England star Wayne Rooney is free to
play in the final game of the Euro 2012
group stages after having his three-
match ban reduced.
The Manchester United striker, 26,
successfully had his ban reduced to two
matches by UEFA on Thursday, meaning
he can feature in England's Group D clash
against Ukraine on June 19, 2012.
Rooney was red-carded in England's final
qualifier for the tournament, after kicking
out at defender Miodrag Dzudovic in the
2-2 draw against Montenegro in October.
The original ban would have seen the 73-
time international miss all of England's
group matches, against France, Sweden
and Ukraine.
The third game of the ban has now been
suspended for four years, meaning that if
Rooney lands himself in any more trouble
in UEFA-run competition before the finals,
it could be reinstated.
Rooney must avoid any misdemeanours,
therefore, in the Europa League with his
club. He will also take part in a UEFA
community program.
Rooney was in Nyon, Switzerland, at
UEFA's headquarters, along with four
lawyers and England manager Fabio
Capello to argue the case for a reduced
punishment.
Club England director Adrian Bevington
was 'very pleased' with the outcome of
the appeal, explaining its conditions.
"The suspension is now suspended for
four years so Wayne will be available for
the final group game of the European
Championships against Ukraine - so in
effect it's a two-match suspension with
one carried over a four-year period for
the national teams," Bevington told
reporters.
"We're very pleased with that today.
Wayne's presence here was clearly
important so I'd like to make a special
thanks to Manchester United; to David Gill
and to Sir Alex Ferguson for releasing
Wayne to be present."
"Wayne has also agreed to support one
day of a UEFA program during the
forthcoming period and we would expect
him to do so while he's on national team
duty - so there will be no impact on his
Manchester United time there as well."
"So we're very grateful for the time
we've been given by UEFA today. The
commission considered everything. They
listened to evidence from Wayne and
from Fabio Capello as well and we're
pleased with the outcome."
"We've had a very fair hearing. Clearly it
was very important that both Wayne and
Fabio attended and obviously the
outcome of Wayne being available for the
third group game is a positive result for
us."
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Rooney´s Euro 2012 ban reduced
Rooney´s Euro 2012 ban
reduced
8 December 2011
England star Wayne Rooney is free to
play in the final game of the Euro 2012
group stages after having his three-
match ban reduced.
The Manchester United striker, 26,
successfully had his ban reduced to two
matches by UEFA on Thursday, meaning
he can feature in England's Group D clash
against Ukraine on June 19, 2012.
Rooney was red-carded in England's final
qualifier for the tournament, after kicking
out at defender Miodrag Dzudovic in the
2-2 draw against Montenegro in October.
The original ban would have seen the 73-
time international miss all of England's
group matches, against France, Sweden
and Ukraine.
The third game of the ban has now been
suspended for four years, meaning that if
Rooney lands himself in any more trouble
in UEFA-run competition before the finals,
it could be reinstated.
Rooney must avoid any misdemeanours,
therefore, in the Europa League with his
club. He will also take part in a UEFA
community program.
Rooney was in Nyon, Switzerland, at
UEFA's headquarters, along with four
lawyers and England manager Fabio
Capello to argue the case for a reduced
punishment.
Club England director Adrian Bevington
was 'very pleased' with the outcome of
the appeal, explaining its conditions.
"The suspension is now suspended for
four years so Wayne will be available for
the final group game of the European
Championships against Ukraine - so in
effect it's a two-match suspension with
one carried over a four-year period for
the national teams," Bevington told
reporters.
"We're very pleased with that today.
Wayne's presence here was clearly
important so I'd like to make a special
thanks to Manchester United; to David Gill
and to Sir Alex Ferguson for releasing
Wayne to be present."
"Wayne has also agreed to support one
day of a UEFA program during the
forthcoming period and we would expect
him to do so while he's on national team
duty - so there will be no impact on his
Manchester United time there as well."
"So we're very grateful for the time
we've been given by UEFA today. The
commission considered everything. They
listened to evidence from Wayne and
from Fabio Capello as well and we're
pleased with the outcome."
