Alan Davies donates to Hillsborough fund after criticism of Liverpool

Posted on April 10, 2012 by adminsports

Davies donates to Hillsborough fund after upsetting Liverpool fans with spiky comments over April 15 date

UPDATED:

14:43 GMT, 10 April 2012

Rant: Arsenal fan Alan Davies

Alan Davies has made a 1,000 donation to the Hillsborough Justice Campaign after the backlash over his controversial comments.

The comedian received a backlash from fans after mocking Liverpool's insistence that they never play on the anniversary of the disaster.

The Arsenal fan was speaking on a podcast when he launched into a rant over the Merseyside club’s refusal to stage matches on April 15 in tribute to the 96 fans that lost their lives on that date in 1989.

The 46-year-old, talking on 'The Tuesday Club', was discussing Liverpool's insistence on playing city rivals Everton this coming Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals.

It means Chelsea must play their semi-final with Tottenham on the Sunday even though this comes just three days before their Champions League first leg clash with Barcelona.

Davies said: 'Liverpool and the 15th – that gets on my tits that s***. What are you talking about “We won’t play on the day” Why can’t they'

The podcast presenter Ian Stone attempted to reason with Davies by saying: ‘Because it’s too sad a memory.’

However, the TV star responded: 'Do they play on the date of the Heysel Stadium disaster How many dates do they not play on

'Do Man United play on the date of Munich Do Rangers play on the date when all their fans died in that disaster whatever year that was – 1971'

Target: Kenny Dalglish was also criticised by Davies on the podcast

He then turned his anger on Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, adding: 'Every interview he’s given this season he looks like he wants to headbutt the interviewer. This tight-mouthed, furious, frowning, leaning forward, bitter Glaswegian ranting, “Liverpool FC do not play on April 15th”.'

After attempting to impersonate Dalglish, Davies admitted his effort was 'terrible because I hate him'.

Gunners fanatic Davies then turned his fire on arch rivals Spurs by saying: 'What vermin run that club. They always have. Absolute vermin. Scum of the earth.'

Davies took to Twitter to defend his comments, saying Liverpool should be made to play their semi-final on the 15th as it is unfair on Chelsea, but claims he supports the need for a full inquiry into the disaster at Hillsborough 23 years ago.

He said: 'I'm getting tweets from Liverpool fans who have been given the impression that I was disrespectful to those who lost their lives on 15/4/89.

'Many disagree but I feel that the Liverpool v Everton semi-final could be played on Apr 15. Apologies to those upset by that suggestion.

Tragedy: Ninety six Liverpool fans lost their lives on that fateful day in 1989

'I said the Hillsborough disaster was the worst event in modern peacetime history. I was on a terrace listening to a radio as it happened.

'I agree that there must be a full enquiry into Hillsborough but not playing on the 15th doesn't change anything. It's not fair on Chelsea.'

Pundit Stan Collymore hit out at Davies on Twitter, writing: ‘I support the right of any club not to play on days of tragedy at their club. Any club. Don’t mock others right to commemorate tragedy.

‘United, Rangers, Juventus, Liverpool, Bradford and many more. I respect their right to commemorate their clubs by not playing on those dates.

‘And on a podcast, as a celebrity calling Spurs fans vermin is out of order. Banter, great, vermin, no. Doesn’t matter who chooses to play or not to play. That is THEIR choice.'

WARNING: This video contains strong language…

Jermaine Pennant fined by Stoke for 5am booze session

Posted on March 8, 2012 by adminsports

Bad boy Pennant punished after 5am booze session on day of Premier League match

Jermaine Pennant has been fined for going out drinking until 5am on the day of a match.

The Stoke winger has been involved in two breaches of discipline and details of his misdemeanours have now been revealed – a week after manager Tony Pulis denied there was a rift with the player.

Fined: Stoke have taken action against winger Jermaine Pennant after his late night antics

The most serious incident came on the eve of Stoke's match away to Everton earlier this season.

