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FA admits it does not know who owns Leeds United

• Club under discussion in MPs' inquiry into football governance
• Premier League would force club to disclose more if promoted



  • Press Association
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 20.43 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Leeds-fans-on-the-pitch-a-007.jpg
    Leeds United fans on the pitch at Elland Road after securing promotion in 2010. The FA admits it does not know who owns the club. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA

    The Football Association has sent a clarification to MPs admitting it does not know who are the ultimate owners of Leeds. The FA has told the culture, media and sport committee it does not know the identities of the people behind the three offshore trusts which own the Championship club.
    The committee is carrying out an inquiry into football governance and the issue of Leeds' ownership is one of the themes the MPs have tackled. The FA general secretary, Alex Horne, gave evidence to the MPs last month and said he was not directly involved in club ownership regulations but believed that "two or three" people within the organisation knew who owned Leeds.
    FA rules state clubs have to confirm the identities only of people with a shareholding of 10% or more. Leeds' ownership statement states no potential beneficiary of the trusts or their immediate family members have more than 10%.
    The FA chairman, David Bernstein, had told MPs: "I think supporters should know who owns any clubs, absolutely. I don't think there should be any exceptions."
    Richard Scudamore said this month Leeds will be forced to reveal exactly who owns the club if they are promoted to the top flight. The Premier League chief executive said the body will apply the rules on ownership transparency more strictly than the Football League has done.
    The Leeds chief executive, Shaun Harvey, told MPs last month the club's owners are a holding company called FSF based on the West Indian island of Nevis, owned by three discretionary trusts. The owners of these trusts are unknown but have appointed two men, Patrick Murrin and Peter Boatman, to run the club, and they had asked Ken Bates to be chairman. Harvey said neither he nor, to his knowledge, Bates knows who the shareholders of the trusts are.
 
Manchester United top Forbes list of world's richest football clubs

&#8226; Manchester club are valued at an estimated £1.13bn
&#8226; Real Madrid are second but Barcelona slip to fifth



  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 01.20 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Manchester-United-fans-005.jpg
    Manchester United fans have more reason to celebrate after their club was named the richest in the world by Forbes. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

    Manchester United have been valued as the richest club in the world, according to Forbes 2011 Soccer Valuation, a new survey.
    For the seventh consecutive year Manchester United is No1 on the Forbes list ranking the most valuable football teams, with a value of $1.86bn (£1.13bn).
    Forbes released the list, which will be featured in the 9 May issue of the magazine, on Wednesday.
    Real Madrid are again No2 with a value of $1.45bn, followed by Arsenal at $1.19bn, Bayern Munich at $1.1bn and Barcelona, who drop one spot to No5, with a value of $975m.
    Forbes said it values teams based on what they have been sold for in the past relative to sales and profits, broadcast agreements and debt from new or pending stadium deals.
    The magazine will also include articles on the highest-paid players and on Stan Kroenke, the American businessman who recently acquired a controlling interest in Arsenal.

 
Champions League

Michel Platini apologises for prices of Champions League final tickets

&#8226; Uefa president will consult fans' groups over future prices
&#8226; European ruling body may consider new family ticket category



  • Jamie Jackson
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 20.41 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Michel-Platini-Champions--007.jpg
    Michel Platini, the Uefa president, said the high prices for the Champions League final at Wembley were a 'mistake'. Photograph: Vano Shlamov/AFP/Getty Images

    Michel Platini, the Uefa president, has apologised for the record high prices of tickets for the Champions League final at Wembley next month, and said in future the governing body may consider introducing a cheaper category for families. He has also pledged to consult fans' groups before setting ticket prices, according to the umbrella organisation Football Supporters Europe.
    Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Schalke 04 are the four clubs remaining in this season's competition, with only fans of the two teams that progress to the final on 28 May able to buy the cheapest tickets, which cost &#8364;95 (£84). The lowest tariff for those on public sale is &#8364;175, 13% more than for last year's final in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. Second-tier prices are up by 16% to &#8364;260, a third category costs &#8364;175, and the most expensive ticket is &#8364;350, a 17% rise. The adult-child combined ticket costs &#8364;400 (£353). All tickets carry a &#8364;30 booking levy.
    Platini said of the prices: "It was a mistake, it was not good. It was not easy to decide the price of the tickets in the final of the Champions League because we now receive 200,000 requests for these [priced] tickets, and now on the black market it's 10 times the price that we decide. That means it is not easy."
    Platini confirmed that after he had championed moving the final to a Saturday to allow more families to watch the showpiece game, he envisages a new price band to encourage their attendance.
    "Perhaps in the future we will have another category for families [which will be] less expensive but if they put these on the black market too [it is not easy]. It was not a good communication and I apologise for that," he said.
    "I'm sure the final will bring emotions in a true football city and a true stadium of football &#8211; Wembley."
    Kevin Miles, the Football Supporters Federation representative who is on the 10-strong committee of the FSE, said Platini made the pledge to consult them before setting future ticket prices when he met the body last month at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
    "Clearly we agree with Michel Platini that the Champions League final prices are excessive, and we welcome his apology. He takes responsibility, which I think is a good thing," Miles said.
    "At our recent meeting with him in Nyon Mr Platini gave an undertaking that in future years supporters' organisations would be consulted before the prices were finalised. And we look forward to being able to contribute to helping him avoid mistakes like this again."
    The FA chairman David Bernstein, a Manchester City fan, has admitted it would be "very special" for Manchester United to reach the final. He said: "We are very hopeful that Manchester United continue to progress and represent England. There's no denying that Sir Alex Ferguson's side face a tough task against Schalke but to have an English team in the final at Wembley would be something special."

 
Montpellier faces Marseille in League Cup final


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 9:23 AM ET
Montpellier looks to end a 21-year trophy drought when it faces Marseille in Saturday's League Cup final, a role reversal from last season when Marseille was the team chasing elusive silverware.
The last time Montpellier won a domestic trophy, an infamously unruly Eric Cantona was playing alongside a scraggly haired Laurent Blanc in the side that won the French Cup in 1990.
Cantona became one of the English Premier League's greatest players with Manchester United, while Blanc now coaches France. In between times, Montpellier seesawed between the first and second divisions.

