Sparta draws 0-0 with Liverpool in Europa League

PRAGUE (AP): Liverpool is close to reaching the round of 16 of the Europa League after drawing with Sparta Prague 0-0 on Thursday.
The result left Liverpool a clear favourite for the second leg of the round of 32 match at Anfield in a week.
Sparta played its first competitive match since Dec 15 due to the Czech Republic's winter break, and looked more dangerous, especially in the first half.
Liverpool, badly missing its injured star playmaker and captain Steven Gerrard, had to wait for a decent chance until the 70th minute when right back Glen Johnson, one of the team's most active players, fooled a couple of Sparta defenders before his curling shot went just wide.
"It was a difficult game," Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said. "We rather were more defensive. "As a manager that was fantastic," added Dalglish, who was managing Liverpool in Europe for the first time.
He said the team's performance was influenced by the fact he missed a number of players, including Daniel Agger and Christian Poulsen while Fabio Aurelio had to be replaced by Joe Cole due to an injury in the 37th minute.
Dalglish said it would be "a different game" next week and didn't ruled out Gerard, Agger and Aurelio could be available. As a positive sign, Dalglish hailed Cole's return after a knee problem.
"We have to be patient," he said. "Joe's a valuable asset for us." Unmarked Sparta midfielder Leony Kweuke came close to earning a win for Sparta but his low drive from inside the area was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
"It was not easy for us because we didn't play for more than two months," Sparta coach Josef Chovanec said. "We were trying to do our maximum. "We may have had better chances but it was defense that dominated the game."
Early in the second half, Kweuke's header again went wide. Long-range attempts by Marek Matejovsky and Kamil Vacek then just missed the target.
Sparta's first decent chance came in the 18th with Manuel Pamic breaking into the area after being released by Abena Biholong and his left-footer forced a diving save by Reina. Pamic blasting the ball over the bar in the 35th.
At that stage, Liverpool's only answer came through lone striker David Ngog, who had a shot blocked and a header missing the goal a minute before halftime.
The match was briefly suspended about 15 minutes before the end when Sparta fans let off a smoke bomb.
 

Ajax, Leverkusen claim big wins in Europa League

LONDON (AP): Ajax thrashed Anderlecht 3-0 to put one foot into the Europa League's last 16, while Villarreal drew 0-0 at in-form Napoli in another first-leg match in the first knockout stage on Thursday.

Toby Alderweireld, Christian Eriksen and Mounir El Hamdaoui scored for 1992 competition winner Ajax in a match between two former champions in Brussels.

Serie A topscorer Edinson Cavani had a goal disallowed for offside and was denied twice by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez as Napoli, the only Italian team left in Europe's second-tier club competition, was held at San Paolo Stadium.

Sidney Sam's double in second-half injury time helped Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-0 rout of Metalist Kharkiv, Benfica rallied to beat Stuttgart 2-1 at home, and Ukrainian giant Dynamo Kiev won 4-1 at Besiktas.

Alderweireld scored the opener against the team from the country of his birth, heading home a corner in the 33rd minute, and then provided the assist for Eriksen's goal in the 60th.

Marcin Wasilewski missed a penalty for Anderlecht, which won the competition in 1983 when it was called the UEFA Cup, before El Hamdaoui wrapped up victory by beating the offside trap and sweeping in a finish in the 69th.

Cavani has 20 goals in the Italian league this season and five in the Europa League, but he was unable to add to his total against Villarreal, which was fourth in the Primera Liga.

Lopez kept out two efforts from the Uruguay forward in the first half and then tipped over a shot by Ezequiel Lavezzi after the break. "We found out the level we need to play in the competition," Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri said. "Considering who we were playing, this isn't a bad result."

Villarreal, which has never won in Italy, wasted its best chance when Borja Valero blasted wide when he had time and space in Napoli's area.

Eren Derdiyok, Gonzalo Castro were the other scorers for Leverkusen, which was second in the Bundesliga behind runaway leader Borussia Dortmund.

Martin Harnik's 21st-minute lob put Stuttgart in front at the Stadium of Light but Oscar Cardozo and Franco Jara scored in the second half to complete Benfica's recovery.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko was one of Kiev's scorers in its thrashing of Besiktas. Ricardo Quaresma canceled out Kiev's opening goal by Ognjen Vukojevic but Shevchenko, Ayila Yussuf and Oleh Gusev's penalty eased the visitors home.

Late strikes by Luuk de Jong and Peter Wisgerhof earned Dutch champion FC Twente a 2-0 win at Rubin Kazan, Artjoms Rudnevs netted the winner for Polish side Lech Poznan in a 1-0 home victory over Braga, and Peguy Luyindula's last-minute strike salvaged Paris Saint-Germain a 2-2 draw at BATE Borisov.

Two-time winner Sevilla's home match against Iberian rival FC Porto was the standout game of the seven last-16 first-leg fixtures to be played later Thursday.

 

Guarin nets late winner for Porto to beat Sevilla

SEVILLE, Spain (AP): Fredy Guarin's late score gave FC Porto a 2-1 win at Sevilla to put the Portuguese club in control of their Europa League last-32 series on Thursday.
Guarin took advantage of a defensive slip-up to roll in the 85th-minute winner. Sevilla's defence let Cristian Rodriguez race onto a through ball that goalkeeper Andres Palop could only tip wide onto the path of the Colombia midfielder.
Rolando opened for Porto in the 58th as he stabbed James Rodriguez's free kick past Palop in an ill-tempered match at Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Sevilla equalized in the 65th when Frederic Kanoute got high to turn Ivan Rakitic's free kick into the top corner out of the reach of goalie Helton with a well-guided header.
The return leg is at Porto next Wednesday. Luis Fabiano threatened for Sevilla twice inside the first 20 minutes but the Brazil striker saw a chance cleared in the 18th after taking too long to line up his shot then Rolando blocked another try along the goal line.
Palop punched a cross onto the path of Rodriguez in the 24th but recovered to stop the volleyed shot from outside the area. That was one of Porto's few first-half chances while Sevilla settled for long-range chances to the 48th when Kanoute's shot swerved wide.
An ugly spell of tough tackles and hard challenges boiled over in the 53rd with three yellow cards brandished.
Sevilla was bothered by the incidents and the Portuguese club took advantage to score as the Andalucian side's defence was slow to take up positions for Rodriguez's free kick.
The goal spurred Sevilla's attack as Kanoute had a headed chance deflected out just before the Mali striker scored his fifth of the competition.
Porto 'keeper Helton was well-placed in the 67th to deny Luis Fabiano's hard header from inside the box as the hosts pressed. Sevilla has scored nine of its 11 goals in the last half hour.
Palop was equally ready at the other end as the Spanish goalie tipped Hulk's 74th-minute riser over the bar.
But Helton cut down the angle to stop substitute Alvaro Negredo's strike in the 77th, and Kanoute somehow misguided Negredo's headed on ball for Helton to gather with the empty goal beckoning.
 

Treat for EPL fans

PETALING JAYA: Local football fans of the English Premier League (EPL) are in for a fantastic treat in July!
Three of the Big Four of the EPL – Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – will be in town for a 10-day EPL Festival. However, the exact dates have yet to be confirmed.
The three teams will take on the national side on three different dates in July.
Football fans can look forward to seeing the likes of Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and David Luiz (Chelsea); Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie (Arsenal); and Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez (Liverpool) in action.
Manchester United, who make up the Big Four, enjoyed two hugely successful visits here in 2001 and 2009.
This will be the first time that three top English clubs will be in town since the inaugural FAPL Asia Cup in 2003. Then, the teams who came were Birmingham, Newcastle and Chelsea.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay had announced last year that they would be in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in July for their Chelsea Asia Tour 2011.
Chelsea’s Asia Tour programme in Kuala Lumpur would include a friendly game against the national team at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, an open training session for the fans and community coaching programmes.
 

FA Cup kicks off with a new format

PETALING JAYA: The 22nd edition of the FA Cup Cup competition kicks off today with a difference – there won’t be a second chance in the first and second round.
Previously, the first and second round matches were played over two legs (home and away).
The two FA Cup opening round fixtures scheduled for today are the Harimau Muda ‘A’ vs SDM Kepala Batas match at the Shah Alam Stadium (8.45pm) and the T-Team Terengganu vs Kelantan match at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu (8.45pm).
A total of 26 teams will compete in the FA Cup competition, with defending champions Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Selangor receiving a first-round bye.
The focus today will be in Kuala Terengganu where the two Super League sides will be locking horns at such an early stage.
Kelantan, who won the Malaysia Cup last year, will be hoping to make amends in the FA Cup competition after their second round exit at the hands of Kedah last season.
T-Team, who have signed up three top names from Kelantan – Indra Putra Mahayuddin, Mohd Norfarhan Mohd and Azizi Mat Rose – will be hoping to find their rhythm after a poor start in the Super League campaign with only one point from four matches.
Coach Yunus Alif’s club side are languishing second from bottom in the 14-team league.
Kelantan, on the other hand, are going great guns and are leading the Super League standings with 10 points
from three wins and a draw.
The Red Warriors have a formidable strike force, with the likes of Norsharul Idlan Talaha, Mohd Nizad Ayub and S. Chanturu leading the charge. Their new signings – K. Solihin and Nurul Azwan Roya – have also fitted in well.
 

Roberto Carlos joins Anzhi Makhachkala

MOSCOW: Former Brazil fullback Rberto Carlos has joined Russia’s Anzhi Makhachkala on a 2½ year deal, the club said on Wednesday.

“The Anzhi Makhachkala football club officially announces it has signed a labour agreement with 2002 world champion defender Roberto Carlos,” Anzi said in a statement on their website (
www.fc-anji.ru).

Roberto Carlos, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup and played more than 100 times for his country, ended his contract with Brazilian club Corinthians by mutual agreement on Saturday.

The 37-year-old former Real Madrid defender was targeted by fans during violent protests against the team following their shock early exit from the Libertadores Cup this month

 

Asamoah seals St. Pauli win over Hamburg

BERLIN: Former Germany international Gerald Asaoah headed his sixth goal of the season to give St Pauli a 1-0 win at Hamburg on Wednesday, their first Bundesliga victory over their city rivals since 1977.

In a match postponed this month due to heavy rain, Hamburg had half a dozen good scoring chances in the local derby but it was the visitors who put the ball it into the net.

Asamoah was left unmarked a metre out in the 59th minute to head in a corner for a memorable win that left some 6,000 visiting fans singing as the players hugged and cheered on the pitch.

It was also St Pauli’s third league win in a row.

The 32-year-old Asamoah has revived his career this season at St Pauli following his departure from Schalke after 11 years.

The win lifted St Pauli to 11th spot on 28 points with Hamburg in seventh on 33.

 

Pazzini winner keeps his side in touch with leaders AC Milan

ROME: Inter Milan kept up their title challenge with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Fiorentina on Wednesday.

An own goal from Michele Camporese gave the champions the lead before Manuel Pasquale’s cross trickled over the line to restore parity.

But Giampaolo Pazzini struck the winner from close range to keep Leonardo’s team in the scudetto hunt.

The victory moved them up to third in Serie A, five points behind leaders and city rivals AC Milan, and it was the perfect response after the criticism directed at the team in the Italian press after Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Juventus.

This was Inter’s eighth win in 10 league games under the Brazilian coach, who joined in late December.

Leonardo shouted himself hoarse during the game and consequently sent his assistant, Giuseppe Baresi, to speak to the media afterwards.

“After the defeat in Turin this game was more important than ever,” admitted Baresi.

“It’s never easy to win in Florence but we showed we’re in good form.

“It’s an important win, it was vital to get the three points tonight. The team really wanted it after the Juve defeat.”

Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, the former Inter assistant, said the visitors were simply too clinical.

“Fortunately we don’t play against Inter every Sunday. If we’d played someone else we’d have won,” he said.

“But we didn’t deserve to lose, we created a lot of chances whereas they had two chances and scored two goals.

“But when you play the big teams you only need to make one mistake and you pay dearly.”

