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Saturday Fulham Stuff (20.03.10)

Started by White Noise, March 19, 2010, 08:33:32 PM

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White Noise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/19/juventus-fulham-italian-press-reaction

Italian press rounds on 'total flop' Juventus after Fulham humiliation

'Those who failed must pay,' thunders Tuttosport editor


Cannavaro's role as captain of Italy called into question


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Paolo Bandini guardian.co.uk,

Friday 19 March 2010 15.10 GMT


Tuttosport made its point loud and clear. "You should be ashamed," read the oversized banner stretched across the front of the Turin-based newspaper's website this morning and the paper and ink version was no more forgiving in the wake of last night's 4-1 defeat at Fulham. "A total flop," read the front-page headline. Just below that was a leader piece written by the editor, Paolo de Paola, titled "Those who have failed must pay".

"This is the last station. The end of the line," writes De Paola. "Juventus's year has been a total flop in which the ownership, club and team are all implicated. All of them. Reacting to the situation and working to find the solution is now obligatory. The ship is full of leaks: every sector needs to be looked at because in every one there is disfunction and holes."

De Paola's list of grievances is long – from the club's failure to appoint a permanent president ("because we all know very well that the role is only temporarily being filled by Jean-Claude Blanc) to the appointment of such an inexperienced manager as Ciro Ferrara at the beginning of the season. Either way his focus was squarely on Juventus's failings rather than Fulham's achievements. As, indeed, were most of the rest of the Italian press.

"Europa League nightmare, Juve choose suicide," was the headline in Il Giornale and the universal sentiment was that the Italian side's wounds were entirely self-inflicted. There was universal agreement that the penalty award had been harsh but even then many pointed out that Fabio Cannavaro might have given away another before he saw red.

"Juve did everything they could to throw away qualification to the quarter-finals and, in the end, they managed it," wrote Riccardo Signori in Il Giornale. In La Repubblica Fabrizio Bocca took up a common theme by insisting that Fulham were "certainly not a club of the very top level", while La Gazzetta dello Sport's writers described Roy Hodgson's side on numerous occasions as "modest".

Just as Inter's win over Chelsea had been held up as a triumph for all of Italy to celebrate, so this defeat was seen as a savage blow to the whole country's pride. "Slapped down by Fulham, a result that hurts very, very much," wrote Bocca in La Repubblica. "Not only for Juventus, but for all of Italian football: which not only loses precious Uefa coefficient points, but is quite simply humiliated. This was a worse showing even than the 4-0 defeat of Milan at Old Trafford. There, at least, the opponent was a great Manchester United."

Gazzetta's Alessandro de Calò, meanwhile, was keen to consider the implications for the national side this summer in South Africa. "The unknown Bobby Zamora provoked [Fabio Cannavaro] with his words before the game, causing the Italy captain's blood to boil. We were expecting a reaction filled with pride, a great match worthy of a Ballon d'Or winner and at the levels of the last World Cup. Sadly, Cannavaro opened the way for the English with first a slip to gift Fulham's first to Zamora, then his red card.

"The question becomes a national one because Cannavaro's flop looks like a metaphor for what could happen in South Africa to the glorious "old-fashioned" group which remains tied to [the Italy coach] Marcello Lippi."

Only in the player ratings was there any real discussion of Fulham's players, with Gazzetta's Francesco Bramardo naming Zoltan Gera as man of the match, but saving his kindest words for Zamora. "He tried everything he could think of, he turned defenders' heads and he found the equaliser," says Bramardo. "He also had a hand in Gera's first. Not by chance is he the team's top scorer."

White Noise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/19/squad-sheets-fulham-manchester-city

Squad sheets: Fulham v Manchester City  

(1)Tweet this (7)guardian.co.uk,

Friday 19 March 2010 18.05


This will inevitably feel like an afternoon after the Lord Mayor's show given Fulham's astonishing elimination of Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday night, though the hosts will benefit from fresh minds with the likes of Danny Murphy and Jonathan Greening available after European suspension. The visitors arguably have more pressing league priorities, but they arrive at Craven Cottage with only one win from their last six games in all competitions – albeit at nearby the dark side – and can ill afford to concede more points in their pursuit of fourth place. Yet no side has won at Fulham since January. Theirs is a daunting task. Dominic Fifield

Venue Craven Cottage, Sunday 3pm

Tickets £45-60 (0870 442 1234)

Last season Fulham 1 Manchester City 1

Referee L Probert

This season's matches 17 Y61, R4, 3.82 cards per game

Odds Fulham 12-5 Manchester City 11-8 Draw 23-10

Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Fulham
Subs from Zuberbühler, Smalling, Kelly, Shorey, Stoor, Teymourian, Riise, Okaka, Greening, Elm, Dikgacoi, Dempsey, Nevland, Marsh-Brown

Doubtful Elm (virus), Etuhu (leg)

Injured Paintsil (knee, 2 Apr), A Johnson (knee, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide LDWWDW

Disciplinary record Y33 R1

Leading scorer Zamora 8

Manchester City
Subs from Taylor, Touré, Vieira, Onuoha, Boyata, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Sylvinho, Ibrahim, Santa Cruz

Doubtful None

Injured Petrov (knee, 24 Mar), Bridge (groin, 24 Apr), M Johnson (knee, Aug)

Suspended Adebayor (third of four)

Form guide DWDDWL

Disciplinary record Y41 R2

Leading scorer Tevez 15

Match pointers
• This will be the 50th league meeting between these sides – Manchester City currently lead the way with 21 wins to Fulham's 15

• The scorer of the first goal has not won any of the last six meetings in all competitions between these sides

• City have the best shooting accuracy in the top flight, hitting the target with 49% of their shots

• 69% of Fulham's goals have come in the second half, the largest share in the division

• If selected, Shay Given will be making his 400th Premier League appearance

White Noise

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/19/europa-league-draw-liverpool

Fulham face Wolfsburg in Europa League quarter-finals

• Stunning win earns tie against German champions

• Liverpool draw Portugal's Benfica

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Paul Coupar guardian.co.uk,

Friday 19 March 2010 12.32


Fulham's reward for their stunning victory over Juventus is a Europa League quarter-final with the German side Wolfsburg.

Fulham recovered from losing the first leg 3-1 and conceding an early goal in the second leg at Craven Cottage to grab a memorable 5-4 aggregate win on Thursday.

Today they were drawn to face the Bundesliga champions in the last eight, with the first leg at home and a potential semi-final against either Hamburg or Standard Liège to follow.

In the other quarter-finals, Liverpool take on Benfica with the second leg at Anfield. The winner of that tie will face the winner of the all-Spanish match between Valencia and Atlético Madrid.

Fulham's Clint Dempsey was confident they could go further. "Can we go all the way? Why not? If you work hard and you believe, there's always a chance. And I believe," said the American.

"We're a team that has a lot of character and that has a lot of heart. Everybody thought it was over when we went 1-0 down but the character and the heart of the guys began to show, we fought back and to get the result we did was incredible.

"We're getting stronger and stronger, and hopefully we can push further in this competition."

The Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is wary of the threat posed by Benfica having previously been knocked out of Europe by them. Four years ago the Portuguese side ended Liverpool's hopes of becoming the first side to win back-to-back Champions League titles when they lost 3-0 over two legs.

Benfica are currently three points clear at the top of the Portuguese Liga and Benítez will not underestimate their last-eight opponents, who include Pablo Aimar, who Benítez managed at Valencia.

"We know they are a good team and, of course, we have played them before in the Champions League," said the Liverpool manager.

"They are a massive club with a lot of support from their fans and it will be a tough game. They are top of the table and playing really well at the moment. I know a number of their players well – Aimar, Javier Saviola, Javi García – so we know they have a lot of quality."

Benítez has got his preferred schedule, with the away leg first but he is concerned the Anfield may not intimidate Benfica as it has other visiting sides in recent years.

Benfica won 2-0 on Merseyside back in 2006 and the Liverpool manager believes that will give their opponents confidence.

"It's always important that the second leg is at home in front of our fans," he added. "Because we have played Benfica before they will know Anfield and so may not be as scared as other teams."

Should they get through Liverpool will face either Valencia or the striker Fernando Torres's former club Atlético Madrid in the semi-finals.

Quarter-finals

Fulham v Wolfsburg

Hamburg v Standard Liège

Valencia v Atlético Madrid

Benfica v Liverpool

Semi-finals

Fulham/Wolfsburg v Hamburg/Standard Liege

Valencia/Atletico Madrid v Liverpool/Benfica


White Noise

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/portsmouth/article7067788.ece


Portsmouth consider fielding weakened teams in final Premier League games


Grant says he has a duty to his club alone and not the rest of the Premier League


Nick Szczepanik

Avram Grant, the Portsmouth manager, could field weakened teams in his team's nine remaining Barclays Premier League matches now that the nine-point deduction imposed for the club entering administration has made relegation all but certain.

Grant will hold a meeting with his squad at the training ground today to discuss the implications of the points deduction and has not ruled out resting players, with the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur or Fulham in mind.

That could cause consternation among rival clubs who are hoping that Portsmouth aim to be competitive until the end of the season. With matches against Hull City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth could have a say in events at either end of the table.

But Grant rejected the suggestion that they have a duty to other clubs after the Premier League imposed what he considers to be an unfair punishment for the club's move into administration. "The Premier League has a duty to the other teams," he said. "We have a duty to Portsmouth and I have a duty to football.

