| Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is 'vulgar and working class', says Federico Macheda Federico Macheda brands Man United teammate 'vulgar and working class' in interview with Italian newspaper. telegraph.co.uk |
Liverpool accept Red Sox bid Liverpool's board of directors agree to sell club to the owner of Boston Red Sox, despite opposition from the club's current American owners. foxsports.com.au |
Squad sheets: Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers For a side that has won only two games this season, there is an awful lot of confidence about Bolton – based on a series of highly impressive draws. After his remarkable late intervention against Stoke, which saw him come on as a substitute, score the winner and then get himself sent off for two bookable offences, Ivan Klasnic is suspended for the short journey to the DW Stadium. Since the on-loan Ali Al Habsi is ineligible to face Bolton, Roberto MartÃnez will recall Chris Kirkland, who began the season by conceding four against Blackpool and six against Chelsea. However, Martinez was at pains to point out that the man who began the season as Wigan's first choice keeper and captain was not fully fit for those encounters. Tim RichVenue DW Stadium, tomorrow 3pm Tickets £20 (0871 663 3552) Last season Wigan 0 Bolton 0 Referee H WebbThis season's matches 5 Y21, R0, 4.20 cards per gameOdds Wigan 6-4 Bolton 17-8 Draw 23-10WiganSubs from Rodallega, Moses, Cleverley, Boselli, Gohouri, Nicholls, Diamé, McArthur, Watson, De Ridder, Mustoe, McManamanDoubtful Di Santo (head), Gohouri (unknown)Injured G Caldwell (hips, unknown), Pollitt (elbow, unknown)Suspended NoneForm guide DWDLDWDisciplinary record Y14 R0Leading scorers N'Zogbia, Rodallega 2BoltonSubs from Bogdan, Gardner, Ricketts, Taylor, M Davies, Riga, Blake, Eaves, Alonso, Cohen, MorenoDoubtful NoneInjured Davis (knee, 30 Oct), A O'Brien (ankle, unknown), McCann (foot, unknown), Samuel (calf, unknown)Suspended Klasnic (one match)Form guide WDDDLDDisciplinary record Y16 R3Leading scorer Elmander 4Match pointers• The last five Premier League games between these sides have produced six goals in total, with four of them coming from Bolton in the most recent meeting• Johan Elmander has scored four goals in four league away games this season• 50% of Wigan's goals this season have come in the last 15 minutes of games• Kevin Davies has averaged 8.25 touches in the opposition box per game, the most in the division•Wigan have made fewer touches in the opposition box than any other side this termWigan AthleticBolton Wanderersguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Young delays new contract talks until the summer Aston Villa midfielder does not want to be distracted by negotiations over new contract and will wait until end of season. telegraph.co.uk |
World Cup bids face possible legal threat • Defeated bids could take action against 2018 and 2022 hosts• Russia mirror England by pulling out of 2022 to focus on 2018There are fears that the race to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, already mired in controversy after the suspension of officials over alleged bribery, could descend into a flurry of damaging litigation if it proceeds as planned. More than one bidding nation is believed to be considering the possibility of legal action against rivals if the result does not go their way, in view of the chaos that now surrounds the process.With the Nigerian executive committee member, Amos Adamu, and the Oceania representative, Reynald Tamarii, provisionally suspended by Fifa while its ethics committee investigates allegations that they effectively offered to sell their vote, it is also examining separate rumours that two bids offered to trade blocs of votes.One of the two bids understood to be under investigation by the committee, chaired by Claudio Sulser, has hit back at the allegations. The joint Spain and Portugal bid – aiming to secure the 2018 tournament in the face of competition from England, Russia and Belgium/Holland – is alleged to have colluded with Qatar to swap votes under their influence. The votes of up to seven executive committee members could be involved.While he did not confirm the two countries involved Jérôme Valcke, the Fifa secretary general, said this week: "We got the information a few weeks ago and there have been rumours saying that it definitely took place."The Qatar bid today declined to comment, but the leaders of the Iberian bid reacted furiously. Gilberto Madail, the president of the Portuguese federation, said: "We received with surprise and indignation the analysis that Fifa's ethics committee may conduct on a rumour ... circulated in September in the English media about an alleged deal between the Iberian and the Qatari bids for hosting the World Cup," said Gilberto Madail, the president of the Portuguese federation."It is odd that there is an attempt to launch completely unfounded suspicions about the Iberian bid at a time when there are news reports about alleged vote-selling for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups involving other bids."It is understood that Fifa has been in touch with both the Qatar and the Spain/Portugal bids to seek further information in the wake of the claims.With further revelations expected in this weekend's Sunday Times, the ethics committee has already watched 90 minutes of footage collected by the newspaper.Adamu also again protested his innocence yesterday, telling the BBC he was a "credible person"."I'm very, very confident because what was pushed to the public is not a true reflection of what really transpired between me and the journalists," said Adamu, who is banned from all football-related activities while the case is investigated and admitted he was not supposed to comment on it."I believe in the credibility of Fifa and the Fifa president, I know that my reputation is intact and the investigation will prove it." Temarii has also said he is innocent of the allegations.The ethics committee has promised to deliver its verdict on the pair by the middle of next month, but the vote is supposed to take place just two weeks later.Next week, the Fifa executive committee will proceed with plans to meet to finalise the voting procedure, despite it being unclear how many of its members will be present for the decision on December 2.Meanwhile, Russia yesterday confirmed it was pulling out of the race for the 2022 World Cup to concentrate on the 2018 tournament. England last week did the same.World Cup 2018FifaFootball politicsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |