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Louis Saha out for the season as Everton's injury woes continue

• French striker has operation on injured ankle
• Saha 'probably won't be available again', says David Moyes

Andy Hunter
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 April 2011 22.30 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Evertons-Louis-Saha-007.jpg
    The Everton striker Louis Saha reacts after sustaining his season-ending ankle injury against his former club Fulham last month. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images Louis Saha has suffered an all-too familiar injury setback, with David Moyes confirming the Everton striker is unlikely to play again this season following ankle surgery.
    The 32-year-old, Everton's leading scorer in all competitions this season with 10 goals, damaged ligaments when landing awkwardly against his former club Fulham two weeks ago and his fears of facing a lengthy lay-off have been confirmed by specialists.
    "He's really down and disappointed," said the Everton manager. "He's devastated in fact because he was getting a bit of form and finding a bit of consistency in being fit. But he's needed an operation on his ankle and probably won't be available again this season."
    Saha's career has been blighted by injury problems and he joins an extensive list of senior Everton players unavailable to Moyes. Marouane Fellaini is not expected to feature again this term due to a similar ankle problem, while Mikel Arteta has suffered a hamstring tear. Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman are among the doubts for Saturday's home game against Aston Villa and with Moyes unable to recall Yakubu Ayegbeni or James Vaughan from respective loans to Leicester City and Crystal Palace, he is reliant on raw strikers Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe for the remainder of the campaign.
    Despite the latest reminder of the scarcity of resources at Goodison, Moyes has reiterated his intention to remain Everton manager for the long-term, albeit providing he receives assurances over the club's future from chairman Bill Kenwright and the board this summer.
    Moyes, who has two more seasons remaining on his contract, said: "I don't think my contract will need to be looked at this summer because it's not like a player. If the chairman wants to, then that's down to the chairman and the board. I'll have a chat with them at the end of the season.
    "I do see my long-term future here. I've no reason to think anything else. This could still end up not a bad season. But only at the end will I be able to have a look and ask, 'What do we need to do better?' or 'What have we got to do to improve?' I think there are assurances I would be hoping to get but at the moment it's not really on the agenda."
    Moyes, meanwhile, has backed Gérard Houllier to arrest Villa's alarming slump towards the relegation zone, providing his former Liverpool adversary is allowed time to implement changes. The Everton manager said: "They've introduced one or two new players and quite a few young players. There's a wee bit of a transition period going on there and you need to give the manager time to do that.
    "I really think Villa have got enough to stay up. They have got good players but it's the strangeness of the Premier League. Who knows? I don't think I could pick who the three are. I just wouldn't expect Aston Villa to be one of them."
 
Ade targets title and Real deal


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Updated Apr 1, 2011 9:19 AM ET
Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor is hoping to fire Real Madrid to the Primera Liga title - and then secure a permanent move to the Bernabeu.
Former Togo striker Adebayor is currently on loan at Madrid from Manchester City - but is dreaming of remaining in the Spanish capital when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
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He said: "This club is fantastic, the environment, the way you work, the atmosphere is excellent.
"I want to succeed here and if I did not think that was possible it would be very difficult to go out and play.
"I have to keep on playing as I have done and taking the opportunities to score because that's what makes me happiest."
Adebayor has scored twice in nine appearances for Jose Mourinho's men but will get the chance to improve that record on Saturday against Sporting Gijon with the home side without leading scorers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Ronaldo has a hamstring problem while France international Benzema injured a thigh during Les Bleus' clash with Croatia in midweek.
Mourinho claims both men, as well as Brazil full-back Marcelo, are also out of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Tottenham.
Madrid, who have Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain back for the Sporting game after four months out, have an unblemished record at the Bernabeu this season with 14 wins from 14 games.
And Adebayor is hoping that kind of form will see them overturn the five-point deficit to Barcelona and reclaim the title.
He added: "We must win our nine remaining games to have any chance.
"It will not be easy but if we win them all we will see what happens."
Former Arsenal striker Adebayor is not expecting an easy ride against a Sporting side scrapping to avoid the drop, however.
"It will be a very difficult game, but we have to win," he said. "And so we must stay as focused as possible and get the three points."
Sporting boss Manuel Preciado has attempted to diffuse tensions between himself and Mourinho ahead of the game.
Mourinho accused Sporting of gifting Barcelona three points earlier in the season after fielding a weakened team.
Preciado responded by accusing the Portuguese of a "serious lack of respect".
Preciado appeared to have changed his tune when he said: "I think he (Mourinho) is a great coach and I'm sure he is a good guy.
"I have no problem with anyone. It is just a football game."
Sporting, in 15th place, are three points above the relegation zone and Preciado admits there is still all to play for.
"There are up to 10 teams who will fight to stay up," he said. "I think we will need between 40 and 42 points."
 
Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema out for Real Madrid


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Updated Apr 1, 2011 8:12 AM ET
MADRID (AP)

Real Madrid will be without winger Cristiano Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema for Saturday's Spanish league match against Sporting Gijon and also are expected to miss Tuesday's Champions League game against Tottenham.
Ronaldo, who leads the team with 37 goals in all competitions but has been hobbled by a leg injury, was left out of the team by Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
Benzema was injured while on international duty with France and was also left out of the team, as was Brazil playmaker Kaka and Brazil fullback Marcelo.
''The information I have from the medical department is that Cristiano can only play in Bilbao, Marcelo can only play in Bilbao and Karim can only play in Bilbao,'' Mourinho said Friday. ''If they were available they would play tomorrow because it's the most decisive game since against Tottenham we'll have the chance to change things in the return leg.''
Madrid faces Tottenham in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, and then plays at Athletic Bilbao the following Sunday. The second leg against Tottenham will be played in London on April 13.
Ronaldo has been bothered by leg problems since the start of March. He has failed to score for four games and skipped Portugal's international games to recover.
Madrid is five points behind Spanish league leader Barcelona with nine rounds to play.
''If we don't win tomorrow the championship will be even more difficult,'' Mourinho said. ''We can rest the injured, which are a lot, but (unfortunately) I can't leave players like (Mesut) Oezil, (Angel) Di Maria and (Ricardo) Carvalho on the bench.''
Madrid, however, will be boosted by the return of striker Gonzalo Higuain, who has recovered from back surgery.
The Argentine will play for the first time since November to likely back up Emmanuel Adebayor in attack. The 23-year-old Higuain scored 10 goals before the injury.
''Not even with the best estimate would we expect him to return to playing so soon,'' Mourinho said. ''We're very happy. It's a positive surprise since we could still play up to 15 games before the final round and to have him is important.''
Madrid will also play in the Copa del Rey final on April 20 against Barcelona.





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Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema out for Real Madrid


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Updated Apr 1, 2011 8:12 AM ET
MADRID (AP)

Real Madrid will be without winger Cristiano Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema for Saturday's Spanish league match against Sporting Gijon and also are expected to miss Tuesday's Champions League game against Tottenham.
Ronaldo, who leads the team with 37 goals in all competitions but has been hobbled by a leg injury, was left out of the team by Madrid coach Jose Mourinho.
Benzema was injured while on international duty with France and was also left out of the team, as was Brazil playmaker Kaka and Brazil fullback Marcelo.
''The information I have from the medical department is that Cristiano can only play in Bilbao, Marcelo can only play in Bilbao and Karim can only play in Bilbao,'' Mourinho said Friday. ''If they were available they would play tomorrow because it's the most decisive game since against Tottenham we'll have the chance to change things in the return leg.''
Madrid faces Tottenham in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, and then plays at Athletic Bilbao the following Sunday. The second leg against Tottenham will be played in London on April 13.
Ronaldo has been bothered by leg problems since the start of March. He has failed to score for four games and skipped Portugal's international games to recover.
Madrid is five points behind Spanish league leader Barcelona with nine rounds to play.
''If we don't win tomorrow the championship will be even more difficult,'' Mourinho said. ''We can rest the injured, which are a lot, but (unfortunately) I can't leave players like (Mesut) Oezil, (Angel) Di Maria and (Ricardo) Carvalho on the bench.''
Madrid, however, will be boosted by the return of striker Gonzalo Higuain, who has recovered from back surgery.
The Argentine will play for the first time since November to likely back up Emmanuel Adebayor in attack. The 23-year-old Higuain scored 10 goals before the injury.
''Not even with the best estimate would we expect him to return to playing so soon,'' Mourinho said. ''We're very happy. It's a positive surprise since we could still play up to 15 games before the final round and to have him is important.''
Madrid will also play in the Copa del Rey final on April 20 against Barcelona.





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  • Report Abuse Diosesdel10
    • 4/1/2011 5:29:54 PM
    it'll be tough and i for one, don't know who the better team is... at least not at the moment or in this current season.

    what i do knoiw is that they'll play 180 mins to decide who deserves a SPOT IN THE CL SEMI's
  • Report Abuse bargentina
    • 4/1/2011 10:25:53 AM
    I don't think Tot has lost at home in the CL yet and killed Inter their and tied Milan. Real have to go for the win in the first leg because all teams play much worse in the CL away.
  • Report Abuse HALAMADRID_CR7
    • 4/1/2011 9:16:58 AM
    What the hell is going on here. i knew the bull crap international games were going to hurt our line up. Benzema is on fire and gets aleg injury and also Roanldo and Marcelo. What more can happen to Madrid before our first clash with the Spurs. God knows who the better team is and everyone in the world would rather see a Madrid v Barca clash in the semis instead of the fu**ing Spurs. Oh well Madrid just have to fight hard for this first game of the tie, since we are playing home in the first clash, and score at least a goal so we can be ahead when we visit tottenham because i dont want to see a game like the return leg with the spurs and AC.....the spurs played with a ten man defense and only tried to counter attack.
  • Report Abuse Rea1Mad
    • 3/3/2011 9:29:21 PM
    This Madrid is growing by leaps and bounds. Two goals by Benzecrack every game, and CR can watch from the Higuain end of the bench. We might even give him a monogrammed rag to polish the bench with.
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German Bundesliga Roundup, Apr. 1


