Hatem Ben Arfa has been ruled out of the rest of Newcastle"s season with a hamstring injury

Posted on March 15, 2013 by adminsports

Hamstring injury rules Newcastle star
Ben Arfa out for the season

By
Colin Young

PUBLISHED:

13:47 GMT, 15 March 2013

UPDATED:

13:55 GMT, 15 March 2013

Hatem Ben Arfa is out for the season.

The Newcastle United midfielder needs a hamstring operation.

Ben Arfa missed two months of the season and returned for the goalless draw in Moscow last week.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said: 'He needs a hamstring operation and that will probably leave him missing for the rest of the year.

Big loss: Hatem Ben Arfa will be unavailable as Newcastle chase Europa League glory

'It is the news we didn't want to hear. The priority now is to get fit for pre-season.

'He gives us that x-factor which was missing from a game like last night but the team has responded well in his absence.'

Newcastle's stand-in captain Yohan Cabaye, however, could be fit to travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

Optimistic: Yohan Cabaye, however, could recover in time to face Wigan

The France international limped off in the first-half of last night's Europa League win over Anzhi with a groin injury.

Pardew added: 'The good news is he has half a chance for Sunday. It is international week and he has to get through to be available for that and I am.'

He will be assessed by Newcastle medical staff in the coming weeks.

Ben Arfa tore his hamstring during a 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Fulham on December 10 and spent a frustrating three months on the sidelines.

Talented: Ben Arfa is often Newcastle's most dangerous player

He was thrown straight in at the deep end at the Luzhniki Stadium last Thursday night when he was asked to play as a lone striker, and he had a glorious second-half opportunity to snatch victory.

However, he was unable to take his place in the squad for Sunday's 2-1 win over Stoke, and was ruled out of last night's return against Anzhi, which saw the Magpies book their place in the quarter-finals, by Pardew on Wednesday.

Now it appears his season could be over, and a man who spent all but four games of his first campaign on Tyneside recovering from an horrific double leg fracture, may have to turn his attention to August.

'X-factor': Pardew rates Ben Arfa highly

Pardew said: 'That's the priority for him now because he's been a huge miss for us.

'He gives us that X-factor. In a game like last night's where he could open the door for us, we haven't got that luxury.

'Unfortunately for Hatem, that's the news that he didn't want to hear. But as far as we are concerned, the team has responded well in his absence and hopefully, we do that until the end of the year.'

Sepp Blatter blasts UEFA on Euro 2020 that will lack "heart and soul"

Posted on March 14, 2013 by adminsports

Euro 2020 will lack heart and soul… we may as well not call it the Euros! Blatter blasts Platini over plan to host finals in 13 different countries

By
Graeme Yorke

PUBLISHED:

11:41 GMT, 14 March 2013

UPDATED:

13:52 GMT, 14 March 2013

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has denounced Michel Platini’s plans to stage the 2020 European Championship across the entire continent and called on UEFA to change the name of the tournament.

Euro 2020 will be held in 13 cities across the continent with the semi-finals and final being played in the same stadium, UEFA announced in January.

But Blatter isn’t impressed with the plans and believes one host country is the best way to deliver
the event.

Wrong: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticised Michel Platini's plans to use more than one country for the 2020 European Championship

Euro 2020 details so far

12 cities will host three group stage matches and one knockout round

One stadium will host the semi-finals and final

There will only be one venue per country

In the frame to host the final are Wembley, the Olympic Stadium in Istanbul and the Allianz Arena

He told Kicker magazine: ‘A tournament should be played in one country. That is how you create identity and euphoria.

‘They have fragmented the 2020 tournament. So it is not a European Championship any more. It has to have a different name.’

‘I do not know what name. Such a Euro lacks heart and soul.’

UEFA said that 12 cities would be
awarded a package of three group games plus one knockout-stage game,
either from the round-of-16 or quarter-finals.

A
special 13th package would be awarded, consisting of the two
semi-finals and final with UEFA eager to split the costs for the bigger
tournament and celebrate its 60th anniversary across Europe.

The Swiss sports administrator also said
he planned to end his stint at the top of the world soccer’s governing
body in 2015 if FIFA was strong and stable.

Coming home: Wembley is one of the favourites to host the final after the FA said they would bid

First class: The Allianz Arena in Munich hosted the Champions League final last season

Close contest: The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul is also thought to be in with a chance

Blatter, who took over the FIFA presidency in 1998, added: ‘I want to push through the FIFA reforms at our congress in Mauritius in May, then we go to Brazil for the World Cup in 2014 and after that everything is open.