Inter went ahead after six minutes when Maicon’s cross was diverted into his own net by Michele Camporese but mid-table Fiorentina levelled on 33 minutes when Manuel Pasqual’s ball into the box crept in at the far post without being touched.

Leonardo handed a first start to Japanese left back Yuto Nagatomo and had Dejan Stankovic fit again after injury but Inter still laboured until Pazzini turned in Samuel Eto’o’s low cross 17 minutes into the second half.

The Inter game was rearranged because of their involvement in December’s Club World Cup.

Genoa also beat city rivals and fellow mid-table side Sampdoria 1-0 on Wednesday in a game which had been postponed because of snow in December.

Brazilian Rafinha grabbed the goal 10 minutes into the second half in one of Serie A’s most colourful and heated derbies.

  

Ronaldo to help coordinate World Cup 2014

SAO PAULO: Ronaldo, Brazil’s legendary footballer who retired this week, was on Wednesday appointed to help coordinate Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 World Cup.

Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin named the ex-player to his state committee coordinating the football tournament in a ceremony in a Sao Paulo stadium.

He also awarded Ronaldo, 34, a medal in honour of his sporting achievements and legacy.

“It’s an honour to help the government of Sao Paulo to put on the best World Cup of all time,” Ronaldo said.

The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, whose goal scoring genius led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title, confirmed his retirement on Monday in a tearful media conference.

He said he was forced to halt his career because his body was no longer up to the demands he was putting on it.

The striker, who played for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, but who appeared only sporadically for Sao Paulo side Corinthians since returning from Italy in 2009, was plagued with injuries for much of his career.

He has said he hoped to wear the national Brazil jersey one more time in a farewell match “to bring together players who were with me and appear in front of a public who loved and helped me.”

Ronaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and became the leading scorer in World Cup finals tournaments when he scored his 15th goal at the 2006 tournament in Germany.

He was twice named European Footballer of the Year, in 1997 and 2002, and finished his international career with 62 goals in 97 appearances. 

 

We’re not immature brats, says Gallas

MILAN: Tottenham defender Willia Gallas sprang to the defence of his France team-mates following harsh criticism from former France coach Raymond Domenech.

French players went on strike during the World Cup in South Africa last June, refusing to train one day after Nicolas Anelka had been sent home for insulting Domenech.

France suffered a disastrous tournament, failing to win a game and losing to both South Africa and Mexico, finishing bottom of their group.

Domenech was replaced after the tournament but this week claimed the players were “irresponsible little brats“.

“I’m not answering his criticisms,” said Gallas after Tottenham’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League.

“I’d just say that before speaking he should look at himself a bit, that’s all.”

And Gallas refused to accept responsibility on behalf of the players for their behaviour which was viewed across the country as a humiliation.

“It’s too easy to judge the players, given the staff he had, I can tell you that it was very difficult for us, that’s what I can tell you,” he added.

“We were judged too easily, the blame was put on all the players, it’s true that it was our decision to strike, but why? You should ask the right questions, why did we strike? I have nothing to reply, what I can say is that we’re not immature brats, a long way from that.”

However, he did admit that the players hadn’t expected such a fall-out from their actions.

“In the moment we didn’t think it would go that far.”

Gallas has not been a part of the France squad since the World Cup but insisted he has not retired from international duty.

Meanwhile, Franck Ribery said Domenech should have spoken to the players about their World Cup mutiny, not months later in the media.

“I don’t know why he says these things. I find it a shame. The World Cup has gone, I don’t want to talk about Domenech any more,” fit-again Bayern winger Ribery told L’Equipe.

“I am very motivated to get back in the France team with a new staff and new coach. In South Africa Domenech didn’t talk to us. He should have done it immediately, not only now. He should have said it to our face, it’s not good.” 

 

Wilshere shows there’s hope for England

LONDON: Arsenal and England say they are ready to build their teams around Jack Wilshere, and the gifted teenage midfielder showed just why with a stunning individual display against Barcelona.

Up against the formidable midfield trio of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets – the heartbeat of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning side – Wilshere demonstrated he has the character to match his undoubted talent by leading Arsenal’s fightback in their 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

“He was outstanding,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “He wasn’t fazed by the occasion. In difficult periods when we were under pressure, he wanted the ball and kept the ball. He played really well.”

Wilshere is enjoying a sensational breakthrough season at the north London club, marking it with his first start for England in last Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Denmark in Copenhagen.

Playing firstly as a holding midfielder before moving further upfield in the second half at the Parken Stadium, he took to international football with consummate ease. He had no problem transferring that form to the Emirates Stadium a week on.

“It’s been a great couple of weeks – the best of my life,” Wilshere said after his coming-of-age display against the Spanish champions.

Wilshere is a rarity in English football in that he is a midfielder who looks comfortable on the ball, whenever it is given to him. The recent failure of England’s national team can be seen as stemming from their inability to keep possession against the major sides in big tournaments, but that could change with Wilshere as the commander in the engine room.

He is even outshining Cesc Fabregas, for so long Arsenal’s totem in midfield, at the moment.

Wilshere, who spent half of last season on loan at Premier League team Bolton in a bid to pick up some valuable topflight experience, was part of an Arsenal midfield that was blown away against Barcelona.

“There was a spell in the first half where for about 20 minutes we didn’t touch the ball. But we knew they were going to do that,” he said.

“I watched these (Barcelona) players in the World Cup and they were the best team there, so I knew a bit about them before the game. But once you get into a game, you get used to them,” Wilshere said.

“We had to go up a level in the second half and we passed it around better. We had to carry on playing the Arsenal way and we did that.” 

 

Wenger’s gamble pays off as Arsenal gun down Barcelona

LONDON: Arsene Wenger hailed Arsenal’s heroes as his massive gamble on Andrey Arshavin paid off in amazing style.

The Gunners came from behind to clinch an historic 2-1 win over Champions League favourites Barcelona.

Robin van Persie and sub Arshavin hit late goals after David Villa had opened accounts for the Spanish side in the 26th minute.

“I wanted to really go for it.,” said Wenger.

“I took a gamble and we finished with Wilshere (Jack), Fabregas (Cesc), Nasri (Samir), Bendtner (Nicklas), Arshavin and Van Persie.

“The tie is still open but we will go to the Nou Camp and play our game again because you cannot go there and defend. My gamble could have back-fired and we could lost 2-0 or 3-0 - but it worked.

“I am proud for Arsenal Football Club. Everyone urged us to play differently to our nature so it is a good result.

“This result gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief. We know it will be a very difficult game but we will prepare well. We will be highly focused and we go to win.

“It is a special lift for my team. Our players have shown exceptional strength and togetherness.

“We took advantage of one special piece of skill from Van Persie and the second came after some good build-up play. It was a special night.”

After Villa’s goal, Lionel Messi and Co had an off-night in front of goal as the Gunners grew in confidence.

Wenger added: “We believe we now have a chance. Barca are still favourites but we know we can beat them, which we did not know last year.”

“But after tonight we know that we can beat them. And we didn’t know that last year,” said Wenger, referring to last season’s quarter-final, which saw Barcelona crush the Gunners 4-1 in the second leg, 6-3 on aggregate.

“Tonight’s result gives us a chance to go to Barcelona with belief. We know that it will be a very difficult game but we will prepare well and be highly focused and try to play our natural game,” Wenger said.

“It gives a special lift to my team. Our players have shown their strength and togetherness and this result will reinforce that.”

Wenger’s counterpart Pep Guardiola said his side had paid the price for failing to convert more than one of the half-a-dozen openings their famously slick passing play presented.

“In general I’m happy with the performance – the result is the thing I don’t like,” Guardiola said.

“It was a fantastic match for anyone who likes football. When two teams want to play attacking football its always nice. We’re try to turn the tables on them at our place.”

Guardiola predicted another classic could be on the cards in three weeks time as his team try to overturn the first leg deficit.

“They are going to attack and we are going to attack,” Guardiola said.

“So if you have nothing better to do, I invite you to come to Barcelona because it’s going to be a great match.”

