Antonio de Nigris

El delantero mexicano Antonio de Nigris del club griego Larisa falleció durante la madrugada del pasado lunes debido a un fallo cardíaco a la edad de 31 años. El ataque a su corazón ocurrió en su casa y el jugador perdió la vida cuando lo transportaban al Hospital, según dijo su esposa. Al parecer se debió a un problema congénito en su corazón y que ya había sido detectado cuando el mexicano jugó en Turquía, sin embargo lastimosamente el delantero hizo caso omiso.

FICHA

Nombre: Antonio de Nigris.
Nacionalidad: Mexicano.
Fecha de nacimiento: 01/04/1978
Fecha de fallecimiento: 15/11/2009
Clubes en los que milito: Monterrey, América, Puebla y UNAM Pumas en México; Villarreal y Poli Ejido en España; Once Caldas en Colombia, Santos en Brasil; Gaziantepspor, Ankaraspor y Ankaragücü en Turquía; AE Larisa en Grecia.
Selección Mexicana: 4 goles en 16 juegos.

#1:
You might be interested in this movie tonight on ZDF (Thanks Doris for the link!)

ZDF – Die Seele eines Mörders – heute 20:15
http://fernsehfilm.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/16/0,1872,7915344,00.htm

#2: Stammtisch this week

Thursday 19. November, 19.30
Eclipse, Heßstr. 51, Munich

#3 Get ready for the Championsleage:

25. November: FC Bayern Muc – Maccabi Haifa!
Unfortunately Ive seen no more tickets are available where most of us sit in blocks 334, and 335…but we might try to sneak into the Fan Block of Macccabi Haifa though…more info next week

#4: Pre Cristmas Events.

For each of the 4 Sat/Sundays before Christmas + Chanukkah we will come up with a Special for you.

1. Advent:
**********
Nov 29, a winter trip to a picturesque and to definitely one of the nicest and Xmas Markets in Germany: Fraueninsel, Chiemsee;

Event Link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178691694005&index=1

2. Advent
*********
And of course a week later the ultimate Nikolaus Party! Check for updates: Please bring a small gift less than 5 Euro for the big bag of the Nikolaus and a bottle of good vine!!

Event Link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178240819318&index=1

XX

Ines + Carolin

Das österreichische Nachrichtenmagazin Profil beschäftigt sich in seiner letzten Ausgabe wieder einmal mit Vorkommnissen rund um den österreichischen Fußball. Während des Europa-League Spiels von Rapid Wien gegen Hapoel Tel Aviv sollen antisemitische Gesänge wie “Wer nicht hüpft, der ist ein Jude.” angestimmt worden sein. In einer Gegendarstellung wehren sich die Ultras-Rapid nun, nachdem ihr Name in einer Bildunterschrift explizit erwähnt wurde.

Das Rainer-Blatt sucht wie so oft, wenn es sich mit Fußball beschäftigt nach der berühmten Nadel im Heuhaufen. Dass dieser Sport keine elitäre Veranstaltung mit Sekt und Brötchen ist, wie es der Herausgeber gerne hätte, scheint nicht bekannt zu sein.Angebliche antisemitische Schlachtrufe sind daher ein gefundes Fressen für die Profilredakteure. Fakt ist, dass es vor der Partie zwischen Oliver Pohle, Vorsänger und Chef der Ultras mit einem Vertreter der UEFA ein Gespräch gab, das die grün-weißen Fans betraf. Die Ultras versprachen jede Art von Antisemitismus im der Fankurve zu unterbinden – mit Erfolg.

Auf keinem der etlichen audiovisuellen Aufzeichnungen der UEFA fand man beleidigendes Material den israelischen Gästen gegenüber. Das diesbezüglich also kein Autausch zwischen Veranstaltern und Fangruppen stattfindet, wie vom profil angekreidet, ist nicht korrekt. Wenige Ausnahmen lassen sich in einem Massensport und das ist der Fußball nun einmal nicht verhindern.

Alles was der Artikel des Profil nun darstellt, ist ein Lückenfüller, wenn anderswo Skandale ausbleiben. Gut, dass sich die größte Fangruppe Österreichs sich entsprechend gewährt hat, bleibt nur abzuwarten ob man in der Wiener Hainburger Straße daraus Lehren zieht.

