Harry Redknapp sacked as Tottenham boss

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has left the club after almost four years in charge. The veteran manager had a year left on his contract but reportedly failed to agree a new deal with chairman Daniel Levy.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Spurs and am proud of my achievements," Redknapp said on the Spurs website  .

"I have had a fantastic four years with the club, at times the football has been breathtaking. I am sad to be leaving but wish to thank the players, staff and fans for their terrific support during my time there."

Daniel Levy released an official statement on the club’s website to confirm this.

He said: "This is not a decision the board and I have taken lightly. Harry arrived at the club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed.#

"This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the Club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution. Harry will always be welcome at the Lane."

Redknapp, who left Portsmouth for Tottenham in 2008, guided the club to their first-ever Champions League campaign in 2010. He was heavily linked with the England job before Roy Hodgson was appointed by the Football Association.

Chelsea completes Hazard deal

 Chelsea completes transfer of Lille midfielder Eden Hazard

Chelsea have completed a deal to sign Belgium international Eden Hazard from French side Lille.

The 21 year old midfielder has passed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Blues.

"When they won the Champions League I told myself, 'Why not Chelsea?'," said Hazard.

"There was a struggle between Chelsea and [Manchester] United but, for me, Chelsea has the best project. It's a wonderful club."

 "The [Chelsea] team is young and I have a better chance to play there. "If I play well enough at Chelsea, I could win my place in the starting team."

Hazard won the league and cup double with Lille in 2010-11 and, in his final season at the Ligue 1 club, he scored 21 goals in 48 games. He also  scored a hat-trick in his last game for Lille against Nancy last month

Eden Hazard is the second major addition to Chelsea after the German international Marko Marin

I'll kill anyone who throws banana at me - Balotelli

The Italian striker Mario Balotelli has warned he would walk out of Euro 2012 if abused racially and would also kill anyone who throws a banana at him on the pitch or in the street during the  finals in Poland and Ukraine.

The Manchester City forward was recently subjected to racist abuse during Manchester City’s Europa Leage’s game with Porto in February. The 21-year old was also pelted with bananas in 2009 in a Rome bar. 

Describing the incident he said: "There were two or three boys, and it was lucky that the police arrived quickly because, I swear, I would have beaten them. "I would have really destroyed them. I hope it will not happen again because if someone throws a banana at me in the street, I will go to jail, because I will kill them."

He continued: "Let's see what happens at the Euros. I hope it will pass without a problem. I really couldn't deal with that.
"I will not accept it at all. If it should happen again, I will leave the pitch immediately and I will go back home.

"It's 2012 and it is unacceptable. Sometimes when you are strong as a player, people have to find other ways to make you angry. 
"They think the only way to hurt you is to provoke you."

England to test Goal-line Technology during friendly match at Wembley

Goal-Line Technology (GLT) is to be tested live on June 2 when England hosts Belgium in a friendly match at the Wembley stadium.

A camera based system known as the Hawk-eye system will be installed at the national stadium for the match, and will be monitored by independent testers. However, the technology will not have an impact contentious goal decision during the match.

This will be the second live test following the test done earlier this month at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium during the Hampshire Senior Cup final. The technology is expected to be approved by July 2 if the tests are successful.

There has been increased calls for goal-line technology with many controversial decisions marring a number of high profile games last season.

Chelsea player, Juan Mata was awarded a goal that did not cross the line when the Blues trashed Tottenham 5-1 in the FA Cup semi-final on 15 April.

QPR defender Clint Hill’s header crossed the line before Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan pushed the ball back into play when Bolton defeated QPR 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium on 10 March.

Andy Carroll also believed he has equalised for Liverpool against Chelsea, when his header crossed the line in the FA Cup final.

FIFA said in a statement: "Such tests could lead to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) approving the introduction of GLT at its special meeting at the beginning of July.

"Only the EMPA observers, IFAB and FIFA representatives at Wembley will have access to the GLT system readings.

"Therefore, should a goal-line incident occur at this or any of the 'test' matches, the system will not be utilised by the match officials. It means the GLT system will have no influence on the outcome of the matches in which the system is being tested.