 

Ranieri defiant as Shakhtar Samba stars stun Roma

ROME: Roma coach Claudio Ranieri insisted his team were not in crisis despite losing for the third game in a row in the 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Shakhtar Donetsk here.

The Italians were made to pay by Shakhtar’s speedy Brazilian forwards who combined for three goals and ensured the Ukrainians have a handy lead to take back home in three weeks time.

But following on from league defeats to their title rivals Inter Milan and Napoli that virtually ruled them out of the scudetto race, this defeat leaves Roma’s season hanging by a thread.

But Ranieri, who vowed not to resign, remained defiant.

“Do you see a team in crisis? I don’t see a team in crisis, I see a team that is playing, fighting, that created many chances,” he said.

“We played very well and I have nothing to reproach the players for despite losing.

“The lads pushed hard, in the first half after we scored we should have been more careful but we conceded after 45 seconds.

“That’s easy to say but it’s different on the pitch. There was a double deflection on their first goal.

“Maybe we needed to be more clinical but Shakhtar knew how fast they were, the three forwards: Jadson, William and Douglas Costa were very quick and have a lot of quality, we should have closed them down better.

“But there are games where things don’t go well. We could’ve equalised at the end with our captain (Francesco Totti).

“But patience, I can’t complain with how we played or how much we gave.

“You can’t just look at the result when you evaluate the game, you also have to look at the other team.

“They topped their group and they beat Arsenal, this is a great team with great players.”

However, Ranieri did admit that his team is having problems in defence having conceded 10 goals in their last three matches.

“When I came here last season I said we had to improve our defence and we finished the season with one of the best defences in the league,” he said.

“But this season we have lost some of that solidity so those criticisms (against the team’s defence) are justified.”

Roma were jeered heavily at the end of the game and even when the players went over to their fans to thank them they were still whistled.

Shahktar’s Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu said he couldn’t understand the fans’ behaviour.

“It’s an excellent result, we deserved it. We prepared very well and made the most of the anxiety that has been created around Roma’s players,” he said.

“The fans were angry at the end with all these jeers but the players gave their all on the pitch.

“They were influenced by who their team was playing but we’re a good team, we won two groups, we beat Arsenal who just beat Barcelona.

“The players and coach knew they were playing against a good team even if the fans didn’t.” 

 

Redknapp heaps praises on Sandro and Palacios

MILAN: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp paid tribute to his defensive midfielders after his side’s historic 1-0 victory at AC Milan in the Champions League.

Spurs have built a reputation for being attacking entertainers in Europe this season, finishing the group stages as joint top goal-scorers, averaging three goals a game, while also conceding the highest number of goals amongst the teams qualifying for the knock-out phase.

Their arrival in Milan was eagerly anticipated with Italian memories still vivid of their thrilling 10-man comeback from 4-0 down against Inter Milan earlier in the competition before narrowly losing 4-3.

However, it was a controlled and disciplined display from central midfielders Sandro and Wilson Palacios that set the foundations for this victory.

“It was a great night, a fantastic performance, we set out how we wanted to play and the players responded, they couldn’t have given it any more. They did exactly what was asked of them and we got a great result that was deserved,” said Redknapp. “I thought (Sandro and Palacios) did a fantastic job. Sandro is a lad with no real experience.

“He’s played two or three games for us but he and Wilson responded to each other, they got after them, pressed, closed them down, didn’t give them space to play. That was very important for us, they did a great job.”

Redknapp also paid tribute to the desire and spirit of his players, in particular playmaker Luka Modric who defied doctors’ advice to make a substitute appearance.

“I’m delighted to be part of it all and I’m delighted with the players, I couldn’t have asked for more than they gave,” he added. 

 

Roma sale to go through in one month, Riise says sorry

ROME: Roma are due to be sold to American investors in 30 days, the club’s current owners Italpetroli announced on Tuesday.

A consortium led by the Italo-American Thomas DiBenedetto, owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, will purchase the Serie A side for 200mil, according to a figure given by the Italian press.

“It has been decided to procede to a period of exclusive negotiation with the DiBenedetto AS Roma LLC company which has presented the most competitive offer we have received,” Italpetroli, the company owned by the Sensi family, said.

The Sensi family, for whom Rosella Sensi is the Roma club president, owes money to Unicredit bank and in July 2010 entered an agreement giving the bank the right to sell its assets, amongst them Roma, to recoup the debt.

Meanwhile, “crisis” and “nightmare” were phrases bandied about by media yesterday to describe Roma’s defeat, with John Arne Riise’s slip for the third goal seen as symptomatic.

The last-16 first leg loss at home came after three games without a win in Serie A while the likely sale of the indebted club to an American consortium has added to the uncertainty surrounding under-fire coach Claudio Ranieri’s future.       

Ranieri has vowed not to quit and Riise, whose mistake let in Luiz Adriano for the Ukrainians’ third goal, tried to take the blame.

“I feel bad, my error was incredible. The fans are angry with me and I say sorry to everyone, team-mates included,” said Riise.       

“I was ready to come back on but Ranieri told me I was coming off, I think for the error. I hope the fans know that I always give everything.” 

 

Club object to Hammers’ stadium move

LONDON: A football club based near London’s Olympic Stadium have written to British Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to block West Ham’s planned move into the venue after the 2012 games.

West Ham have been named as the preferred bidder to take over the stadium, beating a rival bid from Tottenham. But before the east London club can sign the contracts, the Olympic Park Legacy Company decision must be ratified by the government and mayor of London.

Third-tier club Leyton Orient, who are based closer to the Olympic Stadium than West Ham, are concerned that having a Premier League club with a 60,000-seat venue in close vicinity would severely damage their ticket sales and fan base.

“It has grave implications for us. Leyton Orient has been in existence for 130 years and to have a giant like West Ham on our doorstep offering discounted and free tickets would seriously bring into question the survival of Leyton Orient,” said their chairman Barry Hearn.

 

American Hicks can seek damages over Liverpool deal

LONDON: A judge yesterday cleared the way for former Liverpool owner Tom Hicks to pursue a damages claim in Britain over the sale of the club, but blocked an attempt to seek compensation in the United States.

High Court judge Mr Justice Floyd dismissed a request by the American to lift anti-suit orders which prevent him taking court action in Texas to halt the deal in which he claims he lost £140mil (US$226mil).

The judge ruled that Hicks can only take action in Britain.

Hicks believes he was the victim of an “epic swindle” when the club was sold against his wishes to New England Sports Ventures (NESV) for £300mil in October after a boardroom tussle at the five-time European champions.

The judge also dismissed attempts by Hick’s lawyers to block claims by Martin Broughton, the former chairman of the club, who is seeking damages against Hicks for his actions while owner.

An application by NESV to be allowed to join the Broughton action was also granted.

NESV, the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, bought Liverpool after repaying a £237mil loan that Hicks and his former partner George Gillett took out with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wells Fargo and Co.

Hicks and Gillett were deeply unpopular among Liverpool supporters, who accused them of saddling the club with crippling debt.

The club expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and said it would fight any legal action taken by Hicks to seek damages.

“We are delighted that Mr Justice Floyd has granted the applications requested by Sir Martin Broughton, RBS and NESV and that the anti-suit injunction prohibiting the former owners from commencing legal actions against these parties outside the EU has been upheld and clarified,” a statement said.

“Sir Martin, RBS and NESV continue to maintain that there is no basis to challenge the propriety or validity of any actions by them or any of those involved on their behalf in the sale of the club.

“They will continue to take all steps necessary to defend vigorously any litigation threatened or commenced by the club’s former owners.” 

 

Qataris deny MU takeover

DUBAI: Qatar Holding joined Manchester United in quashing rumours of a takeover on Wednesday with a source close to the Gulf Arab state’s sovereign wealth fund saying no talks had been held with the English club.

Premier League leaders United have repeatedly said the Old Trafford club was not for sale but its high-yield bonds rose to near record highs on Tuesday on speculation of a deal.

