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Barclays Premier League Season 2011/2012

David Luiz

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David Luiz

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Maradona supports Carlos Tevez in dispute with 'spoilt brat' Mancini
The football legend slammed Manchester City's Italian manager, as well as stating that he felt like an exile in his native Argentina


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Sir Alex Ferguson backs David de Gea to use Chelsea performance as springboard for successful Manchester United career
The Spanish goalkeeper pulled off two impressive stoppage-time saves at Chelsea to secure a point for the visitors


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Agent reveals Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs interested in Javi Garcia
The Spaniard's representative said that several teams in Europe are keeping tabs on his client and revealed that a summer exit is possible


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While British media slams the Clausura General Belgrano, the real concern is the increasing politicisation of Argentine football
The naming of the coming tournament after the tragic warship is not a call to arms, but the AFA's willingness to reflect political opinion can only have negative consequences


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Roberto Mancini unfazed by Manchester City's poor away form ahead of trip to Aston Villa
Italian believes club are playing well on their travels but stats tell a different story


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‘Harry Redknapp is best man for England’ - Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson heralds Tottenham manager as favourite
The Old Trafford coach, who managed Scotland himself in the 1980s, admitted it is a difficult task to lead your country but the he believes the former Portsmouth boss can succeed


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'The FA need the one with the best Premier League record' - Kenny Dalglish hints at Sir Alex Ferguson for England job
The Reds boss believes that his Old Trafford counterpart and fellow Glaswegian should be considered by the FA after almost two decades of Premier League near-domination


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Valdano: Barcelona need Van Persie more than Real Madrid
The Santiago Bernabeu side's former sporting director has voiced his opinion that the Blancos do not require the services of the Dutchman, but the Blaugrana might need him


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Newcastle United star Demba Ba: French clubs do not take risks
The Senegalese forward has revealed that Rennes made an approach to sign him, but feels that French clubs "do not go anywhere" as they are afraid to take a gamble


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Harry Redknapp 'flattered' by England link but remains focused on Tottenham
The in-demand Spurs boss also revealed his thoughts on whether the international job could be combined in a dual role with a club position


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Feyenoord fans start petition to hold on to Manchester City loanee John Guidetti
The Sweden Under-21 star has impressed since joining the Eredivisie giants on loan, and the club's faithful are desperate to hold on him beyond the current campaign


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Arsene Wenger hoping for Gervinho to return to Arsenal in form after firing Cote d'Ivoire to the Africa Cup of Nations final
The Gunners boss wants to see the Ivorian's performances replicated upon his return to the Emirates Stadium after he netted the only goal in the tournament semi-final


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Alan Shearer backs Newcastle to secure Champions League qualification & believes Manchester City will win Premier League
The 41-year-old Magpies legend believes Alan Pardew can steer his old club into Europe's elite competition, and hailed the new front pairing of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse


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Harry Redknapp's 'presence' is the key to his success, suggests Tottenham's Jermain Defoe
The diminutive Spurs striker praised the manager he has known since he was 16-years-old, and also looked towards Saturday's game against Newcastle


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Can Luis Suarez repeat Eric Cantona's grand comeback when Liverpool face Manchester United?
The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra


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Ryan Giggs signs one-year contract extension at Manchester United
The midfielder, who has made 898 appearances in total, is set to compete in his 22nd season for the Old Trafford club he joined in 1987


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'If Luis Suarez stays focused Liverpool could beat Manchester United' - John Scales picks key battles ahead of Old Trafford clash
The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions


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Roberto Carlos claims FA 'broke a rule' if they failed to consult Fabio Capello prior to taking England captaincy from John Terry
The Brazilian, who played under the Italian coach at Real Madrid, also claims the managerial switch could hamper the Three Lions chances at Euro 2012 in the summer


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England's most prolific post-war manager & still a legend - Fabio Capello made some mistakes but remains one of the greats of the game
After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure


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Manchester City's Patrick Vieira slams refereeing inconsistencies
The former Arsenal midfielder believes the suspensions to Vincent Kompany and Mario Balotelli were unfair and has warned officials "not to kill the passion of the game"


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Aston Villa's Shay Given backs Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart for England captaincy
The Irishman uses Dino Zoff and Iker Casillas as examples to show that goalkeeping captains can be successful and sees no reason why his former team-mate cannot take the role on


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Thierry Henry loan deal at Arsenal will not be extended, New York Red Bulls boss Hans Backe confirms
The manager of the Frenchman's parent club has confirmed that he will return to the MLS side on February 17, meaning he will miss the north London derby against Tottenham


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Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker blames poor form on lack of Premier League winter break
The German has struggled to adapt to the pace of the top English division and feels no rest over the new year period has hampered his form


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Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas concedes title race by admitting he is now aiming to finish 'at least' fourth in Premier League
The Champions League and the FA Cup will become prime targets for the Portuguese boss this season after he admitted his side can now only aim to finish inside the top four


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Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy aiming for Champions League qualification and cup success as season enters final stages
Welshman believes the time is right for the Reds to revive their Premier League run and continue on their quest for a possible cup double as injured and suspended players return


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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scoops Barclays Golden Boot prize for 20-goal landmark
The Dutch goal machine has received his award for reaching the impressive landmark before any other in the league after an incredible first half to the season


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Vincent Kompany returns to full training for Manchester City but James Milner suffers broken bone in his hand
The City captain looks increasingly likely to be fit for the club's trip to Aston Villa on Sunday while his England colleague has been training with a cast on his wrist

 

David Luiz

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Agent of Udinese's Mauricio Isla claims interest from Liverpool, Juventus and Roma
The Chilean has been linked with a move to a bigger club and these claims appear to have been substantianted by his representative, who says three heavyweights are tracking him


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'I owe Tottenham and I owe the chairman' - Harry Redknapp plays down links to England job
The Spurs manager spoke of his delight at the way he has been treated by the club's owners and fans following his side's 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United at White Hart Lane


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Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand refused Luis Suarez handshake after 'losing respect' for Liverpool striker following Patrice Evra snub
The centre-back has revealed his reasoning for refusing to shake the Uruguay international's hand ahead of United's win over Kenny Dalglish's men at Old Trafford


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Emmanuel Adebayor: England need Harry Redknapp more than we do but he must stay at Tottenham until the end of the season
The north London outfit ran riot at White Hart Lane with the Togolese striker assisting four times before grabbing his own goal to finish off a truly disappointing Magpies side


