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Friday, January 16, 2009

Rafael Benitez rejects new Liverpool contract

Rafael Benitez has rejected the terms of the contract which was offered to him this week, according to a report.

The Spaniard has refused to commit to the deal because of a disagreement with owners George Gillett and Tim Hicks over his level of control.

Benitez told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: ‘The owners feel that the manager’s decisions need to be subject to the chief executive.

‘But I know that I am subject to results and to our fans and they are the best judges I will ever have.

Speaking earlier in the week, Benitez claimed he was baffled by reports he was on a collision course with the club’s American owners.

It was suggested he was locked in a power struggle with Hicks and Gillett over the terms of his proposed new contract.

There were claims Benitez had demanded complete control over transfers and more say in the running of the club’s youth academy

Benitez feels that he should be given more input into the club’s academy and is keen to see more home-grown talent emerge.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher both came through the ranks at Anfield and the Spaniard is keen to see more youngsters emerge on Merseyside.

He said: "I believe the academy is a very important part of the future of the club. The length of the contract was already agreed and this showed my long term commitment to the club.

"I know the academies of Ajax, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Valencia and they are producing players regularly.

"The way the system works there means the manager has an input into development and I think this could be the way forward here and we would hope that this would help us make better use of local talent."

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Fantasy League Code

Fantasy EPL2010 : 191640-50239
soccercrazy league : 191640-50588
more to come ...

Monday, January 12, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo Wins FIFA World Player Of The Year 2008

Ronaldo’s vehicle is thought to have been written off in the accident on the A538 Wilmslow Road - he was not hurt.

One of the wheels had come off and was about 200 yards behind where the car had come to rest.

The 23-year-old was able to get out of the vehicle himself and was spoken to by police at the scene.

But he will also be formally questioned, Greater Manchester Police confirmed.Police said the Portuguese international gave a negative breath test to officers at the scene.

The red Ferrari was badly damaged in the collision, with the front edge of the vehicle completely demolished

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, who was travelling behind Ronaldo in his Bentley, has already spoken to police but was not involved in the crash.

A club spokesman said: "He was involved in an incident this morning. No other cars were involved."

"He’s fine and is training as normal with the team this morning."

Onlooker Jody Lomax was driving behind Ronaldo when the crash happened.

"The Ferrari went straight into the wall, his front left-hand wheel came off and then Ronaldo got out of the car," he said.

"I was shocked. Anyway he was all right, he was walking - he was a bit shaken."

Mr Lomax added: “Obviously I was stunned at seeing a Ferrari go in the wall and seeing Ronaldo.

"He was obviously shaken - who wouldn’t be? - but it’s a shame about the car as well."

Cristiano Ronaldo as expected becomes FIFA World Player Of The Year 2008 he lifts the illustrious individual prize any footballer can get and is now well on his way to becoming a new legend in world football.

Ronaldo was voted in first place by 136 of the coaches and captains while 76 put Messi top.The United player picked up 935 total points, ahead of 678 for Messi and 203 for Torres.

Ronaldo is the first player based at an English club to win the FIFA award, which had previously gone only to footballers playing for Spanish or Italian sides.Ronaldo had a magnificent 2007/08 season, scoring 42 goals for Manchester United,capturing the Premier League, Champions League and European Golden Boot. He followed this up this by lifting the Club World Cup with club team manchester united

Ronaldo caps off a clean sweep of the major awards, having also picked up the prestigious Ballon d’Or (European Footballer of the Year) at the end of 2008.

The 23-year-old becomes the first English-based player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, and only the second Portuguese, following in the footsteps of Luis Figo, who triumphed in 2001.

“It’s an overwhelming moment, very special,” said Ronaldo after receiving the FIFA award from Pele.

“I can say to my mother and sister, ‘let the fireworks off now’. It’s one of the most important moments in my life.”

In the women’s category, Brazilian sensation Marta was victorious, winning for the third year in succession

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Ronaldo Crashes his Ferrari in tunnel

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Arsenal face Arshavin frustration

Zenit rejected a £16m offer for Arshavin from Spurs in the summer

Arsenal's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg is being held up by the Russian club's demands, according to his agent.

The Gunners and Italian side Juventus have been linked with a £20m deal, but Dennis Lachter says Zenit want the fee to be paid in only one instalment.

He said: "They want the money in one go. They did it that way when they got Danny for £24m and they want the same.

"Many clubs are afraid of how Zenit and other Russian clubs do business."

Despite Zenit's stance, Lachter says he is still confident Arshavin will be leaving the club in the January transfer window.

"That is what is going to happen," he added.

"There are 10, 15, 20 teams who are interested in him. The question is can they afford him?"

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat has confirmed Arsenal's interest in the 27-year-old who shone during Euro 2008.

"I am aware that Arsenal are interested but I don't know any more than that," said Dutchman Advocaat.

"I'm expecting Arshavin to leave. He's a top player and could play for any of the top teams in England."

"Arshavin played well for us last season but he didn't play as well as he can. There's still more to come from him and people will see that."

The Russian season ended in November with unfashionable Rubin Kazan claiming their maiden domestic title, with the 2007 champions Zenit languishing in fifth.

In December, Lachter told BBC Sport that Zenit and the player, who was linked with a move to Tottenham in the summer, had agreed that he should find a new club in January.

"He will definitely move in January or the player and club will lose money," he said.

"Zenit and Andrei understand that it is time for them to part from each other."

But Lachter denied reports that the player had visited both the training grounds of Arsenal and Spurs on a recent trip to London.