”Qatar Holding is not and has never been in discussions to buy Manchester United football club. There is no truth to the rumours,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

While United have been building a four-point lead in the table as they seek a record 19th league title, off the pitch they have been the subject of media reports saying their American owners, the Glazers, are on the verge of selling up.

The owners are unpopular among many fans with some donning green and gold scarves on match days in protest at the debt the Glazers have burdened the club with.

The colours are those of the Newton Heath works team, United’s predecessors, and those wearing them are disillusioned by what they see as exploitation of the club by foreign owners who have raised ticket prices and loaded United with debt.

The Glazers, who bought the club in 2005 for about £790mil (US$1.28bil), surprised fans in November when a source said they had agreed to pay off a £220mil payment-in-kind (PIK) loan from funds outside the club.

A month earlier they had ensured United kept hold of England striker, Wayne Rooney, who had turned the spotlight on the Americans by saying he wanted to leave Old Trafford because the club lacked clout in the transfer market.

Rooney ended up signing a five-year contract after saying he had been convinced to stay because “the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history.” 

 

Ivan scores winner to send Bolton into fifth round

WIGAN: Ivan Klasnic fired Bolton Wanderers to a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup fourth-round replay at the DW Stadium on Wednesday.

Owen Coyle’s side can look forward to a fifth-round trip to Fulham this weekend thanks to Croatian striker Klasnic’s second-half winner.

While Wanderers’ Wembley bid remains alive, Wigan are left to focus on a grim fight for Premier League survival.

However, Bolton’s win was tarnished slightly by an Achilles injury suffered by Sam Ricketts, which will keep the defender out for several weeks.

“He has damaged his Achilles and it doesn’t look great at this time,” Coyle said.

“The medical team think it could be quite severe and we hope that is not the scenario, but the way it is looking right now, I think it is going to be a lengthy period of time.

“I just need to find out the extent of it tomorrow (Thursday) when it is looked at properly.”

The FA Cup’s diminished status was once again clear to see as both managers rested their key players. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez made nine changes, while Coyle made six alterations.

With the original tie and two Premier League fixtures between the two sides this season all resulting in draws, it was hardly a surprise that this was another close-fought affair.

There was still plenty of goalmouth action to keep the sparse crowd of 7,515 entertained, however.

Bolton’s Lee Chung-yong had the first chance as the South Korean curled wide, then seconds later Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt parried a low Martin Petrov drive and Johan Elmander finished from close range, only for the Swede’s effort to be disallowed for offside.

Wanderers then had a nervy moment as Ronnie Stam’s cross bobbled off David Wheater and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan needed two attempts to keep hold of it.

Klasnic squandered the best opportunity of the first half when he surged clear on goal before hitting a tame shot straight at Pollitt.

 

Forest waste chance in bid to join the big boys

LONDON: Nottingham Forest wasted a chance to go second in Division Two as struggling Scunthorpe clinched a surprise 1-0 win over Billy Davies’ promotion chasers at Glanford Park on Wednesday.

A win would have lifted Forest above Cardiff and Norwich into the second automatic promotion spot, but Chris Dagnall’s first half goal put a dent in the visitors’ bid to reach the Premier League.

Dagnall broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when he poked home Lee Miller’s low cross.

The goal was only Scunthorpe’s third in eight league matches and it was almost followed by another moments later when Josh Wright’s 20-yard effort drew a fine save from Lee Camp.

Forest, beaten for the first time in 11 matches, missed a host of chances to equalise, with the closest through substitute Dele Adebola, whose header hit the bar in the 74th minute.

However, despite that setback Davies’ side still have their fate in their own hands as they have a game in hand on second-placed Cardiff, who are currently two points clear of Forest.

Second bottom Scunthorpe’s win means they are now four points from safety with two games in hand on fourth bottom Crystal Palace.

Davies was furious with his side’s sloppy defending and said: “We’ve given a goal away from naive play, stupid play, and we talked about that before the game.

“In the end the opening 35 minutes or so really cost us dearly because we did not come out and play.

“What is required between now and the end of the season is a mental character and that is what will decide whether you win or lose things.

“We have got to realise that tonight is a missed opportunity.”