"I think the PL are embarrassed by Portsmouth and it's not their fault — they didn't create this situation. But I think they need to check through their rules about who can and can't buy clubs. I'm not a judge, but I can tell you 100 per cent who did nothing wrong — the fans, the players, the people sitting at home without a job.

"We've tried everything in the last months to keep the spirit of football. If we'd given up before, it would not have been good for the Premier League. But what we'll do next I will tell you after I meet the players. I want to know their opinions and also speak with the administrator. We're speaking about the future of the club."

The administrator might try to talk Grant out of anything rash, pointing out that the League recently imposed a suspended £25,000 fine on Wolves for fielding a weakened team against Manchester United last December in breach of Rule B13, which concerns "obligations to the League and other clubs in the utmost good faith". The League could also freeze a mooted advance of parachute payments intended to help the club out of administration.

"Nobody knows how to deal with it," Grant said. "I said that we would fight relegation as long as we thought we had a chance. We knew from the administrator two weeks ago that they would take the nine points, but until it happens you still have a hope.

"It's a new situation for the Premier League and maybe we'll make some rules that will help other clubs, because we won't be the last."

White Noise

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/rick_broadbent/article7068230.ece

1. Roy Hodgson (up)

A footballing anomaly, the Fulham gaffer is so old school that he does not damn referees as the spawn of Satan and even refrains from topping up his tan on a pre-match sunbed. He does not claim to be a partially-sighted visionary and fatuously refuses to snub the BBC because he did not much like the last episode of Neighbours. Fulham 4 Juventus 1. The true Special One.

White Noise

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7066911.ece?token=null&offset=36&page=4

Fulham v Manchester City, 3.00pm

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, welcomes back Danny Murphy and Jonathan Greening for the visit of Manchester City. Both players were suspended for the emphatic win over Juventus and Murphy could replace Dickson Etuhu, who picked up a knock during the game.

Andy Johnson and John Pantsil are both out with knee injuries, while David Elm is a doubt with illness. Europa League hero Clint Dempsey is pushing for a starting place after scoring the winner against Juventus.

Roberto Mancini will be without Wayne Bridge. The full back will be sidelined for a month after undergoing a hernia operation and Javier Garrido is favourite to replace him. Emmanuel Adebayor is absent through suspension while Martin Petrov has a knee injury.

Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kelly, Shorey, Stoor, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Smalling, Gera, Duff, Murphy, Greening, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Nevland, Elm, Okaka, Zamora, Marsh-Brown.

Manchester City (from): Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Onuoha, Toure, Lescott, Boyata, Garrido, Sylvinho, Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Vieira, Barry, De Jong, Ibrahim, Tevez, Bellamy, Santa Cruz.


White Noise

Roberto Mancini lauds Roy Hodgson ahead of Manchester City's trip to Fulham

By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 4:03 PM on 19th March 2010



Roberto Mancini has joined the list of senior football figures lauding veteran Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.   

Hodgson led his team to a remarkable 5-4 aggregate victory against Juventus in the Europa League on Thursday night after being 4-1 down at one stage.   

Like Mancini, Hodgson was once in charge of Inter Milan, and the Manchester City boss is looking forward to meeting him on Sunday when the teams come face to face. 

Mancini said: 'They played a fantastic game because after 30 minutes they were losing, then scored four goals.   

'They are a strong team with a good manager. I knew about him when he worked in Italy and he did very well at Inter. I have a lot of respect for him.   

'It will be a difficult game and we will need to play 100% on Sunday. They have a good team spirit but so have we. But we must improve if we want to win in the future.'
Mancini will be without Wayne Bridge following a hernia operation but hopes the full back changes his mind about not going to the World Cup as he believes England can win the tournament.   

Bridge decided to opt out after John Terry's alleged affair with his former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel. 

However England manager Fabio Capello said yesterday he has kept the door open for Bridge, who is expected to be sidelined for a month.   

Mancini intends to talk to Bridge once he returns to training about the importance of taking the chance, if it arises, of going to South Africa.   

Mancini said: 'It is always important for a player to play in the World Cup, because you can only play in it once or twice in your life.   

'I hope for Wayne and England he changes his mind. If you have a chance of playing for England, they can win the World Cup. 

'So for a player it is important to play in this World Cup. The England team have a big chance and I hope Wayne will change his mind. 

'I think he will be ready for the last five games of the season. In the next month maybe he can change his situation.   

'When Wayne returns to training I will speak with him and hope he will play in the tournament.'   

Mancini is looking for his side to get back on track at Craven Cottage following the draw against Sunderland in the chase for a top-four spot.   

He added: 'It is important to start well and I feel it was two points lost. 

'We have to continue on Sunday like we did in the second half when we had seven or eight chances to score. Maybe if we had taken them we would have won the game.'   