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'Today was one of our worst games of the season' - Andre Villas-Boas disappointed with Chelsea's defeat to Everton
The Blues boss insists there were no positives to take from Goodison Park defeat and admits it was a 'difficult day' for the Londoners who slip to fifth in the table


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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini anticipating tough game against Aston Villa despite fans' ongoing protests
The 47-year-old insists his team will learn from the mistakes that have been made this season as he looks forward to a 'difficult game' at Villa Park


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'I think you’re bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today' - Kenny Dalglish defends striker after Manchester United defeat
The Reds coach insisted he had no idea his striker refused to shake Patrice Evra's hand ahead of the tense clash and praised both sets of fans for their behaviour


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I'm disappointed it was only 2-1, to be honest' - Sir Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United deserved Liverpool win
The Scottish manager hailed his players following their victory in a tense encounter at Old Trafford as they secured three points to go top of the Premier League table


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Manchester United's Wayne Rooney questions Suarez's decision to snub Evra handshake
The striker refused to get drawn into the row between the players at Old Trafford, insisting "that's between the two individuals" after the incident-packed game


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'Disgraceful Luis Suarez should never play for Liverpool again' - Sir Alex Ferguson furious after Patrice Evra handshake snub
The Manchester United manager slammed the Uruguayan's behaviour before kick-off, insisting that he 'could have caused a riot' given the tensions between the two clubs


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Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong hoping to be fit for the start of next season
The 20-year-old is happy that recent surgery went well and admits he is feeling optimistic despite a season-ending injury


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Luis Suarez rejects Patrice Evra handshake before Liverpool & Manchester United players brawl in Old Trafford tunnel
The race row looks set to rumble on after the Uruguayan blanked the Red Devils captain at Old Trafford and the argumented continued off the pitch at half-time


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Johnny Heitinga issues hands-off David Moyes warning to Tottenham Hotspur
The Scot would appear to be the outstanding candidate to replace Harry Redknapp, should he accept a widely expected offer to become the new England manager


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'We are not afraid of Manchester City and we can turn them over' - Gary Gardner optimistic over Aston Villa's chances of springing a surprise
Young Villan is confident Alex McLeish's side can dent the League leaders' title chances and has called on fans 'to be our 12th man' as supporters plan protest against manager


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‘I would be very surprised if I didn’t finish the season with Tottenham’ – Harry Redknapp
The 64-year-old has reiterated his commitment to Spurs until the end of the current campaign, but has not ruled out taking on the England job on a part time basis


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Carlo Ancelotti: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez’s wage demands are likely to prevent a switch to Paris Saint-Germain
The Argentine has been in exile at Eastlands since September, and whilst a move to the French capital has been touted, the Italian insists his pay demands remain a stumbling block


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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson questions Liverpool’s stance over Luis Suarez race row
The 70-year-old has suggested the Reds should have appealed the striker's eight-game ban if they believed he was innocent, and has backed Patrice Evra to overcome any jeers


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Van Persie denies expressing interest in joining Real Madrid
Marca stated that the player said he was open to moving to the Santiago Bernabeu during a telephone conversation on Thursday, but the Dutchman claims he never spoke to the paper


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Manchester United's Javier Hernandez delighted at Ryan Giggs' contract extension
The Mexican international believes the 38-year-old's influence on the youngsters at Old Trafford is invaluable and claims the Red Devils are ready to fight for the title

 

David Luiz

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Luis Suarez rejects Patrice Evra handshake before Liverpool & Manchester United players brawl in Old Trafford tunnel

The race row looks set to rumble on after the Uruguayan blanked the Red Devils captain at Old Trafford and the argumented continued off the pitch at half-time

Feb 11, 2012 1:14:00 PM

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Luis Suarez refused to shake Patrice Evra's hand ahead of Liverpool's clash with Manchester United, completely ignoring the defender and instead shaking the hand of United goalkeeperDavid de Gea. Rio Ferdinand was also involved in the incident, refusing to offer his hand to Suarez when he passed as the much-hyped game got off to a bad-tempered start.

There was more to come too, as after a feisty but goalless first half both sets of players were then reportedly embroiled in a bust-up at the break. According to Sky Sports Evra attempted to talk to Suarez but was prevented from doing so by Martin Skrtel which then prompted a brawl involving players, stewards and police.

The clash was the first time that Evra and Suarez have come face-to-face since the race row began following the reverse tie at Anfield last October, after which Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing the Red Devils' skipper and banned for eight games.

The home fans booed Suarez from the start, with the away supporters doing the same for Evra, in a hostile atmosphere at Old Trafford.

United eventually won the game 2-1 courtesy of two goals by Wayne Rooney, with Suarez grabbing a late consolation for the visitors. However, there was still more controversy to come at the end of the match with Evra celebrating wildly at the final whistle, close to Suarez and being ushered away by the referee.​

 

David Luiz

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Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand refused Luis Suarez handshake after 'losing respect' for Liverpool striker following Patrice Evra snub

The centre-back has revealed his reasoning for refusing to shake the Uruguay international's hand ahead of United's win over Kenny Dalglish's men at Old Trafford


Feb 11, 2012 9:48:00 PM


By Sion Cleaver

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Rio Ferdinand
has revealed that he has "lost respect" for Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan refused to shake hands with Patrice Evra prior to Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool.

Saturday's encounter between the two sides saw Suarez start for the first time since returning from an eight-match suspension after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra last October.

Ferdinand told MUTV: "After seeing what I saw I decided not to shake his hand. He's not got the respect that he needs to have in these situations and acknowledge he's made a mistake and say sorry. I lost all respect for the guy after that."

The game's pre-match handshake was subject to a great deal of build-up and discussion prior to Saturday's clash.

Suarez's failure to shake Evra's hand was met by a firm grab of the arm from the defender, before Ferdinand then refused to shake the Liverpool striker's hand.

"It's a touchy subject at the minute and things could have been put to bed a little bit easier if the handshake had been done," Ferdinand said.

"It could have been resolved today, maybe, between the two people who are involved. After this, it's not great. It's disappointing. I expected more from the other guy but it wasn't to be."

Two goals from Wayne Rooney early in the second half sealed the three points for Sir Alex Ferguson's side despite a goal from Luis Suarez 10 minutes from time.

"There are a lot of things going on both on and off the pitch. But the result was the most important thing," Ferdinand added.

"To win the game... unbelievable atmosphere. I thought both sets of fans were good. That was pleasing. Hopefully we can talk more about the football."
 

David Luiz

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'Disgraceful Luis Suarez should never play for Liverpool again' - Sir Alex Ferguson furious after Patrice Evra handshake snub

The Manchester United manager slammed the Uruguayan's behaviour before kick-off, insisting that he 'could have caused a riot' given the tensions between the two clubs

Feb 11, 2012 3:22:00 PM

By Oliver Platt

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Manchester United
manager Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed Luis Suarez's refusal to shake the hand of Patrice Evra, insisting that the striker should never play for Liverpool again.

Two goals from Wayne Rooney, before a late consolation from Suarez, handed United a 2-1 victory in a match that was overshadowed by the tension between Suarez and Evra.

"I couldn't believe it," Sir Alex told Sky Sports following the match. "I just could not believe it.

"I had a chat with Patrice this morning, and he said 'I'm going to shake his hand. I've got nothing to be ashamed of and I want to keep my dignity.' And then he [Suarez] refuses - he's a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club.

"That certain player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. With the history that club has got, and he does that in this city today - he could have caused a riot.

"I was really disappointed in that guy. It was terrible, what he did.

"It created a tension - you've seen the referee, he didn't know what to do about it. It caught him off-guard, and it was a terrible start to the game. There was a terrible atmosphere created."

Sir Alex added that the debate over the wisdom of pre-match handshakes should not be allowed to hide the issue of racism in the game that has arisen this season.

"That's a different issue altogether. That started when the Premier League started, of course, and it's never been a problem really until this season, with regards to racism. It's never been a problem," he added.

"So really we better get our house in order in terms of fighting racism - it's an issue, it's absolutely an important issue in this country. Football's come a long way from the days of John Barnes and throwing bananas to where we are today - we can't go back.

"We have to go forward, in a positive way, and ban it altogether."

Moments after the half-time whistle, Suarez appeared to provocatively kick the ball away towards the dugouts, when questioned over the incident Ferguson replied: "Maybe that's the kind of character he is."

The United boss did admit, however, that Evra shouldn't have celebrated in front of Suarez at the end of the match, adding: "He shouldn't have done that."

 

David Luiz

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'I think you’re bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today' - Kenny Dalglish defends striker after Manchester United defeat

The Reds coach insisted he had no idea his striker refused to shake Patrice Evra's hand ahead of the tense clash and praised both sets of fans for their behaviour


Feb 11, 2012 5:07:00 PM


By Miles Chambers

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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish claimed he was unaware that Luis Suarez had refused to shake Manchester United defender Patrice Evra's hand before their defeat at Old Trafford and insisted the Uruguayan was not to blame for a tense match at Old Trafford.

Suarez, who was given an eight-match ban earlier in the season for racially abusing the Frenchman, rejected the left-back’s attempts to shake his hand just before kick-off. The incident set the tone for the match, which finished 2-1 to the hosts, but saw a hostile half-time with players pushing and shoving in the tunnel.

Dalglish denied knowing that Suarez had refused Evra’s handshake to Sky Sports News after the match, saying:

“I never knew he never shook his hand.
“I’ll take your word for it but I don’t know. I wasn’t there, I never saw it. “[Suarez refusing the handshake is] contrary to what I was told.”

Dalglish was irritated when questioned if Suarez’s refusal to shake Evra’s hand was to blame for tempers flaring at half-time and at the final whistle. He said: “I think you’re very severe and I think you’re bang out of order to blame Luis Suarez for anything that happened here today.

“I think, predominantly both sets of fans behaved really well. They had a bit of banter between each other. No problem. “How many bookings was it?” Dalglish repeated numerous times when asked the interviewer attempted to ask about the tense atmosphere between players.

The former Newcastle United manager then hinted that it was the fault of the media that there were questions about the hostility in the match. Dalglish referenced the Reds clash with United two weeks ago at Anfield: “When we had the game – the FA Cup [fourth-round] tie because it wasn’t a 24 hour news channel and in the build-up to the game, nothing like this happened.”
 

David Luiz

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Luis Suarez issues apology after refusing to shake Patrice Evra's hand
The Liverpool striker has admitted he made a mistake and regrets not shaking the United skipper's hand before yesterday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford


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Capello in Moscow for Anzhi Makhachkala talks - report
The Italian only stepped down as England boss on Wednesday evening but he is poised to make a swift return to coaching at the club owned by billionaire Suleyman Kerimov


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Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand: Patrice Evra will feel his celebrations after Liverpool win were maybe a bit much
The defender suggested the Frenchman's emotions may have got the better of him as he celebrated the 2-1 victory following Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands


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Go fourth and conquer - Thierry Henry seals Premier League swansong as rivals fall by the wayside on perfect day for Arsenal
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has left the door open for a return to the Emirates and it's no wonder because the French striker has galvanised the Emirates as AC Milan loom


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Foolish & spiteful Luis Suarez lets Liverpool down by refusing to shake Patrice Evra's hand
The Uruguayan striker snubbed the Manchester United defender before Saturday's clash, the first meeting of the players after the ex-Ajax star was banned for racist abuse


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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini hints at burying the hatchet with Carlos Tevez
Italian boss banished the Argentine from the first-team squad after he allegedly refused to go on as a substitute in a match against Bayern Munich that the team eventually lost
 

David Luiz

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BREAKING NEWS: 'He misled us and let Liverpool down' - Ian Ayre slams Luis Suarez's unacceptable behaviour & reveals striker had promised to shake Patrice Evra's hand

The Reds managing director reveals the Uruguayan had told the club he would shake the Frenchman's hand in earlier discussions, and believes his actions have let the club down

Feb 12, 2012 2:43:49 PM


By Liam Twomey

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Luis Suarez misled Liverpool by refusing to shake Patrice Evra’s hand prior to Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, the club’s managing director Ian Ayre has revealed.

Suarez snubbed Evra's outstretched hand as the teams exchanged handshakes before the match, prompting an angry response from the Frenchman and further inflaming an already tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded Suarez "a disgrace" after the match, and Ayre has now revealed the Uruguayan told the club he would shake Evra's hand in earlier discussions.

He has condemned the striker for misleading Liverpool on the issue, and believes his actions have let the club down.

"We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday's game," Ayre said in a statement in the club's official website.

"The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

"He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his teammates and the club.

"It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do.

"However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club."
 

David Luiz

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David Luiz

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Kia Joorabchian's advisor confirms Carlos Tevez will return on Tuesday & 'wants to help Manchester City win the title'
Spokesman for the Argentine striker's agent claims he hopes to inspire the Etihad Stadium club to a first Premier League championship after not playing since September


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Aaron Ramsey hails Arsenal's 'fighting spirit' after comeback victory over Sunderland
Wales international delighted with Saturday's victory over Black Cats as Gunners come from behind to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive


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Liverpool sponsors Standard Chartered admit disappointment at Luis Suarez's refusal to shake Patrice Evra's hand
American bank pays the Anfield club £20 million per year, but have revealed they discussed their concerns with the club in a very robust conversation after the game at Old Trafford


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Higuain, Lavezzi and Nani on Juventus hit-list as they look for big summer swoop - report
The club are keen to underline their re-emergence as a major force in the Italian game by making a high-profile signing at the end of the season


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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: Despite Real Madrid getting better, Barcelona at their best are unstoppable
The Old Trafford manager has taken the time to praise the Catalan giants, and feels they are the number one team in the world when all their stars are in form


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Carlos Tevez set to drop appeal over lost cash as he attempts to repair relationship with Manchester City - report
The Argentine striker is set to bury the hatchet as he returns to the fold at the Etihad Stadium despite desperately seeking a move away from England in January


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Half-time bust-up between Manchester United and Liverpool was incited by spitting - report
It is alleged the incident during the interval at Old Trafford started after someone allegedly spat at 'keeper David de Gea as he walked backed to the dressing room


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Anti-racism campaigners urge FA to ban Luis Suarez & insist striker should apologise directly to Patrice Evra
Show Racism the Red Card representatives have voiced displeasure with the Uruguayan and want him to undergo a process of education so he can 'see error of his ways' for Evra snub


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Cristiano Ronaldo pulls away from Lionel Messi & Robin van Persie in Golden Shoe race
The Portuguese scored a hat-trick in a weekend where his adversaries failed to score. Elsewhere, Wayne Rooney moved into the reckoning thanks to his double against Liverpool


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Mick McCarthy sacked as Wolves manager
Former Sunderland and Republic of Ireland boss leaves the club with immediate effect after a poor run of form, while assistant boss Terry Connor takes temporary charge


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Manchester United and Liverpool await referee Phil Dowd's report over half-time ruckus - report
The rivals anxiously await findings which could see them fined after players clashed in the tunnel following tension between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez


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Wigan manager Roberto Martinez compares Victor Moses to Lionel Messi and admits the club must avoid relegation to keep him
The Latics boss explained how the Nigerian-born forward plays a crucial role for his side similar to that of Charles N'Zogbia, and suggests he could merit an England call


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'It could have been ended there' - Manchester United's Jonny Evans reveals disappointment over Liverpool handshake controversy
The Northern Ireland international insists the Red Devils were prepared to put the alleged racial abuse of Patrice Evra to bed if Luis Suarez had shaken his hand before the match


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Thierry Henry refuses to rule out a return to Arsenal for third spell at the club
The Frenchman says he would find it difficult to say no to the Gunners after a successful loan spell in which he scored three goals, including two late winners


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Fifth and falling fast - Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea future hanging by a thread with Roman Abramovich's patience wearing thin
With the Blues' Champions League qualification hopes taking yet another hit, their Portuguese boss may well find time is running out for him to turn things around


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Bayern Munich keeping tabs on Manchester City wonderkid John Guidetti - report
The Citizens-owned Swedish youngster has been in impressive form on loan at Feyenoord, and his good performances have resulted in the interest of the Bundesliga giants


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Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez & the five returning players who could guide Manchester City to a maiden Premier League title
With Vincent Kompany back in the first-team and the Toure brothers set to return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Roberto Mancini will have a strong squad for the final 13 matches


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Harry Redknapp says he would pick Manchester United's Paul Scholes for Euro 2012 if he was named England manager
Tottenham boss states veteran midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard should also go to the tournament in Ukraine and Poland as their quality and experience is invaluable


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Arsene Wenger calls for focus ahead of Thierry Henry's final Arsenal appearance in Champions League clash with AC Milan
The boss has called for concentration ahead of the "massive game" at San Siro, adding that the legendary striker would have been a success without his influence on his career


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Jonas Gutierrez urges Fabricio Coloccini to stay at Newcastle United
The Argentine wants his compatriot to commit his future to the club after recovering from a bad start to his career in England to become a key player for Alan Pardew's side


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Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand defends 'fantastic' Jonny Evans following win over Liverpool
The England international believes criticism of his centre-back partner has been "way off the mark" and has praised the Northern Irishman's display at Old Trafford


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Joe Hart is one of the best keepers in the world this season, says Manchester City's Gareth Barry
The England number one produced a fine save in the dying stages to hold onto all three points for the league leaders as they picked up a narrow 1-0 victory at Villa Park


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Roberto Mancini hopes for Carlos Tevez return as he praises Manchester City players following 1-0 win over Aston Villa
The City boss said the striker could return to training next week before adding that Joe Hart is not a world class goalkeeper despite another excellent performance


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Luis Suarez’s apology may save Liverpool’s image, but his own has hit a new low
The Anfield outfit issued a statement from the Uruguayan on Sunday stating his regret for snubbing Patrice Evra's handshake, and Goal.com takes a look at the ramifications


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Manchester United thank Liverpool for apologies over Luis Suarez's handshake snub with Patrice Evra
The Uruguayan striker today expressed his regret over the controversial incident at Old Trafford on Saturday and the Red Devils have accepted their Premier League rivals apology


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Kenny Dalglish apologises for TV outburst & was 'shocked' to hear Luis Suarez went against promise to shake Patrice Evra's hand
The Scot admits he was wrong to react angrily to a TV interviewer who questioned the Reds striker's conduct, and says he is shocked to hear his player misled the club


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Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen admits he is sick of playing at left-back
The Gunners defender has revelaed he is far from happy having to do a job at full-back, and believes his manager can get the best out of him by playing him in the centre

 

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Half-time bust-up between Manchester United and Liverpool was incited by spitting - report

It is alleged the incident during the interval at Old Trafford started after someone allegedly spat at 'keeper David de Gea as he walked backed to the dressing room


Feb 13, 2012 11:53:00 AM

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The half-time bust-up between Manchester United and Liverpool players in Saturday's match at Old Trafford was started by spitting, according to the Sun.

United keeper David de Gea was allegedly spat at while walking down the tunnel at the interval as he walked to the Red Devils dressing room, however, it is unknown who the perpetrator was.

The incident incited a confrontation between the two sides as players had to be separated by police and stewards and the situation nearly escalated into a brawl.

A source told the Sun: “De Gea was making his way to the tunnel and was clearly shocked to be spat at.

"Obviously the players reacted angrily and both teams became involved, before stewards managed to quieten it down."

Tensions between the teams weren’t helped by Luis Suarez’s failure to shake Patrice Evra’s hand in the pre-match build-up, in just the Uruguayan’s second start since his eight-game ban for racially abusing the Frenchman.

Evra also incited tempers on the Reds' side when he celebrate enthusiastically in front of the United fans and Suarez following their 2-1 win, an incident which led to further confrontations.

Liverpool substitute Craig Bellamy was also allegedly involved in a spat with the head of security at Old Trafford at the full-time whistle.
 

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AC Milan coach Allegri: Arsenal not a one-man team
Many pundits feel that the Gunners have become too reliant on their Dutch forward, but the Rossoneri coach believes that there is much more to the north London side's attack


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Newcastle United's Demba Ba: 'I am in the best league in the world'
The Senegal international striker feels that he was let down by the French youth system but looks forward to a successful future in the Premier League


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Manchester United's Paul Scholes set to come out of international retirement for England at Euro 2012 - report
The 37-year-old hasn't played for his country since 2004, but the lure of this summer's tournament might be too tempting for the veteran midfielder to miss


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Carlos Tevez: The rumours about transfers are true but I still belong to Manchester City
The Argentine will return from his home country on Tuesday and arrive back in the North West hoping to give his Premier League career another shot


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Sunderland starlet James McClean to be rewarded for recent form with new contract - report
22-year-old winger is set to triple his wages as Martin O'Neill looks to recognise his emergence as one of the Black Cat's key players this season


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Wolves considering Steve Bruce and Alan Curbishley to replace sacked Mick McCarthy - report
The man who replaced the outgoing boss at Sunderland the ex-Charlton coach are reportedly leading the way to take the reins at the Black Country club


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Porto president Pinto da Costa: Andre Villas-Boas will join Inter if he leaves Chelsea
The 74-year-old president has no doubt that San Siro will be Villas-Boas' next destination but stressed that the Blues have no reason to be unhappy with the coach's work


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AC Milan midfielder Seedorf: Arsenal are 'one of the sides to beat' in the Champions League
The 35-year-old midfielder has praised the Gunners ahead of Wednesday's home clash, as he reveals the joys of winning Europe's most prestigious club competition


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'Let’s have it as healthy rivalry and nothing else' - Manchester United's Ryan Giggs calls for end to Liverpool race row
The legendary midfielder wants a healthy rivalry to return after Luis Suarez apologised for his handshake snub to Patrice Evra at Old Trafford


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Tottenham place Jose Mourinho top of their shortlist to replace Harry Redknapp
The Spurs boss is the overwhelming favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager - and the north Londoners have been putting contingency plans in place


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Ryo Miyaichi on Premier League debut: Next time I'll score
The on-loan starlet came on at the half for Bolton, unleashing a powerful shot late in the game but failing to bring his team level with victors Wigan


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Manchester City's Roberto Mancini happy with ‘deserved’ Aston Villa win
Joleon Lescott's second half strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Eastlands outfit as they returned to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday


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'I have not signed anything yet, but Tottenham are a great club' - Lille's Eden Hazard
The Belgian starlet says he is keen to further his career in the Premier League but insists that there is no agreement in place to join the Spurs in the summer


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Frank Lampard insists Chelsea players must take the blame for recent Premier League struggles
The 33-year-old midfielder has suggested the Blues will struggle to overcome Napoli in the Champions League next week if their current run of poor form continues


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Carlos Tevez denies rift with Lionel Messi: I get on great with the 'dwarf'
The 28-year-old striker has underlined that he has a good relationship with the diminutive attacker, whom he described as the best player in the game


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Everton's Leighton Baines targeting extended FA Cup run
The Toffees have been in good form recently and the England full-back is eyeing the end of a 16-year trophy drought in this years cup, having been beaten finalists in 2009.

 

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Manchester City confirm Carlos Tevez did not train with rest of squad on Wednesday
The Argentine striker was not included in the Citizen's Europa League squad, and was thus not permitted to join in with the rest of the players


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Arsenal's Mikel Arteta wary of threat posed by 'very tough' AC Milan
The 29-year old believes the Gunners face a tough task in their Champions League tie at San Siro, but feels his side are capable of progressing to at least the quarter final


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Frank de Boer: I hope Luis Suarez stays at Liverpool despite Patrice Evra row
The striker's former boss admits both player and club have made a big mistake, but he does not think the Uruguayan is racist and hopes he remains in English football


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Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone out for rest of season as he undergoes second ankle operation
The 25-year-old is said to have progressed well since the first bout of surgery but needs a second procedure later this week with, potentially, England's Euro 2012 squad in mind


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Javier Hernandez hails 'unbelievable' Danny Welbeck & accepts competition for Manchester United starting role 'is normal'
The Mexico forward insists his side want to win the the competition despite being in Europe's second tier competition for the first time since 1995


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Dennis Bergkamp: 'Arsenal are predictable, weak and lacking a winning mentality'
The former Gunners striker condemns the current side as lacking in diversity, quality and character in comparison to the famed 'invincibles' who won the club's last title in 2004


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Spain remain top in Fifa ranking but Germany move up to second ahead of the Netherlands
The World Cup winners continue to lead the way in the latest world ranking, while Joachim Low's side dislodge the Netherlands from second despite a month of inactivity


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Mancini feels AC Milan are the best team in Serie A, but tips Juventus to win the title
The Manchester City manager believes that the Bianconeri have something extra over the Rossoneri, and insists that Inter will fight for third place in the table


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Tottenham midfielder Simon Dawkins returns to San Jose Earthquakes on loan
Dawkins scored six goals from midfield for San Jose in 2011 and, despite returning to Tottenham during the off-season, will again line up for the Earthquakes next season


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Manchester City's Carlos Tevez could face fine over 'treated like a dog' claims - report
The forward made the accusations on Argentine television and has since flown back to England where he is expected to be greeted with a hefty punishment from his club


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Chelsea are not in crisis, but missing out on Champions League would be a disaster, says Jose Bosingwa
The Portuguese full-back has backed his teammates and his manager to pull through a difficult situation and says the team will keep on challenging to finish in the top four


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FA charges West Ham's Ravel Morrison over homophobic comments made on Twitter
The troubled 19-year-old claimed he was merely responding to racist abuse on the social networking site, but this explanation has not been deemed sufficient to avoid a reprimand


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Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov and Patrice Evra absent from Manchester United squad for Ajax Europa League clash
The trio join the growing United casualty list which already includes high profile names such as Nemanja Vidic, Anderson, Anders Lindegaard, Michael Owen and Darren Fletcher


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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger calls for his team to avoid the 'crisis' in English football ahead of 'vital' week for club
The Frenchman says his side must carry their momentum into the clashes with Milan and Sunderland, while tipping the departing Thierry Henry to sign off in style at the San Siro


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Manchester United's Paul Scholes hints at spending a further season at Old Trafford - report
Having made a sensational U-turn earlier this season the midfielder could be set to extend his stay with the champions following an informal chat with Sir Alex Ferguson this week


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Guus Hiddink lined up by PSV to be their new coach in the summer
The Eredivisie leaders want the much-travelled Dutchman to return for a third spell, with Ernest Faber and Phillip Cocu as his assistants in Eindhoven


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Garay is better than David Luiz, and now is the time to prove that Real Madrid were wrong to let him go
The Argentine defender has been a big hit at the Estadio da Luz, and he must now demonstrate against Zenit that Jose Mourinho made a mistake selling him


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Fulham's Mark Schwarzer says new signing Pavel Pogrebnyak has the ability to fill the void left by Bobby Zamora
The Russia international marked his debut at Craven Cottage with a goal and the veteran goalkeeper believes he has the ability to be a success at the Premier League club


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Tottenham’s Gareth Bale hails arrival of ‘world class’ Louis Saha
The Frenchman marked his debut for the club with a brace in the 5-0 victory over Newcastle, and the Welshman has backed the forward to provide a 'real boost' to Spurs


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Gervinho urges Arsenal not to sell Robin van Persie
The Ivorian admits it is 'a dream’ to play alongside the Dutch striker, and believes opposition teams are intimidated to see his name on the team sheet


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Tottenham complete loan signing of Brazil Under-20 defender Bruno Uvini from Sao Paulo
The north London side have moved to add to their defensive options by bringing in the talented, young centre-back on a temporary basis, with the option to buy outright


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Wenger: Wilshere could return for Arsenal within a month
The club's push for silverware has been boosted by the news that their star midfielder could be poised to end his injury nightmare, although Per Mertesacker faces four weeks out


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Summerbee: Tevez could end up winning Man City the Premier League title
The 40-year-old has conceded fans are unlikely to give the Argentine a warm welcome back to the club after his prolonged absence, but feels his on-field impact could prove vital


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Man Utd striker Javier Hernandez: Playing in the Europa League will be strange but we’ll try to win it
The Mexico international is anticipating two great games when the Red Devils clash with Ajax and has revealed they will travel to the Amsterdam ArenA looking for a vital win


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Ajax midfielder Theo Janssen could return for Manchester United clash - report
The Dutch midfielder picked up a groin problem against Utrecht last Sunday week but is now poised to return to full training ahead of the visit of the English champions

 

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Dennis Bergkamp: 'Arsenal are predictable, weak and lacking a winning mentality'

The former Gunners striker condemns the current side as lacking in diversity, quality and character in comparison to the famed 'invincibles' who won the club's last title in 2004

Feb 15, 2012 12:02:00 PM

By Sean Kilgallon

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Dennis Bergkamp has criticised the current Arsenal side ahead of Wednesday’s clash with AC Milan at the San Siro, labeling them one-dimensional and lacking in character.

Since Bergkamp’s departure in 2006 the Gunners have failed to win a trophy, and now find themselves in a fierce fight simply to ensure Champions League football next season.

The Dutchman stopped short of criticising former boss Arsene Wenger for the team’s decline, but admitted the current crop at the Emirates Stadium pales in comparison with the famed ‘invincibles’ squad which won the club’s last league title in 2004.

"I feel there are a lot of similar players there at the moment,” he told the Telegraph. “It needs to be more diverse.

“You need a few strong characters who can get the team going, in training as well as matches. You also need a few players who can make a difference in terms of scoring goals. I don’t feel there are enough of them."

"You look at the midfield and compare it with ours. We had Freddie Ljungberg, Robert Pires, Ray Parlour – when it wasn’t working for one of the big names, one of these could step up."

Arsenal have depended largely on talismanic captain Robin Van Persie for goals this season, and Bergkamp believes it is not healthy for any team to be so reliant on an individual.

"You can’t only depend on one or two players,” he added. “When they’re having an off day, you need someone else.”
 

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Manchester United made enquires about €40m-rated Dortmund starlet Mario Gotze, claims agent
The attacking midfielder has attracted a wide array of suitors with his performances this year and Sir Alex Ferguson's side are thought to be leading the chase


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Harry Redknapp reveals it would be 'unfair' to walk out on Tottenham but suggests he would manage England on part-time basis at Euro 2012
The experienced coach played down rumours linking him to the open position before the end of the current campaign, but hinted at Euro role interest


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Porto president Pinto da Costa expects Jose Mourinho to stay put at Real Madrid
The patron is certain his former protege will not make a sensational return to Chelsea in the summer, and also offered his backing to embattled Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas


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'Luis Suarez had balls to reject Patrice Evra handshake' - PSG's Diego Lugano defends 'innocent' Liverpool striker
The Uruguay captain has claimed that the racism controversy has been nothing more than a "football argument" and praised his countryman for staying true to his principles


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Tottenham optimistic of Harry Redknapp stay as Spurs boss hesitates over England job
The 64-year-old is red hot favourite to take over as Three Lions manager but will return from a break in Dubai on Thursday genuinely torn over his future


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Eden Hazard's father confirms Tottenham interest & claims 'it might be best for him to join a club just below the biggest'
The Lille playmaker seems to be set for a move to the Premier League having acknowledged that first-team opportunities could be limited in Spain at Real Madrid or Barcelona


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Sir Alex Ferguson tips Ryan Giggs to be his successor - report
The 70 year-old Manchester United manager has tipped the 38 year-old former Wales international as a serious contender to take over the reins at Old Trafford when he retires


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Olympic Stadium architect revealed as hijacker of West Ham's bid
Steve Lawrence, who helped mastermind the build of the Olympic Stadium, is unveiled as the anonymous source who blocked the Hammers ownership proposal


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On the right track - Maddening Balotelli is a gamble worth taking for Manchester City
Still prone to moments of madness, the Italian has nonetheless proven himself invaluable to Roberto Mancini nearly a year on from his Europa League meltdown in Kiev


