Dear Manchester City: It’s Over


This scene from the 2009 Premier League season likely will be repeated as Manchester City are huge favorites to win the league in May. Photo from redcafe.net

Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, who was always good for a quip, said about sports, “The game isn’t over until it’s over.” For Manchester City, “the game” — the Premier League season — is over. We are sure City fans will object, but a 12-point deficit to Manchester United with 12 matches remaining, [...]

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Roller Coaster for Nottingham Forest Fans


Nottingham Forest owners, from left, Fawaz, Abdulaziz and Omar Al-Hasawi stand in the City Grounds. Photo from zimbio.com

If you know any Nottingham Forest fans, give them a hug. If you’re a fan of the Reds, you have our sympathy. The return of Billy Davies as manager on Feb. 7 began another chapter in what was expected to be a dream season. Instead, it has turned into an utter joke. When the Al-Hasawi [...]

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Sissoko Enjoys Newcastle Start


As Petr Cech gets the ball, Moussa Sissoko celebrates one of his two goals in Newcastle's 3-2 win over Chelsea. Photo from footmercato,net

Sometimes it just takes a change of scenery for a player to shine. Moussa Sissoko has taken his move to heart, and Newcastle United has been a happy beneficiary since his arrival. Sissoko joined Newcastle on Jan. 25 from the French Ligue 1 club Toulouse and paid dividends immediately as the Magpies won its first [...]

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Europol Claims Match-Fixing on Grand Scale


Europol director Rob Wainwright speaks during Monday's press conference. Photo from kinderohnerechte.org

Monday’s announcement by Europol about an investigation its officials claim involves at least 425 soccer players, match officials, club officials and criminals to affect almost 700 matches in Europe sent fans into shock. There have been many match-fixing scandals in the past, but most were limited in scale, usually to one country. The 18-month investigation, [...]

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Peter Odemwingie Has Some Explaining to Do


Peter Odemwingie will remain at West Bromwich Albion. Photo from zimbio.com

Transfer day became a soap opera for two Premier League clubs after Peter Odemwingie had thought he was headed to Queens Park Rangers. Instead, he will have to repair a few relationships as he will remain at West Bromwich Albion. Odenwingie was caught on camera entering the grounds of Loftus Road, the home of Queens [...]

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Gary Hooper Will Remain at Celtic


Gary Hooper will be in the Celtic lineup for its Champions League knockout-stage matches against Juventus. Photo from sportsworldreport.com

Norwich City‘s attempt to secure Gary Hooper from Celtic has failed after several transfer requests during the last two weeks were rejected. As the January transfer period entered the final day Thursday, rumors were that the Canaries were preparing a fourth offer to the Scottish Premier League side. Celtic manager Neil Lennon said during the [...]

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Willian Moves to Anzhi in $48 Million Transfer


Anzhi Makhachkala will pay a European transfer high of $48 million to receive Brazilian midfielder Willian. Photo from uefa.com

Premier League sides Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were hot to get midfielder Willian during the transfer window. Those hopes were dashed when the Brazilian was sent to the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala for what would be the highest fee in Europe during the January transfer window. Willian will move from the Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk [...]

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Queens Park Rangers Bring Christopher Samba Back to England


Christopher Samba will return to the Premier League after signing with Queens Park Rangers. Photo from talksport.uk

In what manager Harry Redknapp called a surprise, Queens Park Rangers have acquired Christopher Samba on a transfer from Anzhi Makhachkala. Samba, a 28-year old defender who previously spent 4 1/2 years with Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, returns to England’s top flight on a club-record £12.5 million ($19.9 million) transfer from the Russian club. [...]

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Birmingham Desperate to Sell Jack Butland


Birmingham is attempting to sell Jack Butland at a bargain price to ensure financial stability. Photo by Yorkvisionphotography/flickr

It has been known in England that Birmingham has endured a rocky road financially for several years. Selling its most valuable player, Jack Butland, at a fire-sale price, however, appears to be an act of desperation. Butland declined an offer to join Chelsea after he was given permission on Monday to speak with club officials. [...]

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Mario Balotelli Wins, Will Go to Milan


Mario Balotelli and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will part ways as the striker will go to Milan. Photo from kilburntimes.co.uk

After a month of rumors and back-and-forth haggling between clubs, Italian badboy Mario Balotelli will head to Milan, an official with the club announced. Balotelli, whose 2 1/2 years at Manchester City alternated between outstanding and aggravating, will move to the Serie A club for about £17 million ($27 million), according to media reports. The [...]

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