Staying in the team hotel ahead of the match in December, Pennant broke the club's curfew to go out drinking in a nightclub.

Caught out: Pennant broke the club's curfew ahead of their visit to Everton earlier this season

He did not return to his room until the next morning and was later dropped from the matchday squad for the 1-0 win at Goodison Park.

Pennant, who came on as a substitute last weekend in the Barclays Premier League win over Noriwch, was also involved in a separate breach of discipline before the FA Cup win over Crawley last month.

Problems: Pennant was also charged with a separate breach of discipline

The two incidents have left the winger's relationship with Pulis strained despite the Stoke boss' insistence last week that there were no problems between the two.

Pulis said: 'Anything I do with players, it is between me and the players, but there are no problems.'

Denial: Stoke boss Tony Pulis had denied there was a rift with the player last week

Harry Redknapp will not be blocked from England by Sir Trevor Brooking

Posted on March 3, 2012 by adminsports

Harry's happy birthday as Redknapp will not be blocked from England by Sir Trevor

Harry Redknapp's chances of becoming the next England manager have increased significantly with an insistence from the Football Association that Sir Trevor Brooking is not opposed to the Tottenham boss.

Redknapp and Brooking are understood to have some history that dates back to when Redknapp, who turned 65 on Friday, was the West Ham manager.

But the FA have responded privately to reports by stressing that at no point during discussions between Brooking and the three other members of the Club England board – FA chairman David Bernstein, general secretary Alex Horne and Club England managing director Adrian Bevington – has such an issue about Redknapp ever been raised.

Many happy returns: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp turned 65 on Friday

Many happy returns: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp looked in good cheer as he turned 65 on Friday

Horne said the FA would wait until the 'back end' of the Barclays Premier League season before approaching any club about their manager. This means the new manager could be in place before May 13.

Euro 2012 starts on June 8, but there is confidence at Wembley that a deal can quickly be struck – even if they have clearly lined up Stuart Pearce to remain in charge should they need him.

Talk of the town: Redknapp with Luka Modric during Tottenham training on Friday

Talk of the town: Redknapp discusses matters with Luka Modric during Tottenham training on Friday

Uncertain future: Redknapp at Spurs Lodge

Horne said: 'We've got a list. Long,
short … there's definitely a list. It's a back-end-of-the-season
decision for us. We recognise that a lot of the managers on the list are
employed and we don't want to interrupt anyone's season. We're not
rushing this.'

He added that there was no problem waiting until just before Euro 2012 before making the appointment.

'That's perfectly realistic,' said
Horne. 'We've got all of our operational plans in place. We can deliver
a squad into Poland so it is perfectly possible.'

The lack of opposition from Brooking towards Redknapp should be seen as significant given his central role in the appointment of a permanent successor to Fabio Capello.

It will increase the need for Tottenham to start thinking about a replacement for Redknapp.

While there is a strong desire to see Redknapp remain at White Hart Lane with a plan to offer him a new contract, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is already thought to be considering alternatives.

Everton's David Moyes, who celebrates 10 years in charge at Goodison Park later this month, is an obvious target but Sportsmail understands there is much admiration for Swansea's Brendan Rodgers at Spurs.

The Northern Irishman could yet emerge as the shock appointment of the summer.

Arsenal to risk Robin van Persie against Liverpool… and Thomas Vermaelen could play too

Posted on March 3, 2012 by adminsports

Wenger to risk Van Persie injury at Anfield… and fellow crock Vermaelen could play too

Arsene Wenger is
poised to take a fitness
gamble on Robin van
Persie and Thomas
Vermaelen in Saturday's
crucial clash at Liverpool.

Van Persie is nursing a minor groin
injury while Vermaelen is
carrying an ankle knock, but Arsenal
manager Wenger has named the key
duo in his squad for the lunchtime
clash, mindful of the bearing the game
could have on who takes the final
Champions League slot.

