Category: Section 2 Around the Net

“Standard [Liege] has offered to extend [my contract]. I have never responded, neither yes nor no. I never said I wanted to leave at any price, nor that I wanted to stay.” U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu on his future, or not, at Belgian champion Liege. His current contract with the club expires in June.

“I just felt with Robbie coming in there would be a new impetus with him as captain. He can give an awful lot. He is a big personality and we are a quiet team.” Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp justifies his appointment of the returning Robbie Keane as captain.

“I really believe having him playing for North Queensland Fury will change the way people think about the [Australian] A-League.” Fury chairman Don Matheson has signed former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler, 33, and thinks there will be some kind of a “Beckham Effect.” Fowler had been linked to a couple of MLS clubs, […]

“I do think it is a vocal minority. But I find it shocking that some fans have already forgotten how well this football club is doing. People following the club now are privileged to be doing so, because it is the most successful period in the club’s history.” Hull City Chairman Paul Duffen hits out […]

“We are working to keep him and I think he would like that too. Milan will do everything to have Beckham even after March. It is clear that it’s our wish to have him until the end of the season or on a permanent deal. There’s a hope but contracts should be honored. If [the […]

“I wanted to start playing right away. I don’t want to be doing days where we’re not touching the ball, just working on fitness, because that kind of gets you nowhere.” Houston Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear reveals that he sent an e-mail to players three weeks ago instructing them to show up already fit for […]

“I don’t think expectation is a bad thing, [it’s] a good thing. If you expect to do too much in a short time you might be a little disappointed and it might set you back a little bit. But I think our expectations are pretty real.” Toronto FC’s new playmaker Dwayne De Rosario on the […]

“He is at a point in his life where he needed some time to think about what is next — if he wants to continue. We have an open line and he will keep me informed as to what he wants to do.” D.C. United Coach Tom Soehn on goalkeeper Zach Wells, 27, who is […]

The English FA has upheld Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard‘s claim for wrongful dismissal following his red card in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said Tuesday that selling unsettled striker Robbie Keane back to Tottenham Hotspur is a risk worth taking in the best interests of the team, even though it may leave his side short of fire-power should key Spanish forward Fernando Torres suffer any more hamstring injuries.   “Sometimes good players cannot settle […]

The joint bids submitted by Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups are a waste of time given that soccer’s world governing body FIFA has already stated its opposition to such bids, writes Keir Radnedge. The countries appear “to have forgotten FIFA’s earlier strictures that co-hosting bids would not be considered […]

The Chicago Fire is being sued for breach of contract by the company that promoted its 2008 preseason tour of Mexico, Luis Arroyave reports. Mexico-based Administradora de Proyectos Neomed (APN), which sponsors and promotes soccer games, claims the Fire broke its agreement when it failed to play the third match of a three-game tour last […]

Many observers and journalists have said that Major League Soccer’s best option in the case of David Beckham would be to let him leave and be done with it. But Frank Giase thinks the player’s departure now would mean a huge loss of face for the league.   “Beckham has a contract and he needs […]

Paraguay’s national soccer stadium, the Defensores del Chaco, has been closed indefinitely after two policemen were killed in an accident Sunday. Five other officers were injured when part of concrete ramp collapsed during an amateur game, police said.   “Part of the structure gave way and fell on seven uniformed officers who were 10 to […]

AC Milan has named on-loan L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham to its roster for its forthcoming UEFA Cup matches, a development that has left the player “really happy.” Beckham is now available for both the home and away games of the round of 32 meeting with Werder Bremen on February 18 and 26. His loan […]

Former Duke striker Mike Grella, 22, has signed for English third division (League One) club Leeds United, according to a list of completed transactions on the BBC website. The forward impressed the three-time English champion with a hat trick last month in an outing for Leeds Reserves.   Other significant moves before the deadline expires […]

The British company that supplies broadcasts of the English Premier League to Africa went bust on Friday, depriving African fans of EPL action at the weekend.   “Increased instability in global markets interrupted our ability to secure funding on an acceptable timescale and have left us no choice but to cease operations,” Gateway Broadcast Services […]

The stories that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has somehow “lost the plot” over the past few weeks are a misinterpretation of the Spaniard’s methods, writes Oliver Kay. He says that the manager is a thinker, and that his attack on his Manchester United counterpart Alex Ferguson last month, his decision to substitute Steven Gerrard during […]

The English FA has received an appeal from Chelsea against midfielder Frank Lampard‘s sending off in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool. The player was given a straight red card by referee Mike Riley for a challenge on Xabi Alonso and faces a three-match ban.   Television replays showed that Lampard clearly played the ball, and […]

“I feel like we have enough guys who can step in and fill their shoes, hopefully. It’s part of the business and we realize that every year there’s going to be changes, and you have to move forward. You can’t dwell on who’s here and who’s not.” Little Stevie Ralston reports back for another year […]

“As it is, the main consequence of the transfer window seems to be that it forces transfer deals through that would seem absurd without the aid of a panicked midnight deadline, like desperate teenagers grabbing the nearest person for a snog as the last song comes on at a disco.” Josh Widdicombe reflects upon the […]

“I got a call from a Madrid agent but I didn’t really take it seriously. I thought he was winding me up. Then a few minutes later my agent called to tell me it wasn’t a joke.” West Ham United’s French midfielder Julien Faubert, 25, who has made just 19 appearances for the EPL side […]

“We’ve brought in a player who potentially could be an important player, but he’ll have to demonstrate it.” Spanish second division Xerez CD’s Sporting Director Miguel Angel Rondan on new loan signing from Villareal, Jozy Altidore.

“His [David Beckham‘s] agent is here in Milan. He will first speak with him and then we will meet him ourselves. The good feeling between our club and David is absolute but you all know the situation.” AC Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani reports on the latest installment of the L.A. Galaxy midfielder’s seemingly inevitable […]

“I thought about it a lot, and it was the right amount of money and security [with United]. Another thing is, I have a good situation here. I think a lot of guys go from team to team looking for a good situation, for things like playing time, enjoying where they’re living. I’ve obviously had […]