Emmanuel Adebayor remains absent through suspension while Martin Petrov has a knee injury.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259214/Roberto-Mancini-lauds-Roy-Hodgson-ahead-Manchester-Citys-trip-Fulham.html#ixzz0if0wWPUo

White Noise

Fulham hero Clint Dempsey insists: We can win the Europa League

By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 4:00 PM on 19th March 2010


Clint Dempsey believes Fulham have what it takes to go all the way in the Europa League after Thursday night's shock hammering of Juventus.

The Cottagers, who were 3-1 down from the first leg, produced a stunning
comeback at Craven Cottage to beat the Serie A giants 4-1 and seal a 5-4 aggregate win.

The reward for Roy Hodgson's men is a mouth-watering quarter final against German side Wolfsburg, who beat Rubin Kazan to qualify for the last eight.

The victory heralded the latest chapter in an incredible season for
Fulham and the win was all the more remarkable given that they went behind to a David Trezeguet goal inside two minutes.

Dempsey's clever chip sealed Fulham's passage to the quarter finals and he firmly believes getting to the final in Hamburg is a distinct possibility.

'Can we go all the way? Why not? If you work hard and you believe, there's always a chance. And I believe,' said the USA forward.

'We're a team that has a lot of character and that has a lot of heart. Everybody thought it was over when we went 1-0 down but the character and the heart of the guys began to show, we fought back and to get the result we did was incredible.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259193/Fulham-hero-Clint-Dempsey-insists-We-win-Europa-League.html#ixzz0if1e51on

White Noise

EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW: Liverpool face Benfica on tough route to final as heroes Fulham handed Wolfsburg clash

By Sportsmail Reporter

Last updated at 1:22 PM on 19th March 2010

QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Fulham v Wolfsburg

Hamburg v Standard Liege

Valencia v Atletico Madrid

Benfica v Liverpool

The first legs will be played on April 1 with the second legs on April 8

Semi-finals: Hamburg/Standard Liege v Fulham/Wolfsburg;  Valencia/Atletico Madrid v Benfica/Liverpool

The first legs will be played on April 22 and the second legs on April 29.

Fulham's reward for their stunning victory over Juventus is a Europa League quarter-final with German side Wolfsburg.

Roy Hodgson's side recovered from  losing the first leg 3-1 and conceding an early goal in the second leg at Craven Cottage to secure a memorable 5-4
aggregate win over the Italian giants.

Today they were drawn to face Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg in the last eight, with the first leg at home and a potential semi-final against either Hamburg or Standard Liege to follow.
In the other quarter-finals, Liverpool take on Portuguese side Benfica with the second leg at Anfield.

The winner of that tie will face the winner of the all-Spanish tie between Valencia and Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool lost the first leg 1-0 to Lille in the previous round but goals from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres (two) at Anfield last night kept their hopesof silverware this season alive.

Valencia will be at home for the first leg on April 1, before a return trip to Madrid seven days later.
Their last trip to the Vicente Calderon was notable not only for the thumping they received at the hands of hot-and-cold Atletico, but also for a controversial refereeing decision, when Alfonso Perez Burrull gave a penalty and sent off Carlos Marchena after consulting with the fourth official.

Valencia, who won the tournament as the UEFA Cup in 2004, progressed following a 4-4 draw at 2009 finalists Werder Bremen last night, while Atletico saw off Sporting Lisbon.

It is unlikely to get any easier for whichever side progresses as they will face the winners of the tie between Benfica and Liverpool.

The Reds, UEFA Cup winners in 2001, were handed a trip to Portugal as their reward for seeing off Lille last night.

The Europa League is their only remaining chance of silverware after a disappointing Barclays Premier League season.

German champions Wolfsburg will hope to avoid the fate that befell Juve in their tie against Fulham.

For the first leg, they will travel to Craven Cottage where the Bianconeri were last night subjected to a humiliating 4-1 defeat by Roy Hodgson's men, who will make their first appearance in a European quarter-final.

The winners of that tie will next face either Hamburg or Standard Liege, with a potential all-German semi-final in the offing.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259095/EUROPA-LEAGUE-DRAW-LIVE-Fulham-Liverpool-hat-quarter-final-draw.html#ixzz0if32Hm3L


White Noise

Fulham have finally arrived: Now the likes of Bobby Zamora can really be compared to Cottage legends Johnny Haynes, Bobby Moore and Alan Mullery

By Mark Lawford


Last updated at 12:28 PM on 19th March 2010



High flier: Bobby Zamora of Fulham is challenged by Juventus's Zdenek Grygera


If there is going to be a European trophy coming to West London this season it'll be coming to Fulham not Stamford Bridge.

The small and unfashionable cousins of big-spending Chelsea are through to their first-ever European quarter-final following a remarkable 5-4 aggregate defeat of Juventus in the Europa League - and now they face Wolfsburg.

This after they had trailed 4-1 at one stage, just two days after Chelsea failed to overturn a measly 2-1 deficit against Italian champions Inter.

It's taken the Cottagers 131 years to become an overnight success despite some of the greatest players in the English game having worn the famous white shirt.

And in that time they've hit some real lows too - just 14 years ago were in the fourth tier of the domestic game and actually finished 17th - a position currently occupied by Macclesfield.

But Fulham have been on the up since February 1996 when Micky Adams took over and got them promoted.

Sportsmail charts the progress of a club who lost their dignity, almost lost their Football League place then did lose their ground for two years when they were forced to share with QPR from 2002 while the Cottage was rebuilt.

Great players

Johnny Haynes was not called 'The Maestro' for nothing. With 658 games for his only club during the 1950s and 60s, he is regarded as their best-ever player and even managed to chalk up 18 England caps - many while in a second division team.

Haynes never won a World Cup winners'  medal but Bobby Moore did - and he led Fulham to the 1975 FA Cup Final during his three-year spell there.






Legends all: Alan Mullery, Bobby Moore and Johnny Haynes (right) all hold a special place in Fulham history

England star Alan Mullery was another high-profile re-signing (he totalled 412 games for the club in two spells) as were legendary duo George Best and Rodney Marsh who all played alongside Moore in the second division.

Add the likes of Bobby Robson, Jimmy Hill, Edwin van der Sar, Ray Houghton, Louis Saha and George Cohen and it's obvious it's never been a dull place to watch football.



Famous firsts Nothing to shout about: Steve Marlet's 11 goals cost Fulham over £11m

On January 20 1974, Fulham lost 1-0 to Millwall in the first ever Sunday match played in England.

Fulham's only trophy is the 2003 InterToto Cup, secured with a 5-3 aggregate win against Bologna.

Fulham's only FA Cup Final appearance was in 1975 when they lost 2-0 to West Ham.

En route to that final Fulham played 11 matches - including replays - a record for reaching the Wembley showpiece.

Bobby Robson's first manager's job was at Fulham where he lasted just 10 months before being sacked

Fulham FC founded the south's first pro rugby league team - Fulham Rugby League - in 1980 and hosted games until 1984. The club is now Harlequins RL.

In September 1986 Liverpool beat Fulham 10-0 in the League Cup - the first and only time they have conceded ten goals in a game.

Fulham were the first  team to ever believe that Steve Marlet was worth £11.5m and the only team to actually pay that for him.

League ups and downs

Sporting a proud history without winning anything, Fulham's yo-yo existence throughout the 60s and 70s went sour in the 1980s when they almost won promotion to Division One under Malcolm MacDonald and by 1987 only just escaped going out of business.

It got worse in the 90s when they became entrenched in the third tier before slipping into the bottom level by 1994.

Their lowest point was a defeat to bottom side Torquay United that ended the reign of manager Ian Branfoot and an eventual finish just four wins better than second-bottom Scarborough.



Dream team: Arthur Cox, Ray Wilkins, Mohamed Al Fayed and Kevin Keegan begin their reigns at Fulham

Adams arrival heralded a change of fortunes and by 1997 Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed bought the club. He promptly sacked Adams and appointed Kevin Keegan and Ray Wilkins as his dream team, promising Premier League football within five years.

Promotion followed before al-Fayed gave Keegan to England but by 2001 Jean Tigana had taken Fulham into the top flight - where they have remained since.

Tigana, Chris Coleman and Lawrie Sanchez have been dispensed with as boss in that time allowing Roy Hodgson to first keep them up, then take them to a best-ever League finish of seventh - and now European glory.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259167/Fulham-finally-arrived-Now-likes-Bobby-Zamora-really-compared-Cottage-legends-Johnny-Haynes-Bobby-Moore-Alan-Mullery.html#ixzz0if4J6MiV

White Noise

Zebina slams his own fans after claims of racist abuse


By Christopher Davies

Last updated at 12:20 PM on 19th March 2010


Jonathan Zebina launched a blistering attack on Juventus fans who racially abused him at Craven Cottage during their 4-1 Europa League defeat by Fulham.

Zebina was sent-off in stoppage time but revealed visiting supporters abused him as Juve's 3-1 lead slipped away.

In contrast,  praised Fulham fans and said: 'I was insulted by approximately 30 thugs and racists,

'Some of them came to England, traveling thousands of kilometers to just sing those things.

'To me, and to [Brazilian team-mate] Felipe Melo, they began to denigrate us during the warm-up. I am sick of this situation. These people need to stop. We received more applause from the fans of Fulham than our own supporters.'

Zebina admitted he regretted reacting to the Juve supporters and said: 'I raised my middle finger and ask to be forgiven for this because I was not a good example for children but I was exasperated.'