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Porto's Vitor Pereira: Villas-Boas needs time at Chelsea
The Blues boss has received the backing of his former assistant as his future at Stamford Bridge seemingly continues to hang in the balance


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PSG target summer move for Liverpool's Luis Suarez - report
The Uruguayan has come under scrutiny in the Premier League this season and could be tempted to leave England if the Reds fail to qualify for the Champions League


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Ajax’s Christian Eriksen: I had trials at Chelsea but why go somewhere you might not play until you’re 21?
The Danish midfielder has revealed that he chose to join the Eredivisie club due to their tradition of handing opportunities to young players


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'Sudden increase' of racial abuse in football prompts PFA to launch education scheme
The Professional Footballers' Association are set to travel to every English club next season in a move to re-educate staff about racism


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John Guidetti will return to Manchester City after Feyenoord loan
The 19-year-old striker is set to snub a second loan spell at the Eredivisie club, for whom he has been in sparkling form, in order to fight for his place under Roberto Mancini


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Lille's Eden Hazard interested in Arsenal move
The sought-after Belgium international has declared an interest in signing for the Gunners just days after rumours of a potential summer deal with Spurs became widespread


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Referee Stuart Attwell dropped from Premier League duty after recent errors
The young official has been stripped of top-flight status and has been moved to the lower leagues by 'mutual consent' after a string of mistakes


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Paul Scholes is Manchester United's Xavi, says Sir Alex Ferguson
The 70-year-old has revealed that the midfielder initially retired due to the disappointment of only being able to play around 25 to 30 matches per season at 37 years of age


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Roberto Mancini urges Mario Balotelli to behave himself during title run-in
The Manchester City boss has requested calm from the controversial Italian striker for the remainder of the campaign, claiming that if his head is right, he can have a big impact


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Arsene Wenger slams ‘poor’ Arsenal performance and rules out Champions League progression after Milan thrashing
The Gunners fell to a 4-0 defeat at San Siro on Wednesday, with the Frenchman stating his side were 'never in the game' as Boateng, Robinho and Ibrahimovic were all on target


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‘I never treated Carlos Tevez badly’ – Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini
The Italian has refuted comments made by the Argentine prior to his return, and insisted he will not answer any more questions on the striker before Thursday's Porto tie


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Sir Alex Ferguson: There is no chance Paul Scholes will play for England again
Harry Redknapp, who has emerged as the favourite to replace Fabio Capello as manager of the national team, had suggested he would select the midfielder for Euro 2012 this summer


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'If we play at our best, we can beat Manchester City,' says Porto's Vitor Pereira
The Portuguese coach is wary of City's threat but says that his club have the necessary attributes to defeat the Citizens and defend their European title


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Evra rested for Manchester United’s Europa League tie after 'emotional week', according to Sir Alex Ferguson
The Red Devils manager has handed the Frenchman a bit of rest bite after he was at the centre of the handshake row with Luis Suarez in last weekend’s heated derby at Old Trafford


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Rooney and Welbeck aiming for Europa League success with Manchester United
Both of the Red Devils strikers admitted their disappointment after their surprising exit from the Champions League but insisted they are determined to succeed in the competition


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Sir Alex Ferguson hopeful that Manchester United can again look for young English talent after introduction of EPPP
The 70-year-old manager reveals that he has had to look abroad for young talent in recent years, but changes in legislation could prompt a return to the successes of the 1990s


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Thibaut Courtois eyeing another loan move
The Belgian goalkeeper joined Chelsea from Genk last summer but was promptly farmed out to Atletico Madrid for the duration of the 2011-12 campaign


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Fabio da Silva: Luis Suarez handshake snub inspired Manchester United to defeat Liverpool
The Reds forward refused to make peace with Patrice Evra before Saturday's match, causing outrage at Old Trafford and, says the defender, causing the home side to rally


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Tottenham are getting the best out of ‘world-class’ Gareth Bale - Liverpool legend John Barnes
The 22-year-old has been a revelation at White Hart Lane over the past two years and the former Anfield hero feels that his improved decision-making has been key

 

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'Luis Suarez had balls to reject Patrice Evra handshake' - PSG's Diego Lugano defends 'innocent' Liverpool striker

The Uruguay captain has claimed that the racism controversy has been nothing more than a "football argument" and praised his countryman for staying true to his principles

Feb 16, 2012 12:10:00 PM

By Oliver Platt

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Paris Saint-Germain defender Diego Lugano has launched a fierce defence of his Uruguayteam-mate Luis Suarez.

Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra earlier in the season, and was widely criticised again on Saturday for refusing to shake the France defender's hand in their first meeting since the incident.

The Liverpool striker has maintained his innocence throughout and now has the backing of the Uruguay captain, who labelled the affair nothing more than a "football argument".

"He [Suarez] has gone through a few months he did not deserve," Lugano said on his official website.

"Everyone in football knows it is a big circus. Take into account that England is historically a colonial country and racism is a sensitive subject, but we all know it has nothing to do with what happened between Luis and the Manchester [United] player [Evra].

"It's a football argument, and many false moralists and hypocrites have profited, and Luis is the only innocent party in this situation."

Lugano praised Suarez for sticking to his principles by refusing to shake Evra's hand at Old Trafford.

"You have to have balls to do what Luis did on Saturday," he insisted.

"He followed his principles. We live in a democracy, and if you do not want to greet someone, you do not do it. And less so if that person has made you experience some bad moments."
 

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Sir Alex Ferguson tips Ryan Giggs to be his successor - report

The 70 year-old Manchester United manager has tipped the 38 year-old former Wales international as a serious contender to take over the reins at Old Trafford when he retires

Feb 16, 2012 11:19:00 AM

By James McManus

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly tipped Ryan Giggs to be his heir to the managerial hot seat at the club when he retires from the game.

The issue of succession has long been a source of conflict at the club, with many potential candidates having fallen by the wayside in recent years.

Ferguson's most recent plan was to continue at the helm until the 2013-14 season, but he has since reneged on setting himself such a strict deadline regarding his retirement date.

Giggs, who will turn 39 next season, was recently linked with the vacant role as Wales manager after the sad death of Gary Speed, and the player is thought to be keen to stay involved with the game once he hangs up his boots.

The former Wales international has had a long and illustrious career at the club and recently signed a one-year extension, a move that will surely see him break the 900 appearance barrier.

The likes of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have been heavily linked with the post in recent years and the Old Trafford heirarchy could have Guardiola's success in mind when they choose Ferguson's successor.

