Vindicated Benitez aims ‘Barca’ jibe at Allardyce February 28, 2010 LIVERPOOL boss stoked his feud with Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce after seeing his side win a feisty clash at Anfield and keep up the chase for a Champions League spot. Keith Andrews drew Rovers level from the penalty spot after Reds captain Steven Gerrard had put the home side in front. But fit-again Fernando Torres [...]
Black Cats still looking for win February 28, 2010 ENGLAND strike hopefuls Darren Bent and Bobby Zamora both drew a blank as Sunderland and Fulham drew 0-0 at the Stadium of Light. A drab match of few chances saw Sunderland, who are just three points above the relegation zone, fail to win for the 14th game in a row. Fulham, unbeaten in eight, climb [...]
Pompey debt is £78m, reveals administrator February 28, 2010 PORTSMOUTH’S administrator has revealed the financially-crippled club’s debt is worse than first thought at around £78m. Andrew Andronikou’s comments came as sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe called for the Premier League to toughen its rules to deter others from following Pompey’s path. “I will probably need another week to get to the bottom of it all,” [...]
Late Rangers beat 10-man Celtic February 28, 2010 FOOTBALL: Rangers extended their lead in the Scottish Premier League to 10 points with a last-gasp 1-0 win in the Old Firm derby with Celtic. Substitute Maurice Edu bundled home the winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time, after having an earlier effort disallowed for offside. Celtic had captain Scott Brown controversially sent [...]
Portsmouth falls victim to Premiership excesses February 25, 2010 DEBT-RIDDEN Portsmouth will officially become the first Premier League club to go into administration today. Owner Balram Chainrai took the decision after failing to strike a deal with four potential buyers in time for the winding-up order in the High Court on Monday. Portsmouth will now be docked an automatic nine points – a move [...]
Pompey bid for cash advance falls on deaf ears at League February 24, 2010 PREMIER League chiefs rejected a plea from crisis-club Portsmouth for an advance on some of the payments due to them over the coming months. Pompey owner Balram Chainrai hoped to persuade League chief executive Richard Scudamore to make a special case, since they are poised to become the first top-flight club to go into administration. [...]
Portsmouth set for administration as clock ticks down on takeover talks February 23, 2010 CASH-STRAPPED Portsmouth will enter into administration on Friday in a bid to safeguard the club’s future, according to owner Balram Chainrai. Hong Kong businessman Chainrai is in talks with four potential buyers about a takeover of the south-coast club, but accepts it is unlikely that a deal will be struck before they are due to [...]
IPL will not be moved again, insists Modi February 23, 2010 INDIAN Premier League chief Lalit Modi insists the tournament will not be moved for a second year running despite security concerns. An independent report, written by British security expert Reg Dickason, has raised “serious” concerns about safety at the tournament, and now Australia’s players have refused to commit to playing until the issues are addressed. [...]
Portsmouth chief Storrie slams black hole claims February 22, 2010 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has hit out at suggestions money has gone missing from the crisis club, who are facing administration unless a buyer can be found by tomorrow. Storrie hit out at television pundits for depicting a £150m black hole at Pompey, who are £60m in debt and facing a winding-up order from [...]
Champions League play-off plan is ‘hare-brained’, says Ferguson February 21, 2010 MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished proposals to introduce a play-off for the final Champions League place. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Liverpool’s Rafael Benitez and Everton’s David Moyes have all criticised the plans, which would see teams finishing fourth to seventh in the Premier League battle it out for the spot. Aston Villa [...]