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Marseille coach Didier Deschamps knows how Montpellier's fans feel. Last year, Deschamps ended Marseille's 17-year trophy hunt. First he guided Marseille to victory in the League Cup - the club's first silverware since the Champions League in 1993 - and led it to a first French league title since 1992.
"For us last year, it was the chance for some players to win their first trophy," Deschamps said. "It will be a bit like that for Montpellier, which has not won anything for many years."
Marseille, which is closing in on Lille in the title race, needed a late penalty to beat Montpellier in the league last Sunday.
"These two matches come very close together, but Saturday will be a very different match," Deschamps said. "There are no points on offer but a trophy to be won."
Marseille's play this season has been far from spectacular, and critics have moaned about the lack of flair in Deschamps' team, unfairly comparing it to the star-studded team that won the European Cup.
But Marseille has won nine of 12 league matches since the league resumed in January after the winter break.
Defender Rod Fanni says Marseille's resurgence is far more important than plaudits.
"I listen to my mates who are playing for other teams, and they all tell me that we are really hard to play against," he said. "It's a bit easy to say it's all down to luck."
Montpellier is even less exciting going forward, managing in 31 league games just 27 goals - 10 of those for striker Olivier Giroud.
Montpellier's strength, this season and last, has been its resolute defending.
Bosnia defender Emir Spahic has at times been an inspirational leader, but his poor disciplinary record threatens to derail Montpellier's whole season. The club is in eighth place as it chases entry into the Europa League, which will happen automatically if it wins on Saturday.
Spahic has twice elbowed strikers in the face this season - Brest's Nolan Roux and Lens' Toifilou Maoulida - and his lengthy suspension rules him out of Saturday's final and several crucial league games after that.
The 30-year-old Spahic will be going to Stade de France, anyway.
"I want to support them all week and try and offer them a bit of my experience," Spahic said. "It's the role of the senior players to try and help the young players so that they bring the cup to Montpellier."
One player the young players can turn to for advice is veteran midfielder Romain Pitau. The 33-year-old Pitau won the French Cup with Sochaux in 2007, beating an odds-on favorite Marseille containing Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri.
"Marseille will be favorites, we will be the outsiders. In people's minds it will be the same thing," Pitau said. "You don't get to go to Stade de France every year. If it's my last chance, I absolutely must seize it."
Marseille striker Loic Remy also misses the match through suspension.
Because of the final, there will be eight league matches on Sunday, when Lille travels to Lorient.
With seven rounds remaining, Lille has a one-point lead over Marseille.
Fourth-place Paris Saint-Germain, which is seven points behind Lille, and fifth-place Rennes also have away games.
PSG is at Brest, and Rennes tries to snap a five-match winless streak in Monaco.
In Sunday's other matches, it is: Caen vs. Toulouse, Auxerre vs. Lens, Bordeaux vs. Saint-Etienne; Nancy vs. Arles-Avignon, and Valenciennes vs. Sochaux. Next Wednesday, Marseille hosts Nice, and Montpellier is at Lyon.



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Madrid faces Valencia with La Liga hopes on line


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Updated Apr 21, 2011 10:00 AM ET
Three days after raising the Copa del Rey at Mestalla Stadium, Real Madrid returns to face Valencia in a crucial match to keep alive its hopes of catching Spanish leader Barcelona.
"This is a big boost for us now that the league is practically Barcelona's," said Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa.
Barcelona commands an eight-point lead and can lick its wounds after losing the cup to its fierce rival at home against an Osasuna side just two points above the relegation zone.

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With only six rounds to play, Madrid can hardly afford to drop any points if its wants to stop the Catalan side from collecting its third straight league crown.
The problem for coach Jose Mourinho's team is that Valencia has everything to play for since a win will clinch it a spot in next year's Champions League.
"We are three points from our goal of returning to the Champions League and we are going to fight very hard," Valencia midfielder Ever Banega said.
With his starters exhausted after Wednesday's 120-minute cup final and yet another clash with Barcelona looming next week in the semifinals of the Champions League, Mourinho could field a starting 11 full of reserves.
"It does not matter the lineup Madrid has," said Banega. "We want to continue atop and Mourinho can come with whoever he wants because we really want to beat them."
Barcelona now turns to making sure it doesn't slip up in the league where it hasn't lost since round two and hasn't dropped any points at Camp Nou stadium since October.
David Villa said Barcelona was stung by the loss, but that his team still had the league to wrap up and the shot to avenge the Copa defeat in the Champions League to play for.
"We have to pick ourselves up, digest (the loss) and fight because there is a month left that can turn out to be very nice," said Villa. "We are angry but we have to keep going, we have to decide the league and then think in the Champions League, where we have the chance to classify for the final."
Osasuna has lost 12 of its 16 outings this season, and the game offers an excellent opportunity for Barcelona to rediscover its attacking form. Lionel Messi has been providing his team's scoring punch as both Villa and attack partner Pedro Rodriguez have gone 11 games without finding the back of the net.
"Now we have to take on a game with an important three points in play," Pedro said.
Also on Saturday, Real Sociedad visits fifth-place Athletic Bilbao in a Basque Country derby, while sixth-place Sevilla hosts fourth-place Villarreal on Sunday in a critical game for the Andalusians' chances of playing in Europe next season.
After a strong first half of the season, the promoted Sociedad could be in danger off falling back in the second division if cannot earn points at San Mames stadium.
"We are very excited for this game, it is the one we most look forward to playing away from Anoeta," said Sociedad playmaker Xabi Prieto. "Whoever scores first will determine the winner because I believe it will be a low-scoring game."
Sevilla hasn't won in two weeks and will try to take advantage of a Villarreal side that has flagged off in the league recently as it concentrates on its Europa League campaign that has led it to the semifinals.
But a loss by Gregorio Manzano's team could see it slide out of European positions with Atletico Madrid even on points and Espanyol just one point behind.
On Monday, last-place Almeria plays fellow drop-zone side Zaragoza.
Also on Sunday, it's: Mallorca vs. Getafe, Sporting Gijon vs. Espanyol, Hercules vs. Deportivo La Coruna, Racing Santander vs. Malaga, and Atletico vs. Levante.
 
