John Terry banned 4 games and has to pay a shit load of money.

Via Press Association-The English Football Association on Thursday dealt Chelsea captain John Terry a four-match ban and a £220,000 ($356,356) fine following the player's four-day disciplinary hearing for an Oct. 23, 2011 racial slur toward QPR's Anton Ferdinand during their Barclays Premier League match.

The 31-year-old, who on Sunday announced his retirement from international football, can lodge an appeal against the panel's decision.

Terry has endured a tumultuous career in recent years, having twice been stripped of the captaincy by the FA.

He first lost the armband in 2010 in the wake of allegations that he had an affair with the girlfriend of former Chelsea and England teammate Wayne Bridge, before being deposed again this February after it was revealed he would stand trial for alleged abuse of QPR defender Ferdinand during a Premier League game.

Terry was cleared of any wrongdoing with regards to Ferdinand at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July but the FA ruled he would be subjected to a disciplinary hearing.

Ferdinand testified to the independent panel in Terry's presence when the hearing began on Monday.

Terry announced his retirement from international play ahead of the trial.

"I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable," Terry said.

England coach Roy Hodgson said he "reluctantly accepted" Terry's retirement.

Terry is the second Premier League player in a year to be banned for racism. Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra a year ago, but was found to have done so on a number of occasions during the match.


Terry is accused of a single utterance towards Ferdinand, which had led to speculation of a four-match ban.

Arsenal remember how to score....against a third tier team.

OK I will!

Via Soccernet-Arsenal eased into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup after a searing second-half-fueled 6-1 romp proved too much for visitors Coventry.

The home side made a slow start to the game but took the lead six minutes before halftime as summer signing Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for the club since signing from Montpellier in the offseason.

"It was in everybody's mind that the sooner he gets it the better," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

"Certainly in his mind, much more than in others' minds. That is positive of course. It was a good finish and he is a good finisher, Olivier.

"At the moment I believe he is looking for confidence again and that goal will help him. I expect him to take that confidence into the Premier League."

Giroud missed a penalty but also set up a goal for Andrei Arshavin after the game was wrapped up courtesy of a superb strike from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Ignasi Miquel also struck with a Theo Walcott brace imposing Arsenal's dominance on the scoreline -- Callum Ball scored Coventry's consolation with his team 4-0 down.

Arsenal will travel to Reading in the next round.

Liverpool endured a nervy night, with Sahin scoring his second goal late on at West Bromwich Albion to secure a 2-1 victory after having equalized just before halftime. Just before the on-loan midfielder's winner, Jerome Sinclair became Liverpool's youngest ever player by coming off the bench aged 16 years and six days.

In the fourth round, Liverpool will welcome Swansea to Anfield in a match which will see Reds boss Brendan Rodgers go up against his former club.

In Wednesday's other games, Tottenham dispatched another third-tier club, winning 3-0 at Carlisle.

Norwich progressed with a 1-0 victory over Doncaster. Tottenham will travel to Norwich in the next round.

Also Wednesday, Reading edged Premier League rival Queens Park Rangers with a 3-2 win at Loftus Road.

The Gunners dominated possession in the opening 10 minutes but it was Stephen Elliott who had a great chance to open the scoring for the visitors.

Debutant Franck Moussa skipped past Arsenal youngster Martin Angha and picked out Elliott with a cross that the experienced frontman could only head wide.

Coventry had another decent headed chance when skipper Carl Baker floated a free kick into Richard Wood with 30 minutes gone but the Sky Blues' defender could only direct the ball well over the crossbar.

Arsenal finally forced Joe Murphy to make a save when Giroud controlled Francis Coquelin's pass before firing in a low shot from the edge of the area that the Coventry goalkeeper stopped comfortably.

The France international was on the scoresheet a couple of minutes later as he beat the offside trap to collect the loose ball following a challenge by Coquelin and kept his composure to chip over the onrushing Murphy.

Coventry started the second half brightly but could have fallen further behind only five minutes after the restart.

Reece Brown mistimed his clearance and then challenged Arshavin for the bouncing ball with the Russia international going to ground and referee Michael Jones adjudged that the on-loan Manchester United defender had been fouled.

Giroud stepped up but his low penalty was saved superbly by Murphy, diving low to his right and the resulting corner was headed onto the crossbar by Miquel.

The visitors came close to grabbing a goal of their own but Wood's header from another Baker set-piece bounced wide of Damian Martinez's left-hand post.

The miss proved costly as Arsenal doubled its lead moments later courtesy of a rasping effort from England winger Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 19-year-old collected a ball from Arshavin before firing home from 25 yards.

The former Southampton youngster almost repeated the feat five minutes later but Murphy was able to push his second effort clear.

The third goal followed soon after as Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud combined to set up Arshavin to score on his first start of the season.

Only another good save from Murphy denied Arsenal's captain Johan Djourou adding a fourth with a diving header.

Mark Robins' side was determined to give something for its 8,000 travelling fans to cheer and Gary McSheffrey should have pulled a goal back moments later but blazed over from close range.

Emmanuel Frimpong was introduced from the bench with 15 minutes to go, making his return from a long-term knee injury sustained when on-loan at Wolves last season.

Arsenal made it 4-0 moments later when Nico Yennaris played a through-ball to the feet of Walcott, who burst clear of the defense to slot home.

Substitute Ball and McSheffrey shot just wide before it was third time lucky for the Sky Blues when Ball reacted quicker than the Arsenal defense to Baker's cross to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

However, Arsenal soon regained its four-goal advantage as Miquel climbed at the back post to head home Arshavin's pinpoint cross.

Walcott then had two chances to add a sixth goal but hit the side-netting with one effort before forcing a low save out of Murphy.

The England international finally scored his second in the final minute of normal time with a smart finish.

In other matches in the fourth-round draw, Manchester City's conqueror Aston Villa was rewarded for knocking out the Premier League champions with a trip to Swindon.

Leeds, which ended Everton's hopes, will be at home to Southampton.

There will be a northeast derby at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland takes on Middlesbrough -- the teams met in the FA Cup last season.

Wigan will host the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, League Two outfit Bradford.

The ties will be played in the week starting Oct. 29.

Information from Press Association and The Associated Press was used in this report.



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2 USMNT players score and other Bundesliga news

Via ESPN News-U.S. international Fabian Johnson scored as Hoffenheim moved out of the Bundesliga's bottom three with a 3-0 win at second-bottom Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Takashi Usami opened the scoring after five minutes and second-half efforts from Joselu and Johnson completed a comfortable win.

At the other end of the table, Hannover moved up to third with a 4-1 thrashing of Nurnberg.

Didier Konan scored twice for the hosts as they claimed their third league win of the season to go three points behind second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Lars Stindl put Hannover ahead in the 21st minute and Szabolcs Huszti made it two eight minutes later.

Konan's double came in the 52nd and 63rd minutes before U.S. international Timmy Chandler grabbed a consolation for the visitors in the 73rd minute.

Rafael van der Vaart scored and then missed a penalty for Hamburg as Borussia Monchengladbach snatched a 2-2 draw.

The former Tottenham midfielder put his side 1-0 up in the 23rd minute only for Martin Stranzl to level six minutes before the break.

Artjoms Rudnevs restored Hamburg's lead on the stroke of halftime, but the visitors missed the chance to go further clear 10 minutes into the second half when van der Vaart failed from the spot after Stranzl was sent off.

And that miss proved costly as Gladbach grabbed a point in the final minute thanks to Alvaro Dominguez's equalizer.

Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a 3-1 win at bottom side Augsburg. The visitors were three up at halftime with goals from Stefan Kiessling, Phillipp Wollscheid and Andre Schurrle.

Tobias Werner pulled one back early in the second half, but the hosts could not mount a comeback.
Elsewhere, Werder Bremen came from behind to win 2-1 at Freiburg.

Goals early in the second half from Joseph Akpala and Aaron Hunt canceled out Jonathan Schmid's opener.

Information from Press Association was used in this report.



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USMNT duo lift Hoffenheim from the bottom of the table

Via ESPN FC-Americans Fabian Johnson and Daniel Williams scored as Hoffenheim secured its first points of the season with a 3-1 win over Hannover, climbing off the bottom of the Bundesliga.

An own goal from Mathieu Delpierre compounded what has been a poor start of the season for Hoffenheim, but Johnson replied immediately at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

Late goals from Sejad Salihovic and Williams then gave Hoffenheim some long-awaited joy as it moved off the foot of the table with their first three points of the season.

The result left Stuttgart as one of only two top-flight teams without a victory to their names this term, but it secured a hard-fought point Sunday in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Werder Bremen at the Weser Stadion in a match which saw both sides finish with 10 men.

Kevin de Bruyne and Zlatko Junuzovic established a two-goal advantage for the home team before halftime, but Stuttgart never gave up and recovered with goals from Martin Harnik and Cacau.

Harnik was then shown a second yellow card, soon to be followed down the tunnel by Assani Lukimya after he saw red late on.

Finally, Andre Schurrle missed a penalty as Bayer Leverkusen was held to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Monchengladbach at the BayArena.

In the battle of two of Germany's Europa League participants, both of whom drew 0-0 last Thursday, Leverkusen did everything but score more than their opponents, who collapsed after taking an early lead through Patrick Hermann.

Michal Kadlec soon levelled for Leverkusen but they were unable to find a winner in almost 80 minutes of a one-sided game, including Schurrle's penalty miss in the 70th minute.

Information from Press Association and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Of course the LA Galaxy want Frank Lampard

Via ESPN-LA Galaxy have made Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard top of their priority list, according to reports in the English press.

Lampard, 34, has less than a year left on his Chelsea contract and could sign a pre-contract agreement in January with a view to moving to the MLS in the summer.

A report in the Sun revealed that the midfielder's representative, Steve Kutner, was spotted in the crowd as the Galaxy beat Toronto 4-2 on Saturday night and a source told the paper: "We want the best players from around the world and Frank is top of our list. Getting Frank would send a message around the world that the MLS is serious."

The Galaxy currently have three designated players over the salary cap imposed - David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan - and would have to make room in the budget if they were to bring Lampard in as well.

Still, after AEG president Tim Leiweke revealed that he was "a big fan of Frank's" in the summer, Lampard insisted that he "wouldn't rule anything out at the moment" as discussions over his future took place. With no resolution imminent from the Blues, the midfielder may well be persuaded to seek a new challenge.


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Ronaldo to use reality TV to help him lose weight

There is a Fat Ronaldo Meme generator!!

Via ESPN FC-Brazil legend Ronaldo is continuing his battle with his weight, but will do so publically as he has signed up for a reality television show to help him shed the pounds ahead of an upcoming charity match.

Ronaldo, 36, had well documented weight issues throughout his career and now that he has retired from the game he is struggling even more with thyroid problems.

The former striker, however, has targeted an annual charity match against a side including former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane coming up in December as his goal and is using a three-month spell on popular variety show ''Fantastico'' to help him.

"I have problems with the weighing scales. It's a real trauma. I have already tackled many challenges and this will not be easy," he told Globo. "Those who have tried to lose weight know that. But I am getting on with it with high spirits. I have a game against Zidane's friends in Porto Alegre in December and I want to be ready for it. That's the big challenge."

Since hanging up his boots, Ronaldo has taken on a role with the local organising committee for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and has also done commercials, some of which poke fun at his dramatic weight gain.


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As much as I hate John Terry I think he's absolutely right

"Just tell your wife to meet me over there after the game!"

Via Press Association-The Football Association on Monday denied making John Terry's position with England "untenable" following the Chelsea captain's shocking decision to quit international football.

"I don't see how we've made it 'untenable' -- they're two very separate processes," FA general secretary Alex Horne told Sky Sports News on Monday outside Wembley.

"It's something that happened in a match between QPR and Chelsea -- it shouldn't be taking a year to resolve but we feel we're reaching a conclusion on that."

Terry on Sunday announced his retirement from international football, less than 24 hours before the FA hearing into his alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand.

"I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable," Terry said.

England coach Roy Hodgson said he "reluctantly accepted" Terry's retirement.

"I am of course disappointed to lose a player of John's international experience and exceptional ability.

"I have enjoyed a good relationship with John during my time as England manager," he said.

"I can also confirm that he had the courtesy to call me prior to the announcement of his retirement from the
England team. I'd like to wish John well for the future with Chelsea.''


The Chelsea captain effectively accused the FA of forcing his hand after charges stemming from last October's altercation with QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, despite the decision of the Westminster Magistrates Court to clear Terry of a racially-aggravated public order offense over the same incident.

"That's a very different process, from my perspective, from our England procedures," said Horne.
"They sit in different compartments and I could separate the two in my mind. But, unfortunately it doesn't look like he could."

Horne was speaking as Terry's hearing in front of an independent FA panel got under way, with some of the key players reportedly arriving at Wembley.

Former England captain Gary Lineker, who earned 80 England caps during his career, said Terry's decision is understandable given the circumstances.

"He says FA have made his position 'untenable.' [It was] probably a sensible decision," Lineker said via Twitter.

"Whatever you think about John Terry, he always gave his absolute all on the field for England. A strong leader and great defender."

Jimmy Armfield, another former England captain, said Terry's absence will be a difficult challenge for Hodgson to overcome.

"I was surprised to hear the news," Armfield told BBC Radio 5 live. "He has had a pretty strong run of England matches and it has come at a pretty difficult time for Roy Hodgson.

"We are in the middle of the World Cup qualifiers and I think he needs all the good players he has got. It looks at this moment as though there is a question of loyalty here somewhere."

Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant blasted the FA for its probe.

"Nobody thinks that John Terry is a racist so the FA need to leave it. He's a good man," Grant told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He respects everybody, he's good with people and I was very surprised that people thought bad things about him. If [the FA] think JT is racist they need to do something but I think nobody thinks he is a guy like this."


Terry could face a lengthy ban if found guilty by the FA of using racist language during Chelsea's Barclays Premier League defeat at QPR on Oct. 23, 2011. Terry denies the charges.

The 31-year-old was found not guilty in court in July, with the prosecution unable to prove he had made a racist slur against Ferdinand.

Terry admitted using a racial slur, but insisted he had only been repeating words he thought Ferdinand had accused him of saying.

Chelsea and England teammate Ashley Cole gave evidence that helped exonerate Terry, telling the court: "We shouldn't be sitting here."


Terry's legal team could attempt to get the FA case against him dismissed Monday by arguing the governing body's own rules dictate his acquittal in court means the case cannot proceed.

The FA may counter their charge against Terry is distinct enough from the offense from which he was cleared in July.

The panel, who handed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez an eight-match ban when they found him guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra last season, declared at that time that simply using racist language was enough to constitute a breach of FA rules.


Hodgson controversially picked Terry for this summer's European Championship, while his court case was still pending.

Horne added of Terry's decision: "It's obviously disappointing. He played well for us at the Euros, but it's his decision and we respect that."

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said the 78-cap Terry had "always given his all" and had been a "great servant" for his country.

"Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour," Terry said in his statement Sunday.

"I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision. I want to wish Roy and the team every success for the future."


Photo: Getty Images

Brad Friedel tells a Frenchie to go &%*$ himself....kind of.

Via Press Association-Brad Friedel has branded Fabian Barthez "ignorant" and "disrespectful" after the former Manchester United goalkeeper said he was baffled by Andre Villas-Boas' decision to keep the American as his No. 1 despite the signing of Hugo Lloris.

Spurs boss Villas-Boas decided to stick with Friedel for last Sunday's win against Reading despite signing Lloris from Lyon on transfer deadline day.

The Portuguese rested 41-year-old Friedel for last night's Europa League game against Lazio and Frenchman Lloris impressed, keeping a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw.

Villas-Boas is adamant that it will take something special for him to cut short Friedel's run of 308 consecutive Barclays Premier League games.

However former France international Barthez is clearly bemused at the 34-year-old manager's management of the situation involving his country's current first-choice shot-stopper.

"Lloris is one of the five best goalkeepers in the world," Barthez told Le Parisien.
"He is faster than Friedel, he jumps higher and he is very strong mentally.

"What is happening now is incomprehensible, but I'm not concerned. He will become the centre-piece of the club. Hugo is a calm guy, a good worker. Tottenham will not let him stay on the bench for a long time."

Friedel took offence, however, and this afternoon launched a scathing attack on the player who spent four years at Old Trafford at the turn of the century.

The American wrote on Twitter: "Just saw barthez comments. I normally don't comment on such c**p but when disrespected by someone I don't respect I must.

"Barthez was ignorant, disrespectful and out of order to mention my name."

Celtic charged with 4 accusations over Rangers zombie banner

Yes I am a Celtic fan and yes I find this funny as hell!

Via Press Association-Manager Neil Lennon refused to comment Friday on the charges brought against Celtic by the Scottish Football Association for allowing fans to display a controversial banner that depicted a Rangers "zombie" being shot.

The Parkhead club was issued with a notice of complaint Thursday from the governing body for allowing the banner to be unveiled at their preseason friendly against Norwich in July.

Celtic are accused of breaking four SFA rules over the incident -- allowing the banner onto the grounds, letting it be displayed, not removing it and letting the banner be unfurled for a second time without taking action.

Ahead of the visit of Dundee in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League tomorrow, the Celtic manager said: "I have seen the story but I can't comment on that, that is between the SFA and the club hierarchy here."

The Scottish champions have until September 27 to respond to the charge and the hearing will be held on Thursday, October 11.



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Australian A-League really starting to pull in the foreign players

Does anyone else think that A-League has become a competitor with MLS for European talent looking to go abroad?

Via ESPNFC-Former England striker Emile Heskey has signed for the Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League.

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker's signing was confirmed by Newcastle after the 34-year-old signed a deal for the 2012-2013 season, which begins next month.

"This is an exciting new period in my life and I am looking forward to making a special contribution to the A-League and most importantly to the Jets," Heskey said. "I hope I can help grow football at the grassroots level and also provide advice to young players at the Jets."

Capped 62 times by England, Heskey scored 110 goals in 516 games in the Premier League during a 17-year career in England.

"Emile has played our game at the highest level in England, both internationally and domestically, and he finished last season playing with Aston Villa in the English Premier League," Newcastle chief executive Robbie Middleby said. "We are aware that Emile had other offers but he is genuinely excited to be a part of what we want to achieve at the Jets.

"Emile's relationship with former English Premier League players Michael Bridges and Robbie Fowler assisted him in understanding what the A-League has to offer."

Heskey was part of the Liverpool team which won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in the 2000-2001 season and appeared in two World Cups for England.

"His effectiveness in being able to hold the ball up and invite other players to play off him is going to be a big benefit to us," Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond said. "He's someone who can really lead the line and is exactly what we've been missing."

Heskey could face another European star, Sydney FC's Alessandro Del Piero, in Sydeney's home opener next month.

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack is also in talks with an Australian club, Western Sydney Wanderers, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Information from Press Association was used in this report.


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And the second LEAST shocking news story of the day is???

"I know nusssssing!!!"

Via ESPN News-The man appointed to investigate corruption at FIFA has said the organisation has "skeletons in the cupboard" and that he has encountered resistance to his work.

Mark Pieth was brought in to chair FIFA's Independent Governance Committee (IGC) by Sepp Blatter, the president of world football's governing body.

He told the BBC he believed some members of the organisation were resisting his investigative efforts, saying: "We've introduced this new, independent judicial system but I think they need to look at the past.

"They have skeletons in the cupboard, that's true. There are some, usually older people, who don't agree with what is happening."

The IGC was set up in 2011 after a series of corruption scandals and claims. In March, it published a report that said past allegations of corruption had been sufficiently investigated.

Blatter set up an ethics committee in response, but Pieth, a 59-year-old Swiss professor, believes much more work remains to be done.


Pic: Action Images

Racism in European football??? I'm shocked!!

Via ESPN-Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is sure that UEFA will come down hard on any Lazio fans who are found to have racially abused Spurs players in Thursday's Europa League clash at White Hart Lane.

Loud monkey-chanting was heard to come from the away end on several occasions directed against black players Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend in Thursday's Group J clash, which ended 0-0 after three Spurs goals were controversially ruled out.

Villas-Boas said he did not hear the chants himself, but he would encourage UEFA, whose head Michel Platini was at the game, to take any action if it is proven that the travelling fans did, in fact, hurl racist abuse.

"I think (UEFA will act if the accusations are proven)," Villas-Boas said in his postmatch news conference.

"UEFA is very active on this kind of situation and our overall objective is to kick racism out of football. I can't point the finger at anyone in any way shape or form tonight because I didn't hear anything. It's for the authorities to follow up in any kind of investigation."

Lazio coach Vladimir Petkovic also said he didn't hear any chants.

The anti-racism group FARE posted a link on its Twitter feed giving Spurs fans the chance to report any chants they heard from the away end. UEFA has fined clubs in the past for racist incidents.

Tottenham also operates a strict zero tolerance policy when it comes to racism.

Information from Press Association was used in this report.



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HOLY SHIT!!! In Iran they don't throw flairs they throw GRENADES!!!

Um...just....wow... I mean as an FC Dallas fan I HATE the Houston Dynamo with a passion, but good lord!! I have a feeling no one in the North End would throw a grenade! Who throws a grenade?? This is the YouTube description:

"During a local club match in Isfahan,Iran some spectators threw a hand grenade on field,a player found it and thought it was some other object and threw it on sidelines just in time,if he had done this a few seconds later his hand would have been blasted.The game was called off and police have started investigating this case."



Gerard Pique lives every man's dream and impregnates Shakira

I just want to know if this alleged sex tape happened 9 months ago. You would think it would be worth more money if it goes from a "sex tape" to an "impregnation tape". And no I don't know if that's a real thing but it sure seems like it would be a fetish.

Via FOX Soccer-Gerard Pique and Shakira confirmed today that the rumors are true: the 35-year-old Colombian superstar and the 25-year-old Barcelona defender are expecting their first child.

In a post on her official website, the singer announced the cancellation of a festival gig due to her pregnancy.
“As some of you may know Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby,” Shakira posted at Shakira.com. “At this time we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days.”

The pregnancy had been widely reported in the Spanish media, but this is the first official word from the couple.

The news was not all good today, however: Pique injured his left foot in Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow today in Champions League play and will miss the next 2-3 weeks. That’s bad news for the Catalans as Pique joins Carlos Puyol on the sidelines for their hotly anticipated October 7th El Clasico clash against Real Madrid.



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Barca want to go ahead and renegotiate Messi's contract....4 years early.

With a girlfriend like Antonella Roccuzzo I'd say he doing just fine.

Via ESPN-Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has confirmed that the club are already considering renegotiating Lionel Messi's contract, despite the Argentine's current deal having almost four more years to run.

Messi, who scored more than 70 goals for Barca in all competitions last season, is currently committed to the club until the summer of 2016, but Rosell stressed the importance of getting work on an improved deal for the player under way as soon as possible.

"It finishes in 2016, but it would be irresponsible to not improve his contract," Rosell told Catalunya Radio.
"You have to think about such things. Right now there is nothing scheduled, but this is a machine that is constantly in motion and things can change at any moment.

"The coaching staff think about next Sunday - we look further down the line and take the more distant future into consideration. Work has to start now on the contract that will take effect from 2016."

The president also refused to be drawn on the current situation at Real Madrid, a matter which has occupied the Spanish press, who appear to be convinced that manager Jose Mourinho is fighting a dressing room revolt.

"The day you become preoccupied by other teams' matters is the day you start to lose," he said. "We need to remain a close group and work as such."

So I'll bet Wondo wins the Golden Boot...any takers??

With the next closest scorers (Saborio and Cooper) 7 goals back at 14, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Wondo winning the Golden Boot.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Chris Wondolowski scored two goals in the second half, including the tying goal in stoppage time, to lift the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers on Wednesday night.

Wondolowski, who entered the game in the 58th minute, scored his 20th and 21st goals -- extending his franchise single-season record, career-high and league-leading total -- to help San Jose (17-6-6) improve to 11-0-5 in its past 16 matches at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Earthquakes also remained three points ahead of Sporting Kansas City in the Supporters' Shield race for the most points in the standings.

Portland (7-14-8), which got two goals from Danny Mwanga, squandered an opportunity for its first road win of the season. Instead, the Timbers remained winless in a 16th straight road match and are on pace to be just the fifth MLS club to go a full season without a road victory.

San Jose salvaged the critical point after an attempted flick clearance by Portland defender Hanyer Mosquera floated to the back post, where an open Wondolowski headed it home.

San Jose brought in Wondolowski and Alan Gordon -- initially rested in the midst of a three-games-in-eight-days stretch -- looking for late-match magic, and they each had a hand in the Earthquakes' first goal.

Gordon flicked on a long lead pass from Victor Bernardez in the 73rd minute, and Steven Lenhart got a sliding touch on it to free Wondolowski, who converted with his left foot from 16 yards. It was Wondolowski's first goal in the run of play since July 14.

Mwanga used his strength to create his own goal-scoring chance in the 45th minute, staying upright despite a hard challenge from Bernardez. Bernardez's attempt to knock the ball from Mwanga fed straight to Rodney Wallace in the middle of a stretched-out San Jose defense. Wallace slid a through ball right back to Mwanga, who took one dribble to avoid converging defenders and charging goalkeeper Jon Busch and found the empty net.

Mwanga, acquired from Philadelphia in June, made it 2-0 with a crackling 25-yard blast across the face of goal to the upper corner of the far post in the 62nd minute. The play was set up by a 40-yard run through the midfield by Franck Songo'o. Earthquakes midfielder Sam Cronin futilely gave chase, eventually coming up short on a sliding tackle, and Songo'o easily swiveled around Bernardez before feeding Mwanga, who had plenty of time to line up his shot.



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Liverpool's young boys take on Young Boys.......wait what???

I feel like I should be going to prison after writing that headline......

Via Press Association-On-loan Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin said he does not view being asked to help lead an under-strength side's Europa League challenge as a step down for him as manager Brendan Rogers protects the club's Premier League season by fielding a virtual reserve side in Europe for Thursday's Europa League match against Swiss team Young Boys in Bern (1 p.m. ET).

The Reds have had their worst start to a campaign in 100 years, with just two points from their opening four matches, and it does not get any easier with arch-rivals Manchester United heading to Anfield on Sunday.

As a result captain Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Jose Reina, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Joe Allen and Martin Kelly have all been left behind for Thursday's Europa League clash with Swiss side Young Boys.

It means the likes of Samed Yesil, Suso, Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, Adam Morgan, Jack Robinson and Dani Pacheco have all been included in the Europa League squad -- which has an average age of just 21 and includes seven teenagers.

"I can understand why people would perceive us as not taking it seriously but I will always do what is in the best interests of the football club,'' said Rodgers.

"I look at Real Madrid vs. Manchester City last night and Samir Nasri came off with an injury but they have a massive squad who can accommodate that.

"If I lose some of my key players that can make it very difficult for us for the next two or three months," he said.

"No matter what the perception is I know in my own mind I've brought a team here which has a mixture of experience and talented young players.

"I am fully aware that when you pull on a Liverpool shirt you are expected to win the games so I've brought a team I believe can win the game."

Thursday will be only Sahin's second appearance since moving to Anfield on a season-long temporary deal in the virtual Liverpool reserve side.

"I know maybe in England the focus is more on the Champions League," he said.

"Maybe it's because the English teams are getting used to winning trophies in the Champions League: if you look at the semifinals most of the teams are Spanish or English."

Last season the 24-year-old Turkey international was playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso in Real Madrid's run to the semifinals of the Champions League.



"Every player wants to play Champions League but I am not the type of person to say it is a step down," he said.

"The Europa League is a very good competition also and we will try to go to the end.

"I played this competition with Borussia Dortmund and it is a difficult competition and when the Champions League teams come down after their first group stage it becomes a very good competition."

Young Boys coach Martin Rueda warned Liverpool they have taken a risk bringing an under-strength squad to Switzerland.

"I do not think Liverpool can afford to turn up without their best players,'' he said.

"Especially since they did not shine in the early season, taking just two points from their first four games."

"That makes me say that we are not far from them. We can embarrass Liverpool."


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Rampone to commit at least one more year to USWNT

Via ESPNW-DENVER -- Christie Rampone isn't going anywhere just yet.

The 37-year-old captain of the United States women's national soccer team said Tuesday that she has decided to play at least one more season, ending speculation that she would retire after the U.S. won a gold medal at this summer's London Olympics.

It would've been a golden finish to a superlative career. But after taking a few weeks to think about it, Rampone realized she just wasn't finished.

"After the Olympics, I thought I'd be like, 'This is it, this is awesome. Let's ride off on a high note,' " Rampone told espnW after the U.S. training session here in Denver before a match against Australia on Wednesday.

"But then I was like, 'I don't need to end off on a high note. I just want to continue playing and doing something I love.' "

Rampone, a mother of two who also has coaching aspirations, said that she's committing to at least one more year with the national team, if the team will still have her. Wednesday's game will be head coach Pia Sundhage's final game on the U.S. sideline.

"I still have to get called in," Rampone said. "They may want to wipe out the older players, but you never know. So I'm just going to keep an open mind to it, give a good year commitment to it, see if I like the coaching staff, how I fit in, how much travel it is and take it from there."

U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said on a conference call on Monday that it should take 30-45 days to hire Sundhage's successor. A search committee of Gulati, U.S. Soccer secretary general Dan Flynn, U.S. Soccer managing director Tom King and former national team players Mia Hamm and Danielle Slaton had its first meeting on Sunday in Los Angeles.

If no new coach is named within that timeframe, Gulati said one of the current assistants would likely guide the squad in the last two months of its 10-game victory tour in October and November.

Because of her standing on the team and within the soccer community, Rampone had been mentioned as a possible successor to Sundhage. But she laughed off that suggestion Tuesday.

"As rumor has it I was up for this job and it's hilarious," Rampone said. "I can see that in the future. But you can't just step into a job like this. You have to go through the process of coaching at the lower levels and working yourself up.

"I don't think I'd want to coach the players I've played with. I'd really like to observe the game overseas and see it at every level so I could be the best coach I could be.

While Rampone would only commit to playing for one year, she's not ruling out a longer stay on the team she's been with since 1997. Rampone is the only current member of the team to have won a World Cup, way back in 1999, although she played in just one game during that tournament. If she were to stay on with the team through the 2015 World Cup in Canada, she'd be 40 years old, one year older than former teammate Kristine Lilly who retired from the national team at the age of 39.



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Aguero says he would have gone to Real had they wanted him....no shit?

Via Soccernet-Sergio Aguero said Tuesday he would have joined Real Madrid had they made an offer for him in 2011.

"If Real Madrid had been interested in me, then I would be here," Aguero told reporters in the mixed zone at Bernabeu Tuesday. "I had no option but to join City.

"Now I want to take this opportunity to refute the information where I supposedly said that I would never play for Real Madrid because I played at Atletico. It was published in an English newspaper."

The Argentinean striker, who was on the bench still recovering from injury during Real's 3-2 Champions League win on Tuesday, became Manchester City's most expensive acquisition last summer when he made a £38 million ($61.1 million) move from Atletico Madrid.

At the time, reports claimed Aguero was against joining Atletico's fierce rivals out of respect, but the 24-year-old denied those reports following City's loss at the Bernabeu.


Aguero netted 23 goals for City last term, including the match-winning strike on the final day of the season which earned Roberto Mancini's team the Premier League title. Aguero said he is happy to stay in England having made the move from Spain.

"Right now, I'm playing for City and not thinking about anything else," said Aguero.

Information from Efe News Agency was used in this report.


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Mancini tells Hart to "stay in goal and make saves" instead of criticizing his team

Via ESPN-Roberto Mancini has issued a withering response to Joe Hart's criticism of Manchester City's performance in the 3-2 defeat at Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League.

City twice held the lead before eventually falling to Cristiano Ronaldo's late strike at the Bernabeu. After the match, Hart said: "It's not on. You can't go 2-1 up and lose the game. We can only blame ourselves."

The England goalkeeper seemed to be at fault for Ronaldo's winner, letting the ball slip past his dive - and Mancini was far from pleased at hearing Hart had voiced his displeasure at his team-mates' showing.

"Joe Hart should stay in goal and make saves," Mancini said. "If anyone should criticise the team it should be me, not Joe Hart. I am the judge, not Joe Hart."

City have not kept a clean sheet so far this season, and have never looked particularly fluent at the beginning of their defence of the Premier League title - a problem Mancini acknowledges.

"With three minutes to go, we were 2-1 up," he said. "We need to improve the situation because we go too deep sometimes and leave the opponents to play easy on the edge of the box."


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Celtic loose and other SPL news from the weekend

Via SPL-St Johnstone came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 at McDiarmid Park on Saturday as Steve Lomas' side moved off the bottom of the table with their first victory of the season.

Kris Commons gave the visitors an early lead but Gregory Tade equalised before half-time and Rowan Vine curled home the decisive goal from the edge of the box with 10 minutes remaining.

Motherwell remain at the SPL summit thanks to a 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens Park. Colin Nish headed the hosts in front but Michael Higdon levelled then grabbed the winner late on.

Hibernian are in second place after beating Kilmarnock 2-1 at Easter Road. Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring when his corner kick found its way into the net and the on-loan Wolves striker then converted a penalty after Danny Racchi had hauled the visitors back into it.

Goals from Jim Goodwin and Lewis Guy earned St Mirren a 2-0 home win over Hearts to lift Danny Lennon's team up to third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

A late goal from Aberdeen teenager Cammy Smith gave the Dons a 1-1 draw away to Inverness CT, who had gone ahead through a penalty from Richie Foran. Both sides ended with 10 men after Owain Tudur Jones and Russell Anderson were sent off in separate incidents.

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Arsene Wenger is still delusional

Via ESPNFC-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed there is more variety to his side's game since the departure of captain Robin van Persie.

Van Persie hit 30 Premier League goals for the Gunners last season as he inspired the side to a third placed finish, following their disastrous start.

The Netherlands international was sold to rivals Manchester United over the summer, which left many believing Arsenal would struggle this campaign.

Yet despite losing the 29-year-old, Wenger believes the departure has enabled his side to mix up their style while also creating a strong team spirit.

"Sometimes an individual grows up and becomes the main charisma and carrier of the team and then people notice only him," said Wenger. "Robin van Persie scored 30 goals and when you score 30 goals everyone gives you the ball. That's as simple as that. Our game at the moment is a little bit more diversified.

"We have a spirit, a desire to play together and the strength of depth. The vibes coming out are that we look like a real team and we enjoy to play together. That's a good basis and is interesting."

