Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Man U FINALLY launching NYSE listing






LONDON -- Manchester United launched its New York Stock Exchange listing on Monday, hoping to raise around $330 million by selling 10 percent of the Premier League club.

The record 19-time English champions said in a filing to the Security and Exchange Commission about 16.7 million shares will be offered at a cost of between $16 and $20.

United is looking to raise funds to help reduce debt from the Glazer family's 2005 takeover, rated at $663 million as of March 31.

The Glazers will retain control of the club through its ownership of Class B shares, which will have 10 times the voting power of the stock sold to the public.

The club was listed on the London Stock Exchange from 1991 until the Glazers completed a leveraged buyout valued at $1.47 billion in June 2005.

The Glazers, who also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also announced on Monday a seven-year shirt sponsorship deal with American car company Chevrolet, which will begin at the start of the 2014-15 season.

The current United shirt sponsor, Aon, has another two seasons to run with the team in a deal that began in the 2010-11 season.

The Red Devils were on track to win their 20th league title this year, taking an eight-point lead into the final weeks of the season. But crosstown rival Manchester City, which became soccer's biggest spender following its purchase by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, won the title on goal difference on the final day of the season.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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"Newco" Rangers look to be getting their SFA license




Via Sky Sports-Rangers will be granted an SFA license by the end of the week, according to chief executive Stewart Regan.

The license will allow the newco to begin the season in division three of the Scottish Football League with the former club's SPL membership handed to Dundee.

Last Friday Rangers were given a temporary license allowing them to face Brechin City in the Ramsdens Cup on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Regan said: "At the moment Rangers have a conditional membership which was granted upon the signature of a five-way agreement between the SFA, SPL, SFL, Rangers oldco and Sevco Scotland Ltd.

"The final piece of the jigsaw will take place this Friday when the share is transferred from Rangers oldco to Dundee.

"This has been a hugely challenging and complex set of issues where the SFA and the football authorities have only ever tried to do what was good for the game and in the best interests of all clubs."

On his own position within the governing body, Regan denied there had ever been a vote of no confidence in him over his handling of the Rangers saga.

"Let me set the record straight. There was no vote of no confidence in me. There was a couple of individuals who expressed their opinion about the situation.

"The Scottish Football League chairman and chief executive were part of the planning group and fully aware of the issues being discussed.

"Those issues were presented to the clubs and the clubs decided it was a route they were not capable of going down.

"As I have said, I think it is important everyone accepts that, we draw a line under it and we move on."

Meanwhile, Newco Rangers have put an end to any confusion and confirmed the name of the company which owns the club is The Rangers Football Club Limited.

An extraordinary general meeting of 'oldco' shareholders took place at Ibrox on Tuesday, where procedures were approved to enable the name change.

Green told rangers.co.uk: "The process that took place today is the penultimate piece of the jigsaw that will see The Rangers Football Club move forward, with the transfer of SFA membership being the final piece.

"As every fan knows, Rangers is Rangers - it always has been and it always will be.

"The club still has its 140 years of history and we are now embarking on the next 140 years.

"We are back playing football and the board is focused on rebuilding this great club over the next few years.

"Our fans were fantastic on Sunday at Brechin and their support at Ibrox and away from home this season will be instrumental in helping the team achieve the success we all desire."

Gareth Bale hurt by Charlie Adam again-calls him a coward



You stay classy Charlie Adam!

Via Sky Sports-Gareth Bale has labelled Charlie Adam "a coward" after being left on crutches by a tackle from the Liverpool midfielder

It is the second time Bale has been hurt by an Adam challenge, the latest coming during the goalless draw between the Reds and Spurs in Baltimore.

The previous incident, in May 2011, saw Bale suffer ankle ligament damage which meant the Wales international was out for three months.

In quotes reported by several national newspapers, Bale said: "He's a bit of a coward. What he did was over the top. Some people are like that and it's just wrong.

"It's flattering when players try to take you out in a game but, when it threatens your career, it becomes more serious than that."

Bale and Adam have history following the latter's challenge when he was playing for Blackpool in 2011.

Bale added: "There are pictures on the internet of what he did before when he snapped all my ankle ligaments. I was out for three months that time. He's come for me twice now - and he's got me twice.

"When someone makes a very bad tackle on you, you expect an apology. I've had no apology. And I'm not going to accept his apology."


Photo Via

As promised it's an all new Cleavage Edition!!!





Another awesome soccer review by the lovely Jessica Kardashian. Enjoy folks!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Shevchenko hangs up his boots




KIEV, Ukraine -- Former AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko says he's retiring from soccer after 17 years and wants a career in politics.

Shevchenko, who started and ended his career with Dynamo Kiev, announced his retirement on the club's website.

The 35-year-old helped Dynamo win five successive Ukrainian titles in the 1990s, scoring 60 goals.
He joined Milan in 1999, winning a series of trophies with the Serie A club. He moved to Chelsea in 2006 before returning to Kiev three years later.

Shevchenko scored both goals against Sweden in his team's only victory of the 2012 European Championship before a home crowd.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
Photo: Reuters

Spain to be fined for being whiny little bitches





LONDON -- Spain faces FIFA disciplinary action after its bad-tempered elimination from the Olympic soccer tournament.

Seven Spain players, including star forward Juan Mata, received yellow cards in a 1-0 loss against
Honduras in Newcastle. The tournament favorite now cannot advance from its group.

Some Spain players clashed with opponents in the tunnel at halftime and confronted Venezuelan referee Juan Soto when he rejected appeals for a penalty kick late in the game.

FIFA rules require team fines if at least five players are booked. Further sanctions can be added if players "threaten or harass match officials" or for serious offenses.

Honduras also faces action by soccer's governing body after having six players booked.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Swiss soccer player sent home for racist tweet-looks like a serious douche



LONDON -- A Swiss soccer player was expelled from the Olympics on Monday for his threatening and racist message on Twitter about South Koreans. The comments by Michel Morganella came hours after Switzerland lost to South Korea.

Morganella "discriminated against, insulted and violated the dignity of the South Korea football team as well as the South Korean people," Swiss Olympic team chief Gian Gilli said through a translator at a news conference. He said the player was stripped of his Olympic accreditation.

Morganella is the second athlete kicked off a London Olympics team for offensive Twitter comments, following Greek triple jumper Voula Papachristou.

He posted the message after playing in the 2-1 loss against South Korea on Sunday. He said in the tweet that South Koreans "can go burn" and referred to them as a "bunch of mongoloids."

The 23-year-old player later released a contrite statement through Swiss Olympic.

"I am sincerely sorry for the people of South Korea, for the players, but equally for the Swiss delegation and Swiss football in general. It's clear that I'm accepting the consequences".

"After the disappointing result and the reaction from Korea that followed, I made a huge error," Morganella added.

Gilli said the player had been "provoked" by comments sent to his Twitter account after the match.

Still, the Swiss team leader acknowledged that Morganella had to be sent home under the terms of the International Olympic Committee's code of conduct, which requires athletes to show mutual respect.

"In this case, we felt we have no alternative," Gilli said.

Swiss media published images of a tweet from Morganella's account (at)morgastoss. The account has since been deleted. The tweet was written in a garbled form of French, appearing to combine a kind of French slang called verlan and text-messaging style.

Swiss officials with the team in Cardiff, Wales, said players were told Morganella was already on his way home.

Gilli said he had tried to contact the head of the South Korean team in London to offer a personal explanation.

"We would like to apologize, especially to the South Korea National Olympic Committee and the South Korea Football Association for the behavior of the player," he said.

The IOC has encouraged the 10,800 athletes at the London Games to communicate with fans through social media, but it issued guidelines on the standards of behavior it expected.

Morganella played the entire game in both of Switzerland's matches. He received a yellow card against South Korea in Coventry. The Swiss drew 1-1 with Gabon in Newcastle on Thursday. Switzerland plays its final group match against Mexico on Wednesday.

Morganella debuted with the senior national team in May and currently plays for the Italian club Palermo.

"We hope that he will draw the necessary lessons for his still young football career," Gilli said.

Last week, Greece Olympic officials tossed Papachristou off the team after she posted a comment mocking African immigrants and supporting a far-right political party.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

This whole Ferdinand/Terry/Cole/Ferdinand thing makes my head hurt




LONDON -- Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was charged by the Football Association on Monday with improper conduct for comments about Chelsea rival Ashley Cole in a twist to the fallout from John Terry's racism trial.

Terry was cleared in court of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Queens Park Rangers defender Anton, while playing for Chelsea in a Premier League match last October.

Cole, who along with the Ferdinands is black, appeared in court as a defense witness this month. A day after the verdict, Rio Ferdinand appeared to endorse a tweet describing Cole as a "choc ice," a slang term perceived as meaning black on the outside and white on the inside.

Ferdinand tweeted: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!!"

Ferdinand later tweeted that it was "not a racist term. It's a type of slang/term used by many for someone who is being fake."

Cole said he didn't plan to complain. But Ferdinand, a former England captain, is now facing a fine or ban after being charged by the FA.

"The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or color and/or race," the FA said in a statement.

Ferdinand failed to make England's squad for the European Championship squad in June and July, even after several defenders were ruled out because of injury. He has until Thursday to respond to the charge.

Terry is also the subject of an FA investigation after being charged by the governing body for racism allegations. He was cleared of those allegations at Westminster Magistrates' Court this month.

Terry denies the charge, saying he only used the offensive term sarcastically to counter the profanity he claims Ferdinand was accusing him of using.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Friday, July 27, 2012

SKC defender Collin out 2 weeks with facial fractures


 



KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Sporting Kansas City defender Aurelien Collin will miss up to two weeks after suffering two facial fractures during the MLS All-Star Game.

Collin was hurt during a collision with Chelsea's Michael Essien near midfield during the game Wednesday night between a team of MLS All-Stars and the Premier League club in Chester, Pa.

Collin played 36 minutes before getting hurt in the MLS team's 3-2 victory.

The 26-year-old Frenchman has started all 21 regular-season matches this season, helping Sporting KC to post nine shutouts with a league-leading 0.90 goals-against average. Collin has also scored three goals with an assist.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

French players disciplined for being cry babies




What a mess the French National Team has been the last several years. I really thought (as you can see here) that France would have a huge rebound at Euro 2012 from the atrocity that was their World Cup '10 performance. 

While they did OK at Euro, the same discord that the team had at the WC, while not as extreme, seemed to bleed through at times. Frustration boils over into getting into screaming matches with reporters and now the FFF is handing down punishment for player actions.

PARIS -- The French Football Federation says it has banned midfielder Samir Nasri for three matches because of his behavior toward a journalist at the European Championship.

Nasri issued an expletive-laced rant following France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the quarterfinals. He previously made a sarcastic gesture with his finger over his mouth and yelled "Shut your mouth!" at another journalist after scoring in the opening Group D match against England.

He will miss an exhibition against Uruguay next month and 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Belarus.

Also, Winger Jeremy Menez was given a one-match ban, and winger Hatem Ben Arfa and central midfielder Yann M'Vila received reprimands for their behavior at Euro 2012.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press


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Cameron to Stoke move official






I would want to get the hell out of Houston too.

Great move for Geoff Cameron! It's nice to see another American playing in the Premier League. Plus it will be nice to not ahve to play against him in the Texas Derby. Oh I'm sorry is my FC Dallas showing??

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Stoke has agreed on a fee and personal terms with American defender Geoff Cameron.

Financial terms were not disclosed between the English Premier League team and Cameron's Houston Dynamo.

The 27-year-old Cameron was to meet touring Stoke in Orlando on Thursday for a medical exam, and his transfer was also subject to him receiving a British work permit.

Stoke was attracted to Cameron by his ability to play in defense and midfield. He was a Major League Soccer All-Star last year, and has made five appearances for the U.S. national team.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press


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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Messi injury costs Barca $436,000



BARCELONA, Spain -- Lionel Messi's absence from Barcelona's exhibition at Hamburg because of a right leg injury cost the club more than just a game from the world's best player.

Barcelona confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday the Argentine forward's failure to play in Germany on Tuesday will cost the club 30 percent of its fee for the game, a loss of about 360,000 euros ($436,000).

Barcelona beat Hamburg 2-1 on goals by Dani Alves and Gerard Deulofeu. The team was also without its Spanish national team players, still on vacation after winning the European Championship final in Ukraine on July 1.

Barcelona said Messi's response to treatment will determine how long he is out.

The Spanish club plays Moroccan team Raja in an exhibition on Saturday.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press


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North Korea got butt hurt over flag mix up





GLASGOW, Scotland -- London Olympic organizers mistakenly displayed the South Korean flag on a jumbo screen instead of North Korea's before a women's soccer match Wednesday, prompting the North Koreans to refuse to take the field for nearly an hour.

The flag flap began during player introductions when a North Korean player was introduced along with a shot of the South Korean flag.

The match against Colombia was delayed for more than an hour, and organizers apologized for the error.

"If this matter couldn't have been resolved, then I thought going on is nonsense," coach Sin Ui Gun said through an interpreter after North Korea won 2-0. "We were angry because our players were introduced as if they were from South Korea, which may affect us very greatly as you might know."

The coach said the organizers corrected the mix-up, although it took some time. Large images of the North Korea flag were put up on both stadium jumbo screens during the delay and the players finally came out.

The team manager refused to have the coach respond to a question of what North Korea leader Kim Jong Un's reaction would have been to the incident.

The London organizers took the blame.

"Today ahead of the women's football match at Hampden Park, the South Korean flag was shown on a big screen video package instead of the North Korean flag. Clearly that is a mistake," organizers said. "We will apologize to the team and the National Olympic Committee and steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again."

The statement, however, included another gaffe: It failed to refer to the countries by their official Olympic names, causing organizers to reissue the statement using "Republic of Korea" and "Democratic People's Republic of Korea."

Commenting on the flap, the International Olympic Committee pointed to London officials.

"It's a matter for the organizers," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.

The players walked past reporters after the match still in uniform without stopping. Two were carrying flags -- the correct North Korean one.

North Korea and South Korea are bitter rivals. The flag mix-up comes amid high tension on the Korean Peninsula following a North Korean long-range rocket launch in April and repeated threats by Pyongyang to attack the South. Seoul and the U.S. have called the launch a cover for a test of banned long-range missile technology. North Korea says the rocket, which broke apart shortly after liftoff, was meant to put a satellite into orbit.

Wednesday's match started 1 hour, 5 minutes late. Fans were confused at first, then turned to doing the wave and finally started booing as they became increasingly restless.

An announcement was eventually made over the public address system about 20 minutes after the scheduled 7:45 p.m. (1845 GMT; 2:45 p.m. EDT) kickoff, apologizing for the delay and saying it "was due to an issue behind the scenes. We're trying to resolve it and we'll keep you updated."

To pass more time, music was pumped from the speakers. Players from both teams finally emerged onto the field about 40 minutes after the match was supposed to begin. The players warmed up again for 10 minutes before they returned inside the tunnel to be led out again for the national anthems.

"It was very difficult after the incident," Colombia coach Ricardo Rozo said. "We had to wait and warm up again. It affected the mood because we were ready for the match.

"I've never had anything happen like this before, where a country can delay a match for an hour."

Flag controversies aren't new at the Olympics. At the 1992 Barcelona Games, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley from the Dream Team draped U.S. flags over their shoulders to hide a rival sponsor's logo on their jackets when they received their gold medals.

At the 2010 Vancouver Games, the Australians displayed a flag with a boxing kangaroo -- the mascot for the country's team -- in the athletes village, despite an International Olympic Committee rule that usually only permits official national flags to be displayed. The IOC eventually relented.

In 2000, sprinter Cathy Freeman caused a stir when she took a victory lap after winning the 400-meter final at the Sydney Games draped in the Aboriginal flag, which was not recognized as an official national flag by the IOC.

Also in 2000, North and South Korean athletes marched together at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics under the unified Korea flag, sparking a standing ovation. But with relations deteriorating in the years since, each country insists on a separate flag.

Last month, there was another mix-up in Britain. British field hockey officials apologized to the South African women's team for playing the apartheid-era national anthem before one of its matches at the London Cup, a warm-up event for the Olympics.

The event's organizer, Great Britain Hockey, said it was an administrative mistake and offered a "full and unreserved apology."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
Photo: AFP

Cristiane sets women's scoring record for Olympics




CARDIFF, Wales -- Brazil forward Cristiane became the top women's scorer at the Olympics after netting her 11th tournament goal in Brazil's 5-0 rout of Cameroon at the London Games on Wednesday.

Cristiane surpassed retired Germany star Birgit Prinz, who had 10 Olympic goals.

The 27-year-old Brazilian scored the record-breaking goal in the 80th minute after a perfect pass from Marta, picking up the ball inside the area and dribbling past the goalkeeper before hitting the open net.

Cristiane entered her third Olympics without knowing if she was going to be able to play because of a right shoulder injury.

She scored after coming on as a substitute in the second half.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press


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Capello signs contract to become next coach of Russia



MOSCOW -- Former England coach Fabio Capello signed a two-year contract on Thursday to guide Russia's national soccer team through to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Capello announced the move at a news conference in which he acknowledged his inability to speak Russian but said he would work to overcome it.

He replaces Dick Advocaat, who resigned after Russia failed to make it past the group stage at the European Championship last month.

Capello had been unemployed since stepping down as England coach in February after four years in charge to protest against the country's soccer association stripping John Terry of the captaincy.

The 66-year-old Italian has won the league title with every club he has managed, including Real Madrid, AC Milan, Roma and Juventus.

The appointment comes amid turmoil in Russian soccer.

The Russian Football Union still hasn't found a replacement for chairman Sergei Fursenko, who resigned after Euro 2012.

Among other things, Capello will be charged with boosting morale after the disappointing performance at Euro 2012.

Along with a barrage of criticism from Russian soccer analysts, the Russian team also faced the ire of the media and fans who accused the players of a lack of enthusiasm and laziness.

Capello played 32 internationals for Italy as a midfielder.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Brazil starting 'keeper out of games-team still stacked




CARDIFF, Wales -- Brazil's starting goalkeeper Rafael has been ruled out of the men's Olympic squad after injuring his right elbow in a practice session just two days before the team's opening match.

Brazil team doctors said exams Tuesday showed the injury will keep Rafael on the sidelines for up to three weeks, ending his hopes of playing in the Olympics. Brazil will begin its quest for its first Olympic gold medal in football against Egypt on Thursday at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The 22-year-old Santos goalkeeper was injured Monday when he collided with a practice dummy as he reached for a high ball crossed into the penalty box.

He said he was able to continue practicing despite the initial pain but started to lose movement in the arm during the day, prompting doctors to conduct tests.

"It's hard to try to explain why things like this happen," Rafael said. "But I'd like to think that it all happens for a reason and I will overcome all of this in the end."

Rafael, touted to be Brazil's goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup at home, broke his leg a few years ago just before making his professional debut with Santos, but eventually recovered to help lead the team to titles including the Brazilian Cup and the Copa Libertadores.

Neto, a 23-year-old reserve goalkeeper for Fiorentina, will be Brazil's starter during the Olympic tournament.

Since joining the Italian club early in 2011, Neto has played only three official matches, and will be making his national team debut when Brazil plays Egypt.

"I didn't play regularly during the season but I played some matches near the end, that helped me get into a good rhythm coming into the Olympics," Neto said. "I'm prepared and focused. I feel confident."

Recently signed 19-year-old AC Milan goalkeeper Gabriel, who was on coach Mano Menezes' standby list, has been drafted into the squad as the reserve goalkeeper. The Brazilian football federation said Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro will take Gabriel's spot on standby.

Menezes said the changes will not take away from Brazil's chances at the Olympics.

"We are sad with the loss, of course, but all of our goalkeepers are at the same level heading into this tournament," the coach said Tuesday. "We are fully confident that Neto is prepared and having him as our starting goalkeeper won't affect how we play."

The Olympic tournament is the only significant football competition Brazil hasn't won. The five-time World Cup champions won the Olympic silver in 1984 and 1988 and the bronze in 1996 and 2008.

There are high expectations this time as Brazil is one of the few teams bringing some of its top players for the Olympic tournament, which is played with under-23 squads plus three overage players. Among those in the team are Neymar, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Oscar, Hulk, Lucas and Leandro Damiao, players who will also likely be in the World Cup squad in two years.

After playing Egypt, Brazil will face Belarus at Old Trafford on Sunday and New Zealand in Newcastle on Aug. 1.


Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Kaka to return to the Rossoneri?




MILAN (AP) -AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has opened the door to a return for Rossoneri icon Kaka from Real Madrid.

Kaka's days at Madrid appear to be numbered, and the Brazil star was left behind for Tuesday's friendly win against Real Oviedo.

Galliani has reportedly held informal talks with Kaka's agent and, when asked about a possible return, says "certain loves never die, they just go round on a long journey and come back again."

Kaka is still idolized by Milan fans after a golden six-year spell during which he helped it to the Serie A title and the Champions League, becoming a global superstar.

He moved to Madrid in 2009 for ?65 million (then $92 million), making him the second most expensive football signing ever after Cristiano Ronaldo


Frimpong charged by FA for anti-Semitic slur



Well it's nice to know that the MLS Disciplinary Board aren't the only ones who make confusing and decisions.

LONDON -- Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has been charged by the English Football Association with improper conduct for allegedly posting anti-Semitic comments on Twitter.

The FA says Frimpong used a "reference to ethnic origin, faith or race" in response to an abusive tweet aimed at him on Sunday. The post has since been removed.

In a statement on its website, the FA said Tuesday that Frimpong is suspected of posting comments "amounting to improper conduct and/or which brought the game into disrepute."

The soccer body gave Frimpong until July 27 to respond to the charge.

The 20-year-old player is recovering from knee injury while on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

What's confusing about that you ask? Well what makes no sense to me is that they have charged Frimpong but haven't done a THING about Rio Ferdinands "Choco ice" comments. I guess if Frimpong were Jewish maybe he wouldn't have been punished. I don't know. Trying to understand disciplinary committees is like trying to understand women...neither one has much common sense. That was a joke ladies please don't send me complaints about this. You know I love you. 


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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Old grumpy golfer doesn't like Carlos Tevez





Via Sky Sports-Carlos Tevez caddying during the final round of the Open has been described as "absolute madness" by Royal and Ancient Club championship committee chairman Jim McArthur.

Manchester City striker Tevez caused a stir when he carried the bag for his Argentinian compatriot Andres Romero on Sunday at Royal Lytham.

Golf fan Tevez, a 13-handicapper, admitted he could not give Romero any advice but enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

The move has drawn criticism from McArthur though, with the R&A committee chairman saying the issue needs to be looked into.

"He never put the bag down, even when he was standing on the green - it's just absolute madness," McArthur was quoted as saying by several papers.

"I think we need to to look at this particular case. We normally get a list of caddies at the start of the week."
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson took a different view of the incident, saying: "It was pretty interesting. I thought, because of the big crowd following the group, that golf fans and football fans may overlap a little more than I had realised. It's not a bad thing, perhaps."

Tevez was at Royal Lytham on Saturday to watch Romero, who started the Open with rounds of 70 and 69, shoot 77.

Tevez then took the bag for Romero's final round, which saw the 31-year-old card an 82 to finish last in the tournament of the players who made Friday's cut on an 18-over total of 298.


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Portsmouth is starting to look like Glasgow Rangers




This guys name is John Anthony Portsmouth Football Club Westwood. No really it is.


Via ESPN-Gordon Taylor has warned that Portsmouth can only be saved if all parties are willing to "take a hit" on what they are owed.

Administrators for the financially-stricken south coast club have warned that it could fold within two weeks unless most of the players remaining at Fratton Park are either sold off or agree to compromise on their contracts. -

Eight senior players are believed to be in dispute with Portsmouth, the 2008 FA Cup winners, over unpaid salaries. The club's former owner Balram Chainrai and his Portpin company could pull out of a proposed deal to buy back the club if more players are not moved on.

Taylor, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said "we need everybody to have something, but not all, that they are owed - otherwise everybody's just going to get nothing".

He told Sky Sports News: "It's about everybody getting in the same room - the players, the club, the administrators, the potential new owners - to deal with the situation rather than looking at it separately.

"If not, there's no transparency as to how serious the situation is. If this club is going to survive we need everybody to have something, but not all, that they are owed - otherwise everybody's just going to get nothing."

He said the Premier League had "been very co-operative on parachute payments" and "the Football League have told the owners they can't get all the money back that they put into the club originally, so they've got to take a hit'' but said Pompey's plight was "embarrassing" for the game.

Supporters group SOS Pompey handed an open letter to the players at the club's training ground in nearby Eastleigh in an attempt to persuade them to compromise on wages.


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Don't cry Dani Alves




Via ESPN-Barcelona defender Dani Alves has revealed he was "upset" that his club did not deny rumours linking him with a move.

Alves, 29, was linked with the likes of Anzhi Makhachkala and Manchester City earlier in the summer, but Barcelona made no attempt to deny the transfer talk.

The Brazilian, though, feels that the Blaugrana should have made an effort to quash the rumours.

"It's true that there were rumours that I would not be staying at Barca and I was upset that the club did not intervene," the defender told press conference.

"However, I am above that sort of thing and if the time comes when the club decide they don't need me, I will just have to accept it. I would like to leave in the same way that I joined. I would like to think that when I leave, I would want to feel that I have left my mark, however small it is."

Barca boss Tito Vilanova later said he had not realised Alves had felt doubts over his importance to the club.

"If I'd felt that Alves was feeling this way, I'd have picked up the phone and called him," Vilanova said.

"Next time I will. For me, he's the best right-back in the world and possibly one of the best signings of recent years."

Alves joined Barcelona for an massive €35.5 million in 2008 after helping Sevilla to two UEFA Cup triumphs, as well as a Copa del Rey title.


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Injury to keep Messi out of early tune-ups



Settle down Barca fans I don't think this is a major injury.  But then again I thought FC Dallas and Toronto FC were going to be in the MLS Cup. And that's why I'm terrible at gambling.

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona says Lionel Messi has a right leg injury that will keep him from playing in the preseason friendly against Hamburg on Tuesday.

The Spanish club says the Argentina forward hurt his right leg in practice on Monday and will sit out the game at the German team's stadium. Barcelona says Messi's response to treatment will determine how long he is sidelined.

Barcelona's next preseason match is at Moroccan club Raja on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Messi has largely avoided injuries during the past four seasons, winning three Ballon d'Ors and helping the Catalan club to 14 trophies in that period.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

New York Red Bulls get ANOTHER scoring option in Australian Cahill





I was really surprised when NYRB announced this yesterday.


Via AP-LIVERPOOL, England -- English Premier League club Everton says it has agreed to sell Australian midfielder Tim Cahill to the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.

Everton said Monday on its website that Cahill "will move to the Red Bulls for a nominal fee, subject to agreeing personal terms and passing a medical."

Cahill is expected to travel to the United States in the next few days. The 32-year-old joined Everton from Millwall in 2004, scoring 68 goals in 278 appearances.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

I think this is a smart move for the Red Bulls. Cahill adds another attacking option for New York and can be a workhorse through the middle of the field. I have to say I like what New York are doing with their team. They are really making an effort to build a team that will be a powerhouse for the foreseeable future.

This move also makes me wonder in Everton aren't trying to move a few pieces around in order to put a bid on for Landon Donovan.


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Monday, July 23, 2012

FC Dallas Academy wins U-18/17 National Championship






Via Scott Brown for FCDallas.com-HOUSTON - This team likes to keep things interesting. At times, you thought it would be another disappointing end to an otherwise amazing season, but after 90 minutes, the FC Dallas U-18 Academy team won the U.S. Soccer Development Academy national championship Sunday night with a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

In the first championship match featuring two MLS-affiliated clubs in the Academy's five-year history, FC Dallas became the first MLS side to win it all at the U-17/18 level. But at times it looked like Vancouver would be the side to win the title and claim that honor, as FC Dallas created chance after chance that went unfulfilled.

In the 10th minute, Homegrown forward Jonathan Top got the team's first chance, but sent his header just wide of the goal. A minute later midfielder David Robledo put a shot on goal that was saved by Whitecaps goalkeeper Callum Irving before being cleared out by a defender. On the ensuing corner kick in the 12th minute, defender Mark Ashby headed his chance just over the crossbar.

Vancouver got its first chance in the 16th minute, when star midfielder Ben Fisk beat FC Dallas goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes with a long range shot from the left side, but Fisk's attempt hit the inside of the far post and bounced straight back out without clearing the goal line before ushered out of danger by the Dallas defense.

Fisk would not be denied in the 24th minute however, as Vancouver built a counter attack after Irving made a save on Nick Rochowski, who normally plays right back for FC Dallas but started in a forward position in the championship match. Fisk carried the ball up the left flank before playing a little give-and-go with forward Caleb Clarke in the attacking third. Clarke played the ball back to Fisk, who gave it a first-touch strike to score the opening goal of the game.

The Texas side tied the game in the 31st minute when Danny Garcia earned a penalty kick after being tackled by Irving in the box. Irving saved the initial shot, but Garcia pounced on the rebound to put away the game-tying goal.

FCD nearly took the lead in the 35th minute, after recently signed Homegrown midfielder Kellyn Acosta dribbled the ball up the right flank and passing it to Top. Top returned the ball to Acosta near the top of the box with a slick back-heel pass. The midfielder's shot rang off the crossbar to deny Dallas the go-ahead goal.