If the UEFA observer mentions the taunting in his report it would leave Euroopean football's ruling body in an unusual position of having to fine a club for their fans abusing one of their own players.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259158/Juventus-defender-Jonathan-Zebina-slams-fans-claims-racist-abuse.html#ixzz0if9exiYD

White Noise

Stoke to launch internal inquiry after James Beattie instigates grievance procedures against manager Tony Pulis

By Sportsmail Reporter


Last updated at 12:24 PM on 19th March 2010

Add to My Stories James Beattie has instigated grievance procedures against Tony Pulis following the allegations in December that the Stoke manager physically attacked the striker in the dressing room.

Beattie had been upset with the way the club handled the episode, which was reported to take place after Stoke's defeat at Arsenal, when there were suggestions that the striker had apologised for his part in the episode.

It has now emerged that Beattie has submitted an official complaint about Pulis that will mean the club launching an internal investigation into the incident.

All those present at the time have been asked to provide details of the events.

Pulis and Beattie became involved in a row, initially reported by Sportsmail, about the players' Christmas night out, and it has been alleged that the manager headbutted Beattie after taking offence at a remark.

Pulis reportedly told his players they were expected to be at training on Monday, but Beattie responded by reminding the manager that he told them they could extend their Christmas party - in London on that Saturday night - into a two-night affair and report back for training a day later.

Beattie has made only two starts for the Potters since that Arsenal game, and came close to joining Fulham at the end of the transfer window, before the deal fell through.

Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, said that the investigation was ongoing.

He told the Guardian: 'It has not been concluded. It's still in process. I have not been closely involved. But we have set up the right procedure and done it by the book.

'We are dealing with it in what we feel is the right and proper manner. It disappoints me that it has been leaked.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259088/Stoke-launch-internal-inquiry-James-Beattie-instigates-grievance-procedures-manager-Tony-Pulis.html#ixzz0ifHQZLqi


os5889

http://www.juventus.com/site/eng/NEWS_newsseriea_C5F35BE36EB84A35B8F8857FB167A40E.asp



19 March 2010
A note from the management
At the end of the training session, the president and deputy director general of Juventus spoke formally to certain players to assure that in the future certain episodes like the ones at the end of recent matches are not repeated. The frustration for a disappointing result does not justify a certain type of behaviour which leads to useless tensions and are of damage to the image of the club. The team must get back to its maximum compactness on the field and must benefit from the full support of its fans, whose contribution is decisive to win back the necessary faith and overcome the momentary difficulties.

it made me laugh



White Noise

http://chicagofiresoccer.blogspot.com/2010/03/mcbride-on-fulhams-4-1-upset-of.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


McBride on Fulham's 4-1 upset of Juventus


Caught up with Brian McBride at training today and asked for his reaction to Fulham's 4-1 win over Italian giants Juventus. The result gave Fulham a 5-4 aggregate victory, advancing the club to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League -- the furthest the Cottagers have ever gone in European competition. Countryman Clint Dempsey, a substitute for Roy Hodgson's side hit the winner on 82 minutes.

Today's quarterfinal draw saw Fulham get another team McBride is familiar with, defending Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg, the club where the striker made his European debut in 1994. The home and home series will take place April 1 and 8.

Brian McBride on the victory--

"I didn't get to see the game but I did read about it. It's just a great result for the club, to go down a goal and be behind 4-1 on aggregate and then fight back to equalize was impressive. They kept fighting for the go-ahead goal despite being level and you can tell that they have a lot of spirit in that team. Clint's goal was an impressive, clutch goal and clinched an amazing result."

On Fulham drawing Wolfsburg in the Europa League quarterfinals--

"(Laughs) It's funny how things work out sometimes. Looking forward to it!"

White Noise

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1466043.html

Hodgson full of respect for Wolfsburg


Published: Friday 19 March 2010


Fulham FC manager Roy Hodgson warned that while VfL Wolfsburg may lack the pedigree of Juventus they are no less dangerous, especially as they believe "English football could suit us".

Published: Friday 19 March 2010

Hodgson full of respect for Wolfsburg

Fulham FC manager Roy Hodgson warned that while VfL Wolfsburg may lack the pedigree of Juventus they are no less dangerous, especially as they believe "English football could suit us".
Read moreTwo sides that had never previously reached the last eight of major European competition will square off in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals after Fulham FC were paired with VfL Wolfsburg in Friday's draw.

After knocking out UEFA Cup holders FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the round of 32 then Juventus in stunning fashion on Thursday, Roy Hodgson will not let his side lower their guard against less prestigious opposition. "They've done very well to get where they are, we've done very well to get where we are so it's a meeting of fairly similar clubs and I'm looking forward to it," he said. "German champions and Bundesliga teams can certainly cause problems and I think our fans our wise enough to put things in perspective."

Christian Gentner's strike in the last-minute of extra time against FC Rubin Kazan on Thursday earned Wolfsburg their place in the quarter-finals and the match-winner knows the challenge ahead is tougher still. "Fulham ousted Juventus in the previous round which shows their quality," he said. "English teams are always strong. It is a nice, but also very difficult task."

