UEFA Champions League

 the massive matchup between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The match up is the second part of the two game series. The first was played last week at the Santiago Bernabeau in Madrid, Spain.

Barcelona won the first leg 2-0. Leo Messi was the star of the victory and Barcelona looked untouchable. They passed, dribbled around Madrid as if they were training cones.

Jose Mourinho will have to sit out Real Madrid's
second champions league game at El Nou Camp
due to his rant after his sides loss

The game brought major controversy when Pepe, Madrid Midfielder, was handed a red card for a challenge on FC Barcelona’s right back, Daniel Alvez. With Madrid a man down, there was no chance of containing the all-star

Controversial Manager of Madrid, Joes Mourinho, had lots to say after they lost but would say nothing previous to this match-up. When journalists discovered he was remaining silent over half of them left. One Italian journalist, Filipo Ricci, stated, “What happened was Mourinho decided not to come to the press conference, the usual press conference before the Clasico, and to send out Aitor Karanka.

The press didn't like this decision and decided to quit the press centre as he was coming in.

The surprise was that Mourinho also came into the press centre, but when the press officer said Mourinho wasn't getting any questions, at that moment around half to three-quarters of the press centre left.”

It’s interesting to see Mourinho so quite this time around. After the last loss, the coach complained of Barca’s theatrics. Accusing them of diving and going as far to say they have gathered video evidence to prove there was no contact on the foul Pepe was red carded for. Mourinho and co. also accused a player of shouting a racial slur towards their defender, Marcelo. They demanded a two-match ban for the accused, Sergio Busquets. They also called for several other players including Javier Mascherano to be banned for at least one match.

Leo Messi and Barcelona look to knock Madrid out
of the champions league this season. Messi scored two
in the first game at the Santiago Bernabeu

Mourinho and Madrid claim there has been a pro-Barca and anti-Madrid bias this season and there is also one amongst the UEFA governing body.

Mourinho had this to say after the last UEFA Champions League game:

“Afterwards Mourinho told reporters: "Josep Guardiola is a fantastic football coach, but he has won one Champions League which would embarrass me after the scandalous goings on at Stamford Bridge (in 2009).

"This year if he wins it again it will be after the scandalous goings on at the Bernabeu'.

Wayne Rooney looks to continue his run in outstanding
form and slide past the German side Schalke 04. Rooney and
Manchester United take on Schalke at Old Trafford in
Manchester on Wednesday

"I don't know if it's the UNICEF publicity or the friendship of Villar at UEFA, where he is vice president, I don't know if it's because they are so nice, but they have got great power. The rest of us have no chance."

We’ll see what happens today when the teams face off at El Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain. Don’t forget to watch the other semi-final tomorrow, Wednesday, featuring Manchester United and Schalke 04!

PFA Player of the Year Highlights

Two highlight videos from the PFA Young Player of the Year, Jack Wilshere and PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale:

Gareth Bale Wins PFA Player of the Year

The Professional Footballers’ Association has announced the player of the year and the Premier League first team of the year.

Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur was announced as the player of the year for the 2010-2011 English Premier League Season.

Gareth Bale and the Spurs look to continue their run
into the premier league's top four and qualify for another
champions league campaign

"I am more than delighted, really," he said. "It is a massive award and it is a great honour to receive, especially from other fellow professionals. It is an honour, really, when you look at the names that have won it before and it just makes you go 'wow'. – Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur Midfielder

Tottenham Hotspur Manager, Harry Redknapp, was extremely proud of Bale. He is only the fourth player from Tottenham to win the award in the clubs history. He is the fourth to win behind players like Pat Jennings, Clive Allen, and David Ginola. Bale is well on the path to becoming a Spurs legend and this is a great start down that path. Redknapp has vowed he will not be selling big name stars when the transfer window opens up over the summer.

"It is great for him, he deserves it,'' Redknapp said. "It is a great award for him to win and I could not be more pleased.”

