http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/allardyce-bolton-was-a-fantastic-time-a-great-era-for-me-1824818.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/allardyce-bolton-was-a-fantastic-time-a-great-era-for-me-1824818.html ]]> <p>Rain hammering down on Pendle Hill from storm clouds as black as night: it is an early morning scene in Lancashire that Sam Allardyce has observed a thousand times before, but there seemed to be a particular poignancy in it yesterday as he wondered whether he would ever know a different landscape. </p> News & Comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-henry-is-a-cheat-ndash-and-a-replay-could-have-proved-it-on-wednesday-night-1824819.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-henry-is-a-cheat-ndash-and-a-replay-could-have-proved-it-on-wednesday-night-1824819.html <p>We can appraise however we like the moral strength of Thierry Henry's belated statement that it really would be quite a good idea to replay the World Cup match he distorted so profoundly. However, we cannot hope to be within a long throw of the central issue. </p> News & Comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/grand-old-men-prove-yorke-is-off-target-1824825.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/grand-old-men-prove-yorke-is-off-target-1824825.html <p>Dwight Yorke, interviewed in these pages recently, wished for a management break as promising as Gareth Southgate's at then-Premier League Middlesbrough. The League Managers Association's celebration this week of the elite band to have overseen 1,000 matches should have made him reconsider.</p> News & Comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neil-warnock-i-couldnt-get-into-spirit-of-friendlies-ndash-so-i-went-to-watch-scrooge-instead-1824828.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neil-warnock-i-couldnt-get-into-spirit-of-friendlies-ndash-so-i-went-to-watch-scrooge-instead-1824828.html <p>I had a tough decision when it came to England v Brazil. How big a box of popcorn should I order? I spent the week leading up to the match telling people it would be a joke, a waste of two hours of their lifetime. So when they kicked off I was at the pictures, watching A Christmas Carol in 3D. It is amazing watching a film though those glasses, I really enjoyed it, though as I said to Sharon, "I'm glad no one's got a photograph of me wearing them." </p> News & Comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/london-caught-in-matchfixing-raids-1824824.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/london-caught-in-matchfixing-raids-1824824.html <p>A Europe-wide investigation into "the biggest match-fixing scandal that European football has ever seen" led to an initial 17 arrests yesterday during raids in four countries, including England, and the seizure of around £900,000 in cash suspected of being gained by illegal means. </p> News & Comment Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/hes-off-egypt-pulls-ambassador-in-fallout-from-world-cup-clash-1824953.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/hes-off-egypt-pulls-ambassador-in-fallout-from-world-cup-clash-1824953.html ]]> <p>Never mind the "hand of Henry" – the "foot of Yahia" has caused an even greater World Cup fallout in north Africa as rioting erupted in the early hours of yesterday morning in Cairo. It was Algerian defender Antar Yahia's powerful right-foot volley that settled their play-off with bitter rivals Egypt in the week's most contentious match.</p> Africa Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/2010-world-cup-teambyteam-guide-1824688.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/2010-world-cup-teambyteam-guide-1824688.html ]]> <p> Qualification is complete and now we can look forward to South Africa 2010, which kicks off on June 11. </p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:04:48 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/martins-broke-despite-pound75000aweek-wages-1824669.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/martins-broke-despite-pound75000aweek-wages-1824669.html ]]> <p> A court has heard that former Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins was broke despite earning £75,000-a-week wages. </p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:27:14 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/uefa-investigate-european-matchfixing-claims-1824661.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/uefa-investigate-european-matchfixing-claims-1824661.html <p> UEFA are looking into 12 matches in the Europa League and three in the Champions League as part of their investigation into alleged match-fixing. </p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:47:49 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-ten-best-acts-of-sportsmanship-1823706.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-ten-best-acts-of-sportsmanship-1823706.html ]]> <p> Thierry Henry could have handled the 'Hand Gaul' situation all so differently. </p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:01:31 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/how-the-world-cup-bid-rivals-compare-1823935.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/how-the-world-cup-bid-rivals-compare-1823935.html ]]> <p>England's campaign to win the 2018 or 2022 World Cup faces a field of rivals that has never been so crowded or competitive. Partly this is because the tournaments for 2010 and 2014 were effectively shoo-ins for South Africa and Brazil. Football continues to expand, so more nations want a piece of the world's biggest single-sport event. The strengths and weakness of the field are as follows.</p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/inside-englands-2018-campaign-ndash-how-the-votes-are-won-1823938.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/inside-englands-2018-campaign-ndash-how-the-votes-are-won-1823938.html ]]> <p>A fortnight ago a delegation from England's 2018 World Cup bid team, led by Lord Triesman, was in Paraguay to visit Dr Nicolas Leoz, the president of the Conmebol federation. Dr Leoz is one of 24 men who will vote on the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. </p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/exclusive-england-2018-bid-set-to-win-key-backing-from-europe-1823939.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/exclusive-england-2018-bid-set-to-win-key-backing-from-europe-1823939.html ]]> <p>England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup has not been damaged by recent political infighting, according to exclusive canvassing by <i>The Independent</i> of members of the all-important Fifa Executive Committee (ExCo), which will decide the host for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. </p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-henry-has-never-been-an-angel-now-he-is-beyond-redemption-1823937.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-henry-has-never-been-an-angel-now-he-is-beyond-redemption-1823937.html ]]> <p>Irish football is entitled to believe it has never seen anything so cynical, so far removed from the spirit of sport, as the devilish hand played by Thierry Henry to deny Giovanni Trapattoni's team a place in the World Cup finals that would have been so thoroughly deserved.</p> News & Comment Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-most-controversial-goals-in-football-1823571.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-most-controversial-goals-in-football-1823571.html ]]> <p> Thierry Henry secured France's path to the World Cup with a blatant handball to help set-up the winner against Ireland. </p> News & Comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:46:50 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/footballer-dies-during-routine-training-session-1823471.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/footballer-dies-during-routine-training-session-1823471.html <p> A United Arab Emirates footballer collapsed and died during a routine training session after suffering a massive heart attack yesterday. </p> News & Comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:31:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-fosters-england-dream-will-delight-the-boss-1823042.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-fosters-england-dream-will-delight-the-boss-1823042.html ]]> <p> England's so-called goalkeeper crisis is no such thing. Most nations would be delighted to have three options who measure up to Ben Foster, David James and Robert Green. But on the vexed issue of whether Foster can expect to be picked when he is not the No 1 choice at Manchester United, I'd have to agree that he's on shaky ground, so he's well within his rights to be thinking about a loan or a move. And I'd bet, sincerely, that Sir Alex Ferguson loves that attitude too. </p> News & Comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/footballs-bizarre-injury-treatments-1822967.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/footballs-bizarre-injury-treatments-1822967.html ]]> <p> Robin Van Persie this week jetted off to Belgrade to undergo a bizarre treatment for an ankle injury he sustained while on international duty. </p> News & Comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:18:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/player-quits-after-threat-from-hardcore-fans-1822731.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/player-quits-after-threat-from-hardcore-fans-1822731.html <p> Tigre midfielder Matias Gimenez, threatened by his own team's hardcore fans who accuse him of not trying hard enough, would not play for the club any longer, he said today. </p> News & Comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:29:47 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/a-matter-of-life-and-death-egypt-vs-algeria-is-more-important-than-that-1822424.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/a-matter-of-life-and-death-egypt-vs-algeria-is-more-important-than-that-1822424.html ]]> <p>Had Bill Shankly hailed from Cairo rather than a Scottish mining village, he might have said: "Football's not a matter of life and death – but it can cost you your eyesight." Ask the Egyptian team doctor who lost an eye after being attacked with a broken bottle by an Algerian footballer when the two countries last met for a place in the World Cup finals two decades ago.</p> News & Comment Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/tv-bosses-agree-ireland-playoff-deal-1822233.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/tv-bosses-agree-ireland-playoff-deal-1822233.html <p> Republic of Ireland fans will be able to watch as their nation's bid for World Cup qualification comes to a conclusion after television bosses finally struck a deal. </p> News & Comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:56:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/footy-forum-englands-keeper-crisis-1822224.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/footy-forum-englands-keeper-crisis-1822224.html ]]> News & Comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:26:52 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/protest-against-trumpets-at-world-cup-grows-1822004.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/protest-against-trumpets-at-world-cup-grows-1822004.html ]]> <p> Japan's soccer chief has joined in the chorus of protestors wanting the noisy vuvuzela trumpet to be banned from next year's World Cup in South Africa. </p> News & Comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:23:09 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/deal-for-irelands-playoff-rights-to-go-to-wire-1821783.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/deal-for-irelands-playoff-rights-to-go-to-wire-1821783.html <p>Fears that fans of the Republic of Ireland will face a television blackout of tomorrow's decisive World Cup qualifying match against France were played down last night by broadcasting sources, who said that an 11th-hour deal is "the most probable outcome". </p> News & Comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ferguson-set-for-defeat-over-referee-demands-1821786.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ferguson-set-for-defeat-over-referee-demands-1821786.html ]]> <p>Manchester United's demands for fitter, elite referees to officiate in top fixtures are destined to be rejected, with the football authorities satisfied that the current regime does not need improving.</p> News & Comment Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/shortlisted-football-managers-who-never-get-the-job-1821650.