Coach Lorenz-Günther Köstner added: "This is a good draw. We will try everything to make it into the next round. I had tipped us to be drawn against Liverpool so I wasn't that far off. English football could suit us, but we will have to be at the top of our game."

Wolfsburg have already made one trip to England this season, losing 2-1 to Manchester United FC in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, and defender Marcel Schäfer is looking forward to returning. "This is a super draw," he said. "The atmosphere in English stadiums is always great. All eight teams left in competition are very good, so it doesn't really matter who we're up against. It's a big challenge, and we want to rise to it. Fulham are opponents we can overcome."


White Noise

http://juventus.theoffside.com/team-news/the-aftermath-of-fulham.html

The Aftermath of Fulham

By: alessio | March 19th, 2010

There's a lot of issues at Juventus right now. The humiliation to Fulham, the inability to maintain a lead, and more personal, the Zebina-Melo incidents with the tifosi.

Before the disaster even began, at training the fans chanted against Zebina and Melo. At the end of the match, as you may know, Zebina was heavily jeered again by the fans having been sent off. There was a second player who received heavy criticism from the traveling fans (and had often in the past) but it wasn't Felipe Melo, it was Cannavaro. I don't like Cannavaro and never will, but he is a classy person. He's dealt with a lot of criticism since returning to Juventus, but never lashed out in the way that Melo and Zebina have, simply, because he knows it complicates things immensely.



The team returned last night to Caselle, Turin's airport, and were welcomed by a few hundred tifosi who jeered the team. Leaders of the fans met with Del Piero and Bettega, and while the humiliation at Fulham was discussed, the primary topic was in fact Melo and Zebina's disgraceful gestures and whether any action would be taken. Bettega and Del Piero did not give any specific responses, and the fans promised that they would not protest at Vinovo, though they reserved the right to do so away at Sampdoria. However, a few showed up to erect a banner saying, "You do not deserve our love, be ashamed of yourself."

Today, in a brief interview, Melo complained, "In London I ran hard and fought, what do you want from me?" (Hint: A decent performance, you jackass) And "This cannot continue, we received more applause from Fulham fans than our own." (Maybe because you just gave them their team's best-ever result, and gave us a giant turd) This morning at Vinovo, Blanc and Bettega met with the team for a long time, and warned the players of their behavior, saying that what had passed was unacceptable. A double-aimed message was posted officially on Juventus.com, with the translation below.


No more.

Official Note from Juventus

At the end of training today, the President and vice-director General formally called into question some of the players, so that in the future they do not repeat events such as those that happened at the end of the last few games. Frustration for a very disappointing result does not justify behavior which increases useless tensions, hurting the image of Juventus. The team needs to find the maximum compactness on the pitch, and enjoy the full support of their own fans, who's contribution is decisive for finding the confidence necessary to overcome these difficult moments.

One can read a condemnation of Zebina and Melo in there, but also one of the fans. For me, this isn't satisfying. Jeering Melo and Zebina isn't necessarily right (I'd jeer JZ if I was there, but not Melo) but their behavior is unacceptable and a verbal and formal reprimand is not enough. Both need to be suspended for a few weeks and receive a massive fine, one hopefully in line with their grossly overpaid salaries.

White Noise

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/03/19/1840533/juventus-rebuke-jonathan-zebina-and-felipe-melo-after-fulham

Juventus Rebuke Jonathan Zebina And Felipe Melo After Fulham Loss - Report


The Bianconeri management were not pleased with the reactions of two members of the squad...


By Adam Scime


Mar 19, 2010 4:55:00 PM


Juventus have warned players Felipe Melo and Jonathan Zebina for their behavior following the Europa League exit at the hands of Fulham, according to Ansa.

Zebina launched an attack on the club's fans after the match at Craven Cottage, saying he was "sick" of he and team-mate Felipe Melo being denigrated. Meanwhile, last weekend, Melo engaged in an argument during the 3-3 draw against Siena, swearing at a section of the supporters in Turin.

Club president Jean-Claude Blanc and director Roberto Bettega officially expressed their disapproval of the duo's actions at the end of Friday's training session and have released an official statement. The Bianconeri officials said their "behaviours fuelled unecessary tensions" and "were not justified by frustration over a disappointing result."

The players have not been fined, but only warned. Both players had already issued apologies for their reactions, but were certainly upset by the fans' chantings.

Juventus face Sampdoria at the Marassi this weekend.

White Noise

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/8577089.stm


David Stockdale lengthens Plymouth Argyle loan spell 

Stockdale had loan spells at Rotherham and Leicester last season

Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale has agreed a second extension to his loan deal at Plymouth Argyle that will keep him in Devon until 24 April.

The 24-year-old has started 12 games for Argyle since signing on an initial one-month loan in January.

