Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Pompey's week of destiny
In a campaign that has seen the club teeter on the brink of collapse on more than one occasion, the fat lady may yet have chance to exercise her vocal chords should a High Court hearing go against Portsmouth this week.
With reported debts of up to £60 million the south coast club go to the High Court on Wednesday to try to prevent HM Revenue and Customs winding them up in pursuit of £7 million in unpaid taxes.
Pompey are only operating thanks to other 'soft' creditors refusing to call in their loans immediately, with former owner Alexandre Gaydamak being one of them. But HMRC are tired of debt ridden football clubs being slack with their tax bills and are unwilling to give the club more time.
To add to their week of uncertainty new owner Balram Chainrai will be grilled by Premier League chiefs in a fit-and-proper persons test to formally approve his takeover.
Chainrai, a Hong Kong businessman, seized control of the club from Ali al-Faraj last week in an effort to protect a £17 million loan he made to save the club earlier in the year.
He is reportedly keen to sell the club as soon as possible as he has no interest in football ownership, but potential buyers are reluctant to come forward while the club is in such a perilous state.
Should the hearing go against them on Wednesday and they are forced to pay up administration might be the only option for the club. The resulting nine-point penalty would all but confirm their relegation, while the embarrassment of a member of the world's richest league befalling such a fate should at least force the authorities into some action.
However, even if the club does manage to avoid a points deduction the football odds suggest they will be playing in the Championship next season anyway.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has promised a thorough investigation of the takeover and he revealed new rules that come into force next month will force all clubs to disclose whether they have enough funds to operate and to handover authorised audited accounts to ensure financial transparency. Sadly for Portsmouth it too little too late.
Like any occasion where tragedy has to strike before preventative measures are put in place, Portsmouth are now a sorry new benchmark of how not to run a football club. And while the club's owners share the blame, the Premier League must take their share of responsibility for allowing these people to get in control in the first place.
On the pitch, the forthcoming Premier League fixtures might offer Portsmouth a chance of redemption as they face Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley in their next three games.
However, they will need to take all nine points if they are to have any chance of staying up.
With reported debts of up to £60 million the south coast club go to the High Court on Wednesday to try to prevent HM Revenue and Customs winding them up in pursuit of £7 million in unpaid taxes.
Pompey are only operating thanks to other 'soft' creditors refusing to call in their loans immediately, with former owner Alexandre Gaydamak being one of them. But HMRC are tired of debt ridden football clubs being slack with their tax bills and are unwilling to give the club more time.
To add to their week of uncertainty new owner Balram Chainrai will be grilled by Premier League chiefs in a fit-and-proper persons test to formally approve his takeover.
Chainrai, a Hong Kong businessman, seized control of the club from Ali al-Faraj last week in an effort to protect a £17 million loan he made to save the club earlier in the year.
He is reportedly keen to sell the club as soon as possible as he has no interest in football ownership, but potential buyers are reluctant to come forward while the club is in such a perilous state.
Should the hearing go against them on Wednesday and they are forced to pay up administration might be the only option for the club. The resulting nine-point penalty would all but confirm their relegation, while the embarrassment of a member of the world's richest league befalling such a fate should at least force the authorities into some action.
However, even if the club does manage to avoid a points deduction the football odds suggest they will be playing in the Championship next season anyway.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has promised a thorough investigation of the takeover and he revealed new rules that come into force next month will force all clubs to disclose whether they have enough funds to operate and to handover authorised audited accounts to ensure financial transparency. Sadly for Portsmouth it too little too late.
Like any occasion where tragedy has to strike before preventative measures are put in place, Portsmouth are now a sorry new benchmark of how not to run a football club. And while the club's owners share the blame, the Premier League must take their share of responsibility for allowing these people to get in control in the first place.
On the pitch, the forthcoming Premier League fixtures might offer Portsmouth a chance of redemption as they face Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley in their next three games.
However, they will need to take all nine points if they are to have any chance of staying up.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Boss, Craig Levein, says Scots have 'fighting chance' in Euro 2012 Group I
Scotland has Spain, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein in Group I. Spain looks clear to top the group, but Scotland and the Czech Republic should fight for the second spot and the playoff that comes with it.
Via Soccerway News
Via Soccerway News
Wales ready to face England in Euro 2012 Group G
Wales boss John Toshack is content with the Euro 2012 draw -- England, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro -- and he believes that the fans are exited with the chance to face off against The Three Lions. Speaking to the media he noted:
"Drawing England will please all the Welsh fans - plenty of history there and we like nothing better than another chance against the old enemy!"
Via BBC Sport
"Drawing England will please all the Welsh fans - plenty of history there and we like nothing better than another chance against the old enemy!"
