Category: Premier League

Muamba forced to quit football careerMuamba forced to quit football career

Fabrice Muamba announced his retirement from football, after suffering a heart attack during a match last season.

The 24-year-old collapsed during an FA Cup tie away to Tottenham Hotspur in March and his heart then stopped beating for 78 minutes.

He was discharged from hospital in April and recently played football on holiday with friends, but said doctors had advised him to quit the sport.

Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again,” he said.

But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football.

Congolese-born Muamba has played for England at every youth level. He joined Bolton from Birmingham in 2008 and has made 148 appearances for the club.

Harry Redknapp: Portsmouth must be savedHarry Redknapp: Portsmouth must be saved

Former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has said he will do all he can to save the embattled club from going out of business.

Redknapp plans to speak to Nwankwo Kanu, who has lodged a claim for £3million in pay, to see if he can convince the former Arsenal striker to work something out with the club.

“I will be ringing Kanu today to see if there is anything I can do,” he said.

Center-back  Tal Ben Haim is also owed a similar amount in wages and Redknapp added: “In the case of Tal Ben Haim, if players have a contract and are owed money, you can see why they think they should get it. But if the club closes down they won’t get a penny. They need to think hard about that.”

Redknapp spent five seasons at Fratton Park between 2002 and 2008, guiding the club to a momentous FA Cup win in 2008.

Thorgan Hazard to join his brother, Eden, at Stamford BridgeThorgan Hazard to join his brother, Eden, at Stamford Bridge

Thorgan Hazard will join his older brother Eden at Stamford Bridge next season after Chelsea confirmed his transfer from Ligue 2 side Lens.

The 19-year-old had only played 11 times for the Ligue 2 club but the Blues clearly see potential in midfielder Hazard, who could be immediately loaned to another club.

His brother signed for Chelsea from Ligue 1 club Lille in June for £32 million.

Thorgan Hazard in action

Fabio Capello signs two-year deal with RussiaFabio Capello signs two-year deal with Russia

Former England coach Fabio Capello has signed for Russia, he said Thursday.

Local media has reported that Capello, who has won league titles in Spain and Italy, will earn up to €10million per year.

“It’s a great honor for me to be at the helm of the Russian national team,” the Italian said, adding that this is a team with “huge potential”.

Thorgan Hazard to join his brother, Eden, at Stamford BridgeThorgan Hazard to join his brother, Eden, at Stamford Bridge

Thorgan Hazard will join his older brother Eden at Stamford Bridge next season after Chelsea confirmed his transfer from Ligue 2 side Lens.

The 19-year-old had only played 11 times for the Ligue 2 club but the Blues clearly see potential in midfielder Hazard, who could be immediately loaned to another club.

His brother signed for Chelsea from Ligue 1 club Lille in June for £32 million.

Barclays extend Premier League deal for £120 millionBarclays extend Premier League deal for £120 million

The Premier League has agreed a new £120million three-year deal with title sponsors Barclays. The extended agreement will run for three seasons from 2013/14 to the end of the 2015/16 season.

The deal includes title sponsorship and exclusive worldwide marketing rights, plus advertising rights.

Britain’s third largest bank has held naming rights to the world’s richest football league since 2001.

The new Premier League deal comes a month after it sold domestic broadcast rights for the 2013-16 seasons for £3.018 billion, an increase of 70 per cent over the preceding three seasons.

Tottenham unveil new 2012/2013 Under Armour KitsTottenham unveil new 2012/2013 Under Armour Kits

Under Armour and Tottenham Hotspur  unveiled on Thursday the club’s new home and away kits for the coming 2012/2013 season.

Tottenham will wear all white home jerseys for the 2012-2013 season set to start in August. The team wore a white shirt, blue shorts combo last year.

Spurs have, like Liverpool, taken up a new kit supplier after six years with Puma, also opting for an American sports clothing and accessories company.

The Tottenham Home Kits

The New Tottenham Away Kits

John Terry cleared of racism allegationsJohn Terry cleared of racism allegations

Chelsea captain John Terry has been cleared of racially abusing QPR player Anton Ferdinand.

The Chelsea and England defender had denied making the comments to the Queens Park Rangers player during a match at Loftus Road last October.

The case led to Terry being stripped of the England captaincy by the English Football Association ahead of the European Championship and the departure of coach Fabio Capello who disagreed with the decision.

Terry was charged after he was seen mouthing the words ‘f****** black c***’ in Ferdinand’s direction during Chelsea’s defeat against QPR at Loftus Road on October 23 last year.

Kuwaiti family takes over Nottingham ForrestKuwaiti family takes over Nottingham Forrest

The Kuwaiti Al-Hasawi family has completed a deal to buy two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest, the club has confirmed.

In a statement issued on the Championship side’s website, the Al-Hasawis said: “It is an honour and privilege for the Al-Hasawi family to assume control of this great club steeped in history and with the outstanding legacy left by its previous owner Nigel Doughty.”

Doughty put the club up for sale last October before dying of a cardiac arrest at his home in February.

Al-Hasawi’s love for football and previous experience of spending heavily to breed results is potentially great news for Forest fans, who are surely desperate to see their club attempt to return to the glory days.

Tottenham finally complete Jan Vertonghen moveTottenham finally complete Jan Vertonghen move

Tottenham are set to finally land Ajax star Jan Vertonghen after the club announced it had agreed terms yesterday.

Spurs have been tracking the Belgium defender since last season as he helped Ajax claim their second consecutive Eredivisie title.

Vertonghen is due to undergo a medical this week before completing a deal that will make him the second arrival since Andre Villas-Boas took over as Spurs boss.

“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Jan Vertonghen, subject to a medical,” a statement on the club’s website read.

Joe Cole looking for Anfield returnJoe Cole looking for Anfield return

England midfielder Joe Cole said Monday he would love to finally prove himself at Liverpool after a successful loan season at French club Lille.

The 30-year-old endured a poor campaign with the Reds after joining on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2010.

But he helped Lille finish third in Ligue 1, scoring nine goals in 42 appearances for Rudi Garcia’s side in the 2011-2012 campaign.

I would love the chance – if they wanted to – to put it right,” he told Sky Sports News.

“It’s just that season at Liverpool. It’s in their hands. I’m easy whatever way but the fire still burns with me and I would love to have the chance put it right if that’s what they wanted.”