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Updated Apr 1, 2011 6:02 PM ET
The Bundesliga game between St. Pauli and Schalke was called off in the 88th minute Friday after a fan threw a plastic glass full of beer at a linesman.
Schalke was leading 2-0 when Thorsten Schiffner was struck by the beer glass and referee Deniz Aytekin decided to end the game after consulting with his assistant, who fell to the ground but was unhurt.
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"We had to call off the game. There was no other choice," Aytekin said.
He pointed out that coins and lighters had also been thrown at Schiffner, who had to be examined by a doctor.
"That's totally unacceptable. It's not tolerated. I can only apologize to the linesman," St. Pauli coach Holger Stanislawski said.
Aytekin suggested the linesman was "doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
There was no immediate decision from league officials about whether the result would stand.
"It casts us in a very bad light," St. Pauli goalkeeper Benedikt Pliquett said.
Raul Gonzalez had given the visitors the lead in the 26th minute and substitute Julian Draxler added the second in the 66th, in coach Ralf Rangnick's first game in charge since returning to the club after Felix Magath was fired.
The game turned ill-tempered as St. Pauli was reduced to nine men after Jan-Philipp Kalla was given a second yellow card in the 68th and teammate Fin Bartels earned a direct red for a wild challenge on Farfan in the 79th.
Raul had almost given the visitors a perfect start when he hit the post in the second minute, before Schalke had a penalty appeal waved away when Alexander Baumjohann fell under the challenge of Fabian Boll.
The visitors were still protesting when Gerald Asamoah - a former Schalke player - whipped in a dangerous cross that Charles Takyi just missed.
Farfan almost opened the scoring in the 23rd, when Pliquett blocked his shot from a narrow angle.
The goalkeeper saved from substitute Edu a minute later, but Raul scored from the resulting corner when he ran into space to glance Farfan's cross beyond Pliquett.
It was the Spaniard's 12th goal of the season.
Fin Bartels flashed a shot narrowly over in a rare St. Pauli attack, before Markus Thorandt's crucial interception prevented Schalke going further ahead in the 38th as the visitors dominated possession.
Raul's audacious chip from near the halfway line landed on the roof of the net before halftime, and the Spaniard almost created another goal immediately after the restart, before the ball was eventually cleared away.
St. Pauli, playing with increased urgency, was much improved, and had a penalty appeal of its own turned down when Rouwen Hennings was brushed off by Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Manuel Neuer, playing in his 150th Bundesliga game, was first called to action in the 55th, when he easily gathered Takyi's shot.
St. Pauli had a goal ruled out in the 65th, when Boll was adjudged to have been offside despite failing to connect with Max Kruse's free kick that ended in the net.
The home side's protests had not died down when Draxler scored at the other end, the 17-year-old prodding in Farfan's cross from close range.
It went from bad to worse for St. Pauli with the sendings off of Kalla and Bartels, before the game was halted.
"It's a bad day for St. Pauli. We have to launch an inquiry," St. Pauli sport director Helmut Schulte said.
 
Kroos extends Bayern stay


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Updated Mar 31, 2011 1:30 PM ET
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2015, the Bundesliga club have announced.
The 21-year-old's former deal was due to expire in 2012, but he has today put pen to paper on a three-year extension to commit his long-term future to the Bavarian club.

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He follows the examples of compatriots Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Holger Badstuber and Philipp Lahm who all recently signed new deals.
"This is yet another building block in our long-term planning for a successful team," commented Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger.
"After Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and Holger Badstuber, we have now agreed a long-term deal with a fifth young Germany international.
"We are predicting a great future for Toni and we are delighted to have wrapped up the contract negotiations."
Kroos will get to work with Jupp Heynckes again next season after spending last season under the future Bayern coach at Bayer Leverkusen.
It was Heynckes who gave Kroos his first big chance in the Bundesliga and he flourished in Leverkusen's side last term before returning to Bayern last summer.
However, a mixture of injuries and other choices by Bayern's current coach Louis van Gaal has meant he has spent much of the season on the sidelines.
"I am glad that FC Bayern still think a lot of me," said Kroos. "I am happy here and see great prospects with FC Bayern, and I am sure that we will be able to win titles in the coming years, just like the fans want it."
 
Kroos extends Bayern stay


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Updated Mar 31, 2011 1:30 PM ET
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2015, the Bundesliga club have announced.
The 21-year-old's former deal was due to expire in 2012, but he has today put pen to paper on a three-year extension to commit his long-term future to the Bavarian club.

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He follows the examples of compatriots Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Holger Badstuber and Philipp Lahm who all recently signed new deals.
"This is yet another building block in our long-term planning for a successful team," commented Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger.
"After Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and Holger Badstuber, we have now agreed a long-term deal with a fifth young Germany international.
"We are predicting a great future for Toni and we are delighted to have wrapped up the contract negotiations."
Kroos will get to work with Jupp Heynckes again next season after spending last season under the future Bayern coach at Bayer Leverkusen.
It was Heynckes who gave Kroos his first big chance in the Bundesliga and he flourished in Leverkusen's side last term before returning to Bayern last summer.
However, a mixture of injuries and other choices by Bayern's current coach Louis van Gaal has meant he has spent much of the season on the sidelines.
"I am glad that FC Bayern still think a lot of me," said Kroos. "I am happy here and see great prospects with FC Bayern, and I am sure that we will be able to win titles in the coming years, just like the fans want it."



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  • Report Abuse Mudig
    • 4/1/2011 2:24:35 PM
    I think if he leaves Bayern now, it will be the death of his career. I only say this because he's had a lousy season. I feel that he stands out the most because he is perhaps the most important player in the team, when he screws up the whole team screws up. Bastian has been incredibly careless with the ball. Sneijder's goal in the CL was just pitiful and it was all his fault.
  • Report Abuse Steve_Mannschaft
    • 3/31/2011 6:36:20 PM
    Good point, Dex. All those extra games have to take a toll on the dual-duty players. The drop off in play was just shocking to me in Schweinsteiger's case. He has been such a rock that his struggles seem magnified.
  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 3/31/2011 5:56:44 PM
    I am very curious to see if Bayern can make the Coentrao deal go thru with Benefica in the next weelk or so?

