Mido retires from football
Former Tottenham, Ajax and West Ham striker Mido has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 30.
The Egyptian forward – who most recently played for Championship club Barnsley – made his decision to walk away from the game public on Tuesday.
After stepping down the football pyramid to join Barnsley, Mido struggled for fitness and played just once before being released in January.
"Today I announce that I'm quitting football," Mido posted on Twitter.
"I want to thank all those who supported me during my football career, especially Egypt fans."
Category: News
Views: 959
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:10
Cavani confident Uruguay will qualify
Edinson Cavani believes Uruguay can still qualify for the FIFA World Cup ahead of Tuesday's crucial match against Venezuela.
Uruguay – who finished fourth at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Germany and won the Copa America one year later – have struggled in their bid to qualify for the 2014 competition in Brazil.
Only the top four teams progress from South American qualifying and Uruguay, who have 13 points from 11 matches, are seventh with three games remaining, meaning defeat to Venezuela could prove fatal.
Uruguay beat France 1-0 in a friendly last week but have not won in their last six World Cup qualifiers, leaving them in a perilous situation.
Category: News
Views: 911
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:09
Shiels shown the door at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock have parted company with manager Kenny Shiels, the club announced on Tuesday.
The Scottish Premier League side cited "footballing and regulatory" reasons for the decision to terminate the 57-year-old's contract with immediate effect by mutual agreement.
Kilmarnock endured their worst home form in 30 years last season and their League Cup defence ended in humiliation as they lost to Stenhousemuir in the first round.
Shiels has also found himself in hot water this season, with the latest controversy seeing the Scottish Football Association hand him a four-match touchline ban for bringing the game into disrepute for questioning the impartiality of the organisation's judicial panel, as well as the integrity of champion
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Category: News
Views: 974
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:08
Mourinho backs Terry to continue as Chelsea captain
Jose Mourinho has reassured John Terry that he has a future at Chelsea after he confirmed him as club captain for next season.
Terry's future looked in doubt following a season during which he struggled with injuries and suffered a dip in form, but Mourinho has plans for him.
The former England defender led Chelsea when Mourinho was last at Stamford Bridge, with the club claiming two Premier League titles.
And the returning manager has reassured Terry he will continue as captain, although that does not guarantee him a starting place.
"What I can say is about the future, and the future is to meet John in
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Category: News
Views: 919
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:07
Holtby desperate to atone for disappointment
Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby cannot wait for next season to start after a "bad end" to last term with both club and country.
The 22-year-old German, who joined Spurs from Bundesliga outfit Schalke in January, saw his new side miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification after rivals Arsenal narrowly claimed fourth spot.
That means that they will again play in Europe's second-tier club competition, the UEFA Europa League, and will make it even tougher to keep Welsh attacker Gareth Bale at the club in the face of reported interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Holtby was named Germany captain at the Under-21 European Championship but saw his side bow out of the co
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Category: News
Views: 923
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:05
Mourinho hits back at Iniesta accusation
New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at claims that he "damaged" Spanish football during his three seasons at Real Madrid.
The 50-year-old ended his time in Spain with La Liga title and one Copa del Rey triumph but the Portuguese was accused of doing "more harm than good" by Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta.
During his time in Madrid Mourinho had numerous run-ins with the press and his own players, and was criticised by his own club for some of the behaviour he showed on the sidelines.
That included an incident where he poked then Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline spat.
Category: News
Views: 846
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:04
Suarez: I would like to play with Ronaldo
Disillusioned Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has revealed his desire to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Suarez, 26, wants to leave Liverpool despite a terrific season, in which he scored 23 goals in 33 Premier League appearances.
The controversial Uruguayan is unhappy with what he perceives to be unfair treatment of him from the media, largely in reaction to his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League match in April.
Suarez – who was also slapped with an eight-match suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in 2011 – wants to move to Spain and would relish the chance t
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Category: News
Views: 837
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:03
Pogba happy at Juventus
Paul Pogba has enjoyed his first season at Juventus and intends to stay at the Serie A champions despite being linked with a move away.
The France international arrived in Turin in July 2012 on a free transfer after his contract at Manchester United expired, and he immediately provided a different option in midfield alongside Andrea Pirlo.
With Pirlo coming towards the end of his career, a lot is expected of the energetic Pogba to eventually fill the void left by the Italian, and with the support of Arturo Vidal he could form one of the strongest central midfield partnerships in Europe.
Pogba impressed during his debut season in Italy as Juventus secured the league title, making
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Category: News
Views: 731
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:01
Tiote: I am going nowhere
Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote has insisted that he has his heart set on a long-term stay at St James' Park.
The 26-year-old made 24 Premier League appearances last season in a largely disappointing campaign for Alan Pardew's side.
Despite failing to live up to his own high standards, the combative midfielder has still been linked with moves elsewhere.
But the Ivory Coast international has underlined his commitment to Newcastle.
He told The Chronicle: "I will be a Newcastle player next season.
Category: News
Views: 618
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 18:00
Fabregas not looking for Premier League return
Cesc Fabregas has quashed rumours that he will be leaving Barcelona for the Premier League after being linked with Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has been a regular for Barcelona this season, making 47 appearances in all competitions and boasting a 14-goal return bettered only by Lionel Messi.
Fabregas came up through the youth ranks at the Catalan giants but left the club aged 16 to join Arsenal. After eight years in London he finally returned to Barcelona in 2011 and signed a five-year contract.
Reports had linked him with a return to England, with champions Manchester United named as potential suitors.
Category: News
Views: 693
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 17:59
Pelusso leaves Paraguay post
Paraguay have parted company with coach Gerardo Pelusso late in their disastrous CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign.
Pelusso's departure was confirmed by the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) on Monday, with the country's chances of reaching Brazil 2014 all but over.
Paraguay are bottom of the group in South America with eight points, eight behind fifth-placed Venezuela with four games to play.
"(The APF) informs that coach Gerardo Pelusso has officially left the APF as trainer of the Paraguay football team at a meeting he held with the national team's director," they said in a statement.
Paraguay were beaten 2-1 by Chile on Friday with their next qu
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Category: News
Views: 710
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Date: 11.06.2013 - 17:58