tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44514135547627930302023-11-15T08:46:17.454-08:00iFeelSportsifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-45134129083125483182013-04-04T22:26:00.002-07:002013-04-04T22:26:25.535-07:00Tottenham manager: Gareth Bale injury may not be serious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The pictures were hardly comforting to Spurs fans, Gareth Bale being stretchered off the White Hart Lane field, plastic splint wrapped around his lower right leg, head in hands in apparent emotional and / or physical distress.</div>
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Were Spurs fans watching their team’s chances of retaining top four EPL positioning dwindling before their very north London eyes?</div>
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Bale rolled his right ankle near the end of Tottenham’s <a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/04/gareth-bale-injured-in-a-fast-furious-europa-league-dandy/" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2-2 Europa League draw Thursday</a> with Basel. Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas told the BBC there was “a lot of pain, but hopefully not as bad as it could have been.”</div>
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Even a short-absence could be damaging. A <a href="http://espnfc.com/team/fixtures/_/id/367/tottenham-hotspur?cc=5901" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">peek at the schedule</a> shows why it’s a particularly tough time for Tottenham to go without their top man. Bale would seem unlikely to be ready for Sunday’s match at home with Everton, <a href="http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">one of the pursuers</a> for Spurs’ current hold on the Champions League berth.</div>
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Following next week’s trip into Switzerland for the back half of the Europa League quarterfinal series, Bale and his boys travel across London to meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, then have a week to get ready for Manchester City’s visit.</div>
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So Tottenham’s next three league matches are against teams sitting 6<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup>, 4<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">th</sup> and 2<sup style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nd </sup>in the Premier League.</div>
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By the way, as far as “Bale as England Player of the Year,” he <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1396568/zinedine-zidane:-gareth-bale-is-my-player-of-the-season?cc=5901" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">already has a pretty swanky endorsement</a>. This is what none other than Zinedine Zidane said earlier this week about his personal choice (Bale):</div>
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<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He’s unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration is unbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space. Plus, he’s very good technically which is also important. We mustn’t forget that he plays football very well!</b></div>
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<b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“And he’s really impressed me. I’ve seen him two or three times live, including recently at Lyon, which wasn’t necessarily his best game, but where every time he got the ball he can surprise you.”</b></div>
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<br />ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-87846102217503855312013-04-04T22:25:00.002-07:002013-04-04T22:25:22.644-07:00The drama has ended!!! Yaya Toure re-signs with Manchester City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Exactly two weeks since Yaya Toure’s agent announced that<a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/21/get-your-yayas-out/" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> his client felt disrespected</a> by Manchester City and believed the club no longer wanted him, the incredible has happened. You guessed it, Toure put pen to paper today on a new four year deal to stay at the Etihad.</div>
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As compensation for the 29 year old’s services, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan will reportedly pay the Ivorian a cool $333,000/£220,000 a week.</div>
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Yes, my friends, that is <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a ton</em> of moolah. That’s the kind of moolah that is a real game changer. That’s the kind of moolah that – dare I say it – makes one think that maybe, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">just maybe</em>, Yaya Toure is all about the moolah.</div>
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I mean, what about all that noise Toure made over wanting to play with his brother, Kolo, who will inevitably be leaving City this summer?</div>
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“This is where I want to be,” Toure announced <a href="http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2013/April/Yaya-Toure-signs-new-deal-at-City" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">on City’s official website</a>. “When I first arrived at City every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something; now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in.”</div>
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Awww, that’s so sweet, Yaya!</div>
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But what about Toure’s dream of <a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2012/05/09/man-citys-yaya-toure-hopes-to-finish-at-barcelona/" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">finishing his career at Barcelona</a>?</div>
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“I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.</div>
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“I want to continue winning titles and trophies and continue to make history. I have enjoyed all of my time here and can’t wait for the next chapter. This is an incredible club to be part of with fans that support a team to the end whatever the circumstances.”</div>
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Awwwwww, Yaya, stop! If you keep trying to convince me of your dedication to everything <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">other than money</em>my eyes might just well up with tears!</div>
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Seriously though, folks. If we’ve seen this ‘<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’m sad/I feel disrespected/The club doesn’t love me</em>‘ move once (see Rooney, Wayne), we’ve seen it a million times. Yaya Toure isn’t a bad dude. I like Yaya Toure. Because at the end of the day footballers are just like you and me – they want to make the most money possible.</div>
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But this whole charade of creating false drama to gain contractual leverage needs to beat it.</div>
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<br />ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-46995583202385822892013-04-04T22:24:00.002-07:002013-04-04T22:24:10.635-07:00Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos earn suspensions – Master tactics by The Special One?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Master tactics or merely a coincidence?</div>
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That’s the question after Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso both earned suspensions for yellow card accumulation during their first-leg Champions League match against Galatasaray. Both players were cautioned towards the end of the match meaning they will be suspended for the second-leg of the quarter-final in Istanbul on April 9. UEFA rules state that any player who accumulates three yellow cards during the Champions League knockout stages is suspended for his next match.</div>
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The theory is that Ramos and Alonso – as directed by Mourinho – intentionally got themselves booked knowing that Madrid’s three goal cushion essentially renders the second leg a mere formality. For Galatasaray fans it’s an offensive suggestion but is nevertheless worth exploring as UEFA rules state that players who deliberately seek a booking can be handed a two-game ban.</div>
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The problem, of course, is proving that Ramos and Alonso deliberately sought the booking. At the moment the best evidence is that both players went into the book when the match was 3-0 with time nearly having expired. Alonso was booked in the 84th minute for an angry confrontation with referee Svein Oddvar Moen, who made <a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/04/galatasaray-were-done-wrong-burak-yilmaz-yellow-card-must-be-rescinded/" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">a host of questionable decisions</a> throughout the night. Six minutes later, Ramos followed suit as he kicked the ball away after committing a foul. While one could argue that both instances indicate a desire to be cautioned as they were innocuous occurrences transpiring outside the run of play, proving intent seems impossible unless Ramos and Alonso admit to their misdeeds.</div>
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Even assuming UEFA somehow manages to prove intent, the ramifications could be devastating as players will thereafter have to be even more convincing in their efforts to be booked. This could result in intentional fouls comitted during the run of play, which raises the potential for injury. It’s a slippery slope that UEFA is on with this rule and one that, if the governing body is not careful, could get out of hand.</div>
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In all likelihood Ramos and Alonso will not be assessed a two match ban. But a variety of penalties could ensue, as there is precedence.</div>
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Three years ago both Ramos and Alonso were sent off in a Champions League knockout stage match at Ajax. Late in that game Madrid was winning 4-0 when the duo, both one card away from suspension, wasted time during free-kicks. They were each issued second yellow cards, sent off and suspended for the irrelevant final group game. But when the next round of games came both enjoyed a clean slate. UEFA thereafter handed Jose Mourinho a two-game suspension and a £35,000 fine, while Ramos and Alonso were each fined £18,000.</div>
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If you’re sitting there reading this and thinking, ‘<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">holy crap, that’s nuts</em>‘, that’s because it is nuts. It’s nuts that UEFA can assess such steep penalties on an intent-heavy rule but it’s even more nuts that Mourinho is that clever of a manger. He knew the rule, recognized the loophole and did his best to access it.</div>
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<br />ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-3210643757863024052013-04-04T22:22:00.002-07:002013-04-04T22:22:55.959-07:00Gareth Bale injured in a fast, furious Europa League dandy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Europa League may be a wee bit under-loved, the NIT of soccer in the Old World and all, but it certainly does deliver some crackerjack matches, doesn’t it?</div>
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Tottenham-Basel on Thursday was a great example. Tottenham fell behind by two goals inside 35 minutes as the spirited fans from Switzerland sang with great joy from inside White Hart Lane. But Tottenham rallied behind goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Gylfi Sigurdsson to finish in a swell <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/04/tottenham-hotspur-basel-europa-league-live" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2-2 draw in the Europa League quarterfinal</a> first leg.</div>
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Tottenham’s defending, nervous and messy, plus a good attacking initiative from two sides willing to be aggressive made this match a dandy to watch, even for fans unattached to either side.</div>
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Scott Parker’s first half miss (still trying to sort out exactly how he went wide from inside the six, with only his own fallen player to avoid) was among the numerous chances that came and went with such rapid succession on either side.</div>
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The only bummer was <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gareth Bale’s late ankle injury</b>; more on that one later, because it could be huge for Spurs in so many ways. We might be talking about Aaron Lennon’s hamstring injury earlier in the match, but Bale’s ongoing availability is far more important around the north London ground.</div>
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<a href="http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/04/tottenham-manager-gareth-bale-injury-may-not-be-serious/" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">(MORE: Bale injury may not be as serious as it seemed)</a></div>
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Andre Villas-Boas and his Spurs have made this tournament a priority, possibly even at the expense of ongoing EPL matters; <a href="http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Third-place Spurs</a> must hold off Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton for a top-four finish and a lucrative Champions League spot next year. (That very spot, of course, was the apple in Clint Dempsey’s eye when he moved so dramatically out of Fulham a few months ago.)</div>
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The two away goals for Basel will make things hard on Villas-Boas and his men in next week’s return leg, especially if there is no Gareth Bale. Ironically, in a game with so many offensive flare-ups, Bale was mostly quiet on Thursday, but Spurs will surely hate the thought of traveling to Switzerland without him.</div>
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<br />ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-45655106540830267392013-04-04T22:20:00.003-07:002013-04-04T22:20:56.203-07:00Obafemi Martins out for Seattle Sounders; MLS Champions League hopes grow dimmer still<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The body blows keep coming for Major League Soccer’s chances of landing a team in CONCACAF Champions League final, and the league look close to tapping out.</div>
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As if last night’s calamitous final 10 minutes at the Home Depot Center were not enough – the Galaxy seemed to have things under control against Monterrey, but <a href="http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2013/04/three-points-monterrey-rallies-defeat-galaxy" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">conceded two late strikes to the Liga MX side and fell 2-1</a> to start the series with a huge thud – some alarming injury news today out of Seattle today has further dented league aspirations.</div>
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<a href="http://blogs.seattletimes.com/soundersfc/2013/04/01/monday-notes-were-happy-its-april-now/" style="color: #228e41; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Seattle Times reported today that Sounders striker Obafemi Martins</a> has left the team for some secret, undisclosed location to help deal with a lingering knee issue. (Seriously, what’s up with the secrecy?) It’s the same issue that prevented the <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sounders’ new DP striker</strong> from playing in Tuesday’s first leg, where Santos Laguna took a 1-0 win out of Seattle to open the clubs’ CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series.</div>
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Both MLS teams travel to Mexico for next week’s return legs, both dragging one goal deficits. So each home side requires only a draw to advance into the championship series, with a spot in this winter’s FIFA Club World Cup awaiting the ultimate winner.</div>
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<br />ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-50384697354648576742013-04-04T10:22:00.002-07:002013-04-04T22:14:25.498-07:00Champions League: Lionel Messi injury news boosts Barcelona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Lionel Messi could be fit for Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final decider against Paris Saint-Germain after tests revealed his hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared.</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The four-time world player of the year limped off at half-time during Tuesday's 2-2 draw, prompting worries he had suffered a torn muscle that would end his season early.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">He is certain to miss Saturday's Primera Liga clash with Mallorca but could yet feature in the return leg against Carlo Ancelotti's side at the Nou Camp on 10 April.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"The club's medical services have revealed that Leo Messi's hamstring injury will definitely rule him out of this weekend's game against Mallorca, whilst his availability after that will depend on how the injury progresses," read a statement on Barcelona's website.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"The Barca number 10 felt a twinge in his right hamstring towards the end of the first half last night."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Messi also confirmed the injury was less serious than first thought in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"I will return soon," he said. "Thankfully it was not so serious."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Messi's absence against Mallorca brings an end to his incredible 19-game scoring streak in La Liga.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">He became the first player to score against every other team in La Liga consecutively when he netted in a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo at the weekend.</span></div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-3116175551177335362013-04-04T10:19:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:19:59.764-07:00BRENDAN RODGERS has dismissed suggestions Pepe Reina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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BRENDAN RODGERS has dismissed suggestions Pepe Reina is unsettled and is confident the goalkeeper will still be at Liverpool beyond the summer.</div>
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Reina’s future has been the subject of speculation after struggling for form and fitness for large parts of the campaign.</div>
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The Spaniard has missed 15 games this season through injury and at one point was under serious pressure from deputy Brad Jones for his starting role.</div>
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Barcelona – where Reina began his career – have been continually linked with a move for the 30-year-old as replacement</div>
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for Victor Valdes, who is expected to be sold in the summer after announcing he will not sign a new deal at the Nou Camp.</div>
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But asked if he was counting on Reina for next season, Rodgers said: "Yes. He’s never been unsettled and our relationship is very strong.</div>
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"I think a lot of the stuff this year has been based on speculation with Valdes going, or possibly going, there have been links they (Barcelona) will be in for another keeper. His dad has said some things and whatever.</div>
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"I have given him and a few of the senior boys real responsibility and I think they have enjoyed that.</div>
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"I see him as someone who is hopefully going to be here. He is 30 and is someone who looks after his body.</div>
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"The sports science team this year have worked really well with him. I think he’s been outstanding for us and had great focus and hopefully that will continue for us.”</div>
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Reina has made 387 appearances for Liverpool since arriving from Villarreal for £6million in July 2005.</div>
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And Rodgers added: "Pepe and I speak a lot.</div>
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"He’s a good man and I’ve got real respect for him as a player and as a human being.</div>
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"He understands everything we are trying to here and is a great voice in the little debriefing meetings we have with the group and with the defenders and other goalkeepers.</div>
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"He’s brilliant. And on a personal level we’ll sit and have a cup of tea in the office and we’ll chat about where he’s at with his game and how he can improve his game.”</div>
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<br />ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-56637179531399229692013-04-04T10:18:00.001-07:002013-04-04T10:18:21.219-07:00Four more wins to secure Premier League title says Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sir Alex Ferguson has set his Manchester United players the task of winning four more games to secure the Barclays Premier League title.</div>
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Manchester United briefly extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to 18 points with a 1-0 win at Sunderland, the seventh on the trot, although reigning champions Manchester City reduced the deficit once again a few hours later with their victory over Newcastle.</div>
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Manchester United host City at Old Trafford a week on Monday and Ferguson said: "We have got to win four games, I think to get there, but the important thing is to focus on the next match, and that's Manchester City at home."</div>
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He added: "I think the players have galvanised themselves, their team spirit, their concentration, their focus in every game - and it's 25 wins in 30 league games, which I think is a record, and that's all down to the efforts of the players."</div>
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The victory at the Stadium of Light extended Manchester United's run to 18 league games without defeat and means they have collected 50 of the last 54 points they have contested.</div>
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Manchester United have an FA Cup quarter-final replay trip to Chelsea to come first, and midfielder Michael Carrick said: "It's obviously getting closer because it's one game less and we have won again. But that's all it is. We have still got to go again.</div>
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"We have got another game on Monday and then obviously City next week, so we will keep going."</div>
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The win was secured by Titus Bramble's 27th-minute own goal, and although Sunderland, who have now not won in eight games, rallied after a lacklustre first-half display, they rarely looked like snatching a point.</div>
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Bramble can count himself unfortunate - Robin van Persie's shot clipped full-back Phil Bardsley and looked to be flying wide until it hit his knee and nestled inside the far post.</div>
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Asked if it was his goal, Van Persie, who had not scored for his club since February 10, said: "Of course, there's no question about that. It's been a while, so it's always good to score again. It was a really important goal. Today, it was all about the three points, so we got them."</div>
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ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-12351021745216677102013-04-04T10:17:00.000-07:002013-04-04T10:17:07.628-07:00Sir Alex Ferguson insists Robin van Persie does not need a rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white;">Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Robin van Persie to find his goalscoring form and insists the striker does not need a rest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Van Persie, 29, has gone nine games without a goal for United.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">But Ferguson is confident that the Netherlands international, who has hit 23 goals for the club this season, will soon start scoring again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">"He doesn't need a rest that's for sure, he's a strong lad with great physique," Ferguson said.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">"The goals will come, all strikers have dry spells and you hope it ends quickly, it's part of being a striker."</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Van Persie, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19296077" style="color: #ccff00; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" title="Link to Van Persie signing story">who joined United from Arsenal for £24m last August,</a>has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, second only to Liverpool's Luis Suarez, who has 22.</span></div>
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ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-2383726538848484512013-04-04T10:16:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:16:20.494-07:00Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho wary despite first-leg win<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white;">Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho remained cautious despite his team's 3-0 win over Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22007833" style="color: #ccff00; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">put Real on the verge of the semi-finals.</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">"If we score a goal in Istanbul they have got to score five so the result is very good," Mourinho told Sky Sports.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">"But I've seen a lot of things in football so nothing can surprise me. Istanbul is a difficult place to go."</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">The Turkish side did not capitalise on a number of chances they created before Higuain's goal sealed the win for Real, but Mourinho was adamant that his side could not underestimate their opposition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">"We played seriously," said the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22011710" style="color: #ccff00; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">former Chelsea boss.</a> "The Spanish press were not quite so respectful towards Galatasaray but we were very respectful towards them. We knew they have a fantastic team and good strikers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">"We were defensively better than we were attacking. We could have scored more goals but the team played well."</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Higuain, who found the net after replacing Benzema in the 65th minute, was less cautious than his manager.</span></div>
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"We knew the return would be very difficult and the truth is we can go there happy because 3-0 is a very favourable result," said the Argentine striker.</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-22023317413953937502013-04-04T10:15:00.004-07:002013-04-04T10:15:41.368-07:00Leo Messi Injury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #171b0a; color: #cccccc; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Paris St Germain's Thiago Silva (L) challenges Barcelona's Lionnel Messi during their Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, April 2, 2013. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-52214272072259282442013-04-04T10:15:00.001-07:002013-04-04T10:15:04.635-07:00Ware says show of support helped him remain upbeat<span style="background-color: #171b0a; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;">ATLANTA (AP) — Just seeing a picture of Kevin Ware up and moving around again inspired the Louisville Cardinals. Imagine the boost they're going to get having Ware alongside them. Ware was greeted with loud cheers when he arrived at Louisville's hotel Wednesday night, hours after doctors cleared the sophomore to accompany the Cardinals to the Final Four. Ware flew with the team on its hour-long flight from Louisville, his broken right leg propped up on a second seat. He was in a wheelchair as he entered the hotel, his mother behind him, and smiled and waved as he disappeared into an elevator. "It's like he never left," Peyton Siva said, breaking into a smile. "Words can't explain our feelings to have him back with us. It just shows what a strong character he is." Ware broke his lower right leg in gruesome fashion during Sunday's Midwest Regional final, the bone snapping as he landed after trying to block a shot. The Cardinals were shell-shocked by the injury — Ware's bone protruded six inches through the skin — and it was only the encouraging words of Ware himself that helped the team focus on the game. Louisville defeated Duke 85-63 to earn a second straight trip to the national semifinals. Ware said he doesn't think Louisville would be in the Final Four if he had lost his composure, and credited Luke Hancock for calming him down. Hancock rubbed Ware's chest while doctors worked on him on the sidelines. "He got me to that point where I really had to put the pain on hold," Ware said. "Once he said his prayer, I was kind of thinking the whole time, 'You can either be a crybaby about it or you're going to get your team back and get them in the right mindset.' "Luke said his words, and I just kept repeating, 'Y'all gotta go win this game.' I'm fine. ... It really helped the team." During a two-hour surgery later that night, doctors repaired the compound fractures that had led Ware's tibia at an odd angle. He awoke the next morning to discover he had become an overnight sensation, and the afterglow hasn't waned. His condition and progress have been featured every day on the major networks, the Internet and especially social media. Ware said he's heard from several of his idols, including Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Charles Barkley. The Louisville guard said he has even heard from first lady Michelle Obama and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. "I had no idea I would get this kind of attention," he said. "I'm one of those guys who just likes to play basketball. But the injury opened up a lot of peoples' eyes and I really appreciate all the support. It really means a lot." On Wednesday, the Cardinals' practice facility was surrounded by a phalanx of satellite trucks, and the interview requests helped Ware get an early jump on his rehab as he shuttled back and forth between makeshift sets. "It's going to take a long time to get where I want to be," Ware said. Not that he's dreading the hard work ahead. "I think God puts things in your life and you have to go through certain obstacles," he said. "I just feel like these are obstacles that are going to make me grow up for the better. It's going to open my eyes to a lot of things I probably haven't seen before." In the meantime, however, Ware — and the Cardinals — have a title to win. In the city where Ware played high school ball, no less, after moving from New York City. Ware plans to be a full participant in preparations for Saturday's game against Wichita State, including sitting on the bench. And the Cardinals will wear new warm-up gear to honor the sophomore, with Ware's No. 5 replacing the "S'' in the "Rise to the Occasion" T-shirts they've been wearing. "He's like a brother to all of us, and we're just happy he's here," said Chane Behanan, Ware's closest friend on the Louisville team. "We're going to try and celebrate and bring the trophy home."</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-53143215358546689632013-04-04T10:14:00.005-07:002013-04-04T10:14:47.666-07:00Anthony scores 40, Knicks win 10th straight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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ATLANTA (AP) — <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365075052107_2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Carmelo Anthony</span> put on another scoring show, though he didn't have to do it alone.</div>
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Anthony scored 40 points and the <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365075052107_3" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Knicks</span> got key contributions from <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365075052107_8" style="cursor: pointer;">J.R. Smith</span> and <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365075052107_1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Raymond Felton</span> during a 19-5 fourth-quarter run that sparked <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365075052107_6" style="cursor: pointer;">New York</span> to its 10th straight victory, 95-82 over<span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365075052107_4" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Atlanta</span> on Wednesday night.</div>
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"Melo is smart enough to know that if he's doubled, he'll sacrifice the ball," said Knicks coach Mike Woodson. "And we've got enough shooters around him that are making big shots. That opens it up for him even more. And when he gets going like he did tonight, they're not going to leave him alone very often."</div>
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Anthony, who scored 50 in his last game at Miami, scored 26 in the first half. He commanded more defensive attention in the second half, which left opportunities for Smith, who scored 19, and Felton, who scored 14. Felton's quickness to the basket resulted in three straight scores during a 12-2 streak that turned a tie game into an 84-74 Knicks lead that was never threatened.</div>
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"A lot of (Anthony's) points came off the bounce, with just two or three dribbles, and then a quick pull-up," Woodson said. "When he got doubled, he got the ball out. It was kind of nice to play off him tonight."</div>
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Atlanta forward Al Horford admitted, "He hit a lot of tough shots. I think he was very comfortable out there. We probably should have tried to pressure him more."</div>
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Anthony made 17 of 27 from the field and was 5-for-6 at the line. He also had five rebounds and three assists, with only one turnover.</div>
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"The rhythm was there and I wanted to see if I still had it going," Anthony said. "It was just one of those nights once again. I feel like when I have the opportunity, I just want to take my time and take it when I'm open and then find the open man when I'm doubled."</div>
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The game was tied at 72 with 9:48 left when New York took control. The Knicks outscored the Hawks 23-10 the rest of the way, as Felton scored 10 in the final period.</div>
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"I think our coverages were bad," said Hawks guard Jeff Teague. "I should have backed up a little bit on Raymond Felton and let him shoot a contested shot. But I got up a little bit and he used his speed to get by me."</div>
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The win puts New York in sole possession of second place in the <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365075052107_7" style="cursor: pointer;">Eastern Conference</span>.</div>
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"This team is playing for something," Woodson said. "We know every game counts. We've had our ups and downs because of injuries, but we've just got to finish this regular season out."</div>
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Atlanta lost the opportunity to move into a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference and wasted a 25-point effort by <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365075052107_5" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Kyle Korver</span>, who came up two points short of his season high.</div>
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"They were switching a lot of things trying to take away Josh (Smith) and Al and I was able to get some looks in the first half," Korver said. "I tried to knock them down."</div>
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Korver moved into third place on the all-time list for consecutive games with a 3-point basket. Korver passed Reggie Miller at 10:54 in the first quarter</div>
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when he made a 3-pointer from the right side. He's now connected for a trey in 69 straight games. Korver is still a long away from catching Dana Barros (89 consecutive games), but is within distance of Dennis Scott (78) and Michael Adams (79).</div>
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"We played a very hot basketball team," said Hawks coach Larry Drew. "Particularly Carmelo, who's playing at a very high level right now, shooting the ball extremely, extremely well. I thought there were times we defended him well. He still made shots."</div>
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Notes: Atlanta forward John Jenkins missed his third game since suffering a concussion against Boston. . . . Atlanta's Devin Harris was not available because of foot injury. He had rehab treatment on Wednesday.. . . The Syracuse men's basketball team attended the game. The team is in town to compete in the NCAA Final Four. . . . Also at courtside was comedian Conan O'Brien.</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-92145116559276630562013-04-04T10:14:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:14:18.452-07:00Sacramento, Seattle groups present to NBA owners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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NEW YORK (AP) — The future home of the Kings may not be settled this month after all.</div>
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With owners facing a difficult choice between a move to <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_5" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Seattle</span> or the team staying put in <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_3" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Sacramento</span>, <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">NBA</span> Commissioner David Stern said Wednesday the expected vote in two weeks may be delayed.</div>
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"We've never had a situation like this," Stern said.</div>
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"And the seriousness of purpose to me is really incredible, because (owners) know that there's a lot at stake here for two communities and the NBA."</div>
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A Seattle group led by investor <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Chris Hansen</span> and Microsoft CEO<span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_7" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Steve Ballmer</span> has a pending agreement with the Maloof family to buy 65 percent of the team and move it back to the city the SuperSonics left in 2008. <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_4" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Sacramento</span> has put together its own group to make a competing bid.</div>
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Both sides made presentations to a committee of owners on Wednesday — with <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365035769243_8" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">George Maloof</span> making clear during Seattle's that his family wanted to deal with them — that left enough questions that Stern says he doesn't know when a decision will be made.</div>
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A vote was expected during the April 18-19 board of governors meeting. But Stern said questions remain about real estate and arena construction timelines, and owners may need more time to sort through them.</div>
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It couldn't go much past that date, because a 2013-14 schedule has to be made and tickets have to be sold.</div>
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"I wouldn't expect it if it does to slide by a lot, because there's a combined interest in having some clarity come to this situation," Stern said.</div>
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The <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365035769243_6" style="cursor: pointer;">Seattle group</span> went first, touting the financial strength of its city and the passion of its fans. Sacramento followed, stressing the support it's shown for the Kings, even during their many losing seasons, and the city's plans for a new arena that would revitalize its downtown.</div>
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"Think about it for a second. The NBA does not want to move a team from one market to another, period," Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said. "We already know that. They normally move a team from one market to another when the fans don't support it or you can't build a building. That's not the case in Sacramento."</div>
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Eight owners made up the committee Wednesday. Sacramento's group, consisting of Silicon Valley software tycoon Vivek Ranadive, 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, billionaire investor Ron Burkle and Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs, seemed loose afterward, laughing and joking through a press conference.</div>
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Seattle's were more guarded, with Hansen revealing little about what was said during the meeting.</div>
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"I believe Chris did a very thorough job of outlining the deal and what the ownership team was looking at it," Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said. "I think Steve Ballmer did a very good job of expressing the kind of the enthusiasm for Seattle, and now's a good moment for us, and George Maloof closed by expressing his desire to close the deal with Chris Hansen. So collectively, I think the team did a very good job."</div>
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A group of Sacramento fans wearing Kings jerseys gathered in front of the New York hotel where the meetings were held to greet their contingent, led by Johnson. He's confident his city has done everything asked to show its commitment to keeping the Kings in Sacramento and building a new arena.</div>
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The Kings were thought to be on their way out two years ago, when the Maloofs were prepared to move them to Anaheim, Calif. Johnson came to New York to lobby owners to give his city more time, and the plan to relocate fell through.</div>
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Sacramento fell into deeper jeopardy of losing its team in January when the Hansen-Ballmer group signed a deal with the Maloofs for $341 million — a figure reached from a total franchise valuation of $525 million, an NBA record.</div>
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The city has fought back again, recently approving an arena financing plan and lining up an ownership group that can compete with the powerful Seattle one. Though no terms of Sacramento's bid were given, Stern said as he was leaving that the dollars were not an issue after previously saying Seattle's bid was much higher.</div>
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But Sacramento still must overcome the wishes of the Maloofs to deal with Seattle.</div>
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"They did express strong support for moving forward with the deal that they've made with Chris Hansen," McGinn said, "and of course in the nature of the presentation it was important to Chris Hansen to point out the advantages to Seattle as a marketplace and as a destination for the NBA."</div>
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A sale would have to be approved by three-fourths of owners. A simple majority is needed to approve a relocation.</div>
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Expecting lengthy debate and a difficult decision, Stern set up Wednesday's meeting so owners would be able to get a jump on the issue before their season-ending meetings. He said the committee will meet again before the board meeting.</div>
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Johnson stressed the strength of the Sacramento market and of his potential ownership group, which he called a "dream team." He said they avoided saying anything negative about Seattle.</div>
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"But what we did do is compare Sacramento's market with Seattle, which I think is a fair comparison," the former NBA star said. "And when you look at a 23-year period where both of us have had NBA teams, Sacramento's market outdrew Seattle's market 20 of 23 seasons, despite Seattle having a better record. Those were the kinds of things that we said in there."</div>
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Stern again ruled out expansion at this time, meaning only one of the cities will have an <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365035769243_9" style="cursor: pointer;">NBA</span> team next season.</div>
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"There's no question that Seattle is a vibrant and thriving market with plans for a great building, and Sacramento has been a great and supportive market of the NBA with plans for a new building," Stern said. "And so we need to flesh out for the owners, every owner seems to have a different question, but we've got a fair amount of work to do."</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-17345746920931382632013-04-04T10:13:00.004-07:002013-04-04T10:13:49.072-07:00Rangers get 4-0 win over Astros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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HOUSTON (AP) — A day after watching Yu Darvish come within one out of a perfect game, <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_2" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Alexi Ogando</span> was determined to pitch well to help the Texas Rangers wrap up the three game series against <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_4" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Houston</span> with a win.</div>
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Ogando got things started well and four <span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365028221125_9" style="cursor: pointer;">Texas</span> relievers finished it off to shut out the <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Astros</span> again, combining for a five-hitter in <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_3" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">the Rangers</span>' 4-0 win over the Astros on Wednesday.</div>
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"It was a spectacular game, and it certainly motivated me to pitch well today," Ogando said in Spanish through a translator.</div>
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<span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_5" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Lance Berkman</span> doubled in a run for the Rangers a day after they blanked Houston 7-0 behind Darvish's nearly historic gem.</div>
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It is the first time the <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_6" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Rangers</span> have pitched consecutive shutouts since they had three straight in July 2011.</div>
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Ogando (1-0) allowed four hits with a career-high 10 strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings. The young and inexperienced Astros have struck out 43 times in their first three games.</div>
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"Ogando is known for striking folks out," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He had a good fastball, he has a tremendous slider and now he's got a changeup and a curveball to go with all of that."</div>
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It's the most strikeouts a pitching staff has combined for in the first three games of a season in major league history, and the most since Cleveland fanned 42 in the first three of the 1966 season.</div>
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"Yesterday, it was more about their guy, and today it was more about our guys," Houston manager Bo Porter said when asked about the strikeouts. "We just had our guys expanding the zone way too often. We need to make an adjustment and do a better job. The fastballs that we had an opportunity to do something with, we either fouled them off or didn't get them (in play)."</div>
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The Rangers are also the fourth team in major league history since 1916 to start the season by striking out 10 or more batters in each of their first three games.</div>
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Robbie Ross, Tanner Scheppers and Michael Kirkman allowed one hit combined in the next 1 2-3 innings. Closer Joe Nathan struck out the side in the ninth.</div>
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Houston starter <span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1365028221125_7" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; color: #366388; cursor: pointer;">Philip Humber</span> (0-1) yielded five hits and a run in 5 2-3 innings in his Astros debut.</div>
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<span class="yshortcuts cs4-ndcor" id="lw_1365028221125_8" style="cursor: pointer;">Nelson Cruz</span> and A.J. Pierzynski had two hits apiece and drove in a run each for the Rangers.</div>
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Ogando returned to the rotation this season after spending last year in the bullpen, where he had a career-high 58 relief appearances.</div>
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He retired nine straight Astros before Carlos Pena singled with two outs in the sixth inning. Chris Carter lined out to end that inning, and Houston's next hit, a one-out single in the seventh by Justin Maxwell, chased Ogando.</div>
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Humber had retired 10 of 11 batters before walking Berkman to start the sixth inning. Adrian Beltre and David Murphy followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases. Nelson Cruz grounded into a double play that sent Berkman home to give Texas a 1-0 lead and chase Humber.</div>
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He was replaced by Wesley Wright, who retired Pierzynski to limit the damage</div>
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Humber, who threw a perfect game for the White Sox last season, helped nearby Rice University win a national championship in 2003.</div>
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Berkman's RBI double to left-center in the eighth inning made it 2-0. Cruz singled in a run before Beltre scored on a sacrifice fly by Pierzynski to push the lead to 4-0. Carter got an error on the play when he missed the catch despite being right under it.</div>
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Berkman finished his first series with the Rangers 6 for 10 with three RBIs.</div>
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"He's what I expected," Washington said. "He's a pro. He certainly knows what he's doing up there in that box. He's a tremendous addition to us."</div>
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After going 26 outs before getting a hit Tuesday night, the Astros got their first knock out of the way immediately on Wednesday when Jose Altuve hit a leadoff double.</div>
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They weren't able to build off the strong start though, as Ogando retired the next seven batters, with four strikeouts.</div>
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Humber got into trouble in the second when he allowed consecutive one-out singles to Cruz and Pierzynski. He struck out Mitch Moreland before plunking Leonys Martin in the right foot to load the bases. But he was able to retired Rick Ankiel to escape the jam.</div>
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The Astros haven't scored since the eighth inning of an 8-2 win in the season opener on Sunday night, when they overcame for a night having the majors' lowest payroll and a roster full of replacement-level players.</div>
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NOTES: Both teams are off on Thursday. Texas LHP Derek Holland takes the mound against Jason Vargas on Friday in the Rangers' home opener against the Angels. Houston continues its homestand on Friday when Brad Peacock faces Oakland's Dan Straily in the opener of a three-game series. ... The two triples Andrus had on Tuesday night tied a franchise record for triples in a game. It was the first time it had been done since Michael Young had two on Sept. 3, 2002 at Baltimore. Andrus has 25 career triples, tied for fifth most in team history.</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-69136006156955090382013-04-04T10:13:00.001-07:002013-04-04T10:13:21.695-07:00Soccer-Real Madrid ease to 3-0 win over Galatasaray<br />
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MADRID, April 3 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain scored to give Real Madrid a commanding 3-0 home win over Galatasaray in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.</div>
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Portugal forward Ronaldo became the tournament's highest scorer with nine goals when he burst away on to Mesut Ozil's pass to lob the opener after nine minutes.</div>
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Benzema slotted the ball inside Fernando Muslera's near post for the second after 29 minutes and substitute Higuain flicked a header into the top corner at a freekick in the 73rd.</div>
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Galatasaray rarely threatened but when they did keeper Diego Lopez was on hand for the hosts, who remain well on course for a shot at a tenth European Cup. (Reporting by Mark Elkington, editing by Justin Palmer)</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-89415593599669632892013-04-04T10:12:00.006-07:002013-04-04T10:12:53.622-07:00Sammer: Alaba is one of best left backs in the world<span style="background-color: #171b0a; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;">Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has voiced his opinion that David Alaba is one of the best left backs in the world. The Austria international has put in a number of impressive displays throughout the 2012-13 campaign, most recently in the Champions League win over Juventus in which he scored a first-minute goal, and Sammer has hailed Alaba's importance to Bayern. "David is a very, very important player for the club,"Sammer told Bayern's official website. "Even at a very young age, he’s already one of the best left backs in the world." Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes, meanwhile, agrees that Alaba has been in fine form, but believes the defender can still get better. "David's playing at a very high level at the moment, but he still has room to improve further," Heynckes said. Alaba has made 28 official appearances so far this term, netting five goals in the process. He'll look to help seal Bayern's place in the Champions League semifinals next Wednesday, when the Bundesliga runaway leader travels to Turin, Italy, carrying a 2-0 aggregate edge over Juventus.</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-84368484419680382062013-04-04T10:12:00.004-07:002013-04-04T10:12:33.208-07:00Soccer-Hamburg coach eager to move on from 9-2 defeat<span style="background-color: #171b0a; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica; font-size: 11px;">BERLIN, April 4 (Reuters) - Hamburg SV are still digesting last week's embarrassing 9-2 defeat to Bayern Munich but coach Thorsten Fink has urged his players to accept it and move on as they battle for a European spot for next season. Hamburg, in ninth on 38 points with seven games left in the season, take on direct Europa League rivals Freiburg, who are a point above them in seventh, on Saturday. "We cannot go back and cancel the previous game," Fink told reporters on Thursday. "We have to stand back up and look ahead. "We created the pressure ahead of the Freiburg game ourselves so now we have to see that we can deal with it. We did not go into one-on-one battles in Munich. We had better change that against Freiburg." The defeat equalled Hamburg's biggest loss in 50 consecutive years of Bundesliga play. "We will remember this 2-9 for the rest of our lives," said sports director Frank Arnesen. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Clare Fallon)</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-59037223582124233122013-04-04T10:12:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:12:10.601-07:00Subotic: Dortmund should be proud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/qob7Mmgc8vUBW9MYoYxhaQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0yMzA7cT04NTt3PTM1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/Goal/269088_hp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/qob7Mmgc8vUBW9MYoYxhaQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0yMzA7cT04NTt3PTM1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/Goal/269088_hp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/serbia/14621/neven-subotic" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Neven Subotic</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> feels </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/germany/160/borussia/news?ICID=TOP_5-16" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Borussia Dortmund</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> has every reason to be satisfied with its scoreless draw away against </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/spain/184/malaga" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Malaga</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> in Wednesday's Champions League encounter.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The German champions missed a number of chances to claim victory in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie, but the Serb is focusing on the positives as he sets his sights on a last-four spot.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Coming under so much pressure, at this stage of the competition, in an away game, plus playing as we have done for the last couple years – that is something to be proud of," Subotic told the official UEFA website. "We are a young team. For most of us it is our first time getting this far. But we want more. We want a goal and it is in our hands because all we have to do is win the home game.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Malaga did not make it easy for us at all. They are a good team. Just look at the first half, they put in a huge effort, they defended well - this is a good side which plays quality football. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"I am sure that if we put in at least the same effort again in the second leg then we will create sufficient chances to score a goal. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Obviously, we are very happy to have reached this far and equally happy about the performance Wednesday."</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-9402193481279504722013-04-04T10:11:00.003-07:002013-04-04T10:11:34.971-07:00Rooney and Rafael return to training ahead of Manchester derby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/TUZMUNqNiVfsiYwWIitMvA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0yMzA7cT04NTt3PTM1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/Goal/262101_hp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/TUZMUNqNiVfsiYwWIitMvA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0yMzA7cT04NTt3PTM1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/Goal/262101_hp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/england/97/manchester-united" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #e99f00; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Manchester United</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> manager </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/scotland/8123/sir-alex-ferguson" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sir Alex Ferguson</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> has confirmed that</span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_player" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/man/roster" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Wayne Rooney</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> and Rafael have returned to training ahead of Monday's clash with </span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_team" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/mnc" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Manchester City</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The United boss is willing to risk the England striker despite having missed the matches against Sunderland and </span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_team" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/che" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Chelsea</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> over Easter.</span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_player" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/man/roster" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Nemanja Vidic</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> and </span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_player" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/man/roster" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Jonny Evans</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, however, are yet to take part in preparations for the match at Old Trafford.</span><br />
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"Wayne and Rafa have started training this morning, which is good news," Ferguson told reporters on Thursday. "Hopefully, they will be fine by Monday. <a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_player" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/man/roster" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Jonny Evans</a> and <a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_player" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/man/roster" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Nemanja Vidic</a> are not there yet, but hopefully they will start training maybe [Friday] or Saturday morning. We have a little bit of time on our hands to get most of the troops ready for the game."</div>
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The 71-year-old Ferguson also responded to criticism that has come United's way since they were eliminated from the FA Cup by <a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_team" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbgb/teams/che" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Chelsea</a> on Monday, and he believes that, as long as his side wins the league, it will not be a disappointing season.</div>
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"The way we've approached things is the correct way and that's to win the next game," Ferguson said. "Hopefully, it takes us to winning the league. It doesn't matter what people say outside of the club, it's about what we think inside the club. We're always looking to do our best. It's been a good season for us.</div>
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"The important thing is to win Monday's game. It'll be a big game for City. They'll want to come and derail us for a spell. We're at home and our consistency is there for all to see. I expect us to perform really well on Monday."</div>
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Feguson also praised his players for their league form, which has handed them a 15-point gap over City at the top of the table.</div>
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"We have to congratulate our players on their consistency - to win 25 out of 30 games is a record and should be applauded. It's fantastic. But we've still got to win the title. We have eight games left and that's 24 points to play for."</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-89206162057147520062013-04-04T10:11:00.000-07:002013-04-04T10:11:00.528-07:00Sergio Ramos: I did not get booked deliberately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_9LhMs.rCemVpU2eDmL2gQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0yMzA7cT04NTt3PTM1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/Goal/259814_hp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_9LhMs.rCemVpU2eDmL2gQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0yMzA7cT04NTt3PTM1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/Goal/259814_hp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/spain/1504/sergio-ramos" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sergio Ramos</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> has laughed off suggestions that he picked up a yellow card on purpose in the first leg of </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/spain/124/real-madrid-news?ICID=TOP_5-13" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Real Madrid</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">'s 3-0 Champions League quarterfinal win against </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/turkey/574/galatasaray" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Galatasaray</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The Spaniard went into the referee's book in the closing stages of the encounter for kicking the ball away after play had been stopped, but the 27-year-old has insisted that he was not after a booking in order to pick up a suspension for the second leg, which would ensure his availability for the semifinals.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"The referee gave a free kick on the edge of the box, but it wasn't a foul," Ramos told </span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_team" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbes/teams/rem" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Real Madrid</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">'s official website. "It was a situation that angers you, because you don't want to concede any goals, and it was a dangerous situation on the edge of the box that could have complicated matters."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Ramos then went on to stress that he thinks Madrid is on track to make it to the Champions League final after beating Galatasaray so convincingly in the first leg.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"We have a special fondness for this competition and it has been years since we last won," Ramos said. "We haven't made it yet, but we're on the right track to get through to the final, without wanting to underestimate anyone because our first priority right now is concluding this quarterfinal."</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-82949317847556749602013-04-04T10:10:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:10:05.482-07:00Sneijder: I was not good enough against Madrid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AjSSluQSKqKmwIqMFLnrVPPNYVpH;_ylu=X3oDMTFycHRwNmxkBG1pdANBUlRJQ0xFIEFydGljbGUgQm9keQRwb3MDMQRzZWMDTWVkaWFBcnRpY2xlQm9keUFzc2VtYmx5;_ylg=X3oDMTMzZWRlNGQwBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDMjIxNDk4YTItMDNhYy0zZTEzLWIwNGYtMzdhODVlYjY1MWQzBHBzdGNhdANzb2NjZXJ8Y2hhbXBpb25zBHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQ--;_ylv=0/SIG=12ag27594/EXP=1366290341/**http%3A//www.goal.com/en-us/teams/turkey/574/galatasaray" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Galatasaray</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> playmaker </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/netherlands/2255/wesley-sneijder" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Wesley Sneijder</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> has admitted that he did not contribute enough in the first leg of his side's 3-0 Champions League quarterfinal loss against </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/spain/124/real-madrid-news?ICID=TOP_5-13" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Real Madrid</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The Netherlands international featured from the start of the first leg at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, but he was taken off at halftime after failing to make an impact in the opening 45 minutes.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Of course I am disappointed. I wanted to finish this game, especially here at the Santiago Bernabeu where I played in the past. I was unable to do that and that's disappointing," Sneijder told </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">NOS</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">. "I am in good physical condition and I'm feeling good. I did have a few minor physical problems, though, because I had to do a lot of running. But that's not an excuse, because it's clear that I should have offered more.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Normally, I receive the ball between the lines when I am available for one or two seconds, but not this time. When that doesn't happen, you're pretty much invisible. It might have looked pretty bad, but it wasn't that poor."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Galatasaray will be looking to bounce back from the loss to Madrid on Saturday when it hosts Mersin Idman Yurdu three days prior to hosting the return leg against Los Blancos, with a place in the Champions League semifinals on the line.</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-9888734638356182912013-04-04T10:09:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:09:32.633-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/spain/124/real-madrid-news?ICID=TOP_5-13" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Real Madrid</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> coach </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/people/portugal/2852/jos%C3%A9-mourinho" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jose Mourinho</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> believes that </span><a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/teams/turkey/574/galatasaray" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Galatasaray</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> will need "a miracle" if it is to overturn Wednesday's 3-0 defeat at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Istanbul next week.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Even though goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, </span><a class="yom-entity-link yom-entity-sports_player" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fbes/teams/rem/roster" style="background-color: white; color: #a1abb2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;">Karim Benzema</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"> and Gonzalo Higuain have put Los Blancos within touching distance of the Champions League semifinals, Mourinho is taking nothing for granted ahead of his side's trip to the Turk Telekom Arena.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"They need a miracle, but there are miracles in football," Mourinho said during his post-game press conference. "The history of football is full of miracles, so why not? Why can't they dream of a miracle?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"I have enough experience to understand that we have a very good result, but that it is not over. I will try everything in my power to convince my players of that, and that we we have go there seriously.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"Of course, if we score one goal, they have to score five. But I think we have to go there with the same mentality.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"I prefer to wait for the next match to do analysis on the tie, but if you look at the first leg, anything can happen next time out."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Even though Madrid has seemingly secured its place in the last four, the Spaniards have no idea who they could end up facing in the semis -- and that is just the way Mourinho likes it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #c2c2c2; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"I like not knowing the whole draw until the final," the two-time Champions League winner explained. "As well as us as professional players, I think the supporters also like this so they can see the draw for every round. So, for that reason, I think it's better to wait for the qualified sides and then do another draw."</span>ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-28997724541550781462013-04-04T10:08:00.004-07:002013-04-04T10:09:03.868-07:00Report: Auburn changed grades and bribed players<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It wouldn't be an offseason in college football unless Auburn wasn't linked to yet another scandal.</div>
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Gene Chizik became used to various allegations while at Auburn.</div>
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According to a report by former New York Times and Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts, members of the football program had players' grades changed to make them eligible, offered them cash for numerous reasons, including to prospective NFL Draft picks in order for them to return for their senior seasons, and violated NCAA recruiting rules under then-head coach Gene Chizik.</div>
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On her website, Roopstigo.com, Roberts <a href="http://www.roopstigo.com/reader/auburns_vainted_title_victims_violations_and_vendettas_for_glory/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">provides a report</a> in which three former Tiger players state that as many as nine players' grades were changed before the team's win in the BCS national championship game following the 2010 season.</div>
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Former wide receiver Darvin Adams told Roberts that coaches offered him cash to remain at the school, while former defensive lineman Mike Blanc and safety Mike McNeil said the amount of cash reached "several thousand dollars." McNeil told Roberts that he specifically had a meeting in 2007 with then-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp in which he was given cash.</div>
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"I had no clue what [the meeting] was about because I'd never directly asked him for anything," McNeil told Roberts. "He slid about $400 over to me. He went into a drawer and gave me money and said, 'Is this enough? Is this good?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'm good.'"</div>
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McNeil is currently awaiting trial for an armed robbery that landed former teammate Antonio Goodwin a 15-year prison sentence.</div>
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Former defensive back Nieko Thorpe told Roberts that Auburn threatened players' scholarships in a team meeting if they contacted McNeil, Goodwin or two other players who were arrested in the incident. McNeil told Roberts that he feels Auburn used him as a scapegoat when the program was dealing with allegations surrounding star quarterback Cam Newton.</div>
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Roberts <a href="http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2013/04/qa_reporter_selena_roberts_def.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">defended her story</a> to AL.com on Wednesday evening in light of several former players denying knowledge of any wrongdoing by the football program and saying that they were misquoted in Roberts' report. Thorpe also tweeted that he was "misquoted."</div>
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These allegations all occured under Chizik, who was fired after a 3-9 season in 2012.</div>
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While these allegations certainly will make anyone associated with college football take notice, the one aspect that raised eyebrows for me was the idea that even "several thousand dollars" would prevent a borderline NFL prospect from leaving school early when there would be a lot more to earn in the NFL.</div>
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We'll see how this plays out, but at this point it almost seems par for the course for the folks on The Plains to be facing allegations, albeit ones that could be damning if true.</div>
ifeelsportshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14631753431157567126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4451413554762793030.post-51281454858959619122013-04-04T10:08:00.002-07:002013-04-04T10:08:11.672-07:00Hamlin: California crash was no accident<br />
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HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. -- As far as <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/drivers/denny-hamlin.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Denny Hamlin</a> is concerned, it was no accident. It was intentional.</div>
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The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2013/03/26/denny-hamlin-sidelined-by-back-injury.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">expected to miss five more weeks</a>with a compression fracture in a lumbar vertebra <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/videos/2013/3/24/sprint-cup-series-fontana-auto-club-400-denny-hamlin-crash.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">suffered March 24</a> at <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/schedule/tracks/auto-club-speedway.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Auto Club Speedway</a>, where he and <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/drivers/joey-logano.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Joey Logano</a> crashed battling for the lead on the final lap. The incident continued a run of hostility between the two drivers that included <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/videos/2013/3/17/sprint-cup-series-bristol-hamlin-moves-logano.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">contact the week before</a> at <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/schedule/tracks/bristol-motor-speedway.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Bristol</a>, and in Southern California resulted in Hamlin's car slamming head-on into an inside wall.</div>
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Hamlin <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2013/04/03/denny-hamlin-interview-back-injury.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">doesn't blame Logano for his injury</a>, which he believes might have been prevented had the wall been protected by the SAFER barrier. But as for what was behind the contact on the track, he has little doubt.</div>
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"How is it not intentional, is my thing. It's not like he got loose because I took air off him or anything like that. I saw him getting closer, I moved up the track. He kept getting closer, I moved up the track. He just was going to keep going until he ran into us," Hamlin said Wednesday at the JGR shop.</div>
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"Whatever happened after that, I'm sure he didn't mean for me to wreck and get hurt. But <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2013/04/03/joey-logano-did-not-intentionally-wreck-denny-hamlin.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">he meant to run into us</a>, there's no doubt. He didn't get loose with the back, he drove into us with the front. That's a guy seeing I was going to get the better of him that week, and he wasn't going to let it happen, and he hit the gas until he hit something. That's my opinion of what happened, because I was there and I was in the incident."</div>
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Bad blood continues to flow between the former Gibbs teammates, who traded barbs via social media earlier in the season and <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/videos/2013/3/17/sprint-cup-series-bristol-denny-hamlin-joey-logano-tempers-flare.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">shots on the race track at Bristol</a>, where Hamlin intentionally bumped Logano in retaliation for earlier contact. Logano spun and backed into the wall at the short track, something Hamlin insists he didn't mean to cause. Logano accosted Hamlin after that race before crewmen pulled him away.</div>
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After the accident at Auto Club Speedway, Hamlin said he received a text message from Logano wishing him a speedy recovery. As far as he was concerned, it <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2013/03/27/logano-hamlin-exchanged-text-messages.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">didn't go far enough</a>.</div>
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"We really didn't talk about wreck or anything of that nature," Hamlin said. "From him it was, 'Hope you get back in the car soon,' not ? 'Sorry we got together, I made a mistake.' ? It wasn't that. It was just, 'Hope you feel better.' My response is, 'Why didn't we just let things go? At Bristol you paid me back, you ruined my day. I finished 23rd, you finished 16th. Your day wasn't ruined at Bristol by me. You came back, got back to the front, and then got in an incident with someone else, and that's what ruined your day, but you're still mad and got in my face.'</div>
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"He got the better end of Bristol. He obviously got the better end of California, finishing third. <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/standings/results/2013/auto-club-400.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">I finished 25th</a>. So you tell me were the scales are tipped? Nothing's ever fair, but I can assure you that as long as things stay the way they are, he'll have a tough time passing us from here on out."</div>
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Hamlin said it's unlikely at this point that the two will talk, and the situation will just have to play itself out on the track. Although Logano said "that's what he gets" immediately after the California crash and before he knew Hamlin was inured, the Penske Racing driver has insisted the contact was incidental.</div>
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"Did I remember who I was racing against? Yes," Logano told ESPN. "Obviously I know who I'm racing against and what happened a week before, but going into Turn 3 on the last lap, I remember, 'I'm going to win the race.' My number one goal is to go win a race. So did I intentionally wreck him? No, I did not intentionally do that. If I was going to do that, I would have hit him in the left-rear tire. I hit him in the door. It's hard racing at that point. I hate that he got hurt. I feel like the comments after the race that I made were taken way out of context. My mind wasn't straight, and I didn't know Denny was hurt. There was no way for me to know. And it got taken way out of context."</div>
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Although Hamlin did not blame Logano for his injury, he said his rival acted "very careless" by taking him out on a fast 2-mile track, "not really caring about any repercussions, taking for granted how safe our cars have been the last few years." Logano also angered Tony Stewart with what the three-time champion perceived as blocking, sparking a <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/videos/2013/3/24/sprint-cup-series-tony-stewart-joey-logano.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">scuffle between the two</a> on pit road after the race while Hamlin was being airlifted to a hospital.</div>
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"I think in my opinion he had the fastest car two weeks in a row, and instead of winning the races he got into incidents with drivers," Hamlin said of Logano. "Because he's just not patient enough. You've got to win with the cars you've got capable of winning. He hasn't driven up at the front, in the top five, very often in his career. He did two weeks in a row, and he got in incidents both times. I don't know. Maybe it's a different culture up there (at Penske) that he's not used to or what. But it's not just me. I watched California, watched him cut off numerous guys throughout that race. This has all been about Joey standing up for himself. Well, it's not that. It's the drivers that he's cutting off standing up for themselves. You've got to either change your driving style, or continue to get into incidents week after week."</div>
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NASCAR did not penalize Logano for the incident at Auto Club Speedway, determining the contact that caused the crash to be a racing incident. Hamlin doesn't disagree -- but said Logano will ultimately be judged by his peers on the race track.</div>
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"My 100 percent opinion is, he shouldn't be penalized," Hamlin said. "This is a self-policing sport, so from this point on he has to deal with all the repercussions of the way he's raced guys over these last few weeks. That all comes back around. It always does. I remember my rookie season, this veteran driver was just irking my nerves at Martinsville. He eventually ran into the side of me and cut my tire down. I remember badmouthing him after the race. His name was <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/drivers/danica-patrick.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Mark Martin</a>."</div>
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The same Martin who will substitute for Hamlin in the No. 11 car this weekend at <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/schedule/tracks/martinsville-speedway.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Martinsville</a>.</div>
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"At that point I was like, maybe I should just change the way I drive, because he knows a bit more than I do," Hamlin added. "These guys can make your life hell if they want to. So trust me, the repercussions come from within the garage and on the race track. It doesn't need to come from NASCAR. ? When drivers take it upon themselves to take someone out, they know from that point on, they've got a huge bull's-eye. He probably needs to switch sponsors with <a href="http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/drivers/juan-pablo-montoya.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #a1abb2; text-decoration: none;">Juan Pablo (Montoya)</a>for at least two months."</div>
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