Out of order: Arsene Wenger is angry that Thomas Vermaelen travelled with the Belgium squad to Greece

Holland boss Bert van Marwijk ignored desperate pleas from Arsenal to leave Van Persie out of Wednesday's friendly against England and, to Wenger's fury, the striker played the first half of his country's 3-2 win.

Wenger is also angry that Vermaelen travelled with the Belgium squad to Greece and played the full 90 minutes while centre backs Jan Vertonhen and Laurent Ciman sat on the bench.

Wenger said: 'We sent Belgium an email and we spoke with their doctor. They forced him to report in Brussels. Once he was in Brussels they forced him to travel.

Crocked: Vermaelen played 90 minutes on Wednesday night

'Look, if Belgium had played
a qualifier I would say, “OK,
what can you do, that's for the
country”. But they played a
friendly game. To go where
They do not even go to the Euros,
so it's very difficult to
understand.

'I cannot understand
that obsession,
that insistence,
knowing that we play for our lives
this weekend and Tuesday.'

When asked if he thought it was disrespectful,
Wenger replied: 'It is. He was
pushed into that situation where he
had to play. I am upset.'

Abou Diaby has only played twice this
season due to ankle, thigh and hamstring
injuries but, although Wenger
said it would be a 'massive risk' to start
the France midfielder, he could be
called upon.

Fighting to be fit: At both ends of the pitch, Arsenal have injury concerns

Wenger has won February's Manager
of the Month award after Arsenal
dropped only two points in the Premier
League, scoring 14 goals in four games.

The club yesterday signed 16-year-old
Tarum Dawkins from Luton for a 'significant
transfer fee'.

Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool's
Carling Cup success will give his squad
the confidence to launch a sustained
assault on the top four.

He said: 'It is always better if you
are in control of your own destiny.
We know what we have done and
we know what we had to do to get
there. We'll see at the end whether
our total is enough for the Champions
League. We've still got the FA
Cup to play for and the Carling
Cup is in the trophy room.'

Liverpool could be without Steven
Gerrard for the match after he
tweaked a hamstring
playing for England.

Crucial fixture: Arsenal play Liverpool on Saturday

Andre Villas-Boas wants vote of confidence from Chelsea

Posted on February 20, 2012 by adminsports

Villas-Boas in U-turn as under-fire Chelsea boss seeks dreaded vote of confidence

Andre Villas-Boas has admitted his insistence he was at Chelsea for the long haul would carry more weight if publicly backed by the club's hierarchy.

Blues boss Villas-Boas was once again bombarded by questions about his future this evening ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League last 16 clash at Napoli.

The 34-year-old reiterated he was confident Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would not sack him should he fail to reach the quarter-finals and that his three-year project to revamp the squad had the Russian billionaire's 'full' backing.

You're my main man! Andre Villas-Boas (left) and Didier Drogba at Chelsea's press conference

Villas-Boas claimed on Thursday that he did not want a vote of confidence from Abramovich, joking that would mean 'the end'.

But he suggested on Monday he was beginning to sound like a broken record in his claims of unequivocal backing and it might be better if someone at the top explained they were finally going to allow a manager to see things through.

In front of watching chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Ron Gourlay, Villas-Boas said: 'You have to understand that this club, from 2004 up to now, has made a dramatic change for the best in terms of their past.

'It's the richest part of Chelsea's history, full of trophies and success, and you want to perpetuate that into the future.

'To do that, you have to sometimes make changes because you cannot sustain the same habits that you had in 2004, when this environment and team was created to make a winning team.

Joking around: John Terry is major doubt ahead of Chelsea's clash with Napoli

'These words would be more valuable
coming from the top. I cannot keep saying them but, as the voice of the
club, I will continue to perpetuate this message because this is what we
believe in.'

Villas-Boas, who has overseen what is currently the club's worst season of the Abramovich era, admitted speculation over his future was inevitable based on the Russian's previous habit of firing managers.

