..::Football II::..

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Conte: I'm innocent and want to return to the Juventus bench for Serie A opener

Antonio Conte has maintained his innocence in the Scommessopoli scandal and wants to return to the Juventus bench for Saturday's Serie A opener against Parma.

"This entire situation is really painful for me. The accusations are not based on anything. It will be very hard for me to forget all this. This is an act of injustice and I'm confident that the judges will acquit me after reading the evidence," Conte stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The successful coach was handed a 10-month suspension for his failure to report two instances of attempted match-fixing during his time in charge of Siena, but Conte refuses to accept his punishment and has lodged an appeal.

The former Italy international is hopeful that his ban will be scrapped, and expects the judges to acquit him based on the evidence presented during a hearing on Monday.

"I am innocent and I have a clear conscience. I am very calm and feel confident. I hope to return to the bench for this weekend's game against Parma," Conte said.

Conte initially negotiated a plea bargain with prosecutor Stefano Palazzi, but the disciplinary committee rejected the proposal for a three-month ban.

"I agree with the judges on one thing: 90 days wasn’t a suitable punishment - the right one is zero," he boasted.

"Even if today I had the certainty of a three-month ban, my answer would have been 'no'. I didn’t do anything illegal and I didn’t fail to report anything."

Conte missed Juventus' 4-2 Supercoppa Italiana win over Napoli due to the suspension.

 

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Pepe to miss Real Madrid versus Barcelona Supercopa clash

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will have to do without the services of Portugal international Pepe in the upcoming Spanish Supercopa match away against Barcelona, as the defender recovers from a head injury, according to AS.

The center back picked up the knock in Madrid's 1-1 La Liga draw with Valencia at the weekend, and spent Sunday night in hospital undergoing a series of tests.

"Normally, with a head injury, we have the player under observation for 24 hours. More importantly, we brought him to the hospital where we could carry out the necessary tests, all of which have come out okay," club doctor Carlos Diez was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"He spent Sunday night under observation and everything is very good. We have decided, with the help of Real Madrid’s medical services, that the player could be discharged from the hospital without any problem."

Even though all of the tests came out negative, and Pepe was discharged on Monday, he will not feature in the first leg of the Supercup tie against Madrid's arch rival.

 

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Manchester City target Jovetic ready to take the next step towards superstardom

A first team player at 16, Serie A regular at 18 and Champions League superstar at 19, Stevan Jovetic didn’t exactly hang around in making himself known to the footballing world, and he may well be about to make the next step to global notoriety with a move to Manchester City.

Many at Fiorentina didn’t know what to make of the Montenegrin when he arrived from Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2008. His big mop of curly hair was not befitting of an 6.3m pounds signing who Viola fans had been told could propel its side to the next level after its fourth place finish the previous season had taken them into the promised land of the Champions League.

For much of his early days at the Artemio Franchi, Jovetic was used as an alternative to Adrian Mutu behind the sharpshooting Alberto Gilardino, and the first choice pair’s combined 39 goals in 2008-09 saw him regularly forced to make an impact from the bench.

Indeed, it wasn’t until April that Jovetic scored his first goal in the famous purple shirt, but less than six months later he would announce himself in the grand manner.

 

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'Matter of time' before Sinclair leaves Swansea for Manchester City, says Curtis

Swansea City first-team coach Alan Curtis accepts that it is "a matter of time" before forward Scott Sinclair completes a move to Manchester City.

Goal.com exclusively revealed on August 8 that the Premier League champions have agreed terms with the Team GB star after deciding to let winger Adam Johnson go and Swans boss Michael Laudrup confirmed on Friday that the attacker had decided not to sign a new contract.

Curtis explained to Sky Sports: "[Sinclair is] not really interested in signing a new contract and I think Man City have made a bid, so it's just a matter of time now before it happens and it's good for both parties.

"He's been terrific for us, to be fair - we've had two seasons out of him and he was superb in the Championship and virtually his goals [27 in 2010-11] got us promotion.

"And last year as well he wasn't maybe quite as effective as he was his first year - obviously it was a lot tougher opposition - but he's been absolutely magnificent.

Curtis believes the Swans will continue to push forward even if some of its top stars have left the club

"Like Joe [Allen, now of Liverpool] we wish him all the best, but as long as the club keeps pushing forward that's the main thing," Curtis said.

"It obviously gives Scott the chance to settle in at his new club and it gives us the opportunity to buy a replacement for Scott."

Sinclair scored the last of Swansea's goals in its 5-0 obliteration of QPR on the Premier League's opening day.

 

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Manchester United defensive shortage to continue for 'a couple of weeks'

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he will have to continue to put out a makeshift defense for at least "a couple of weeks".

