Redknapp not interested in Russian job | Premiership News | Tribal Football

Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is not interested in becoming Russia’s next manager.

Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is not interested in becoming Russia’s next manager.

Sources close to Redknapp have told BBC Sport he is not keen on the role after Russia’s Football Union (RFU) had his name on a list of possible targets.

Russia is seeking a replacement for Dick Advocaat who has left for club management with PSV Eindhoven in Holland.

 

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Southampton under the microscope over spot-fixing allegations | Premiership News | Tribal Football

Ex-Southampton captain Francis Benali has denied there was a culture of spot-fixing at the club following comments from old team-mate Claus Lundekvam, reports BBC Sport.

Ex-Southampton captain Francis Benali has denied there was a culture of spot-fixing at the club following comments from old team-mate Claus Lundekvam, reports BBC Sport.

Lundekvam’s claims that players would collude to “spot-fix” certain outcomes, in the Premier League, is now being investigated by Fifa.

“I can say categorically I have no knowledge of the betting allegations made by Claus,” Benali told BBC Solent.

A statement issued by FIFA on Wednesday said: “FIFA is monitoring this issue and involved its chief investigator in England. Once all information is known it will be decided who is leading the investigations.”

Benali who made 371 appearances for Saints between 1987 and 2004 says he would know of any illegal betting at the club.

“Dressing rooms are very tight environments and if something was widespread, even if you weren’t part of it, you would hear it being discussed and talked about,” he said.

“That is why this all comes as such a surprise.

“The timing isn’t good from the football club’s point of view. No club wants a story like this associated with them, nor do the city or the players involved at the time.

“It’s a smear on your character and not nice, especially when it’s not true.”

 
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De Bruyne back at Chelsea full time | Premiership News | Tribal Football

Kevin de Bruyne is finally linking up with Chelsea on a permanent basis this summer.

Kevin de Bruyne is finally linking up with Chelsea on a permanent basis this summer.

The Belgium international was snapped up by the Blues in January, but was immediately loaned back to former employers Genk.

“I know a couple of people here already so it’s quite good for integration, I don’t see there being any problems,” the 21-year-old playmaker told the club’s official website.

“I know Eden (Hazard) very well, and for a long time. I played with him for the national team and we are the same age so we played together when we were 18, 19.

“Marko Marin is also here and we are all young, so it makes it easier to get to know each other. We also play the same style of football which is good for us, and we will find our way together.”

“For me the most important thing was just the signing,” he added.

“I also had to leave quickly to get back to Belgium because I had games to be playing, and now I have met everyone it is good.

“Since I have been here for pre-season everything is fine, the club has taken very good care of me and has organised everything perfectly to make it easy.

“After I went back the club called me a couple of times. They changed the manager but I have spoken to people here and I know scouts have been watching in Belgium as well.”

 

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West Brom snap up Belgium winger El Ghanassy on loan | Transfers | Tribal Football

West Bromwich Albion have completed their second summer signing by snapping up Belgium international Yassine El Ghanassy, reports the club’s official website.

West Bromwich Albion have completed their second summer signing by snapping up Belgium international Yassine El Ghanassy, reports the club’s official website.

The AA Gent winger has joined on a season-long loan deal – subject to international clearance. The Baggies have an option to make the move permanent.

The 21 year old won the first of his two full international caps against Finland in February 2011.

Head coach Steve Clarke said: “I’m delighted to welcome Yassine to the club.

“He is an exciting, young prospect who will hopefully add something different to our squad.

“This is a big move for Yassine and we’ll have to be patient with him as he settles into a new country and gets to grips with the demands of the Barclays Premier League.

“But we believe he has got the raw talent to make an impact here.”

 

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Vidal insists no rift with new Juventus signing Isla | Serie A News | Tribal Football

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has welcomed the signing of Chile teammate Mauricio Isla.

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has welcomed the signing of Chile teammate Mauricio Isla.

Vidal was one of five members of Chile’s national team to be dropped by the Coach for breaking a late-night curfew, something that international teammate Isla, then at Udinese, publicly criticised them for.

“I’m glad Isla has arrived, he’s a great player,” Vidal said.

“In the past there have been disagreements between us, but now there are no problems, we are fellow teammates, we are united, strong friends and fighting for the same shirt.”

Vidal was also asked for which of the League and European Cup he would like Juve to be focusing on next season.

“The important thing is that Juventus will win everything. The Champions League? I hope we can go as far as possible.”

Milan stay top | World Soccer

In Italy Milan won 2-0 away to Bologna to stay on top of Serie A, if only by virtue of superior goal difference.

Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko started for the leaders in place of Filippo Inzaghi. The switch proved successful as Shevchenko scored his fourth of the season after good approach work from Gennaro Gattuso.

Milan made victory all but certain in the 78th minute when the Brazilian Serginho, on at half timefor Rui Costa, doubled the lead.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani praised the tactical awareness of the Milan coach on the club’s website. He said’ “Milan clinched this success especially thanks to Carlo Ancelotti who played the right team.”

Two first half goals from Alvaro Recoba and Hernon Crespo against Modena meant Inter stay level on points with Milan. It was not all joy for the Nerazzurri though. Not long after firing home Inter’s second, Crespo tore a muscle in his right thigh and had to be replaced.

“Crespo picked up a bad injury, the doctor said that he will be out for more than a month and this is bad for us,” said Inter coach Cuper.

Currently threepoints below Inter and Milan, Lazio were held to a 0-0 draw away to Brescia, ending a run of seven consecutive away wins in the process.

Lazio showed much attacking flair, but were unable to break down Brescia’s stubborn defence. Indeed, Lazio almost lost the game when Jonathan Bachini was put through by Igli Tore inventive backheel. Peruzzi, the lazio stopper, managed to keep the resulting shot out.

Defending champions Juventus stay in touch four points off the leaders in fourth place after thrashing Reggina 5-0. Veteran midfielder Antonio Conte, David Trezeguet, Del Piero and Marco Di Vaio were all on target for the home side. If that was not bad enough for Reggina, they also conceded an own goal through Francesco Cozza.

Juve coach Marcelo Lippi remained typically downbeat: “There’s no need to treat this match as a great triumph.”

Meanwhile, Como’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta means they are still without a win this season. They stay bottom.

Crespo sidelined for months | World Soccer

Inter striker Hernan Crespo could be out for monthsafter suffering a thigh injury in Sunday’s 2-0 Serie A win over Modena.

‘We don’t yet know the extent of the injury because there’s a lot of swelling, but it’s definitely some kind of muscle strain,’ Inter’s chief medical officer Franco Combi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Asked how long Crespo would take to recover, Combi said: ‘A long time -more than two months’

Crespo’s injury is a major blow to the Italian side especially as the Argentinian is in danger of missing Champions League matches against Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle. With fellow striker Christian Vieri out with a torn hamstring and Alvaro Recoba limping off during the match against Modena, coach Hector Cuper may be tempted to dip into the transfer market to secure temporary cover up front.

Beckenbbauer won't stand for FIFA presidency | World Soccer

Franz Beckenbauer has said he will not be standing for the FIFA presidency in 2006.

Beckenbauer has been widely tipped as a possible future leader of the international federation whose controversial president, Sepp Blatter, has said he will not seek re-election at congress on the eve of the next World Cup finals in Germany.

However Beckenbauer said: “I will not stand because I have too many other duties to attend to in the run-up to the World Cup finals on my own doorstep.”

Beckenbauer is president of Bayern Munich, a vice-president of the German federation and a key figure in the German domestic World Cup organising committee.
By Keir Radnedge

De Boer to retire at end of next season | World Soccer

Ronald De Boer will retire from football at the end of next season, according to his brother Frank.

Barcelona sweeper Frank has revealed because of his brother’s ongoing knee problems, there is little prospect of the pair playing together at club level again. The De Boers previously played together at Ajax and Barcelona before Ronald was transferred to Rangers two years ago.

The Rangers player has been dogged by a knee injury and consequently the Dutch brothers will not have the chance to link up with each other again.

Frank told The Daily Record: “I don’t think there will be a chance for me and Ronald to link up with each other again as he plans to retire next season.

“I speak with him almost every day and he seems pretty sure next season will be his last because of the situation with his knee.

“It’s his intention to play next season with Rangers and then hopefully go out on a high with Holland at Euro 2004.”

Bakke arrested for drink-driving | World Soccer

Leeds United midfielder Eirik Bakke is being held at a police station after being arrested and charged with drink-driving.

The 25-year-old Norweigan midfielder was arrested in the Allwoodly district of the city at in the early hours of Tuesday mornning.

After failing a breathalyser he was later charged with driving while “over the limit”.