Uefa will ban clubs if it has to, says chief December 18, 2012 SPOTLIGHT ON financial fair play in FOOTBALL ONE OF Uefa’s top executives has told City A.M. that European football’s governing body will not shy away from banning clubs if they flout financial fair play (FFP) rules. Karen Espelund, one of president Michael Platini’s 15 executive committee (ExCo) members, said Uefa “cannot say ‘A’ and not [...]
Top flight cap on wage rise next season December 18, 2012 A CAP on Premier League clubs’ wage bill increases could take effect as soon as next season after chairmen agreed to pursue two-pronged cost-cutting plans yesterday. Proposals to introduce a break-even rule similar to European financial fair play requirements remain under discussion ahead of a likely vote in February. But while that could take years [...]
Tube strike to hit Arsenal’s West Ham tie December 18, 2012 ARSENAL’S Boxing Day London derby against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium is likely to be postponed due to the threat of a tube strike. London Underground drivers are planning a strike for 26 December, due to a dispute over Bank Holiday pay, which threatens to cause travel chaos across the capital. If the game [...]
Walcott striker cameo caps off Cazorla treble December 17, 2012 READING 2 vs ARSENAL 5 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night hinted he is ready to play Theo Walcott in his favoured central role more often after the experiment helped his beleaguered team rediscover devastating form. Midfielder Santi Cazorla scored a hat-trick while Lukas Podolski and Walcott netted the others as the Gunners tore through [...]
Tottenham don’t rely upon Bale to climb table, says Vertonghen December 17, 2012 TOTTENHAM defender Jan Vertonghen is adamant Spurs can succeed without injured winger Gareth Bale. The Welshman remains sidelined, having limped off during the 3-0 victory at Fulham a fortnight ago with a hamstring injury. Vertonghen, who scored his first Premier League goal for Tottenham during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Swansea, believes Clint Dempsey has proved [...]
Fellaini out until 2013 but spared long term ban for losing head December 17, 2012 REFEREE Mark Halsey has saved Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini from an extensive ban following his head-butt on Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross during the heated 1-1 draw on Saturday. Fellaini yesterday accepted a charge of violent conduct for the incident, which officials missed, and was banned retrospectively by the Football Association for three games. But the [...]
City lawyer warns top football clubs December 17, 2012 A LEADING City lawyer and adviser has warned that European chiefs are gearing up to take a hard line on financial fair play (FFP) rules. The warning comes days after Premier League champions Manchester City announced a £97.9m loss for 2011-12, raising fears they could breach governing body Uefa’s regulations. Uefa’s FFP rules allow clubs [...]
Sky to bolster Now TV with Premier League December 17, 2012 SKY is set to bring Premier League football to its nascent Now TV streaming service in the coming weeks, raising the possibility of offering pay-per-view games. The broadcaster quietly began testing Sky Sports on the service last week, inviting customers to trial it ahead of a new year launch. Now TV has been active since [...]
Why football cannot ignore Europe’s new rules December 16, 2012 FOR those who aspire to be the next Sir Alex Ferguson, the Premier League’s fantasy football game offers the chance to build your own squad on a budget of £100m. Each fantasy manager has equally sized pockets, so the playing field is level. Thus, competition is fierce. Compare Premier League reality, where the elite maintain [...]
Mind the gap: AVB urges his team not to blow it again December 16, 2012 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 vs SWANSEA CITY 0 TOTTENHAM boss Andre Villas-Boas has called on his players to cement their position in the top four of the Premier League, after seeing off a stubborn Swansea side at White Hart Lane yesterday. Tottenham blew a 10 point lead over fierce rivals Arsenal last season, and with a [...]