Injuries have put Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all out of action for the start of the Red Devils' season, with Nemanja Vidic partnered by midfielder Michael Carrick at center back in the 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday.

And the Scottish boss conceded that the pair are likely to be needed again, along with winger Antonio Valencia at right back, for Fulham's visit on Saturday.

"I don't think any of them [the injured defenders] will be fit for Saturday," Sir Alex told MUTV.

"Hopefully Jonny Evans is getting near. Obvoiusly we've got a good week's training now and that will bring him on a good bit.

"Hopefully in a couple of weeks we should be okay.

"Michael Carrick's not used to playing as a center back but he did all right, he did fine. He applied himself well [against Everton] - they all did."

Having lost their opening game of the Premier League season, last year's runners-up must now look to open their account against the Cottagers, who put five goals past Norwich City on Saturday.

 

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Oxlade-Chamberlain: Cazorla is a massive asset for Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is confident that new addition Santi Cazorla will prove to be a "massive asset for the club", and thinks the new 18 million pound summer signing is "technically brilliant".

The Spain international impressed despite the Gunners enduring opening stalemate against Sunderland at the weekend, and Oxlade-Chamberlain believes that Cazorla is a positive signing and is certain he will play an important role for the club.

"[Cazorla] is a brilliant player," Oxlade-Chamberlain told reporters. "He is a typical Spanish player - right foot, left foot, technically brilliant.

"He is a clever player. He is not the most physical, he is only short. But I think that highlights how good he must be in his head and with his feet.

"From what I have seen so far, he is a massive asset for the club and he is a really good lad as well, which always helps.

"I think he is going to do really well for us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Kagawa patta

 

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yes malli i know..! gattoth num maru..! eth dan MF la wadi neh...! , Oscar play kala hati dakkada? patta speed neh

Ow Aiya!

Oscar ge Dribbling unath niyamaiHazard,Marin & Oscar

 

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Jonathan dos Santos' loan deal to Sevilla pending player's approval

Jonathan dos Santos may be agreeing to a temporary exit from the Nou Camp, a Sevilla newspaper reports.

According to Diario de Sevilla, the Mexican midfielder already has an offer sheet from Sevilla in front of him which has been approved by Barcelona for a season-long loan deal.

Dos Santos has been reluctant to accept a move away from Barca and declined to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics for his national team in order to complete a preseason campaign with the Copa del Rey champions.

The Spanish newspaper also states that Sevilla manager Michel has assured Dos Santos a starting spot with the Andalucians in order to lure the player to accept.

"The first thing we need to know is what he wants to do and what his situation will be with Barcelona," Michel said recently.

When questioned by ESPN on Monday, Jonathan's lawyer Vicente Montes stated that the player did not want to move from Barcelona.

"If you had a son, and he played for the best team in the world, would you want him to go play somewhere else?" Montes told the interviewer. "We must think about the best situation for the player."

Jonathan, along with brother Giovani have both emerged from the vaunted La Masía youth system at Barcelona. Giovani was sold to Tottenham after one full season with the Barcelona first team in 2008.

 

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Tottenham confirms Adebayor signing

Emmanuel Adebayor has completed his transfer from Premier League champion Manchester City to Tottenham, the club has confirmed.

The 28-year-old striker, who had spent time on loan at Real Madrid before a spell with Spurs in 2011-12, broke the news in a celebratory tweet, promising fans that he is hungry to score
more goals for the club.

"I'm back!!!! Tottenham here I come!! I'm hungry for goals...Get ready," he wrote on his official Twitter page.

After scoring 18 goals in 37 appearances for the Lilywhites last season, new boss Andre Villas-Boas was eager to add the forward to his side, with Jermain Defoe the only recognized senior striker on the squad when he took charge.

In an interview on Tottenham's official website, Adebayor spoke of his happiness to be signing with last year's fourth-placed Premier League team, expressing his ambition to excel there.
"I am pleased to be signing for Spurs on a permanent basis after finally agreeing my departure with Manchester City," he declared.

"It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur. I really enjoyed my time here last season and I am hoping we can achieve great things together again."

 

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I will be in perfect form very soon, warns Pepe after being ruled out of Supercopa

Pepe has assured Real Madrid supporters that he will be back to full fitness "very soon", after showing his appreciation for concerns about his recent head injury.

The center back picked up the knock in his side's 1-1 draw with Valencia on the opening weekend of the Liga season, and spent Sunday night in hospital undergoing a series of examinations.

Even though all the tests came out negative, Pepe will not feature in the first leg of the Supercopa Espana tie against Barcelona on Thursday, but he has vowed to pay everybody back for their support.

"I appreciate the many displays of support that I have been shown in the last few days," Pepe told reporters. "I am flattered by the encouragement I have received since Sunday, especially from the fans of Real Madrid. I will be in perfect shape very soon to continue fighting for the [Madrid] jersey.

"I also want to thank, in particular, the team doctors, who have been and remain by my side at all times. I thank all of my colleagues from other clubs for being interested in my health. These small details have not been missed. I send a big hug to everyone."

 

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Villas-Boas finds positives in Tottenham's opening day defeat

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has praised his side's defensive organization during the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle on the opening day of the Premier League season.


Hatem Ben Arfa's penalty in the closing minutes proved the difference, after strikes from Demba Ba and Jermain Defoe had seemingly earned both sides a point.

The Portuguese boss acknowledged that if Spurs wish to take three points from their first fixture at White Hart Lane against West Brom on Saturday, they must improve their ability to close out games.

"First of all the concentration, the communication between the players and the consistency we showed defensively during the 90 minutes, where we stayed organized," he told the club's official website. "You find it hard to think about Newcastle’s opportunities, and you remember our opportunities when we hit the post and the bar.

"It was a pity we didn’t hold on to the momentum of 1-1 for a longer time, because the boys deserved to get something out of this game. The team has to continue trying to do this for the next games and if that happens, it’s important for us to then take three points at home."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sebastien Bassong leaves Tottenham for Norwich

Sebastien Bassong has announced his transfer from Tottenham to Norwich City on a three-year deal.

Bassong moved to White Hart Lane in 2009 for £8 million but fell out of favor last season, spending the second half of the campaign at Wolves.

The Cameroon international tweeted: "Morning tweeps!! I've been officially transferred to Norwich today! 3 years deal! Another chapter in my football life!

"I wish all the best to my old team mate at Spurs!! I've had great time with them! I hope they'll success!"

Bassong was first introduced to English football at Newcastle United, who signed him from Metz in 2008. The Frecnh-born defender was unable to prevent the Magpies' relegation from the top flight, but impressed enough to earn a move to Spurs.

The defender made 72 appearances in three seasons in north London and has featured 15 times for Cameroon's national side.

He becomes Chris Hughton's second center back signing in recent weeks, following the arrival of Michael Turner from Sunderland.

The Carrow Road boss told the club's official website: "Sebastien is a player that I have known well since my time at Newcastle and I’m delighted to have brought in someone with the Premier League experience he has got.

"He will give us power and pace at the back and again add to the competition in the squad."

 

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Manchester City target De Rossi confirms Roma stay

Daniele De Rossi has announced his desire to remain at Roma, in turn rejecting the advances of Premier League champions Manchester City.
The Italian had been strongly linked with a move to City but, as Goal.com exclusively revealed on Monday, he has decided to remain with the club he joined at the age of 17.

City had prepared an offer of 31 million pounds for the Italy international and were willing to offer a lucrative contract which would have seen him paid 7m pounds a year.

However, though Roma were receptive to the possibility of allowing the 29-year-old to leave, the midfielder announced his decision to reject a move at a press conference on Tuesday.

"People have written all sorts of things, about me, about [City manager Roberto] Mancini. Some of it makes me laugh. Some of it makes me angry," De Rossi told reporters. "I can tell you the truth. I came to do a classic press conference before the season. I wanted to make a clarification."

He added, "What I can promise everyone is that the day I want to leave Roma - whether to win CL or make more money - I will say so in public.

"This is a normal press conference for me, not the announcement of the Third World War. For me it's important to say my piece. I am here at Roma, I'm happy + never asked to leave"

The news comes as a blow to Mancini, who lost out to Chelsea in the race to sign Eden Hazard and similarly failed to capture the signature of Robin van Persie prior to his move to Manchester United.

The club have made just one signing thus far this summer, bringing in young midfielder Jack Rodwell from Everton in a deal believed to be worth 15m pounds.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spurs sign Adebayor

Spurs sign Adebayor​

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored 17 goals while on loan at White Hart Lane last season.
Adebayor, 28, cost City £26 million when he signed from Arsenal in 2009 but following Roberto Mancini's arrival as manager he was frozen out at Eastlands.

The Togo international spent loan spells at Real Madrid in 2010-11 and then impressed while at Spurs for the duration of the 2011-12 campaign - with the North Londoners believed to have spent much of the summer trying to thrash out a permanent deal.

Tottenham have now finally managed to land Adebayor, who will provide a major boost to Andre Villas-Boas' attacking options after he started the season with Jermain Defoe as his only recognised senior striker.

Adebayor was delighted to put pen to paper, telling Spurs' official website: "I am pleased to be signing for Spurs on a permanent basis after finally agreeing my departure with Manchester City.

"It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur. I really enjoyed my time here last season and I am hoping we can achieve great things together again."He has earlier taken to Twitter to say: "I'm back!!!! Tottenham here I come!! I'm hungry for goals...Get ready."

