Al Jazeera poised to enter 2012 bidding war for Premier League broadcasting rights

Al Jazeera is poised to enter the bidding for the rights to host live Premier League TV matches, The Sweeper can disclose. The Middle East-based media giant is keen to get a foothold in the Premier League market and is prepared to enter the auction to screen games from the start of the 2013-14 season when the tender process begins early next year.

Andre Villas-Boas insists the 'player-power' days at Chelsea are over

"I don't believe in arguing and revolting to find a way of going forward. I think the common cause present in any team is its objectives, in titles and success," the 33-year-old said in quotes printed by The Daily Mirror. "Regarding the way that people take their leadership style, I'm not that kind of person. That's not to say that style doesn't get results, because it has in the past, but I don't believe in that. It's just a different style

Real Madrid, Barcelona & the other clubs that could sign Brazilian sensation Neymar

Neymar himself has been allowed to develop as a player without moving to Europe too early, which has been the end of many a talented young player from South America. At just 19, the gifted youngster has plenty of time before he makes the inevitable move across continents.
The other beneficiary has been the national team. It’s the nature of Brazil – as in Argentina – that leagues in Europe are not followed to the same extent as the domestic ones. Therefore, players who impress in the local championships are the subjects of media campaigns to get them in the national team.

Wayne Rooney suspended for the start of a major tournament

Wayne Rooney may feel alone right now, but he isn't. The Manchester United man will miss the first three games of Euro 2012 after he was sent off in England's 2-2 draw at Montenegro in the sides' Group B qualifier last week.
However, he will not be the last to miss out on the start of a major competition. And he certainly isn't the first, either. Here, Goal.com looks at Rooney's case and nine other recent examples of players who have been forced to sit it out as their national sides do battle on the biggest of stages.

I won’t let mindless insults affect me – Adebayor

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor insists he won’t be affected by the abusive chants from Arsenal fans during Sunday’s north London derby. Adebayor has had to endure plenty of taunts from Arsenal supporters since he left the Gunners to join Manchester City in 2009, but the abuse reached a new low with songs about the gun attack on Togo’s team bus during the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

Mourinho gets two – match ban for eye poke

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will be banned for two matches for jabbing his finger into the eye of Barcelona’s assistant coach, the Spanish football federation said Wednesday. Suspension
Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova was banned for one match for responding to Mourinho by slapping him during a mass brawl in the final moments of Real Madrid’s Super Cup loss to Barcelona on August 17, the federation said.

Rodwell red card cancelled – FA

Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell has successfully appealed against the red card issued to him in last weekend’s Merseyside derby with Liverpool, the FA confirmed on Tuesday.
Rodwell was controversially sent off by referee Martin Atkinson after a 23rd minute challenge on Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez despite winning the ball cleanly.
Rodwell’s match tilted the game in Liverpool’s favour, with the Reds going on to win 2-0 at Goodison.
The three-match suspension against Rodwell has been scrapped in light of the successful appeal, an FA statement said

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo aims to break La Liga goal record again

There is debate over the amount Ronaldo tucked away as Marca claim it is 41, while Spain’s Professional Football League (LFP) gave a deflected free-kick goal from last September against Real Sociedad to team-mate Pepe. In any case, having picked up the trophy from Marca, the Portugal international intends to beat his own mark. "In football nothing is impossible and every record can be broken," the Portuguese is quoted as saying by Marca.

Barca warn France not to risk Abidal

Barcelona doctors on Tuesday warned France coach Laurent Blanc not to risk injured defender Eric Abidal in two key Euro 2012 qualifying matches.
Group D leader’s France have two remaining qualifiers against Albania on Friday and the potential table-topping decider against Bosnia-Herzegovina next Tuesday.
And Abidal has been selected by Blanc despite suffering a right thigh muscle strain playing in Barcelona’s 1-0 La Liga win over Gijon on Sunday.

Real Madrid’s Jose Maria Callejon: ‘Goal against Espanyol is my most bittersweet strike’

Callejon, though, refused to celebrate his effort as he held his hands together towards the Espanyol fans in respect, and has now expressed his feelings. "I'm happy with my goal and with the victory, but I must say it is probably the most bittersweet strike I've ever scored because it was against a club that's been my home,” Callejon is quoted as saying by Madrid’s official website. “I didn't celebrate the goal out of respect. I wish Espanyol all the best." Reflecting on their victory at Cornella-El Prat, Callejon stated: "We combined passes from start to finish and scored when we needed to

World Player of the Week: Frank Lampard - Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been under focus for much of this season, with pundits writing him off as past his best. At 33, the England international is not getting any younger, and the voices only grew louder when he was dropped for recent games by Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas.

