JANUZAJ ANGERED BY WILMOTS COMMENTS

 

Adnan Januzaj's father has warned comments from Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots may see his son choose another country to represent.
The rise of Januzaj, 18, with Manchester United this season has seen the Belgian-born teenager's international future become a topic of discussion, with the midfielder potentially eligible for five countries.
Januzaj's father, Abedin, has advised his son not to choose a country to represent until his senior club career is settled but a statement by Wilmots, saying he will not 'negotiate' over the teenager's international future, has angered the Kosovar-Albanian family.
"This is shameless," Abedin Januzaj said.
"We never reacted on selections, phone calls or letters from the Belgian FA.
"They are requesting his selection, not us.
"Wilmots' remarks won't make it easier now. We are angry about these comments."
Speaking on Belgian television, Wilmots had bristled when asked whether he would try to sweet talk the Januzaj family to secure their talented son for Brazil 2014.
"It is impossible to negotiate with me," Wilmots told RTBF.
"The boy was born in Belgium, should he say that he wants to play for Belgium – from there, there is no haggling. I'm not going to play that game.
"The kid is available? He wants to play? Then perfect, OK, show me.
"If you're at the top level in Manchester or elsewhere, show me your skills and if I need you I will call.
"I make no promises, to Januzaj or any person."
Through his parents, Januzaj is eligible to represent Albania, Serbia and Kosovo, with the latter still not affiliated with FIFA at senior level.

By birth, Januzaj can play for Belgium, while if he lives in England for three more years, he would satisfy FIFA's residency requirements to define himself as English and play alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Jack Wilshere.

NEYMAR CAN MATCH MESSI AND RONALDO - DECO

 

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco believes Neymar has the ability to reach the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Playmaker Neymar, 21, joined Barca from Santos in June in a deal believed to be worth €57million.
The gifted Brazil international has drawn comparisons with team-mate Messi and Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who are widely regarded as the two best players in the world.
And Deco, who was born in Brazil but opted to play for Portugal, believes Neymar has what it takes to become one of the greats.
"He has the potential for it, for sure," Deco told Mundo Deportivo.
"But it is a long way off. Talk about Messi, (Andres) Iniesta and Cristiano is easy because they have already grown and have arrived.
"Football is not only about quality, you have to grow."
Messi won has won the last four Ballon d'Or - the award given to recognise the best player in the world - titles, with Iniesta finishing in the top three twice.
Deco, who played with 2005 winner Ronaldinho during his time at Barca, thinks the brilliance of Messi and Ronaldo prevents Spain midfielder Iniesta from being truly appreciated.
"Andres is phenomenal," he added.
"What happens is you have Messi that obfuscates the media with his greatness. But for those of us from within football, Iniesta is brutal.

"He deserves it (the Ballon d'Or). The problem is he has two animals in front of him in Leo and Cristiano. It is difficult, because Cristiano is another beast."

ROY HODGSON APOLOGISED AFTER MONKEY JIBES

Roy Hodgson has been forced into a bizarre apology after making a ‘monkey’ joke during his half-time team talk on Tuesday at Wembley.
Hodgson used the joke as he attempted to explain to right back Chris Smalling that he wanted to get the ball to Andros Townsend more often after the break during the World Cup qualifier.
But Townsend tweeted on Thursday morning to insist that 'no offence' had been meant by Hodgson or taken by him.

Apology: England manager Roy Hodgson has apologised for making a joke about a monkey during the team's World Cup qualifier against Poland on Tuesday night

Nonplussed: Andros Townsend tweeted to say there was no offence meant or taken

Good show: Townsend put in a good performance against Montenegro before he was substituted

Townsend tweeted: 'I don't know what all this fuss is about. No offence was meant and none was taken! It's not even news worthy!'
England’s head coach is believed to have upset an unnamed player in the dressing room during the 2-0 win over Poland that secured England’s World Cup place.
The FA have confirmed that Hodgson did make the remarks, but are disappointed that it has been interpreted by some as a racial slur or innuendo.
Hodgson said on Wednesday night: ‘I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time.
‘There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate.
‘I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room. I also spoke to Andros again on Wednesday.
‘He has assured me and the FA he did not take any offence and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended.’

Clash: The joke came in a half-time team-talk during the crunch game at Wembley Stadium

SO WHAT WAS THE JOKE?

The joke, which is believed to have been told in full at half-time, is as follows.
‘NASA decided they would finally send a man up in an capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions.
‘They fire the man and the monkey into space.’
‘The intercom crackles “fire the retros”.
‘A little later, “Monkey, check the solid fuel supply’
‘Later still “Monkey, check the life support systems for the man”.
‘The astronaut takes umbrage and radios NASA. “When do I get something”.’
‘NASA replied – in 15 minutes, feed the monkey.’