Arsenal have got off to a positive start to the season, currently lying third in the table, having only conceded one goal and still remaining undefeated.

Their 6-1 trouncing of Southampton on Saturday, along with the way new signings Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski have bedded in, has left people claiming they could be title challengers this year.

Wenger believes his side can challenge but wants to see some consistency first before getting too carried away.
"I think we have a chance [to be title contenders]," he said. "We will know that after 10 games. We have the quality to do it but we have to show how much we want it.

"At the moment I don't know how strong our opponents are. We've not played against any of the title contenders yet. It will be important to see how we do against the bigger teams."

Brad Friedel proves that America is better than France

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

Via Press Association-Brad Friedel insists he has no problem with Hugo Lloris' arrival at Tottenham and claims the rivalry between the two goalkeepers is a "friendly" and "healthy" one.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas said he had completed one of the biggest coups of the summer when he swooped to sign Lloris from Lyon for an initial 8 million pounds ($12.9 million) fee on transfer deadline day.

The France captain was expected to go straight into the starting lineup, but Villas-Boas retained Friedel in goal for Sunday's win over Reading after the American put in an outstanding display in the previous fixture against Norwich.

Villa-Boas' public vow to keep Friedel as his No. 1 goalkeeper did not go down well with the Frenchman, or his national manager Didier Deschamps, but the Portuguese insists the 25-year-old must earn his right to win the No. 1 jersey.

Friedel, who played his 308th consecutive Barclays Premier League game yesterday, has no qualms about the competition between himself, Lloris, and Spurs' other two goalkeepers Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.

"Hugo has come in and is a really nice person," Friedel told talkSPORT.

"He's a super goalkeeper but we have two other really good goalkeepers in Heurelho Gomes and Carlo Cudicini.

"We have friendly, and healthy, competition for places. Hopefully we will have long runs in all the cup competitions and there's going to be plenty of matches to share around."

Lloris was among the substitutes Sunday, but he may start Thursday's Europa League clash against Lazio at White Hart Lane.

The Frenchman was content to sit out the 3-1 win over Reading, which came courtesy of two goals from Jermain Defoe and another from Gareth Bale, but does expect to be playing soon.

"I am in an adaptation period, I've had very few training sessions, and there are players that I didn't know. But I am expecting time on the pitch," Lloris told L'Equ



Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

Mourinho says Real have nothing to worry about in Champs League

"What? Me worry?"

Via ESPN-Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said Monday that he is not feeling more pressure for his team to perform well in the Champions League after its subpar start in La Liga.

Mourinho, whose Real Madrid side open their Champions League campaign against City on Tuesday night, dismissed suggestions that with Barcelona already having opened up an eight-point league in La Liga, his side would come under greater pressure to get off to a good start in Europe.

"At this level, players and managers have already won things," he said. "All of us have titles, professional and economic stability, we needn't be worried about people nor waiting on their reaction.

"No one pressures me, I pressure myself. No one motivates me, I motivate myself also.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, meanwhile, said he sees no reason why the reigning Barclays Premier League champions should be intimidated by the nine-time European title-winners.

"Our mentality is not to go there -- to Madrid or anywhere -- for a draw, or to lose. We want to win always," he said. "But we know it will be a tough game. We play against one of the best teams in the world, but we want to do our job well.I think it will be a fantastic game, and a fantastic for moment for everyone at the club."

Real's chief threat is former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a remarkable 60 goals last season.

Yet Mancini is wary of focusing too much on just one man.

"Real Madrid don't have only Ronaldo. Ronaldo is, with (Lionel) Messi, the best player in the world but they have 15, 16, 18 players at the top," he said.

City might get a boost Tuesday with the return of Sergio Aguero. Last season's top scorer is to travel with City in the hope of proving his fitness after a month out with a knee injury.

Mourinho expressed confidence that his team would be ready for the test that Manchester City will provide Tuesday.

"The conviction is that tomorrow we will have a team. A determined, compact and solid team."

Real have started their own domestic campaign poorly, winning just once in their first four league matches, but Mourinho insists he will not make wholesale changes despite questioning some of his players' commitment after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Sevilla.

"The lineup will not be very different, nor will I try to show any player that they are not in the best condition," he said. "It will be the best that I consider to play against opposition full of players of the highest level.

"I don't believe I have created doubts. The principal person responsible is me. When my teams win, we win together, and when we lose, I am the one responsible.

He said his comments to the media were't any different than the ones he made to his own team earlier.

"Before losing to Sevilla I said to the players what I then said in the press conference. For this reason it is not a criticism but a conviction. I said it to them before the game.

"Football is about today and tomorrow, not yesterday. Yesterday is history. I haven't been able to keep my players motivated and concentrated at the top level and that is my fault."

He also compared the investment made by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan since he bought

Manchester City in 2008 to that of Roman Abramovich at Mourinho's old club, Chelsea.

"I don't think it is very different to Chelsea," he said. "Since Roman bought the club, (Claudio) Ranieri was the first coach, then I came and we won the first league, some cups and some more titles. Carlo (Ancelotti) then came and they continued to win and finally they won the Champions League.

"With City it started off with Mark Hughes, they started spending money and buying good players. Then Roberto (Mancini) came and he has done a very good job. He has created a great squad, the first cup then the first title arrived," he continued.

"I don't know if it is this season or next season with Roberto, or with another person in the future, but normally in the direction the club is going, sooner or later they will win the big cup."

Information from Press Association was used in this report.

 Photograph: Thanassis Stravrakis/AP

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Mourinho essentially says that Kaka is done at Real

"Find me a new team NOW!"

Via Dermot Corrigan-Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has suggested Kaka is unlikely to ever regain the form he showed at AC Milan.

Kaka, 30, was named the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007 after helping Milan to glory in the Champions League, and Madrid broke the world transfer record when taking him to the Bernabeu in June 2009.

