Wondo ties MLS record with 27th goal of the season

Here is Chris Wondolowski's MLS record tying 27th goal of the year. The record has stood for 16 years in MLS. Congratulations Chris, this was a well earned Golden Boot.

If you thought the Chelsea/Man U travesty couldn't get any worse....you would be wrong.

If you saw the travesty that was Chelsea vs. Man U then you know how pissed every Chelsea fan is today.  With two TERRIBLE calls both going against Chelsea, or more FOR Man U, I can't blame fans for being a little more than upset. First was Fernando Torres' second yellow card call for diving, link here, in which Torres is clearly clipped in the shin by Evans yet somehow gets a card for diving. To make matters worse Chelsea gave up an own goal late which should have been disallowed because Chicharito was a yard and a half offsides, link here. 

Well it's all gotten worse now as Chelsea have lodged a formal complaint against referee Mark Clattenburg for using "inappropriate language" directed at Mikel Obi and Juan Mata.



Via ESPN News-The Premier League referees' union pledged its "full support" Monday to Mark Clattenburg after Chelsea accused him of using "inappropriate language" toward Mikel John Obi and Juan Mata.

"Prospect is committed to helping to eradicate racism in football and in society generally," the trade union, of which the referees' union is a member, said in a statement. "We will be making no further comment at this stage."

Clattenburg is waiting to hear whether the England Football Association will launch an investigation into allegations he made racist comments during Manchester United's 3-2 win.

Chelsea last night made a formal complaint to the match delegate, whose report was expected to arrive at FA headquarters Monday.

Mikel's agent and Chelsea did not comment Monday, but the club did confirm that it had decided against holding a press conference Tuesday to preview Wednesday night's Capital One Cup clash against United.

Chelsea's complaint against Clattenburg, 37, could hinge on the evidence of the assistant referees who would have heard every exchange, according to ex-referee Graham Poll.

"A referee's microphone is on open. Everything he says is heard by two assistants," Poll, who refereed 1,544 matches during his career and officiated at two World Cups, told BBC Radio 5 live. "So if Mark said something, the assistants would have heard it."

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter said Clattenburg won't officiate a match again if the charges are proven true.

"I'm not saying referees should do it, but there seems to be one law for one set of people and one law for another, but this inference that racial language has been used is very, very serious," Winter said.

Information from Press Association was used in this report.

Players hit with bomb thrown onto field

I don't even know what to say to this. just wow....

FIFA tells goal-line tech companies to make sure they have insurance

I guess this makes sense.......kind of......not really? It seems a little harsh to me that FIFA would allow the manufacturer to be held legally liable. I mean I understand the need for the equipment to work all the time but still. I guess this is a motivator to the companies involved to make sure their shit works.



Via Press Association-  FIFA on Tuesday ordered goal-line technology companies to take out insurance coverage in case clubs or leagues take legal action over any system failures.

Hawk-Eye and GoalRef Tuesday were cleared to install their systems worldwide after being granted licenses by FIFA.

But the companies have had to provide insurance so that if the systems fail -- either failing to spot the ball has crossed the line or registering wrongly that the ball was over the line -- they are covered if legal action is launched against them.

The insurance would also cover any claims if a player or official says they have been injured by the equipment.


The granting of the licenses means the systems can now be installed in stadiums, after which they will undergo a final inspection by an independent test institute before being allowed to function.

The first competitive tournament using the systems is expected to be FIFA's Club World Cup in Japan in December.

Meanwhile, German company Cairos is developing a third system and will seek approval by the International FA Board at a meeting in Scotland in March.

Get your weekend started with some *Cleavage Edition!!

So here's another awesome Cleavage Edition from the always lovely Jessica Kardashian to get your weekend started off right! Have no idea what she's talking about? Well I'm a nice guy and of course care deeply about my readers so here is the original video that she's talking about. You see! I do love you guys after all.

Stephen Hart resigns as head of Canada MNT

The Canadian Soccer Association announced yesterday that coach Stephen Hart would be stepping down after their embarrassing crash out of the WCQ with an 8-1 loss to Honduras. 