The PFA footballer of the year is won by accumulating votes from all the other professionals in the league. The people Bale plays against week in and week out are the ones who voted him, and Bale believes that these are the guys who know you and your playing best.

The 21-year-old beat out Charlie Adam, Samir Nasri, Scott Parker, Carlos Tevez, Rafael van der Vaart, and Nemanja Vidic. Player of the year was not the only award Bale was up for; he was also nominated as the PFA Young Player of the Year.

However, he was beat out by Arsenal FC’s Jack Wilshere. Wilshere is a 19-year-old midfielder who has also recently won a few caps for the senior English National team.

Jack Wilshere and the Gunners have a lot of work ahead
if they wish make a challenge for the premier league
regular season title

"It is my first full season and it is a massive award, especially from my fellow players," he said. "It is amazing. I am very proud to be the fifth recipient from Arsenal; it is good to keep this history going. Arsenal is a good club for bringing youngsters through and they keep proving it so I would like to thank the manager as well. I am delighted just to be in the team." – Jack Wilshere Arsenal FC Midfielder

Apart from these two special awards, the Premier League Team of the Year was also announced last night. The team of the year included players from five teams in the English Premier League.

Premier League Team of the Year as follows: Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Kompany (Man City), Nani (Man Utd), Samir Nasri (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), Carlos Tevez (Man City), Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd).

Amazing Penalty Kick

Check out this wild penalty kick that takes place in Baar, Switzerland. You may need to watch it twice!

One of the most difficult things about soccer can be refereeing. Check out this referee bloopers video!

Protecting Referees; The Final Straw!

English Premier League to crackdown on referee abuse.

The English Premier League has announced its plans to cut down on player and manager abuse of league referees.

The campaign is set to begin with next year’s premier league season. The clubs of the English Premier League have unanimously voted to support next year’s Respect campaign.

EPL CEO Richard Scudamore
announces the plan for the respect campaign
set to begin next season. EPL is aiming
to end referee abuse

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore announced plans for the campaign last Thursday March 31^st. 

“I think we do need to concentrate on the player and manager relationship with the referee this time, as everyone of us knows that there have been elements of unacceptable behavior.” – Richard Scudamore

Scudamore and the rest of the clubs agreed something must be done in regards to high number of attacks on referees. Most recently Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, was handed a five game sideline ban for his comments about a referee. He was not allowed to be on the sideline for the next five games Manchester United played in the Premier League.

“You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that.  I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst.” – Sir Alex Ferguson said about the referee following Man U’s 2-1 loss to rival Chelsea FC

Referees have faced much scrutiny this season. Some have had their integrity and honesty questioned publicly. The respect campaign is a great step forward in defending and protecting professional referees.

West Ham United boss Avram Grant
has been suspended two matches for his
comments regarding the refereeing following
West Ham's March 13th FA Cup loss to Stoke City

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal FC manager, was suspended earlier this season for his “abuse” of match referees. Wenger, Ferguson, and Avram Grant manager of West Ham United have all been hit with some kind of suspension and/or fine this season in regards to referee abuse. Avram Grant is the most recent and is suspended for two games and fined £6,000 for his comments about the referee following West Ham United’s FA Cup loss to Stoke City.

"I think maybe this is the reason the referee started the second half very strange. Until they scored [the second] goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything for them.”

"It was a penalty for us at the end which he didn't give. What happened with Tomkins was more bushido [the Japanese code of conduct for samurai warriors]. Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it was the effect of the first goal for us." - Avram Grant

Wayne Rooney has been the center of
attention quite often this season. Rooney will
be serving a two match ban due to another mishap

The FA is not only coming down hard on coaches for their dissent, but also on players. Wayne Rooney was just handed a two game ban for saying the f-word on camera following a goal he scored against West Ham United. Rooney tallied a hat trick in the Red Devil’s 4-2 win over The Hammers.

Scudamore has reassured everyone in the Premier League he is very serious about the new respect campaign and others could be seeing harsher punishments for ref abuse.

"As to what we think is unacceptable; it's vitriolic abuse towards match officials and that has on occasions gone unpunished; the surrounding of referees is unacceptable; the goading of referees into trying to get opponents sanctioned we think is unacceptable; and also the undue criticism, where it spills over into questioning the referee's integrity or his honesty is also unacceptable." – Scudamore added

La Liga Strike!

Spanish La Liga and a possible a strike

Is there a possible strike looming ahead for La Liga?

For now a court in Madrid says no, but there could be in the future.

David Beckham has law named after
him in Spain. The law was introduced in
2005 to attract foreigners to live and work
in Spain.

Several Spanish clubs that were looking to maximize benefits from TV revenues proposed the strike.  There is also a huge advantage for La Liga clubs in comparison to their rivals in other European countries. Foreigners who live and work in Spain are only forced to pay a twenty four percent income tax while natives are stuck with a hefty forty three percent income tax.

This law was introduced in Spain as the David Beckham Law and was designed to help attract foreign executives to better run some of the countries top business firms.

With the tax law as is, Spanish clubs can save up to £2 per year when compared to their English counterparts. Chelsea FC heavily considered signing Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, but they were turned away when they learned the true cost of what his wages would be in England. Aguero’s weekly wages in England would have been £200,000, but due to the taxing laws in Spain he only costs Atletico Madrid £160,000 per week.

The English tax for high earners is also set to have a possible increase, sometime this April, to fifty percent.

Chelsea had plans to spend big money
on Sergio Aguero but how much is to much
for the football giants?

The possible reformation of the tax law has many big club presidents worried. The reformation of the tax laws could cost nearly €100 million for the league as whole. Real Madrid would undertake a £2 Million per year fee for taxes on Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract.

Many are also worried there will be other complications that stem from the clubs having to accept these massive tax fees.

'This could bring very negative consequences. It would prevent La Liga from being the best of the world and would have negative impact on other aspects, such as the amount of people in stadiums and it would make our product less attractive to television. We have calculated that this reform would add 100m euros to the bill for Spanish football.' – LFP President Jose Luis Astiazaran

There are many others who support Astiazaran, claiming that the tax break for foreigners is what gives La Liga its competitive advantage over all football leagues in Europe.

"The strike would have been a stab in the heart of football, Football only sells hope and, if we kill people's illusions, we will kill football. There are no winners or losers. The big winner is football.” – Villarreal General Manager, Jose Manuel Llaneza

Cristiano and co. have some work to do if they
plan on catching current La Liga leaders Barcelona

Atletico Madrid president, Enrique Cerezo added - "I sensed that the games were going to be played. Imagine what would have happened. Luckily, everything has been solved.

"The court decides the official calendar for the first and second divisions should remain unaltered for the next round of matches." – Madrid Court Document

For now the courts have decided the league schedule will be played as arranged and nothing will change. The hope is that La Liga will solve their problems without any disruptions and their clubs will continue competing at the highest levels of world football.

USA vs. Argentina

Highlights from the U.S national team's campaign at the World Cup in South Africa 2010. Tonight, the U.S matches up against Leo Messi and the rest of the stellar Argentinian squad.

England over Wales

England coast for an easygoing victory over Wales.

Wales was at home in their Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales earlier today. They would face an England squad who saw some controversy arise earlier this past week.

Welsh international Gareth Bale
at training camp prior to their
matchup against England

Wales would be without star Gareth Bale, who is currently sidelined nursing an old injury. The injury isn’t reported as being a serious one, but rather one due to fatigue. He may only need about ten days of rest and should be back in the lineup for Tottenham.

Gary Speed, Wales’s head coach, insists he didn’t pick the injury up while training with national team. "He did the warm up on Tuesday, we took him off and he went for a scan on Wednesday and he had an injury there." – Speed added about Bales’ injury

The Three Lions had absolutely no trouble with the Welsh, despite being away from home.

Frank Lampard hits home England's first
goal from the penalty spot

England saw two goals come from Aston Villa’s Darren Bent, and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard. Lampard notched a penalty kick home in the seventh minute of the game. Darren Bent doubled England’s tally as he slotted home the game’s final goal in the fourteenth minute.

If there were one undesirable thing England received from the game, it would be Wayne Rooney’s yellow card. The yellow card ensures England’s bully will miss the next Euro 2012 qualifying match in Switzerland.

With the win England take top position in their Euro 2012 qualifying group, moving ahead of Montenegro.

Welsh captain Aaron Ramsey and English
captain John Terry shake hands prior to
the match

John Terry saw his return as captain go remarkably smooth. It was his first game as captain of the England national squad in seventeen months.

The Welsh capped one of their youngest captains in their history. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey captained the squad as he returned from a broken leg injury.

The Welsh fans were urged to support their team and young captain as they filled the stadium Saturday.

"I hope the fans stick with the side,'' he said. "We didn't give them too much to shout about today. The way things went in the first five minutes, it was very difficult against a top-quality team. But we are not always going to play England. Hopefully the fans can see that and when they come back next time they can shout us on again.'' – Welsh Manager Gary Speed

English manager, Fabio Cappelo has been under extreme pressure from English fans since their poor showing in South Africa. Cappelo defended his choices with an extremely well showing today.

Many were surprised by his changes in the line-up and slight changes in formation. England lined up in a 4-3-3, which came as a shock to some English fans. Although, Cappelo claims he has always lined up in a 4-3-3 and will almost always start in that formation.

England will now look forward to their match in Switzerland as they hope to follow up with another great performance and really take charge of their qualifying group.

Also don't forget USA takes on Argentina tonight at 6pm on ESPN 2!

England had little to worry about with Bale on the sideline. Check out his highlight tape from a UEFA Champions League Matchup:

England national team controversy

England National squad divided?

John Terry, who plays his club soccer for Chelsea FC, has been reestablished as the Captain for the England national team.

England Captain John Terry
and manager Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello replaced former Captain and Manchester United star, Rio Ferdinand with Terry.  "I'm not going to be everybody's cup of tea, but it is the decision the manager has taken.” – John Terry

This has created some serious controversy because some don’t believe Terry is a suitable captain for the national team.

Just over a year ago, Terry was removed as captain of the national squad. This happened amid allegations he cheated on his wife with a girlfriend of one of his former teammates, Wayne Bridge.

Terry insists the guys on the team shouldn’t look at him for anything that happens off field, but rather for what he does on the field.

"It's important that you guys look at me on the pitch and see what kind of passion I play with, I think that can come across to you guys and players at grass roots." – England Captain, John Terry

Capello announced Terry’s reinstatement at a recent training session.

This is not the first off field controversy Terry has been involved in.

There was allegation he organized a secret tour of Chelsea’s training ground in exchange for £10,000.

John Terry speaks at a press conference
held to announce his captaincy
following a national team training session

Regardless of a few rough spots Terry is the captain and one of the best center backs in the game.

"I know what is asked of me on and off the pitch. Maybe the manager has looked into that as well. I have kept my head down on and off the pith and concentrated on playing well for club and country and have done that for the last year.” – John Terry

Terry held a press conference to address the media and some unlikely visitors.

Three school children had a chance to sit front row and ask the newly appointed captain any question they like.

"You are an inspiration as a player. But what kind of role model do think you are for boys of my age?" – The school reporters asked John Terry

New captain John Terry and former
captain Rio Ferdinand training for the
English national team

Terry responded with this (click to see Terry's response)

Former captain Rio Ferdinand called Terry to “wish him well.”

Terry said they spoke for about ten minutes on the phone and Ferdinand reminded him that the most important thing was winning.

England has a game coming up on Saturday in Cardiff against Wales. The game is an important Euro 2012 qualifying game.

American Injured!

Stuart Holden, an American playing for Bolton Wanderers in England, was injured in a nasty tackle over the weekend. 

Manchester United downed Bolton 1-0 when Dimitar Berbatov notched the games only goal, late, in the 88^th minute.

Red Devils defender, Jonny Evans, makes
a nasty tackle on Bolton's, Stuart Holden

Holden was carried off the field in a stretcher and immediately taken to a local London hospital. 26 stitches were needed to repair the enormous, bloody gash on Holden’s knee.

 Manchester United defender, Jonny Evans, committed the brutal tackle and was ejected from the game with a red card. Evans did reach out to the American to offer an apology and wish him a healthy recovery.

Holden being carried by stretcher
following the challenge

Holden is now expected to miss up to six months, although initial X-rays show there are no breaks in his leg. Holden did suffer a broken leg last season in a friendly for the U.S national team.

Nigel de Jong, Dutch National team player, led the challenge responsible for Holden’s broken leg last season.

If you happen to remember Nigel de Jong’s martial arts style kick on Xabi Alonso from the World Cup then you’re all too familiar with the nasty challenges that occur throughout the game.

Soccer has no place for brutal tackles like those done by Jonny Evans and Nigel de Jong.

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal FC, head coach agrees there needs to be harsher punishments for nasty tackles.

“The English game becomes dangerous when players try to hurt each other. I like commitment in football — what I hate the most is a player who is not committed and jumps out of the tackle. But to have a committed game you need to know that the intention of players is right.” – Arsene Wenger, Manager, Arsenal FC.

The FA needs to investigate more into tackles that cause injury to other players. There is definitely reason to call for a further game suspension for Jonny Evans.

The injury will cost Holden two U.S national team matches, and the rest of the premier league season. The U.S national team hosts Argentina in New Jersey on Saturday, and Paraguay on Tuesday in Nashville, Tenn.

U.S. national team head coach, Bob Bradley, was forced to make some changes to the roster for the two upcoming games. There were two others dropped from the roster along with Holden, Steve Cherundolo, and Zak Whitbread. Leeds United defender Erik Lichaj was one of the last additions to replace the injured players.

Holden must be reevaluated again on Sunday to hopefully determine the extent of the injury he received.


Here is a video of the tackle made by Jonny Evans on Stuart Holden:

Barcelona vs Arsenal 2010 UCL Highlights

Posted this video because of the monumental UEFA Champions League (UCL) match between Arsenal FC (London, England) and Barcelona FC (Barcelona, Spain). The second game of the two game series is taking place today at Estadio Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain. Arsenal currently holds the lead 2-1 on aggregate after their home win at the Emirates Stadium. The video above is match highlights from last year’s second game of their UCL two game matchup. Barcelona won last year's matchup.

Enjoy! Check out team and stadium links!

Stadium of Light and Sunderland, hardly keeping books or hard to keep books?

Stadium of Light and Sunderland, hardly keeping books or hard to keep books?

With the passing of the January transfer window, The Black Cats have had to make a more conservative approach for the use of their available funds.

We’ve already seen big names like Darren Bent and Lorik Cana sold over the past year.

There has been speculation that Sunderland would have to sell all its big name players in order to keep their financial books balanced. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11695_6802146,00.html)

Last year’s financial statements for Sunderland, show losses that increased by 1.4 million pounds from the previous year. Sunderland incurred gross transfer fees of 28 million pounds. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11095_6754565,00%20en-USS_01DBC.html)

Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England
Home of the Blackcats

Sunderland has seen gate receipts fall from 13.88 million pounds in 2009, to 12.6 million pounds during the last year. Blaming much of the gate losses on city pubs that broadcast home games through illegal broadcasts. (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11095_6754565,00%20en-USS_01DBC.html)

Sunderland hopes to overcome extensive fees and losses with gains in revenue from the sales of star players. These players include Kenwyne Jones, Marton Fulop or Martyn Waghorn. They are also set to receive a hefty fee for their former star striker Darren Bent.

Sunderland received 24 million pounds for the rights to Darren Bent.

Bent knows his role with his new club and understands he is expected to provide goals and wins as Villa pursue one of the top four spots in the Premier League.

