Footballer Wayne Bridge refused to shake hands with John Terry today when he came face to face with him for the first time since it emerged his former teammate had an affair with his ex-girlfriend.
There was huge interest in how the pair would behave towards one another ahead of the game between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, west London,
As the off-pitch tension built up in the wake of allegations about Terry and lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of Bridge’s three-year-old son, City player Bridge made his feelings clear by snubbing the Fair Play handshake courtesy to Terry.
As Terry, 29, stood in line with his Chelsea teammates, he held out his hand as Bridge filed past with his fellow Manchester City players.
But while Bridge, also 29, shook hands with the rest of his opponents, he walked past Terry without making any contact.
The ritual was introduced by the Premier League two seasons ago as part of the Get On With The Game campaign to encourage acceptable behaviour.
Such was the interest in the interaction between Terry and Bridge that Sky Sports viewers were able to see the crucial moments before kick-off.
Usually, the broadcaster would screen adverts during the routine and return to the pitch for the main action.
But timings were altered to make sure nothing was missed. Read more…
It would appear Geoffrey had fallen a little out of the loop while on tour, so he was brought up to speed on a few things. Ending on a positive note, I mentioned United were considering having a whip-round among famous fans and had heard he was good for a few quid. He didn’t seem too interested in that, and wandered off to resume butchering England’s batsmen.
Bumped into Geoffrey Boycott, England legend and Manchester United fan, in Johannesburg this week. ‘So,’ he said, with the smug smile of one who is not used to hearing bad news about his club, ‘who are we buying, then?’
And this is the contradiction at the heart of the Glazer saga. Empathy for Manchester United supporters, while quietly relishing what is happening to their club for the change it might bring to English football.
Not because anyone has it in for United specifically but because the balance of power in football must alter over time if the sport is not to become moribund. Evolution takes place when the alpha club mess up. Read more…
STUFFED by Manchester City, dumped out of the FA Cup by Leeds and swamped by mind-boggling debts of £716.5MILLION.
But Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has reminded his squad there is only one person who really matters at the Theatre of Dreams - HIM!
The Premier League champions’ tough start to 2010 can be blown away tomorrow when a win over struggling Hull will put them back on top of the league.
Fergie spelled out to his multi-millionaire stars that he remains king of Old Trafford over 23 years after he breezed through the door to take charge of a club down on their luck.
At 68, Ferguson no longer orders pies or sorts out match programmes like he did as a young manager learning his trade north of the border.
But even though he has learned how to delegate, Fergie insists the buck still stops with him - not owner
Malcolm Glazer, chief executive David Gill, superstar Wayne Rooney or anyone else.
Ferguson said: “My control is the most important thing. The most important person in Manchester United is the manager. Read more…
Although Benin had the lead, but Mozambique success to push Benin with draw result 2-2 to force the play-offs in the African Nations Cup Group C, in the Benguela Stadium, Tuesday (12/1/2010).
In such action, fierce duel took place. Both teams played very open and do not hesitate to demonstrate hard the game. First lead Benin thanks to a goal scored from Omitoyossi Razak white dots on minute 15. The referee gave a penalty after Omitoyossi dropped in the penalty box by goalkeeper Mozambique, Rafael Kapango.
These goals appear to make more attractive Benin. They kept pounding the defense Mozambique consistently. Constant pressure makes Mozambique a fatal mistake in the 20th minute. At that time, let the pass to Omotoyossi Stephane Sessegnon. Intend to throw the ball, instead Dario Khan scored the ball into his own net, 2-0.
After miss a few chances, Mozambique had scored a reply on 29 minutes through the action Almiro Lobo.
This goal seemed to be a pep pill for Mozambique. They tried to maximize every opportunity. The results of that hard work were fruitful in the 54th minute. Benin goalkeeper, Yoann Djidonou, make mistakes while firing hard anticipate Carlos Goncalves, 2-2. Read more…
Ivory Coast could only play a goalless draw against Burkina Faso in Group B continued for the 2010 African Cup of Nations Angola, Monday (1/11/2010). Even so, considering not all the inhabitants of Group B appeared, Côte d’Ivoire still topped the group standings.
In general, Ivory Coast is more dominant and offensively. However, the lack of game creation, poor resolution makes them difficult final five midfielders through Burkina Faso, which appear militant and aggressive.
To overcome the impasse, a number of Ivory Coast players, including Didier Drogba, often relying on the individual’s ability to penetrate the barricades midfield Burkina Faso.
This effort is less effective. However, the success of Drogba et al through the middle layer, often making the defender Burkina Faso nervous and forced to breach.
Ivory Coast and then try to optimize the free-kick-kick. On several occasions, they were able to create a serious threat. In minute 27, for example, tried to send Drogba free-kick into the goal. However, the ball is deviated from the target.
After closing the first half without a goal, Ivory Coast tried to explore their abilities in the second round. The result was pretty good. Still rely on the ability of individuals, Ivory Coast attack adds to a game creation cross and breakthroughs. They also create more opportunities for goals. Unfortunately, the bad and the final settlement of excelence Diakite performance makes their efforts futile. Read more…
Algeria defeat Malawi 3-0 in a duel continued group qualifier, Angola 2010 African Cup of Nations, Monday (1/11/2010). These results make Malawi lead Group A with three points plus a collection of three-goal difference. Results are not separated from the results of the 4-4 draw with Angola and Mali reached the previous party. Malawi saw this as an opportunity to step on the gas led the top of the league, to put pressure on other participating countries. To realize ambitions for it, immediately Malawi strong pressure to Algeria since the early minutes. Unexpectedly, Algeria could barely handle the pressure and eventually conceded by Russell Mwafulirwa in the 17th minute. Goals stems from a long feed from midfield into the penalty box Algeria. Goalkeepers Algeria, Chaouchi, then moved forward and hit the ball. The ball then fell at the feet Mwafulirwa, who immediately sent the ball into the net Algeria. Do not want to give opportunities, Malawi continued their aggression. This time, their efforts had scored a defensive game hampered by Algeria. However, after waiting until the 35th minute, they were able to double the advantage over Elvis Kafoteka. Exploiting cross Chavula, Kafoteka to send the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Read more…
The French national has a second degree strain to the right ankle and will miss at least six games. The aim is to be back in action for Genoa. With no Iaquinta, Amauri will take his place against Milan
Three more points in the league table but one less striker. This is the situation facing Juventus the day after their match against Parma; the Bianconeri have lost David Trezeguet to injury for at least 40 days. The French striker, who was stretchered off at the Tardini, had an MR scan this morning. Tests showed a second-degree strain at the external compartment of his right ankle, meaning David won’t be back for at least 40 days. He will miss at least six games (5 Serie A matches and 1 Coppa Italia clash), but the aim is to get him back in action by the Juventus-Genoa game (14 February), more importantly because four days later there’s the first leg of the Europa League against Ajax.
Step up Amauri — This is a real blow for Ferrara who on the day of his team’s return to victory, lost his fittest, and best-scoring striker (8 goals this season). It’s more than likely now that he will have to rethink the team’s attacking strategy. Given Iaquinta won’t be playing (who returned to group training and kicked the ball around this morning but won’t be in the team against Milan), Amauri will take David Trezeguet’s place, starting from the tricky clash against the Rossoneri. He has no other choice, even though it’s not the best of times for the Brazilian at the moment. There’s no getting away from the numbers: just 4 goals in 23 games and one red card. Not a lot at all, considering Iaquinta has scored the same number in just 8 games. Read more…
A Leandro Benitez brace earned Estudiantes a 2-1 win over a brave Pohang Steelers side, who ended the game with eight players, in a lively semi-final.
Simon Cox scores an equaliser in the third minute of injury time to snatch a draw for high-flying West Brom against QPR.
