Maybe EPL is the best and reputed soccer league in the world, but there are many other leagues where these English clubs are long trying to make an impact. European Champion league is one such league which has ever been on the target of top EPL clubs. Moreover, the timings of both these leagues are apparently same; hence many times, it happens when a club does not get enough time to prepare for its next match of another league. Since, matches’ schedules are drafted in consultation with sponsors, especially TV sponsors, most of the teams face a tight schedule but they never spoke anything about it openly. Now, one of the most prestigious and successful soccer manager Sir Alex Ferguson has come forward and spoke loudly about the control these TV sponsors have developed on EPL or any other league for that matter. Manchester United has always been a toughest team to beat at English soil, but in other European leagues, its position is rather different, and now, United’s manager Alex … [Read more...]
No Actions against Ferguson over in-field confrontation
When Manchester United defeated Newcastle by 4-3 at Old Trafford on the Boxing Day, it was more than a flawless display of soccer desperation where Red Devils showed why they are on the top of EPL’s leaderboard. But that match also became famous over United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s confrontation with referee Mike Dean, not once, but several times. Actually, the match itself was a nail biting until the finish, and United had to come from the back three times to secure their top position in the final tally. Indeed, if there would have been anybody else who have invaded the pitch in the way Ferguson did post lunch session, he would definitely be subjected to FA’s disciplinary actions, but some top and respected soccer officials enjoy having some perks of esteem whereby some of their tiny offences get excused by everybody. Here too, Mike Dean did not mention anything about his confrontation in his match report; hence FA has now confirmed that no action will be initiated against Devil’s … [Read more...]
Nemanja Vidic’s Surprised Early Return for Manchester United
It was a major blow for Manchester United when its skipper Nemanja Vidic has had a serious knee injury in September, and everybody expected him to be out for at least eight weeks. Even, Sir Alex Ferguson, United manger, ruled out any possibility of him to return for The Reds before two months. But, in a dramatic turnaround, Vidic is expected to return into the field much earlier, i.e., within a fortnight probably. His return after a gap of two months, and especially at a time when ManU need him the most, is like a dream comes true for United. If everything proceeds as it looks, Siberian defender could be a part of Manchester United’s squad for its clash against Cluj on Wednesday, 5th December. Ferguson said over his star defender’s early return, “Good defenders win you the league. It would be nice to play him on Wednesday in the Champions League against Cluj.” Moreover, if he could successfully play his debut match after a long break; he would get a place in the next match too, … [Read more...]
Clattenburg Cleared by FA, Chelsea is on the black foot
In a high profile racial abuse case last month, Chelsea filed a complaint of referee Mark Clattenburg accusing him using an abusive language to its Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel. That case got widest publicity, perhaps Clattenburg got banned for the time being. Now, FA ruled off all the racial allegations leveled by Chelsea, and said; it was Mikel who would have provoked the referee else there was no misconduct done by him. Actually, racial abuses have become intolerable these days, and that’s why after Terry’s case, English FA seems to be investigating every complaint it encounters with quickly. It is less than one month that event happened and FA has reached on a conclusion and decided in Referee’s favor. Notably, Clattenburg is a world’s most experienced soccer official who has been in FIFA elite penal and took charge of Olympic final at London 2012. Chelsea seems to be on the back foot after this judgment, perhaps, now, the pressure is on it to prove that there was actually … [Read more...]
James McClean receives death threats over his refusal to wear Poppies
James McClean, an Ireland national soccer player who also plays for Premier League club Sunderland, claims to have received death threats when he refuses to wear a Remembrance Day Poppy over his t-shirt. Sunderland’s manager informed about this after a recent game against Fulham at Craven Cottage. He told how James was barracked by some supporters last day over his decision not to wear poppies. He told, “James will deal with it," and said. "I think it's probably to do with the issue of last week. It's a free choice in this world. James has lived with a lot of things, he's getting death threats as well now so that doesn't help.” This didn’t happen all of a sudden, coz his refusal to wear poppies has been criticized by a large section of the society, perhaps a former British soldier tweeted earlier this week that James “deserves to be shot dead + body dragged past the cenotaph” though he later deleted that tweet. Moreover, he has long been subjected to sectarian abuses including loyalist … [Read more...]