne in the 1961 European Cup final before coming from behind to beat then five-time winners Real Madrid 5-3 the following year.

But where there was triumph, disaster was never far away.

"From the moment he arrived in Portugal, Bela Guttman's relationship with Benfica was destined to be complex," says Portuguese football expert Ben Shave.

"After the second European Cup victory, Guttman approached the recently-elected president Antonio Carlos Cabral Fezas Vital with what seemed an eminently reasonable request -- a pay rise.

"Vital chose to turn Guttman down, whereupon the Hungarian departed with what has become a well-worn parting shot: a simple declaration that Benfica would not win another European Cup.

"Guttman's curse has proved painfully prophetic -- the Aguias have lost five European Cup finals since, in 1963, 1965, 1968, 1988, 1990."

Mourinho comparison

Remembered for his uncompromising attitude, his innovation on the field and his nomadic existence, Guttmann's story gained further resonance following the emergence of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, a European champion with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010 after beginning his career with a brief spell at Benfica.

"Guttman's prickly personality and relentless pursuit of success have led to comparisons with Mourinho in some quarters," Shave told CNN.

"What is certainly true is that both left Benfica in unfortunate fashion, and both departures became matters of considerable regret for the club.

"The results of Guttman's 'curse' have been well documented, whilst presidential candidate Manuel Vilarinho's stated wish to replace Mourinho with club legend Toni following the 2000 elections led to 'the Special One' taking his talents elsewhere.

"In a similar scenario to that which led to Guttman's tenure coming to an end, Mourinho approached Vilarinho with a contract extension request shortly after his election (and a 3-0 win over Sporting), which was denied.

"Vilarinho's opponents have dined out on that mistake since."

For Benfica's present players, it is up to them to earn redemption and finally close the book on Guttmann's curse.


Via: Benfica and 'the curse of Bela'

Arrests over linesman death

Members of Dutch football club SC Buitenboys pay respect to Richard Nieuwenhuizen as the hearse carrying his body arrives at the crematorium in Almere on December 10.

(CNN) -- Four more arrests have been made in connection over the death of a Dutch volunteer soccer official who was allegedly beaten by teenage players at an amateur game earlier this month.

Dutch police said Tuesday they had arrested two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and a 50-year-old man.

The latter is the father of a player of the Amsterdam junior side Nieuw Sloten that played in the match against SC Buitenboys, for whom 41-year-old Richard Nieuwenhuizen had volunteered to act as linesman for the December 2 game.

There are now a total of eight people in custody following the arrest of four teenagers last week, and Dutch police have asked for anyone with photos or video recordings of the attack to come forward.

If convicted of charges of manslaughter and assault, the two 15-year-olds in detention would serve a maximum sentence of one year in a youth prison -- while the 16-year-olds could be jailed for up to two years, unless judges rule that they should be treated as adults.

Nieuwenhuizen's son was playing for Buitenboys when the incident occurred in the city of Almere. The linesman reportedly fell into a coma after he was beaten, and he died the next day.

Last weekend, 33,000 amateur football games across the Netherlands were canceled in tribute to Nieuwenhuizen, who was buried on Monday.

Nieuwenhuizen's death has resonated across the globe, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter among those extending condolences.

"Football is a mirror of society, and sadly the same ills that afflict society -- in this case violence -- also manifest themselves in our game," the head of world soccer said in a statement on FIFA's website.

"Nevertheless, I remain convinced that football -- through the example set by the tireless efforts of people like Mr. Nieuwenhuizen -- is a force for good, and we must continue to use its positive example to educate people against these wrongs."

Despite a relatively small population of 17.5 million, Holland has built an outstanding reputation for developing young footballers over the years, with its amateur youth clubs providing a strong breeding ground for the country's professional clubs.


Via: Arrests over linesman death

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