Stephen Hart had been doing a pretty nice job with Canada but if Jamaica can make the Hex with a bunch MLS guys then Canada should be able to make it with the talent that they have.  Canadian presence in international leagues has grown and grown over the last decade without the National team seeming to greatly improve.  And without being involved in the Rio 2014 it's going to be hard for Canada to get a top tier coach.


Via AP-TORONTO -- Stephen Hart has resigned as Canada soccer coach, two days after the team was eliminated from World Cup qualifying with an 8-1 loss at Honduras.

Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani announced Thursday that Hart had quit.

Canada needed a tie or win to advance to next year's six-nation finals in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The seven-goal loss was its largest margin since an 8-0 defeat at Mexico in 1993.

Hart was hired in December 2009. Including an interim stint in 2006-07, he managed Canada to a 20-15-10 record.

Greek team gets best sponsor ever.....a brothel!

Via AP-LARISSA, Greece -- The world's oldest profession is giving a whole new meaning to love of the game.

Players on a cash-strapped Greek soccer team now wear pink practice jerseys with the logos "Villa Erotica" and "Soula's House of History," two bordellos it recruited as sponsors after drastic government spending cuts left the country's sports clubs facing ruin.

Other teams have also turned to unconventional financing. One has a deal with a local funeral home and others have wooed kebab shops, a jam factory and producers of Greece's trademark feta cheese.

But the amateur Voukefalas club -- whose players include pizza delivery guys, students, waiters and a bartender -- has raised eyebrows with its flamboyant sponsorship choice.

"Unfortunately, amateur football has been abandoned by almost everyone," said Yiannis Batziolas, the club's youthful chairman, who runs a travel agency and is the team's backup goalkeeper. "It's a question of survival."

Prostitution is legal in Greece, where brothels operate under strict guidelines. Though garish neon signs advertising their services are tolerated, the soccer sponsorship has ruffled some feathers in the sports-mad city of Larissa. League organizers have banned the pink jerseys during games, saying the deal violates "the sporting ideal" and is inappropriate for underage fans.

Batziolas acknowledges the sponsorship took his team by surprise. "They didn't believe it in the beginning," he said. "But when they saw the shirts printed, they thought it was funny."

Near-bankrupt Greece is struggling to meet creditors' relentless demands to slash spending and keep the euro as its currency. As Greece heads toward a sixth year of recession, drastic budget cuts have hammered many ordinary people: Retirees have been left to cover their own medical expenses, children have lost school bus services, and sports teams have scrambled to find sponsors as businesses close under the burden of emergency taxes.

Brothel owner Soula Alevridou, the team's new benefactor, has already paid more than 1,000 euros ($1,312) for players to wear her jerseys. The team is appealing the game ban, but that doesn't worry the 67-year-old Alevridou, who says she's only in it because she loves soccer.

"It's not the kind of business that needs promotion," she said, dressed all in white and flanked by two young women in dark leggings at a recent game. "It's a word-of-mouth kind of thing."

Her businesses, plushly decorated pastel-colored bungalows where 14 women are employed, have weathered the country's financial disaster far better than most, and she readily acknowledges her success.

"If we don't help our scientists and athletes, where will we be?" she asked. "Greece has educated people, cultured people and good athletes. It's better to help them than take our money to Switzerland."

Alevridou watched in disappointment as her team lost its fourth straight game, 1-0, despite her promise to players of "a special time" at her businesses if they won.

"There's a lot still missing. We have no midfield," said Alevridou, a slightly built woman with a husky voice.

"Many of our boys have jobs that keep them working at night. And if we have a game the following morning, they can't have a real presence on the pitch. ... They need more help."

They aren't the only team suffering. Greece's Amateur Athletics Federation suspended all its activities for several weeks earlier this year to protest funding cuts. And even the major soccer clubs sent most of their star players abroad this summer in the face of financial trouble and poor attendance, with fans no longer able to afford tickets.

Government cuts have hurt most of the teams in the amateur league in Larissa -- the majestically named Olympus, Hercules, Fearless and Sagittarius clubs, as well as Voukefalas, named after Alexander the Great's horse.

The impact of the crisis on sports is a major local concern. The town of 200,000 fielded the only professional club to ever break big-city domination of the league, winning the national championship in 1988.

In 2007, Larissa FC also rebounded from bankruptcy for victory in the prestigious Greek Cup.

Voukefalas says it needs about 10,000 euros ($13,120) a year to meet expenses, and Alevridou has promised more cash.

"Here is where it all begins, with amateur sport. It's where the talent is bred," she noted. "I am a Greek woman, and I love my country."

She watched quietly, holding a cigarette and wearing a straw fedora with a leopard print band, as her team struggled.

"The team will get better," she said. "I'm certain of it."


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My open letter to Joey Barton about his views on "stupid" Americans and their donations to help the Livestrong Foundation

Dear Mr. Barton,


     Earlier today you felt the need to critique Lance Armstrong and his alleged drug use in competition and Nike as well for deciding to stand beside him in a series of Tweets posted to your verified account @joey7barton. It is most certainly your right sir to express your opinions about corporations sticking behind an embattled, to say the least, athlete especially when it comes to accusations of performance enhancing drug use. 

   Regardless of my personal opinions on the matter whether I agree with you or not is of no concern to either of us.  I, as an American, believe that everyone has a right to say what ever they want regardless of intelligence level.  Lance Armstrong is a public figure who's actions have been called into question in a major way and who has opened himself up to the scrutiny of the world at large. However Mr. Barton I do have a bone to pick with you. 

     After your tweets critiquing Nike, Armstrong, and how Americans view Armstrong and his legacy, you sent out one last barb that really really hacked me off.

 Via @Joey7Barton:

     "Also, on a side note, since the allegations donations to livestrong have increased more than 50%. That is one stupid nation."

And now Mr. Barton you and I have a problem.

   I'm not sure if you understand what the Livestrong Foundation does for those who have, who treat, or are affected by cancer. I'm going to assume you were to busy having a drunken street brawl, or beating up a team mate, or just generally being a thug to do any research. Let me just toss a few facts your way about the work done by the Livestrong Foundation.

1. The Livestrong Foundation provides help not only to those have cancer, but they also give support to the doctors, nurses, and hospitals that treat cancer. They also offer support to family members and loved ones of those with cancer.

2. Last year alone LF spent almost $29 million on cancer education, prevention programs, cancer screenings, advocacy, and grants. That's 82 cents of every dollar that they brought in. 

3. Last year LF helped save their clients $3 million dollars in personal costs alone. You see Mr. Barton we don't have a free health care system like you Brits do and cancer costs can destroy families.  Although you seem to be an expert on the American experience so I'm sure you already knew that.

4. LF helps partner cancer patients with health care providers who help them with things like fertility treatments and options for survivors, peer to peer connections for survivors AND caregivers, and even helps connect patients with clinical trials going on all around the United States.

5. In my home state of Texas, and the home state of LF for the record, LF helped spearhead a statewide initiative which resulted in $3 billion over the next ten years to be focused on research to eradicate cancer.

6. Over the previous 3 years LF has spent close to $90 million dollars in programs to help cancer patients, their families, and to help fund cancer research.

   I could go on and on Mr. Barton about the amazing things that the Livestrong Foundation has done to help this "stupid nation" and all cancer patients everywhere but I'm hoping you're intelligent enough to get the point.

   It amazes me that a man such as yourself, who works with several great charities, would have the gall to mock a country for donating to cancer research just because you don't agree with the actions of what one man may have done to win a cycling race.  

  Would you be pleased if a professional athlete attacked those who gave to your favorite charities such as the Tamsin Gulvin Fund or possibly the 'Get Hooked on Fishing' campaign just because you decided to go psycho on a team mate or a get in a drunken fight with a civilian outside of a merseyside bar?

  My point Mr. Barton is that attacking Lance Armstrong and Nike are one thing, but taking a cheap shot at people for donating to a charity that helps hundreds of thousands of people dealing with the affects of cancer? I would have thought this was below even you, but you sir have proven me very very wrong. 

Sincerly,

   Jay N

 P.S. For the record I have never worked with, for, or had anything given to me by the Livestrong Foundation.

Here's an all new *Cleavage Edition to keep you all happy.

