Friday, February 28, 2014
The Presidents of the United States of America
The wheels are constantly turning when it comes to the transfer market and they are certainly traveling at full pace when it comes to Manchester United, whose desperate bid to finish in the top four is becoming increasingly unlikely. If that’s the case, United may be forced to go down the route formerly (and currently) deployed by their archrivals City, which would involve offering big bucks in exchange for the lack of Champions League soccer. Chelsea and Barcelona also feature in this week’s Rumor Mill for which we have turned to a band that is back with a new album, Kudos to You! We thought they’d spit up but it ain’t so. We have ten tracks by The Presidents of the United States of America in this week’s gossip.
FA bans Anelka 5 games for anti-Semitic gesture
February 27, 2014
LONDON (AP) - Nicolas Anelka was banned for five games by the English Football Association on Thursday and immediately suspended by West Bromwich Albion for a racially aggravated goal celebration.
The French striker performed the gesture, which is known in his homeland as a ''quenelle'' and has been described as an ''inverted Nazi salute,'' during a Premier League match in December.
Although an FA disciplinary panel backed Anelka's insistence that he was not being intentionally anti-Semitic, performing the gesture was still found to be racist and abusive.
Anelka, who appeared at the hearing this week, received the minimum five-game ban for racism offenses, was fined $133,000 and ordered to complete an education course. Anelka can appeal, and he must decide within seven days of receiving the panel's written reasons.
But West Brom responded to the verdict by suspending him while the central England club conducts an internal investigation and awaits the conclusion of the FA process.
''The club acknowledges that the FA panel `did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle,''' West Brom said in a statement. ''However, the club cannot ignore the offence that his actions have caused, particularly to the Jewish community, nor the potential damage to the club's reputation.''
The panel found Anelka guilty of two charges - that the gesture ''was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper,'' and it was racially offensive.
''The misconduct was an `aggravated breach' ... in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief,'' the FA verdict said.
Anelka's legal team said he was ''pleased'' to be cleared of anti-Semitism.
''He is now waiting to receive the commission's full reasons for their decision before considering whether or not to appeal,'' the statement said.
Anelka performed the quenelle as he celebrated scoring in West Brom's 3-3 draw with West Ham on Dec. 28. The gesture involves pointing one straightened arm downward while touching the shoulder with the opposite hand. It was popularized by French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, who has been convicted multiple times for inciting racial hatred or anti-Semitism.
The Community Security Trust, which protects British Jews, said Anelka has introduced an ''ugly anti-Semitic gesture into British football.''
''We acknowledge Anelka's denial of anti-Semitic intent, but his action was clear and the FA's zero tolerance approach to racism meant there could be no other outcome,'' CST chief executive David Delew said. ''This verdict sends a strong message to Jewish players and supporters at all levels of the game that the FA will act against anti-Semitic acts if they are reported.''
The European Jewish Congress expressed concern that Anelka was yet to express any regret over the case.
''Even if the FA is not convinced that the player's intent at the time was anti-Semitic, he surely knows now the origins of the quenelle and the hurt and pain it caused the Jewish community, yet we are still waiting for an apology,'' EJC President Dr Moshe Kantor said. ''Anelka's silence speaks volumes.''
The organization hopes the FA will use the case to help clamp down on abuse against Jews.
''Anti-Semitism remains the fastest growing hate in football, on the field and in the stadiums, and we hope that this episode will be used positively to once and for all stamp out hatred for Jews in football,'' Kantor said.
Anelka avoided the heaviest racism ban imposed recently by the FA, eight games for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in 2011 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Chelsea captain John Terry received a four-match ban the following year, before the minimum five-game racism ban was introduced in England.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: GALATASARAY V CHELSEA
TALKING POINTSChelsea return to Istanbul tonight. Not to 'hell', but the 'other place.' The infamous old version of the Ali Sami Yen, with its intimidating intimacy and city location, has made way for the slick, expansive acreage of the Turk Telecom Arena. 'Welcome to half-and-half scarf hell!', anyone? Nonetheless the locals will attempt to stoke the furnaces and avoid a repeat of the Blues' 5-0 triumph in Istanbul in 1999.
Other aspects of the trip are far more familiar, notably the presence on the pitch of the Londoners' Champions League-winning legend, Didier Drogba. The Ivorian, now 35, is still banging in goals - 10 in 27 Süper Lig and Champions League appearances.
What is more difficult to gauge is the strength of Turkey's top flight. Current league leaders Fenerbahçe played a Champions League qualification tie with Arsenal in August and lost 0-3 at home, 0-2 in London.
It is also notable that Galatasaray's seven points from the group stage would not have been enough to qualify in six of the seven others; five third-placed teams had a better tally.
They lost their first Group B game 6-1 at home to Real Madrid, Roberto Mancini replacing Fatih Terim as coach and masterminding a draw at Juventus in his first game. Wesley Sneijder's late goal defeated the Old Lady in the last game to secure the runners-up slot.
On this day in 1998: Everton bring Hutchison back to Merseyside
26 February 1998: Don Hutchison seals Everton switch
Don Hutchison returned to the city of Liverpool and was reunited with manager Howard Kendall when he joined Everton from Championship side Sheffield United.
The 27-year-old had spent four seasons with Liverpool before moving to West Ham United and then the Blades, where he played under Kendall for the first time.
On signing for the Toffees he said: “It’s good to be back on Merseyside. I am really excited at being back in Liverpool and being given another chance at a massive club.
“I got on really well with Howard and Inchy [Adrian Heath, Kendall's assistant] so it is nice to be involved with them again. I still have got a few friends over the road at Liverpool but obviously I will not be able to talk to them any more!”
Hutchison made his debut in a goalless draw with Newcastle United and was a regular for the rest of the season and throughout the next two, in central midfield or defence.
Walter Smith replaced Kendall at Everton in August 1998 and made Hutchison his captain when Dave Watson was not playing. Hutchison also made his competitive Scotland international debut while with the Toffees, as a substitute in a Euro 2000 qualifier against the Czech Republic in March 1999.
After just more than two years at Goodison Park and 75 appearances in the Barclays Premier League for Everton, Hutchison left the club to return to his native north-east and joined Sunderland in July 2001.
The former Hartlepool United trainee went on to have a second spell with West Ham before moving on to Millwall and Coventry City. He finished his career at Luton Town.
He now works as a pundit for Premier League TV.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
On this day in Premier League history: 21 February
Unbeaten Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal stretched their lead at the top of the table to seven points with victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, unaware that their opponents were about to begin a historic run.
The Gunners hit back from a goal down to win and increase their unbeaten run in the League from the start of the season to 26 matches.
For Chelsea, the fixture turned out to be the last time they lost at Stamford Bridge with League points at stake for a record-breaking 86 matches. The run stretched to 26 October 2008, when they lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool.
Eidur Gudjohnsen had given Chelsea the lead after only 27 seconds when he controlled a left-wing cross from Geremi and fired the ball into the net.
Arsenal equalised in the 15th minute when Patrick Vieira scored his first goal of the season after he raced through a gap to collect Dennis Bergkamp's pass. Five minutes later, the Gunners took the lead when Neil Sullivan misjudged a corner from Gilberto and Edu was on hand to score his second Barclays Premier League goal of the season from close range.
Visiting keeper Jens Lehmann then John Terry before Claude Makelele's free-kick caused a few problems. But the Blues' hopes were dented when Gudjohnsen was sent off for a second bookable offence after he brought down Gilberto.
The Brazilian recovered from the challenge to test Sullivan twice near the end as Arsenal secured their 19th League win of the season.
The result left Chelsea trailing second-placed Manchester United by two points and Arsenal by nine.
"It’s not a two-horse race because Chelsea are still in it but at the end of the season this will be a magnificent victory," Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said.
Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri added: "Both teams played well and created chances. Arsenal scored with theirs and Chelsea did not."
Arsenal remained unbeaten for the entire season and were dubbed 'The Invincibles' after a remarkable campaign. Wenger's side took the Barclays Premier League title by 11 points from second-placed Chelsea.
Current Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in charge for 60 matches during that unbeaten run, before leaving the club in September 2007. The Portuguese has still yet to be beaten at home in the Barclays Premier League since returning ahead of the 2013/14 campaign. His own unbeaten home run in the top-flight stands at 73 games, with Chelsea taking on Everton at home on Saturday, 22 February.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Love Poem
I love his soft brown eyes and
the way that he catches me by surprise and
he never has to wear a disguise.
I love the way that he kisses me and the way that
he misses me.
I love the way that he said
that I love you first.
But baby I really love you the most.
I love you the way that you just
love mean and only me.
This is how
life is suppose to be
me loving you and you loving me.
I know this is meant to be and that
is what you told me.
Baby I love you and this is true.
I love you more than words,
can ever say,
I love you more when you
take my breath way.
I thank God for you everyday.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Latar Belakang Saya
- Nama = Vicky
- Umur = 18
- Tempat dilahirkan = Selangor
- Tarikh dilahirkan = 2 Disember 1995
- Hobi Saya = Main Badminton
- Pendidikan = Master in Fun
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