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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Transfer news: Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid won't give up on Gareth Bale

Zinedine Zidane: Wants permission to talk to Gareth Bale

Zinedine Zidane: Wants permission to talk to Gareth Bale

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Zinedine Zidane says Tottenham should let him speak to Gareth Bale and insists Real Madrid will not give up the chase.

The Spanish giants are ready to break the world-record transfer fee for Spurs' Welsh winger.

Real are already understood to have tabled an £85million offer for Bale and could go even higher, although White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy appears determined to hang onto his star man.

However, Real legend and director of football Zidane believes unsettled Bale should be given the opportunity to discuss a possible move.

"If he's expressed a desire to join Madrid, then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us."
Zinedine Zidane

Speaking from the US, where Real are preparing for Friday's friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy, Zidane said: "If he's expressed a desire to join Madrid, then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us.

"The chance to play for Real Madrid might only come around once in a player's lifetime - and it's understandable Gareth doesn't want to miss out on it."

Bale is due to report back at Tottenham on Wednesday, although a muscle injury means he is unlikely to train and will probably not be involved in the weekend friendly against Monaco.

The 24-year-old is said to be frustrated by Levy's stance on the pursuit by Real, and Zidane added: "It's not unusual when a player knows that Real Madrid are interested in them, that they get excited.

"There is nothing more prestigious for a player to wear than the white of Real Madrid."

'Modern football'

Carlo Ancelotti's side have already spent an estimated €70million (£61million) this summer signing Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro, but Zidane says the club is not put off by the numbers involved in any possible deal for Bale.

"This is modern football. You have to pay to get the best players in Europe," said the Frenchman.

"Last season, Gareth was on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The best players can have not so great games but change a game with a moment of brilliance.

"Those are the sort of players that win you Champions League and league titles."

Zidane also believes Bale can improve his game at the Bernabeu.

"He is already one of the finest players in Europe and he has everything needed to become the best player in the world," he added.

"It's a bit of a cliche but it's true - you become a better player playing with better players."

Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos has adopted a more ambiguous tone with regards to the possibility of Real signing Bale.

"I think that the price of the player is dictated by the market," said Ramos.

"It's not my job to decide whether we should sign Bale or someone else. It's important for Madrid to have a large number of young players and Spanish players in the team. The mix of youth and experience makes for a good project. The president and the other directors will decide whether or not we sign Bale, not me."


Source : http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8848647/transfer-news-zinedine-zidane-says-real-madrid-wont-give-up-on-gareth-bale
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Pro12: Scarlets ready to open talks with Lion Jonathan Davies

Jonathan Davies takes on the Australian defence for the Lions

Pro12: Scarlets ready to open talks with Lion Jonathan Davies

The Scarlets are ready to open talks with British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies about a new contract.

Davies played in all three Tests in the 2-1 series win over Australia but his Scarlets contract ends in May 2014.

The region will also talk to Welsh internationals Rhys Priestland and Scott Williams about new deals.

Continue reading the main story

“We want to keep hold of all of our Welsh international players” Mark Jones Scarlets Attack coach

"Jon has a season left with us and we will start speaking to him as soon as he comes back from holidays," said Scarlets attack coach Mark Jones.

"Hopefully, he will settle down here for a long time further."

Davies was at the heart of a huge row when he was controversially selected ahead of of legendary Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll for the third and deciding Test in Sydney in July.

But he played his part in the Lions stunning 41-16 win over Australia in Sydney to clinch a first Test series victory since 1997.

His performances in Australia make Davies, 25, one of the highest-profile players remaining in the Welsh domestic game.

His Wales and Lions centre partner Jamie Roberts has left Cardiff Blues for French rugby's big spenders Racing Metro 92 for the new season - along with Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate.

And the Scarlets saw Lions wing George North depart for Northampton Saints at the end of last season after failing to agree terms over a new contract.

Jones believes the key to keeping Davies at Parc y Scarlets is to convince the player the region can help his career.

"We have to fulfil his ambition," said Jones.

"Jon will be coming back from a very successful Lions tour and he is going to want to come back to an environment he feels is going to get the best out of him, so he can keep on playing for Wales and getting on future Lions tours."