I know I haven't been posting a damn thing today but I'm still hung over from both an out of town bachelor party this last weekend and the unfortunate tie that all of us FC Dallas fans had to deal with last night. I was going to try to get a review of the FCD game up today but it just didn't happen. Tomorrow I promise.....maybe. Until then here you go folks! Again I would like to thank the ever so lovely Jessica Kardashian for posting another awesome vid for me.  Please watch and please feel free to follow her on YouTube.....it's worth it I promise.......just make sure you turn your speakers up.

SNB EXCLUSIVE: Celtic FC twitter account hacked, un-hacked, then re-hacked

OK so this isn't really an exclusive because anyone who has the interweb and follows @GlasgowCelticFC could have seen the hacks but it makes me feel more important when I can make wild journalistic claims in all bold letters..  The original hacks I didn't see as I was asleep like most most normal Americans were.  The second hack however occurred about 2 hours ago, and ended and hour later, as seen in the screen captures below.  I don't know if tweeting out the handles of some girls you're crushing on is a really smart move. Is this news?? of course not but it made me laugh.

*Cleavage Edition IS BACK!!!!!!

Oh yeah folks that's right!!! After a (to) long hiatus we're BACK with the lovely Jessica Kardashian, no I don't know if that's her real name, for another CLEAVAGE EDITION!!!! Can you guys tell I'm excited? That's because this may be the best video Jessica has ever posted.  It is, as the title says, just a rant of why she likes soccer. You may be asking "Why the hell is she whispering?" Well apparently Jessica is a believer in ASMR......yeah I had to look it up. It's apparently a belief that....well.......I don't know it weird. Here is the "research". Anyways turn your speakers up and check this little gem out.



Rangers final tax bill comes in.....ouch

Via BBC News-The final report to creditors from Duff and Phelps reveals that the size of HM Revenue and Customs claim against the club totalled £94,426,217.

It also shows that the administrators are claiming £3,121,683 in fees.

Creditors have until 12 October to vote on the report. When the administration period ends, the old Rangers FC will be placed in the hands of liquidators BDO.

Rangers was forced into administration by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on 14 February over non-payment of tax totalling about £14m.

Craig Whyte, who bought the club from Sir David Murray last year, was successful in having his nominated firm, Duff and Phelps, appointed.

Following a hearing at the Court of Session, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark were appointed as joint administrators of the club.

After HMRC rejected proposals for a creditors agreement that would have allowed the old club to continue, Duff and Phelps negotiated a sale of assets to a consortium led by Charles Green for £5.5m.

He has since formed a new club, now playing in the Scottish Football League Third Division.

In its final report to creditors, Duff and Phelps states: "The joint administrators have continued to review the claims made by HMRC in the administration.

"The claims are largely made up of determinations issued by HMRC in accordance with Regulation 80, penalties and outstanding PAYE/NIC.

"The joint administrators have adjudicated on these claims and confirmed to HMRC that for voting
purposes, their claim will be admitted for voting purposes at £94,426,217.22."

The majority of that figure relates to the old company's use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs), on which HMRC claimed unpaid tax and penalties in excess of £49m.

A judgement on an appeal of this assessment, which was heard at a First Tier Tax Tribunal, is imminent.
The creditors report notes: "An outcome has yet to be determined by the tribunal and is currently expected in October 2012."

Among the resolutions which creditors are being asked to approve is Duff and Phelps' fees.

The report states: "That the creditors approve the remuneration, expenses and outlays of the joint administrators in respect of all accounting periods not previously approved, being, in respect of remuneration only, £2,930,644 for the period 14 February 2012 to 29 June 2012 and £191,039 for the period 10 August 2012 to 14 September 2012."

Celtic wins first away Champs League game in 23 years

The header that rocked Moscow

Via Scotprem.com-Georgios Samaras headed a dramatic last-minute winner as Celtic beat Spartak Moscow 3-2 in Russia to claim their first ever away win in the group stage of the Champions League.

Neil Lennon's side, who drew 0-0 at home to Benfica in their Group G opener a fortnight ago, now travel to Barcelona on October 23 before welcoming the Spaniards to Parkhead.

Celtic took the lead through Gary Hooper after 12 minutes but a double from Emmanuel Emenike either side of the interval appeared to have turned the game in Spartak's favour.

