| FIFA suspends Nigeria for government interference FIFA suspended Nigerian soccer's governing body for government interference Monday, almost certainly preventing the country from taking part ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
NESV pledge to remove 'all of Liverpool's acquisition debt' • NESV promises 'to bring back culture of winning'• Possible new owners 'hopeful' of legal successNew England Sports Ventures, Liverpool's prospective new owner, has promised to give the club "the resources to build for the future" and to "bring back the culture of winning" if and when its purchase goes through.In a statement released this afternoon, NESV also highlighted its success with Boston Red Sox, who have won two World Series Championships since they were taken over in 2002. "Our portfolio of companies are all committed to one common goal: winning," the companies writes. It pledges to "stabilise the club and ultimately return [them] to their rightful place in England and European football, competing for and winning trophies". No mention is made of the possible redevelopment of Anfield.Liverpool's board agreed this morning to sell the club to NESV, though the current owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have said that they intend to oppose the deal, which they say "dramatically undervalues the club".NESV's statement reads as follows:"New England Sports Ventures ("NESV") can confirm that their bid for Liverpool FC has been selected by the club's board of directors and agreement has been reached with the board to purchase the club. NESV wishes to extend their appreciation to the board for their diligence and their efforts on behalf of Liverpool FC and its supporters."NESV wants to create a long-term, financially solid foundation for Liverpool FC and is dedicated to ensuring that the club has the resources to build for the future, including the removal of all acquisition debt. Our objective is to stabilise the Club and ultimately return Liverpool FC to its rightful place in English and European football, successfully competing for and winning trophies."Since 2001, New England Sports Ventures has made successful investments in sports and entertainment properties. Our portfolio of companies, including the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park, New England Sports Network, Fenway Sports Group and Roush Fenway Racing are all committed to one common goal: winning. NESV wants to help bring back the culture of winning to Liverpool FC."We have a proven track record, shown clearly with the Boston Red Sox. The team has won two World Series Championships over the past six years. We will bring the same kind of openness, passion, dedication and professionalism to Liverpool FC."We are hopeful with regard to the pending legal and English Premier League procedures now underway, however, in light of these issues, we will respectfully refrain from comment or further actions at this time."LiverpoolJohn W HenryBoston Red SoxSimon Burntonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Manchester United v Bursaspor: live Follow live commentary of the Champions League Group C match as Nani hands United a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. telegraph.co.uk |
Global Soccer: For Some, a New Team Brings Out the Best Samuel Eto'o and Raúl González led their teams to victories in the Champions League. Wayne Rooney, after asking to leave Manchester United, missed his team's game with an injury. feeds.nytimes.com |
Macheda wants Rooney to stay at Manchester United • Young Italian wants strike partner to stay at Old Trafford• 'He is a good striker. The squad is stronger with him here'Federico Macheda knows he will get more chances if Wayne Rooney leaves Manchester United – but he would still prefer to have the England striker at Old Trafford.With Rooney and Michael Owen ruled out through injury, Dimitar Berbatov rested and with Javier Hernández only playing 10 minutes in preparation for Sunday's trip to Stoke, Macheda carried the United attack against Bursaspor in the Champions League last night.At times it looked too much for the 19-year-old Lazio academy graduate, even if Sir Alex Ferguson felt it was excellent experience.However, with games piling up and the possibility remaining that Rooney will never pull on a United shirt again, Macheda might have to get used to the added pressure. It is not a responsibility he is shirking. But he would rather Rooney was around to share the load."There would be more chances for me if Wayne wasn't here but it is better to have him in the squad," said Macheda. "He is a good striker. The squad is stronger with him here."But Macheda does not agree with Rooney's assessment that the current United squad lack quality. The Italy Under-21 forward insists trophies are still the aim for Ferguson and his team."We are capable of challenging for major trophies," he said. "We have a great squad. We work hard every day to win things."Macheda's team-mate Michael Carrick has, meanwhile, warned his Manchester United colleagues not to get sidetracked by the furore surrounding Wayne Rooney."You have to distance yourself from it," he said. "You have no choice. Obviously, the player and the club are huge, not just in England but around the world. It is big news. But we can only control what happens out on the pitch. That is all we can be focussed on."Wayne RooneyManchester Unitedguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |