Champagne criticises ´polarisation´ of European football

23 April 2014 14:48

FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne has criticised what he sees as a “polarisation” in European football.

In the latest of his “thematic letters” to the governing body’s 209 member associations, Champagne – a former deputy secretary general with FIFA – has conducted a statistical analysis of the current state of the European game.

The Frenchman, who announced his candidacy in January, cites the Bosman ruling, the format of the UEFA Champions League and the distribution of money among clubs as contributing factors in what he sees as the relegation of once-competitive clubs to the role of “talent-producers” for the wealthiest ones.

He is also critical of the financial barriers that stand in the way of clubs from smaller nations reaching the latter stages of European competitions and highlights failings in the UEFA Europa League.

Champagne goes on to suggest possible solutions for the perceived problems with European football, including a restructure of competitions at both club and international level, changes to the distribution of resources and restoring “the centrality of training younger players”.

“Before, European football could be described as rather homogenous, with a three- or four-gear system but with the possibility to go up and down,” he said in conclusion.

“Now, it is a two-speed football with an increasingly unbridgeable gap separating the ultra-elite of the wealthiest ones and the remaining 99 per cent of clubs.

“Moreover, it is feared that the current hierarchy will solidify in the absence of drastic reform.

“In this fight for the sanity of our game, for the fair sharing of the opportunities brought to football by its globalisation, it is about time to show a united front.”

Moyes breaks silence with dignified statement

23 April 2014 14:12

David Moyes has broken his silence after being sacked by Manchester United, admitting that he shared the frustration of the club’s fans.

United’s Premier League defence never got going after they lost three of their first six games and they sit seventh in the table with four matches of the season remaining.

Their UEFA Champions League chances were ended following Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Everton – the club that Moyes left United for in the close-season – and the Scot lost his job on Tuesday as a result.

In a dignified statement released by the League Managers’ Association (LMA), Moyes said he was “incredibly proud” for the chance to manage United, before thanking the club’s staff and supporters, but curiously not the players.

He also acknowledged that results had not been what the club’s supporters expected and thanked Alex Ferguson – who ended his stunning 27-year reign at Old Trafford in 2013 – for recommending him for the top job.

Moyes said: “To have been appointed as manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, was and remains something of which I will always be incredibly proud.

“Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on.

“The scale of the manager’s job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work and the same applies to my coaching staff.

“I thank them for their dedication and loyalty throughout the last season.

“We were fully focused and committed to the process of the fundamental rebuilding that is required for the senior squad.

“This had to be achieved whilst delivering positive results in the Barclays Premier League and the Champions League.

“However, during this period of transition, performances and results have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect, and I both understand and share their frustration.

“In my short time at the club I have learnt what special places Old Trafford and (the club’s training ground) Carrington are.

“I would like to thank the United staff for making me feel so welcome and part of the United family from my first day.

“And of course thank you to those fans who have supported me throughout the season. I wish you and the club all the best for the future.

“I have always believed that a manager never stops learning during his career and I know I will take invaluable experience from my time as United’s manager.

“I remain proud to have led the team to the quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League and I remain grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson for believing in my ability and giving me the chance to manage Manchester United.”

The LMA also stated they were unhappy with Moyes’ departure, with chief executive Richard Bevan accusing United of acting in an “unprofessional manner”.

Chief executive Richard Bevan said: “The LMA is very disappointed with the nature of David’s departure from Manchester United and to read extensive reports in the press, confirming David’s sacking, before David himself had been spoken to officially by the club.

“Throughout his time at United, David, as he always does, has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism, values that he believes in and that have been strongly associated with the club and its rich tradition.

“It is therefore sad to see the end of David’s tenure at United being handled in an unprofessional manner.”

Butland has learned plenty in Leeds stay

23 April 2014 14:03

Leeds United goalkeeper Jack Butland insists he has learnt a great deal from his loan spell at the Championship club.

The England international has been an ever-present for Leeds since joining on loan from Stoke City in February.

Butland’s time at the club has coincided with a dreadful run of form, and as a result, Butland has conceded 26 goals in 14 matches.

But recent clean sheets against Blackpool and Barnsley – wins that secured the club’s place in the Championship next season – have boosted Butland’s confidence.

And the experience has been highly beneficial for the keeper, who returns to Stoke at the end of the season.

Butland told United’s official website: “We have been on a tough run and conceded a lot of goals.

“So, it has been good to get a couple of clean sheets in the last two weeks.

“We had been at a stage where every mistake we made ended up in a goal, but thankfully things have come together a bit more in the last couple of weeks.

“The spell has had a few ups and downs but what hasn’t changed is the experience I am getting of playing for a big club.

“There is a lot of expectation that comes with playing in front of big crowds.

“Yes, it has been tough and we haven’t picked up enough points, but it has been something that has taught me a lot and it will help me moving forward.”

Butland and Leeds will next be in action at struggling Birmingham City – his former club – on Saturday.

Bennett desperate for Norwich return

23 April 2014 13:33

Norwich City’s Elliott Bennett would “give anything” to be involved in the club’s survival battle after recovering from a knee injury.

Winger Bennett played the full 90 minutes of Norwich’s 2-2 draw with Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season, but then suffered a serious knee injury in training and has not featured since.

However, after four matches with the club’s Under-21 team, the 25-year-old feels ready to return.

Norwich visit Old Trafford for a crucial clash on Saturday and Bennett is desperate to feature against Manchester United.

“It would be lovely to be involved. I’d give anything to be involved,” he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

“I’ve been asked to play in the (Under-21) game (at Wolves), I’ve come through that fine, my knee feels brilliant, I feel really fit but these decisions are not up to me.

“I’m ready, the manager knows I’m ready now as well, so it’s just a case of biding my time, training well and who knows what could happen then but I’m just grateful to be back out on a football pitch.”

Bennett said he has been in regular contact with manager Neil Adams, who has asked the former Brighton and Hove Albion man to keep working on his fitness.

And he is confident Norwich can avoid relegation despite the club sitting just two points above the drop zone with fixtures against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to come.

“I’ve spoken to Neil quite regularly and he’s just told me to keep getting my fitness up and get some minutes in and then it’s up to me really,” he added.

“I know where I’m at, he knows where I’m at as well, and to get (another) 90 minutes under my belt I’d like to think is good for me and good for Neil as well to have another body available that he can maybe call on if needs be.

“We’ve got a fantastic squad of 25 players and any given day anyone can play.

“Neil is the manager now and he’s got the full support of every single person and hopefully we can do what’s asked of us and stay in the Premier League.”

Icardi rumours inevitable, says agent

23 April 2014 13:28

The agent of Inter’s Mauro Icardi says rumours linking his client with a move away from the club are “inevitable”.

Speculation has been mounting that the striker could be a target for both Real and Atletico Madrid following a string of impressive performances since signing from Sampdoria in the close-season.

And, while acknowledging the presence of newspaper talk about Icardi’s future, the forward’s representative stressed that the 21-year-old is fully focused on his role at Inter.

“We are at a moment in the season when it is inappropriate to talk about operations in the transfer market,” Abian Morano told Fichajes.com.

“Mauro is totally focused on the field and will continue to grow under the command of Walter Mazzarri.

“All these stories are inevitable, Icardi has a bright future ahead of him.”

Speaking earlier this week, Icardi himself told Sky Sport 24: “I want to make my career here at Inter.”

Icardi has scored eight goals in 19 Serie A appearances this season.