TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Almeria hires Lillo to replace Sanchez as coach Juan Manuel Lillo will take over the Spanish league team for the remainder of the season with the aim of keeping the struggling club in the topflight. cbc.ca |
Snow football and a Korean pop homage Also featuring Eva Longoria singing with the San Antonio Spurs, rally jumping a harbour and how not to report on sledging1) It seems these days that the slightest whisper of snow has officials handing things over to the pools panel. Back in the 90s, though, Glentoran and Linfield showed these modern day softies how it should be done, though things got a little ridiculous after the orange ball was misplaced.2) It was a festive period of blunders in stateside basketball: on Christmas Day the LA Lakers made the mistake of handing out free foam hands to their fans, forgetting that in the event of a poor performance they were essentially handing out free missiles; Oklahoma's Tiny Gallon smashed a backboard on New Year's Eve, despite failing to complete the dunk; and then there was this monstrosity from the San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker, and Mrs Tony Parker, Eva Longoria.3) Our Korean isn't great, but it seems unlikely that the subtitles here correspond to the actual lyrics (and the word's 'Football Parody' may also give it away). Still, we can but hope that word of "chubby Frank" has reached that part of the world.4) To welcome in the new year, some people belt out Auld Lang Syne, some people break out the cigars, others head straight for the liquor cabinet and get stuck into the single malt. Travis Pastrana gets into his Subaru and drives off the pier in Long Beach, California, and launches himself 269 feet into the harbour.5) David James goes mano a mano with a machine thrusting balls in his direction at up to 97mph – and wins.The best bits from last week's blog1) Describing someone as 'the rugby Schumacher' conjures images of a nippy winger accelerating from defence, slaloming past defenders and flying over the line. But this is the other Schumacher (and we don't mean Ralf).2) Dude!3) How to improve curling? OTT commentating, of course. Nice rock.4) The first rule of TV sledging reportage: Stand out of the way.5) Pie-catching isn't a sport (yet), but this bloke is a contender for the unofficial world title6) He can't take penalties, or offer particularly insightful punditry, but Chris Waddle knows how to score in five-a-sideSpotters badges: Toinfinityandbeyond, IKNOWNOTHING, rowingrob, 8ackbiter, Porkchops, deborahharryRugby unionUS sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Ronaldo sale keeps Man Utd in profit • Club announces pre-tax profits of £48.2m• United confirm intention to raise £500m in bondsWithout the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, who announced pre-tax profits of £48.2m today, would have been reporting a loss of £31.8m.The figure for the year up to 30 June 2009 includes the record £80m fee received from Real Madrid for the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo and also £41.9m paid out in interest on a huge loan of £509.5m. The club's turnover was also up to £278.5m from £256.2m a year ago.The figures were released on a morning when United officially confirmed their intention to raise £500m through bonds in order to refinance their debts. While United are at least in profit once more, the figures merely emphasise what a drain on resources their debt position has become.The situation without the sale of the Portuguese clearly is unsustainable over the long term, hence the refinancing plans of the club's US-based owners, the Glazer family."Manchester United today announced that it will be seeking to raise approximately £500m aggregate principal amount from an offering of senior secured notes due 2017," said a United statement."The notes, whose proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt secured against the club, will be issued by MU Finance plc."Because these "senior secured notes" will be used to pay off the club debt, they will not touch the £175m worth of payment-in-kind notes that are currently attracting 14.25% interest.They are the Glazers' personal debt, so another avenue will presumably be pursued to try to reduce that interest, which is rolling up annually at a staggering rate.In contrast to the days when United were a successful publicly quoted company and offered plenty of financial information on a six-monthly basis, now there is no financial requirement to do so it is kept to a minimum.Clearly, though, there are areas of improvement, including confirmation that the US finance company Aon will be the new shirt sponsors next season, while more sponsorship deals have been announced, underlining the impressive attraction United are across the globe.Yet many supporters remain concerned about the financial structures underpinning the club, even if as recently as Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson tried to quell any fears, insisting the decision not to spend three-quarters of the cash received for Ronaldo was his alone."I don't have any concerns about the financial situation," he said. "There is absolutely no issue at all. I am really confident about that."Concerns of the supporters are down to the fact that I haven't moved in the transfer market. But that is nothing to do with the Glazers or with David Gill. It is simply because I am not going to pay £50million for a striker who is not worth it."Headline figuresGroup turnover 2009: £278.5m. 2008: £256.2m.Matchday revenue 2009: £108.8m. 2008: £101.5m.Media revenue 2009: £99.7m. 2008: £90.7m.Commercial revenue 2009: £70m. 2008: £64m.Group operating profit before depreciation and amortisation of players' registrations and goodwill 2009: £91.3m. 2008: £80.4m.Net interest payable 2009: (£41.9m). 2008: (£45.5m).Profit on player transfers 2009: £80.7m. £21.8m.Manchester UnitedCristiano RonaldoPremier LeagueBusinessguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Sid Lowe: Copa del Rey fighting for respect Delirium in the Calderon, shredded nerves and racing hearts everywhere else. cbc.ca |
Ipswich Town 1 West Bromwich Albion 1: match report Chris Brunt piled more agony on Ipswich with a late equaliser telegraph.co.uk |