Real, Man Utd bosses ´to meet over Ronaldo saga´
July 7, 2008
MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon and Manchester United chief executive David Gill will hold talks in Switzerland next week over Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, the Spanish sports daily AS reported Saturday.
The private talks will take place on Monday at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon on the sidelines of a wider meeting of European clubs, AS said.
United on Friday moved to quell further talk that their prize asset was about to link up with the Bernabeu club, saying the rumours were "utter nonsense and totally laughable. Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale".
Manchester United have repeatedly said the player - whose contract runs until 2012 - is definitely not for sale.
Last month the club reported nine-time European champions Real to UEFA for trying to unsettle Ronaldo, though the global governing body have yet to make their decision known.
Ronaldo, currently an injury concern, is not scheduled to join the club on their pre-season tour of South Africa which begins on July 18.
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Kewell signs two-year contract with Galatasaray
July 7, 2008
ISTANBUL (AFP) - Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell on Saturday signed a two-year contract with Turkish champions Galatasaray, describing his move as a "new chapter" after five injury-stricken years at Anfield.
The Australian international said he chose Galatasaray after speaking to club officials about their plans for the team and having seen Turkey’s improving performance in international football competitions.
"For me it was a decision not to think about anything except my football. I want to enjoy my football and I think this is the place where I can come and enjoy my football," the 29-year-old winger told a televised news conference.
Kewell, who has battled a series of injuries over the past few years, has been available on a free transfer since he was released by Liverpool at the end of his contract.
"You could say it is a new chapter," Kewell said when queried over his move from Anfield to Istanbul.
"I wanted to move on and I think this is the best way to move on," he added.
Kewell, who was welcomed by throngs of supporters on arrival in Istanbul, said he was excited to have joined a club with a passionate fan base.
"I know that that fans are passionate about sport and I love that," he said. "I can’t wait to get more of it."
During his time with Leeds, Kewell played against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000, when he was sent off.
The move to Galatasaray has ended any possibility of Kewell playing for Australia at the Beijing Olympics.
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Kewell misses Olympics to sign with Galatasaray
July 5, 2008
SYDNEY (AFP) - Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell has passed up the opportunity to play for Australia at the Beijing Olympics to pursue a club career with Turkey’s Galatasaray.
The Australian international has signed a three-year deal with the Turkish giants after five injury-plagued seasons at Anfield.
Galatasaray official Haldun Ustunel said they had reached agreement on all contract issues and Kewell was expected to arrive in Istanbul late on Friday.
"As a result of long-standing efforts, we have come to the point of recruiting a very important player to Galatasaray," Ustunel told the club’s website.
"We have agreed on all issues. He shares our excitement," said Ustunel, describing Kewell as "a great power".
The move to Galatasaray has ended any possibility of Kewell being one of Australia’s three over-age players at the Beijing Olympics.
Socceroos Archie Thompson, David Carney and Jade North are the three over-age players in the 18-man Australian under-23 squad for next month’s Games.
"It’s not easy for him as soon as he signs for a new club to ask for four weeks to go to the Olympics," said Olympics coach Graham Arnold, who played and was an assistant coach at two previous Games.
During his time with Leeds, Kewell played against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000, when he was sent off.
Home-based defender North and Sheffield United wing-back Carney played in Australia’s World Cup qualifiers last month, while Melbourne Victory striker Thompson is recovering from a knee injury.
Arnold overlooked the claims of promising former Adelaide United strike pair, Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns, who have signed for overseas clubs.
"They are only 20 and were pretty much in between Olympic age groups and that made it pretty difficult for them," Arnold said.
North, an Athens Olympian, said: "It is a real honour to be picked to go to Beijing.
"I can’t wait to start training with them and get over there. I really hope to go in and lead by example for the younger players."
After finishing seventh in Athens, North wants to see Australia achieve more this time round, although they are grouped with defending Olympic champions Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia.
"I feel like I have been given another chance and I want to go all the way this time," North said.
Arnold said the three over-age players would bring international experience to the under-23 team in Beijing.
"The three over-age players will bring both attacking flair and strong defence to the team," he said.
The Australian squad contains seven overseas-based players, while defender Mark Milligan and striker James Troisi are currently uncontracted to overseas clubs.
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Coming months crucial for Ukraine´s Euro 2012 plans, Platini
July 4, 2008
KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine’s ability to co-host Euro 2012 depends on what the country can achieve over the coming three months, UEFA president Michel Platini said here on Thursday.French football legend Platini has issued repeated warnings to Ukraine and co-hosts Poland, who in April 2007 were UEFA’s surprise pick to host the 2012 edition of the quadrennial, 16-nation championships, beating Italy and joint bidders Hungary and Croatia.
Platini has set the two countries a September 24 deadline to prove they are on target with their preparations.
"The coming three months will be very important for Ukraine," Platini told reporters at the end of a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. "Things can advance in a very, very positive manner," he added.
Platini, who described his impressions as "superb" after talks with the president and Prime Minister Yulia Timochenko, said he had received "oral guarantees" on the start of preparations.
"We now have meetings with all the experts in three months. And the final, final, final decision will be taken in Bordeaux at the end of September at the UEFA executive committee meeting.
"We still have the intention of doing the maximum so that conditions are met to go and play in Poland and Ukraine."
The Ukrainian leaders also moved to ease concerns over the country’s potential readiness.
"Ukraine guarantees that in 2012 we will organise this event at the highest level," Yushchenko said after talks with Platini.
Timochenko added: "We will do everything, even the impossible, so it becomes a great party for the whole world and Ukraine be a good partner."
Euro 2012 marks UEFA’s first major foray into the former communist bloc, where the challenges are massive.
Besides new stadiums, Poland and Ukraine have to bring their air, rail and road transport services and hotel sectors up to scratch to cope with the influx of fans.
Amid concerns about Poland and Ukraine’s capability, other nations have already begun pitching themselves as alternative hosts.
But Poland received a thumbs up from the 10-strong UEFA delegation on Wednesday.
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Terim stays in charge of Turkey until 2012
July 3, 2008
ISTANBUL (AFP) - The Turkish Football Federation said Tuesday they have struck a deal with Fatih Terim to stay on as coach of Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey until 2012.
"Fatih Terim had a contract until 2010. In the meeting we had with him today we agreed to extend the contract until 2012," federation president Hasan Dogan said in a statement.
Terim had said he was planning to step down and take over a European club after he led Turkey to the semi-finals of a European championship for the first time.
But the 54-year-old-coach, dubbed the "Emperor" for his leadership skills, came under strong pressure to stay on and lead Turkey’s campaign for the 2010 World Cup.
Turkey’s Euro 2008 performance elevated Terim to a hero’s status after he was severely criticised for his tactics and choice of players after losing 2-0 to Portugal in the opening match.
Pundits had given Turkey little chance ahead of the tournament, but the team reached the semi-finals, winning three of their first four games in a dramatic fashion that earned them the reputation of comeback kings.
After losing to Portugal, they beat Switzerland 2-1 and the Czech Republic 3-2 with last-minute goals in the group stage and knocked Croatia out at the quarter-finals on penalties after equalising with the last kick of the game in extra time.
They lost 3-2 in the semi-final as Germany scored their third goal in the 90th minute.
Terim had also guided Galatasaray to become the first Turkish side to win a European trophy when they beat Arsenal in the 2000 UEFA Cup, after which he coached AC Milan and Fiorentina.
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