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FIFA call meeting to discuss play-off controversy

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:18:04 GMT

Sepp Blatter has called a crisis meeting of FIFA chiefs following Republic of Ireland's controversial World Cup exit at the hands of France but the world governing body is not considering a U-turn over their decision to refuse a replay.

Standard boss hopes to exploit Arsenal weakness

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:08:40 GMT

Standard Liege coach Laszlo Boloni has always been full of admiration for Arsene Wenger's football vision but feels his current young Arsenal side may be lacking something in their quest for European glory.

Kevin Nolan strike sees Newcastle return to summit

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:01:11 GMT

Kevin Nolan strike sees Newcastle return to summit

David James upbeat despite latest injury concern

Reuters — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:52:38 GMT

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has played down the latest injury he suffered in the warm-up for Sunday's Premier League game at Stoke City.

Barca to make decision on Ibrahimovic and Messi

Reuters — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:40:33 GMT

Barcelona will decide on Tuesday whether to risk Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi in their Champions League clash with Inter Milan at the Nou Camp.

Benitez believes Liverpool can produce a miracle

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:09:46 GMT

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool can amaze Europe again and make sure of unlikely Champions League qualification.

Jermain Defoe reveals Champions League dream

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:11:48 GMT

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has revealed his determination to play in the Champions League and believes winning the Golden Boot this season will help his side qualify for Europe's top club competition.

Baroni out, Malesani in at Serie A strugglers Siena

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:15:02 GMT

Siena have sacked Marco Baroni after less than a month at the helm and replaced him with Alberto Malesani until the end of the season.

Palermo turn to Delio Rossi after Zenga dismissal

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:54:11 GMT

Palermo have named Delio Rossi as their new coach, just hours after parting company with Walter Zenga in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw against Catania.

Ipswich Town reject Roy Keane sacking reports

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:29 GMT

Ipswich have denied reports that manager Roy Keane is set to lose his job at Portman Road.

Fabregas swats aside new Barcelona rumours

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:49 GMT

Despite renewed speculation regarding a possible return to Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas has stated he is unwilling to become a pawn in the club's presidential campaign and has hinted he could spend the remainder of his career with Arsenal.

Woods named as Newell replacement at Grimsby

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:50:11 GMT

Grimsby have appointed Neil Woods as their new manager until the end of the 2010-11 season.

Wigan players to refund fans after Spurs slaughter

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:48:12 GMT

Wigan Athletic's playing staff have offered to reimburse all supporters who suffered the trauma of witnessing in person their 9-1 destruction at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Match-fixing probe unrelated to 2005 controversy

Reuters — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:07:42 GMT

Europe's biggest match-fixing scandal has nothing to do with Germany's 2005 illegal betting affair, according to the country's soccer chief.

Smith seeks explanation from no-show Bougherra

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:41:11 GMT

Rangers manager Walter Smith is still waiting for an explanation from Madjid Bougherra for his late return from international duty.

Hart vents fury at Algeria following late arrivals

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:25:20 GMT

Paul Hart has angrily denounced the Algerian FA for their "disgraceful" behaviour regarding Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda during the international break.

Palermo boss Zenga sacked after Catania draw

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:04:06 GMT

Palermo have sacked Walter Zenga after Sunday's 1-1 draw against Catania which extended the Sicilian outfit's winless run to four games.

Vela potential means Wenger will ignore Chamakh

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Arsene Wenger will not renew his interest in Marouane Chamakh in January as he feels the void left by Robin van Persie's injury can be filled by Carlos Vela - a striker the Arsenal boss is hoping to tie to a new contract.

Kiev star Khacheridi misses Group F climax

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:26:30 GMT

Dynamo Kiev defender Evgen Khacheridi has been ruled out until the end of 2009 after breaking his toe in Ukraine's World Cup play-off defeat to Greece last week.

Liverpool fly to Hungary without Torres and Babel

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:20:46 GMT

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel will miss Liverpool's potentially decisive Champions League game against Debrecen on Tuesday night, with both players absent from the travelling party that departed England on Monday morning.

Del Bosque agrees contract extension with Spain

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:36:48 GMT

Vicente del Bosque will sign a two-year contract extension to stay on as Spain coach until 2012, RFEF president Angel Maria Villar has confirmed.

Struggling Bayern Munich are "lame", says Lahm

soccernet.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:55:46 GMT

Philipp Lahm described Bayern Munich's form as "sick'' after another disappointing display against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday.

Henry considered quitting over handball outcry

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:46:54 GMT

Thierry Henry has claimed that the vitriolic response to his handball against Republic of Ireland led him to consider his future at international level.

Bolton chief Gartside won't panic despite slump

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:38:36 GMT

Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside is not ready to press the "panic button" despite a poor run of form that has left the club in the Premier League relegation zone.

Zaki courts controversy over Portsmouth rejection

Soccernet staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:55:10 GMT

Amr Zaki has astonishingly claimed that he will not consider signing for Portsmouth on the grounds that they employ two Israelis - Tal Ben Haim and Avram Grant - as well as an Algerian in the form of Nadir Belhadj.