Mañana ampliaré toda la información de los repechajes.

RESULTADOS

Costa Rica 0-1 Uruguay
Rusia 2-1 Eslovenia
Portugal 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Grecia 0-0 Ucrania
Irlanda 0-1 Francia
Nueva Zelanda 1(1)-(0) 0 Bahréin

Repesca Asiático-Oceánica

Nueva Zelanda se hizo fuerte en su casa y tras ganar por 1-0 a Bahrein se ha ganado el pase al Mundial. Un saque de esquina en el minuto 45 fue cabeceado por el delantero Rory Fallon en el primer palo y desató la locura en Wellington. Tras el descanso, la selección asiática tuvo la oportunidad de igualar mediante un penalti detenido por Paston a Sayed Mohamed.

CAF

En África ha habido dramatismo, mucho dramatismo pero sin duda alguna irán selecciones clásicas como Nigeria y Camerún que se echaban en falta dejando atrás a Gabón y a Túnez.

Camerún ganó por 0-2 a Marruecos que ha decepcionado durante toda la clasificación. En el minuto 18 Webó recibe la pelota en la frontal del área y tras irse sin muchas dificultades de los defensores lanza al palo opuesto y tras tocar en él la pelota se introduce en las mallas. En la reanudación, minuto 52 Eto’o consigue hacer el segundo tras un córner rematado por Song y que él solo la empuja a las mallas ante la pasividad de la defensa que lo había dejado solo.

	Equipo	PJ	G	E	P	GF	GC	Pts.
	Camerún	6	4	1	1	9	2	13
	Gabón	6	3	0	3	9	7	9
	Togo	6	2	2	2	3	7	8
	Marruecos	6	0	3	3	3	8	3

Fuente: Fifa.com

Egipto venció por 2-0 a Argelia y tendrán que jugar un partido de desempate el próximo miércoles en terreno neutral. El primer gol local llegó por obra de Zaki en el minuto 2, que tras varios rechaces del portero y la defensa pasiva logró inaugurar el marcador. Ya en el minuto 91′ Meteb tras recibir un centro desde el extremo izquierdo remató de cabeza al palo contrario.

	Equipo	PJ	G	E	P	GF	GC	Pts.
	Argelia	6	4	1	1	9	4	13
	Egipto	6	4	1	1	9	4	13
	Zambia	6	1	2	3	2	5	5
	Ruanda	6	0	2	4	1	8	2

Fuente: Fifa.com

Nigeria tras ganar por 2-3 a Kenya, y eso que los locales empezaron adelantándose a los 16 minutos con gol de Oliech que tras llegar desde la izquierda se plantó frente al portero y se la lanzó entre las piernas. Así se llegó al descanso y tras él apareció Oba Martins que en el 63′ logró la igualada tras una pelota que había quedado en el segundo palo y en la cual se adelanta al portero local. Tan solo tres minutos después, Yakubu hizo el 1-2 tras recoger un rechace que el mismo había provocado y adelantar a la Águilas Verdes. En el minuto 77′, Wetende empató con un buen cabezazo tras un centro desde la derecha. En el 83′ Martins Tras recibir un pase de cabeza remató de chilena – bien bien no se como le da- e introduce la pelota en la portería.

	Equipo	PJ	G	E	P	GF	GC	Pts.
	Nigeria	6	3	3	0	9	4	12
	Túnez	6	3	2	1	7	4	11
	Mozambique	6	2	1	3	3	5	7
	Kenia	6	1	0	5	5	11	3

Fuente: Fifa.com

Repesca Europea

Grecia – Ucrania, partido que fue bastante aburrido salvo algunas jugadas que llevaron en ambos bandos.

Irlanda – Francia, el partido fue bastante igualado durante los 90 minutos con ocasiones para ambos equipos pero un combinación en la frontal acabó con un disparo de Anelka que tras dar en Dunne golpeó al palo y se metió en las mallas, dando una ventaja muy grande a Francia por lo visto en el partido.