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  • Report Abuse Abragos
    • 4/21/2011 11:19:20 AM
    And by the way why isn't GolTv broadcasting this match? They could still broadcast the Barcelona vs. Osasuna match, because the Real Madrid vs. Valencia one is at noon. This is a big match, should be a very entertaining one. I hate GolTv, they say they cover La Liga but they only play like 3-4 matches a weekend. Now I'm going to have to find this one online. I wish by some miracle FSC would sell the rights for Serie A(nothing against them I like Serie A but La Liga more) and buy the rights to broadcast La Liga in the USA from GolTV. I really have to get ESPN Deportes next year.
  • Report Abuse Abragos
    • 4/21/2011 10:18:07 AM
    This will be a good game. Payback for the game that was gifted to Real Madrid in December. I wonder who the referee is going to be? This time it's on our ground. Amunt Valencia, Visca el Valencia, es el millor!
  • Report Abuse Tabletopper
    • 4/21/2011 9:44:01 AM
    this defeat at real is a wake up call for me 'cause i thought barca was unbeatable. i have now returned to earth. People might not have noticed but barca got beaten because pedro (retuning from injury) and villa were well below their usual standard. so with messi being marked out of the game and forced to stay in midfield neither of them was able to replicate the form they had at the beginning of the season.

    Congrats to real. it takes a good team to eke out a draw against them and a great team to beat them. i need to see pep's plan B for the CL matches. This defeat cant be a motivation
  • Report Abuse PMaldini333
    • 4/21/2011 9:17:58 AM
    agreed..no way RM can catch Barca for the league title....I am super excited for these CL matches though...should be two outstanding matches.
  • Report Abuse AREACODE876
    • 4/21/2011 8:18:49 AM
    No way Madrid can win the league. yesterday was a hard fought win and i think Barca will come harder for the CL lets see what will happen.
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Iker the Octopus picks Madrid to win Copa del Rey


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Updated Apr 20, 2011 1:02 AM ET
BENALMADENA, Spain (AP)

Iker the Octopus has picked Real Madrid to beat Barcelona on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey final.

The home of the best LIVE soccer and rugby awaits at FoxSoccer.tv -- don't miss a second of the action.

The 35-pound Pacific Ocean octopus named after Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas correctly predicted a draw in the first of four matches between the teams. Now, he's out to prove his first pick was no fluke.
Iker chose Madrid on Tuesday by snatching a sardine from the tube covered with the team's logo.
Iker floated passively for 15 minutes without selecting a sardine from either team's tube on Friday, a day before Madrid rallied to a 1-1 draw in a Spanish league match.
The teams also will face each other in both legs of the Champions League semifinals.
 
Sepp Blatter offers £1bn and transparency as he seeks Fifa re-election

&#8226; Blatter running for fourth term as Fifa president
&#8226; Swiss up against Qatar's Mohamed Bin Hammam



  • Jamie Jackson
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 20.50 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Fifa-president-Sepp-Blatt-007.jpg
    The Fifa president Sepp Blatter meets youngsters at the Santa Ana football complex in Costa Rica. Photograph: Reuters

    Sepp Blatter has launched his manifesto to be elected for a fourth term as Fifa president on a ticket of transparency and with a pledge to invest almost £1bn to aid the development of football worldwide.
    Blatter's rival for the presidency is Mohamed Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation. The Swiss is expected to receive the backing of Michel Platini, the Uefa president, ahead of the vote that will take place at Fifa's two-day annual congress which starts at the end of May.
    Platini said: "I will make a statement at the beginning of May [regarding] the position of Uefa." The Frenchman would not be drawn when asked for a response to Blatter's pledge. "Yes I know that there is a lot of money invested in the football since 1998 [when Blatter became president] because the TV rights are very important. It is the job of Fifa to invest a lot," he said.
    In a four-page letter sent by Blatter to the 208 Fifa member associations he stated the need for "evolution not revolution" and pledged $1.6bn (£976m) for development projects over the next four years. This compares to the $1.6bn invested during the 13 years since Blatter was first elected.
    After the decisions to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively proved controversial, Blatter's manifesto said there will be "transparency and control of Fifa revenues via annual external audits, available for download from fifa.com".
    Bin Hammam has also offered financial incentives by doubling the support handed out to each of Fifa's 208 member associations to $500,000 annually. While the Qatari's manifesto also contains proposals for change, including creating 17 more executive committee positions to make a new 41-strong "Fifa board", Blatter insists change needs to be slower.
    "In these challenging times Fifa needs first of all stability, continuity and reliability. We do not need revolution within Fifa but the continuous evolution and improvement of our game and our organisation," he said. "As you all know, today we are living in an insecure and troubled world. After the global financial crises of 2008-09, today we have to cope with other major global challenges including natural and nuclear catastrophes, countries in financial turmoil, the devaluation of leading currencies as well as political instability in many regions.
    "This shows that Fifa as the organiser of global World Cups and world football's governing body has to be prepared for the unexpected when it occurs."
    Blatter promised, if re-elected, it will be his final term. "I have all the motivation, experience, ideas and energy needed to complete my mission. I have decided to stand for my fourth and final term as president because in these uncertain times Fifa needs stability to secure all that we have achieved so far and to make essential changes to our beautiful game," said the 75-year-old.

