Sky Sports thinks Maniche is Russian!

Sky sports, a TV channel based in the UK also maintains a comprehensive website with news updated as quickly as they take place.

However,they also can be too quick to make an error.As was spotted by me when I clicked on this link here . (Click image if not clear)

In this report,Manich who plays for Atletico Madrid in the La Liga has been linked with Sunderland.Atletico Madrid on the other hand deny the exit for the former Chelsea man.

He hasn't had a great season and has found it hard to make it to the starting XI at the Vicente Calderon.

The error by Sky Sports is too funny to be forgotten!

Oh in the end,Maniche plays for Portugal and NOT Russia :D

Wigan suffer Zaki injury blow

Wigan striker,Amir Zaki is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

The Egyptian picked up a hamstring injury when he was playing against Zambia on Sunday.The three week period includes the rehabilitation period for the striker too.

Zaki has had a mixed career with the Latics so far with an impressive run in the beginning but has failed to bring in his magic and skill to score goals.

This is a huge blow for manager Steve Bruce and his Wigan side who are now desperately pushing for a European place via the UEFA Europa League(formerly UEFA Cup).

Hull City officially report Fabregas

Hull City have handed over the full details of events that took place at the Emirates Stadium in Arsenal's 2-1 win.

It has been alleged that Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas spat at Brian Horton,assistant manager of the Tigers.

Cesc Fabregas has been sidelined due to an injury came on to the pitch to celebrate with his team mates over their quarter final victory.

Hull boss,Phil Brown maintains the Spaniard spat at Horton in the tunnel as the Hull players left the field.

"My evidence has gone in, Brian Horton's evidence has gone in and Sean Rush's(fitness conditioner) evidence has as well. That is all that has been necessary as regards to us up to now,"

Brown told the Hull Daily Mail.

While Fabregas has maintained his innocence, not much has come out of the Arsenal camp.

Will this be a turn of events if he indeed is found guilty?Fabregas has been sidelined for a long time now and is expected to make a return on the weekend against Manchester City.Also with Champions League tie with Villareal,they don't want him to be without match practice!

Mancini could have been Sir Alex's number two

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini could have been Manchester United manager,Sir Alex Ferguson's number two.

This revelation comes from his agent, Giorgio De Giorgis who talked about how he was approached by Manchester United to replace Carlos Queiroz but turned it down.

Mancini however had links to manage clubs like Chelsea as well.

The agent,De Giorgis said :

"A little while ago there was contact with United but they were offering him only the role of Ferguson's assistant. And that didn't suit him."

Carlos Queiroz is now managing the Portuguese national side while Mike Phelan is the assistant to Sir Alex.

Would it have been good for Manchester United? Also,if we see it in the long term then he would be the big replacement too?How interesting would that have been!

GoTipster : Earn while you learn!

You read football news everyday.Fantasize about doing those fancy tricks Ronaldo does.But don't manage to do that,don't fret.There are sites which provide you the chance to learn about football.

What's more?You get to earn like Ronaldo by visiting them too.One such website is Soccer Tips and Football Predictions where they are running a competition to earn $50(CASH!) or at least popularise your blog with their 125*125 ads placement.

Just head over to their contest page and it'll be explained there.All too easy to be done.Best of luck!

Go Tipsters : For your footie tips!

Am sure many of us have at one point of time been involved in placing bets with friends or on a larger scale with big money splashing.The bet could be about the score,the goal difference or who would score.Hell,bets are placed on if someone would get a red card or no.But how do we ensure that we win?Simple.Just analyse their previous performances and also their performance with that team in the past and you could guess the outcome.

The problem arises where you don't know where to look for all of these information.That's where GoTipster steps in.Not only do they provide you with comprehensive information about the squad of the teams but also their performances in the run up to the game.

These are just not limited to your betting games with friends but serious knowledge of the game and to think it could be just limited to one league.You're wrong.The website covers everything from Serie A,Premiership,La Liga to utterly boring International Friendlies too!

In the end it also provides their prediction going into the game.Now you would want to believe such experienced football enthusiasts ,wouldn't you?

Also,if you think this guy must have a good hunch then,sir you're wrong,again! They have a 60% accurate prediction rate so these are very good odds,right?

Next time you call your betting person or meet your friends,make sure you check Go Tipster!

Van Der Vaart : I want to leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart has expressed his desire to leave the Madrid based club and has his sight set on Stamford Bridge.

Reports in the British press have been linking the former Hamburg player who moved to Real Madrid in the summer with Chelsea.

The Dutchman has failed to impress current boss Juande Ramos and seen his place being taken over by Wesley Sneijder.

Speaking to Daily Mail Online,Van Der Vaart said :

"Fortunately for me, Chelsea want me, so I have everything clear,"

"If Guus Hiddink remains at the helm of Chelsea, I hope that the signing will be closed soon. I want to leave Real Madrid."

It however doesn't seem to be a good option to move to Chelsea with their array of options in the midfield.Would he be able to get a place in the starting lineup which he craves for,I think not.

Hiddink can stay for longer at Chelsea

Gus Hiddink,Chelsea and Russia manager could stay for a longer period than expected by the Blues.

