TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Troubled Portsmouth hit with HMRC winding-up petition • HMRC applied for petition on 23 December• Portsmouth express their 'shock and surprise'Portsmouth have been hit with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs. The petition was applied for by HMRC on 23 December but a full court hearing is not expected to take place until February.The Premier League's bottom club are currently operating under a transfer embargo due to their financial problems and have twice this season failed to pay player and staff wages on time.Although the club have released a statement denying they have been "formally served" with the petition, they have said they are "shocked and surprised" by HMRC's decision."The club is disputing the VAT amount outstanding and has formally notified HMRC of this. We expect HMRC to withdraw their demands forthwith."In such a tough economic environment the club finds it hard to understand this action by HMRC. It is well known that the business has been in a difficult position following former owners's decisions and the current owner is committed to resolving this and moving forward."PortsmouthPremier LeagueBusinessguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
McLeish accepts Hart will leave Birmingham • Manager is resigned to losing on-loan goalkeeper• Targets 'two or three' signings this monthAlex McLeish hopes to sign "two or three" players this month, but the Birmingham City manager has said that the in-form goalkeeper Joe Hart will not be one of them.Hart joined Birmingham on a season's loan from Manchester City in the summer and recent performances have led to talk of the 22-year-old becoming England's first choice at the World Cup. Hart has been instrumental in the club's 11-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.Hart produced another fine display as Birmingham drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. His fingertip save to thwart Robbie Earnshaw was particularly impressive.McLeish said he would like to keep Hart but the Scot is resigned to the fact that he will return to Manchester City at the end of the season."We've asked them and there is no chance," he said. "Man City have said he's not for sale. To be fair that has always been the way as they said that in the summer. That has always been their stance. When he first arrived there were people telling me after one or two games I should maybe be thinking about making a change. They obviously couldn't see the good things he was doing and look at him now."We discussed it and changed a couple of things and he's improved. He's a guy who wants to improve, wants to learn and wants to be the best and it always helps when you have got a student who is receptive."McLeish is looking to strengthen his squad but he says Birmingham will not be forced to pay excessive transfer fees or wages."We'll try to bring two or three players in, but with the form we're in it's a bit of a dilemma," said McLeish. "Do I bring someone in for a huge transfer fee and on huge wages rather than keeping with the lads in the dressing room?"We are close to one or two things and we are in dialogue about players but one thing is for sure, I don't think there's any need for us to be fleeced. There's a lot of prices that don't appeal to me."The law of economics is that if someone is prepared to pay for it, then that's what it's worth. But, at the moment, we don't appear to be in any bun fights with anybody in terms of competition for players."Birmingham CityTransfer windowManchester CityPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Rodriguez joins Liverpool from Atletico Madrid on transfer Liverpool signed Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer Wednesday from Atletico Madrid to boost its attacking threat. cbc.ca |
World Cup chief: buying tickets should be easier South Africa's World Cup organizer is urging FIFA to make it easier to buy tickets. cbc.ca |
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Crystal Palace 2: match report Mick McCarthy gamble nearly backfired before Ronald Zubar spared Wolves from a humiliating exit. telegraph.co.uk |