Guardiola stepped up from managing Barcelona's B team to manage the first team, after a long association with the club previously as a player.

He has since delivered two Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles in his four-year spell as manager.
 

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Boas for the Chop

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Andre Villas-Boas could be the latest addition the lengthening succession of Chelsea manager’s who have been marching orders by billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, following a run of poor results that have seen the west London club slip out of the top four.

Chelsea are without a win in their last five Premiership games and gave what Villas-Boas described as ‘one of our worst displays, if not our worst’ in their defeat against Everton on Saturday, which has seen the Portuguese managers future at the club come under question.

It has been confirmed that the scheduled day off after the Everton game for was cancelled so that Abramovich could have meetings with the players and Villas-Boas to discuss problems with the Chelsea teams recent performances.

Villas-Boas has accepted that qualification for the Champions League is a minimum requirement for his Chelsea side this season if he wants to survive the growing pressure from owner Roman Abramovich and the Blues fans.

'Now we are fifth, level on points with the fourth team. We know exactly what our targets are for the season,' Villas-Boas said.

'There are still plenty of games to play. There is an objective and we have to set out to reach the objective. Champions League qualification is the least you can ask for.'

'We need Champions League qualification and that's what we expect. The objective is first place but first place is not a real objective anymore and neither is second.'
 

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Djourou tips Arsenal to bounce back from Milan defeat with FA Cup win at Sunderland
Swiss defender looking to channel the disappointment of Wednesday's defeat in Milan and the Gunners' Carling Cup heartbreak last season into FA Cup success this campaign


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Alejandro Sabella: Tevez needs to play more if he wants to win back Argentina place
As he prepares for the Seleccion's first game of the year against Switzerland, the coach explained why 'Carlitos' is not yet ready to be considered for a return


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Drogba insists missing out on fourth place in Premier League would be a 'disaster' for Chelsea
Ivorian frontman determined to fire the Blues back into the Champions League spots and claims that the players are as much to blame as under-fire manager Andre Villas-Boas


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Arsenal are now valued at over £1 billion following the latest sale of club shares - report
Times may be hard on the pitch, especially following the 4-0 drubbing Arsene Wenger's team took in Milan, but behind the scenes, the club is looking healthier than ever


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Yaya Toure happy to welcome 'amazing' Carlos Tevez back to Manchester City
The Argentine has ended his self-imposed exile and could be set for a first-team role as Roberto Mancini's men continue their charge towards the Premier League title


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Didier Drogba confirms he wants to remain at Chelsea beyond this season
Ivorian forward wishes to extend his eight-year stay at Stamford Bridge and would also be interested in taking over the managerial reins when his playing days come to an end


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'If they need me, I don't think I could say no' - Thierry Henry admits he would return for third Arsenal spell
The French striker concluded his second spell at the Emirates with a disappointing 4-0 loss to Milan on Wednesday night but suggested he would return again if Arsene Wenger asked


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Luis Suarez thanks fans of Liverpool & former clubs Ajax and Nacional for their displays of support over racism row
The Uruguayan attracted widespread criticism for his refusal to shake Patrice Evra's hand last weekend upon his return from an eight-match ban for abusing the defender


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Manchester City to report Porto for alleged racist abuse aimed at Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure
The Ivorian confirmed he heard offensive chanting during the Europa League clash at the Estadio Dragao with the young Italian also facing a poor reception as he was substituted


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'We'll be using FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea as motivation' - Everton captain Phil Neville
A loss at Wembley in 2009 still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for the midfielder and he is determined to make amends starting in Saturday's fifth-round tie against Blackpool


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'Arsene Wenger has done a magnificent job and it's not time for him to go' - former Arsenal boss Bruce Rioch
Former Gunners manager backs Frenchman after Champions League drubbing in Milan and insists Rangers' financial woes justify prudent spending policy at the Emirates


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Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda calls for debate over Liverpool's Luis Suarez to end
The Frenchman has urged everyone to leave the issue behind and to try to co-exist, regardless of racial or religious differences after the incident


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Andre Villas-Boas 'completely happy' with his 'perfect relationship' with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich
Portuguese admits recent results have not been good enough for the Blues but hints he is not worried for his job despite rumours circulating of a summer exit


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Guus Hiddink signs for Anzhi Makhachkala
The Dutchman has reached an agreement with the ambitious Russians and will be the new man in charge at the Dagestan side after signing a lucrative deal


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Injury to in-form Antonio Valencia sours victory over Ajax for solid but unspectacular Manchester United
Ecuador international was forced off the pitch in the final 10 minutes of the win in Amsterdam, leaving a bittersweet taste as yet another key player heads for the medical room


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Chelsea pull out of race to sign Eden Hazard as Tottenham move into pole position
The Stamford Bridge club have let it be known that they will pursue alternative targets while Spurs step up their interest in the Belgian sensation


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Sir Alex Ferguson confirms Antonio Valencia will be sidelined for a month
Winger came on as a substitute in the Europa League win at Ajax but after playing a vital role in the second goal, he was forced off and is set for another spell on the sidelines


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Sir Alex Ferguson critical of ‘very ordinary’ Manchester United performance despite Ajax victory
The Red Devils picked up a 2-0 win in Amsterdam thanks to second-half goals from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez, but the Scot was not overly impressed with his side


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Anelka hopeful Drogba will join him at Shanghai Shenhua
The 32-year-old left Stamford Bridge after falling out of favour with coach Andre Villas-Boas and is hoping that his old team-mate will join him in China in the summer


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Skrtel credits Dalglish for Liverpool's improved defensive displays
The defender also moved to compliment the ability of his rear-guard partners with the Anfield club hoping to clinch Champions League qualification come the season's end


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Police arrest 142 fans in Amsterdam ahead of Manchester United's Europa League game against Ajax
Football fans of the Dutch giants were detained alongside supporters of Belgian side Anderlecht after they were trying to organise confrontation with travelling English fans


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Luis Suarez receives 'support and solidarity' from Uruguayan president Jose Mujica
While admitting the Liverpool man is no diplomat, the head of state denied claims that he was a racist and slammed the 'exaggerated' reactions from the British media


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Andre Villas-Boas claims he does not need support of players to remain Chelsea manager
Blues boss denied bust-up between staff and players on Sunday but nonetheless stated that as long as he has the owner's support he will stay on at the west London club


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Arteta insists Arsenal can still reach Champions League quarter-finals
Spanish midfielder claims his side are still in with a shout of progression despite the heave defeat, and adds that the pitch wasn't to blame
 
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