‘When it is secured that FIFA will
continue to be led like that, that it will remain global and the pyramid
will not collapse then I will gladly hand over the sceptre to a new
president.'

UEFA chief Michel Platini is seen as a possible successor to Blatter.

‘I do not know if he wants to,’ said Blatter. ‘He has an idea about the future of FIFA which he has to explain to the continents at some point. But he has not decided yet.’

On the rocks: Blatter and Michel Platini have usually had an amicable relationship

Ashley Barnes charged by FA

Posted on March 13, 2013 by adminsports

Brighton's Barnes could see four-match ban extended after being charged for trip on referee

By
Andy James

PUBLISHED:

16:47 GMT, 13 March 2013

UPDATED:

18:07 GMT, 13 March 2013

Brighton's Ashley Barnes has been charged by the Football Association for the apparent trip on referee Nigel Miller on March 9 at the Reebok Stadium.

Barnes appeared to make contact with Miller in the closing seconds of his side's 1-0 defeat by Bolton, an offence for which he was shown a red card.

His punishment was a four-game ban, one more than the standard three due to it being the striker's second dismissal of the season.

Scroll down to watch footage of the incident…

Marching orders: Barnes is dismissed by referee Nigel Miller

Lengthy ban: Barnes has been sent off twice this season

Lengthy ban: Barnes has been sent off twice this season already and his protests (below) fell on deaf ears

But, having considered the evidence, the FA have opened proceedings which could lead to an enhanced punishment.

The FA have ruled that the incident displayed 'truly exceptional circumstances' and as such it has been referred to an independent three-man commission who can recommend a further ban if they feel it necessary.

A statement today read: 'The FA has
charged Brighton and Hove Albion's Ashley Barnes following his side's
game against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 9 March 2013.

'It is alleged that Barnes's
behaviour in relation to the match official, for which the player was
dismissed for violent conduct towards the end of the game, constituted
an offence whereby the standard punishment that would otherwise apply
was clearly insufficient.'

Close quarters: Miller and Barnes are just yards away from each other as Bolton clear

Trip: Barnes sticks out a boot as Miller sets off on a run

Whistle: Miller sticks up his hand as he stops the game

Barnes has been given until 6pm on Thursday to respond.

Speaking immediately after the match -
and before reviewing video evidence – Brighton manager Gus Poyet said:
'I would like to see it.

'Before I talk to him I'm going to have a look because if he's done something to the referee…let's wait and see.

'My way of managing this is I prefer
the player to calm down because if you go to the dressing room and you
ask them straight away then they will put their excuse in there and
blame somebody else.'

VIDEO: Watch Barnes's trip on referee Miller from 50 seconds in

Final moments of Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

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Ashley Barnes referee trip red card

Posted on March 10, 2013 by adminsports

VIDEO: Brighton's Barnes faces long ban after straight red card for tripping referee during defeat to Bolton

By
Joe Ridge

PUBLISHED:

11:11 GMT, 10 March 2013

UPDATED:

11:14 GMT, 10 March 2013

Brighton forward Ashley Barnes is facing a lengthy ban after being sent off for appearing to deliberately trip referee Nigel Miller at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

With his side trailing the npower Championship clash 1-0 deep into stoppage time, Barnes left a foot dangling in front of Miller as the official ran past him.

The trip did not send Miller to the floor, but it was enough to break the referee's stride. He then immediately stopped the game, turned to Barnes and gave him a straight red card.

Scroll down to watch footage of the incident…

Marching orders: Barnes is dismissed by referee Nigel Miller

Lengthy ban: Barnes has been sent off twice this season

The forward's face was a picture of disbelief as he was pointed to the tunnel, but despite the cameras not capturing the incident, this video evidence recorded by a fan in the stands is pretty damning.

VIDEO: Watch Barnes's trip on referee Miller from 50 seconds in

Final moments of Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

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Miller did not address the media after the game, but The Argus report that a Bolton official who spoke to the referee said: 'It was for misconduct, trying to trip the ref.'

Seagulls boss Gus Poyet felt Barnes deserved his red card, though he sympathised with the 23-year-old.

Poyet told Sky Sports: 'In football sometimes you do things that regret after, but (I have) nothing to complain about.

Unhappy trip: Brighton were beaten thanks to a goal from Marcos Alonso (left)

'I think you would normally probably say you're not happy with him (Barnes).

'Angry It's difficult to say because I played football, I know when you're on the pitch you do things which sometimes you regret after but I was one of those players so I'm not going to say anything to Ashley Barnes – I hope it doesn't happen too much.