Portugal – Bosnia, otra selección que se lleva un triunfo sin merecerlo mucho, Bosnia dispusó de varias remates al palo y de oportunidades claras para irse a casa con un festín de goles y un gol de Bruno Alves tras rematar con la cabeza un centro desde la derecha en el 32′ resolvió el partido.

Russia – Eslovenia, Bilyadetinov fue el encargado de materializar los dos tantos de los locales, el primero tras recibir el balón en el área y deshacerse de dos defensas en el 40′, el segundo en el 52′ tras recibir un pase de Arshavin y que un defensa el balón muerto en sus pies. En el 88′ Necik pusó emoción tras rematar de cabeza un despeje del portero.

Ο διαγωνισμος διοργανωνεται απο τη Heineken

με δωρο ενα ταξιδι για 2 ατομα να παρακολουθησετε τον αγωνα Αλκμαρ – Ολυμπιακος στις 24/11/2009 στην Ολλανδια σε θεση VIP.

Το δωρο περιλαμβανει 2 αεροπορικα εισιτηρια και 1 διανυκτερευση για 2 ατομα καθώς επίσης και δύο Backstage πάσσα για είσοδο στον εσωτερικό χώρο του γηπέδου της ΑΖ ALKMAAR στο Άλκμαρ (αποδυτήρια, χώρος προθέρμανσης, αγωνιστικό χώρο) πριν τον αγώνα του UEFA Champions League, AΖ ΑLKMAAR εναντίον ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟΥ, που θα διεξαχθεί στις 24/11/2009 στο Άλκμαρ, στο γήπεδο της AZ ALKMAAR.

Για συμμετοχη στο διαγωνισμο πατηστε εδω

Δηλωσεις συμμετοχης εως την Πεμπτη 19/11/2009, ο νικητης θα ανακοινωθει στις 20/11/2009.

Bueno pues luego de un largo receso La Pena Maxima viene con lo mejor de la jornada deportiva y una pequeña sorpresa, un partido espectacular de los veteranos del ITR, narrado por la voz mas sexy de el salvador y los analistas xD

no olviden hacerse fans en el fb y seguir votando en la encuesta, ademas de dejar sus comentarios del programa.

Pueden contactarnos a: crackgalactico929@gmail.com ó magic_273@hotmail.com xD

Rangers are fined 18,000 for crowd trouble at their recent Champions League game while hosts Unirea Urziceni must pay 7,200 for poor organisation…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: european soccer. The blog is also related to: british football.

On one side of Glasgow today, fans and club representatives are anxiously biting their nails. Today is the day Rangers will discover the extent of their UEFA sanctions, and also reveal just how much debt they are being strangled by. It is also the day the English Premiership clubs once again discuss the prospect of a Premier League 2, including both Old Firm sides. (since I began writing this I’ve heard that the Premiership clubs have rejected the proposal) However, I really couldn’t care less.

My interests right now centre on Celtic Park, and I have no time for basking in the misfortunes of our great rivals. You see, we are terrible on the pitch, and have our own issues to worry about off it.

Anybody who has read my blog over the last few days will know I was furious with the actions of a few ’supporters’ on Sunday. I was absolutely sickened at the total lack of respect for the dead that a few mindless idiots displayed. I appreciate these ‘fans’ were outside the ground at the time, but as far as I’m concerned using that as an argument is pedantic to say the least. The fact is these idiots are attached to our club. What is doubly galling then, is when I hear some Celtic fans criticise Rangers for the actions of the few in Romania. I’m a massive Celtic fan, but this ‘holier than thou’ attitude amongst some of our support has to end.

Let’s get something straight. The majority of both Celtic and Rangers fans are thoroughly decent people. However, there is still work to do to flush out some of the fools who attach themselves to both sides, in the mistaken idea that they are part of some political ideology. This is a cancer attached to both clubs, who have to work together to cure themselves. And we as supporters have to help.