But Juan Insaurralde was sent off in 63 minutes for bringing down Hooper and sub James Forrest's effort came off Dmitri Kombarov for the equaliser with 19 minutes remaining before Samaras converted Emilio Izaguirre's cross to seal a precious three points for Celtic.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: "I am probably the proudest man in Europe tonight. I cannot speak highly enough of the players - they were magnificent. I thought we thoroughly deserved to win.

"They played magnificent football at a very tough venue against an excellent side. They showed great character and fortitude to come back after going behind just after half-time."

"We didn't start the game particularly well, we looked a bit nervous and our passing wasn't there for the first five or 10 minutes but we had a quick break and scored a good goal. I have to say I thought Gary Hooper was world class tonight."


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NYRB get more French by the day

Via AP-HARRISON, N.J. -- Erik Soler has been replaced as general manager of the New York Red Bulls by Jerome de Bontin.

The Major League Soccer team announced the front office shakeup on Tuesday, saying that Soler will remain with the club as an internal adviser.

De Bontin will oversee the club's business operations, while Gerard Houllier, who was appointed the head of global soccer for Red Bull this past July, will oversee all sporting aspects of the team.

De Bontin is a board member of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. An Amherst College graduate, he also served as president of the French team Monaco.

Redknapp may return to his coaching roots.....but only temporarily

Redknapp both played for the Cherries and got his managerial start there as well.

Via ESPN-Harry Redknapp could be back in the dugout, at least temporarily, after League One club AFC Bournemouth axed manager Paul Groves.

Redknapp has been acting as a football adviser at the South Coast club, where he began his managerial career, since last month. He was sacked by Tottenham during the summer.

The Cherries announced that Groves and his assistant, Shaun Brooks, had been dismissed after a poor start to the season left the club 20th in the table with one win to their name.

The pair were only appointed on a permanent basis in May, and Bournemouth said the backroom staff would remain unchanged with an announcement on who would take temporary charge of the first team to be made in due course.

Chairman Eddie Mitchell told Bournemouth's official website: "I would urge our supporters to recognise the time and effort that Paul and Shaun invested in the first team and their unwavering determination to produce an attractive brand of football.

"However, I believe that luck has not been on their side during their short period at the helm. As we know, football is a results business, but most people will be unaware of the hard work and dedication that they put in behind the scenes to help this club move forward. We wish them well in the future."

Redknapp does not have an official title at Bournemouth's Goldsands Stadium, but when the club appointed him they said he would offer his advice and expertise to all areas of the set-up.

Speaking early last month, Mitchell explained: "I met Harry for a chat and he offered to come in on a voluntary basis. He still has a passion for the club and for football, and he's got too much to offer for us to let him slip through our fingers.

"It's been in my mind for quite some time to get him involved, and the timing seems to be perfect for us to tap into his knowledge. I have said in the past that we have one of the country's best managers on our doorstep."


Picture: GETTY IMAGES

Bafana Bafana captain Pienaar retires from international duty

Via ESPN FC-South Africa captain Steven Pienaar has retired from international football, preferring to focus on his club career at Everton.

Speculation was mounting over the future of Pienaar, 30, after he pulled out of manager Gordon Igesund's first games in charge of the nation, against Brazil and Mozambique in September, due to injury - only to appear for Everton just days later.

And Igesund revealed he received a phone call from the player on Monday night informing him of his decision.

"The way Steven Pienaar has retired is the right way. I think it was a tough decision for him," Igesund said.
However, the manager was unable to hide his disappointment at the news of losing such an influential figure but did hint at trying to persuade him to backtrack on his decision next time they meet.

"I am disappointed that Steven has retired from the national team," he told the South African Football Association's official website. "His presence and leadership is invaluable and could have helped us in our mission for 2013 African Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualification, but we must respect his decision.

"When I travel overseas to check on other players, I will try to have a word with him.

"The idea now is to build a team for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament and the one to qualify us for Brazil 2014.''

The midfielder released a statement saying: "I'm proud to have played for and captained my country, and for that I thank you."

Igesund has named defender Bongani Khumalo as the new Bafana Bafana captain as he prepares for the upcoming friendlies against Poland and Kenya next week.

Pienaar made his international debut in 2002, and has featured for the national side at two World Cups.


Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe

Police raid Italian federation HQ and Napoli training center

We need more police Lambo's in the US!

