TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Lazio ordered to release Pandev by Lega Calcio • Pandev has been frozen out since requesting transfer• Inter and Juventus reported to be interested in playerLazio have been ordered to release the striker Goran Pandev from his contract by the Italian league's governing body, Lega Calcio, after the striker was frozen out by the club.Pandev's relationship with the club's president Claudio Lotito has deteriorated sharply since the summer, when the player asked for a transfer after growing angry at the club's failure to meet his demands for a pay increase. Lotito let it be known he would not accept less than €19m (£17.05m) for the player, despite the fact he had only one year left on his contract, and branded the Macedonia international "a rebel".Since then Pandev, who scored 14 goals for Lazio last season, has not played a single game for them this term and has at times been made to train apart from the first team. Lazio have endured a difficult start to the season, winning just three of their first 17 games to sit 16th going into the winter break, but even so Pandev has continued to be overlooked."Pandev's appeal to the Lega Calcio's arbitration board was welcomed and they said we were in the right," said the player's lawyer Mattia Grassani. "So Goran's contract has been resolved and the club have been ordered to pay €160,000 (£143,500) in punitive damages as well as the legal costs."There are eight pages of reasoning (in the copy of the sentence) and now I'll read it calmly."A number of Italy's leading clubs, including Internazionale and Juventus, are reported to be keen on signing Pandev, who is not cup-tied for European competition, next month. There has also been some speculation that he could exact revenge on his former employers by joining their city rivals Roma."I am calm," said Lotito after hearing the verdict. "I can only say that this doesn't end here."LazioSerie ATransfer windowEuropean footballPaolo Bandiniguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Notts County served with second winding-up petition Notts County chairman eases fans' concerns after club are served with second winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs. telegraph.co.uk |
Togo pull out of African Nations Cup after bus attack in Angola Togo withdraw from African Nations Cup in Angola as death toll following attack on their team bus reportedly reaches four. telegraph.co.uk |
SOCCER: As World Cup Nears, Asian Stars Go Home The approach of the 2010 World Cup has temporarily reversed the exodus of Korean and Japanese players to Europe, as they seek match time to boost their chances of appearing at the tournament. feeds.nytimes.com |
Stoke City eliminates Arsenal from FA Cup Arsenal was ousted from the FA Cup by Stoke on Sunday with a 3-1 loss, giving Sol Campbell an unhappy return to the team after four years. cbc.ca |