"We've had a very fair hearing. Clearly it
was very important that both Wayne and
Fabio attended and obviously the
outcome of Wayne being available for the
third group game is a positive result for
us."
reduced
8 December 2011
England star Wayne Rooney is free to
play in the final game of the Euro 2012
group stages after having his three-
match ban reduced.
The Manchester United striker, 26,
successfully had his ban reduced to two
matches by UEFA on Thursday, meaning
he can feature in England's Group D clash
against Ukraine on June 19, 2012.
Rooney was red-carded in England's final
qualifier for the tournament, after kicking
out at defender Miodrag Dzudovic in the
2-2 draw against Montenegro in October.
The original ban would have seen the 73-
time international miss all of England's
group matches, against France, Sweden
and Ukraine.
The third game of the ban has now been
suspended for four years, meaning that if
Rooney lands himself in any more trouble
in UEFA-run competition before the finals,
it could be reinstated.
Rooney must avoid any misdemeanours,
therefore, in the Europa League with his
club. He will also take part in a UEFA
community program.
Rooney was in Nyon, Switzerland, at
UEFA's headquarters, along with four
lawyers and England manager Fabio
Capello to argue the case for a reduced
punishment.
Club England director Adrian Bevington
was 'very pleased' with the outcome of
the appeal, explaining its conditions.
"The suspension is now suspended for
four years so Wayne will be available for
the final group game of the European
Championships against Ukraine - so in
effect it's a two-match suspension with
one carried over a four-year period for
the national teams," Bevington told
reporters.
"We're very pleased with that today.
Wayne's presence here was clearly
important so I'd like to make a special
thanks to Manchester United; to David Gill
and to Sir Alex Ferguson for releasing
Wayne to be present."
"Wayne has also agreed to support one
day of a UEFA program during the
forthcoming period and we would expect
him to do so while he's on national team
duty - so there will be no impact on his
Manchester United time there as well."
"So we're very grateful for the time
we've been given by UEFA today. The
commission considered everything. They
listened to evidence from Wayne and
from Fabio Capello as well and we're
pleased with the outcome."
"We've had a very fair hearing. Clearly it
was very important that both Wayne and
Fabio attended and obviously the
outcome of Wayne being available for the
third group game is a positive result for
us."
Love of football wins out for Gervinho
Love of football wins out for
Gervinho
8 December 2011
Arsenal forward Gervinho says his family
tried to stop him playing football as a
youngster as they wanted him to focus
on his education.
Gervinho came through the world-
renowned Jean-Marc Guillou academy in
the Ivory Coast as a youngster and the
24-year-old said football was his only
passion as a child.
"I don't know what I would have done
had I not become a footballer," Gervinho
told Arsenal's official website.
"I've always wanted to do that, even
when my family would try to stop me
playing football so that I went to school."
"They wanted me to go to a normal
school. They felt it was a bit risky as the
academy was new and not really known.
I had to bring someone who had faith in
my skills to convince them."
"I started playing at my local estate club. I
used to wake up every morning to go to
play in the club. I loved it so much, it
brought a lot of wonderful things in my
life."
"Back in the days, being able to join the
Jean-Marc Guillou academy was one of
the best things that could happen to a
youngster from Ivory Coast. There were
thousands of kids who wanted to join
that school so it was a great feeling for
me."
Gervinho has made a smooth adjustment
to the Premier League following his
summer move from Lille and points to his
time spent in Belgium with Beveren as
key to his development.
"The transfer from Africa to Beveren was
part of the training," he said.
"Most of the players would leave the
centre for Belgium. We all met again there
in Beveren."
"It was a way to adjust to European
football and having us all together made
the move easier for all of us."
"We were all happy to leave Africa for
Europe, we knew how lucky we were to
move to Europe at a young age. Someone
was looking after us."
"Beveren helped me a lot to adjust to
Europe."
Gervinho
8 December 2011
Arsenal forward Gervinho says his family
tried to stop him playing football as a
youngster as they wanted him to focus
on his education.
