ESB Archive: January 23, 2005

Sticky: Today's Live Scoreboard

Riquelme Keen On Barça Return

Juan Román Riquelme has announced that he wants to play for Barcelona when he returns to Camp Nou in the summer.

Coloccini Set For Depor

Fabricio Coloccini is set to join Deportivo La Coruña on Monday after setting his heart on the move, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Ronaldo: I accept Luxemburgo decisions

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has played down his touchline antics last week:"I accept what the trainer says and I do not ask for explanations."

Barcelona has no Joaquin option

Real Betis president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera has denied Barcelona has an option on star winger Joaquin.

Ronaldo Returns To Brazil

Ronaldo is set to miss Real Madrid’s game at Numancia after returning to Brazil to be with a sick relative.

Glazer gonzo for Man. U takeover

U.S. financier Malcolm Glazer is working with investment bank Rothschild on a potential 800 million pound ($1.51 billion) takeover offer for Manchester United but a bid for the world's richest soccer club is not imminent, sources close to the process said on Friday.

Juventus offer Salas for River Plate's Mascherano?

Juventus are prepared to offer striker Marcelo Salas as a sweetener to clinch the signing of River Plate midfielder Javier Mascherano next season.

Roma trials for Xavier

AS Roma have handed trials to Portugal international defender Abel Xavier.

Tottenham to land AC Milan's Coloccini?

Tottenham are on the verge of sealing a deal for AC Milan defender Fabricio Coloccini today.

Zidane Is Back To His Best

Zinedine Zidane has declared that he is not finished at Real Madrid and that he has a good feeling about the year to come.

Picture of the day: FC Barcelona's new signing Albertini during his introduction to the media.

Primera Liga matches Preview, January 29-30

Barcelona will need to be on top form if they are to end the unbeaten home record of Sevilla and maintain their seven-point cushion at the top of the Primera Liga this Saturday.

Mourinho charged over 'cheat' jibe

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his 'cheat, cheat, cheat' comment in a post-match interview after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg clash with Manchester United.

Gabriel urges Everton to go for American star Donovan

Former Everton player and manager Jimmy Gabriel has urged the club to move for USA international Landon Donovan.

Serie A Round-up: Nedved fit for Real clash

Pavel Nedved is expected to spend just three weeks on the sidelines after tests on the knee injury sustained against Brescia on Sunday. The Czech midfielder hurt his left knee in a nasty-looking collision with Brescia's Maurizio Domizzi, and was stretchered off in obvious distress.

Soccer referee paid $65,000 to fix games

A German referee told prosecutors he was paid more than $65,000 to fix games and implicated other referees and players in the country's biggest soccer scandal in more than 30 years, a newspaper reported. Two people were arrested Friday.

Milan Want Gilardino Before June

The injury to Filippo Inzaghi has pushed the Rossoneri to bring the young Parma striker to Milan by the end of this week.

Newcastle Accept Bid For Bellamy

Newcastle have accepted a £6m bid from Birmingham for outspoken striker Craig Bellamy.

Robinho's agents agree Real Madrid deal to 2010?

'He can't play for me ever again'

Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has announced Craig Bellamy will not play for the club again while he is manager.

Inzaghi out injured

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi faces a two to three-week lay-off after fracturing his hand during an Italian Cup quarter-final against Udinese.

Reyes reveals Real interest

Jose Antonio Reyes has admitted that Real Madrid were interested in signing him before his switch to Arsenal.

Referee admits to fixing games in Germany

A year before Germany hosts the World Cup, a referee's admission that he fixed games has the country reeling from its biggest soccer scandal in more than 30 years.

European clubs pursue 9-year-old Brazilian wonder

Nine-year-old Brazilian soccer player Jean Carlos Cherao is attracting interest from Manchester United and other top European teams.

AC Milan reach 'verbal' for Udinese ace Jankulovski

AC Milan have reportedly reached an agreement with Udinese for midfielder Marek Jankulovski.

Juventus chief Moggi: Del Piero not for sale

Juventus director general Luciano Moggi has rubbished reports that Alessandro del Piero could be sold.

Reyes risks Arsenal rift with Henry

Jose Reyes is risking a bust-up with Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry by supporting his Spain coach Luis Aragones.

Picture of the Day: Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry revealing a glimpse of the commemorative kit that will become the first choice strip for next season, 2005/2006 Arsenal's last at Highbury.