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/shortlisted-football-managers-who-never-get-the-job-1821650.html ]]> <p> Graeme Souness has ruled himself out of the running to succeed George Burley amid rumours that he will be the next Scotland manager. </p> News & Comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:06:21 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/man-admits-knife-attack-on-davenport-1821574.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/man-admits-knife-attack-on-davenport-1821574.html ]]> <p> A man pleaded guilty today to a knife attack on West Ham United player Calum Davenport. </p> News & Comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:12:11 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/storrie-appears-in-court-on-tax-charges-1821553.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/storrie-appears-in-court-on-tax-charges-1821553.html ]]> <p> Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie appeared in court today charged with having "cheated the public revenue" over the signing-on fee to a midfielder. </p> News & Comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:23:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-brazil-reduce-lions-roar-to-a-lambs-lament-1821288.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-brazil-reduce-lions-roar-to-a-lambs-lament-1821288.html ]]> <p>Faith that the restorative power of Fabio Capello will make England serious World Cup contenders has always had its limits and we may have found one of them here in the desert.</p> News & Comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-spoiltforchoice-young-players-risk-losing-experience-money-cant-buy-1821294.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-spoiltforchoice-young-players-risk-losing-experience-money-cant-buy-1821294.html ]]> <p>The new young must-have English footballer is Jack Rodwell at Everton. He is 18, an England Under-21 midfielder for whom Chelsea have offered £14m already. But don't worry: Manchester United and Manchester City are making their own discreet enquiries and before long the price and the add-ons and the wages will rise.</p> News & Comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neville-back-on-offensive-over-standard-of-refereeing-1821295.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neville-back-on-offensive-over-standard-of-refereeing-1821295.html ]]> <p>Manchester United captain Gary Neville has weighed in where his manager left off with the Football Association last week on the subject of Premier League refereeing standards, suggesting that games between the top sides should be reserved for a small elite of the top officials.</p> News & Comment Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/thousands-gather-to-pay-moving-tribute-to-germanys-enke-1821187.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/thousands-gather-to-pay-moving-tribute-to-germanys-enke-1821187.html <p> Tens of thousands of fans joined family, friends and team mates of Robert Enke to pay their last respects to the Germany goalkeeper on Sunday, five days after his suicide shocked the country and soccer fans worldwide. </p> News & Comment Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:56:43 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/outside-the-box-fancy-a-fag-at-halftime-well-you-can-smoke-at-stoke-1820874.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/outside-the-box-fancy-a-fag-at-halftime-well-you-can-smoke-at-stoke-1820874.html <p>Popping out of the building for a quick smoking break is catching on – at football grounds. Stoke City are delighted with the success of a new scheme under which those who cannot last 90 minutes without a cigarette use a special reversible turnstile to leave at half-time, when they are given a ticket, and then can come back in. One grateful fan gasped: "I managed to squeeze in three cigarettes." Supporters at grounds that operate a complete ban in line with the law on smoking in enclosed public places may wish to lobby their club for something similiar. The ban, widely implemented for the past two years, has caused problems from time to time, notably in the case coming to court next week in which a Manchester City fan who had been found smoking inside Old Trafford at this season's derby game alleges he was pushed down the stairs by two Manchester United stewards. </p> News & Comment Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/cudicini-recovering-well-1820781.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/cudicini-recovering-well-1820781.html <p> Tottenham keeper Carlo Cudicini is making a good recovery following surgery on injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash but still faces 12 weeks on crutches. </p> News & Comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:51:44 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fa-call-on-beckham-to-revive-2018-bid-1820340.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fa-call-on-beckham-to-revive-2018-bid-1820340.html <p> The cost of flying David Beckham to the World Cup draw in South Africa next month has been waved through by the Football Association in a last-ditch attempt to get the most famous footballer in the world to rescue England's faltering bid to host the 2018 tournament. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:50:04 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-davies-exclusive-selecting-the-crown-jewels-is-a-thankless-task-1820317.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-davies-exclusive-selecting-the-crown-jewels-is-a-thankless-task-1820317.html <p> We have achieved our first aim, to get the debate going – with bells on! If I had wanted to achieve short term popularity I could have written an earnest lengthy report that concluded we should do absolutely nothing. That might have received some applause but in a rapidly changing environment in the media and sporting world that would have been indefensible. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:54:18 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/believe-a-preview-to-republic-of-ireland-v-france-1820304.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/believe-a-preview-to-republic-of-ireland-v-france-1820304.html ]]> <p> The might of France stands between the Republic of Ireland and their World Cup dreams as the play-off lottery gets under way. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:14:58 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-planning-to-relax-on-agents-1820158.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-planning-to-relax-on-agents-1820158.html <p> FIFA are planning to withdraw from the governance of players' agents, risking criticism throughout the footballing world. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:08:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-ten-best-england-v-brazil-matches-1819605.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-ten-best-england-v-brazil-matches-1819605.html ]]> <p> England take on Brazil in Qatar this weekend in a mouth-watering fixture between two of the world's most football crazy nations. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:01:11 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/dwight-yorke-southgate-got-a-huge-break-ndash-why-didnt-i-1819802.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/dwight-yorke-southgate-got-a-huge-break-ndash-why-didnt-i-1819802.html ]]> <p> Five years ago this month, Blackburn Rovers supporter Jason Perryman was banned from every football stadium in England and Wales, for five years. The crime for which his punishment is almost up was to make monkey chants and gestures at Dwight Yorke, as the footballer, then with Birmingham City but previously a Rovers player, warmed up on the touchline at Ewood Park. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/dein-hired-to-boost-2018-world-cup-bid-1819812.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/dein-hired-to-boost-2018-world-cup-bid-1819812.html ]]> <p>David Dein will make a dramatic return to football wheeler-dealing with a key international role in England's bid team for the 2018 World Cup. His precise role has yet to be defined but the move was rubber-stamped at an emergency meeting yesterday, when the bid board was streamlined in the hope it can become more effective after months of turbulence and setbacks. </p> News & Comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/falling-out-with-fergie-1819477.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/falling-out-with-fergie-1819477.html ]]> <p> You can't help but feel that the Portugese winger Nani has taken his career in his hands with his attack on the management style of Sir Alex Ferguson. </p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:36:21 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/enke-funeral-to-be-held-on-sunday-1819359.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/enke-funeral-to-be-held-on-sunday-1819359.html ]]> <p> The funeral of former Hannover and Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who took his own life on Tuesday evening, will be held on Sunday. </p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:17:00 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/ashes-and-qualifiers-set-for-freetoair-return-1819356.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/ashes-and-qualifiers-set-for-freetoair-return-1819356.html ]]> <p> A review of sport's 'listed events' will tomorrow recommend that the England cricket team's home Ashes Tests should be screened on free-to-air television. </p> Cricket Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:06:46 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/george-best-punched-me-in-rage-admits-son-1819348.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/george-best-punched-me-in-rage-admits-son-1819348.html ]]> <p> The son of football legend George Best has told how his father punched him to the floor and roared “you are not mine” during a drunken rage. </p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:43:41 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/emergency-meeting-for-england-world-cup-bid-1819256.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/emergency-meeting-for-england-world-cup-bid-1819256.html ]]> <p> England's 2018 World Cup bid leaders will hold an emergency meeting later today to get the campaign back on track as the Government appealed for an end to the turmoil that has engulfed the campaign. </p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:25:26 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-coaching--its-a-tough-job-but-somebodyrsquos-got-to-do-it-1818900.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-coaching--its-a-tough-job-but-somebodyrsquos-got-to-do-it-1818900.html ]]> <p> Sir Alex Ferguson's influence on his players doesn't stop when they leave Manchester United. I had a timely reminder of that last week, in the form of a verbal boot up the backside, but the incident ended up working very much in my favour. </p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/steve-mcclaren-i-survived-ultimate-failure-now-i-fear-nothing-1818905.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/steve-mcclaren-i-survived-ultimate-failure-now-i-fear-nothing-1818905.html ]]> <p>On Sunday at the Grolsch Veste stadium in the eastern Netherlands the name of Steve McClaren was sung – as it at most home games – by the supporters of FC Twente, who know little and care even less about his past as England manager. All they cared about on Sunday was that their team had beaten Martin Jol's Ajax Amsterdam.</p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-fa-is-caught-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-1818906.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-fa-is-caught-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-1818906.html ]]> <p>It was a classic Ferguson distraction technique, of course. Manchester United had just spent much of the early evening labouring against Sunderland, requiring a large slice of fortune and an even larger deflection off Anton Ferdinand for an equaliser in a game which illustrated the deficiencies which we know more about now, a month or so on. They're why United are five points off the top of the Premier League table. </p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/secret-struggle-with-depression-of-goalkeeper-driven-to-take-his-own-life-1819037.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/secret-struggle-with-depression-of-goalkeeper-driven-to-take-his-own-life-1819037.html ]]> <p>He was the captain of his club, the rock at the heart of the German national team's defence, and expected to be first pick in goal for his country at the 2010 World Cup. But Robert Enke committed suicide by throwing himself under a train. Yesterday, his widow revealed that his professional excellence masked a devastating depression he had been battling for years.</p> Europe Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sky-provokes-backlash-after-iphone-viewing-offer-1818907.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sky-provokes-backlash-after-iphone-viewing-offer-1818907.html ]]> <p>BSkyB said last night it was not worried that its new Sky Mobile TV service for iPhones, where all Sky's sport content is now available for an all-time low price of £6 per month, will cannabilise sales of its core product – pay-TV sport – and damage its business model.</p> News & Comment Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-dirtiest-players-in-football-1818742.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-dirtiest-players-in-football-1818742.html ]]> <p> Hard-tackling, hair-pulling Elizabeth Lambert has become an internet sensation after a series of violent fouls were caught on camera. </p> News & Comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:43:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/defoe-fined-for-frivolous-speeding-appeal-1818740.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/defoe-fined-for-frivolous-speeding-appeal-1818740.html ]]> <p> Jermain Defoe was today criticised by a judge for making a "frivolous" attempt to escape speeding penalties - and handed a legal bill of more than £1,500. </p> News & Comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:13:38 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-mourns-germany-keeper-enke-1818549.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-mourns-germany-keeper-enke-1818549.html ]]> <p> Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, who committed suicide yesterday evening, had been battling depression and was first treated for the illness in 2003. </p> News & Comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:30:04 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-the-most-important-thing-weve-learned-about-the-sheikh-this-week-1818620.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-the-most-important-thing-weve-learned-about-the-sheikh-this-week-1818620.html News & Comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:35:16 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/son-speaks-out-about-george-bests-downfall-1818616.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/son-speaks-out-about-george-bests-downfall-1818616.html <p> George Best's son Calum has spoken about the tragic downfall of his father. </p> News & Comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:14:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/will-the-lights-go-out-on-south-africas-world-cup-1818228.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/will-the-lights-go-out-on-south-africas-world-cup-1818228.html ]]> <p>An ugly race row has left South Africa's national power company leaderless and is threatening to turn the lights out in the country only nine months before it is due to host the World Cup.</p> Africa Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/german-keeper-enke-dies-after-being-hit-by-express-train-1818312.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/german-keeper-enke-dies-after-being-hit-by-express-train-1818312.html ]]> <p>German football was in shock after it was confirmed that the national team goalkeeper Robert Enke was killed in an incident at a railway level crossing yesterday. </p> News & Comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/kerching-when-sport-sold-out-1818033.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/kerching-when-sport-sold-out-1818033.html ]]> <p> It's said that sport has become all about the money, and while that assessment is somewhat harsh, sometimes there's no denying it. </p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:42:00 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/what-were-they-thinking-football-fashion-disasters-1770499.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/what-were-they-thinking-football-fashion-disasters-1770499.html ]]> <p> Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung has come in for a bit of flack for the 'Wookie'-fur coat which he wore at last night's match against Liverpool. </p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:51 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/davenport-denies-assaulting-sister-1817997.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/davenport-denies-assaulting-sister-1817997.html ]]> <p> West Ham defender Calum Davenport appeared in court today charged with assaulting his sister in an incident which saw him later stabbed in both legs. </p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:15:23 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-worst-divers-in-football-1778070.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-worst-divers-in-football-1778070.html ]]> <p> David Ngog has become the latest footballer to take a high profile dive as he won Liverpool a penalty in last night's 2-2 draw with Birmingham. </p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:25 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/female-footballer-falls-foul-of-web-video-1817894.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/female-footballer-falls-foul-of-web-video-1817894.html <p> A hard-tackling, hair-pulling female footballer has become an internet sensation after a series of violent fouls were caught on camera. </p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:34:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/mark-fleming-scorn-for-officials-damns-manchester-united-1817765.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/mark-fleming-scorn-for-officials-damns-manchester-united-1817765.html ]]> <p>Sir Alex Ferguson and his players became obsessed with the position of referee Martin Atkinson when Chelsea scored the winning goal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. They should have been more concerned about the position of goalscorer John Terry.</p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/hughes-hits-out-at-tv-pundits-for-bridge-jibes-1817772.