"FIFA would like to place on record its sincere thanks to the Football Association for their willingness to support the live match tests, a critical part of Test Phase 2 for goal-line technology."

 

Roberto Di Matteo to quit Chelsea over one year deal

Chelsea interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has hinted he will quit the club unless he is offered a permanent contract by club owner Roman Abramovich according to a Sun report. The Italian seems to have grown sick of his uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.

The 41 year old, who won the Champions League for Chelsea after 11 weeks in charge is discouraged by the speculations that he will be offered only a 12-month deal with his position to be reviewed next summer. But Di Matteo believes he has done enough to earn the position on a permanent basis and is not prepared to go on trial for another year.

The former Chelsea player is aware that his reputation has been enhanced in recent months after Champions League and FA Cup glory and he believes he will not be short of offers should he leave.

However, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay insists that Di Matteo has a very good chance of getting the job on a permanent basis after his outstanding achievements this season.

Ron Gourlay said "The fact that he has the Champions League on his CV helps him enormously. I know there has been speculation in the press and media about conversations with 'XYZ,'

"That has not been the case. We will sit down as a board of directors with our owner as quickly as we can and take our decision from there. We are going through that process now and then we'll sit down... it's only been a couple of days [since the season ended]," said Gourlay.

"The players report back on July 4. In an ideal world we’d want the coach by then. We know Robbie could go somewhere else” he continued

“But he’s known how we were going to handle this. He’s aware as soon as we’re ready to talk, in the next few days or the next few weeks, Robbie will be the first to have the conversation.

But Gourlay added: “The owner and board will decide the best way forward.”

Senior Chelsea stars have already given Di Matteo their backing after his 11 weeks as interim manager.

Torres is Chelsea future says Drogba

Didier Drogba believes Fernando Torres will step up and lead Chelsea to glory in future despite his difficult start at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivorian striker confirmed on Tuesday that the he will be leaving the West London Club this summer when his contract expires, but he is confident there is someone ready to step up and replace him.

Fernando Torres, who was signed from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50m has already revealed his frustration with life at Stamford Bridge. However, Drogba believes the Spaniard will prove himself next season.

"Next season is going to be his season and I will try to speak to him. We have a good relationship. We don't understand why we didn't play together more, but that's the past. Torres is the future,"  Drogba told BBC.

"It's been difficult for him, but he has showed he is the man. Next season is going to be his season and I will try to speak to him."

The 34 year old striker also commented on his decision to leave Stamford Bridge after a successful eight-year spell.

He  said: "I think winning the game was the key. Not me scoring the penalty. Winning the game was the turning point, that's why I have decided to say goodbye.

"We made the story together and I want people to remember that. This is the best time to move on.

"Yes, there's a chance that if the result was different, maybe I would be here. We were talking for many weeks, but the turning point was based on the fact I won everything I could and scored in most of the finals we have played, trying to make a difference. I hope everyone will understand. Everything I did was for the fans and I hope they understand."

Nasri Mocks Arsenal following City's EPL Success

Manchester City player Samir Nasri has hit out at his former club Arsenal, while celebrating his first English Premier League Trophy, accusing them of settling for the second best. The Midfielder was part of the history making City side that were crowned EPL champions for the first time in 44 years after a dramatic 3-2 win over QPR.

Nasri joined Manchester City last summer for £24 million and was heavily critisiced by the Gunners fans claiming he joined the blue side of Manchester to double his earnings. However, the French Star feels his club’s recent success has justified his move, because he has refused to settle for the less

In an interview with French TV channel TF1 he said: "People at Arsenal tried to make out that I came here for the money,

"I hope they are watching me now, collecting my Premier League winner’s medal. I believe they have not won a trophy for many years now.

"If all that I was interested in was money, the easiest decision would have been to stay at Arsenal, picking up my money every week and walking into the team.

"There are many people doing this right now at Arsenal.

"I made the hard choice to come and fight for my place at a big club, where they never settle for second best, and I have proved it correct.

"I now hope the Arsenal fans can get on with their lives and forget me, they should celebrate their third-place achievement and I will focus on winning titles."

Mancini: City Continue 'Stupid' Spending

Manchester City Manager Roberto Mancini maintains his squad needs to be reinforced this summer for the club to retain their Premier League title and also challenge for the Champions League trophy. The Italian wants to build on this season Premier League’s success and win the Champions League next season.

