Carlos Tevez and West Ham United Seem Linked Forever, Ronaldo Car Crash and More

Johnathan Starling — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:13:38 +0000

If there is one story that I want to just be over and never have to hear about again, the Carlos Tevez saga with West Ham United and Sheffield United would be that story. When I first read that the FA and the Premier League were going to reopen the case against West Ham and Carlos Tevez, it felt like I was hearing fingernails on an old chalkboard. What more needs to be said about this case, but that has been nothing but one giant farce. As far as I’m concerned, this case has been nothing but hell on earth.

West Ham is correct in saying they have nothing to hide, that’s only because this whole situation has been vetted out in the numerous hearings this matter has had before. To me the questions I want answered are simple ones. What were the FA and Premier League’s intentions back when they made their initial punishment? Why did the two bodies wait until now, knowing what the latest panel ruled, to decide in relaunching this investigation? Does West Ham have any legal options should the FA and Premier League decide to punish the club two times over the same matter? And finally, what can the FA and or the Premier League do to prevent further embarrassment with regards to this matter?

The sooner this matter is over with, the happier I will be. This whole situation right now makes any world renowned circus seem like a man on a standard trampoline. The only hope for all of us is that every organization/federation involved has learned the lesson of this scandal and save those lessons for future use.

Other Stories
The day after Obafemi Martins gets away with driving 106 miles per hour without losing his license, Cristiano Ronaldo totals a Ferrari on his way to training for Manchester United. As the witness interviewed for the story said ‘It’s a shame about the car’. Thankfully Ronaldo was not injured in the crash…that’ll be his pocketbook when he goes to purchase another.

Speaking of Cristiano Ronaldo, when will this nonsense about Real Madrid also stop? Here’s another one of those ‘a verbal deal has been made‘ announcements that I’m sure will be changed in the next few days.

Add William Gallas to the Arsenal injured list. The hamstring got him this time. Funny that on the same day this news is made public, Gary Megson made his feelings know about Wenger’s complaining about Bolton’s physical style.

With the UK FA Cup Fourth Round ties having been announced, Kettering Town is not happy their home tie with Fulham was not picked up. Hey look on the bright side, this has to be one of the international games picked up…right? (Editor Note: Setanta has offered this game up on delay in the UK. Once the FA gives the green light or not, we’ll let you know).

In a move that I can only think is a move to get him to leave the club, Chelsea are going to ask Michael Ballack to take a pay cut and earn his salary with an incentive based contract. Have a funny feeling the answer will be a loud ‘NO!’

Here’s a strange transfer for everyone. Manchester United must see this is a short term project to sign Ritchie De Laet from Stoke City. I wonder if their partnership with Royal Antwerp had anything to do with it?

Middlesbrough are holding firm to their promise that no one will leave the Riverside. Today it’s Gary O’Neil they are having to reject a bid for…this one from Portsmouth.

Here’s a move I would advise Tottenham not make…a move for Tal Ben Haim. I simply call him ‘the human turnstile’.

The next person to complain about this transfer window, Phil Brown.

And a column to go home by. Matt Hughes discussing Luiz Felipe Scolari and how he needs to prove himself (code word for win) in these big games.

Are Manchester City About To Go Into Meltdown?

Paul Bestall — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:50:36 +0000

When the Vedran Corluka story broke on Thursday, it seemed nothing more than transfer speculation hitting the news wires, stoked by the usual rumour mongers and agents, desperately trying to earn a bit of corn for themselves, pushing a transfer through. Manchester City denied it, Tottenham didn’t mention it and Mark Hughes came out and said that he had no interest in selling any of his first choice players. Another statement was released last night to the same effect.

Later on Friday, Hughes once again had to came out and said that the owner, Thaksin Shinawatra, had no interest in selling the club and was committed to Manchester City in the long term. Don’t forget it’s only 6 weeks ago they signed Jo for a club record fee of £19 million pounds, adding Ben Haim to the squad on the 1st August for a further £5million as well as chasing Ronaldinho most of the summer too. Surely Manchester City can’t really be facing financial meltdown?

Yet, on further investigation things began to unravel on Friday evening. Corluka was to join Tottenham for the exact amount that City had paid for him a year earlier and on Saturday afternoon, Corluka travelled to London to complete his transfer to Spurs. To all intents and purposes, Corluka is now a Tottenham player but the deal has yet to be announced to the stock market. Corluka’s agent has also confirmed the deal has been completed but City are refusing to release the players registration. Spurs are apparently considering legal action to force the release of the player.

Prior to the Saturdays match, rumours then broke regarding Stephen Ireland, who was nowhere to be seen in the build up to the friendly against AC Milan, was concluding a transfer to Sunderland. This was obviously against the wishes of Hughes who had only found out when he arrived at the ground that Ireland had been sent to Sunderland to discuss contract terms. He quickly called him back to Eastlands to discuss the situation further.

Sunday then saw stories circulating that Shinawatra was not going to return to Thailand to stand trial in the court case against him for corruption charges but nothing was concrete or official until Monday morning. Shinawatra has indeed released a statement stating that “He and his wife would be staying in the UK where democracy is more important”. The Thailand Supreme Court has now issued an arrest warrant for him, making him an international fugitive, which now causes issues with the Premiership’s fit and proper person test. The British Home Office has yet to receive an application for political asylum at present.

Add to this fact that all City’s new arrivals are being paid for in installments and payments have now begun to bounce, the club don’t own the Eastlands ground, so can’t use that as collateral to raise funds and the £200 million loan that Shinawatra borrowed on the proviso that his frozen assets would be released is also due for payment and the worries begin to grow for this great club. Any new buyer would have to pay at least £200 million immediately to clear Shinawatra’s debt’s and make the club secure and the current financial climate doesn’t make an immediate rescue package seem too viable.

How will Mark Hughes feel in this situation is anyone’s guess, but you have to feel sorry for him if this scenario is as real as some people are making out. He came to Manchester City to improve his standing as a manager and push himself on to a different level, this could force him into reconsidering his position as manager. Being in charge of an owner’s firesale didn’t appear on the application form.

Whilst this could all be a massive misunderstanding, under the surface, things do not sound good. In fact, things seem to be taking a similar route to that which befell Leeds United several years ago but Leeds had tangible assets to try and raise some funds. Other than the playing staff, some of whom they still don’t own, City don’t have anything to sell. With 5 days left to go until the start of the season, it seems bad things are afoot at Manchester City and I have heard that some people feel the club has two weeks left as a football club. Let’s hope that this isn’t true and City can hold on to what they have in these difficult times.

EPL Talk » Tal Ben Haim

Carlos Tevez and West Ham United Seem Linked Forever, Ronaldo Car Crash and More

Are Manchester City About To Go Into Meltdown?