ESPN understands Tottenham have not broken their wage structure to sign Adebayor, with the striker thought to have accepted terms of around £100,000 a week - a significant reduction from the £165,000-a-week wages he took home at City.

 

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United seal deal for Buttner

United seal deal for Buttner

Manchester United have signed Vitesse Arnhem left-back Alexander Buttner for an undisclosed fee.
Buttner, 23, agreed to join Premier League newboys Southampton a month ago but the deal hit a snag due to a contractual dispute between the player and his club.

United's interest came out of the blue, after the Red Devils had been linked with Everton defender Leighton Baines for most of the transfer window.The Ajax academy product, who was not capped by Netherlands at youth level beyond Under-20 and has not played for the senior side, has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website: "Alexander is one of the best young left-backs in Europe and we're delighted to sign him. He's someone we've been watching for a while now. He gives us some really exciting options in that position."

The player added: "Joining Manchester United is one of the best days of my life. It's a team I have admired for many years now and I can't wait to join my team-mates and play my part in helping the club be successful."

 

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Manchester United scout claims Buttner was only 'third or fourth' best left back in Eredivisie

Manchester United scout Ed van Stijn has admitted that the club's latest acquisiton, Alexander Buttner, was only the third or fourth best left back in the Eredivisie last season.


The 23-year-old signed a five-year deal with the club on Tuesday after a fee was agreed between the Red Devils and Vitesse Arnhem.


However, Van Stijn, who leads the Old Trafford outfit's recruitment in Netherlands, has revealed that Buttner is not the fullback he rated most highly.

"Every season [United] ask all European scouts for a list of players," the Dutchman told Algemeen Dagblad. "They ask you to create a top five of the best players in the league for every position. I had Buttner at number three or four on my list."

 

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Henriquez move given go-ahead

Henriquez move given go-ahead

Teenage striker Angelo Henriquez has been granted a work permit which will allow him to complete his move to Manchester United.

The 18-year-old Universidad de Chile player underwent a medical with the Red Devils last week and has now been given the green light to join the Premier League outfit.

The frontman, who will arrive at Old Trafford in a reported £3.5million deal, will further bolster Sir Alex Ferguson's well-stocked attacking ranks, but is viewed as one for the future.

A United statement read: "Manchester United is pleased to announce that Angelo Henriquez, 18, has been granted a governing body endorsement which will allow him to register and play for the club.

"He will play his final game for Universidad de Chile tomorrow and a further announcement on him joining United will be made in due course."

 

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Spurs sign Adebayor​

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored 17 goals while on loan at White Hart Lane last season.
Adebayor, 28, cost City £26 million when he signed from Arsenal in 2009 but following Roberto Mancini's arrival as manager he was frozen out at Eastlands.

The Togo international spent loan spells at Real Madrid in 2010-11 and then impressed while at Spurs for the duration of the 2011-12 campaign - with the North Londoners believed to have spent much of the summer trying to thrash out a permanent deal.

Tottenham have now finally managed to land Adebayor, who will provide a major boost to Andre Villas-Boas' attacking options after he started the season with Jermain Defoe as his only recognised senior striker.

Adebayor was delighted to put pen to paper, telling Spurs' official website: "I am pleased to be signing for Spurs on a permanent basis after finally agreeing my departure with Manchester City.

"It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur. I really enjoyed my time here last season and I am hoping we can achieve great things together again."He has earlier taken to Twitter to say: "I'm back!!!! Tottenham here I come!! I'm hungry for goals...Get ready."

ESPN understands Tottenham have not broken their wage structure to sign Adebayor, with the striker thought to have accepted terms of around £100,000 a week - a significant reduction from the £165,000-a-week wages he took home at City.

 

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Badstuber targets Bundesliga glory

Holger Badstuber has stressed that Bayern Munich's main priority is winning the Bundesliga this season after seeing Borussia Dortmund claim the title in the last two terms.

The Bavarian giants have not tasted major success in the last two campaigns, but managed to beat Jurgen Klopp's 2-1 side in the DFL-Supercup on August 12.

The Germany center back is determined to carry that momentum into the coming season, and believes that the summer recruits, including fellow center back Dante, will prove to be beneficial to his side, despite increased competition for a starting spot.

"The Bundesliga is my top priority. We can't afford to slip up there again. Last year we had a very good spell, but it was too short," the Germany international told the Bundesliga's official website. "After two years without winning, [the Supercup] was a matter of prestige. Obviously it gave us a lot of confidence, but we don't want to place too much importance on it.

"Competition for places is important at every club, but I'm looking forward to the new season positively. I have new aims and a desire to keep developing. If I can combine all of those things then I'll play."

Bayern Munich begins its Bundesliga campaign with a trip to fellow Bavarian outfit Greuther Furth on August 25.