 
Sepp Blatter offers £1bn and transparency as he seeks Fifa re-election

• Blatter running for fourth term as Fifa president
• Swiss up against Qatar's Mohamed Bin Hammam



  • Jamie Jackson
  • guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 April 2011 20.50 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Fifa-president-Sepp-Blatt-007.jpg
    The Fifa president Sepp Blatter meets youngsters at the Santa Ana football complex in Costa Rica. Photograph: Reuters

    Sepp Blatter has launched his manifesto to be elected for a fourth term as Fifa president on a ticket of transparency and with a pledge to invest almost £1bn to aid the development of football worldwide.
    Blatter's rival for the presidency is Mohamed Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation. The Swiss is expected to receive the backing of Michel Platini, the Uefa president, ahead of the vote that will take place at Fifa's two-day annual congress which starts at the end of May.
    Platini said: "I will make a statement at the beginning of May [regarding] the position of Uefa." The Frenchman would not be drawn when asked for a response to Blatter's pledge. "Yes I know that there is a lot of money invested in the football since 1998 [when Blatter became president] because the TV rights are very important. It is the job of Fifa to invest a lot," he said.
    In a four-page letter sent by Blatter to the 208 Fifa member associations he stated the need for "evolution not revolution" and pledged $1.6bn (£976m) for development projects over the next four years. This compares to the $1.6bn invested during the 13 years since Blatter was first elected.
    After the decisions to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively proved controversial, Blatter's manifesto said there will be "transparency and control of Fifa revenues via annual external audits, available for download from fifa.com".
    Bin Hammam has also offered financial incentives by doubling the support handed out to each of Fifa's 208 member associations to $500,000 annually. While the Qatari's manifesto also contains proposals for change, including creating 17 more executive committee positions to make a new 41-strong "Fifa board", Blatter insists change needs to be slower.
    "In these challenging times Fifa needs first of all stability, continuity and reliability. We do not need revolution within Fifa but the continuous evolution and improvement of our game and our organisation," he said. "As you all know, today we are living in an insecure and troubled world. After the global financial crises of 2008-09, today we have to cope with other major global challenges including natural and nuclear catastrophes, countries in financial turmoil, the devaluation of leading currencies as well as political instability in many regions.
    "This shows that Fifa as the organiser of global World Cups and world football's governing body has to be prepared for the unexpected when it occurs."
    Blatter promised, if re-elected, it will be his final term. "I have all the motivation, experience, ideas and energy needed to complete my mission. I have decided to stand for my fourth and final term as president because in these uncertain times Fifa needs stability to secure all that we have achieved so far and to make essential changes to our beautiful game," said the 75-year-old.
 
Real Madrid's Cup runneth over, plus monkeys, meltdowns and man-love

This week's round-up includes some novel sports, a lot of violence and some memorable football cock-ups


Link to this video 1) Real Madrid waste little time on embarking upon an open-top bus parade to mark their Copa del Rey final win on Wednesday night. Only for Sergio Ramos to drop the cup under said bus. Mind you, Madrid made it out of the venue with the trophy in one piece, unlike the Spokane Chiefs ice hockey team. And don't get us started on the dangers of throwing your cup from a podium. At least Brazilian footballers celebrating amid wild pyrotechnics couldn't possibly go wrong. Oh.
2) Sometimes the mere detail is enough. This is a clip of monkeys riding dogs. While herding goats. At a baseball game. Is it too late to get this on the list for London 2012?
3) Fancy watching the best goals from every European Cup campaign between 1988 and 2005? Or a Serie A archive spanning 40 years? It's all here.
4) A couple of famous and &#8211; in Guardian Towers at least &#8211; hitherto unseen cricket meltdowns. Michael Holding boots the stumps down during West Indies' ill-tempered tour of New Zealand in 1979-80. Later in the same series, Colin Croft barged into the umpire Fred Goodall. (Both those links come from this amazing cricket archive, which also includes this immense compilation of Viv Richards sixes)
5) If you're going to do a Michael Jackson spin before you take a penalty, you'd better not miss.
6) In the 1970s, there were certain cities in which a footballer might have got away unscathed after a rude gesture to the home fans. Belgrade is not one of them. And while we're talking about Balkan violence, here's our own Jonathan Wilson sharing screen time with Danny Dyer. And while we're talking about violence per se, here's an alternative method for dealing with pitch invaders.
Our favourites from last week's blog


1) The brilliance of the Fireman Olympics.
2) We all remember 90s cartoon The Hurricanes, but these poor kids actually have to take on The Tornado during this football game.
3) Own goal of the week (and possibly the season).
4) Raúl gives a little something back to the fans.
5) The brilliant Tim Key brings us A Tale of Two Centre-Backs, starring John Terry. While it's Chuckles O'Clock, here's a nice take on Spurs' outing to Real Madrid.
6) Wheelbarrow racers: we defy you to beat this for trickery.
Spotters' badges: Godinho,GoodTouchBigLad, Ian1988, chicken11s, Mitsuyaciderdrinker, harrylime99.
 
Real Madrid's Cup runneth over, plus monkeys, meltdowns and man-love

This week's round-up includes some novel sports, a lot of violence and some memorable football cock-ups


Link to this video 1) Real Madrid waste little time on embarking upon an open-top bus parade to mark their Copa del Rey final win on Wednesday night. Only for Sergio Ramos to drop the cup under said bus. Mind you, Madrid made it out of the venue with the trophy in one piece, unlike the Spokane Chiefs ice hockey team. And don't get us started on the dangers of throwing your cup from a podium. At least Brazilian footballers celebrating amid wild pyrotechnics couldn't possibly go wrong. Oh.
2) Sometimes the mere detail is enough. This is a clip of monkeys riding dogs. While herding goats. At a baseball game. Is it too late to get this on the list for London 2012?
3) Fancy watching the best goals from every European Cup campaign between 1988 and 2005? Or a Serie A archive spanning 40 years? It's all here.
4) A couple of famous and – in Guardian Towers at least – hitherto unseen cricket meltdowns. Michael Holding boots the stumps down during West Indies' ill-tempered tour of New Zealand in 1979-80. Later in the same series, Colin Croft barged into the umpire Fred Goodall. (Both those links come from this amazing cricket archive, which also includes this immense compilation of Viv Richards sixes)
5) If you're going to do a Michael Jackson spin before you take a penalty, you'd better not miss.
6) In the 1970s, there were certain cities in which a footballer might have got away unscathed after a rude gesture to the home fans. Belgrade is not one of them. And while we're talking about Balkan violence, here's our own Jonathan Wilson sharing screen time with Danny Dyer. And while we're talking about violence per se, here's an alternative method for dealing with pitch invaders.
Our favourites from last week's blog


1) The brilliance of the Fireman Olympics.
2) We all remember 90s cartoon The Hurricanes, but these poor kids actually have to take on The Tornado during this football game.
3) Own goal of the week (and possibly the season).
4) Raúl gives a little something back to the fans.
5) The brilliant Tim Key brings us A Tale of Two Centre-Backs, starring John Terry. While it's Chuckles O'Clock, here's a nice take on Spurs' outing to Real Madrid.
6) Wheelbarrow racers: we defy you to beat this for trickery.
Spotters' badges: Godinho,GoodTouchBigLad, Ian1988, chicken11s, Mitsuyaciderdrinker, harrylime99.
 