'He knows what he's done and I'm not going to kill him, you try to make sure he controls himself better the next time.'

The red was Barnes's second dismissal of the season. He was sent off only last month for violent conduct as he kicked out at Sheffield Wednesday's Kieran Lee during a 3-1 loss at Hillsborough.

Sympathy: But Poyet (left) felt that Barnes deserved his red

As a result, the former Plymouth player will miss the next four games of Brighton's run-in, starting with Tuesday night's trip to Barnsley.

Barnes' absence leaves Poyet facing a striker crisis. Craig Mackail-Smith has been ruled out for the season with an achilles injury picked up during last week's 0-0 draw at Bristol City, leaving Leonardo Ulloa as Brighton's only fit frontman.

Marcos Alonso's winner for Bolton on Saturday saw Brighton slip out of the Championship play-off places. They now sit one place and point adrift of Nottingham Forest in sixth, but they do have a game in hand on Billy Davies's side.

Michael Laudrup signs one-year contract extension at Swansea

Posted on March 8, 2013 by adminsports

Danish delight for Swansea as Laudrup signs one-year contract extension

By
Riath Al-samarrai

PUBLISHED:

17:12 GMT, 8 March 2013

UPDATED:

19:20 GMT, 8 March 2013

t the club.

Michael Laudrup has moved to end speculation about his future by signing a one-year contract extension at Swansea City.

The Dane had been linked with Real Madrid and Chelsea in the wake of Swansea’s remarkable Capital One Cup final triumph against Bradford last month.

But the 48-year-old declared his desire to lead Swansea into Europe after agreeing a deal that will run until June 2015.

All smiles: Michael Laudrup agreed a one-year extension to his current deal at Swansea

He said: ‘We’ve started something this season that I want to continue.

‘I know there has been a lot of
speculation (about my future), but I’ve always said that I am happy here
and I never had any doubts I would stay.

‘I am delighted to sign the new deal
and I’m already really looking forward to next season. I hope there will
be some very exciting things happening with the team and with the club
in Europe.’

The development will go some way to
protecting Swansea financially. Sportsmail understands that Laudrup, 48,
has committed to a hefty clause in the region of 5million, much like
the one Brendan Rodgers agreed to when he signed his extension at the
Liberty Stadium four months before joining Liverpool.

Last night Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins admitted he still fears bigger clubs will come in for his manager.

He told Sportsmail: ‘It’s a fact of
life in football that if you do well people will want your manager or
players and there is no such thing as a cast iron agreement anymore.

‘But this deal shows Michael’s desire
to stay here and it also gives us the extra financial security if
another club does come in.’

Historic: Laudrup guided Swansea to Capital One Cup success this season

Jenkins added: ‘The success we have
had with Michael has been brilliant. I thoroughly enjoy working with him
and long may that continue.

‘This is obviously great news for
everyone connected with the club, from the fans, to the players and the
staff. We are delighted that he has agreed this extension.’

Talks only started last week between
the two parties after Laudrup was initially reluctant to commit his
future to the club beyond stating his desire to lead the club in Europe.

Jenkins said: ‘I think the fact we got it done relatively quickly shows you what Michael thinks about the club.

‘He is enjoying himself and he finds the challenge exciting, which for him is very important.’

Rugby World Cup 2015: Football grounds make up three-quarters of the venues

Posted on March 3, 2013 by adminsports

The 2015 Rugby World Cup… coming soon to a football ground near you (but at least Twickenham gets the final)

By
Rik Sharma

PUBLISHED:

10:58 GMT, 3 March 2013

UPDATED:

12:12 GMT, 3 March 2013

The venues for England's Rugby World Cup in 2015 have been revealed and three-quarters of the selected stadiums are football grounds.

Wembley, Old Trafford and St James' Park will host fixtures while the likes of Leicester Tigers' Welford Road and Harlequins' Twickenham Stoop have been overlooked.

The only club rugby ground which has been selected is Gloucester's Kingsholm, while the Millenium Stadium and Twickenham, which will host the final, are the other recognised rugby stadiums on the list.

Unfamiliar surroundings: The All Blacks could be playing at Wembley, which hosts six fixtures

RWC2015 Venues

Twickenham (Hosting 8 games inc. final, capacity 82,000)

Millennium Stadium (8, 74,500)

Wembley (6, 90,000)

Kingsholm (4, 16,500)

King Power Stadium (4, 32,262)

Amex Stadium (3, 27,350)

Villa Park or Ricoh Arena (3, 42,788 or 32,609)

Ashton Gate (3, 21,497)

Stadium MK (3, 22,000 planned increase to 32,000)

St James' Park (2, 52,387)

Elland Road (2, 37,697)

Old Trafford (2, 75,765)

Unless the Olympic Stadium becomes available before the venues are officially announced later this month, these are the final selections according to the Sunday Times.