Last season's Pro12 semi-finalists also aim to keep hold of Wales fly-half Priestland and centre Williams.

Priestland is also out of contract at the end of the season , while Williams signed a new deal with the Scarlets in April.

"We want to keep hold of all of our Welsh international players," said Jones.

"You are looking at three individuals, Rhys Priestland, Jon Davies and Scott Williams, who would be perhaps household names with the Wales squad.

"We definitely want to keep those players within the region and I am sure talks will start imminently about extending those gentlemen's contracts with this region.

"They have come through the system, they are the perfect example to the next crop of youngsters about what you can achieve and where you can achieve it.

"We want those players to be putting that Scarlet jersey on for a number of years yet."

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Ouseley welcomes Reds' initiative

Ouseley welcomes Reds' initiative

Ouseley welcomes Reds' initiative

The chairman of anti-discrimination group Kick It Out has welcomed Liverpool's decision to issue their staff with guidelines detailing unacceptable words and phrases in a bid to eradicate discrimination in the stands at Anfield.

The club have produced a handbook which highlights common slurs against race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and disability which they want to stamp out. Included on the list of unwelcome phrases are insults like 'Don't be a woman', 'Play like a girl' and 'That's gay'.

And Lord Herman Ouseley, chair of anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, believes the guide is a positive step.

He said in a statement: "Kick It Out acknowledges the great strides that Liverpool FC has taken over recent times to reiterate their continued commitment to equality.

"The guide forms part of an overall awareness programme, and is a positive and proactive step in educating staff and stewards at the club.

"Match day stewards must be trained on dealing with incidents of discrimination and unacceptable behaviour in order to eradicate it from our stadiums, and more and more football clubs are using Kick It Out's Equality Standard as a framework to develop this education across all areas of the business."

Liverpool's players receive their own guidance as part of a separate Premier League programme, and this latest move forms part of a wide-ranging programme to help other club employees identify discriminatory language that may be used by supporters on match days.

"As part of the club's continued commitment to tackle all forms of discrimination, as well as promoting its approach to equality and diversity, Liverpool FC has been actively engaged in a full club-wide education and awareness programme," Liverpool's social inclusion officer Rishi Jain said.

"This programme includes interactive workshops and a handbook which is designed to provide information on the latest equality legislation including information relating to what terminology is deemed as both acceptable and unacceptable.

"This programme of awareness enables our employees to recognise inappropriate language and take the necessary steps to ensure Anfield is free from all forms of discrimination.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/liverpool/ouseley_welcomes_reds__initiative_rss4351728.shtml
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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Lechia Gdansk v FC Barcelona: Neymar makes debut as Barça draw in Poland (2-2)

2013-07-30_gdansk-barcelona_43

July 30, 2013 is a date Barça fans will remember for two reasons. The first is a sad one, for one of the greatest players ever to represent the team, Antoni Ramallets, passed away today. A minute’s silence was respected in his honour in Gdansk, and the players wore black armbands. But this was also the day that Neymar made his Barça debut, coming on for the last fifteen minutes of a 2-2 draw at Lechia. Sergi Roberto and Messi scored Barça’s goals, both times to cancel out earlier efforts from the home side.

Early shock

Barça started with the same eleven as in the two previous friendlies, other than Sergi Gómez coming in for the absent Mascherano at centre back. The side was still missing manager Tata Martino and all of the Spanish and Brazilian internationals, apart from Neymar. The game got off to a frenetic pace, with the visitors in control, pegging Lechia back in their own half. The first chance fell to Alexis from a corner, but his effort skimmed wide of the post. Shortly after it was from another corner that the Poles went ahead thanks to a thunderbolt of a header from Bieniuk.

Sergi Roberto levels

The Lechia goal certainly stirred things up. The Polish side battled to defend their lead, while Barça proudly fought for an equaliser, with Messi and Alexis particularly active in attack, while the third striker, Tello, was forced off with an injury and replaced by Joan Roman. It was Montoya who finally found the leveller after 25 minutes, running into space ahead of Alexis and sending the perfect pass from the goal-line for Sergi Roberto to stroke the ball home.

Crosses from the by-line were proving to be Barça’s strongest weapon, but in the air, it was the home side that had the upper hand. Both Dos Santos and Messi had chances to grab a second just before the break, but things were still all-square when the whistle blew.

Same story

Unlike in the first two friendlies, there were no major changes to the Barça eleven at the start of the second half. Oier came on for Pinto in goal, and that was all. In fact, it was Lechia that made more changes, and once again made good of their physical superiority.  In the 50th minute, Grzelczak broke free from Montoya and slammed the ball past Oier from the narrowest of angles. The home fans started believing in a famous triumph against the Liga champions, but Messi soon dampened the mood in the stands when he finished off a fine team move in the 56th minute with a deft flick before the home keeper.

Messi in action

Having thwarted another Polish lead after 61 minutes, Messi squandered a golden opportunity following a delightful combination with Sergi Roberto and Adriano. The Argentinian was one of just two ‘survivors’ (Alexis was the other) of a mass substitution ordered by caretaker manager Jordi Roura, with the rest of the team now made up of players from Barça B. Lechia, meanwhile, continued looking impressive, and created a series of half-chances on the counter attack.

Neymar comes on

One of the most awaited moments came in the 78th minute when new signing Neymar made his first appearance for Barça. Alexis and Messi had been taken off just moments before, meaning he was the lone first team player on the pitch. With the pace of the game by now much slower, and with what little rhythm there was constantly interrupted by some somewhat unhurried substitutions by Lechia, the Brazilian had few opportunities to show off his virtues, especially as he was on the receiving end of an extraordinary number of fouls considering the short time he was on the field. With Barça patiently pressing forward in search of a third, it was Lechia who almost nicked a winner right in front of goal in the final seconds. The chance went begging, and Barça’s third game of the preseason ended in a 2-2 draw.

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Aviva Premiership: Leicester Tigers disappointed over Richard Cockerill ban

Richard Cockerill: Ban brought forward but Leicester are not impressed with RFU

Richard Cockerill: Ban brought forward but Leicester are not impressed with RFU

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    Edinburgh appoint Solomons and Scott in coaching roles

    Alan Solomons

    Alan Solomons

    Edinburgh appoint Solomons and Scott in coaching roles

    Edinburgh Rugby have appointed former Springboks assistant Alan Solomons as their new head coach.

    He will be joined by Stevie Scott, whose work as interim head coach has been rewarded with the role of full-time forwards coach.

    Edinburgh finished third bottom of the Pro12 last season, leading to the exit of head coach Michael Bradley in March.

    "This is a very exciting role at a club which has a huge amount of potential," said Solomons, who arrives on 9 August.

    "The ambition and desire of everyone involved with the club to do whatever it takes to build its success, and the plans being put in place to achieve that, are very impressive.

    "I'm very much looking forward to arriving in Edinburgh, teaming up with Stevie Scott and meeting the challenges head on."

    Solomons was assistant coach during South Africa's record run of 17 victories, which included an unbeaten Tri Nations success in 1998 and record wins over Scotland, France and Wales.

    It was during this time that he coached the Western Province to successive Currie Cup Premier division finals, winning the first of those deciders in 1997, while he also took the Stormers to the Super 12 semi-final in 1999, before beginning an impressive three-year term at Ulster in 2001.

    Ulster reached the knockout rounds of the Celtic League every year Solomons was at the helm, twice made the Celtic Cup final - lifting the trophy in 2003 - and enjoyed a three-year unbeaten home record in the Heineken Cup.

    He was employed as a high performance consultant for the IRB from 2007 to 2011 before taking the Eastern Province to three successive Currie Cup division one finals, winning the Cup in 2010 and 2012, and lifting the IRB Nations Cup under the guise of shadow international side, the South Africa Kings.

    He was then appointed director of rugby with the Southern Kings for their maiden Super Rugby season before securing his move to Murrayfield.