Gervinho came through the world-
renowned Jean-Marc Guillou academy in
the Ivory Coast as a youngster and the
24-year-old said football was his only
passion as a child.
"I don't know what I would have done
had I not become a footballer," Gervinho
told Arsenal's official website.
"I've always wanted to do that, even
when my family would try to stop me
playing football so that I went to school."
"They wanted me to go to a normal
school. They felt it was a bit risky as the
academy was new and not really known.
I had to bring someone who had faith in
my skills to convince them."
"I started playing at my local estate club. I
used to wake up every morning to go to
play in the club. I loved it so much, it
brought a lot of wonderful things in my
life."
"Back in the days, being able to join the
Jean-Marc Guillou academy was one of
the best things that could happen to a
youngster from Ivory Coast. There were
thousands of kids who wanted to join
that school so it was a great feeling for
me."
Gervinho has made a smooth adjustment
to the Premier League following his
summer move from Lille and points to his
time spent in Belgium with Beveren as
key to his development.
"The transfer from Africa to Beveren was
part of the training," he said.
"Most of the players would leave the
centre for Belgium. We all met again there
in Beveren."
"It was a way to adjust to European
football and having us all together made
the move easier for all of us."
"We were all happy to leave Africa for
Europe, we knew how lucky we were to
move to Europe at a young age. Someone
was looking after us."
"Beveren helped me a lot to adjust to
Europe."
Love of football wins out for Gervinho
Love of football wins out for
Gervinho
8 December 2011
Arsenal forward Gervinho says his family
tried to stop him playing football as a
youngster as they wanted him to focus
on his education.
Gervinho came through the world-
renowned Jean-Marc Guillou academy in
the Ivory Coast as a youngster and the
24-year-old said football was his only
passion as a child.
"I don't know what I would have done
had I not become a footballer," Gervinho
told Arsenal's official website.
"I've always wanted to do that, even
when my family would try to stop me
playing football so that I went to school."
"They wanted me to go to a normal
school. They felt it was a bit risky as the
academy was new and not really known.
I had to bring someone who had faith in
my skills to convince them."
"I started playing at my local estate club. I
used to wake up every morning to go to
play in the club. I loved it so much, it
brought a lot of wonderful things in my
life."
"Back in the days, being able to join the
Jean-Marc Guillou academy was one of
the best things that could happen to a
youngster from Ivory Coast. There were
thousands of kids who wanted to join
that school so it was a great feeling for
me."
Gervinho has made a smooth adjustment
to the Premier League following his
summer move from Lille and points to his
time spent in Belgium with Beveren as
key to his development.
"The transfer from Africa to Beveren was
part of the training," he said.
"Most of the players would leave the
centre for Belgium. We all met again there
in Beveren."
"It was a way to adjust to European
football and having us all together made
the move easier for all of us."
"We were all happy to leave Africa for
Europe, we knew how lucky we were to
move to Europe at a young age. Someone
was looking after us."
"Beveren helped me a lot to adjust to
Europe."
Gervinho
8 December 2011
Arsenal forward Gervinho says his family
tried to stop him playing football as a
youngster as they wanted him to focus
on his education.
Gervinho came through the world-
renowned Jean-Marc Guillou academy in
the Ivory Coast as a youngster and the
24-year-old said football was his only
passion as a child.
"I don't know what I would have done
had I not become a footballer," Gervinho
told Arsenal's official website.
"I've always wanted to do that, even
when my family would try to stop me
playing football so that I went to school."
"They wanted me to go to a normal
school. They felt it was a bit risky as the
academy was new and not really known.
I had to bring someone who had faith in
my skills to convince them."
"I started playing at my local estate club. I
used to wake up every morning to go to
play in the club. I loved it so much, it
brought a lot of wonderful things in my
life."
"Back in the days, being able to join the
Jean-Marc Guillou academy was one of
the best things that could happen to a
youngster from Ivory Coast. There were
thousands of kids who wanted to join
that school so it was a great feeling for
me."