Then there’s the team. I’ve said for weeks we need a change in ethos, concentrating on youngsters from home and around the globe. I’ve also said PSV are the perfect model for us, a club that play in a poor league yet attract quality players and progress in Europe. Indeed, they were minutes away from the 2005 Champions League Final. If they can do it, why can’t we? It does annoy me a little that we constantly bleat about a lack of investment and demand this England move, when the reality is we can help ourselves by changing our mentality. I know I have said we need the move in previous blogs, and I’d snap up any offer, but realistically we need to look after ourselves. I mean you don’t hear Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV demanding a move to the Bundesliga do you?

However, right now we need immediate investment from the board. It says a lot to me that Rangers, despite all their problems, will go above us if they win their game in hand. And yet some people are blaming Mowbray for this.

Yes, I agree he’s made a few odd decisions. Taking McGeady off and bringing Naylor on during our game with Hamburg being the strangest one. However, I think he should be allowed to make a few mistakes, particularly at this time in the season. After all, he’s still getting to know his players.

Our performance on Sunday was simply unacceptable, but the blame should be laid with the players, as it should for our general performances this year. Mowbray is still using another manager’s team, which is far from ideal. That is where the board come in.

I would hope Mr Lawwell has learnt his lesson from last season, and will put his hand in his pocket to strengthen the squad in January. The thousands of empty seats at Celtic Park won’t have been missed by the board, management or players either. They should be well aware us as fans are pretty fed up with the mediocre performances we are witnessing. From what I’ve heard, I’m certain that will be the case.

If not, I genuinely fear for the future of this great club.

The passion of Scottish fans could give them the edge in an enlarged Premiership

Phil Gartside, the highly respected Bolton chairman will today attempt to sell the idea of a two tier Premier League, featuring the two Glasgow giants Rangers and Celtic, to the remaining 19 league supremeos. Gartside has tweaked his proposal, which was met with fierce indignation when first aired in April, to allow promotion and relegation from the Premier League structure but to all intent and purpose, the proposal is designed to further enclose the elite clubs and safeguard the financial security of those lucky enough to be present at the time of partition.

There is unquestionably an appetite within the football watching public for welcoming Celtic and Rangers into the league. The presence of such well supported, historically prosperous clubs into a British league would undoubtedly enrich the Premiership and allow it a extra dimension; for instance, the prospect of your club travelling to Celtic park and playing in front of 60,000 is more likely to incite the senses than an date at, well, Bolton’s Reebok stadium for instance. Old Firm games, already amongst the most irascible derby dates in the world would also benefit greatly from being a part of a wider struggle as opposed to a straight title shootout.

And before any of you point out that in terms of quality of football, neither Scottish side is worth their salt in the Premier division, that may be true today but give them a few years my friends and it’ll be a different story alltogether. Unleashed from the financial backwater of the SPL and let loose amongst the Premier League’s boundless coffers, both sides would quickly prosper. Each has the kind of stadia and fan base which make the likes of Gartside queasy in envy and the financial strife which has inhibited Rangers’ transfer activity of late would be almost instantly alleviated.

So therein lies the problem. While most people would be lithe to begrudge the Old Firm the chance to flourish away from their quaint, idiosyncratic league, the practicalities of it seem too tough to resolve. Firstly, what happens to the Champions League spots? Liverpool’s plight over recent weeks has resulted in many observers highlighting the financial implications of the Merseyside club failing to gain entry to Europe’s Premier competition next season. The hegemony of the ‘big four,’ is such that their financial strategies are compliant with making it to at least the group stages of the competition. How then would these teams react to two more clubs with Champions League ambitions?

One might suggest that Scotland’s two places are simply transferred as part of Rangers’ and Celtic’s dowry, after all aren’t they the only teams who ever qualify anyway? But making such a move opens up a can of worms capable of writhing its way through the entire structure of European football. How would countries such as Spain and Italy react to the Premiership having an unprecedented six qualifying spots into the European Cup? What would happen to the other Scottish clubs, forced to plough on in a league bereft of its most treasured assets and without Champions League football to play for? The generous offer of a British League is unlikely to extend to the other three professional divisions in Scotland and League football in the country would almost certainly wither away until it reached the kind of stature enjoyed by the leagues in Wales and Ireland.

Such a move is also likely to ignite the readily combustible relationship between the Premier League and Uefa whose President Michel Platini has waged an Anglophobic war on the self proclaimed ‘biggest league in the world,’ since his election. The chances of an extra entry spot or two being tossed the way of the Premier League seems about as likely as Platini revealing his fervent passion for Morris dancing.