    If Uli can get that done then the left side is set in stone. And then the central defender spot is the other big priority of the summer transfer season.
  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 3/31/2011 5:50:13 PM
    While I believe that this is the right move for Bayern to make in extending Kroos at this point in time, but I am confused as to what exactly Bayern are going to do with him down the road. With Jupp taking over next season there will be some changes mostly on defense I hope, but where in the hell is Kroos going to get his time/minutes on this Bayern squad if everyone is healthy??? I don't think that Kroos is the answer at CDM because he has very little defensive skill, CAM would be the best spot for him and his abilitites if he could provide the quick passes and creativity that is needed there and so far he hasn't. Maybe time will help Kroos settle in more and develope better offensive skills that Jupp can find a spot for next season, otherwise it is the bench.
  • Report Abuse pYn.0905_1990ca.FCB
    • 3/31/2011 4:37:30 PM
    This is awesome! I'm happy for Kroos! But I hope Bayern don't continue to use Kroos as a holding midfielder. He's an attacking midfielder and I don't see him playing anywhere else besides playing behind the strikers. Hopefully Jupp will change that, after all he got the best out of Kroos last season.
  • Report Abuse ronaldinho_freak
    • 3/31/2011 4:24:19 PM
    aman dex thats how i feel too and since muller said if bayern write me a 10 yrs contract i will sign it right after the world cup he was included with schwini and lahm along with robbery on being the a key player for the team now wots more important after this break is for dortmond to tie at 0-0 WITH 96 AND BAYERN WIN ALL THERE games we will see a little life at the end for some reason i see some hopes even tho last months looked worse anything but it seems like there is chances if we r looking at numbers and 100 pure luck
  • Report Abuse Dex
    • 3/31/2011 4:19:02 PM
    I dont see Basti leaving at all. I think Bayern know who the backbone of FC Bayern are. Lahm and Basti (even though Basti didnt come up through Bayern ranks as much as Lahm and even Mueller) Basti and Lahm are the heart and soul of FC Bayern no matter who we have as scoring machines like Robbery. Plus those 2 are loyal. If you look at our past record, we really dont do that well after WC and EC so Im not reading too much into who is staying and who is leaving.
  • Report Abuse ronaldinho_freak
    • 3/31/2011 3:59:30 PM
    steve since u mentioned all that i dont think its wise to shoot him in the head for this 1 bad season which is not just only on him but lots of bayern players like lahm ribery and robben...matter of fact i prefer him stay and let kroos go if it comes down to it im not sayin kroos is not good player but i feel schiwi more vital to bayern as gerrard to liverpool or lampard for chelsea
  • Report Abuse Steve_Mannschaft
    • 3/31/2011 3:22:05 PM
    According to this article Schweinsteiger extended his current deal. All the speculation I've read has him being a target for an EPL team or a La Liga squad. Would Bayern sell his contract to make room for a big-name defender? I love Schweinsteiger but he has been dreadful since Bayern came back from break. He has been a turnover machine and led directly to critical losses against Dortmund, Schalke (DFB Cup) and Inter-Milan. Schweinsteiger was brilliant in Africa and very soild the first-half of the Bundesliga season. Is it possible he has been playing hurt?
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Uefa report details hate crime in Euro 2012 hosts Poland and Ukraine

&#8226; Nearly 200 serious hate crimes detailed in report
&#8226; Michel Platini promises 'zero tolerance' at Euro 2012



  • Rajeev Syal
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 April 2011 16.12 BST <li class="history">Article history
    LOGO-EURO-2012-007.jpg
    Poland and Ukraine will host Euro 2012. Photograph: Leszek Szymanski/EPA A Uefa-sponsored investigation has uncovered nearly 200 serious hate crimes at recent football matches in Poland and Ukraine, heightening fears that the 2012 European Championship finals could be marred by racist incidents.
    The report, which was compiled by the Uefa-sponsored East European Monitoring Centre, discloses disturbances including antisemitic chants and banners, hooligans abusing their own team's black players and violent attacks against anti-racist groups.
    The report will be released on Sunday, 15 months before the two countries host Euro 2012 and a week after an international match between Poland and Lithuania ended with clashes between supporters and police. There have been 133 reported incidents in Poland over the 18 months, according to the report, 56 of which related to the open display of racist or fascist symbols.
    In March 2010, at a first division match between Polonia Warszawa and Arka Gdynia, hooligans unfurled one banner featuring a Totenkopf skull and crossbones symbol identical to that used by the Nazi SS, and displayed another which read: "Stop Islamizacji Europy" ("Stop Islamisation of Europe").
    Black players in Poland have experienced hostility at many grounds and there have been 20 reported "anti-black" hate crimes, according to the report. Supporters of Lechia Gdansk demanded last year that the Brazilian Luiz Carlos Santos Deleu be the last black player at the club, according to the report.
    There were 36 reported antisemitic incidents at Polish football matches. One of the most shocking took place during a third division derby between Stal Rzeszow and Resovia Rzeszow. Resovia fans exhibited a giant banner showing a silhouette of a man wearing a characteristic yarmulke in the blue and white colours of Israel. Another banner was displayed above the caricature, carrying the words: "Death to hook noses".
    While Ukraine has had fewer &#8211; 62 &#8211; serious hate crimes reported at football matches, it has seen some of the most violent incidents. In August 2010, around 30 Arsenal Kyiv supporters, known for their left-leaning views, were attacked by 50 neo-Nazi fans of Dynamo Kyiv. The attackers shouted "Heil Hitler" and "white power" and an Arsenal Kyiv fan was stabbed three times in the back. Others suffered multiple injuries.
    Uefa's director of Euro 2012, Martin Kallen, told a conference last week that Polish fans have a "huge image problem".
    "What we saw at last Friday's match [between Poland and Lithuania] was not a very good picture to see that happening in a stadium. We and the Polish government are concerned. They are taking this seriously and will have changes in the next month."
    After Poland's friendly in Lithuania 60 fans were detained after bottles, flares and benches were thrown at police. The Uefa president, Michel Platini, said in October that hooligans would be treated with "zero tolerance" at Euro 2012.