Via BBC Sport
Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Internazionale - Inter Milan want to bring in Liverpool's Steven Gerrard
Friday, February 5, 2010
Swiss Super League: Basel and Young Boys square off in an important match
This weekend's matches...
FC St. Gallen - FC Sion
FC Zürich Neuchâtel - Xamax FC
FC Aarau - AC Bellinzona
FC Basel 1893 - BSC Young Boys
FC Luzern - Grasshopper Club
+ Basel will edge closer to Young Boys who sit at the top the table with a win.
FC St. Gallen - FC Sion
FC Zürich Neuchâtel - Xamax FC
FC Aarau - AC Bellinzona
FC Basel 1893 - BSC Young Boys
FC Luzern - Grasshopper Club
+ Basel will edge closer to Young Boys who sit at the top the table with a win.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
U.S. Men call 23 to prepare for friendly against El Salvador in Tampa this month.
23 players called into camp for the February showdown with El Salvador, friendly style, in Tampa, Florida.
GOALKEEPERS: Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA).
DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Orozco (Philadelphia Union), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).
FORWARDS: Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake).
GOALKEEPERS: Troy Perkins (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA).
DEFENDERS: Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Michael Orozco (Philadelphia Union), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew).
FORWARDS: Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake).
NCAA Women's Soccer Freshman Fall '10: Girls soccer players sign letters of intent [Running List]
Please post in the comment section the names of players and the colleges they signed with. Also, post links to news stories. Soccer City FC will continue to update the list. Thank you.
+ Allie Beahan (Eastlake, WA) - Washington
+ Lindsay Elston (Eastlake, WA) - Washington
+ Courtney Pixler (Eastlake, WA) - Alabama
+ Emily Hurd (Eastlake, WA) - Penn State
+ Kellie Shreve (Eastlake, WA) - Gonzaga
+ Candice Osei-Ogyemang (Eastlake, WA) - Penn
+ Lindsey Bos (Archbishop Murphy of Everett, WA) - Washington
+ Annie Sittauer (Everett, WA) - Washington
+ Hillary Zevenbergen (King's of Shoreline, WA) - Washington
+ Molly Boyd (Nathan Hale, WA) - Washington
+ Brianna Sweeney (Woodinville, WA) - Washington
+ Morgan Swanson (Stadium of Tacoma, WA) - Washington
+ Holland Crook (Beamer of Federal Way, WA) - Arizona State
+ Kate Bennett (Bellevue, WA) - California
+ Rachel Bindl (Kentwood, WA) - Montana
+ Kristin Maris (Issaquah, WA) - Western Washington
+ Sierra Keeler (Seattle Academy, WA) - Colorado College
+ Allie Beahan (Eastlake, WA) - Washington
+ Lindsay Elston (Eastlake, WA) - Washington
+ Courtney Pixler (Eastlake, WA) - Alabama
+ Emily Hurd (Eastlake, WA) - Penn State
+ Kellie Shreve (Eastlake, WA) - Gonzaga
+ Candice Osei-Ogyemang (Eastlake, WA) - Penn
+ Lindsey Bos (Archbishop Murphy of Everett, WA) - Washington
+ Annie Sittauer (Everett, WA) - Washington
+ Hillary Zevenbergen (King's of Shoreline, WA) - Washington
+ Molly Boyd (Nathan Hale, WA) - Washington
+ Brianna Sweeney (Woodinville, WA) - Washington
+ Morgan Swanson (Stadium of Tacoma, WA) - Washington
+ Holland Crook (Beamer of Federal Way, WA) - Arizona State
+ Kate Bennett (Bellevue, WA) - California
+ Rachel Bindl (Kentwood, WA) - Montana
+ Kristin Maris (Issaquah, WA) - Western Washington
+ Sierra Keeler (Seattle Academy, WA) - Colorado College
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Chicago Fire bring two rookies into camp
The Chicago Fire have undrafted free agents Mark Blades and Jovan Bubonja in camp.
Via Soccer By Ives
Via Soccer By Ives
Monday, February 1, 2010
Looks like Kenya international McDonald Mariga will not be going to Manchester City due to work permit issues
I guess playing in the majority of your nation's international matches this year plus for a club (Parma) in a top league (Serie A) is just not enough these days.
Official: Manchester City add Adam Johnson
The club announced via official website that Adam Johnson has joined from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee after agreeing to terms and passing his medical.
He is now on City's books through June 2014.
He is now on City's books through June 2014.
Transfer Rumours Update: Kenya international McDonald Mariga joins Manchester City waiting on work permit issues
City boss Roberto Mancini lands McDonald Mariga via Parma. The clubs are waiting on work permit issues to be resolved.
Via Daily Mail
Via Daily Mail