The intention’s may be good and the support shown by managers such as Harry Redknapp and former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill is admirable but in reality clubs such as Spurs and Villa could only suffer in their bid to reach the stature of a ‘big four,’ club should the Old Firm join. Scotland may also soon be a fully independent nation, making the league a multinational super league of the kind that Uefa has spent the best part of two decades trying to avoid through the expansion of the Champions League. What might begin as a small step for Glasgow’s giants could be the beginning of the end for national leagues as we know it.

El guardameta de la selección alemana y del club Hannover 96 Robert Enke, se suicidó el día de ayer en la ciudad alemana de Hannover.
Según su esposa el portero estaba en tratamiento contra la depresión desde el año 2003. Hace tres años Enke sufrió un golpe muy duro en su vida cuando su única hija Lara falleció por un mal cardíaco congénito a los dos años de edad.
Robert Enke escribió una carta de despedida y después falleció al dejarse arrollar por un tren.
El arquero dejó a su esposa Teresa y a una hija adoptiva de 8 meses llamada Leila.
Según el técnico de la selección teutona Joachim Löw había elegido a Robert Enke como el portero titular para el seleccionado germánico en el mundial de Sudáfrica.

I don’t suppose it will get much press coverage in tomorrow’s papers, but today something happened which will have a major, major impact on the English game – UEFA announced the formation of its Club Financial Control Panel (1).  The Panel is tasked with ensuring that the UEFA club licensing system is applied correctly across all 53 UEFA member associations, that clubs have fulfilled the criteria defined in the UEFA Club Licensing Regulations, and, most significantly, driving through the adoption of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play concept (2).

Let me quote the passage on the Financial Fair Play concept which will send shivers down the spines of many of the Chairman I have blogged about of late:

“The major objective of the Financial Fair Play concept is to improve the financial fairness in European competitions, as well as the long-term stability of European club football. In order to achieve this goal, a set of measures will be put in place. These include an obligation for clubs whose turnover is over a certain threshold, over a period of time, to balance their books or break even. Under the concept, clubs cannot repeatedly spend more than their generated revenues. Guidance will be given on salaries and transfer spending, indicators provided on the sustainability of levels of debt, and clubs will be obliged to honour their commitments at all times.“

Can this really be the blueprint for dragging Chairman down screaming off Debt Mountain?  Will it really reign in the insanely escalating levels of pay for players?

As UEFA President Michel Platini puts it: “The idea is not to hurt clubs. The idea is to help them. The basic premise is that clubs should not spend more than they earn. Club owners have asked for the introduction of rules, and this will be an adventure for European football and UEFA.” He argues that the measures are essential for the long-term health of the European game.  They certainly are essential for even the mid-term health of the English game.

Key to the success or otherwise of the Panel’s work will be the quality of the people appointed to serve.  They are Jean-Luc Dehaene, Belgium (Chairman); Jacobo Beltrán, Spain; Egon Franck, Germany; Umberto Lago, Italy; Johan Lokhorst, Netherlands; Brian Lomax, England; Petros Mavroidis, Greece; Brian Quinn, Scotland; and Yves Wehrli, France.

The two British members of the panel are a particularly interesting choice.

Perhaps not a name ubiquitously well-known on English terraces, Brain Lomax is nonetheless a major figure in the recent development of English football.  He was a founder member of the first Supporters Trust, at Northampton, back in 1992, and then became first the Managing Director and subsequently the Chairman of Supporters Direct.  This year he was awarded an OBE for services to football in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.

Brian Quinn CBE is much better known North of the border, as Chairman of Celtic.  He joined their board in 1996 and was appointed as Chairman in 2000, holding the post until 2007.  He holds Masters degrees from both Glasgow and Manchester Universities, and a Doctorate in Economics from Cornell University.  Prior to his work with Celtic he had worked for the International Monetary Fund and the Bank of England, rising to be Deputy Governor. (There is more on him and his strategy at Celtic here.)

If the other seven panel members of the same calibre as these two, we can expect a Panel that will be effective and efficient in driving through of Financial Fair Play, and that will have a major impact on the English game, a very positive one.  No doubt there will be tears before bedtime from some Chairmen, but that will be no bad thing.

El Twente de Holanda se afianzó en la punta del campeonato con su victoria en casa ante el Ajax de Ámsterdam. El Ajax contó con algunas aproximaciones en el primer tiempo, especialmente un remate del uruguayo Luis Suárez que se estrelló en el poste. Para el segundo tiempo el nacional Bryan Ruíz tomó la pelota corrió por la banda derecha y recibió una falta. El tiro libre ejecutado por Stoch llegó a la cabeza del nacional quien desvió de forma perfecta la pelota para marcar el 1-0 definitivo al minuto 47. El Twente contó con otras opciones e incluso les anularon un gol por posición adelantada de N’kufo. El Twente es líder con dos puntos de ventaja sobre PSV y seis sobre Ajax.

En otros juegos PSV Eindhoven visitó al ADO den Haag y lo aplastó 1-5, mientras que el AZ igualó en casa ante el Feyenoord.

RESULTADOS

El Olympique Lyonnais dejó escapar 3 puntos en su estadio contra el Lyon en el Stade de Gerland, en un partido muy extraño que contó con 10 goles y finalizó con el autogol de Jeremy Toulalan que significó el empate final a cinco goles. El Lyon se fue al frente en el electrónico y después estuvo abajo por dos goles, en los últimos 10 minutos Lyon anotó 4 goles 3 a favor y uno en contra para cerrar 5-5. Para el Lyon anotaron Pjanic 3’, Gouvou al 14’, Lisandro López a los 81’ y 84’ (penal) y Fernandes al 90’. Para Marseille marcaron Diawara al 11’, Cheyrou al 44’, Koné al 47’, Brandao al 79’ y el autogol de Toulalan al 92’.

Ese resultado mantuvo al Bordeaux en la primera posición de la tabla pese a su derrota 2-0 ante el Lille.

RESULTADOS

El AC Milan visitó al Lazio en la capital italianay se dejó los 3 puntos. Los protagonistas del juego fueron los brasileños rossoneri primero Thiago Silva cabeceó la pelota que venía de un tiro libre para adelantar al Milan en el minuto 21’. Un sensacional centro de Ronaldinho llegó a la testa de Alexandre Pato quien colocó el esférico imposiblepara el guardameta Muslera al 35’. El Milan fue superior a su rival prácticamente todo el juego pero el conjunto celeste tendría una reacción hacia el final. Un remate del argentino Zárate se desvió en Oddo y la pelota rebotó en Thiago,lo que significó el autogol del brasileño y el descuento de la Lazio al 65’. Zárate tuvo una buena opción para empatar pero Dida evitó el gol. El equipo lombardo ya es tercero y se encuentra a siete puntos de su arhirrival el Inter.

Juventus dejó escapar de forma increíble el partido pasado contra Napoli y alguien tenía que pagar los platos rotos. Atalanta que esta teniendo una mala temporada fue la víctima ideal. Mauro Camoranesi se encargó de liderar la aplastante victoria de 2-5. A los minutos 36 y 37 Camoranesi consiguió los dos primeros goles, al 55’ el mediocampista Felipe Melo hizo el tercero, Diego al 84’ tras pase de Camoranesi marcó el cuarto y el eterno goleador David Trezeguet anotó al 87. Los goles de los locales fueron de Valdes al 51’ y Ceravolo al 71’. Juventus recortó la distancia a 5 puntos con respecto al líder.

Otro de los choques llamativos era el Internazionale vs AS Roma. El juego fue más peleado que bien jugado, y ambas escuadras tuvieron sus chances de ganar, sin embargo el marcador terminó empatado 1-1. El primer gol fue de Mirko Vucinic con un cabezazo cercano al borde del área grande y que se clavó en el ángulo superior derecho de Julio Cesar al minuto 13. El empate interista fue de Eto’o al 47’ rematando cruzado y rastrero. Inter es líder de la Serie A.

Otro juego atractivo fue la victoria del Genoa 4-2 Siena con un doblete del atacante argentino Hernán Crespo.