England’s head coach is furious and insists it was an analogy about NASA sending a monkey into space and cannot be interpreted in any other way.
Townsend has been spoken to by the FA and insists he has no issue with the joke.
His father Troy works for the Kick It Out campaign and is believed to have discussed the issue with his son.
Hodgson is understood to be distraught by any attempt to smear his name after successfully leading England to the World Cup finals on Tuesday.
Although he is known for lengthy team talks to his players at times, Hodgson’s decision to make an attempt to tell a joke at the break does seem unusual. The 66-year-old is a man of vast experience but is dealing with a much younger dressing-room in a modern climate.

Success: The England team secured their passage to next year's World Cup in Brazil by the 2-0 victory

Goalscorer Wayne Rooney jumped to Hodgson's defence on Thursday morning, he tweeted: 'Seen the story on roy this morning. He done nothing wrong. This is ridiculous.'
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce did not think that it was an issue.
He said: We are a politically correct country and we have to be careful about what we say today. But if we continue to wipe it up and promote everything in the press, nobody will be able to say a word shortly.
'We'll have to keep ourselves quiet and not express opinions. We shouldn't be saying anything wrong but you have to be very careful today. I'm sure with what Roy said he didn't mean any offence or any harm.'
Former England international Stan Collymore, meanwhile, insisted the joke makes no reference to race.
'If Roy has said that phrase in the dressing room then it is in the context of the story,' he told talkSPORT.
'People are walking on egg shells, worried about everything they say. Why would the word "monkey" have a racist feel for someone in the dressing room, or any player? I can’t see the link, can you?
'We’ve all got the right to feel offence, but this is really spurious. What are you actually offended by? The word "monkey"? I don’t see any reference to race. You have to look at the big picture.
'Is Roy Hodgson, from what we know of him over the last 30-40 years, the sort of man to go out of his way to be stupid enough to cause offence? I would say no.'

Star: The remark came as Hodgson urged players to pass to up-and-coming star Townsend

 

LIVERPOOL CHIEF IN SCANDAL MESS

Liverpool chief Ian Ayre was on Wednesday dragged into allegations of an Anfield conspiracy and claims that a senior club employee sold tickets on the black market.
Former club chauffeur Dave Sloan has taken Liverpool to an Employment Tribunal alleging that he was the victim of constructive dismissal after blowing the whistle on player liaison officer Ray Haughan last October.
The issue came to a head at a Christmas party thrown by manager Brendan Rodgers for Liverpool’s training ground staff at the Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool on December 16 last year when Sloan clashed with managing director Ayre and several other club executives.

Claim: Former Liverpool chauffeur Dave Sloan (below) claims he fly to Ibiza with Andy Carroll (above) to get a visa

Having his say: Dave Sloan arrives for his employment tribunal on Wednesday

Claim: Ray Haughan is accused of making money out of selling tickets on the black market

The former police officer, who has chauffeured owner John Henry and senior players and executives since starting work in July 2009, claims that he was provoked by Haughan before accusing him in front of Ayre and other guests of ‘robbing the club blind’.
However, Sloan claims that Ayre conspired with other executives and security staff to bring evidence against him.
In his witness statement, Ayre said: ‘He went ballistic, gesticulating and getting in my face, getting angrier and angrier. He started to lash out and security guards saw fit to physically restrain and remove him.’ Ayre wrote an email to staff about the incident at 1.20am and Sloan was suspended at a meeting the following morning.
Sloan, whose duties included going to the cashpoint for Haughan, decided to turn whistleblower after hearing allegations of black market ticket dealing from security staff and then discovering that his superior’s bank balance had increased by £40,000.
‘I had suspicions that ticket touting was going on,’ he told the tribunal in Liverpool. ‘I was worried about the repercussions but there were fans not getting tickets and someone inside the club making money out of it and that was wrong.’
Sloan claims that after his disclosure he was ignored by Haughan and made to carry out menial tasks like making the tea and hoovering, while outside contractors were called in to chauffeur staff.
‘Most days I was sat at Melwood doing nothing twiddling my thumbs then told to go home only to be called back 15 minutes later to do things like adjust a wall clock,’ he said.

Told: Ian Ayre (left) was approached by Dave Sloan at a Christmas party regarding Haughan's alleged activity

Sloan had previously been warned about his conduct, including an incident in the summer of 2012 when it was alleged that he swore at Andy Carroll after flying to Ibiza with a visa so Liverpool’s £35million striker could go on the pre-season tour to America.
‘I was told not to approach the player Andy Carroll because I’d upset him,’ said Sloan. ‘But I did approach him and he knew nothing about it. He actually laughed it off.’ The tribunal rejected an application by Liverpool to keep Haughan’s identity secret.
The hearing continues.

