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There
are strong rumours that Real Madrid are intending
to bid for Michael Owen next summer. However
Gerard Houllier is quoted as saying “Thirty million
might buy his left foot but what about the rest of
him?”
Florentino Perez has a reputation for always getting
his man and this is borne out by his capture of Zinedine
Zidane, Ronaldo and Luis Figo
Houllier is determined to hang on to Owen though,
pointing out that he signed a long contract a year
ago and says “He is a big part of Liverpool’s
future plans.”
Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger has slammed proposals by FIFA’s
medical chief to limit the number of games a player
can play each season. Professor Jiri Dvorak is reported
as saying that limiting the number of games would
keep players as fit as possible. He pointed out that
there is legislation for many jobs on the maximum
number of hours per day you can work but none for
footballers. However Arsene Wenger has branded his
comments as a joke and is quick to point out that
on the one hand FIFA wants to reduce the number of
games played and then they announce that the Confederations
Cup will be played in June next year - which is during
the players holidays so they have hit on a sure fire
way of reducing the hours played!
FIFA
have announced a change of rules which will affect
every league throughout the world. The rule change
is in regard to players receiving a red card. The
current ruling allows Premiership players 14 days
to appeal following a red card being issued before
any suspension is imposed. The new ruling , which
is due to be implemented worldwide in all competitions
next month, states that a player must serve an immediate
ban from the next game of the competition they were
sent off, with no right to appeal except against extra
suspension above the one game ban or in the case of
mistaken identity. The ruling has been brought in
to protect match officials and prevent their decisions
being undermined. Seb Blatter said “If people
start casting doubt on the referee they start casting
doubt on football.”
Alan
Curbishley, Charlton’s manager , has thrown
down the gauntlet and threatened to get tough with
his below par squad. Having lost all their home games
this season and with Jason Euell being the only striker
who has scored, they face Manchester United on Saturday.
Curbishley says they are playing for their club futures
and adds “They are all Premiership players with
experience and if they don’t perform I will have
no option but to change it - and they know that.”
News In Brief
Claudio Vanieri believes that Frank Lampard
deserves an England call up “Frank is a sure
player. He has every quality and strength.” He
says.
Massimo Maccarone has once again been linked
with a move back to Italy when the transfer window
opens again in January. He has only been at the Riverside
for 3 months but several Italian clubs have declared
an interest.
Gary Megson has denied rumours that he is being
“head hunted” by Sunderland with rumours
flying of Peter Reid’s imminent dismissal.
22 Year old Darius Vassell is under increasing pressure
at Aston Villa to shape up or ship out. Graham Taylor
wants him to justify his place and has warned him
that he could be in danger of being dropped.
Owen Hargreaves says he would like to play
in the Premiership and could be set for a transfer
in January when the window opens again.
With 13 players sidelined Tottenham’s Welsh Star,
Simon Davies felt the team deserved to be applauded
for their gallant effort against Manchester United
at Old Trafford last Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he was surprised
that David Beckham was made captain of England. He
says he never though he was captain material but that
he has been impressed at how he has taken to captaining
England. “I did not see him as a captain because
he is a quiet lad.” Says Ferguson.
Compiled
by Marlyon Olsen
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