However, he has struggled to live up to expectations in Spain, with a series of injuries hampering his chances.

"What has happened to Kaka has happened before to many great players - stars who, for one reason or another, were not able to maintain the same level at new clubs," he told AS. "Obviously football is not mathematics and players are not robots. Kaka arrived with physical issues and did not play regularly in his first two seasons. Last year he had very, very good periods and did good things for us."

The Brazilian would have limited chances to feature this season, Mourinho said.

"His situation is not easy as we have other options, but he has accepted the challenge," he said. "He is training well. When we need to use him we will use him and try to get the best out of him. When that moment comes, Kaka will respond and help Madrid."

In contrast, Luka Modric, this summer's €37 million signing from Tottenham, is set to be a key player for Madrid this season.

"He was the only signing we thought about, and we did it because I like him as a player," Mourinho said. "I was sure he will fit in well in the dressing room and because Madrid's supporters would like him.

"He has talent and tactical discipline in equal amounts. He is a team player who looks for and makes himself available for team-mates. He also has a touch of class, or magic, that the Bernabeu likes. We have signed Modric as he will make us enjoy ourselves and help us to win."



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Barton to serve remaining 9 match ban with Marseille

Realistic depiction of Joey's typical day.

Via ESPN-Joey Barton will serve the remaining nine games of his 12-match ban in France after joining Marseille on a one-year loan from Queens Park Rangers, the French league (LFP) have confirmed.

Barton, 30, arrived at the Stade Velodrome last week, but will now have to wait until mid-November to make his Ligue 1 debut, as the English FA's lengthy domestic suspension after getting sent off for QPR was upheld by their French counterparts.

The midfielder was dismissed on the final day of the 2011-12 Premier League season for elbowing Manchester City's Carlos Tevez and then kicked Sergio Aguero. He also appeared to try and headbutt City captain Vincent Kompany.

"When Joey Barton was transferred from Queens Park Rangers to Olympique Marseille, the FA relayed the sanction taken against him to the French soccer federation," the LFP said in statement.

"According to FIFA rules... the player, who has already served three games, has been suspended for the next nine matches in the French competitions."

Despite his inability to play domestically for a further two months, Barton is available for selection in European competition, which would allow him to appear for Marseille in their Europa League opener against Fenerbahce on September 20.

The former Manchester City and Newcastle United player will miss eight Ligue 1 matches and one League Cup match and will be eligible to face Bordeaux in Marseille's November 18 league fixture.

Barton's arrival has caused much excitement among his team-mates, who cannot wait to play alongside the controversial midfielder.

"Everyone is waiting to see him play. We know his qualities, his aggressiveness, his ability to get the ball into feet. He is still a good player. I think he can bring us a lot," Marseille winger Andre Ayew said.

World's richest man (with the most awesome name) buys into Mexican soccer.

"I don't always buy soccer teams, but when I do I buy Mexicano."

Via ESPNDeportes-Billionaire Carlos Slim, called the world's richest man from 2010-2012 by Forbes magazine, waded into Mexican league soccer this week with the official announcement that he would acquire a 30-percent stake in Grupo Pachuca, which owns the teams of Pachuca and Leon.

On Thursday the league held a press conference in Mexico City to announce TV transmission rights in Mexico for the Leon home games, which will be via UnoTV, the news and video channel Slim owns. It is anticipated that next year, once Pachuca's contract with competitor TV Azteca ends, that the team will follow Leon's suit.

Slim's phone company, America Movil SAB, started the online news service, UnoTV, earlier this year, with a focus on Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city.

"We feel very honored to have our new board member with us," said Grupo Pachuca president Jesus Martinez via press release.

Analysts speculate that Slim and his family have no interest in owning a professional soccer team, or they would have invested long ago. Mexican soccer analysts believe the move was done to provide Slim with content for his media venture.

Slim and America Movil are currently locked in a battle with TV companies Televisa and TV Azteca, both of whom are claiming that America Movil needs a government license to offer video programming over the America Movil phone network. Slim, meanwhile, has insisted that while he can't offer cable service, he needs no permit to produce video for the internet.

The permits, however, have not proceeded even though Mexico's FCC (Cofetel) granted its recommendation or 'default affirmation' to allow the phone company to provide services of restricted television.

Photo: © Zuma Press

Zenit: Nani wage demands "unreal".

"No really dude. Get out of here while you can. Trust me!"

Via ESPN-Zenit St Petersburg's talks with Manchester United winger Nani collapsed due to the Portuguese winger's "unreal" wage demands, according to Daily Mail reports.

Big-spending Zenit director-general Maxim Mitrofanov said his team did not come close to agreeing personal terms with the 25-year-old, even after United chiefs expressed their willingness to part with Nani.

Zenit recently acquired Brazil forward Hulk and Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel for a combined $101 million.The Russian transfer window closed on Thursday.


"If Hulk had demanded €8 million to €10 million a year, these conditions would have been unacceptable for Zenit," Mitrofanov told the Daily Mail. "The transfer of Nani failed mostly due to this reason, as he asked for an enormous salary and we would not pay him."

The Portugal international did not enjoy the best of starts to the new Premier League season, turning in a poor display at Everton that saw him subbed and then dropped from the next game.

"'It's true we are negotiating for Nani and [Joao] Moutinho, but Hulk and Witsel were our top priorities," The Daily Mail quoted Zenit's Maxim Mitrofanov as saying.

The collapse of the deal leaves Nani in limbo at United, with the club's desire to offload him suggesting he may struggle to force his way back into Sir Alex Ferguson's first-team plans. It is reported that his agent had been demanding a £130,000-per-week deal to keep his client in Manchester.

Meanwhile, Zenit also failed in their bid to bring Arsenal's Andrei Arshavin to St Petersburg in the hours before the Russian transfer window slammed shut on Thursday night, leaving the winger out in the cold for club and country after he was dropped by new Russia boss Fabio Capello.