 

Uefa report details hate crime in Euro 2012 hosts Poland and Ukraine

• Nearly 200 serious hate crimes detailed in report
• Michel Platini promises 'zero tolerance' at Euro 2012



  • Rajeev Syal
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 April 2011 16.12 BST <li class="history">Article history
    LOGO-EURO-2012-007.jpg
    Poland and Ukraine will host Euro 2012. Photograph: Leszek Szymanski/EPA A Uefa-sponsored investigation has uncovered nearly 200 serious hate crimes at recent football matches in Poland and Ukraine, heightening fears that the 2012 European Championship finals could be marred by racist incidents.
    The report, which was compiled by the Uefa-sponsored East European Monitoring Centre, discloses disturbances including antisemitic chants and banners, hooligans abusing their own team's black players and violent attacks against anti-racist groups.
    The report will be released on Sunday, 15 months before the two countries host Euro 2012 and a week after an international match between Poland and Lithuania ended with clashes between supporters and police. There have been 133 reported incidents in Poland over the 18 months, according to the report, 56 of which related to the open display of racist or fascist symbols.
    In March 2010, at a first division match between Polonia Warszawa and Arka Gdynia, hooligans unfurled one banner featuring a Totenkopf skull and crossbones symbol identical to that used by the Nazi SS, and displayed another which read: "Stop Islamizacji Europy" ("Stop Islamisation of Europe").
    Black players in Poland have experienced hostility at many grounds and there have been 20 reported "anti-black" hate crimes, according to the report. Supporters of Lechia Gdansk demanded last year that the Brazilian Luiz Carlos Santos Deleu be the last black player at the club, according to the report.
    There were 36 reported antisemitic incidents at Polish football matches. One of the most shocking took place during a third division derby between Stal Rzeszow and Resovia Rzeszow. Resovia fans exhibited a giant banner showing a silhouette of a man wearing a characteristic yarmulke in the blue and white colours of Israel. Another banner was displayed above the caricature, carrying the words: "Death to hook noses".
    While Ukraine has had fewer – 62 – serious hate crimes reported at football matches, it has seen some of the most violent incidents. In August 2010, around 30 Arsenal Kyiv supporters, known for their left-leaning views, were attacked by 50 neo-Nazi fans of Dynamo Kyiv. The attackers shouted "Heil Hitler" and "white power" and an Arsenal Kyiv fan was stabbed three times in the back. Others suffered multiple injuries.
    Uefa's director of Euro 2012, Martin Kallen, told a conference last week that Polish fans have a "huge image problem".
    "What we saw at last Friday's match [between Poland and Lithuania] was not a very good picture to see that happening in a stadium. We and the Polish government are concerned. They are taking this seriously and will have changes in the next month."
    After Poland's friendly in Lithuania 60 fans were detained after bottles, flares and benches were thrown at police. The Uefa president, Michel Platini, said in October that hooligans would be treated with "zero tolerance" at Euro 2012.
 
Borussia Dortmund plays Hannover after setbacks


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Updated Mar 31, 2011 7:33 AM ET
With only one point from its last two matches, Borussia Dortmund has seen its once massive Bundesliga lead cut to seven points.
Dortmund will be looking nervously over its shoulder at approaching Bayer Leverkusen when it hosts Hannover, which is enjoying its best season and has lost only one of its last seven games in Dortmund.

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Hannover is looking to hold on to third place, which secures a slot in qualifying for the Champions League, ahead of defending champion Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen travels to relegation-threatened Kaiserslautern, also Saturday.
Dortmund defender Neven Subotic, cleared to play after picking up a foot injury on international duty for Serbia, is not worried about his team losing pace.
"Even when we haven't played that well this year, we were at least even or slightly better than the opponent," Subotic said. "We were unfortunate in some recent games."
Hannover lost at home to Dortmund 4-0 but the team that narrowly escaped relegation last season could make the season ending interesting again if it manages to upset the leaders. There are seven games left.
"That would be nice for the fans but we really want the points for ourselves," Hannover defender Christian Schulz said. "It's a top game and we've worked for it."
Hannover is two points ahead of Bayern Munich, which is also trying to reach a Champions League slot and hosts last-place Borussia Moenchengladbach.
"This match is a great challenge," Hannover coach Mirko Slomka said. "We want to defend our position."
Hannover has been one of the success stories this season and Slomka said a change in attitude is responsible for the turnaround.
"Last season we only reacted and looked out for what the opponents were doing. Now we have our own strategy and we are capable of implementing it," Slomka said. "We don't allow many chances and we are good in the air."
Schulz said the team has become much more stable.
"We are difficult to beat," he said.
Leverkusen plays its first match since coach Jupp Heynckes announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season to take over at Bayern.
Heynckes is in a strange situation - trying to deny his future club of a place in the Champions League.
Leverkusen can mathematically still win the title, but it's second place that is their goal at the moment.
"We have to keep Hannover and Bayern behind us," Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling said. "That's our job. What happens with Dortmund is outside our control."
Two coaches will be making their debuts at new clubs at this late stage of the season - Ralf Rangnick in his return to Schalke and Christoph Daum at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Schalke kicks off the round Friday at St. Pauli. Eintracht visits Wolfsburg on Sunday, with both clubs battling against relegation. Wolfsburg, the 2009 champion, recently hired Felix Magath after his firing from Schalke.
Also Saturday, Werder Bremen hosts Stuttgart, Mainz plays Freiburg and Hoffenheim meets Hamburger SV, while Nuremberg visits Cologne on Sunday.
 