 

RAFAEL VAN DER VAART CUDDLING ANOTHER FOOTBALLER'S WIFE

Former Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart made a first public appearance with Sabia Boulahrouz nine months after the explosive end to his marriage to Sylvie van der Vaart.
The complicated love triangle saw Rafa leave his former wife on New Year's Eve after admitting to hitting her in the row. Although the Hamburg player said his relationship with Sabia, wife of former Holland and Chelsea defender Khalid Boulahrouz, didn't begin until after he had split from his wife.

And as the pair appeared at the Night of Legends event in Hamburg, Germany, Van der Vaart could barely keep his hands off Sabia as they cosied up at a table.

 

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CAN JUVENTUS KEEP POGBA?

Juventus stalwart Giorgio Chiellini says only people who believe in Father Christmas will convince themselves that Paul Pogba will remain at the club.
Former Manchester United midfielder Pogba – who left the Red Devils in 2012 after a protracted contract wrangle – is currently one of Europe’s most sought-after properties.
Speculation over the 20-year-old's future prompted Juve president Andrea Agnelli to admit that a big-money offer would be hard to resist for the Turin club

Hot property: Paul Pogba is one of Europe's most sought-after players

SUPER MARIO BALOTELLI

Super mario is always up to some evil deeds. he has let fans, coaches and team mates down on countless. but would you want Mario Balotelli in your team? occasions

ROBIN VAN PERSIE: IS HE THE GREATEST DUTCH FINISHER?

The Oranje have been world cup finalists on 3 occasions and lost out. the were victorious in the Euro 88' finals in what many still believe was ans is still their best squad ever. the have had world class players; Gullit, Marco van basten , Frank Rijkaard, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dennis Bergkamp, de Boer brothers, Johan Cruyff etc... but history was made over the weekend as robin van Persie cancelled out Patrick Kluivert's tally of 41 international goals. so the question remains... IS RVP THE GREATEST DUTCH FINISHER?

SHAQIRI OUT WITH HAMSTRING INJURY

 

Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri will miss Switzerland's final FIFA World Cup qualifier against Slovenia with a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old was among the goalscorers as Ottmar Hitzfeld's side defeated Albania 2-1 on Friday.
That triumph secured Switzerland's place at the next year's tournament in Brazil, with the team winning six and losing three of their nine fixtures in qualifying so far.
But he will now return to the Bundesliga champions to have his injury assessed by Bayern's medical team.
On Shaqiri's injury, Hitzfeld said: "In a situation like this, you have to be aware of your responsibilities to the player and his club."
Shaqiri has been a regular feature in Pep Guardiola's side this season, appearing six times in the Bundesliga and contributing one goal.
Bayern sit at the summit of the table with 20 points from their eight fixtures

EDIN DZEKO: THE STAR MAN

Edin Dzeko may have struggled to win over a portion of Manchester City supporters, but he certainly has his fans on the continent.
The striker, who scored for Bosnia and Herzegovina in their 4-1 drubbing of Lichtenstein on Friday, has an admirer in nearby Croatia.
Pop star Severina Vuckovic went to Instagram to post a picture of herself in a signed City shirt with Dzeko's name on the back.
 

Pose: Severina Vuckovic was delighted with her Manchester City shirt which had Edin Dzeko on the back

And the former Wolfsburg man was so pleased that he shared it with his Twitter followers.
The 41-year-old is a Croatian sensation having released 11 albums over the last two decades.
She also performed for her country at the 2006 Eurovision song contest.
As for Bosnia - which borders Croatia - they will definitely qualify for next summer's World Cup from Group G if they win away in Lithuania on Tuesday.
It'll be the first time the country has reached the pinnacle, with Dzeko clearly in a good mood about the prospect.

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 15TH BIRTHDAY BOYS

Paul Robinson (soccer) - Blackburn and England goalkeeper, born 1979.

Paul Robinson played 41 times for England

Jorge Francisco Campos Navarrete (nicknamed El Brody or Chiqui-Campos or El Chapulín) (born 15 October 1966 in Acapulco) is a retired Mexican footballer who played as a goalkeeper and striker as well.




David Trezeguet (soccer) - Juventus and former France striker, born 1977.
 .

 Andy Cole (soccer) - Nottingham Forest and former England striker, born 1971.