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/hughes-hits-out-at-tv-pundits-for-bridge-jibes-1817772.html ]]> <p>Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has accused the Match of the Day pundits who delivered a withering assessment of Wayne Bridge at the weekend of seizing any chance to submit players to public criticism without first watching complete match videos.</p> News & Comment Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-samba-for-sale-supporters-priced-out-as-brazil-go-globetrotting-with-friendlies-1817296.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-samba-for-sale-supporters-priced-out-as-brazil-go-globetrotting-with-friendlies-1817296.html ]]> <p>The congestion on the North Circular can make you wonder whether attending friendlies at Wembley is worth the hassle. But if you happen to be Brazilian, getting to see your national team play a friendly is a lot more frustrating than sitting in traffic by the Neasden branch of Ikea. </p> News & Comment Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/chelsea-beat-manchester-united-at-stamford-bridge-1817223.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/chelsea-beat-manchester-united-at-stamford-bridge-1817223.html <p> Chelsea have beaten Manchester United 1-0 in a tight game at Stamford Bridge. </p> News & Comment Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:13:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/outside-the-boks-nile-on-impossible-to-separate-egypt-and-algeria-in-card-game-1816938.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/outside-the-boks-nile-on-impossible-to-separate-egypt-and-algeria-in-card-game-1816938.html <p>With OTB in South Africa for most of the past week, a World Cup flavour to today's column. Qualifying for next summer's global extravaganza is due to be completed next week but an additional match may be necessary. If Egypt reverse their 3-1 defeat by Algeria in the final group match in Cairo, the two old North African rivals will be level by every criterion: points, goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head. A rare extra play-off would be necessary and the two countries have been asked to nominate three possible venues each for the sudden-death event. Perhaps Fifa should take a leaf out of their own book and separate the teams by the method used in the current World Under-17 finals, in which the United Arab Emirates, level on every count with Brazil and Holland, qualified for the knockout stage because they had received fewer yellow and red cards. Had that been identical as well, the countries would have been separated by drawing lots.</p> News & Comment Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-last-word-kakuta-a-piece-of-meat-thrown-to-the-wolves-1816953.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-last-word-kakuta-a-piece-of-meat-thrown-to-the-wolves-1816953.html ]]> <p>So much for the great unpredictability of sport. As soon as Fifa slapped that transfer ban on Chelsea, everyone knew what would happen. Stamford Bridge would launch their appeal and the Court of About-turns for Sport would lift the ban while the appeal went through.</p> News & Comment Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/what-happened-to-old-traffords-first-superstar-sandy-turnbull-1814687.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/what-happened-to-old-traffords-first-superstar-sandy-turnbull-1814687.html <p> Almost a century ago, a new sports stadium, regarded as one of the wonders of the Edwardian age, opened just outside the city boundary of Manchester. A large crowd, "quite 45,000, perhaps 50,000" according to the Manchester Guardian, overwhelmed the municipal tramways service on the opening day and swarmed across Trafford bridge "in taxis, costers' carts, coal lorries and all strange manner of things on wheels". </p> News & Comment Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/davies-claims-to-be-victim-of-red-card-ploy-1816617.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/davies-claims-to-be-victim-of-red-card-ploy-1816617.html <p>He may have committed 153 more fouls than any other player in Premier League history but Kevin Davies, the Bolton Wanderers striker, insists he is the victim of a deliberate attempt by opposition managers to get him cautioned or sent off.</p> News & Comment Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neil-warnock-gordon-browns-a-great-host-but--he-could-have-laid-on-some-cake-1816621.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/neil-warnock-gordon-browns-a-great-host-but--he-could-have-laid-on-some-cake-1816621.html ]]> <p>Amy and I had one of those typical family conversations on Monday night, where you catch up with the day's events. "Done anything interesting, Dad?" she said. "Nothing much, I just nipped in to No 10 and had a chat with the Prime Minister." She thought I was joking. And still does. As if. Hopefully, she'll believe me when she sees the picture.</p> News & Comment Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/chelsea-v-manchester-united-the-key-battles-1816405.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/chelsea-v-manchester-united-the-key-battles-1816405.html ]]> <p> It's first against second in the Premier League this weekend as Chelsea entertain Manchester United. </p> News & Comment Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:11:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-united-top-25-best-supported-clubs-in-europe-1816245.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-united-top-25-best-supported-clubs-in-europe-1816245.html ]]> <p> Manchester United are officially the best supported club in Europe, beating the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to the crown. </p> News & Comment Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/mark-fleming-gourlay-gambles-with-fans-feelings-1815579.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/mark-fleming-gourlay-gambles-with-fans-feelings-1815579.html ]]> <p>Ron Gourlay's idea of selling the name of their Stamford Bridge ground to the highest bidder is a brave plan. It risks alienating supporters who fear it will provide ammunition to rival fans, who say Chelsea have no history. However, it is a proposal that does make commercial sense. </p> News & Comment Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-arsenals-brilliance-casts-a-shadow-on-anfield-road-1815580.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-arsenals-brilliance-casts-a-shadow-on-anfield-road-1815580.html ]]> <p>The nightmare of Liverpool was always going to provide this week's most riveting drama in Europe. What we couldn't know, though, was that it would be put into quite such tortured perspective by somebody else's dream. Arsenal's, that is.</p> News & Comment Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-europa-league-would-be-no-disaster-for-liverpool-1815582.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ian-herbert-europa-league-would-be-no-disaster-for-liverpool-1815582.html ]]> <p>Steven Gerrard will take some convincing that the Europa League has any merits. He once described its predecessor, the Uefa Cup, as "nothing special, an ugly kid brother compared to the handsome Champions League."</p> News & Comment Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/kroenke-arsenal-takover-q-amp-a-1815402.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/kroenke-arsenal-takover-q-amp-a-1815402.html ]]> <p> American tycoon Stan Kroenke has moved a step closer to launching a formal takeover by taking his stake in the club's parent holding company to controls 29.9% - just short of the 29.99% mark beyond which he would be forced to make an offer for the remaining shares. Here, we take a look at what this all means for the future of the Gunners. </p> News & Comment Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:33:51 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/warner-returns-england-world-cup-bid-handbag-1815223.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/warner-returns-england-world-cup-bid-handbag-1815223.html ]]> <p> FIFA vice-president Jack Warner is returning a handbag given to his wife by England's 2018 World Cup bid because he says it has become "a symbol of derision, betrayal and embarrassment". </p> News & Comment Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:55:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/storrie-charged-with-tax-evasion-1814738.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/storrie-charged-with-tax-evasion-1814738.html ]]> <p>Peter Storrie, the chief executive of relegation-threatened Portsmouth, has been charged with tax evasion over a 2003 transfer deal, Britain's Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) confirmed yesterday.</p> News & Comment Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-i-know-rio-ndash-and-i-know-he-will-prove-his-critics-wrong-1814743.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-andy-cole-column-i-know-rio-ndash-and-i-know-he-will-prove-his-critics-wrong-1814743.html ]]> <p>The best footballers will always manage to find a way out of a slump, and Rio Ferdinand, without doubt a world-class player, will do just that. I know what it's like to be on the end of whipped-up furore about form, and since I also know Rio well, I find some of the nonsense being spouted about him – that he can't do this or that any more, that his place in South Africa is threatened – deeply depressing. </p> News & Comment Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/simon-rice-is-mike-ashley-a-sadomasochist-1814664.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/simon-rice-is-mike-ashley-a-sadomasochist-1814664.html News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:30:49 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/giving-the-name-away-stadiums-named-after-sponsors-1814651.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/giving-the-name-away-stadiums-named-after-sponsors-1814651.html ]]> <p> Newcastle today re-branded their stadium as the sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:59:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/portsmouth-chief-executive-storrie-charged-with-tax-evasion-1814632.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/portsmouth-chief-executive-storrie-charged-with-tax-evasion-1814632.html ]]> <p> Portsmouth Football Club chief executive Peter Storrie was formally charged with tax evasion today. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:39:52 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/newcastle-reveal-new-stadium-name-1814618.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/newcastle-reveal-new-stadium-name-1814618.html ]]> <p> Newcastle today joined the trend of stadium sponsorship rights by revealing a new name for their famous ground. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:14 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/pair-admit-dalglish-grenade-plot-1814556.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/pair-admit-dalglish-grenade-plot-1814556.html ]]> <p> Two men have admitted their part in a plot which saw a hand grenade left outside the home of football legend Kenny Dalglish. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:14:41 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/curbishley-tipped-for-return-to-football-1814452.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/curbishley-tipped-for-return-to-football-1814452.html ]]> <p> Alan Curbishley has been tipped to make a swift return to football after he won his claim against West Ham for constructive dismissal. </p> News & Comment Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:17:14 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/curbishley-in-line-for-1632m-payout-from-west-ham-1814062.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/curbishley-in-line-for-1632m-payout-from-west-ham-1814062.html ]]> <p>West Ham United tried to sue Alan Curbishley for £2m – the initial cost of replacing him with Gianfranco Zola – it emerged yesterday after the former Hammers manager won his case for constructive dismissal.</p> Premier League Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/proud-rooneys-take-baby-kai-wayne-home-1813817.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/proud-rooneys-take-baby-kai-wayne-home-1813817.html ]]> <p> There were smiles all round today when Wayne and Coleen Rooney emerged from hospital with their new baby. </p> News Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:09:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/platini-wants-to-protect-english-clubs-from-debt-1813772.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/platini-wants-to-protect-english-clubs-from-debt-1813772.html ]]> <p> UEFA president Michel Platini has outlined plans to "protect" English teams from spiralling debts. </p> News & Comment Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:19:18 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-ancelotti-can-show-benitez-the-value-of-nurturing-confidence-1813663.