Gervinho has made a smooth adjustment
to the Premier League following his
summer move from Lille and points to his
time spent in Belgium with Beveren as
key to his development.
"The transfer from Africa to Beveren was
part of the training," he said.
"Most of the players would leave the
centre for Belgium. We all met again there
in Beveren."
"It was a way to adjust to European
football and having us all together made
the move easier for all of us."
"We were all happy to leave Africa for
Europe, we knew how lucky we were to
move to Europe at a young age. Someone
was looking after us."
"Beveren helped me a lot to adjust to
Europe."
FA stand by decision to appeal Rooney ban
FA stand by decision to appeal
Rooney ban
8 December 2011
The FA have defended their decision to
appeal the three-match ban handed to
Wayne Rooney in England's Euro 2012
qualifier in October.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish had
accused the FA of double standards, as by
their rules, Rooney would have faced an
automatic three-game ban for his kick on
Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic.
Rooney will now only face a two-match
suspension after his punishment was
reduced by one game, with the FA's
appeal in Nyon on Thursday proving
successful.
The reduction in his suspension means
Rooney will be available for England's
final Group D match against host nation
Ukraine, although he will miss games
against France on June 11 in Donetsk and
Sweden in Kiev on June 15.
An FA statement read: "To promote speed
and consistency, stakeholders in England
agreed a standard formula encompassing
a fixed penalty sanction should be
applied across the game by The FA."
"The system has been in operation for
many years and meets the demands of
the domestic game."
"The FA's system allows clubs to make a
claim of wrongful dismissal - to reduce a
sanction to zero - or appeal the severity
of a sanction, both of these processes are
dealt with prior to the player's next
fixture."
"UEFA chooses to operate a different
process for European matches, based on
a sliding scale, under which each sanction
is determined individually by a
disciplinary panel."
"In any event a minimum one-game ban
will always be applied by UEFA."
"This process meets the demands of UEFA
football where the period between
fixtures is greater than that in the
domestic game."
Rooney ban
8 December 2011
The FA have defended their decision to
appeal the three-match ban handed to
Wayne Rooney in England's Euro 2012
qualifier in October.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish had
accused the FA of double standards, as by
their rules, Rooney would have faced an
automatic three-game ban for his kick on
Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic.
Rooney will now only face a two-match
suspension after his punishment was
reduced by one game, with the FA's
appeal in Nyon on Thursday proving
successful.
The reduction in his suspension means
Rooney will be available for England's
final Group D match against host nation
Ukraine, although he will miss games
against France on June 11 in Donetsk and
Sweden in Kiev on June 15.
An FA statement read: "To promote speed
and consistency, stakeholders in England
agreed a standard formula encompassing
a fixed penalty sanction should be
applied across the game by The FA."
"The system has been in operation for
many years and meets the demands of
the domestic game."
"The FA's system allows clubs to make a
claim of wrongful dismissal - to reduce a
sanction to zero - or appeal the severity
of a sanction, both of these processes are
dealt with prior to the player's next
fixture."
"UEFA chooses to operate a different
process for European matches, based on
a sliding scale, under which each sanction
is determined individually by a
disciplinary panel."
"In any event a minimum one-game ban
will always be applied by UEFA."
"This process meets the demands of UEFA
football where the period between
fixtures is greater than that in the
domestic game."
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Sir Alex Ferguson blames 'stupid' draw at home to Basel for Manchester United's shock Champions League exit
Manager shocked after seeing his side
dumped out but refuses to blame one
result and highlights previous failings as
key reason for their lack of progression
.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
was left disappointed and shocked as he
watched his side dumped out of the
Champions League in a 2-1 defeat to Basel.
The Swiss side’s victory means the Red
Devils finish third in group C and drop into
the Europa League, the first time they have
not made it out of the group stages of the
Champions League in six seasons.
The defeat sees United, finalists in two of
the last three years, drop out of the
competition, and the manager highlighted
the draw at home to Basel as the moment
they can look back and regret in the group.
