Real and Barcelona are football’s Euro fat cats March 1, 2010 LUCRATIVE individual broadcast deals have helped Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona leave Premier League clubs trailing in the wealth stakes and cement their place as the two richest teams in the world. Real last season became the first team in any sport to record revenue of more than €400m (£341m), despite a relatively unsuccessful [...]
Portsmouth back in court after HMRC challenge March 1, 2010 DEBT-RIDDEN Portsmouth are due before the High Court again today after it was revealed Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs had challenged their decision to go into voluntary administration. The Premier League club entered administration on Friday after failing to clinch a last-ditch takeover deal before yesterday’s scheduled winding-up order. Administrator Andrew Andronikou was informed of [...]
West Ham chiefs admit to “ill-judged” spending March 1, 2010 WEST HAM’S “ill-judged” spending has accounted for pre-tax losses of over £16.2m, latest figures have revealed. The club’s finances were plagued by a series of “exceptional expenses” such as a £5.81m payment to striker Dean Ashton, who was forced to retire with a long-term injury in December. They also haven’t been helped either by a [...]
Neville: Utd and England need Wayne March 1, 2010 GARY NEVILLE believes club colleague Wayne Rooney has become so important to England and Manchester United that an injury to the striker would spell disaster for both teams. Rooney is enjoying his prolific season yet, having scored 28 goals already, and has almost single-handedly led United to victory on several occasions, not least on Sunday [...]
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. [...]