Instead, the go-ahead goal came in the 42nd minute in Vancouver's favor. With the Whitecaps pressuring, Clarke sent a cross into the FC Dallas box. Midfielder Flavio Guzman attempted to clear the ball out of the box, but instead the cross deflected into the goal to give the Canadian side a 2-1 lead just before the half.

FC Dallas made one change at the half, bringing forward Jose de la Tejera on to the field in place of Rochowski, a move which head coach Chris Hayden later said was a premeditated tactical plan to bring a jolt of energy into the game. And the plan worked.

With de la Tejera on the field, the FCD offense gave Vancouver's defense fits for the rest of the night. In the first 20 minutes of the second half, FC Dallas put two shots just wide of the frame and forced Irving to make
four tough saves to hold onto the lead.

But the Whitecaps' lead vanished in the 69th minute after a defensive miscue. De la Tejera intercepted the ball and broke in on goal from the left side before beating Irving with a well-placed shot low to the far post to tie the match for FC Dallas.
After several more chances at the match-winner either sailed just wide, were block or saved by Irving, the forward notched the game-winner in the 84th minute. Acosta played a short corner to Garcia from the right side and the Central Conference Player of the Year sent a ball over the top into the box that de la Tejera headed home to secure the first national championship for the FC Dallas U-18 Academy team.

The win capped off an outstanding season that the squad dedicated to the memories of former teammate Jose Perez and club icon Bobby Rhine, both of whom passed away within a week of each other just days before the start of the 2011-12 Academy season. It was also the perfect way to send off the 11 players on the week's 18-man roster who will move on from the program after this championship match.

Scoring Summary:
VAN - Fisk 24'
FCD - Garcia 31'
VAN - Own Goal (Guzman) 42'
FCD - de la Tejera 69'
FCD - de la Tejera 84'

FC Dallas lineup: Cortes, Ambrose, Ashby, Guillen, Acosta, Guzman, Robledo (Laverde 89'), Carrizales (Ortiz 79'), Garcia (Edet 86'), Rochowski (de la Tejera 46'), Top.


Image: © Michael Janosz/isiphotos.com

Fulham tells suitors to piss off



2 million?? Bitch please..


Surprising news from Craven Cottage:

Via ESPN-Fulham "would not welcome" any bids for reportedly in-demand duo Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey.Dembele, 25, and Dempsey, 29, have been linked with summer moves to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.

Belgium international Dembele last month reiterated his commitment to Fulham, having joined the club from AZ Alkmaar for £5 million in 2010.

Dempsey, however, has expressed his ambition to sign for a so-called bigger side, and last week Liverpool were forced to clarify a report that suggested they were set to acquire the American.

Fulham, though, are understood to have not yet received a bid for either player. A source told ESPN: "Fulham have nothing to say on either player, other than no bids would be welcome for any of our players."

Asked whether United or Liverpool have tabled offers for Dembele and Dempsey respectively, the source added: "There are no current bids, and none would be welcome."

Fulham need to understand that Dempsey WILL leave Craven Cottage when his contract is up at the end of next season. It's not like by keeping Dempsey the Whites will become league contenders. Seems a little silly to let him leave for nothing next summer.  Of course like so much of the transfer market in this game this may very well be Fulhams way of saying they won't take any BS bids for either one of their two stars.  If teams want them they are going to have to pay up.


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Transfer market spending down





Via ESPN-Worldwide transfer spending fell by more than one-third in the first six months of the year, FIFA's mid-year review of the international market has revealed. The downturn, caused by the global financial crisis and - to a far smaller degree - the impact of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations, has seen total payments between clubs in transfer and loan fees fall to $294 million (£190 million) from $576 million, a 34% decrease, the figures show.

"This could suggest that the effects of the global recession - for instance, distressed corporate sponsors, restrictive bank lending policies and reduced overdraft facilities for clubs - are being felt in the international football transfer market," the document says.

"A further factor may be the high concentration of wealth in a relatively small number of associations; any reduction in spending in those few associations could have a disproportionately high impact on aggregate transfer fees worldwide.

"Finally, given the share of the European transfer market, the efforts of those clubs to bring themselves in line with the UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations before the onset of sanctions for indebted clubs may contribute to a fall-off in transfer compensation rates."

The data showed that the biggest-spending country in the first six months was Russia, where $64.39 million was lavished on transfers. English clubs invested $55.43 million but brought in $58.83 million through sales.

A total of 4,973 transfers were completed during the time being analysed. There were 708 involving Brazilian clubs the highest total with English clubs involved in the second-highest number (326).


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Carlos Tevez-Golf Caddie??




Via AP-LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England -- Carlos Tevez is no stranger to the golf course -- he spent a lot of time on one while on a five-month strike from Manchester City last season.

However, the round he had on Sunday was one he'll never forget.

On a glorious morning at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, the Argentina striker caddied for countryman Andres Romero in the final round of the Open Championship.This was no pro-am. This was golf's oldest and most famous tournament.

"The chance to walk along the course and be around these great players is a pleasure and something unforgettable," Tevez said.

After Romero shot a 77 in his third round Saturday to drop out of contention for the title, Tevez visited the house of the No. 109-ranked player and asked if he could carry his bag in the fourth round. They've been friends since meeting at the 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale.

Romero agreed to give regular caddie Anibal Nunez the day off and set out with Tevez in the fifth grouping of the morning, along with Chad Campbell of the United States.

Wearing a blue cap and top -- and carrying a set of clubs almost as big as him -- Tevez acted as a shoulder to cry on for Romero, who shot a 12-over 82 to slump to dead last in the remaining field of 83, finishing at 18-over par.

"I couldn't give any advice about the slopes, but I just carried the bag and supported him each hole," Tevez
said. "Andres is a professional, and he knows everything already.

"We worked together very well."

The 28-year-old Tevez was photographed numerous times on the golf course when he was on unauthorized leave from City last season, having fallen out with manager Roberto Mancini after refusing to warm up as a substitute during a Champions League match in September.

When he did return to action with the English Premier League club, he helped it win the title for the first time in 44 years. After scoring a goal in a 6-1 victory at Norwich, he celebrated by swinging an imaginary golf club.

Tevez is a 13 handicap and has played with Romero before in Buenos Aires.

But he has never carried such a heavy bag. And has no plans to attempt to become a professional golfer after he retires from soccer.

"No, I play just with my friends as an amateur. I don't want to change from that," he said. "The golf bag hurts my shoulder too much, I prefer to play football. And my pants were very tight."

Tevez couldn't inspire Romero, who made four double-bogeys on his way to one of the highest rounds of the week.

"I played really badly today, but he was helping me with my confidence," Romero said. "He did not complain at all when I asked him if he was in any pain."

With the start of the new English soccer season less than a month away, Tevez was spotted at Royal Lytham & St. Annes on Saturday, signing autographs for fans. He wound up on the course a day later.

"This was the dream of everybody who plays golf. It was my first major" he said.

Tevez isn't the first sports star to caddie at the Open Championship.

In 1996, Ian Baker-Finch of Australia had a last-minute change of heart and decided to drop his TV commentary duties and enter the field at Royal Troon. He was exempt after winning the event in 1991.

However, he had already sent his caddie home having played poorly the week before. Short of options, he temporarily hired Australian tennis player Todd Woodbridge, who forged one of the most successful ever doubles partnerships with Mark Woodforde.

Things didn't work out so well. Baker-Finch shot a 92 and retired from the tournament citing an injury.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Rangers lose another player- at least they got paid this time






Via ESPN-Southampton have announced the signing of midfielder Steven Davis after reaching an agreement with the Rangers newco.

Northern Ireland international Davis, 27, has committed to a contract until 2016 with the Saints after talks reached a positive conclusion.

An announcement on Southampton's official website read: "Saints are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement with Glasgow Rangers over the transfer of Steven Davis.

"The midfielder originally agreed to join Saints earlier this month following the well-publicised issues surrounding the Scottish giants. Since then both clubs have been in discussions to reach an amicable solution that would avoid the need the player's international transfer clearance to be agreed at a FIFA tribunal."

Davis, who has previous Premier League experience after spells with Aston Villa and Fulham, has been training with Southampton since July 6 and is relieved the move has now been formalised.

"I'm delighted to get everything sorted," he said. "There was an element of uncertainty at how long it would take to get the transfer papers through, so I have to give credit to the executive chairman Nicola Cortese for wanting to get it done and removing the need for things to drag on any longer.

"This is good news for all parties, and now we can all move forward."

Rangers chief executive Charles Green told his club's official website that he was pleased the deal had been agreed.

"I am delighted that we have agreed terms over the transfer of Steven Davis," he said. "Southampton have acted in good faith during the process.

"We wish them every success and they have signed a player who will undoubtedly make a great contribution to their club - just as he did at Ibrox."

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Ledley King retires




LONDON -- Tottenham captain Ledley King retired from soccer on Thursday due to a chronic left knee injury that has troubled him throughout his career.

"I have missed a lot of football over the years, but the Spurs fans have always been patient and incredibly supportive with me during difficult periods," the 31-year-old King said on Thursday. "Sadly my injuries and inability to train have now finally brought an end to my career."

King, who played as a central defender, spent his entire career at Spurs after he joined as a youth player when he was 14. He will now serve as a club ambassador.

"I have been here since I was a boy. I have always considered it my club and have always found it hard to imagine wearing the shirt of another team," King said. "I am pleased that I can continue to work within the club and for the local community."

When healthy, King was one of top defenders in the Premier League. But he often struggled to play regularly, making 323 appearances for Tottenham after his debut in 1999. Even when he did play, he often had to sit out training sessions between games to rest his knee.

King eventually became Tottenham captain and lifted the League Cup in 2008. He represented England 21 times, including appearances at the 2004 European championship and the 2010 World Cup.

"Ledley has made a magnificent contribution to this club -- as a wonderful player, captain and ambassador," club chairman Daniel Levy said. "It has been well documented how he has battled against injury over the years, and it is testament to the character of the man how he managed to sustain such high standards of performance on the pitch."

King turned professional in 1998 and made his debut against Liverpool at Anfield a year later. He played 323 times for Spurs, scoring 14 goals.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press


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FIFA overturns lifetime ban- won't overturn corruption charges.






GENEVA -- Former FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam won his appeal against a lifetime ban but failed to clear his name in an election bribery case on Thursday.

The Qatari official scored a victory at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which lifted his life ban from soccer imposed by FIFA for allegedly bribing voters during his election challenge to Sepp Blatter last year.

 

However, the court panel refused to declare bin Hammam innocent of corruption. It overturned the ban because a FIFA probe led by former FBI director Louis Freeh's agency failed to find conclusive evidence.

Full Story

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

And in the least surprising news of the day: Man U worth a sh*tload of money





Via AP-Manchester United is the most valuable franchise in sports at $2.23 billion, according to Forbes magazine’s annual survey.

The Barclays Premier League team, owned by the same American family that owns the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is ranked on top thanks to lucrative global sponsorship deals.

Second is another soccer team, Real Madrid, at $1.88 billion. The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys are tied for third at $1.85 billion.

Rounding out the top five are the Washington Redskins at $1.56 billion.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New England Patriots [team stats] are tied for sixth at $1.40 billion, followed by FC Barcelona at $1.31 billion, the New York Giants at $1.30 billion, and Arsenal at 1.29 billion. The Dodgers recently were sold for $2 billion, the most for any professional sports team.

All 32 NFL teams make the list of 50 most valuable franchises, with the Jacksonville Jaguars last among the pro football clubs at $725 million.

Seven major league baseball teams earned spots, with the Texas Rangers the lowest at $674 million, No. 50 overall.

The highest value for an NBA team belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers at $900 million, 35th overall. Only one other NBA franchise, the New York Knicks, make the list with $780 million, No. 43.

No NHL clubs made the survey, but two from Formula One racing were included: Ferrari at $1.1 billion to rank 15th, and McLaren at $800 million.


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The new Arsenal Away Kit is....different

Afghanistan to start Pro soccer again-going to use reality tv to do it




Via AP-Amid a deadly war in an impoverished nation, the promise of a new professional football league is offering a glimmer of hope in Afghanistan.
 
Thousands of young Afghans have signed up to participate in a reality television program called ''Maidan e Sabz,'' or ''Green Field,'' to earn a chance to play on one of eight professional football teams being created in their homeland.

Abdul Sabor Walizada, a trainer for the project, said Monday the idea is to bring football into Afghan homes, stimulate business and strengthen national unity through sports.

''After years of civil conflict and war, people will focus on football and the businessmen from each zone will try to have the best players,'' said Walizada, a former member of the Afghanistan national team.

''It will create national unity because if the central zone, for example, has a really good player, the southern zone team will want to buy him,'' he explained. ''They will not care about his ethnicity. They will not care about his tribe. They will care that he is one of the best players.''

The league is being organized by the Afghan Football Federation and sponsored by Roshan Telecom Development Co., a major communications company in Afghanistan, and the MOBY Group, which owns and operates media industries in developing nations. The group owns TOLO TV, a leading Afghanistan television station that will broadcast the reality show and the league's inaugural season of 16 matches, beginning in September.

Eight competitions are being filmed across the nation for Maidan e Sabz, including in the big cities of Kabul, the Afghan capital; Kandahar in the south; Mazar-i-Sharif in the north; Heret in the west; and Jalalabad in the east. Of the thousands of applicants, groups of 30 players will be selected to vie for slots on one of the teams from eight zones.

A battery of physical, mental and football skills tests - one involves running through mud and water while wearing ankle weights and then heading a suspended football - will whittle each group to 21 contestants.

Each studio audience then will select the best 18 finalists.

At the end of all eight shows, 168 players will remain - enough for eight 18-man squads.

Maidan e Sabz debuted last week featuring film clips of famous football players like Argentina's Lionel Messi, Brazil's Pele and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

''Tell me, do you know more about (President Barack) Obama or Messi and Ronaldo?'' TOLO commentator Makhtar Lashkari said, asking his TV viewers to illustrate the popularity of the sport.

Afghans began playing football about 90 years ago, but there were few if any rules. The Afghan Football Federation was founded in 1922 and was admitted into the FIFA, the sport's world governing body, in 1948.

Football gained a strong following among Afghans in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, but the sport nearly died out during the 10-year Soviet occupation from 1979 to 1989 and the civil war that followed from 1992 to 1996.

After the hardline Islamic Taliban regime was toppled in 2001, sport in Afghanistan was reborn. Cricket has already made inroads, with the Afghan team improving its ranking considerably in international limited-overs competition. Now, with the start of the new football league, teams with names like ''Eagles of Hindu Kush,'' - called after a mountain range - will compete to be the best in Afghanistan.

To develop peace and stability in Afghanistan, the nation must not only focus on training soldiers, says Keramuddin Karim, AFF president.

''This will be very effective for the new generation,'' Karim said. ''This program is going to uncover new football talent across the country.''


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My thoughts on the Rio Ferdinand "Choc Ice" tweet



I'm going to start this post out by saying that racism in ANY form is wrong and doesn't have a place in civilized society.  Racism is used by ignorant people who use differences in our skin color to marginalize people that they don't understand and never will have the desire to understand.

That said I live the USA. I, as an American citizen, believe in the right of free speech. I do not believe that anyone, let alone a government, should be allowed to tell me what I can or cannot say.  The double edged sword to all of this is that this also allows ignorant, short sided, close minded fools to say whatever they want. (See Westboro Baptist Church for example.) I, as an American, have a tough time with the fact that in the UK being a racist is illegal.  Doesn't mean I think it's OK to be a racist prick it just means that I don't like anyone shutting it's citizens up by using the law regardless of whether or not I agree with their ideas and ideals.

Regardless of my thoughts on free speech I can't seem to understand what in Rio Ferdinand's head thought that it would be a good idea to make a racial innuendo about a black player who testified at the trial of a man who was accused of racism AGAINST YOUR OWN BROTHER!!!! All Rio did was set back what the British Law was attempting to accomplish by taking this to trial in the first place.  What type of example does this set? Rio Ferdinand has been around long enough to know better and there is no excuse for this type of behavior especially given his unique position around this trial.


Via AP-LONDON -- Derbyshire Police have opened an investigation into alleged racist comments against Chelsea defender Ashley Cole on Twitter, four days after club teammate John Terry was cleared of racial abuse.

Cole, who defended Terry in court from charges made by Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, was reportedly referred to as a "Choc Ice" by a Twitter user.

The term is believed to mean black on the outside, white on the inside.

Ferdinand's older brother, Rio, who plays for Manchester United, responded to the tweet on Saturday with: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!!"

The following day, Ferdinand tweeted: "What I said yesterday is not a racist term. It's a type of slang/term used by many for someone who is being fake. So there."

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Monday, July 16, 2012

HERE IS JESSICA KARDASHIAN WITH ANOTHER AWESOME REVIEW Of a David Beckham Goal FOR YOU FOLKS!


And of course I hope by now you guys understand that "awesome" doesn't equate to "great".

Guzan to stay at Aston Villa






Via AP-BIRMINGHAM, England -- American goalkeeper Brad Guzan has signed a new three-year contract with Aston Villa.

Villa said Monday that Guzan will join his team on the preseason tour of the U.S. after agreeing to a deal which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2014-15 season.

The 27-year-old Guzan filled in for Shay Given for part of last season while the Irish goalkeeper was injured.

New Villa manager Paul Lambert, who took over from Alex McLeish last month, said "I've watched Brad and some of his games when he was on the team last year and he was excellent."

Guzan joined Villa from Major League Soccer's Chivas USA in 2008.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press


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