Louis Saha: Fifa election ignores what football’s governing body really needs – reform led by a truly independent body February 26, 2016 Fifa is hoping that years of corruption scandals and turbulence will finally be brought to an end by the election of a new president. But I’m not the only one of the opinion that Fifa’s problems run deeper than Sepp Blatter – 69% of fans polled in Transparency International’s recent research said they’ve lost all [...]
The FA admits fixture scheduling needs major rethink after Uefa gives go-ahead to Arsenal v Hull replay February 26, 2016 The Football Association (FA) has admitted it needs to re-think the English football fixture list, following criticism from Premier League managers over the number of games their teams are required to play. Uefa had to grant special dispensation to allow Arsenal to play an FA Cup replay against Hull on Tuesday 8 March, on the same night [...]
Tottenham’s new £400m stadium receives planning approval from Mayor Boris Johnson February 25, 2016 Tottenham's new stadium project has received the green light from Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the second stage of planning approval needed to making the £400m development a reality. Spurs received initial planning permission from Haringey Council in December and hope to have the 61,000 stadium, which will become the biggest belonging to any London [...]
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham have enough quality to go full throttle in the Europa League and the Premier League February 25, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted that his team would not let a Premier League title challenge stop them from going full throttle in Europe after they thumped Fiorentina 3-0 at White Hart Lane. Spurs progress to the Europa League’s final 16 with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Serie A’s third-placed side and the Argentine coach [...]
Dynamo Kiev 1, Manchester City 3: We’re ready to make history, insists skipper Kompany February 24, 2016 Skipper Vincent Kompany insists Manchester City have turned a European corner after moving to within touching distance of a first ever Champions League quarter-final spot following a slick victory over Dynamo Kiev last night. Not since 2012 had an English club won the first leg of a knockout clash in this competition but goals from [...]
Liverpool striker Sturridge slams critics of injury record as Reds bid to reach Europa League last 16 February 24, 2016 Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has hit back at critics who claimed he lacks the appetite and commitment to feature on a regular basis for the Anfield club. Sturridge has endured another injury-plagued season but is available tonight as Liverpool aim to dispatch German outfit Augsburg following their goalless first leg and reach the last 16. The [...]
Tottenham v Fiorentina: Dele Alli warned by Mauricio Pochettino to curb temper as Spurs prepare to go for jugular in Europa League February 24, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted taking Dele Alli to one side in an attempt to transmit some of his own placid sensibilities to the tenacious teenage midfielder. Alli has hurtled from MK Dons to the forefront of Spurs’ title challenge and a place in the England squad in just seven months, although the journey [...]
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger should consider recalling Theo Walcott or Danny Welbeck for misfiring Olivier Giroud in bid to restore fluency before vital Premier League games against Man Utd and Spurs February 24, 2016 Defensive mistakes attracted the majority of Arsene Wenger’s wrath as the Arsenal manager picked over the bones of another costly Champions League defeat, this time against free-scoring Barcelona, on Tuesday night. Yet there is another malfunctioning aspect of his team that has garnered less attention as they enter a run of fixtures that could determine [...]
Fifa election 2016: Presidential candidate Sheikh Salman accused of using football development funds on 2009 campaign February 24, 2016 Fifa presidential candidate Sheikh Salman has been accused of using Fifa development funds on a previous election campaign in 2009. The frontrunner to replace Sepp Blatter as head of football's governing body, whose campaign has been rocked by allegations of being complicit in human rights abuses, now faces accusations of using money earmarked for infrastructure and [...]
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 2: Lethal Messi gives Gunners deja vu February 23, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger blamed his team’s failure to learn from previous mistakes after Barcelona condemned them to an all-but certain Champions League exit at the first knockout round for a sixth year in a row. Two goals in the last 20 minutes from star Lionel Messi, the second a penalty, decided this first leg [...]