The Independent - Football RSS Feed

FA end betting investigation

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:58:18 GMT

The Football Association has ended the investigation launched as a response to reports of unusual betting patterns in Norwich's Coca-Cola Championship game against Derby on 4 October.

Eduardo nears Arsenal return

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:27:00 GMT

Arsene Wenger believes it will not be long before Arsenal see striker Eduardo back in action.

Ferguson expresses shock at Keane exit

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:20:54 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he is surprised by Roy Keane's sudden exit from Sunderland.

Newcastle get £8m Keegan claim

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:52:39 GMT

Kevin Keegan's legal representatives are believed to have submitted papers to the three-man Premier League tribunal that will rule on Keegan's claim for constructive dismissal from Newcastle United in early September.

James gifts Germans win as Portsmouth crash out

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:49:48 GMT

Portsmouth were knocked out of the Uefa Cup here in Germany last night after losing 3-2 to Wolfsburg in their Group E clash. Edin Dzeko put the hosts into an early lead before Pompey hit back through Jermain Defoe and Arnold Mvuemba, although Christian Gentner levelled the match before the break.

Slovaks too smart for sloppy Villa

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:47:50 GMT

Martin O'Neill threw in a kid from the Academy but learnt a lot about his older Aston Villa understudies. They weren't good enough. The striker Nathan Delfouneso, 17 and Birmingham-born, can be excused. He scored with aplomb in a first full appearance of rich promise but was surrounded by a performance of alarming ineffectiveness against opponents who, although champions of their country, Slovakia, are hardly Europe's finest.

James Lawton: Keane - The fighter who quit when most needed

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Some of the greatest players in football history have been obliged to admit the skills they displayed on the field could not be transferred easily to the manager's office.

Sam Wallace: Keane - Is he really so fearsome, or just a cranky uncle?

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Roy Keane's flaw is that he can only see himself like a character in an Alexandre Dumas novel – death or glory and nothing in between. Hamlet without the prevarication. As a player at Manchester United it was beguiling, impressive, even inspirational because Keane was protected from his own worst instincts. As a manager those instincts just look self-destructive and unnecessary.

How the Wearside messiah lost the plot in just 40 days

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Falling off a cliff has become a favoured metaphor for business reporters regarding economic confidence in these turbulent financial times, but it could scarcely be more apt than in the case of Roy Keane and Sunderland.

Ince may be next to go as Rovers stare into the abyss

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Blackburn Rovers are desperate for Paul Ince to succeed but his future is in serious doubt amid a sense of shock inside the club at the fall towards the foot of the Premier League table and an acute awareness that relegation might condemn them to a long period outside the top flight.

Defiant Keane walks out on Sunderland

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Roy Keane ended a short, stimulating era at Sunderland yesterday with his resignation two years, three months and 100 games into the job but there was no time for reflection among those who would succeed the 37-year-old Irishman as manager. The Sunderland chairman, Niall Quinn, has already received numerous enquiries and the bookmakers have installed Sam Allardyce as the early favourite to be Keane's successor.

Mikel keeps head to play cards right

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

John Obi Mikel is relishing a role at the heart of the Chelsea team – and is determined to keep his head this season. The 21-year-old has made the most of the opportunity presented after a serious knee injury ruled out Michael Essien until the latter stages of the campaign.

Bent ready to face United cup challenge head-on

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Manchester United, Derby County, or Burnley? Who would you like to avoid with a Wembley final at stake?

Evra faces ban over Bridge row

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Patrice Evra will discover today the outcome of the FA's hearing into the so-called "Battle of Stamford Bridge", with the prospect of him facing either a hefty fine or ban if he is found guilty of improper conduct by the Association's commissioners.

Football in brief: 05/12/2008

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Hughes warns off agents interfering in transfer dealings

The club's manager Mark Hughes has delivered a further warning from the club that he will not tolerate the unsolicited involvement of agents as his club prepare to spend in the transfer window next month. "You will find there are a lot of people jumping into the middle of deals that involve Manchester City and announcing themselves as representing someone," Hughes said.

Two arrested over Mido race chants

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:29:07 GMT

The Football Association have vowed to "take the strongest possible action" against anyone found guilty of Islamophobic or racist chanting against Middlesbrough striker Mido.

Bruce wants Heskey to stay

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:10:56 GMT

Wigan will play hardball if necessary in a bid to keep Emile Heskey on their books until the end of the season at least.

Brown rules himself out of Sunderland running

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:49:37 GMT

Hull boss Phil Brown has ruled himself out of the running for the Sunderland manager's job and reiterated his commitment to the Tigers.

Giovinco cool on West Ham link

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:45:24 GMT

Sebastian Giovinco has ruled himself out of a move to West Ham by insisting he is happy to stay at Juventus, even if only to sit on the bench.

Bruce laments Keane exit

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:16:26 GMT

Wigan manager Steve Bruce believes Roy Keane's departure from Sunderland is a sad day for the game in general.

Fabregas: My future's at Arsenal

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:12:10 GMT

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has once again re-affirmed his commitment to the Gunners.

FA vow to take action over chanting

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:48:11 GMT

The Football Association have vowed to "take the strongest possible action" against anyone found guilty of Islamophobic or racist chanting against Middlesbrough striker Mido.

Liverpool want to be winners says Gerrard

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:43:55 GMT

Skipper Steven Gerrard has brushed off the club's recent poor form by insisting the current Liverpool side is the best he has played in.

Kinnear keen to extend Newcastle stay

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:39:01 GMT

Joe Kinnear is determined to make his critics eat their words as he attempts to prove he is the long-term solution to Newcastle's problems.

Manchester City warn transfer middle men

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:34:49 GMT

Manchester City have issued a red card to agents and intermediaries aiming to cash in on their vast new wealth in the January transfer window.