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-ancelotti-can-show-benitez-the-value-of-nurturing-confidence-1813663.html ]]> <p>You may believe that savaging Rafa Benitez has become an issue for the League Against Cruel Sports but sometimes it is too easy to get these things out of perspective. We are, after all, talking about someone who will benefit by roughly £20m if he should lose his job.</p> News & Comment Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/referees-under-fire-again-after-redcard-record-1813669.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/referees-under-fire-again-after-redcard-record-1813669.html ]]> <p> The former top referee Jeff Winter hopes the weekend's record number of red cards in the Premier League will not be repeated. The red mist descended on the top flight this weekend, with eight players sent off on Saturday and Birmingham's Barry Ferguson dismissed on Sunday. </p> News & Comment Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/where-wenger-won-how-arsene-reached-1000-1813508.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/where-wenger-won-how-arsene-reached-1000-1813508.html ]]> <p> Arsenal's victory over Tottenham this weekend saw Arsene Wenger reach the milestone of 1000 Premier League points since he took charge of the Gunners. </p> News & Comment Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:40:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/capello-to-unveil-ramsey-tribute-1813340.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/capello-to-unveil-ramsey-tribute-1813340.html ]]> <p> England coach Fabio Capello will unveil a sculpture of World Cup-winning boss Sir Alf Ramsey at Wembley on Friday. </p> News & Comment Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:15:30 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-benitez-the-forwardthinker-must-stop-overlooking-clear-and-present-dangers-1813217.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sam-wallace-benitez-the-forwardthinker-must-stop-overlooking-clear-and-present-dangers-1813217.html ]]> <p>Outside Anfield on match days they sell T-shirts adorned with Rafael Benitez's face and the catchphrase "Rafa is boss. This is a fact, no?" It is a take on his unique brand of English but also it references Rafa's peculiar brand of logic, especially the forward-planning to which he so stubbornly adheres.</p> News & Comment Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/robin-scottelliot-welcome-to-the-parallel-universe-of-club-tv-channels-1813245.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/robin-scottelliot-welcome-to-the-parallel-universe-of-club-tv-channels-1813245.html <p>This will come as news to most of you – something of a first for this column – but one day last week was Didier Drogba day. Not sure which; Monday perhaps. He's a Monday sort of person, accompanied all over the pitch by his own dark cloud and always finding something to trip him up. It was Chelsea TV that commemorated DD-day, which actually makes it sound as though he belongs on page 3 with a speech bubble coming out of his head: Didier thinks the postman should get back to work. Unfortunately, it costs £6 a month to subscribe to Chelsea TV and so, despite a root down the side of the sofa which unearthed Dean Ashton and 17p, the events of the Drog's Day will have to remain unreported here.</p> Reviews Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/outside-the-box-online-club-ebbsfleet-face-drop-as-23000-members-log-off-1812837.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/outside-the-box-online-club-ebbsfleet-face-drop-as-23000-members-log-off-1812837.html <p>The man who was behind the innovative experiment last year in which 32,000 online members of <a href="http://MyFC.com" target="new">MyFC.com</a> all over the world paid £35 each to become the owners of the Conference club Ebbsfleet United for a season is refusing to accept defeat despite a fall in numbers to 9,000. That led to budget cuts, with the club in serious danger of relegation after all but five members of the squad managed by Liam Daish left last summer. MyFC's Will Brooks told OTB: "I'm very proud that we've managed to clear around £600,000 of club debt, but very disappointed that 20,000-plus members vanished. However, we are working on a new model where fewer members pay more. For example, 3,000 members paying £10 a month could sustain the club." A club with players called Sherlock and Holmes can surely solve the problem.</p> News & Comment Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-last-word-the-fletcher-of-football-must-pay-for-crimes-1812860.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-last-word-the-fletcher-of-football-must-pay-for-crimes-1812860.html ]]> <p>"Alexander Chapman Ferguson, you are an habitual referee abuser, who accepts FA charges as an occupational hazard – and who presumably accepts touchline bans in the same casual manner. We therefore feel constrained to commit you to the maximum term allowed for these offences: you will go to the stand for a few games."</p> News & Comment Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/playing-with-injuries-has-hurt-ferdinands-form-claims-agent-1812143.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/playing-with-injuries-has-hurt-ferdinands-form-claims-agent-1812143.html ]]> <p>Rio Ferdinand has aided and abetted his own fall from grace according to his agent Pini Zahavi, who has claimed the Manchester United defender's dip in form is down to the fact he has been ignoring injury problems to continue playing.</p> News & Comment Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lucas-the-boos-at-anfield-were-my-worst-moment-1812145.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lucas-the-boos-at-anfield-were-my-worst-moment-1812145.html ]]> <p>Lucas Leiva cannot suppress a smile when he is reminded of the moment, 18 minutes into the game against Manchester United on Sunday, when he clattered into Paul Scholes, won the ball and played in Dirk Kuyt who almost scored. It was the moment that said Lucas was not going to be pushed around. </p> News & Comment Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000