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  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 3/31/2011 6:23:11 PM
    I am hoping that Dortmund come out to play against Hannover 96 and take all three points in the match, Bayern need to destroy Gladbach and take back the third spot in the League.
  • Report Abuse Schalke_USA
    • 3/31/2011 9:04:14 AM
    Prediction:

    St. Pauli - 1 : 2 - FC Schalke 04

    I think St. Pauli will put up a major fight at home against Schalke and will do everything in their power to try and avoid relegation. As such, they will scrap hard and play an inspired match that will really make things difficult for the Royal Blues.

    Rangnick has had very little time thus far to work with his squad and may well have to guess as how to best approach this match. Numerous key Schalke players being away on international duties recently will not help Rangnick's cause. However, I think Schalke's quality and depth and being led by a world-class coach will be enough to slip by a determined St. Pauli. Schalke wins a tight one.
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Bremen's Per on Prem pair's radar


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Updated Mar 31, 2011 7:10 AM ET
Werder Bremen have not ruled out parting company with reported Arsenal and Liverpool target Per Mertesacker at the end of the season.

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The Germany defender's contract with Bremen expires in June 2012, meaning the Bundesliga club could only demand a substantial fee for him this summer.
Mertesacker, also understood to be on Liverpool's radar, has already revealed the prospect of a move to the Premier League is an 'attractive' one.
And Bremen boss Klaus Allofs says the club could be prepared to cash in on the 26-year-old this summer, as well as goalkeeper Tim Wiese, who is also out of contract next year.
He told BILD: "If you are not going to hand out an extension to an outrunning contract then you need to know all the possibilities available to you.
"I am unable to just look after the money, I am also unable to just look after the sport factor.
"As soon as we are aware of our fate in Bundesliga this spring, we are going to clarify if we are able to sign extensions to these contracts.
"We will be in talks, that is for sure."
Mertesacker and Wiese are both first-team regulars for Bremen, who are currently a disappointing 12th in the Bundesliga and just four points clear of the drop zone with seven games remaining.
 
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  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 3/31/2011 6:16:35 PM
    Dortmund is playing in the CL next season that you can take to the bank and Klopp won't be looking to sell his best central defender this summer so I really doubt that Subotic is going anywhere this summer except on a long holiday to the Island of his choice.
  • Report Abuse sonixex
    • 3/31/2011 4:19:26 PM
    Subotic is going to cost a pretty penny for several reasons, Dortmund is top of the league, probably playing Champions league football next year and Subotics contract ends till 2014. Only teams that would be able to afford him are the Chelsea, City, Madrid, Barca probably going for at least 20m this summer, no less.

    As for Mertesacker, I want him even if he is slow, he would partner well with Kos or Verms. Even partnering JD they would provide great defending on set pieces. of course adjustments would have to be made, you can't have a high line with slow defenders, but why can't Wenger change it up a bit like SAF does, it cant be always attack attack attack, sometimes you have to be cautious and dfend.
  • Report Abuse NashvilleGunner
    • 3/31/2011 4:06:57 PM
    So since we have one strong defender in Djourou (who is injured currently, like our other strong defender in Verms) we don't need another? I don't understand that logic. I am staying quiet about Subotic as I have not seen much on him and if he is as good as you say then bring him on as well. I think with the amount of games that Arsenal puts in every year that we can't have too many especially with the way our players pickup injuries.

    I agree JD and Kos did a GREAT job back there...but we are now stuck with Kos and Squishy...I hope you'd agree that ANY defender mentioned would be stronger than Squishy...
  • Report Abuse Gunnerkidd
    • 3/31/2011 3:32:00 PM
    when JD and Kos were playing together how many goals did they score against us????
  • Report Abuse Gunnerkidd
    • 3/31/2011 3:30:46 PM
    and we already have a strong defender who is gud on set pieces JD
  • Report Abuse Gunnerkidd
    • 3/31/2011 3:25:15 PM
    subotic is way better and he has both pace and strength
  • Report Abuse NashvilleGunner
    • 3/31/2011 1:34:23 PM
    GunnerKidd - Too slow for the high line DF? That is a sorry excuse not to get a quality player. We've seen how the quicker defenders we have signed lately have performed. When was our last shutout? And when was the last time we had several in a row? and how many set pieces have we given up goals this year? Maybe we should start thinking about a different approach to defense than ONLY pace. We lose a physical presence when we gain speed. It is a VERY rare individual that possesses both of those attributes. IMHO we should have complementary CB's (one pacy and one physical) then we kind of cover both aspects of the game instead of only one. And if not Mertesaker, than I'd like to see Samba or (wait for it Spidey) Cetin.
  • Report Abuse Gunnerkidd
    • 3/31/2011 11:48:36 AM
    being his contract expires....(referring to mertesacker).....dont want him though spurs toast that defense he was leading....get subotic instead
  • Report Abuse Gunnerkidd
    • 3/31/2011 11:47:02 AM
    too slow for afc high line defense....wud prefer subotic instead.....being his contract expires next year and can see AW going for him caz he wud be cheap....look for klose to join also his contract expires this year i think so he wud be coming on a free and AW was interested a few years back....think the Dane will be sold....wud love to scott parker and ahsley young in an afc kit....the squad needs some english spine to show em of how to play with heart and urgency....hazard wud be good too but how long will it take for him to adjust to the physical aspect of epl (look at nasri)...i say two to three years and thats too long we need sum1 NOW....ashley young is the guy
  • Report Abuse BF7_CFC
    • 3/31/2011 11:39:59 AM
    He is slow, but a good defender & is a brick wall in the middle. He fits perfectly in the prem. I'm a fan of his.
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Standard Chartered wants Liverpool to sign more players from Asia

&#8226; Head of corporate affairs cites example of Park Ji-sung
&#8226; Says: 'Liverpool more aware of commercial opportunity



  • Agencies
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 April 2011 11.20 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Park-Ji-sung-007.jpg
    Liverpool's sponsor, the bank Standard Chartered, is impressed by Manchester United's Park Ji-sung. Photograph: Robin Parker/EPA Gavin Law, the group head of corporate affairs for Liverpool's shirt sponsor, Standard Chartered, has said the bank would like the club to sign Asian players, in order to exploit one of the bank's largest markets.
    "We would love the club to have players of nationalities from the markets in which we operate," Mr Law said. "They are not going to get them from all 75 but if they could sign some &#8211; if they could get a Korean, Indian, Chinese player &#8211; look what Park [Ji-sung] has done for [Manchester] United in terms of coverage in Korea.
    "Liverpool are more aware than most other clubs we've spoken to of the commercial opportunity for them. If they can sell a million shirts with another Mr Park on the back, why wouldn't you?"
    Standard's £20m-a-season sponsorship deal with Liverpool is the most lucrative in football history.
    Law's comments were reported in the Independent, which also said that Standard's chief executive, Peter Sands, had sought undertakings about the club's code of conduct for players. Law said that the bank were not concerned about the striker Andy Carroll, who was this week told to "drink less" by the England manager, Fabio Capello.
    Law said: "They [the players] are young men and they play hard and party hard. Reputationally, what is important to us is that the club has the right set of responsibilities and guidelines for their players. We will never stop some players going to excess [but] one of the issues we had to consider [was] what would we do if certain things happened at the football club."

 
Raul to honor Schalke deal


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Updated Mar 30, 2011 11:47 AM ET
Schalke striker Raul has pledged to see out his two-year contract in Gelsenkirchen despite the sacking of coach Felix Magath.
The 33-year-old, recently overtaken as Spain's record goalscorer by David Villa, joined the Royal Blues last summer after spending the whole of his career to that point with Real Madrid and has scored 11 goals this season.

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The club parted company with Magath two weeks ago, with the 57-year-old taking charge of Wolfsburg just a day later.
But Raul insists there will be no impact on his future at the club, telling Sport Bild: "I will stay until 2012. Magath wanted me in the team at all costs but I didn't sign a contract with Felix Magath, I signed with Schalke 04. I am a professional and I will continue to give my best."
And he has high hopes for the remainder of this season.
"We want to win the German Cup," he continued. "It is all the more important for me as I have never won a national cup."
Schalke also face a Champions League quarter-final against holders Inter Milan, but a pessimistic Raul warned: "Inter have an 80% chance of going through. They are the holders of the title, it will be very difficult."
 
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  • Report Abuse Schalke_USA
    • 3/31/2011 8:56:36 AM
    Raul is a very good man and his word is gold. I really don't see what news there is here as Raul said he was committed to playing two seasons for FC Schalke 04 no matter what. A change in head coaches is meaningless to Raul's contract. That said, Raul is now in much better position to win at Schalke under Ralf Rangnick than he was under Felix Magath. Rangnick is a bona fide football genius who will lead Schalke to numerous glories. Raul is fully aware of that fact.

    I have to agree with Raul's pessimism regarding Inter. They are the reigning European Cup champions and will be extremely tough to dethrone. I hope Schalke finds a way to advance past them, but it is nearly inconceivable.
  • Report Abuse Fsuperzero
    • 3/30/2011 6:47:14 PM
    I realy hope the new coach can turning things around for Schalke. Every team can have a bad day and I hope Inter has two of them. I wish we had 3 Raul's on the team.
  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 3/30/2011 1:46:15 PM
    Raul has a very good chance to get his first German Cup when the Pokal final comes around in May and as far as the Champions League quarterfinals with Inter, a lot of things can happen in a two legged affair.
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German Bundesliga Roundup, Apr. 1


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Updated Apr 1, 2011 6:02 PM ET
The Bundesliga game between St. Pauli and Schalke was called off in the 88th minute Friday after a fan threw a plastic glass full of beer at a linesman.
Schalke was leading 2-0 when Thorsten Schiffner was struck by the beer glass and referee Deniz Aytekin decided to end the game after consulting with his assistant, who fell to the ground but was unhurt.
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"We had to call off the game. There was no other choice," Aytekin said.
He pointed out that coins and lighters had also been thrown at Schiffner, who had to be examined by a doctor.
"That's totally unacceptable. It's not tolerated. I can only apologize to the linesman," St. Pauli coach Holger Stanislawski said.
Aytekin suggested the linesman was "doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
There was no immediate decision from league officials about whether the result would stand.
"It casts us in a very bad light," St. Pauli goalkeeper Benedikt Pliquett said.
Raul Gonzalez had given the visitors the lead in the 26th minute and substitute Julian Draxler added the second in the 66th, in coach Ralf Rangnick's first game in charge since returning to the club after Felix Magath was fired.
The game turned ill-tempered as St. Pauli was reduced to nine men after Jan-Philipp Kalla was given a second yellow card in the 68th and teammate Fin Bartels earned a direct red for a wild challenge on Farfan in the 79th.
Raul had almost given the visitors a perfect start when he hit the post in the second minute, before Schalke had a penalty appeal waved away when Alexander Baumjohann fell under the challenge of Fabian Boll.
The visitors were still protesting when Gerald Asamoah - a former Schalke player - whipped in a dangerous cross that Charles Takyi just missed.
Farfan almost opened the scoring in the 23rd, when Pliquett blocked his shot from a narrow angle.
The goalkeeper saved from substitute Edu a minute later, but Raul scored from the resulting corner when he ran into space to glance Farfan's cross beyond Pliquett.
It was the Spaniard's 12th goal of the season.
Fin Bartels flashed a shot narrowly over in a rare St. Pauli attack, before Markus Thorandt's crucial interception prevented Schalke going further ahead in the 38th as the visitors dominated possession.
Raul's audacious chip from near the halfway line landed on the roof of the net before halftime, and the Spaniard almost created another goal immediately after the restart, before the ball was eventually cleared away.
St. Pauli, playing with increased urgency, was much improved, and had a penalty appeal of its own turned down when Rouwen Hennings was brushed off by Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Manuel Neuer, playing in his 150th Bundesliga game, was first called to action in the 55th, when he easily gathered Takyi's shot.
St. Pauli had a goal ruled out in the 65th, when Boll was adjudged to have been offside despite failing to connect with Max Kruse's free kick that ended in the net.
The home side's protests had not died down when Draxler scored at the other end, the 17-year-old prodding in Farfan's cross from close range.
It went from bad to worse for St. Pauli with the sendings off of Kalla and Bartels, before the game was halted.
"It's a bad day for St. Pauli. We have to launch an inquiry," St. Pauli sport director Helmut Schulte said.
 