Russia FA has sanctioned the extension of Hiddink's stay in London with the Blues.They believe Gus can manage both club and country even if Russia qualifies for South Africa 2010.

“We are ready to discuss it with Chelsea.We are comfortable with the situation.”
"If he says he can handle it, we have no reasons not to believe it. He is a responsible person with a lot of experience and if he takes that responsibility he will perform for certain."

General Secretary of the Russian FA,Sorokin said.

Hiddink is tipped to take up the role of a consultant at the end of the expiry of his contract which is the end of the season.

Would this "consultant" role mean he would be giving out transfer instructions or just game tactics to the new manager or to the assistant staff at Chelsea?

Benitez says Liverpool won't sign Silva

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez put the rumours linking Valencia's attacking midfielder to Anfield to rest.

Throughout the week there had been speculation that the 23 year old Spaniard would add to Rafa's "Spanish Armada".

Valencia have finally succumbed to their increasing debts and would necessarily agree to summer moves for the player.They would much rather sell him to a team outside the La Liga.

Liverpool were linked to be highly interested with the major part of the transfer kitty being allowed to Benitez to be used for Silva's transfer.

However that would not be the case. Rafa said :

"We will not be signing him.

We are working hard, talking with the scouting department and looking at names and options for next season. It's still too soon, but we are working hard.

Benitez also had words of advice for his Liverpool side which has recently been on a thumping-win-run with 4-0 win versus Real Madrid in the Champions League,4-1 win away at Manchester United and 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa,they were asked to take it one game at a time and there can be slip ups by anyone.

This title race will go right to the wire and it would be interesting when the league restarts following the international break.

FIFA vs EPL

FIFA president,Sepp Blatter and Premier League chief executive,Richard Scudamore are once again at logger heads with the previous calling those in charge of the latter to be in there just for the money.

Blatter had this to say to Bloomberg after their meeting to solve the differences :

"He is working to make a lot of money and I'm working to have football as a social, cultural event around the world, being a school of life, bringing hope, bringing emotions,"

In response,Scudamore has blasted Blatter's 6+5 rule which makes only 5 foreign based players to be added to the starting lineup of a club side thus promoting homegrown talent.

He goes on to take the example of the England national team which has all players playing in England except David Beckham.


This really isn't the end of this issue and more comments wouldn't be shocking.However I don't understand why Blatter has to butt in to Premiership's business!

Sir Alex to quit if they win title : Son

Sir Alex Ferguson's son,Darren Ferguson has claimed the Scot could step down if they win the Premiership title.

Sir Alex has been at Manchester United since 1986 and has brought numerous titles to add to the Red Devil's trophy cabinet.

He had done a u-turn seven years ago when he turned 60 and there has been constant speculation when he would actually step down.

There had been many reports earlier with his replacement being Carlos Queiroz who currently heads the Portuguese national side.

However,his son,Darren Ferguson thinks he would step down if the Reds win the title this season.

Manchester United's title hopes have been jittery in the past few weeks with two consecutive losses to Liverpool and Fulham.Liverpool who are on Manchester United's heels have been performing stupendously with recent demolition of Aston Villa.

Darren said this of his father :

"His health is fine and he's building a new team.

If they win (the Premier League) this year then they catch Liverpool in terms of titles won.

I can see him doing this year and next - and then that might be it for him."

Manchester United are one behind Liverpool's 18 english league titles.

Perth Glory distance away from Philips

A-League side Perth Glory have distanced themselves from Birmingham striker,Kevin Philips.

Earlier in the week,Perth Glory were reported to be strongly considering approaching former West Brom man for his move to the club 'down under'.

Birmingham City then threatened to report the matter to FIFA for tapping up their player who had recently returned from a hamstring injury.

Now,Perth Glory coach,Dave Mitchell has confirmed that they no longer would make contact with the former England man.

"We regret any misunderstanding in this matter and can categorically say that Perth Glory has not made any contact with Kevin Phillips," Mitchell said.

Kevin is obviously a wonderful player and the kind of top-class professional we'd like at our club.

However, he is contracted to Birmingham and we completely respect that fact."

Middlesbrough fined for bad behaviour

Middlesbrough have been fined 6000 pounds for their inability to control players.

The fine was handed out after Middlesbrough's Didier Digard was sent off in their January 17 clash with West Brom at the Hawthorns.

The referee in charge Mark Halsey was harassed by the Middlesbrough players after the ejection of the Frenchman.

Middlesbrough have admitted the charge and will be liable to pay 4000 pounds now and 2000 pounds next season subject to any other impeachments of the same rule.

Brad Friedel red card rescinded

The red card handed out to Brad Friedel over the weekend has been overturned.

Brad Friedel was adjudged to have brought down Fernando Torres in Aston Villa's 5-0 drubbing at Anfield.

Torres was charging towards the goal when Friedel brought the Spanish forward down to hand Liverpool a penalty but in no way was it a red card.Probably a yellow card would have been a fair enough punishment.

This means Friedel would be available for Villa's clash with leaders Manchester United on April 5.

Friedel has appeared for 182 straight games in a row now after he surpassed David James' record of 166 in November.