RESULTADOS

City have been handed a major boost on the eve of tonight’s trip to York City (7.45pm) after Mark Beesley’s loan from Cambridge United was extended by a further month.

The 28-year-old striker has been in fine form since returning to the Deva Stadium and has played a major part in Jim Harvey side’s season-reviving three-match winning run.

The only stipulation of the new deal, which expires on December 5, is that Beesley will not be able to face his parent club when City travel to the Abbey Stadium on December 1.

While Beesley will be in the squad to face an in-form York side who knocked Crewe Alexandra out of the FA Cup on Saturday, Blues boss Harvey will be without on-loan centre-back Johnny Flynn.

The impressive 20-year-old – who turns 21 next Wednesday – has been called-up for Northern Ireland Under 21s’ UEFA European U21 Championships qualifiers against Germany on Friday and Czech Republic next Tuesday.

The fit-again Shaun Kelly could take Flynn’s place in the heart of Chester’s defence while midfielder Anthony Barry may also be included in the travelling party after he returned to training yesterday.

Parcus dezamagitor al echipelor romanesti in etapa a 4-a din Europa League. Statistic 4 meciuri, 4 înfrângeri, 12 goluri primite, 4 marcate. Si asta in conditiile in care priveam increzatori grupele dupa tragrea la sorti. Acum CFR Cluj si Steaua mai au doar sanse teoretice de calificare. Un campionat in care certurile dintre presedintii de club, scandalurile legate de arbitri si demiterea antrenorilor ocupa mai mereu prima pagina a ziarelor nu poate emite pretentii de mai mult.

El Bayer Leverkusen solamente necesitó los primeros 11 minutos para humillar al Eintracht Frankfurt en el Bay Arena. Stefan Kießling anotó al minuto 2’ rematando en el área chica un balón suelto, al 6’ Stefan Reinartz cabeceó un tiro de esquina para marcar el segundo gol de los locales, al 11’ una gran jugada colectiva del Leverkusen fue mal cortada por un defensor y finalizó con un potente remate de Toni Kroos cerca del borde del área para el 3-0. Para finalizar Lars Bender recibió un pase desde la banda derecha, eludió al arquero y remató con poco ángulo para el 4-0 definitivo al minuto 86.

Bayern München sigue en mala racha y esta vez no paso del empate en casa ante el siempre complicado Schalke 04. El defensor Daniel van Buyten al 31’aprovechó un rebote en el área chica después de un tiro favorable para el Bayern y así adelantar a los bávaros en el marcador, sin embargo Lukas Schmitz lanzó un tiro libre cercano a la media cancha al 43’ y Joel Matip se elevó por sobre todos los demás para marcar un gran gol de cabeza y darle el empate a los visitantes. Bayern es octavo de la Bundesliga y está a seis puntos del Leverkusen.

Werder Bremen recibió al Borussia Dortmund en uno de los juegos más importantes de esta fecha. El juego finalizó con empate a un gol. Los primeros en adelantarse fueron los verdes al 36’ cuando Aaron Hunt se llevó la pelota por la banda derecha, centró hacia el borde del área y Mesut Özil definió rematando de primera y raso. Al 54’ Lucas Barrios empató el juego para los aurinegros, después de que el portero Tim Wiese no pudo contener un potente remate de Nelson Haedo Valdez, lo que aprovechó el argentino para marcar a bocajarro. Minutos antes del gol del empate le habían anulado un gol completamente válido al mismo Barrios, por una posición prohibida inexistente. Ahora el Bremen está a tres puntos del Bayer Leverkusen

RESULTADOS

Resultados de la cuarta jornada de la UEFA Europa League.

Earlier this week, Everton manager David Moyes backed a proposal to allow both Celtic and Rangers to enter a second tier to the English Premier League. Personally, I’m conflicted by the latest idea, especially as there is a plan to remove relegation. However, with a few amendments I think the idea could work. That said, I fear after the actions of a minority of Old Firm supporters this week (I use that term very loosely) Moyes’ yes vote will be as rare as the Giant Panda.