German Football Results


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Updated Apr 1, 2011 5:14 PM ET
BERLIN (AP)

Results from the 28th round of the Bundesliga (home team listed first):
Friday's GameSt. Pauli vs. Schalke (game abandoned in 88th minute with Schalke leading 2-0)
Saturday's GamesBayern Munich vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach
Werder Bremen vs. Stuttgart
Borussia Dortmund vs. Hannover
Mainz vs. Freiburg
Kaiserslautern vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Hoffenheim vs. Hamburger SV
Sunday, April 3Cologne vs. Nuremberg
Wolfsburg vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
Friday, April 8Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Werder Bremen
Saturday, Apil 9Schalke vs. Wolfsburg
Hamburger SV vs. Borussia Dortmund
Freiburg vs. Hoffenheim
Hannover vs. Mainz
Nuremberg vs. Bayern Munich
Stuttgart vs. Kaiserslautern
Sunday, April 10Borussia Moenchengladbach vs. Cologne
Bayer Leverkusen vs. St. Pauli
 
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  • Report Abuse rotwiessessen222
    • 4/1/2011 9:23:30 PM
    Not that suprising as St. Pauli has some of the rowdiest fans around even if they are not huge in numbers they make up for it in energy.

    I bet that Schalke will get the three points and that will be the end of it, maybe a fine for St Pauli.

    Raul has been doing his thing for Schalke and has put Huntelaar to shame !
  • Report Abuse bockrath16
    • 4/1/2011 5:01:21 PM
    Alcohol Abuse!!!!!
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West Ham's Scott Parker should be player of the year, says Avram Grant

&#8226; 'He's a good example and always gives everything'
&#8226; Midfielder could still be target for big club, says Grant



  • Jamie Jackson
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 April 2011 22.59 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Scott-Parker-West-Ham-007.jpg
    Scott Parker is the main reason West Ham are still in with a chance of avoiding relegation, according to his manager Avram Grant. Photograph: Simon Dawson/AP Avram Grant believes that Scott Parker should be crowned player of the year and says the midfielder's performances are the reason West Ham United still have a chance of avoiding relegation.
    The winner of the Professional Footballers' Association award will be named later this month and the Football Writers' Association's choice is announced in May. Regarding Parker, Grant said: "I think, without any doubt, that he's the player of the year. I don't see any player that is better than him.
    "And if you also want to nominate a player who's a good example, it's good for everybody. He's a player who always gives everything, always trains well, is always positive and always gives everything for the team.
    "Remember we played sometimes, in the first half of the season, without 10 players, and all the midfielders around him and the forwards kept needing to change and he was the only one that stayed and kept us [in the fight].
    "If we are in a position that we can stay in the league it's because we took points in the first half of the season, sometimes without 10 or 11 players. And he played and he was very good."
    Parker's consistent form has also led Fabio Capello to recall him to the England squad and the 30-year-old started the 2-0 victory over Wales in last weekend's Euro 2012 qualifier.
    When in charge of Chelsea Grant managed Frank Lampard, Dider Drogba and John Terry, and he names Parker among the best footballers he has coached. "His attitude is very good," he said. "You start when you are young because you love it and you have passion for it. But sometimes you see players who, because they have money now, they forget it. But Scotty always plays like it's his first game."
    Grant is impressed with Parker away from the pitch, too. "It's very important. Sometimes we need to understand that these are young players. But they are also examples [role models]. If you take someone who has, no doubt, been a good example then it's good for the young players now."
    Grant said of a player who has scored seven goals in 36 games in this campaign: "This season is his best season. I always like when my players play their best when I'm around. He can be even a little bit better, but he's taking the maximum from himself all the time," the manager said.
    Grant also believes Parker could yet be a target for Manchester United or any of the other top teams. "He would fit in. Our target for West Ham for the long term is that we will have five or six players that all the top teams will want."
    Grant was disappointed Rob Green did not play any part in Tuesday's friendly with Ghana. The goalkeeper was dropped following his mistake in the opening group game against the US in last summer's World Cup. Asked if it was unfair not to give the player a chance, Grant said: "Yes. Firstly the manager changed all the team. Secondly if you look at Rob Green in the last games, in the last month, he was the best goalkeeper in the country."

 
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