Monterrey 2-2 Real Salt Lake


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Nat Borchers, center, rises high to head in Real Salt Lake's first goal Wednesday night.



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Updated Apr 21, 2011 3:45 AM ET
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP)

Javier Morales scored an 89th-minute equalizer to give Real Salt Lake a 2-2 draw at Monterrey on Wednesday in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final.

Thu., Apr. 21​
D.C. United vs. New York
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Colorado vs. Seattle
Sat., Apr. 23​
San Jose vs. Chivas USA
Toronto vs. Columbus
Vancouver vs. FC Dallas
New England vs. Kansas City
Chicago vs. Houston
Los Angeles vs. Portland
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Aldo De Nigris opened the scoring for Monterrey in the 18th minute, before Nat Borchers headed an equalizer in the 35th for Salt Lake, which is bidding to become the first U.S. club to win the continental title since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2000.
Humberto Suazo put Monterrey ahead again from the penalty spot on the hour, but Morales leveled with a diagonal drive just before the final whistle.
''It was a very difficult game, but we studied Monterrey beforehand and knew they were a strong team that attacks well and has players that can cause you problems,'' Salt Lake's Costa Rican forward Alvaro Saborio said.
The draw and two away goals puts Salt Lake in a positive position ahead of the return leg in Utah next Wednesday. Salt Lake would be crowned champions with a home win or by holding Monterrey to a 0-0 or 1-1 draw. Monterrey must win or score at least three goals in a draw to take the title. A 2-2 draw would lead to extra time and the possibility of penalties.
''We've got 90 minutes left and we are going to play with the same conviction in the return leg. We know we've got to try and win the game in Salt Lake, but we've got to stay organized,'' Monterrey defender Jose Basanta said.
Victory also would make Real Salt Lake the first American team to dispute the Club World Cup, a December tournament played against the other continental champions including the European Champions League winner and South America's Copa Libertadores holder.
Monterrey enjoyed the best of the early chances with Suazo's shot from the edge of the area forcing Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando into a flying save to tip the ball over the bar in the ninth minute.
The early pressure paid off when Monterrey's full back Sergio Perez joined the attack on the right and forced the ball across goal for De Nigris to finish.
De Nigris and captain Luis Perez were both substituted with injuries in the 22nd minute, but Monterrey kept pushing and Suazo brought another diving save out of Rimando with a low curling shot in the 25th.
Despite the sluggish start, Salt Lake began to move the ball with greater precision and the equalizer came when Will Johnson lifted a cross into the box and Nat Borchers beat two defenders to the ball to head past goalie Jonathan Orozco.
''It's one of the virtues we've got and we wanted to take advantage of the aerial game,'' Saborio said. ''But we also did well with the ball on the ground and took our chances.''
Monterrey regrouped after the break and controlled possession in the Salt Lake half. Neri Cardozo almost put the home side in front after breaking onto an Osvaldo Martinez pass on the hour but Jamison Olave diverted behind.
Salt Lake failed to heed the warning. Two minutes later, Cardozo's run and cross down the left was handled by a Salt Lake defender and Suazo dispatched the penalty into a bottom corner to restore the lead.
Nonetheless, Monterrey's inconsistent form since winning the Mexican league title in December resurfaced in the final stages.
Salt Lake's Argentine striker Morales collected the ball on the edge of the box and cut inside Basanta before unleashing a shot across Orozco and into the net.
Salt Lake's major worry was a yellow card for American international midfielder Kyle Beckermann which rules the captain out of the second leg.
 

Liverpool must carry on spending, says Kenny Dalglish

&#8226; Scot insists youngsters cannot do it on their own
&#8226; Gary Cahill and Charlie Adam among transfer targets



  • Andy Hunter
  • The Guardian, Friday 22 April 2011 <li class="history">Article history
    Jack-Robinson-is-among-th-007.jpg
    Jack Robinson is among the Liverpool academy players who have shone in the first team this season. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

    Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool require further investment in players this summer despite spending £57.8m on new talent in January and overseeing the emergence of several talented youngsters from the club's academy.
    The development of Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson this season, and the prospect of more graduates to come, such as the 16-year-old Raheem Sterling, have brought encouragement to a club transformed since Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson as manager in January. Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, and the director of football, Damien Comolli, have outlined a rebuilding strategy based on both homegrown products and top-class acquisitions, and Dalglish has insisted there can be no deviation from that policy if the team are to regain their place among the leading pack in the Premier League next season.
    "It's important that there is room for development for players, but it's also important that you don't use it as an excuse not to spend money and not improve what you've already got," the Liverpool manager said. "Age does not determine their ability to play. So if we're convinced we have young players who are better than what's available, then we'll keep our younger players. There's no two ways about it. But that does not say we don't want to improve as a football club in any way, shape or form. We do need to leave some path open if we do think there are players who can come in. If they develop then fine, if they don't, we've got a problem. But if you buy a player in and he doesn't produce, you've got a bigger problem."
    FSG's £57.8m outlay on Andy Carroll and Luis Suárez in January, their first transfer window as owners, was another factor in Liverpool's rediscovered optimism, although with £56m raised in the same month by selling Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, the full extent of their largesse remains to be seen this summer.
    It is still to be confirmed that Dalglish will be manager when Liverpool next enter the transfer market, of course, although talks have opened over long-term contracts for both the Scot and his first-team coach, Steve Clarke. Another indication that FSG are content with the existing managerial structure is that several targets identified by Dalglish and Comolli continue to be monitored, such as Bolton's Gary Cahill, Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Aston Villa's Ashley Young, José Enrique of Newcastle and the Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.
    "Every summer is important for the club," Dalglish said. "The better the business, the more successful the club is going to be. If you do good business, you've more chance of being successful. That just doesn't mean buying players and letting players go, it's about developing what else you have. This summer is going to be very important, not just for Liverpool Football Club, but every football club. And the better decisions you make, the better business you do, the better chance you have of setting yourself up for next season."
    Dalglish says talk of a Liverpool revival remains premature but, with the academy prospering and the new owners in place, he is confident the club has the foundations to prosper after a turbulent period. He said: "I hope there's a reality to it. I know this time around the football club is the same as last time around [when he was in charge from 1985 to 1991]. It's always been everyone singing from the same hymn sheet and that's what it is at the moment. The longer that continues the better chance we have of fulfilling dreams and ambitions. As soon as you start to diversify you have no chance.
    "I think the best phrase for now is 'work in progress'. For everybody &#8211; the owners and the football side of it. I don't think it would be right to judge anything at this moment in time. We have to wait a while and see what happens in a year or two. It's positive work in progress."
    Carroll and Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, will both require late fitness tests ahead of Saturday's home game with Birmingham City. The £35m striker suffered a knee injury in the draw at Arsenal on Sunday while Carragher was carried off with concussion following a collision with Flanagan. Both have made progress this week but have not been declared fit to face Birmingham yet.