Via AP-ROME -- Financial police have raided the Italian soccer federation and Napoli club offices to seize documents that involve the buying and selling of players and relations with agents.

Italian media are reporting that police carried out the raids at federation headquarters in Rome and at Napoli's training center in Castelvolturno on the order of Naples prosecutors.

Reports say police confiscated balance sheets, player contracts, agent relations and other documents.
The scope of the inquiry was not immediately clear.

Through six rounds, Napoli is tied for the Serie A lead with Juventus. The southern club visits PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday.

New FIFA world rankings out- USA move up.....kinda

Via AP-ZURICH -- Spain stayed atop the FIFA world rankings as South American teams surged into the top 10 after playing 2014 World Cup qualifiers last month.

The United States rose one place to No. 32.

Spain, the World Cup winner, leads a European 1-2-3 ahead of Germany and Portugal, which climbed one place.

Argentina climbed three places to No. 4 and Colombia is No. 9, leaping 13 spots following wins against Uruguay and Chile. Mexico moved up one spot to No. 19

England fell two spots to No. 5 and the Netherlands rose two to No. 6.

Italy and Uruguay are next, both falling two places, and Greece moved up one to complete the top 10.

World Cup host Brazil fell two to No. 14.

Ivory Coast leads Africa at No. 16, Mexico is up two to No. 19 and No. 23 Japan leads Asian teams.

Arsenal get a little good news-Wilshere returns in reserve match

Via AP-After 14 months out injured, England midfielder Jack Wilshere returned to action Monday by playing more than hour for Arsenal in a reserve-team match at West Bromwich Albion.

Wilshere was substituted after 62 minutes at the Hawthorns but appeared to come through unscathed, raising hopes of a return to the first team.

The 20-year-old midfielder was sidelined last season with ankle, foot and heel injuries, forcing him to miss the European Championship. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed to ease him back to competitive action.

Wilshere is widely seen as England's best young talent and has made five appearances for the national team.

Yeah I'm sure the World Cup won't have any violence.

A ton of respect goes to Lucas on this one.

Via AP-Police escorted a teenage girl to safety at the end of a Brazilian league match after she angered fans by asking an opposing player for his jersey, while a Scottish tourist at another game was forced to hide his Celtic shirt because it had the colors of a rival club.

Promising Brazil star Lucas said he ''witnessed a lamentable scene'' when he tried to give his jersey to the girl after Sao Paulo's match against Coritiba on Sunday. He said other Coritiba fans ''tried to attack the girl and her father'' because she asked for the shirt.

In Sao Paulo, fans of Corinthians threatened the Scottish tourist because of his green and white Celtic jersey, the colors of city rival Palmeiras, and forced him to hide it before police had to intervene.

Lucas, who has a huge fan base among youngsters in Brazil, said he was trying to give the girl a gift after she supported him and yelled his name the entire match at Couto Pereira stadium in Curitiba.

''I was very scared at the time, a lot of people gathered around them and forced her to give the jersey back,'' Lucas said.

Television images showed dozens of police officers taking the girl and her father away as fans yelled at them, pointing fingers and making threats.

''I know I was a bit naive, but I never thought that the other fans would have had that attitude, especially with a girl. It was really very sad,'' the player later said on Twitter.

Lucas, who will join Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the year, said that he was ''relieved'' that nothing happened to the girl and her father.

Local media said the girl, named Milena and likely in her early teens, was later taken to Sao Paulo's changing room and met with Lucas, who finally gave her his jersey.

''We need to make sure our country is worthy of hosting a World Cup and show that we are civilized,'' Lucas said.

Incidents between organized groups remain the biggest cause of fan violence in Brazil, which will host the 2014 World Cup and next year's Confederations Cup.

Football rivalry often turns violent, although there have been few serious incidents reported recently. Local authorities in the past used to advise fans not to wear their team's jerseys on the streets near stadiums where opposing clubs played. There were many reports of attacks against random fans just because they were wearing rival jerseys.

In Sao Paulo, fans of defending champion Corinthians grew agitated at Pacaembu stadium because of the Scottish tourist's green and white Celtic jersey.