Copa Del Rey Quarter Final

Gramanet stunned Real Betis as they held them to a draw, while Athletic Bilbao defeated Valladolid and Sevilla were triumphant against Osasuna in the first legs of the Copa Del Rey Quarter Finals.

Coppa Italia Thursday Wrap: Inter And Cagliari Win First Legs

Inter and Cagliari made a very important step forward towards reaching the semi finals of the Coppa Italia as they defeated respectively Atalanta and Sampdoria.

Atletico sign Uruguayan forward Nunez

Uruguayan forward Richard Nunez signed a one and a half-year deal with Atletico Madrid after successfully passing a medical.

Besiktas sack del Bosque - reports

Besiktas have sacked Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque after less than eight months in charge, according to reports in Turkey.

Ronaldo happy for Real to strengthen attack

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo says he would be delighted if the club continued to sign forwards, provided they did not jeopardise his own place in the starting line-up.

FA apologizes for omitting black players from best-ever compilation

Spartak Moscow offer Cavenaghi to Atletico Madrid

Cavenaghi has failed to settle in Moscow and has asked his agent, Néstor Sívori, to find him a new club in a warmer climate. The 21 year-old moved to Spartak last summer in a £7 million deal.

Official communiqué from Real Madrid CF: No contact with Adriano

Real Madrid has not held direct or indirect contacts with the player Adriano of Inter Milan. Nor has Real Madrid had contact with any mediator or manager of said footballer.

Siena Get Juve’s Tudor On Loan

The Croatian defender will join the Tuscan side till the end of the season.

Fenerbahce close in on Anelka

Reports from Turkey claim the Istanbul club have agreed a fee of £7million for the 25-year-old French striker, but City insist a deal has yet to be completed.

Edu Mestalla move is imminent

Arsenal's wantaway midfielder Edu has revealed he hopes to complete his move to Valencia within the next two days.

Middlesbrough, Sociedad go for Tudor?

Juventus have granted defender Igor Tudor a free transfer.

Barcelona have option on Betis star Joaquin

It has been revealed Barcelona have an option on Real Betis winger Joaquin.

Rijkaard: "Albertini is the man we need"

Frank Rijkaard has said he is "very happy" to have signed Albertini. In the Barça coach's opinion, the Italian midfielder is "the right man to cover the team's needs".

Maxi set to start a new chapter full of enthusiasm

River Plate striker Maxi López arrived in Barcelona this Wednesday evening, where he told reporters he was full of enthusiasm about his signing for Barca.

Picture of the Day: Damien Duff of Chelsea scores as Tim Howard of Manchester United watches the ball go into the back during the Carling Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on January 26, 2005 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Two Strikers Join Tottenham

Tottenham have announced the signing of two strikers, including that of Egyptian Mido from Roma.

Coppa Italia Wednesday Wrap: Milan Win Five Goal Thriller

The Rossoneri imposed themselves 3-2 over Udinese while in the afternoon Roma defeated Zoff’s Fiorentina 1-0 at the Olimpico.

Mourinho bearing gifts for Fergie

On Wednesday the Portuguese manager faces Manchester United with his seemingly unstoppable Chelsea side for the second leg of a League Cup semi-final that is delicately poised after the goalless first leg.

Serie A Round-up: Plastic pitch go-ahead

Italy's leading clubs could play Serie A matches on synthetic pitches as early as 2006, according to the president of the Italian Football Federation. UEFA in November approved plans for artificial pitches to be used at national and club level from next season, but they are still banned in Serie A.

Spanish FA denies Aragones wants to resign

The president of Spanish Football Federation has denied reports that Luis Aragones wants to resign his post as coach of the national side amid the disciplinary investigation into his behaviour.

Mourinho keen on Adriano

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has expressed his admiration for Brazilian striker Adriano.

Maldini: Campbell, Rio ahead of Chelsea's Terry

AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini has rubbished Jose Mourinho's claims that Chelsea skipper John Terry is the best defender in the world.

Cech escapes FA rap for 'cheat' jibe

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will not face any disciplinary action from the Football Association following his outspoken comments about referee Graham Poll.

Pongolle set for 'lengthy' absence

Liverpool`s joy at reaching the Carling Cup final has been overshadowed by the news that striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle could be out for the rest of the season.

Edu on the verge - Agent

Edu's move from Arsenal is set to be confirmed before the end of the week.