However, Lampard has had a great time over the past seven or so days, exhibiting just why others rate him as one of the best players in Europe. He scored in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Mestalla in the Champions League in midweek, putting in an impressive performance in the process.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, Lampard hit his stride again as he netted a hat-trick in his side's 5-1 win against Bolton Wanderers. He was absolutely sensational throughout the match.

Bin Hammam loses bid to reclaim post

A bid by ousted Asian soccer chief Mohamed bin Hammam to block the appointment of his replacement has been denied by a sports arbitration court, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Monday.
The 62-year-old Qatari was handed a lifetime ban from the sport in July after he was found guilty of trying to buy votes in the FIFA presidential race by offering Caribbean football officials $40,000 each. He denies the charges.

Arsene Wenger gives up on Arsenal title hopes

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal cannot be regarded as title contenders after falling 12 points behind leaders Manchester United following their 2-1 defeat at north London rivals Tottenham.
Wenger endured another frustrating day as his side crashed to their fourth loss in seven league games at White Hart Lane.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic: My career is nearly over

However, the 30-year-old believes he can still play on for a little bit longer before calling it a day. "I am starting to get old, time has gone by fast, but I still want to play for another year or so," Ibrahimovic is quoted as saying by Sportbladet. "Now I feel more mature and I also have two children now. Time has flown by very quickly and I have changed many teams during my career.

AC Milan clash provides Juventus with first real acid test

More often than not, a meeting between the two sides "marks the race for the title". So proclaimed Alessandro Del Piero - in a more authoritative position than most to comment following his 18 years with the Turin giants - punctuated by a series of monumental clashes between the pair. Even if Del Piero was wary in claiming Sunday’s fixture will not be “decisive” in terms of this season’s title race, the prospect of opening up a six-point gap between the two is nevertheless an important one.JUVENTUS' SEASON SO FAR  It is a prospect of which Milan are particularly wary. Clarence Seedorf, like Del Piero the veteran of innumerable titanic tussles between the teams, has pointed to the galvanising effect the move to Juventus Stadium has had on the 27-time Scudetto winners. Juventus, it is widely acknowledged, in their new stadium finally have a place they can call home.

Napoli's clinical destruction of hamstrung Inter shows their Scudetto charge is more than just a dream

Walter Mazzarri's men made the most of the situation presented to them with a superbly professional attitude, the likes of which they have not often delivered in their 17 years of winless visits to the city of Milan. And it now throws them amongst the favourites to win the title for the first time in 22 years.

Norwich's Paul Lambert laments lack of finishing touch against Manchester United

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert expressed regrets over his team’s failure to be ruthless in front of goal following a 2-0 defeat by record-breaking Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Scot was left to rue missed chances, most notably one from winger Anthony Pilkington, before the Premier League champions took the lead through a close-range header by Brazilian midfielder Anderson before Danny Welbeck sealed victory late on. “It is a fabulous arena to play football in but if you get chances you have got to take them because if you don’t there is always a chance that will come back to bite you and that is what happened to us,” Lambert told reporters in his post-match press conference. “It is not rocket science. Man United are one of the best teams in Europe let alone Britain and the magnitude of the club is huge because of the way Sir Alex Ferguson has built it and they have fabulous players.

Inter's Claudio Ranieri accuses referee Gianluca Rocchi of 'ruining' Napoli game

After an exciting start to proceedings, controversy ensued just before half time as Napoli were awarded a penalty. Inter midfielder Joel Obi was shown a second yellow card for a challenge adjudged to be made inside the penalty area and was given his marching orders.
 His coach also suffered the same fate after protesting the decision to send off the Nigerian, and the former Roma boss was critical of the referee's overall performance on the night.

Arsene Wenger keen on 15 more years as Arsenal manager

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is targeting another 15 years in charge of the club and insists that he misses winning titles with the Gunners having gone almost six years without a trophy. Wenger was appointed manager of the north London club back in 1996 and, having received the backing of chief executive Ivan Gazidis last week, the former Monaco boss is hoping to prolong his stay at the Emirates Stadium for a good few years yet.

Eagles vs Guinea: Osaze’s form worries Coach

With less than five days to the decisive African Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Syli Stars of Guinea, West Btom Coach, Roy Hodgson has admitted that he was troubled by the early season poor form of Osaze Odemwingie, who is set to lead Eagles attack this Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium
Nigeria need to beat Guinea with a clear two goals margin to guarantee their place at the tournament to be jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. And to do that, Coach Samson Siasia, who has already lost Voctor Anichebe to injury, will need all the experience of Osaze in front of goal.
Last season, the Nigerian emerged the revelation of the year, after moving from Lokomotiv Moscow, , scoring 15 goals as West Brom finished 11th on the table. He also played a vital role in Nigeria’s run at the 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup in South Africa.