The fans, sitting in one of the stadium's most expensive sections, wanted him to remove the jersey and threatened to do it by force if he didn't comply. The tourist apparently didn't understand what was happening, according to ESPN Brasil, and police had to intervene.

They took the tourist away and he was sent to a different seating section, but only after covering the Celtic jersey with a sweater.


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Blackburn interested in Celtic legend Larsson for their new manager?

If you're not a Celtic fan then this makes very little sense to you.

Via Bloomberg-Former Sweden international Henrik Larsson may take Steve Kean’s place at Blackburn Rovers, the Daily Mail reported.

Kean resigned as Blackburn manager last month. The club has had its approach for Tim Sherwood, technical coordinator at Tottenham Hotspur, blocked by his present employer. Although the team also has Indian coach Judan Ali on its list, the owners would prefer a high-profile name to appease fans, the paper said.

Larsson’s stint at Landskrona in Sweden - where he kept the second division club out of relegation on a tight budget - has impressed Blackburn’s Indian owner Venky’s.

Larsson, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006, has told Landskrona he won’t be staying on when the Swedish season ends next month.


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Dempsey scores winner as Spurs win at Old Trafford for the first time in 23 years

Via ESPN FC-Tottenham repelled a second-half onslaught as Andre Villas-Boas masterminded its first away win over Manchester United since 1989.

Jan Vertonghen and Gareth Bale gave the visitors a deserved halftime lead, but not for the first time at Old Trafford in recent years Tottenham was hit by a fierce second-half comeback.

However, Clint Dempsey scored in between efforts from Nani and Shinji Kagawa to keep Spurs in front, and after Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick had struck the frame of Brad Friedel's goal, Tottenham clung on for the final whistle.

After the match, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson called for time keeping to be taken out of the control of referees after complaining about the amount added on.

"It is a flaw in the game that referees are responsible for time-keeping," he told BBC Sport. "It is nearly 2013 and the referee still has control of that. They gave four minutes. It is an insult. It is ridiculous. It is denying you the proper chance to win the football match.

The Scot was furious at what he believed was a lack of injury time, which he felt did not take into account six substitions and some time-wasting tactics from the visitors.

"There were six substitutions and the trainer came on. That is four minutes right away," Ferguson said. "The goalkeeper must have wasted two minutes. They took their time at every goal kick. That is obvious to everyone."

The result ended one of English football's longest winless streaks, as well as raising more questions over United's ability to regain the Barclays Premier League title as it slipped four points behind leaders Chelsea.

"We wrote history for our team. The satisfaction comes from that," Villas-Boas said. "The players really felt they could nick a win here and the overall performance was an expression of that desire and ambition, though in different ways. In the first half, we attacked and kept the ball. In the second, we defended."
Tottenham has flattered to deceive in this fixture down the years, so much so that at no point did its two-goal cushion look secure.

Tottenham has even held a two-goal lead at halftime, as it did Saturday, and got swept away by a second-half deluge. On that occasion, in 2009, United had Cristiano Ronaldo leading the thrilling comeback.

There was to be no such drama on this occasion, and Ferguson may be left to reflect on a lack of physical presence in his midfield, which more than anything else was an area ruthlessly exposed by a rampant Tottenham.

There were only two minutes on the clock when Vertonghen strode between Nani and Carrick, drove into the United box and found the corner of Anders Lindegaard's net.

The Belgian's shot did take a significant deflection off Jonny Evans, but Vertonghen deserved his slice of good fortune for the adventure he had shown to take himself into a scoring position in the first place.

"We lost the first goal by not defending properly," said Ferguson. "They got a lucky break when the ball came off Jonny Evans, nonetheless, you can't allow the left back to get as far as that. It was a poor start and from then on, we were against the wind until halftime came along and we were able change things a bit."

Rather than sting United into action, the early goal merely encouraged their visitors.

Bale revelled in the open spaces that opened up between Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, with the former looking all of his 37 years at times during a below-par first-half display.

When Robin van Persie lost possession on the edge of the Tottenham area, Mousa Dembele thundered upfield with a purpose that left Scholes looking like he was treading water.

Bale took up the baton from his teammate and duly sped past Ferdinand and into the box before beating Lindegaard rather too easily to make it 2-0.

Having resisted the temptation to name Rooney alongside van Persie for the first time, Ferguson could delay the inevitable no longer and brought on the England man for Ryan Giggs at the break.