Darren Bent of Aston Villa

Bent was sold when two other record signings occurred. Spanish international Fernando Torres, who was sold to Chelsea FC for 50 million pounds from Liverpool FC, and English international Andy Carroll, was sold from Newcastle United to Liverpool FC for 35 million pounds.

"Someone like Torres is proven in the top-flight and in my opinion is the best striker in the country, and if he goes for £50million you kind of think fair enough,” – Darren Bent added this of new Chelsea Signee Torres.

Bent, Carroll, and Torres must all be feeling the pressure for the record amounts of money spent on bringing them to top of English football.

"It definitely does add pressure.” Obviously for me it is pressure I have dealt with before because I went to Spurs for big money.” – Darren Bent on his new signing with Aston Villa FC.


Bent has made a little to no impact since signing with Aston Villa FC, and has yet to impress.

Fernando Torres arrived at Stamford
Bridge for a fee of £50 Million

Bent has been dealing with the pressure that comes with his massive transfer fee. He has managed two goals in five Premier League appearances for Villa.

Fernando Torres has been an absolute disappointment so far. He has created very few chances for struggling Chelsea and has yet to convert any of those chances into goals.

Who will be the best signee from the January transfer window? There are still a handful of games left in the Premier League and still time for these big money men to impress.

Chelsea Extend Title Hopes

Chelsea Extend Title Hopes!

After an explosive start to the Premier League season, Chelsea has found themselves in somewhat of a slump. There is no doubt that key injuries throughout the season have contributed to the plunge. The Blues were desperately in need of a huge win.

With a 2-1 win over Manchester United, Chelsea maintained a chance in the race for the Premier League title.

"We've done that, and though Man United are deservedly top of the league at the moment, we've still got some fight in us as we showed tonight." – Frank Lampard said about the win.

Florent Malouda of Chelsea miss
times a tackle against Manchester
United's Michael Carrick

Chelsea was powered by the penalty kick of Frank Lampard in the 79^th. Chris Smalling, Manchester United Defender, tackled Yuri Zhirkov in the box.

Zhirkov came on as a second half substitute, and made his presence felt almost immediately. He sent a full volley screamer off of Nemanja Vidic for a Chelsea corner.

Nemanja Vidic played an extremely sound game in the back for the Red Devils, but was eventually sent off in extra time for taking down Ramires; resulting in his second yellow card offense.

David Luiz of Chelsea makes
a challenge against Wayne Rooney
of Manchester United

Wayne Rooney started off the scoring for United. Rooney slotted home the opener in the 29^th minute.

Rooney and Chelsea Center Back David Luiz had an ongoing skirmish on the field. Luiz made several nasty challenges on Rooney, one of which could’ve seen him sent off.

David Luiz has been playing absolutely amazing in his few games. He scored a smashing half-volley that put the Blues back in the game and knotted it at 1-1.

"We defended badly for the first goal; that was a bad one to lose. We played very well. I thought it was great performance and we didn't deserve that. I'm proud of my payers, they did their best, created chances and played football." – Manager Sir Alex Ferguson added after the defeat.

United looked solid the whole game, just as they have the whole Premier League season. 

“Man United are fantastic, they played really well, but we managed to keep going even at 1-0 down." – Chelsea Manager Carlo Ancelloti.

Sir Alex made a change of his own in the second half, and sent on Ryan Giggs.

Ryan Giggs
of
Manchester United

Giggs, who has already enjoyed many Premier League honors, went onto the pitch for his 606^th Premier League appearance for Manchester United. Giggs long, decorated career began back in March 1991 when he made his first appearance for United.

"Giggs is a phenomenal man," – Sir Alex had this to say about Giggs.

Chelsea will train through the rest of the week, (Pray Ashley Cole doesn’t Shoot anybody) as they prepare for their match against Blackpool on Monday March 7^th.

Manchester United look to avenge their second loss of the season; they match up against Liverpool on Sunday March 6^th. 

Check out both clubs online:

Chelsea FC

Manchester United FC