The only issue left to resolve is whether Villa Park or the Ricoh Arena will be used.

But a spokesman for the 2015 Rugby World Cup denied the list was valid.

'That list is not at all true. It is entirely speculation,' he said. 'It is not the final list.

'The long-list has been in the public domain for a long time. The use of football stadiums was a part of the bid which was well documented.'

Leicester Tigers are particularly angry that Welford Road (24,000) is being overlooked in favour of Leicester City's King Power Stadium (32,000).

Larger capacities – and therefore the potential for more tickets sold – are the reason football stadiums are being used.

The organisers need an average
attendance of 55,000 in order to reach the 80million guarantee they
have made to the International Rugby Board.

Tigers
chairman Peter Tom had expressed his shock and disappointment at the
decision on the club's official website. 'We are hugely disappointed to
learn that Welford Road will not play a part in England's hosting of the
Rugby World Cup in 2015,' he said.

'Welford
Road has hosted many, many major occasions over the years, including
visits from South Africa, Australia and Argentina national teams in
recent seasons. It is home to the best-supported and most successful
club in the history of the professional game in this country and, as
such, we believe is worthy of Rugby World Cup status.

Snub: Leicester Tigers' ground Welford Road is being overlooked

Selected: Newcastle's St James' Park will be used

'That the organisers of RWC2015 do not think this an appropriate venue for its fixtures is disappointing and confusing both for the professional club game in this country and for its supporters.'

An RFU statement suggested the larger capacities and better facilities on offer at modern football stadiums led to the controversial policy.

It read: 'The selection procedure for the long list of venues took into account a geographical spread across the country, sporting and facilities criteria, levels of support from candidate host cities and capacity requirements for the successful delivery of a Rugby World Cup.'

Michel Platini says 2022 World Cup in Qatar must be staged in winter

Posted on March 2, 2013 by adminsports

Qatar World Cup must be staged in the winter to protect players and fans, says Platini

By
Mike Dawes

PUBLISHED:

11:49 GMT, 2 March 2013

UPDATED:

11:49 GMT, 2 March 2013

Michel Platini says the 2022 World Cup in Qatar must be held during the winter to protect the players and fans from the searing desert heat.

Temperatures can exceed 40 degrees in the summer in the middle-eastern country, compared to a more comfortable 17 degrees in the winter.

The finals were controversially awarded to Qatar two years ago with Platini, the UEFA president, one of those who voted in their favour.

Winter World Cup: UEFA President Michel Platini says the 2022 tournament in Qatar must be staged in the winter months to protect players and fans from 40C temperatures

'I am in favour of Qatar under two conditions,' the former French star told Bild newspaper. 'Because of the heat the World Cup will need to be held in the winter.

'With over 40 degrees, playing football is impossible and for fans it would also be unbearable.

'Also, the neighbouring emirates must be included so that the World Cup is staged throughout the entire region.'

Grand designs: The proposed Al-Rayyan football stadium in Doha, to be built for the 2022 World Cup

Spectacular: The Qatar University Stadium in Doha, another one of the proposed venues

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait are among the neighbouring countries that could be considered.

Platini's proposals will cause chaos to the regular football calendar, with six or seven weeks of disruption to domestic leagues.

Ospreys sign Tito Tebaldi

Posted on March 2, 2013 by adminsports

Ospreys snap up Italian scrum-half Tebaldi on two-year deal to replace outgoing Fotuali'l

By
Mike Dawes

PUBLISHED:

12:24 GMT, 2 March 2013

UPDATED:

12:24 GMT, 2 March 2013

The Ospreys have announced the signing of Italy international Tito Tebaldi on a two-year deal.

The scrum-half, who has won 16 caps, will move to the Liberty Stadium from Ospreys' fellow RaboDirect PRO12 team Zebre.

And he is set to fill the void left by Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'l, who is set to join Aviva Premiership club Northampton next term.

Inbound: Tito Tebaldi has joined Ospreys

Tebaldi, 25, said: 'I am excited about this fantastic opportunity with the Ospreys.

'Their record in the PRO12 speaks for itself, and the chance to be a part of such a successful club is something I couldn't turn down.