The move triggered a burst of three goals in four minutes, during which any semblance of a game plan for either side was completely ripped up.

Given the history of this fixture, it was no real wonder United should get two of them.

Rooney provided the assist for Nani's close-range effort, curling a low cross to the near post that invited the clinical finish.

Van Persie could claim the credit for United's second as he threaded a precise pass through the Tottenham defense that allowed Kagawa to beat Friedel.

Crucially, though, Tottenham struck its third goal in between United's brace, Bale once again exposing poor defending as he surged forward, and when Lindegaard was unable to hold the Welshman's low shot, Dempsey was on hand to slot home the rebound.

"I've been frustrated," Dempsey told ESPN. "I had one called back against Lazio and then as the games go on, you're not scoring, you start feeling the pressure. But it's good to open my account and it's good for us to get my first win here."


In Rooney, though, United retained that old slugger's instinct.

The striker thudded a brilliant free-kick against a post before van Persie's dismal attempt to finish off a Carrick pass suggested again that it might not be United's day.

It was credit to Tottenham that it managed to clear heads quickly enough to stand firm against the incessant wave of attacks that continued to come.

William Gallas clattered into a post such was his determination to keep Nani's far-post cross away from Rooney, then Friedel turned away a Scholes thunderbolt.

Carrick's header almost sneaked in but dropped against the angle of post and bar instead.

United continued to surge forward, but the equalizer would not come.

And the sight of Evans hobbling off was an unhappy postscript given the defensive problems Ferguson has already encountered.

"We were brilliant in the second half, really unlucky, hit the post, hit the bar, balls scrambled clear. We just dominated it," Ferguson said. "It was a fantastic performance. Thank goodness I am able to say that after watching the first half."

In the aftermath of such a momentous performance, Villas-Boas refused to talk of his team as potential league champions, something Spurs have not achieved since 1961.

"I don't think so," he said. "A couple of days ago, we were exactly the opposite. This is a very special night for us but our quest is to qualify for the Champions League. It is very difficult to go for the title. We understand it is a place where the great teams of this country belong.

"We want to win a trophy this season -- and we want Champions League qualification."

Information from Press Association was used in this report.

Altidor leads Eredivisie with 8 goals on the season

Via ESPN News-U.S. striker Jozy Altidore raised his Dutch league-leading goal total to eight with a first-half score for AZ Alkmaar in the team's 3-3 tie with RKC Waalwijk on Sunday.

Altidore also made the pass for midfielder Adam Maher to tie the score for AZ in the 86th minute to preserve the team's unbeaten home record, which now stands at 26 matches.

Dries Mertens and substitute Juergen Locadia both scored hat tricks Sunday as PSV Eindhoven beat VVV-Venlo 6-0 to move to third.

In Almaar, RKC's Teddy Chevalier brilliantly beat his marker Etienne Reijnen to tie in the 16th minute but Altidore restored AZ's lead in stunning fashion, slaloming through four defenders before firing into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted only three minutes on this occasion, Frank van Mosselveld equalizing after Rodney Sneijder's free kick was blocked.

AZ's recurring weakness from set-pieces reared its head early in the second half as Henrico Drost was left unmarked to head home a corner.

The hosts had to wait until the 86th minute for their equalizer as Maher, who had earlier been denied by the woodwork, finished after Altidore flicked on substitute Mikhail Rosheuvel's cross.

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


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Hoffenheim midfielder Vukcevic in coma after car accident

Via AP-HOFFENHEIM, Germany -- Hoffenheim says midfielder Boris Vukcevic remains in critical but stable condition after a traffic accident in which he collided head on with a truck Friday.

The Bundesliga club is in in close contact with his family and says the 22-year-old Vukcevic remains in an induced coma in a Heidelberg hospital.

Hoffenheim general manager Andreas Mueller says "we know that Boris is in good hands in the hospital and can only hope now that his condition stabilizes further."

Vukcevic suffered life-threatening head injuries in the collision between the cities of Hoffenheim and Heidelberg. He was airlifted to the hospital and induced into a coma after an operation. The truck driver received treatment for minor injuries.

Hoffenheim's players were given two days off.


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