The Club Chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak feels the squad is already strong and there’s no need to spend lavishly like the previous summers. However, Mancini said: "Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money. I think for Manchester City it must be the same. We must spend to compete with them.

Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Fergusson has earlier described his ‘noisy’ neighbour’s spending as stupid. Speaking at the club’s Player of the Year awards dinner, he said: “"We invest in young players. That is what we are good at – we're not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods. We know that City are going to spend fortunes, pay stupid money, pay silly salaries and all that.

Mancini has plans to sign Arsenal Striker Robin van Persie and Lille’s Eden Hazard, but the club must sell first in order to comply with the UEFA’s financial fair play regulations. Manchester City last year recorded a loss of £197 and could balance their books by offloading the likes of Adam Johnson, Eden Dzeko, Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez.

Nine Players Set For Arsenal Exit

1. Manuel Almunia

Manuel Almunia became the first-choice goal keeper after the departure of Jens Lehnman and has worn the Arsenal skipper’s band on several occasions. But his run of poor performances have sent him down the pecking order behind Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski.

2. Lukas Fabianski

Lukasz Fabianski has been frustrated with the lack of first team opportunities having lost his place Wojciech Szczesny both at Arsenal and in Poland National team. The Polish international has not made Premier League appearance since January 2011

3. Sébastien Squillaci

Sébastien Squillaci joined Arsenal from Sevilla following the departure of William Gallas in the summer of 2010. But the French international failed to impress when given the chance. With Thomas Vermaleen and Laurent Koscienly back to fitness and with the arrival of Per Mertesacker from Wender Bremen, there seems to be no room for French centre back.

4. Denilson

The 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder struggled to make the starting line up at Arsenal and was sent on loan to Sao Paulo last summer. He is bound to leave Arsenal permanently at the end of the season after his jersey No15 has been given to the rising star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

5. Maroune Chamackh

Following an impressive career with Bordeaux, Arsenal landed the Moroccan international on a Free Transfer in 2010. He has however lost form after a good start in Arsenal. The Moroccan international has only scored once in 15 apperances for Arsenal this season. Arsenal is likely to accept a bid in the range of £5-6m for the striker. 

6. Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela who is currently on loan with Real Sociedad has hit a good form at the Spanish club and has been quoted saying "I don't want to return to Arsenal. I have asked my agent to negotiate with Arsenal to stay here." The Mexican international signed for Arsenal in 2005, but has failed to seal a permanent starting place in the Arsene Wenger's side.

7. Nicklas Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner is currently on loan at Sunderland and may likely secure a permanent deal or move to the Bundesliga.


8 Chu-Young Park

Chu-Young Park moved to Arsenal in a £3million move from Monaco last summer and could quit the North London club this summer after failing to establish himself at the Emirates.

The South Korean striker has made just five appearances since his arrival, scoring one goal, and his agent Morana was quoted saying "If the current state continues, we will have to look at the transfer market in the summer."

9. Andrei Arshavin

Andrey Arshavin joined Arsenal from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2009 and had an impressive first season with the Arsene Wenger’s Side. But after a run of poor performances he secured a loan move  to his former club Zenit. He is likely to make the deal permanent or switch to rich Russian outfits Anzhi Makhachkala

Spanish and Madrid legend Raul signs for Al Sadd

Spain veteran striker Raul Gonzalez has left German club Schalke 04 and has signed with Qatari side Al Sadd. Raul became the fans' hero in Schalke where he netted 27 times in 63 appearances.  Raul announced several weeks ago of his intention to leave the German club at the end of the season. 

Raul signs for Al Sadd

Al Sadd officially confirmed his signing at a press conference yesterday with Mr.Jassim Alrumihi  the club's General Secretary and Mr. Mohamed Ghanim the Football Director in attendance.


Raul left Real Madrid for Schalke 04 in 2010 and he won the German Cup and reached the semifinals of the Champions League in his first season with the club.


The Spanish legend was in the stands Saturday to watch Al Gharrafa beat Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties in the Emir Cup.

Raul has joined the list of ageing stars ending their careers in the rich Arab region.