Picture of the Day: Jay Demerit of Watford and Milan Baros of Liverpool jump the ball during the Carling Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road on January 25, 2005 in London, England. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)

Chelsea, Man Utd watch as Torres' agent warns Atletico Madrid

The agent of Atletico Madrid captain Fernando Torres says the youngster could seek a move if the club cannot establish itself as the third force in Spanish football.

Mallorca approach Olympiakos for Rivaldo?

Real Mallorca have been linked with Olympiakos attacking midfielder Rivaldo.

Woodgate to 'return in five weeks'

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate is hoping to return to action within five weeks, according to his agent.

Kaka flattered by Chelsea link

Milan playmaker Kaka has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Chelsea.

Anelka cloase to Fenerbahce switch

Fenerbahce are expected to complete a move for Nicolas Anelka this week, according to sources in Turkey.

Gerrard The Key To Reds’ Success - Rafa

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hailed his captain Steven Gerrard as the "key" to his team after the Carling Cup semi-final win over Watford.

The Mystery That Is AS Roma

They call Rome the Eternal City, and fans of the club most closely identified with that city, AS Roma, often feel they are supporting the Eternal Enigma.

Pandiani contrite after attack

Deportivo Coruna striker Walter Pandiani has admitted he went too far when he launched a withering verbal attack on coach Javier Irureta last week.

Alonso out for the season

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is likely to miss the rest of the season because of a broken ankle, according to manager Rafael Benitez.

Bellamy fined two weeks wages

Newcastle fined striker Craig Bellamy 80,000 pounds (US$150,000, €115,000) on Tuesday for his public argument with manager Graeme Souness.

Inter's Adriano hints at Real Madrid future

"I want to stay here and win a title and then maybe play at Real Madrid in the future."

Albertini and Lopez to boost Barcelona's title challenge

Veteran Italian midfielder Demetrio Albertini will undergo a routine medical Tuesday to complete his transfer from Atalanta to Barcelona.

USA president Bush to meet Chelsea's Kezman

Blues hitman Kezman, 26, has been invited to meet Bush on February 3 - because of their shared religious beliefs.

Today's Live Results

Real Madrid's Guti: Gravesen won't push me out

Real Madrid midfielder Jose Maria Guti insists he won't be seeking a way out following the arrival of Thomas Gravesen.

Mourinho: I respect Beckham

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied criticising England captain David Beckham.

Fiorentina replaces coach Buso with Zoff

The move, the Tuscan club's third coaching change this season, came a day after Fiorentina was beaten by visiting AS Roma 2-1, dropping the team to within four points of the relegation zone.

AC Milan's Kaka named best player in Italy for 2004

AC Milan won five of the nine honors handed out Monday at Italy's annual player's association awards ceremony.

Picture of the day: Villarreal 's Argentinian Juan Roman Riquelme (C) celebrates his second goal with his teammates during their Spanish League football match against Valencia at the Madrigal stadium in Villarreal, 23 January 2005. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

Angry Ronaldo fails to unsettle Real Madrid's Luxemburgo

"If Ronaldo was angry with being substituted, that's his problem. I don't care whether players are angry when they are taken off. If they don't like it, that's their problem, not mine"

Butragueno: Solari deserves Real Madrid deal

Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno has confirmed they want to sign midfielder Santiago Solari to a new contract.

Albertini Is In Barcelona

Demetrio Albertini will be presented as a Barcelona on Wednesday morning after completing his move from Atalanta.

Arsenal Loan Pennant To Birmingham

Arsenal have loaned shamed winger Jermaine Pennant to Birmingham until the end of the season.

River Plate chief confirms Barcelona move for Lopez

River Plate vice-president Julio Macchi has confirmed Barcelona are set to beat Benfica for striker Maxi Lopez.

First phase of World Cup ticket sales to offer 812,000 tickets

Becks happy in new role; Samuel to undergo surgery

Real Madrid's new Brazilian coach, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, tested a new formation, moving David Beckham to the right wing - his usual role with England and former club Manchester United - while Luis Figo took a more central attacking role against Mallorca on Sunday.

Edu confirms Arsenal departure

Arsenal's Edu has confirmed that he will leave Highbury, with the midfielder almost certain to complete a move to Spain before the end of the transfer window.

Bellamy disciplined

Newcastle United are to discipline winger Craig Bellamy after he accused manager Graeme Souness of lying on Monday. In an angry statement Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said Bellamy had "cheated on the club" and behaved in a "totally unacceptable and totally unprofessional" manner.

ESB Archive

Saturday, January 29, 2005