 

Liverpool must carry on spending, says Kenny Dalglish

• Scot insists youngsters cannot do it on their own
• Gary Cahill and Charlie Adam among transfer targets



  • Andy Hunter
  • The Guardian, Friday 22 April 2011 <li class="history">Article history
    Jack-Robinson-is-among-th-007.jpg
    Jack Robinson is among the Liverpool academy players who have shone in the first team this season. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

    Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool require further investment in players this summer despite spending £57.8m on new talent in January and overseeing the emergence of several talented youngsters from the club's academy.
    The development of Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson this season, and the prospect of more graduates to come, such as the 16-year-old Raheem Sterling, have brought encouragement to a club transformed since Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson as manager in January. Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, and the director of football, Damien Comolli, have outlined a rebuilding strategy based on both homegrown products and top-class acquisitions, and Dalglish has insisted there can be no deviation from that policy if the team are to regain their place among the leading pack in the Premier League next season.
    "It's important that there is room for development for players, but it's also important that you don't use it as an excuse not to spend money and not improve what you've already got," the Liverpool manager said. "Age does not determine their ability to play. So if we're convinced we have young players who are better than what's available, then we'll keep our younger players. There's no two ways about it. But that does not say we don't want to improve as a football club in any way, shape or form. We do need to leave some path open if we do think there are players who can come in. If they develop then fine, if they don't, we've got a problem. But if you buy a player in and he doesn't produce, you've got a bigger problem."
    FSG's £57.8m outlay on Andy Carroll and Luis Suárez in January, their first transfer window as owners, was another factor in Liverpool's rediscovered optimism, although with £56m raised in the same month by selling Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, the full extent of their largesse remains to be seen this summer.
    It is still to be confirmed that Dalglish will be manager when Liverpool next enter the transfer market, of course, although talks have opened over long-term contracts for both the Scot and his first-team coach, Steve Clarke. Another indication that FSG are content with the existing managerial structure is that several targets identified by Dalglish and Comolli continue to be monitored, such as Bolton's Gary Cahill, Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Aston Villa's Ashley Young, José Enrique of Newcastle and the Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.
    "Every summer is important for the club," Dalglish said. "The better the business, the more successful the club is going to be. If you do good business, you've more chance of being successful. That just doesn't mean buying players and letting players go, it's about developing what else you have. This summer is going to be very important, not just for Liverpool Football Club, but every football club. And the better decisions you make, the better business you do, the better chance you have of setting yourself up for next season."
    Dalglish says talk of a Liverpool revival remains premature but, with the academy prospering and the new owners in place, he is confident the club has the foundations to prosper after a turbulent period. He said: "I hope there's a reality to it. I know this time around the football club is the same as last time around [when he was in charge from 1985 to 1991]. It's always been everyone singing from the same hymn sheet and that's what it is at the moment. The longer that continues the better chance we have of fulfilling dreams and ambitions. As soon as you start to diversify you have no chance.
    "I think the best phrase for now is 'work in progress'. For everybody – the owners and the football side of it. I don't think it would be right to judge anything at this moment in time. We have to wait a while and see what happens in a year or two. It's positive work in progress."
    Carroll and Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, will both require late fitness tests ahead of Saturday's home game with Birmingham City. The £35m striker suffered a knee injury in the draw at Arsenal on Sunday while Carragher was carried off with concussion following a collision with Flanagan. Both have made progress this week but have not been declared fit to face Birmingham yet.
 
Week 34​

Sat-04/23

vs.

7:45 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

10:00 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

10:00 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

10:00 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

WBA​
10:00 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

10:00 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

10:00 AM ET

Sat-04/23

vs.

12:30 PM ET

Sun-04/24

vs.

11:00 AM ET

Mon-04/25

vs.

3:00 PM ET

Tue-04/26

vs.

2:45 PM ET

Wed-04/27

vs.

