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23-Nov-09
Hello and welcome to my latest look at what has been passing through the football filter this week.
Not wanted.
That seemed to be the message from the Premier League chairman when they decided that the Premier League didn’t want Rangers and Celtic to join and form a new two tier structure. THE SCOTSMAN gives the view from north of the border.
In case you didn’t notice its international week and with England safely through to the World Cup finals its money making, publicity generating friendly time. Brazil are the opponents this time in Qatar and THE GUARDIAN reports that Wayne Rooney will captain the side in the wake of an ever increasing injury list.
Spare a thought for poor Frank Lampard though as 3NIL reports. Apparently Chelsea are going to sue the football Association for the injury picked up by Lampard in Qatar due to him travelling in, shock, horror, economy class for the seven hour flight. Whether their complaints have basis in truth or not, sympathy will be in short supply for a player who earns £135,000 a week and whose leg hurt after a plane ride. As if we needed more evidence that footballers live in a completely different world to the rest of us!
Speaking of World Cups the battle to host the 2018 competition has been the subject of intense debate over recent weeks. The England bid committee has had to increasingly dance to the tune of FIFA vice president Jack Warner and after his scathing comments regarding England’s bid and the now infamous handbag being returned, an emergency meeting saw the committee ’streamlined’ – in other words head rolled. THE GUARDIAN again has the details.
For many teams their World Cup fate is yet to be determined with the play-offs to decide the final spots in South Africa. Ireland are one of those teams and face a tricky tie against 1998 World Cup winners France. SOCCERLENS brings us an extensive preview of the action.
There are plenty of other play-off games going on of course and SOCCER BY IVES gives us a decent rundown of the runners and riders.
And finally.
Petty squabbles and superficial differences were put into context with the sad death of Germany ‘keeper Robert Enke, who after years of depression decided to take his own life. THE SPORTS REVIEW was among many news agencies to tell us his sad story.
In other sports news, the odds for the Cheltenham Gold Cup are starting to heat up, so it could be well worth keeping you eye on them!