TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Ferguson: Man City behaved unacceptably to Hughes Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson says the way that rival Manchester City fired Mark Hughes last week was "unacceptable." cbc.ca |
Fulham lose Zamora for eight weeks • Striker suffered injury in defeat at Stoke• Defender Hangeland has knee problemBobby Zamora will be out for about eight weeks after dislocating his collarbone in Fulham's 3-2 defeat at Stoke City yesterday.The striker fell heavily early in the second half at the Britannia Stadium and had to be substituted but there was confusion over the precise nature of the injury. It had appeared to be serious, as players close to Zamora gestured immediately for medical attention. But after the match Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, was unsure whether Zamora had damaged his collarbone or his shoulder. Zamora was seen by the club's medical staff early today and the extent of the damage was confirmed.Zamora must now complete a lengthy period of rehabilitation and Hodgson must hope that a miserable night in the Potteries – after which his squad did not reach London until after 3am because of adverse weather conditions – does not produce a further sting.Brede Hangeland, the club's influential Norwegian central defender, was forced off at half-time with a recurrence of a knee injury. Like Zamora he was in the physiotherapist's room for treatment this . The Fulham medical staff are as yet unsure whether he will require a period on the sidelines. Hodgson will hope that Hangeland will be available for the club's Premier League fixtures this month, which resume with the visit of the bottom side, Portsmouth, on Saturday.After that, Fulham travel to Blackburn Rovers, before an FA Cup fourth-round tie away to Accrington Stanley or Gillingham. Fulham then face Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.Hodgson has at least been boosted by the return to fitness of the England striker Andrew Johnson, who has had a groin problem. Hodgson's leading transfer-window target is the 20-year-old Roma striker Stefano Okaka, whom he hopes to take on loan until the end of the season. Roma have signed the experienced Italy striker Luca Toni from Bayern Munich on loan and as a result they may be willing to sanction a temporary move for Okaka, who has represented Italy at youth levels.FulhamPremier LeagueDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Hicks Jr quits board after obscene email • Son of co-owner bows to pressure after abusing supporter• Blow for Hicks and Gillette in attempt to attract new investmentTom Hicks Jr has bowed to pressure to resign from the Liverpool board following his obscene comments to a supporter in a row over Rafael BenÃtez's transfer budget, the club announced this morning.The son of Liverpool co-owner Tom Sr quit as a director of Liverpool and its parent company, Kop Holdings, having caused further problems between the club's American ownership and fan-base with an abusive e-mail exchange to a supporter whom he told to "Blow me fuck face".Liverpool supporters' union Spirit of Shankly insisted that Hicks Jr's position was untenable as a result of the row and, despite issuing an apology to the fan in question, Stephen Horner, the Dallas-based businessman decided to meet those demands.The controversy comes at an unfortunate time for Hicks Sr and co-owner George Gillett as they attempt to present a united front to attract new investors to Anfield, but the director's departure does not weaken his father's support in the boardroom. The club also announced that Casey Coffman, executive Vice President of Hicks Holdings, is to join the Liverpool board and confirmed that Philip Nash and Ian Ayre, chief financial officer and commercial director respectively, have been promoted to directors.LiverpoolPremier LeagueAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Prep work key to U.S. soccer success It isn't by accident that the United States is set to compete in its sixth consecutive World Cup this June. It's all about the proper preparation, according to coach Bob Bradley. cbc.ca |
Manchester City close to signing Marco Motta on loan from Roma • Roberto Mancini confirms interest in out-of-favour defender• Loan deal for Mathieu Flamini still a possibilityManchester City have opened formal talks with Roma about signing their out-of-favour defender Marco Motta on loan for the rest of the season. Motta is a 23-year-old right-back who has lost his place at the Stadio Olimpico since Claudio Ranieri replaced Luciano Spalletti as coach.Negotiations are at advanced stage and Roberto Mancini, the City manager, confirmed to Italian journalists yesterday that he was keen to sign a player who used to captain the Italy Under-21 side as well as representing the full side in the last Olympics.Motta's registration is jointly owned by his previous club, Udinese, which has complicated the talks, but both clubs have given their provisional approval for the player to leave Serie A and follow Patrick Vieira as Mancini's second signing since replacing Mark Hughes as manager.Mancini would also like to arrange a loan deal that would see the former Arsenal player Mathieu Flamini return to English football from Milan, but City have not received any encouragement from Real Madrid after making an official approach for Fernando Gago. Madrid do not want to sell the Argentinian midfielder when they have only a 23-man squad and have told City they will have to bid around £18m to persuade them to change their mind.Manchester CityPremier LeagueTransfer windowRomaSerie AEuropean footballDaniel Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |