UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRIZE MONEY (2010/11)

Here is a list of the distribution of prize money amongst our favourite European clubs.

Manchester United earned the biggest share of the UEFA Champions League prize money in the season 2010/11 with £45.4m despite losing in the final, according to figures released by the competition organizer UEFA on 16 August 2011.

The UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona earned £43.5m because broadcast deals which weigh into calculations were worth less in Spain than the United Kingdom.

The organising body, UEFA said it distributed £641m among 32 clubs involved in the group stage. Chelsea FC received £37.9m - semifinalists Schalke made £33.9m and Real Madrid's share was £33.5m.

MSK Zilina from Slovakia, which lost all six group stage matches, received £6.3m and the Slovakian television share paid only £8.1m for television rights to broadcast their matches. 

A further £100m was shared among national associations and clubs which played in the qualifying rounds.

UEFA distributed £102.8m among 56 teams which played in the group and knockout stages of the Europa League, it's second tier competition.

Spain' FCs Villarreal, who lost to FC Porto in the semifinals, collected just over £7.7m in prize money.

Europa League winner FC Porto got £6.6m but was not the biggest earner because Portuguese television deals were not so lucrative as other European countries. Beaten finalist Braga earned £3.8m after joining in the last-32 round, in addition to £10m from the UEFA Champions League group.

In conclusion, I'll leave to you to digest these financial figures as I'm going out.

FIFA ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT REPORT REMAINS AN OLD BOYS CLUB

On 16 August 2011 [Tuesday], an anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International (TI) stated that FIFA should limit terms for senior officials, set up an independent group to clear up anti-corruption allegations and "embrace transparency" in its organization.

TI said that, despite recent measures, world football's governing body still gave the impression of being run "like an old boys network".

TI also added that the new group should be composed of representatives from outside FIFA, such as elder statesmen, sponsors, media and civil society, and inside football, such as players, women's football, referees and supporters.

"Fifa says it wants to reform, but successive bribery scandals have left public trust in it at an all time low."

"Working with an oversight group - taking its advice, giving it access, letting it participate in investigations - will show whether there is going to be real change. The process has to start now,"said Sylvia Schenk, TI's senior advisor on sport.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter, re-elected for a fourth term in June 2011, promised to create a new committee to act as a watchdog, mentioning former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Spanish tenor Placido Domingo as possible members.

He has yet to announce further details.

In its report, the Berlin-based watchdog, which issues a global league table of the least corrupt nations, said:

"FIFA is both a non-governmental, non-profit organisation and a global company with huge revenues, unprecedented reach, political clout and enormous worldwide social influence."

But it said Fifa was only accountable to its 208 member associations who elected the FIFA president and in turn, received handouts from football's governing body.

"This lack of mandatory accountability to the outside world makes it unlikely that change will come either from within the organisation or from the grassroots of the football organisations," the report added.

In conclusion, FIFA has been hit by a series of corruption scandals.

Two executive committee members were banned last November 2010 for allegedly offering to sell their votes in the contest to host World Cup 2018 and 2022, subsequently awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Last month, Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammed Bin Hammam was banned for life for allegedly trying to buy votes in the June 2011 presidential election where he was a candidate.

Also fellow executive committee member Jack Warner, a leading FIFA powerbroker, quit after being put under investigation in the same case.

CESC FABRIGAS JOINS FC BARCELONA SEASON (2011/12) (PART 3)

Arsenal FC announced on 14 August 2011 [Sunday] that they had finally agreed a deal for his transfer sum. Arsenal FC manager, Arsene Wenger insisted he had to let Cesc Fabregas go because his captain was no longer completely committed to the club.

Cesc Fabregas had been influenced last year to stay at Aresenal FC , but his often lacklustre performances hinted at his dissatisfaction and the clubs French manager couldn't tolerate a repeat performance this season.

"Yes, we lost a world class player and we are sad about it. We did try to keep him but in the end we have to respect the desire of the player as well."

"It is very difficult to get the best out of a player, he has to be completely committed to where he is. "If you understand one thing, it is that Cesc didn't go for financial reasons. He wanted to go back to his home city." Arsene Wenger told a press conference on the 15 August 2011 [Monday].

"I spoke with him on Friday to say goodbye. It was very emotional because he was like a second father for me. If I am here now it's in large part because of him. I can't thank him enough." Cesc Fabregas told the news conference that relations with Arsene Wenger remained - fantastic.

However, Cesc Fabregas said that the title drought hadn't been the sole reason for his wishing to leave, indeed it was more because he felt that the football players just weren't there for Arsenal FC to challenge in the decisive moments of the season.

"It was more than just the fact we didn't win trophies,"

"It was the repetitive nature of how each season panned out. We would regularly play well, but when it came down to the final weeks we didn't have the energy to win either finals or semifinals. We just fizzled out when it came to the final straight." he said.

In conclusion, FC Barcelona made a good deal, because CescFabregas made 303 appearances for Arsenal FC and scored 57 goals in all competative competitions.

These stats include the begining of his [infant] career, while he was still finding his feet.

Finally by becoming the Arsenal FC captain at the tender age of 21, I think that this football player is more mature and a closer to becoming a more complete football player. 

CESC FABRIGAS JOINS FC BARCELONA SEASON (2011/12) (PART 2)

Cesc Fabregas finally completed his move from Arsenal FC to FC Barcelona, on the 15 August 2011 (Monday).

His only trophy at Arsenal was the 2005 FA Cup, said that he felt he was at the right stage of his career to join FC Barcelona, the 2010/11 European champions.

The FIFAWorld Cup 2010 winner, cost FC Barcalona £25.5m up front and signed a five-year contract.

"Today [Monday], I feel a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. "But at the same time, it wasn't too painful. I have never really worried about my future, as I had already decided on it," said Cesc Fabrigas.

"Two or three years ago I wasn't ready," he said. "But today I am. I had a lot of offer, and I have without doubt chosen the difficult one, but also the one which gives me most pleasure.

"I know that I am taking on the biggest challenge of my life: I am going to be competing with the best players in the world and some Barcelona supporters will not pardon me maybe for the fact I left here as a young man and will demand of me double the effort. But I am here to give everything, I do not want to disappoint anybody." said Cesc Fabrigas.

FC Barcelona deputy chairman, Josep Maria Bartomeu confirmed the fee was £25.5m but that there were add ons should certain targets be completed.

"In addition, if we win the league twice and the Champions league once in the next five seasons Arsenal will receive a bonus of five million euros, two (million) for each league win and one for the Champions League," he said.

"Furthermore, over the next five years ... the club will pay one million euros to Arsenal on behalf of Cesc," who is taking a massive salary cut to come to Spain, he told a news conference alongside Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas earlier appeared before some 35 000 cheering supporters at the Camp Nou Stadium after passing a medical and signing the deal.

"I would like to thank all the fans." I have been waiting many days, months, years for this day. It's very special day, to come home after eight years away. I am here to face the most incredible challenge of my life," said Cesc Fabrigas, the new FC Barcelona player.

[continued]

CESC FABRIGAS JOINS FC BARCELONA SEASON (2011/12) (PART 1)

Cesc Fabrigas Career Statistics:

1) He ws born on the 4 May 1987 in Arenys de Mar, Spain.

2) He developed through FC Barcelona's youth ranks before moving to Arsenal FC as a 16-year-old in 2003.

3) He became the London club's youngest first-team player in October 2003, when he made his debut against Rotherham United in the League Cup aged 16 and 177 days.

4) Also became Arsenal's youngest goalscorer when he scored against Wolverhmpton Wanderers in a 5-1 win in December 2004.

5) In 2008, aged 21, he won the PFA's Young Player of the Year Award.

6) Arsenal FC have won only one league title (2004) and one FA Cup (2005) since he joined the club, while FC Barcalona have claimed a total of 13 trophies including , five Spanish league trophies, three Champions League trophies and a King's Cup.

7) He scored the winning penalty in the European Championship 2008 quarterfinal shootout against Italy, a victory that is seen as a turning point in Spain's international fortunes.

8) He also played the ball through to Andries Iniesta for his dramatic winning goal in FIFA World Cup 2010 final.

9) According to Opta, he created 466 goalscoring chances over the past five English Premier League seasons, more than any other player.


10) He played 212 League games for Arsenal FC scoring 35 goals and in total made 305 appearances, scoring 57 goals.

In conclusion, through the summer months, for the third successive year, he was linked with a move back to FC Barcelona, which was completed on 15 August. 2011 when he signed a five-year deal.

[continued]

JON OBI MIKEL'S DAD ABDUCTED IN NIGERIA

Today, on 15 August 2011 (Monday),
Jon Obi Mikel's management company released a statement stating that his dad had been abducted last week.

Jon Obi Mikel played in the  FA Premier League 
Stoke City 0-0 Chelsea FC match on 14 August 2011 (Sunday).

The defensive-midfield football player decided to play in the match despite finding out that his dad had been abducted on 12 August 2011 (Friday).

"Thus far no ransom demand has been received," The Sport Entertainment & Media Group said in a statement.

"Mikel was informed by his manager prior to the Stoke versus Chelsea match and decided to play so as not to let down his team and family."

In conclusion, it is not the first time a relative of a FA Premier League football player has been abducted in Nigeria after former Everton defender Joseph Yobo's brother was kidnapped in 2008.

BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB (BBC)

Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes added to the speculation that he wants to buy into Premier League club Queens Park Rangers by attending their opening match of the season at the weekend.



Tony Fernandes, who owns the Team Lotus Formula One team, has been strongly linked by British media with a move to take control of the London-based football club by buying out majority shareholder Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 boss.
 
QPR got off to a terrible start in their first match in the top flight since 1996 on Saturday, losing QPR 0-4 Bolton Wanders at home.
 
The match featured an own goal, an injury to one of their new signings and a red card.
 
"I think we'll have to wait and see," said the club's manager, Neil Warnock.
 
"I know he is very interested. Stability is what we need really." Neil Warnock told Sky television when asked about  Tony Fernandes.
 
Bernie Ecclestone and former Renault Formula One team boss Flavio Briatore own around 70 percent of the club with Indian steel billionaire Lakshmi Mittal the other major shareholder.
 
Television pictures showed Tony Fernandes sitting in the directors box with Flavio Briatore on the 14 August 2011 (Saturday) match.
 
In conclusion, QPR is not the first London football club to be associated with Tony Fernandes, with the owner of Malaysia-based budget airline AirAsia saying in the past he had wanted to buy into West Ham United, who were relegated from the top flight last season.  He also classes himself as a West Ham supporter.

JOSE MOURINHO - "NO ONE WILL SHUT ME UP." SEASON (2011/12)

Looking calm and unruffled, Jose Mourinho returned to face the Spanish press for the first time since April 2011 when a famous outburst earned him a five-match sanction from the UEFA panel.
 
And the Real Madrid coach had a clear message for all ahead of Sunday's Spanish Supercup first-leg match against FC Barcelona: "No one will shut me up."
 
Saturday was the Portuguese coach's first news conference in Spain since a 3-2 defeat to Real Zaragoza, which came after a 2-0 loss to FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semifinals on 27 April 2011.
 
Then, Jose Mourinho went on a long-winded rant claiming  FC Barcelona's recent successes were down to preferential treatment from the UEFA panel and referees.
 
When asked what he had learned from the entire episode, Jose Mourinho was clear again: "I learned you can't tell the truth."
 
Jose Mourinho refused to give his thoughts on FC Barcelona, including when asked if he thought the three-time defending Spanish champion's squad was perhaps among the all-time greats.
 
"I don't talk about Barcelona. I only talk about my team," Jose Mourinho said at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where the club said 57,000 fans came out to watch an open training session.
 
But that lighthearted atmosphere did not translate indoors to the season's first news conference.
 
While Jose Mourinho looked as posied and assured as ever, the season was already heating up thanks to the Portuguese coach's choice of words. Including when it came to the two UEFA Champions League matches he still has to miss as part of his ban.
 
"I won't talk about the Champions League for as long as I'm sanctioned," Jose Mourinho responded when asked if a 10th European Cup was the top priority this season.
 
But he also celebrated UEFA's reduction of his original ban.
 
"I've had some important victories during my career but for an organism like Uefa, which is not a normal or democratic organism, to reduce my sanction has tremendous significance. Tremendous significance," he said.
 
"They didn't reduce it any more because they would have found themselves in an uncomfortable situation so for me it's a great victory. Either way, as long as I'm sanctioned, I won't talk about the Champions League."
 
UEFA's appeal panel ruled that while Jose Mourinho's formal five-match sanction should stand, two matches instead of one would be suspended for three years.
 
Jose Mourinho served one match of the ban last season when he missed the semifinal return leg, a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou that sent FC Barcelona to the final where they won Manchester United, at the Wembly Stadium.
 
Joe Mourinho was content with his squad this summer. Sunday's first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu will offer a good test for the season ahead, when Real Madrid will look to end FC Barcelona's run of three straight league trophies. The return leg is on 17 August 2011 (Wednesday) at the Camp Nou.
 
"For me this is an isolated tournament and it doesn't have much to do with what will happen next. Look at what happened at Inter [Milan] - we lost the supercup ... and then won the treble,"
 
Jose Mourinho said. "It's the most important tournament of the season and the least important of the season."
 
Jose Mourinho said while the structure at Real Madrid had changed since general director Jorge Valdano was fired in May 2011, his own role had not altered drastically.

"We have a structure, we have to keep improving the structure - it's not something we can just put in practice and sleep on it," Jose Mourinho said.

"We know where we want to go and we are happy with the beginning of the structure we put in practice. From the president to general director and down to me and [Zinedine] Zidane, we are working hard and we are happy."

In conclusion - I think that Jose Mourinho is a football icon. And  regardless of whether or not he fails to win the La Liga or the UEFA Champions League trophies - his job is safe and secure for yet another season.

KENNY DALGLISH READY TO WIN PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON (2011/12)

Kenny Dalglish believes his £44m summer purchases of Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson can spark a new era for Liverpool FC during his first full campaign after a dissapointing run last season.

Dalglish guided the Anfield giants to sixth place last time out after replacing Roy Hodgson and is looking to his new imports to lead a formidable and sustained challenge during this 2011/12 season.

Liverpool FC begin their Premier League campaign on 13 August 2011 (Saturday) at home to Sunderland FC - Jordan Henderson's former club. There will be greater expectation on the players this season after five seasons of under-achieving.

"We wanted to improve the squad this summer and we think we've done that by bringing in the individuals we have," said Kenny Dalglish.

"We want to compete at the highest level possible and we feel those players can help us do that."

Dalglish will also be looking to England striker Andy Carroll to form a deadly partnership with Uruguayan Luis Suarez after the former Newcastle man was dogged by injuries late last season. Andy Carroll looked sharp in pre-season, scoring three goals in six appearances during pre-season.

"Andy's injury meant he was only able to train at 100 per cent on rare occasions last season. He even played in some games when we knew he wasn't going to be at his best," said Kenny Dalglish.

"Now he is fully over that knock and has been able to do a lot more on the training field in pre-season. That's showed in the games he has played over the last few weeks. He's fitter and scoring some goals."

As well as Steven Gerrard, Liverpool FC will also be without Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel who are injured while Luis Suarez is expected to be rested after helping Uruguay win the Copa America tournament.

Sunderland FC manager Steve Bruce, who took his side to 10th place last season, was also busy in the transfer market, bringing in experienced defensive pair of John O'Shea and Wes Brown for a combined fee of £6m from Manchester United.

Big things are also expected from young English striker Connor Wickham, signed from Championship side Ipswich for a £8m fee.

John O'Shea will miss Saturday's match with a hamstring strain, allowing Anton Ferdinand to probably play alongside Wes Brown.

"It helped get other signings across the line this summer that we have been able to attract people like John O’Shea and Wes Brown, who have 750 games between them at Manchester United," said Steve Bruce.

"It’s not just their ability, it’s their attitude and winning mentality that rubs off on everyone. I don’t think that, three or four years ago, we could have got people like that to come here."

In conclusion, I think that this is probably Liverpool FC's best chance to break into one of the top four positions. In order for this prestigious English club - to compete in the UEFA Champions League.

PUNK RIOTS MAY AFFECT SEASON (2011/12)

The Queens Park Rangers owner, Bernie Ecclestone on 10 August 2011 (Wednesday), urged FA executives not to suspend the scheduled fixtures because of riots across the United Kingdom.

He explained that the disruption would send a
"terrible message" to the world.

The Premier League's executives are due to decide on the 11 August 2011 (Thursday), on whether or not matches in London and other British cities that have seen better days should go ahead as planned this weekend.

The decision will be made following the cancellation of the England versus Holland international friendly-match.

However Bernie Ecclestone argues that postponing more games on the opening weekend of the Premier League season would be counter-productive.

"I tell you what, it gives a terrible message to the rest of the world," Ecclestone told the BBC.

"The Premier League is watched all over the world and wherever I travel and turn on the TV, I see Manchester United playing someone," added Bernie Ecclestone, who is also head of Formula One.

"It is important and it is watched worldwide so it gives a very bad message about England and we're about to have the Olympic Games so it is not a satisfactory message.

"Can you imagine if these sort of things happened when the Games were being staged? It would be terrible."

QPR are due to face Bolton at Loftus Road this weekend, one of three London-based top-flight fixture matches.

However Football League chairman Greg Clarke warned that matches would be postponed if the police recommended it.

"The police have to make these calls," he told Sky Sports News.

"If they feel they have more important things to do than send officers to football grounds, we will support that decision.

"Our priority is to make sure the police are out there dealing with unrest on the streets. We want to keep our games going ahead but that is a secondary priority.

"We have to support the police and the government in making the streets safe, then after that we can think about 'let's get our football games going ahead'.

"If they need to move police away from football games, we will cancel those football games."

In conclusion, I would make the safty of the general public my main priority, upon deciding whether or not to go ahead with the planned football matches.

JUVENTUS WANTS INTERNAZIONALE STRIPPED OF THE 2005/06 CHAMPIONSHIP

Juventus have appealed to the National Court of Arbitration for Sport (TNAS) against the Italian Football Federation (Figc) Federal Council's decision not to strip Internazionale of the 2005/06 Serie A championship.
 
Juventus initially won the title but were stripped of both the 2004/05 and 2005/06 championships for their role in the infamous Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.
 
Juventus were deducted points and relegated with the 2005/06 Scudetto assigned to Internationazle, who finished third, after AC Milan were also punished and deducted points.
 
The 2004/05 championship remained unassigned, an action Juventus also wants applied to the 2005/06 championship.
 
Juventus lost their appeal to the Figc Federal Council in Naples and have now decided to take the matter further.
 
As well as appealing to TNAS, Juventus have referred their complaint to UEFA's executive committee, the ministry of interior, the Rome Prefect and the Italian Olympic Committee.
 
"This is the beginning of our actions and may not be the only ones we take," said Juventus president Andrea Agnelli.
 
"The facts that emerged from the process in Naples showed an unacceptable disparity of treatment.
 
"The same institution that lambasted Juventus in 2006 was declared incompetent.
 
"We won the title that season on the pitch with 91 points but someone else has had it assigned to them through an administrative act.
 
"It was described as the honest title but rather than that it's the title that was fixed.
 
"We're not afraid of confrontation and we're open to dialogue but only in fair conditions.
 
"We're still capable of asking for the restitution of two titles we won on the pitch."
 
Juventus were found guilty of match-fixing as then general manager Luciano Moggi was in regular contact with the referees commission and dictating which officials he wanted at his team's matches.
 
Juventus were relegated, stripped of their last two championships and deducted points for the coming season in the Serie B league.
 
They earned promotion back to the Serie A league on their first attempt and even qualified for the UEFA Champions League in their first two seasons back in the top flight.
 
However, they have never fully recovered from the punishment and finished seventh in their last two campaigns, missing out on Europe altogether in the last season,  something that was unthinkable before the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.

In conclusion, the Italian club has never accepted the loss of their championships and still list them in their official honours on their official website.

FIFA BAN SIX OFFICIALS FOR LIFE

Today, on Wednesday
(10 August 2011) six match officials have been banned for life over two friendlies played in Turkey this year in which seven penalties were awarded to them. 
 
 The officials, three from Bosnia and three from Hungary, were involved in the Latvia versus Bolivia and Estonia versus Bulgaria matches played in the resort of Antalya on 9 February 2011.

Fifa said that, in a separate case, it had banned Barbadian soccer official Lisle Austin for one year for lodging a complaint relating to football matters in a Bahamian court.

ARSENE WENGER STIRS UP LONDON RIOT

Arsene Wenger included the captain of the club, Francesc Fabrigas and his talented teammate Samir Nasri in the squad for the clash against Udinese FC, for a place in the UEFA Champions League group stages.

A place in the UEFA Champions League group stages is worth around £25m for the London based club.

Arsenal FC will face the Italian side in a two-legged home and away tie, begining on the Tuesday (16 August 2011) at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite the two world renowned international players eagerness to move on to bigger clubs, where they are almost certain to win football competitions and earn a better salary, the covetered players are being kept at the club against their will or as the club puts it - until they receive an acceptable offer.

Should Francesc Fabrigas and Samir Nasri make an appearance during the UEFA Champions League qualifer against Udinese FC, they would then be cup-tied and would put their prospective moves to FC Barcelona and Manchester City at serious risk.

In conclusion, if I were at a club who hasn't won an official FIFA or UEFA licensed competition in six years, due:

(A) The club's stringent spending strategy.
(B) The manager's lack of imagination.
(C) A lack of consistency during the the season. 

 Then wouldn't I also be tempted to go home to sunnier Spanish skies, earn much more money and maybe fill up the trophy cabinet.   

ENGLAND VERSUS HOLLAND INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY SUSPENDED

On the 06 August 2011 (Saturday), masked youths went on a rampage in the north London suburb of Tottenham, ransacking shops and setting cars, buses and properties alight following a peaceful protest after a man had been fatally shot by police two days earlier.

On 09 August 2011 (tuesday), in Soho square, London, the FA cancelled the three-lions international friendly scheduled against Holland at the Wembly stadium.

This decision became fruitful after consultation with the London metropolitan police because they were struggling to contain the riots and looting in the capital's streets.

The official statement said that supporters would have to travel through London at a time when violence had erupted over the past three days.

"This is something we are keen to avoid," the statement said. "We do not need the additional burden of a crowd of 80 000 people on our streets tomorrow night.

"Every officer on duty must be deployed to protect life, our communities and properties."

The 08 August 2011 (yesterday), international friendly between Nigeria and Ghana at Vicarage Road in Watford, north of London, was also suspended as a result of the mayhem in the capital city.

The violence spread to other parts of London and to the midlands city of Birmingham, as well as Liverpool in the north and Bristol in the south-west.

Football Association (FA) chairman David Bernstein said tickets for the Wembley match would be refunded in full, adding that the FA hoped to stage the match next year.

"We have received clear advice that due to the sporadic and widespread nature of the unrest there are significant concerns in relation to the available emergency service resource to safely police the fixture," Bernstein told a news conference.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said he was disappointed, but not surprised by the decision.

"If you saw the pictures on TV you know it could go wrong," he told reporters.

In conclusion, this is exactly why I don't support 'peaceful' protests. I don't believe in any protest of any kind. If you want to fight against a cause, then by all means do so, by, having an open and honest discussion (meeting).

LUXEMBOURG'S TRICKY TEST

In Faro, Portugal, a number of the Luxembourg squad members, while preparing for tommorow's match on the 10 August 2011 had items stolen from their team hotel.

"I can confirm that a burglary occurred in five rooms used by members of the Luxembourg squad," said an official at the police station.

Luxembourg striker Daniel da Mota, who was born in Portugal, told local media that the items stolen included money, computers, an iPad etc. The squad is now currently staying at a hotel in Almancil on the Algarve.

In conclusion, I know that I'm always upset when I suffer from a robbery, so it would be interesting to see just how the players re-act during the match.

MANCHESTER UNITED WIN FA COMMUNITY SHIELD

The match which signals the start of the Premieship season took place on the 7 August 2011.


The match in question is called the FA Community Shield and was contested between Manchester City and Manchester United both from the Lancashire region.

The match consisted of 2 goals in the first half, another 3 goals in the second half and five goals in total. The first goal was scored by Joleen Lescott, a centre-half, who scored a headed goal from a David Silva set-piece free-kick. David De Gea could have prevented the ball from crossing the line had he stood still instead of diving towards his right side. Man City 1-0 Man Utd.

The second goal was scored by Edin Dzeko, a rolling thunderbolt from 25-metres out just seconds before half-time. Man City 2-0 Man Utd (HF)

The second half began much as the same with Manchester United dominating the match. In case you're into statistics, it read, Man Utd 63%-37% Man City possesion. The first of Manchester United's three second half goals began with an Ashley Young free-kick which was met with a Chris Smalling volley, which exsposed Manchester City's defensive weaknesses. Man City 2-1 Man Utd.

The fourth goal of the match was probably a contender for goal of the current 2011/12 season. This was the moment of the match - a seven pass move starting with Wayne Rooney, the move then went through Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Nani, Wayne Rooney and Tom Cleverley before Nani lifted a wonderful chip over the advancing Joe Hart - Manchester City. Man City 2-2 Man Utd.

The winning goal was scored by Nani, to complete his brace during stoppage time. After a Wayne Rooney goal bound clearance and a Vincent Kompany stumble on the halfway line which allowed the Portugese winger to sprint towards the post and run around Joe Hart to complete a remarkable victory. Man City 2-3 Man Utd.


In conclusion, I think that its obvious to everyone that it's round one to Manchester United - the red half of the city.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE CALLS FOR TECHNOLOGY IN THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

The Arsenal FC and Holland international football player spoke through his club's official website on the reforms that need to be implemented in the beautiful game.

After the Premier League revealed that goal-line technoglogy could be introduced as early as next season.

"I would like to add a camera on the goal-line. I think it would be a good idea to have a Hawk-eye, like in tennis. Every team should have one option in each half to use the Hawk-eye to see if the ball is over the line or not. Frank Lampard had a goal disallowed at the World Cup that was at a very crucial point. It was clearly a goal and when things like that happen, it’s very frustrating," added the Gunners marksman.

The Dutch forward, then gave us a more conventional idea of how technology could improve the game.

"I would have [technology] for the offside rule but I’m not sure what, because it’s ruled by a human and humans do make mistakes. Sometimes you are lucky and sometimes you are not. I remember scoring a goal against Chelsea when I was one metre offside but last season I had two goals disallowed that were onside. In the end, I think it will be 50/50 with your luck and you have to deal with that," he told arsenal.com

In conclusion, I think that FIFA should make use of a touch-match-referee (TMO). and If the ICC and IRB can make use a camera official in developing nations, then I don't see why the richest sport in the world cannot make use of technology. This is the richest sport in the world.

THE "FOOTBALL FAMILY" WANTS FIFA TO SCRAP AUGUST INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCHES

The best clubs in Europe hate it. National team coaches don't really like it. The international players union think that FIFA should demolish it.

The football matches that I'm speaking about arrives on the 10 August 2011. The annual date protected for internatonal friendlies probably the least loved and most problematic fixture on the international calendar.

There is a official document that plans matches in four-year cycles. The document also decides on the dates the clubs should hand over their players for international friendly matches.

Players are caught up in the long standing fight for their loyalty between their club and nation. The players must obey their club's and nation's contract. While the nation has FIFA's backing to use the clubs players as they want without a guarantee to return them in fit condition.

The best International-Friendlies (10 August 2011)

Germany vs Brazil
Italy vs Spain
England vs Netherlands

Joseph Sepp Blatter has shown little willingness to speak with European clubs, whose £607.5 million share of annual prize money from the UEFA Champions League, matches Fifa's total revenue.

FC Barcelona manager, Pep Gardiola hasn't even seen his £26m off-season signing Alexis Sanchez in a training session. Pep Gardiola is losing 8 players to the Spanish national team. Bayern Munich are also obligated to hand over 8 players who have been selected for the German national team and the football players must report at least
48 hours before kick-off.

The German and Brazil Football associations will earn vast sums of money from world-wide television rights packages.

"The crowds and audiences cannot lie - these are big events," said Phillipe Grothe of the Kentaro Agency that markets Brazil's football matches.

"It is merely used to generate revenues with little or no technical value," Umberto Gandini, the European Club Association vice-chairman, said.

FIFA declined to say whether or not the current football calendar can be changed, but said that it would consult widely to set the 2015 - 2018 fixtures.

"We will have in-depth discussions with all the stake holders including confederations, member associates, clubs and players, before finalising it." FIFA said in a statement.

In conclusion, Sepp Blatter's re-election in June, with the endorsement of 186 countries, was a reminder that FIFA primarily answers to its 208 member federations, who send national teams to its competitions.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRELIMINARY DRAW (2011/12)

On the 5 August 2011 the UEFA Champions League preliminary draw featured two previous winners of the competition with Bayern Munich facing FC Zurich and the FC Benifca challenging FC Twente, the Eerste Divisie runners- up.


Bayern Munich have been crowned champions of Europe on four seperate occasions. Their coach, Jupp Heynokes said: "This is a game we can win and an interesting task. We have a great opportunity to move into the group stage".


The first legs will be held on the 16-17 August 2011. And the second legs to be played on the 23-24 August 2011.


The Play Off Draw Fixtures (16-17 August 2011):

Arsenal (ENG) vs Udinese (ITA)
Bayern Munich (GER) vs FC Zurich (SUI)
Lyon (FRA) vs Ruben Kazan (RUS)


The 10 play-off winning teams will then join the 22 automatically qualified clubs for the group stage draw which will be held in Monaco on the 25 August 2011.


To conclude, the UEFA Champions League Final 2011/12 season will be held on on the 19 May 2012 and the host  venue will be Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena stadium.

LIVERPOOL FC SPENDS MILLIONS FOR PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP (2011/12)

In addition to the winter signings of Luis Suarez for a reported £22m and Andy Carrol, for a British record transfer fee of £35m, Kenny Dalglish has also subsequently added Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stuart Downing to the squad for a combined total of £47.3m during the current summer transfer window.


Liverpool FC having played 5 matches during their pre-season tour of Asia and Europe conceded 15 goals. Funnily enough, Kenny Dalglish tried to bolster the Red's defence by attempting to sign Blackburn Rovers Phil Jones, a centre-half.


The Lanchashirian opting instead to play for Manchester United, the current Premier League champions.


 Liverpool FC's central defender Danial Agger, offered a frank and succinct appraisal of the team's defensive woes. Danial Agger on defense:


"The amount of goals we have conceded is definitely not good enough. We have to show we can keep a clean sheet and we have got to defend better".


The Liverpool FC manager, Kenny Dalglish will once again try to influence the club's owner John W. Henry, who has already spent in excess of £100m this year, to open his cheque book one more time.


This is Kenny Dalglish stance on his transfer purchases. Here is the manager speaking at Liverpool FC's Melwood training headquarters. This is what Kenny had to say:


"Spending money does not guarantee you success. [But] I don't know of any football club that has ever had success that has not spent money. So it is necessary."


"But it's even more important to spend it wisely. We've acted responsibly in the market and we've also acted responsibly and we've acted respectively with the owners, who have been supportive during the window."


"If there is a better owner that is as supportive as John W. Henry, then they have done very well for themselves."


In conclusion, Liverpool FC has an intelligent manager and two able assistant coaches in Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen at the club. They should end the season with a top four place and receive a UEFA Champions League position.

THE ITALIIAN BETTING SCANDAL

In Rome, Italy, another betting scandal became evident at the end of Serie A 2010/11 season.  The matter was investigated by a leading prosecutor in the country.


Chievo FC and Atlanta FC are the only two teams from Serie A who were involved in the betting scandal.


Chieva FC were fined £69,270 on 3 August 2011 for their part in the caicioscomesse betting scandal that has damaged the image of Serie A Football Association.


The newly-appointed Atlanta FC could face a 7 point deduction if found guilty by the disciplinary committee.


To conclude, there are 18 clubs, including 2 amateur teams and there are 26 people including former players, current players, directors and presidents that are on trial in the courtroom.

FA READY USE TECHNOLOGY (2012/13)

Richard Scudamore, the Chief Executive of the FA Premier League said that the start of the 2012/13 season was a "realistic aim" to introduce goaline technology.

Since FIFA are "constructively engaged" in the debate around the technology.


Trials around the technology were reopened by Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, after last year's FIFA World Cup 2010 (South Africa) when England's Frank Lampard was denied a goal against the German national team.

The Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has added his voice to the debate as to whether or not to introduce the technology.

This is what the 'professor' had to say on the club's official website:"You want it so you have a better chance to make the right decisions."

"To reduce the number of mistakes as much as possible, I'm happy you can use it. And I would like to use it more than goaline [incidents], but it's a first step."

"You know it could be a help for the referees. The more help they get, the more decisions they get right. If out of 100 decisions they get 95 right instead of 85, you have to use technology."

In conclusion, I agree 100 percent with our favourite voyeur. If you were to get 9.5/10 decisions correct, it would make football players more honest and would take away contentious decisions made by referees out of the beautiful game.

YOSSI BENAYOUN SUFFERS RACIAL ABUSE

Chelsea Football Club have loged a formal complaint with the Malaysian FA about anti-semetic abuse suffered by the Israeli midfield player during a club exihibition match.





The sw6 based football club stated on it's official websited that such behaviour is offensive, totaly unacceptable and has no place in football.

Chelsea FC claims that the reason why they had not argued their case earlier, was because there was uncertainty about the nature of the abuse. The club added: "However having taken the time to consider the issue fully, it has become apparent that a formal complaint was neccessary".

In conclusion, Chelsea FC has just won the Barclay's Asia Tour championship.
The majority of the population, in the counrty are members of the Islamic relegion. They were in Malaysia on a pre-season tour.

SPAIN WIN UNDER-19 EURO CHAMPIONSHIP

Today, Spain won the Under-19 European Championship. The scoreline read Spain 3-2 Czech Republic after extra-time. Now, the Spaniards hold the record by becoming the frist country to win both the Under-19 and the Under-21 championships during the same year.

To conclude, the Spanish are also the World and European Champions at senior level.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON'S PRE-SEASON CANDID IDEAS (2011/12)

Sir Alex Ferguson, 69, has been Manchester United's gaffer for the last 25 full seasons. The boss has taken time out of his busy schedule to speak on a number of issues, including Manchester City's season prosects, Barcelona's brilliance and going head-to-head with Andre Villas-Boas, the new Chelsea FC manager.

The Scot's thoughts on the season 2011/12.

Q: How do you view the new season and challenges ahead?
SAF: We've lost five experienced players who has given the club a great service
Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. At the time you look at it and think it's a big slice out of the cake, but we have replaced them by bringing back Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley and adding Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea which we think fills the gap. We've actually got 11 players aged 22
and under with us, so it could be an emerging team again.

Q: The record 19th league title was such a big deal, wasn't it?
SAF: I never thought it was a big deal until the last few weeks when it became more of an attraction as we got closer and closer.

Q: You turn 70 at the end of the year. In your mind, have you got a time and date when you might retire?
SAF: Absolutely none. Not at all. I'm not even thinking about it.

Q: Is the number of teams capable of challenging for the title getting bigger?
SAF: Manchester City and Liverpool have spent [money]...

Q: What do you make of Chelsea's decision to give the job to a manager who is so young?
SAF: Well, it was a surprise, he's just a young lad. Istarted at 32 but all I had was a physio. The difference is that he can choose a staff of whatever he wants. He can bring a good assistant and good coaches with great experience.

Q: Finally, is FC Barcelona a completely different challenge to any you've had?

SAF: We will try to move on and get above them, but the target is to be in Munich (for the Uefa Champions League final) in May next year.

In, conclusion with Manchester City's slow progress, Arsenal FC having learnt from their past mistakes,  Liverpool FC slowly building momentum from their last season and  Chelsea FC's faith in their new inspirational manager this is definately going to be the best Premiership season.

FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL (2014)

Today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the draw for the prelimenary round of the next Fifa World Cup 2014 took place at the home of the five-times world champions. A total of 175 nations will take part, playing altogether 824 matches which will later reveal the 31 nations, who will be joining hosts Brazil in the finals by November 2013.

The ceremony took place in a specially constructed auditorium at Marina Da Gloria, not far from Sugar Loaf Mountain. The draw cost more than £10m
and was broadcast live around the world.

There was no draw for the South American confederation, the nine contenders will play each other in a single league system, seeking to make, for them, the short trip to Brazil in three years time. Due to political sensetivities, Georgia, Russia, Azerbiajan and Arminia were not drawn in the same group. All the draws were based on Fifa's current world rankings.

Vincente del Bosque, who guided Spain to success last year in the South Africa, Lauren Blanc of France, Guus Hiddink of Turkey and Fabio Capello of England were just a few of the 38 national coaches that attended the cermony.

Some Fifa World Cup preliminary qualifiers have already taken place, but the competition will begin properly this year and be completed by November 2013.

A Fifa official stated that the finals will be staged from 12 June to 13 July 2014, while Rio de Janeiro's famous Maracana Stadium will host the final, Fifa's secretrary-general Jerome Valke confirmed this last night.

Here is the preliminary round groups of the European section:

Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales.
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgeria, Armenia, Malta.
Group C: Germany, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands,
                      Kazakhstan.
Group D: Holland, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra.
Group E: Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland.
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan,
                      Luxembourg.
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luthiania, Latvia,
                       Lietchtenstein.
Group H: England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marina.
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finland.

Good luck to each and every competing nation.

SERGIO AGUERO RECEIVES A KING'S RANDSOM

Manchester City has paid a club record transfer sum of £38m for the services of Sergio Aguero an Argentine player. The club has agreedto the terms in his contract, which allows the former Athletico Madrid centre-forward to earn a staggering £200,000 per-week paycheck. The contract's wage bill is worth £52m in total, which is expected to be paid over the five-year period.

The centre- forward stands 1.72cm tall and has close ball control, coupled with fast direct bursts of speed towards the opponents goal.

Sergio Augero will never forget the first time he played in the United Kingdom. Five years ago, at the tender age of 18 he stood ready to come on as a substitute during Argentina’s clash with Brazil, at the Emirates Stadium. The man he replaced? Carlos Tevez.

When Sergio Augero was just 8 years old, a family member told Independiente to give him a trial run at the club. They signed him on the spot.

A month and three days after his 15th birthday, he made his Argentinian debut, in the process breaking the national record, which stood for 27 years held by the infamous Diego Maradona, who was 10 days short of his 16th birthday when he made his international debut for their country.

Having scored 23 goals out of 56 appearances, he was soon attracting the attention of more larger clubs.

Atletico Madrid signed him up for£15.6m. At the time a record transfer sum for a Argentinian player.

He found his first La Liga season (Spanish First Division) to be quite difficult as he struggled to adapt to thefaster pace and more physical defenders. He leaned on fellow teammate, Fernando Torres for support.

Sadly, he did not take part in the Fifa World Cup 2006 in Germany, even though there were appeals for Jose Pekerman (then manager of Argentina) to include him into the squad. However, a year after the disappointment, he went on to win the Under-20 Fifa World Cup with Argentina and in the process received the Golden Ball award for being the tournament’s best player.

He began to thrive at Athletico Madrid after Spaniard Fernando Torres left for Liverpool FC during the summer of 2007 and scored more than 20 goals in each of his last four seasons at the club.

Athletico Madrid fans reacted badly to Aguero’s departure, burning his shirt and chanting ‘die, die’ in the Europa League.

Sergio Augero spoke highly of his new club [Man City] and working in the Premier League, saying “ Zabaleta has told me all about City and it is very positive.'I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and this is a good club. I think we will be fighting every year to win major trophies’.

'I think in terms of technique the leagues are similar. Maybe the game is more physical in England and there is a greater emphasis on tactics in Spain. From what I've seen on TV there is a high level of skill here. It is quite different but I need to wait for my first game, go out and do my best. My style has always been to fight to the death for every ball, and give 100 per cent in every game’.

‘I'm not a player who can do everything, but I still have plenty to offer. I don't think I'll have too many problems settling into the team’. He started dating Diego Maradona’s daughter in 2008 and is reportedly happily married to her and they are proud parents of a young son.

Finally, when not kicking a ball around, the young Sergio Augero was glued to a Japanese cartoon called ‘The Adventures of Kum Kum’, which soon became corrupted to produce the nick-name which has stuck throughout his career – Kun.