United were coasting in that game, leading
2-0 but allowed the Swiss side to come back
and earn themselves a sensational 3-3 draw
at Old Trafford.
“I think the Basel result at home is the one
where it went wrong,” said Sir Alex to the
press after the match.
“That’s the one where we’ve got to hold our
hands up and say that was stupid. We
threw it away that night - it was
carelessness. It was 2-0 and could have
been 5-0, so we’ve only got ourselves to
blame in that aspect.
“Of course it is disappointing to go out, our
record in the last few years has been
outstanding and it’s a loss to us going out
because this is the best tournament in the
world – it’s a marvellous tournament.”
Sir Alex highlighted a disappointing start,
which included Marco Streller’s ninth minute
opener, as an important factor in his team's
defeat on the night.
“It wasn’t a good start to the game, which
surprised us,” he said in his post-match
press conference.
“I expected us to try and get control of the
game immediately through possession but
they have scored with what was really their
first attack, a cross into the box that comes
back in and then they are 1-0 up."
Many, including the United boss, expected
the Premier League champions to step up
their performance and earn themselves the
point they needed to qualify but they failed
to take their chances.
Then, an Alexander Frei goal condemned
them to defeat despite Phil Jones' late
consolation and the Scot admitted his side's
reaction to going a goal behind was
something he was not pleased with.
"When you are 1-0 down away from home
it gives you a serious job to do," added Sir
Alex.
"The opportunities we had we didn't take
and that was really the story of the game."
As a result of being knocked out, United
drop into the Europa League and the Red
Devils boss admitted that was something he
would need to prepare his squad for due to
the fixture schedule it causes.
“The Europa League is a competition I have
never been in with United," he said.
“It does mean one thing, that we play
Thursdays and Sundays right through the
season, so that has to be dealt with.
"It is not the best news but that is our
penalty for not qualifying tonight.”
dumped out but refuses to blame one
result and highlights previous failings as
key reason for their lack of progression
.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
was left disappointed and shocked as he
watched his side dumped out of the
Champions League in a 2-1 defeat to Basel.
The Swiss side’s victory means the Red
Devils finish third in group C and drop into
the Europa League, the first time they have
not made it out of the group stages of the
Champions League in six seasons.
The defeat sees United, finalists in two of
the last three years, drop out of the
competition, and the manager highlighted
the draw at home to Basel as the moment
they can look back and regret in the group.
United were coasting in that game, leading
2-0 but allowed the Swiss side to come back
and earn themselves a sensational 3-3 draw
at Old Trafford.
“I think the Basel result at home is the one
where it went wrong,” said Sir Alex to the
press after the match.
“That’s the one where we’ve got to hold our
hands up and say that was stupid. We
threw it away that night - it was
carelessness. It was 2-0 and could have
been 5-0, so we’ve only got ourselves to
blame in that aspect.
“Of course it is disappointing to go out, our
record in the last few years has been
outstanding and it’s a loss to us going out
because this is the best tournament in the
world – it’s a marvellous tournament.”
Sir Alex highlighted a disappointing start,
which included Marco Streller’s ninth minute
opener, as an important factor in his team's
defeat on the night.
“It wasn’t a good start to the game, which
surprised us,” he said in his post-match
press conference.
“I expected us to try and get control of the
game immediately through possession but
they have scored with what was really their
first attack, a cross into the box that comes
back in and then they are 1-0 up."
Many, including the United boss, expected
the Premier League champions to step up
their performance and earn themselves the
point they needed to qualify but they failed
to take their chances.
Then, an Alexander Frei goal condemned
them to defeat despite Phil Jones' late
consolation and the Scot admitted his side's
reaction to going a goal behind was
something he was not pleased with.
"When you are 1-0 down away from home
it gives you a serious job to do," added Sir
Alex.
"The opportunities we had we didn't take
and that was really the story of the game."
As a result of being knocked out, United
drop into the Europa League and the Red
Devils boss admitted that was something he
would need to prepare his squad for due to
the fixture schedule it causes.
“The Europa League is a competition I have
never been in with United," he said.
“It does mean one thing, that we play
Thursdays and Sundays right through the
season, so that has to be dealt with.
"It is not the best news but that is our
penalty for not qualifying tonight.”
Arsene Wenger looks forward to Real Madrid-Barcelona showdown: 'It's the game between the two best teams in the world'
The Gunners' boss is relishing the clash
between the two superpowers in world
football, and has highlighted a key tactical
decision for Jose Mourinho's side to make
.
By oladeji oluwaseyi.
Madrid have closed gap on
Barca Barca's Vilanova to return for Madrid
clash
Xavi: Real Madrid match not must-
win game Ronaldinho, Marquez & Shakira
behind Barca
Who will win Saturday's Clasico?
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has
expressed his anticipation for the upcoming
clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona,
declaring them the best two teams in the
world.
DON'T MISS
Jose Mourinho’s Madrid sit three points clear
at the top of La Liga with a game in hand
ahead of Saturday's game at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
The 62-year-old Gunners' boss thinks that
the two Spanish teams are currently leading
the way at the top of world football and
suggests that their meetings will decide
who wins the title.
He told Arsenal's official website: “It's
certainly the game at the moment between
the two best teams in the world, so that's
the game we want to see.
“Nobody wants to lose it. The nerves maybe
play a big part because the pressure is
always massive.
“Overall it is an opportunity for Real Madrid
to show how much they have reduced the
difference between them and Barcelona.
"We know already today that these two
games will decide the title in Spain."
Arsenal are familiar with Barcelona, having
been knocked out of the Champions League
by them for the past two seasons, and
Wenger believes that there is one important
decision to make when facing them.
“The key is to decide whether you play
very high or very deep," he explained.
“You have to attack them, expose them
defensively and Real Madrid have the
opportunity to do that. I am sure they will.
“In a pre-season game they decided to play
very high and they gave many problems to
Barcelona. But can you do that for 90
minutes against Barcelona?
“For the few times you do not win the ball
very high you are exposed to [Lionel]
Messi's runs. That's what they have to
decide.
"Or do they start with a really cautious
approach and have a go at them in the
second half?”
between the two superpowers in world
football, and has highlighted a key tactical
decision for Jose Mourinho's side to make
.
By oladeji oluwaseyi.
Madrid have closed gap on
Barca Barca's Vilanova to return for Madrid
clash
Xavi: Real Madrid match not must-
win game Ronaldinho, Marquez & Shakira
behind Barca
Who will win Saturday's Clasico?
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has
expressed his anticipation for the upcoming
clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona,
declaring them the best two teams in the
world.
DON'T MISS
Jose Mourinho’s Madrid sit three points clear
at the top of La Liga with a game in hand
ahead of Saturday's game at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
The 62-year-old Gunners' boss thinks that
the two Spanish teams are currently leading
the way at the top of world football and
suggests that their meetings will decide
who wins the title.
He told Arsenal's official website: “It's
certainly the game at the moment between
the two best teams in the world, so that's
the game we want to see.
“Nobody wants to lose it. The nerves maybe
play a big part because the pressure is
always massive.
“Overall it is an opportunity for Real Madrid
to show how much they have reduced the
difference between them and Barcelona.
"We know already today that these two
games will decide the title in Spain."
Arsenal are familiar with Barcelona, having
been knocked out of the Champions League
by them for the past two seasons, and
Wenger believes that there is one important
decision to make when facing them.
“The key is to decide whether you play
very high or very deep," he explained.
“You have to attack them, expose them
defensively and Real Madrid have the
opportunity to do that. I am sure they will.
“In a pre-season game they decided to play
very high and they gave many problems to
Barcelona. But can you do that for 90
minutes against Barcelona?
“For the few times you do not win the ball
very high you are exposed to [Lionel]
Messi's runs. That's what they have to
decide.
"Or do they start with a really cautious
approach and have a go at them in the
second half?”
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