3:00 PM ET

Scores » | Fixtures »

fscLeagueFrontStatsHdr.gif

Scoring​
Goals​
70​
Assists​
57​
Shots​
599​
Goalkeeping​
Goals Allowed​
27​
Saves​
167​
SOGF​
217​
Discipline​
Yellow Cards​
70​
Red Cards​
2 teams tied​
6​
Fouls Committed​
431​
Complete Stats »

 
fscLeaderHeader-Dark.gif


Goals

Assists

Shots

Yellows

Reds


# 1 - D. Berbatov
# 1 - Nani
# 1 - D. Drogba
# 1 - 2 Players Tied
# 1 - 4 Players Tied

Games
29

Goals
21


Games
29

Assists
14


Games
32

Shots
126


Yellows
11


Reds
2




#​
Name​

GP​
Goals​

#​
Name​

GP​
Assists​

#​
Name​

GP​
Shots​

#​
Name​

GP​
Yellows​

#​
Name​

GP​
Reds​

​

1
D. Berbatov​
Man
29
21
​
2
C. Tevez​
MCY
28
19
​
3(T)
D. Bent​
AST
11
14
​

R. Van Persie​
ARS
20
14
​
5
A. Carroll​
LIV
5
13
​

1
Nani​
Man
29
14
​
2(T)
A. Arshavin​
ARS
32
11
​

L. Baines​
EVE
33
11
​

W. Rooney​
Man
23
11
​
5
D. Drogba​
CHE
32
10
​

1
D. Drogba​
CHE
32
126
​
2
Nani​
Man
29
116
​
3
H. Rodallega​
WIG
31
114
​
4
C. Tevez​
MCY
28
104
​
5
C. Dempsey​
FUL
32
96
​

1(T)
C. Adam​
BLP
30
11
​

C. Tiote​
NCU
23
11
​
3
K. Nolan​
NCU
27
10
​
4(T)
C. Brunt​
WBA
31
9
​

C. Clark​
AST
18
9
​

1(T)
L. Cattermole​
SUN
21
2
​

L. Koscielny​
ARS
27
2
​

Y. Mulumbu​
WBA
29
2
​

R. Shawcross​
STO
30
2
​
5(T)
A. Alcaraz​
WIG
29
1
​



 
Fernando Torres may have cost Chelsea the title as well as £50m

Chelsea look listless with the Spanish striker but have renewed vigour with Didier Drogba leading the attack



  • Fernando-Torres-Chelsea-v-007.jpg
    Fernando Torres was only used as a substitute against Birmingham City as Carlo Ancelotti preferred Didier Drogba. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

    It is a little peculiar that the re-emergence of Chelsea as challengers for the Premier League should come as a surprise. Considering that the club completed the Double last season, their abilities ought not to have been overlooked. The players, however, had sent themselves into the shadows and in February, in Fernando Torres's first two games for the club, a home defeat by Liverpool was followed by a goalless draw at Fulham. Chelsea gave every impression of being a jaded side and, even now, the necessity of rejuvenating the squad is obvious.
    The immediate challenge, however, is merely for the current footballers to sustain their impact for a few more weeks. It ought to help that Chelsea have shed their distractions by, for the moment, bundling Torres out of the way. Without a goal the Spaniard becomes a vast distraction because of the huge transfer fee, £50m. His arrival has had an impact on others in the team: with Torres on the pitch Chelsea have scored a goal every 91 minutes, without him in the same period they have scored one every 52 minutes.
    When the club persevered with the striker, there was an immediate assumption that he continued in the line-up on the orders of the club's owner, Roman Abramovich. The exact truth of that was of less importance than the implication that the manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is a mere cipher in Chelsea affairs.
    Torres did see out the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, when they were beaten at home by Manchester United, and was on the field at kick-off for the defeat in the return at Old Trafford. However, the striker has seen only 31 minutes of action since then, with two outings as a substitute. There are larger issues in connection with Torres, since he was hardly being plied with chances.
    Chelsea function best with one central striker and the 33-year-old Didier Drogba has relished the prominence. Sceptics argue that he can disrupt his own club as severely as the opposition but the impact is great now and that is all that will concern his employers in the next few weeks. While a few key players show signs of wear and tear, with goals a little more elusive for Frank Lampard, a concerted impact has been achieved and the side's form is superior to that of those around them.
    Chelsea have taken 16 points from their past half-dozen League games. The comparable figure for the leaders Manchester United is 10. Arsenal's long, unbeaten run in the league has too often involved deadlock and the five draws of late that accompany a win at Blackpool suggest diminishing hopes.
    Arsène Wenger tried to pardon the decline from a 3-1 lead to a 3-3 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday on the basis that his opponents had been fresher after a free weekend. Whatever the validity of that specific argument, it is his inclination, in public at least, to sprinkle excuses and identify mitigating factors when a game goes wrong. Wenger's faith in his sides may help them find the confidence to play attractive football but the resilience of old must go on being elusive when the defensive midfielders interpret their duties loosely and leave the much-maligned centre-backs with too little cover.
    This is a campaign in which flaws account for the fascination. Should Manchester United take the title they will be the champions with the worst away record since the formation of the Premier League. Given the silverware, Sir Alex Ferguson will probably bear up to such slights without any trouble. There is, however, just a suggestion that United may falter.
    On Tuesday the draw at Newcastle United was acceptable to the visitors but the lack of goals, and chances in general, was disturbing. Ferguson had picked two forwards, in Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández exactly because he expected opportunities. Instead United became the first visitors unable to score at St James' Park since West Ham on 5 January.
    That statistic corroborated an impression of listlessness. United are stretched, too, by Champions League semi-final commitments and they travel to meet a lively Schalke line-up on Tuesday. Even so, Ferguson's side, with that six-point lead in the Premier League, can still feel in command. The arrival of Chelsea at Old Trafford will be treated as a fine opportunity to shake off pursuers, assuming that Ancelotti's men have not fallen back before that.
    It is true that the venture to the Emirates is yet to be negotiated but United's record there is good and, in any case, a loss could be bearable. Ferguson does need to accelerate the redevelopment of his line-up but securing the championship would ensure that it is conducted in a tranquil atmosphere.