I have to say I’ve always been uncomfortable with the religious and political aspects of both Celtic and Rangers, and have felt embarrassed by sectarian songs on both sides of the divide. I mean, what EXACTLY do paramilitary groups have to do with football? However, yesterday’s events really got to me.  In case you haven’t seen what I’m talking about, there’s a video below.

Now I understand that Celtic are a club that transgress the borders of Britain. I’m fully aware that Celtic were formed to aid the poor Irish immigrants of Glasgow, many of whom had fled oppression and hunger to start a better life in Scotland. And I know the British Army have a somewhat murky history on the Emerald Isle. However, I STILL feel that the actions of the few yesterday were a disgrace.

In the lead up to the game, it was widely reported that the Celtic board had requested a minutes’ applause rather than the traditional silence, presumably to avoid this scenario. It fills me with great sadness that we are the only club in the country who are unable to adhere to this most important tradition. Indeed, I personally feel a minutes’ applause is inappropriate in such circumstances. These people died, they didn’t win some mindless TV talent show, or even a European Cup.

No, Remembrance Sunday is a day where we respect the men and women who laid down their lives to protect this country. Ironically, many of those who died in the First World War were Irish. Some of whom lied about their age so they could stand up for what they believed in. To boo or heckle a minutes’ silence dedicated to those brave souls is a horrific insult. Yes, I know there is a right of protest in this country, a right which was earned by the actions of these very people. However, to choose to protest in this manner does nothing but damage the integrity of Celtic Football Club, an entity most of these clowns confess to loving.

Maybe I’m biased here. After all, I come from a military family, with both my Father and Brother having served in Iraq, and my Grandfather served around the time of the Second World War. Despite the family’s rampant atheism, Remembrance Sunday was the only day of the year where we felt it was genuinely appropriate to go to church. Maybe that’s why this angered me so much. However, my family also originate from the north of Ireland, before emigrating to Glasgow.

That is where my Grandfather was born, which is how the McKenna love affair with this great club began. I can assure you all that if he had been alive today he would have shared my disgust. I think it’s worth noting that in England (and the rest of Scotland, for that matter) the minutes’ silence has been impeccably observed, and it is the English who Celtic must appeal to if they are to get their greatest wish: entry into the Premiership. It would be naivety in the extreme to think that this will have gone unnoticed.

And then of course there’s the other club of this great schism.

Like most of the followers of Celtic, the vast majority of Rangers fans are thoroughly decent people. There are many differences, but both sets of fans are passionate about their clubs, and travel in vast numbers across the globe to urge their side on. However, every genuine Rangers fan will be devastated by the actions of the few on Wednesday night in Romania. Again, in case you missed it there is a video below.

Of course, Rangers ‘fans’ (again, the term is used loosely) have form for this. Indeed, I’d expect the residents of Manchester to flee for the hills the next time Rangers are due in town after the events of the UEFA Cup Final in 2008. Then Rangers fans have also have been found guilty by UEFA of sectarian songs in Pamplona and Villareal, and it is this past form which led to UEFA charging Rangers for the acts of last week. This charge could lead to anything from a large fine, elimination from European competition this season, being forced to play home games behind-closed-doors or even being banned from Europe.

Once again, this is not attractive to the powers-that-be who run the English Premier League. I mean, who wants to invite mindless violence and bigotry into the ‘best league in the world’? However, it would seem once again that the Rangers board are deflecting the issue, rather than taking it head on. Indeed, I agree with most of the points made by Graham Spiers in his Times piece.

What is needed now is a drastic clean up operation. There has yet to be a reaction from Celtic about yesterday’s events, and Rangers have been somewhat meek in their condemnation of their fans’ conduct. Instead, there MUST be action from both clubs.

Anybody found to be causing trouble should have their season-tickets removed from them, and should be banned from every stadium in the country. I firmly believe that supporters of both clubs should aid the Old Firm to weed out the trouble-makers. These parasites may claim to be football fans, but they are nothing but baggage. Under the weight of this baggage, both clubs will eventually buckle, and it is time this particular weight was jettisoned at the door.

If it isn’t, there’s a great danger that the Premiership flight will take off without them. For the good of both Celtic and Rangers, that cannot be allowed to happen.