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    Transfer news: Real Madrid bid £85m for Tottenham's Gareth Bale

    Gareth Bale: World-record bid from Real Madrid

    Gareth Bale: World-record bid from Real Madrid

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    Real Madrid have made a world record bid of over £85m to Tottenham for Gareth Bale, Sky Sports understands.

    Real's offer has been on the table for over a week, and Bale is becoming more and more frustrated with the situation.

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    Sky Bet go odds-on that Gareth Bale leaves Tottenham this summer, but will Daniel Levy resist the advances of Real Madrid? Click here to bet on Bale's future.

    The bid does not include any Real Madrid players moving to Spurs as part of a package.

    Sky Sports understands Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is currently in Miami and that the club's stance - that the Wales international is not for sale - has not changed.

    Bale has so far kept his feelings to himself, making no public declaration about what he wants to happen next.

    Tottenham and Bale are back from the Asia Trophy and will resume training on Wednesday.

    "The briefing between Real and the Madrid media is that verbally - and I don't think there's a written offer - Spurs are aware that Real are willing to go to 93m euros for Gareth Bale."
    Graham Hunter

    Speaking on the Sky Sports Football Season Preview show, former Spurs player and Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp said he thinks it is inevitable Bale will now move.

    "How can he turn it down?" Redknapp said. "I also believe Spurs are a selling club - go back to Michael Carrick, Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov - okay, they also sell at the right price.

    "I think there'll be a conversation between Daniel Levy and (owner) Joe Louis and I can only see one outcome, that he'll be a Real Madrid player."

    Earlier on Tuesday, Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas backed his club's chase for Bale.

    "We are talking about one of the top three or four best players in Europe," said Casillas, "and it's normal that his name is being discussed because he has all the qualities a footballer needs."

    Madrid-based newspaper Marca, which is effectively a mouthpiece for Real, claimed on its front page on Tuesday that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is demanding a fee of £126m, which would shatter the world-record fee for a footballer - the £80m Real spent on Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

    Spain-based journalist Graham Hunter says the La Liga side are prepared to offer a huge sum to tempt the forward to Madrid.

    "The briefing between Real and the Madrid media is that verbally - and I don't think there's a written offer - Spurs are aware that Real are willing to go to 93m euros for Gareth Bale," said Hunter.

    Online bookmaker Sky Bet have now gone odds-on that Bale leaves Tottenham in the current transfer window for the first time this summer, with Madrid the clear favourites at 4/7 to land his signature.

    Immoral

    The president of the Spanish Football League (LFP), meanwhile, has dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid's pursuit of Bale is immoral.

    A potential world-record bid has attracted criticism in some circles in light of the economic crisis still ravaging Spain, but LFP president Javier Tebas insists he has no problem with Real getting their chequebook out.

    He said: "It is immoral to pay for something when you cannot afford it. I think it's more immoral for a club to spend one million euros which they do not have.

    "100million euros is a huge amount of money to spend on a player but if Madrid can afford that then it's not a question of morality, but of whether it's a risky move or not."

    Tebas declared that he looks favourably upon the move for Bale, as the Welshman's arrival would boost the profile of Spanish football.

    "I don't know much about him, but if Bale is a good player, than I'd rather he was over here (in La Liga) than in the Premier League," he said.

    "It's not a question of how much he costs, you have to look at how much money he will generate, and if the LFP has all the stars, it will allow us to maintain high television revenue. All the money the arrival of this type of player generates translates into more revenue."

    Tebas also responded to questions from journalists about the increasing number of high-profile players from outside of the top two clubs who have left La Liga this summer, such as Radamel Falcao, Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas and Iago Aspas, with Roberto Soldado set to follow the trend, by leaving Valencia for Tottenham.

    "Seeing players leave is a double-edged sword,'' he said.

    "Clubs need to decrease their debts, and it's a shame that players have to leave, but it is good news because this is the path we have chosen.

    "Spanish football clubs pay 120million euros in interest each season, and just think about the players we could have had with that money and how much we could have paid them.

    "If we can reduce our debts, in four or five seasons' time we will have more money to invest in our football. We are on the right track, and the clubs know that."


    Source : http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8848350/transfer-news-real-madrid-bid-85m-for-tottenhams-gareth-bale
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