 
Arsenal keep the flame flickering but are left praying for favours

&#8226; Drawing games is costing us, says Wojciech Szczesny
&#8226; 'We have to rely on other teams' to win league title



  • David Hytner
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 22.31 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Aaron-Lennon-007.jpg
    Tottenham's Aaron Lennon is brought down by the Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny for a penalty. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

    Arsenal's players fear that the recent run of damaging draws may have fatally undermined their Premier League title challenge. There remains optimism inside the dressing room that the leaders Manchester United can be caught, while Arsène Wenger said after the game that he considered the title race to be "completely open".
    However, there is also an admission that Arsenal's only real hope now is on their rivals slipping up and dropping points in the remaining fixtures.
    Chelsea, who have taken 19 points from an available 21 to promote their chances, have to visit Old Trafford and Arsenal have United to play at home. United lead both the London clubs by six points, with five games to play but the reality for Arsenal, who have drawn five of their last six, is that they need favours from elsewhere.
    "Of course the draws are costing us," the goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny said. "We want to win every single game and we know that every time we draw, we drop two points, especially when we need to catch Man United. But, thankfully, they are dropping points as well so it's not finished yet, although it's going to be very difficult.
    "It's not in our hands and it has not been for some time and we have to rely on other teams to take some points off Man United. But they are not on top form, I don't think, and we have to hope that they are going to drop points. We have to focus on every single game and on getting the result on Sunday [at Bolton Wanderers]. We are going to fight until the end."
    The defender Bacary Sagna was asked whether he felt Arsenal were drawing too many games. "I think so, to be champions," he replied. "Especially at home, we have dropped many points. From now, we need to look forward and we must not drop any more points.
    "We have to play United and we have to win. They have some hard games coming up, it is not easy for them and it is down to us if we want to win something. We know that we have to win our last games. I believe we can do it."
    Fatigue has become a major concern to Wenger. After the draining 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday, when Arsenal conceded the equaliser in the 12th minute of stoppage time, the manager felt his players "suffered physically" in the second half at Tottenham. He is expected to keep changes to a minimum at Bolton and so he will ask the same players to dig deep once again.
    Arsenal's biggest reason to be cheerful was the form that they rediscovered in the first half at White Hart Lane. "We played a good team but we played our own game, something we hadn't done for a long time," Sagna said. "We saw the real Arsenal."
    Unfortunately, though, the real Arsenal tends to feature lapses and nervousness. The timing of Tom Huddlestone's goal for Tottenham on 44 minutes, which pegged Arsenal back to 3-2, ensured a jittery half-time break and Szczesny would leave his line recklessly to concede the 70th minute penalty that produced Rafael van der Vaart's equaliser. "We are a bit nervous at the moment defensively," Wenger said. "That's why we were caught. The second goal hurt us a lot."
    Szczesny had no complaints about the penalty award for his foul on Aaron Lennon. "I did bring him down," the goalkeeper said. "He got the slightest of touches but it was always going to be given. I committed myself and he went down. He got to the ball first and it was a very good decision by the referee."
    Hope, though, continues to swirl around the club, with Wenger and the players telling themselves that United will leave the door open. "We have games that we know we can win," the manager said. "At some stage, we know it will be down to us."

 
21 April 2011 Last updated at 23:48 GMT


Italian football clubs' assets seized in mafia raid

_52305154_italy-calabria.gif

Continue reading the main story Related Stories



Italian police have seized hundreds of millions of dollars of suspected mafia assets, including two football clubs.
Investigators said the 'Ndrangheta mafia used the fourth division teams Interpiana and Sapri to gain support in the southern region of Calabria.
Dozens of businesses, vehicles and plots of land were also confiscated.
The Calabria-based syndicate is believed to be the most powerful mafia in Italy, thanks to its hold on the European cocaine trade.
The total value of the assets confiscated - which included firms involved in construction, retail and agriculture - is estimated at some 190m euros (£170m).
A total of 44 houses, 60 plots of land and 164 vehicles were seized in a raid codenamed Operation Clean, AFP reports.
Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said the operation had seriously damaged the clan's economic system, making the crime group both "poorer and weaker".
Mr Maroni said that the operations of the Pesce clan, based in the town of Rosarno, extended to Rome and northern Italy.
He said that the investigation had been made possible due to the collaboration of a mafia turncoat - the 30-year-old Giuseppina Pesce, daughter of clan chief Salvatore Pesce.

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Roberto Mancini warns Carlos Tevez he must get fit before FA Cup final

&#8226; Argentinian having treatment on hamstring injury in Milan
&#8226; Jérôme Boateng also faces missing out on FA Cup final



  • Daniel Taylor
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 21 April 2011 23.00 BST <li class="history">Article history
    Carlos-Tevez-will-not-be--006.jpg
    Carlos Tevez, who missed the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, will not be considered for the final unless he has proved his fitness. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

    Roberto Mancini has warned Carlos Tevez he will be automatically ruled out of the FA Cup final unless the Argentinian can prove his fitness before the game at Wembley.
    Tevez is in Milan, having decided he would rather have treatment for his hamstring injury with the Argentina national team's doctor rather than City's medical staff. City's manager said he did not have an issue with that decision but he has informed his captain he will not be considered for the final against Stoke City on 14 May if he has not been fit enough to play in the home Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur four days earlier.
    The same applies to Jérôme Boateng, who is recuperating from a knee operation, although Tevez is the greater issue because of his status as the club's leading scorer and most important player.
    "Tevez has decided he wants to be with the Argentinian physio for treatment," Mancini said. "I think he has confidence in his own physio. His injury is not easy to deal with and he always works with this physio so it is not unusual for this to happen. He is doing well and I hope we can have him available for the final but Carlos and Jérôme will both have to play one game before the final."
    Asked whether the alternative would mean Tevez was excluded from his plans for Wembley, Mancini replied: "Yes." The Italian's thinking is based in part on what he learned during the semi-final against Manchester United, namely that the Wembley pitch can be particularly sapping.
    Mancini was asked whether it could be Tevez's last few weeks as a City player, a question stemming from the sense that the player and his adviser, Kia Joorabchian, may try to resurrect a move from Manchester in the summer. City's manager sidestepped the issue, saying only: "I hope he can recover for the last three games [of the season]. That is important for him and important for us."
    There were no signs of concern from Mancini about a perceived lack of commitment to be drawn from Tevez's absence from Wembley for the semi-final. "I would have liked him at Wembley. I would have liked him on the pitch especially, but at this moment he has a bad injury and it is important for him to recover. He is there for treatment, morning and afternoon, with the physio. He will be [in Milan] seven to 10 days and then come back. We have another four weeks so I hope we can recover Carlos for the final. His progress has been good."
    Micah Richards, who also has a hamstring injury, will not be involved when City play at Blackburn Rovers on Monday.

 
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