Didier Deschamps (soccer) - former Chelsea and France midfielder, born 1968.
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I NEVER ASKED FOR JUVE MOVE - JOVETIC

 

Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic has refuted claims he wanted to move to Juventus during the transfer window.
The Montenegro international completed a reported £22million move to the Etihad Stadium in July, bringing an end to a five-year association with former club Fiorentina.
Jovetic was rumoured to have been interested in a switch Serie A champions Juventus, and he admitted the two sides discussed a potential deal.
But he rejected claims he had set his sights on a move to Antonio Conte's side and is happy to have moved to England.
Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: "I never said I wanted Juventus.
"It is true that there was a negotiation. But I chose to go abroad."
Jovetic also backed his former charges to claim a UEFA Champions League spot this season, despite an indifferent start that has seen them drop nine points in the league.
He added: "I am continuing to follow (Fiorentina).

"I have many friends in Florence. They have been a bit unlucky at the start of the season, but even though it will be tough I think they can still reach the Champions League."

INIESTA STILL LOYAL TO BARCA

 

Andres Iniesta has reiterated his desire to sign a contract extension with La Liga giants Barcelona.
The 29-year-old has been the subject of reported interest from Premier League sides Manchester United and Manchester City amid rumours talks on a new deal had stalled.
But Iniesta - who won the FIFA World Cup with Spain in 2010 - refuted those claims and insisted he wanted to stay with the Spanish champions for the rest of his career.
And the midfielder has now emphasised that stance, and said he is not concerned that he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Speaking to Onda Cero's 'First Touch' show, he said: "I've said many times, it is a matter of time on these situations.
"My desire is to be there and the club wants me hence the desire of both parties is clear.
"I feel I have many good years left to continue playing at the top level and that's what I want to do.
"I don't like to use the word negotiations in these cases. No situations are resolved in two or three months."

Barcelona top the Liga standings after winning all eight of their fixtures so far this season.

ENGLISH FA TO INVSTIGATE ATHERSTONE/BARROW FC MATCH

The Football Association will be contacting both Atherstone Town and Barrow for their observations on the trouble which marred Saturday's FA Cup third qualifying round tie at Sheepy Road.
With Atherstone trailing 4-0 at half-time to the Conference North side, a group of around 30 home supporters ran across the pitch and aggressively entered a section of the ground containing Barrow fans.
It emerged that one supporter managed to get as far as the Barrow dressing room door, where he threatened a player. 

Torn apart: Atherstone Town 'fans' rip up a Barrow flag stolen from the away section after violence erupted during half-time in Saturday's FA Cup third qualifying round tie at Sheepy Road

Thugs: Four Atherstone supporters charged across the pitch during half-time and attacked Barrow fans on the opposite side 

One elderly supporter was injured and reported by bystanders to have been left bloodied, while Barrow substitute Greg Mills, out on the pitch during the interval, was seen tussling with an Atherstone fan after being confronted.
A flag belonging to the Barrow supporters was taken during the half-time altercation by Atherstone fans, who attempted to burn it.
The match was held up, with the start of the second half delayed by more than 10 minutes.
It finished 4-0 in Barrow's favour, with a number of away supporters seen departing soon after half-time.

Scrap: Barrow substitute Greg Mills was attacked by some of the Atherstone supporters as he warmed up on the pitch during the half-time interval

On Saturday night, Atherstone Town's board of directors issued a statement 
 condemning the 'behaviour of a small minority of mindless idiots' which had 'ruined... what should have been a great day' for the St Mary's Hospice Midland Football Combination club.
It is understood the FA will on Monday begin its review of the incidents, which will start with contacting both teams and also take in reports from match officials, as well as information from the local Warwickshire police.

Invasion: The group of Atherstone fans who attacked the Barrow section swelled to about 30

Disgrace: The start of the second half was delayed by 10 minutes before Barrow eventually ran out 4-0 winners

Atherstone Town's statement added the club are to co-operate with the authorities in a bid to identify and prosecute the troublemakers as they look to 'rebuild our good reputation'.
The statement concluded: 'We unreservedly apologise to any fan who had to witness the totally unacceptable scenes and behaviour.
'Although the Barrow directors, management team and most supporters understood that it was a mindless minority, Atherstone Town would like to apologise and of course, wish them well in the next round and for the rest of the season.
'This is not what Atherstone Town stand for nor operate as a club.'

Red mist: Atherstone fans let off flares during the FA Cup third qualifying round tie. They were the lowest ranked side left in the competition

Fair play: The two teams shake hands prior to kick-off but were mismatched on the field as Conference North Barrow established a four-goal lead by half-time

A Warwickshire Police spokesman said: 'A number of fans went on to the pitch at half-time and scuffles broke out, causing the match to be stopped temporarily.
'One man, who is not local, was injured but did not require medical treatment.
'Officers investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone who witnessed it and are particularly keen to have access to any photographs or video footage which may help them to identify anyone who was involved.'
Anyone with information is asked to contact Warwickshire Police on 101.
 

Soggy: The match at Sheepy Road was played out under floodlights because of the pouring rain 

In front: Barrow score the first of their four goals as they progressed with ease into the final qualifying round