Plymouth boss Paul Mariner told BBC Devon: "David is a young goalkeeper and he's got some fantastic assets.

"He commands his box, he can kick it a mile, but he's learning like any young player who's trying to make his way."



White Noise

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7483254/Fulham-prove-to-be-talk-of-Uefa-headquarters-as-they-dream-of-Europa-League-glory.html


Fulham prove to be talk of Uefa headquarters as they dream of Europa League glory


It was a clear sign of how remarkable Fulham's triumph over Juventus was that west London's second club were the talk of the Uefa headquarters on Friday as officials filed in for quarter and semi-final draws of the Champions League, never mind the Europa League.

By Jason Burt


Published: 10:30PM GMT 19 Mar 2010


Fulham's reward is a tie against Wolfsburg, the Bundesliga champions, although after defeating the illustrious Italians, and having already knocked out holders Shakhtar Donetsk, there will be no fear for Roy Hodgson or his players.

Clint Dempsey, whose goal clinched the tie against Juve, said: "Can we go all the way? Why not?"

And why not, indeed, even if Hodgson will be preaching caution against the Germans and the threat posed by "two talented Bosnians" – striker Edin Dzeko and midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic.

Hodgson added that Wolfsburg "had a fantastic season last year and although this year has not gone quite so well for them they have some talented players. I know a fair bit about them. It's a meeting to some extent of fairly similar clubs".

If Fulham triumph they will face either Hamburg – who host the final – or Standard Liege having been selected in the other half of the draw from Liverpool, who must see off Benfica to set up a tie against either Valencia or Atletico Madrid.

Both Rafael Benítez – the former Valencia manager – and Fernando Torres – a legend at Atletico – could be forgiven for having half an eye on the semi-final possibilities but they will also be wary of the threat poised by the Portuguese, who destroyed Everton in the round before last.

Indeed four years ago Benfica, who are three points clear at the top of the Portuguese league, ended Liverpool's hopes of becoming the first side to win back-to-back Champions League titles when they beat them 3-0 over two legs.

"We know they are a good team and, of course, we have played them before in the Champions League," said Benítez.

"They are a massive club with a lot of support and it will be a tough game."

Benítez has got his preferred schedule, with the away leg first, but he is concerned that Anfield may not intimidate Benfica as it has other visiting sides in recent years.

"Because we have played Benfica before they will know Anfield and so may not be as scared as other teams," he said.

Route to Hamburg

Quarter-finals

Fulham v Wolfsburg
Hamburg v Standard Liege
Valencia v Atlético Madrid
Benfica v Liverpool
Two legs to be played Apr 01 & 08

Semi-finals

Hamburg/Standard Liege v Fulham/Wolfsburg
Valencia/Atlético Madrid v Benfica/Liverpool
To be played Apr 22 & 29

White Noise

German threat to Fulham dream: Roy's boys to face Wolfsburg in Europa League


By Laura Williamson


Last updated at 10:45 PM on 19th March 2010


The Europa League final in Hamburg on May 12 could still be an all-English affair.

Fulham meet Wolfsburg and Liverpool play Benfica in next month's quarter-finals and the Barclays Premier League sides were kept apart in the semi-final draw.

After their historic 4-1 win against Juventus at Craven Cottage on Thursday, Roy Hodgson's Fulham will be confident of progressing against Wolfsburg.

Hodgson said: 'It's a meeting, I think, of two fairly similar clubs so I'm looking forward to it. Wolfsburg's stadium is like our own. It's not a 60,000-seat stadium. It's a very compact one.

'I think our fans will be wise enough to put things into perspective. They were great nights against Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk but there's no guarantee that when we meet a team that's just slightly less it is going to be an easy game.'

The German side were surprise winners of the Bundesliga last season but currently sit eighth and have a poor home record that includes a 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League, courtesy of a Michael Owen hat-trick.

But highly rated striker Edin Dzeko, who has been linked with AC Milan as well as Chelsea, Arsenal and United, will pose a threat, particularly as Fulham play the second leg away from Craven Cottage, where they have been so impressive this season.

Zoltan Gera, who scored twice against Juventus, said: 'Craven Cottage is not a big stadium but the fans are very close to the pitch and the atmosphere is great, too. I think it is a good thing for us to have a ground like this and it can help us.'

Liverpool, who beat Lille 3-1 on aggregate, renew acquaintances with Benfica - the Portuguese club who ended their dreams of retaining the Champions League title in 2006 - with the second leg is at Anfield.

Manager Rafa Benitez said: 'We know they are a good team and of course we have played them before in the Champions League.

'They are a massive club with a lot of support and it will be a tough game. They are top of the table and playing really well at the moment.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1259313/German-threat-Fulham-dream-Roys-boys-face-Wolfsburg-Europa-League.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ifPuuuF5