He said: 'In terms of the results this year, the speculation is normal given the cultural past of this football club, but you have to understand that there's a different perspective now.'

Under pressure: Villas-Boas has struggled to make his mark at Chelsea this season

You're on your own, boss! Drogba leaves Villas-Boas during the press conference

The Portuguese added: 'I'm really confident about next year.

'That doesn't take any responsibility
for what's happening now, but we had a three-year project to change not
only the team, but the culture and structure of the club.

'There's a lot we needed to do, a lot of plans, so that's why I'm excited about the future. Having said that, we have to build a team to win trophies from the start.

Plenty to ponder: Fernando Torres looks glum

'With that in mind, the fact that
we're no longer in the Carling Cup and don't have a chance to win the
(Barclays Premier League) title is a shame.

'But we are still confident we can do well in the Champions League and the FA Cup.'

Asked if he had inherited an ageing Chelsea side at just the wrong time, he said: 'I wouldn't have moved if I didn't feel confident I could take the challenge through.

'I was fully motivated taking on a massive job like this one and still am.'

Motivating a side who have gone four games without a victory and have won just four of their last 13 matches is the big challenge, starting at the San Paolo stadium in tomorrow's last 16 first-leg tie.

Napoli have all the tools necessary to pile on the misery for Chelsea but Villas-Boas said:

'Whatever happens here tomorrow will not be decisive, yet, for the running of the tie.

'Stamford Bridge, as you know, is a great stadium for European nights, which is why we wanted to finish first in the group to get the second leg at home and get a positive result.'

He added: 'But we have to be conscious of Napoli's strengths at the San Paolo, a team that has been built up with Europa League qualification last year and now have done very well in the Champions League.

'Tomorrow is all about awareness of Napoli's strengths and, hopefully, to bring a positive result back to Stamford Bridge.'

Bright future Chelsea face a tough task as they take on Napoli in the Champions League

Guus Hiddink appointed Anzhi Makhachkala manager

Posted on February 17, 2012 by adminsports

Villas-Boas breathes sigh of relief after Anzhi appoint Hiddink as new boss

Guus Hiddink has signed a contract to take over as the new manager of Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Dutchman's appointment eases the pressure on Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas whose position is reportedly under threat.

The announcement also delivers a snub to ex-England manager Fabio Capello who was in the frame for the job at the wealthy Russian club.

New job: Guus Hiddink will take over at mega-rich Russian side Anzhi

Hiddink, who is reported to have agreed an 18-month deal worth 8.3 million-a-year, has been out of the game since failing to guide Turkey to Euro 2012.

The former PSV boss previously enjoyed a successful spell in charge of the Russian national team and will be handed a huge budget as Anzhi attempt to make an impact in Europe.

Talks between Hiddink and the club have been ongoing since December, with the Dutchman's insistence that the club build a youth academy originally a sticking point.

Under pressure: Andre Villas-Boas has struggled at Chelsea this season

That has now been resolved and an official announcement is expected within 24 hours, according to Dutch newspaper Voetbal International.

Hiddink won six Eredivisie titles with PSV and led Chelsea to the FA Cup in 2009.

Liverpool set to sign Joao Carlos Teixeria

Posted on January 18, 2012 by adminsports

Liverpool close in on Sporting Lisbon's NextGen Series starlet Teixeira

Liverpool are close to clinching a deal for Portugal Under 19 playmaker Joao Carlos Teixeira.

Talent spotter: Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish

The Sporting Lisbon youngster starlet grabbed Liverpool’s attention by scoring against them in the NextGen – a Champions League-style tournament for youth teams.

Teixeira, who has just turned 19, is set to sign on at Merseyside for a deal worth up to just 850,000, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.

The playmaker, who has come through the same academy as Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Figo and Paulo Futre, was reportedly targeted at the insistence of Liverpool’s academy technical manager Jose Segura.

Teixeira has shown enough promise to train with Sporting’s first-team this season, but has yet to make his senior debut.

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