'I am looking forward to a new challenge in a competitive environment that will help me to improve as a player and a person, while hopefully contributing to the continued success of the Ospreys.'

Swansea want to increase Liberty Stadium to 32,000

Posted on March 2, 2013 by adminsports

Swansea want to increase stadium to 32,000 after League Cup success

By
Andrew Gwilym, Press Association

PUBLISHED:

11:15 GMT, 2 March 2013

UPDATED:

11:49 GMT, 2 March 2013

Swansea are set to submit a planning application to expand the Liberty Stadium in the wake of their Capital One Cup success.

Chairman Huw Jenkins has previously spoken of his desire to add extra seating to the council-owned ground in order to meet demand for tickets for home games, providing the club are able to retain their Premier League status.

Swansea regularly sell-out games at their 20,500 capacity home and are eager to bring in extra revenue, with the club enjoying the greatest success of its 101-year history.

Expansion plans: Swansea City want to increase the size of the Liberty Stadium

There are plans to increase the capacity of the stadium to a maximum of 32,000, with the club taking a piecemeal approach to the work.

The number of seats is set to rise to 22,000 during the summer, and they hope an additional 5,000 will be added in time for the start of the 2014-15 campaign.

But Jenkins is adamant the club will only press ahead with the expansion if it is deemed the right financial decision.

Capital gains: Swansea won their first trophy in their history

Jenkins said: 'We will have a full
planning application in for the end of March and once that is passed we
will do part of the work towards the end of next season, starting with
the East Stand.

'Once we get that moving we will go from there, but it all runs parallel to us still being in the Premier League and it being right for the club.

'If and when the final stage is complete, the capacity will be 32,000.

Silver lining: Michael Laudrup earned his first trophy at Swansea after just eight months

Plans to grow: Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins wants a larger capacity ground

'The first part will take the figure to 22,000 this summer, and then it will be 27,000 with the first stage of development of the East Stand, which will start near the end of next season and run through the summer.

'We have to make sure we do it right but it will be led by how well we do on the field.'

But Jenkins does not believe it would be in the club's best interests to attempt to buy the ground outright.

He said: 'I don't see any benefit in us owning the stadium.

'The relationship with the council is a good one for the council and the city itself, and it is right for us as a club.

'It provides stability as it keeps away potential owners you do not want around the place, and that is a great thing for us.'

Debt-free Swansea recorded a 14.6million profit for their opening season in the Premier League.

The club are also developing two training grounds after previously having to use public facilities.

Work near the Liberty Stadium at Landore is set to be completed in the coming weeks, while a state-of-the-art facility is also being developed in conjunction with the city's university.

Jessica Ennis" training venue Don Valley Stadium to be demolished

Posted on March 1, 2013 by adminsports

So much for the legacy! Ennis' training venue Don Valley Stadium to be demolished in cost-cutting measure

/13 is unsustainable as the stadium is running at a loss.

Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Ennis trains at the stadium. She was also discovered at the stadium when she went to a summer holidays athletics club when she was 10.

After her triumph in August, some people called for the Don Valley Stadium to be renamed in her honour. It is also home to the City of Sheffield Athletics Club.

Preparation: Ennis used Don Valley Stadium as a training venue

Yesterday, after she received her CBE at Buckingham Palace, Ennis said: 'I've some amazing memories.

'I started my athletics career there. Having that iconic stadium in my home city is incredible.

'And to lose that would be such a shame for future athletes coming through. So I hope that the right decision's made.'

Double blow: Ennis' coach Toni Minichiello lost his full-time job with UK Atheltics

The council said it subsidises every visit by more than 5 and it requires major repair and maintenance work – totalling around 1.6 million.

It has proposed the reopening of the track at the smaller Woodbourn Road Stadium nearby.

The 25,000-seat stadium, which was a temporary home to Rotherham United for four seasons, was built as the centrepiece of a 147 million construction programme when Sheffield hosted the 1991 World Student Games.

Sports Bound Guide

Sports Bound Guide. Fresh Sports News

Tag Archives: stadium

Hatem Ben Arfa has been ruled out of the rest of Newcastle"s season with a hamstring injury

Ashley Barnes charged by FA

Ashley Barnes referee trip red card

Michael Laudrup signs one-year contract extension at Swansea

Rugby World Cup 2015: Football grounds make up three-quarters of the venues

Michel Platini says 2022 World Cup in Qatar must be staged in winter

Ospreys sign Tito Tebaldi

Swansea want to increase Liberty Stadium to 32,000

Jessica Ennis" training venue Don Valley Stadium to be demolished