Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been handed a one-match ban for a derogatory gesture made to Fulham fans earlier in the month, and fined £20,000.
The Uruguay international was seen making a one-fingered gesture to the Craven Cottage faithful after the London club’s 1-0 win over Kenny Dalglish’s men back on December 5th, and will now miss the game against Newcastle on Friday.
The FA have confirmed the sanction after thorough investigations.
“Liverpool player Luis Suarez will begin a one-match suspension with immediate effect after he admitted an FA charge of improper conduct in relation to the same game,” an official statement reads.
“Suarez was also fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct following a gesture he made towards the Fulham fans at the end of the fixture.”
The Merseyside club have also been slapped with a £20,000 fine, after it was deemed that Reds players acted overzealously following Jay Spearing’s sending off.
“The club admitted the charge, which was in relation to the dismissal of Jay Spearing, but did not accept the standard £20,000 penalty for the offence.
“However, at an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Wednesday 28 December] the fine was imposed,” the statement concluded.
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Schalke led 2-0 away to St Pauli when Friday’s Bundesliga match was abandoned due to an object striking the assistant referee.Playing in their first match under new coach Ralf Rangnick, veteran Spanish striker Raul put visitors Schalke 1-0 up after 26 minutes at the Millerntor-Stadion.
St Pauli had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half and Schalke doubled their lead seconds later, with a strike from substitute Julian Draxler.
Defender Jan-Philipp Kalla was sent off for a second bookable offence and St Pauli were down to nine men when Fin Bartels was shown a straight red in the 79th minute.
Officials abandoned the match just minutes before the final whistle when assistant referee Thorsten Schiffner – the man who disallowed St Pauli’s goal – was hit by a missile thrown from the stands, believed to be a full plastic beer cup.
“We had to call off the game. There was no other choice,” referee Deniz Aytekin said.
“Even in the first half the assistants had been hit by lighters and coins.”
The game was immediately halted and the players taken off the pitch, with the officials forced to shelter under the umbrellas of security staff as more projectiles were hurled in their direction.
It is yet to be announced if the points will be awarded to Schalke or if the match will be replayed.
St Pauli, third from bottom and in the relegation play-off places, face the possibility of a heavy fine, stadium ban and a points deduction.
“Such scenes are unacceptable,” St Pauli coach Holger Stanislawski said.
“These things should not happen in stadiums. I can only apologise to the assistant in the name of St Pauli.”
The agent of Internazionale striker Mario Balotelli says that he expects his client to seal a switch to Premier League side Manchester City in the near future.
Balotelli, 20, has endured a turbulent time at the San Siro giants and, despite winning the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia last term, his agent Mino Raiola is hoping he can see the transfer go through after a summer of speculation.
The youngster was brought to the Italian giants by current Citizens manager Roberto Mancini in 2006 and he is keen on adding him to his squad alongside recent signings Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng, Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva.
Speaking to Sky Italia, he said:"I am very confident about closing the deal soon but it doesn't just depend on me.
"Will he play on Saturday against Tottenham? Look, at this point I would say no. Even if we close the deal tomorrow he wouldn't be able to do it, because of all the paperwork.
"Then the English laws impose details that would exclude his presence as early as Saturday. I am very optimistic, but today the deal is not already done.
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"We haven't decided yet if Mario will go to England tomorrow, we need to think about that, but we haven't established that.
"Nothing is yet sealed so I can't guarantee that. Our aim is to close everything as soon as possible, we hope to be able to resolve the factors soon."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Kenny will be hoping to build on last week’s impressive showing against City when they face-off against Fulham on Monday night. Dalglish will be hoping for a repeat of their last visit to Craven Cottage where the Reds ran riot last time.
At FFC this week it’s there has been plenty of Liverpool blogs that include the Reds Academy struggle; Kenny having the last laugh over transfer, Liverpool look leaner and meaner.
We also look at other Liverpool articles from around the Web:
EXCLUSIVE – Martin Skrtel talks to Football FanCast
Leaner, meaner Liverpool continue to make huge strides
Kenny should be more than just King on Merseyside
‘Long To Reina Over Us’ – The goalkeeping dynasty of Miguel and Pepe
Liverpool slowly having the last laugh over transfer
An indictment of the success of Kenny’s signings, as it is on Suarez’s quality in the final third
Liverpool linked with shock move
Kenny eyes £20m January swoop to bolster attack
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Best of WEB [divider][divider]
L4L Exclusive – we interview Rob Jones and Mark Wright – Live4Liverpool
Similar Result, Different Perspective – This is Anfield
The Challenge Facing Jay Spearing – Anfield Index
Let’s sing a different tune about Carroll – Our Kop
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France will be looking to continue their post-World Cup revival when they meet Luxembourg in Euro 2012 qualifying on Friday.France, who currently occupy top spot in Group D, have undergone a regeneration under new coach Laurent Blanc, unbeaten in their last five matches including victories over England and Brazil in recent friendlies.
Under the guidance of Blanc, there has been a telling air of optimism generated on and off the field, and none off the squabbling and drama which plagued the side during the tenure of previous manager Raymond Domenech.
They will be banking on prolific marksman Karim Benzema extending his good run of form in front of goal for club and country when they travel to the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg on Friday.
The Real Madrid striker is beginning to live up to his 35-million-euro price tag, bagging 22 goals in all competitions for Real, in addition his recent tally with the national setup.
The 23-year-old also scored in the corresponding game against Luxembourg in France in October.
The other major talking point during the week has been the return of Patrice Evra and Franck Ribery to the national team setup, after serving suspensions for their role in player strike in South Africa.
Luxembourg, while not expected to mount a sizeable challenge against the French, enter the game in good spirits after surprising Slovakia in a friendly last month, courtesy of a Daniel da Mota double.
However, they are rooted to the bottom of the group, having recorded only a solitary point in qualifying so far and failing to score in their four Group D games.
The less-fancied Luxembourg are widely expected to deploy a defensive tactic against their opponents, with Laurent Blanc saying during the week he expects to confront a team with “one up front and practically nine at the back ? 10 including the goalkeeper.”
When Roy Hodgson was asked the question about Fernando Torres’ future, he suggested that he was in the dark about it and the media should look to Christian Purslow for answers as he is the one that has been in Spain negotiating with the striker. I found that a little confusing, but at least it explains where the problem lies.
If Torres needed convincing that his future should remain at Anfield then it goes without saying that Roy Hodgson would be the man camped in Spain talking with Torres; I mean with respect to Purslow, he is hardly the man to be talking tactics and grand plan’s with. No the negotiations must surely be financial and if that is the case, this is one deal we cannot afford to baulk on.
Hodgson eluded in the same interview that the discussions with Torres are over issues prior to his arrival. If that is the case then that is extremely reassuring and shows that he remains content at Anfield and the only problems are all contractual; I am sure his terms are likely to have changed, given the reported interest from City and Chelsea, but can we as a football club really afford not to reach a compromise? Failing to agree terms and allowing Torres to move on is one thing, but how the hell do you go about replacing him? The club need to move quickly to resolve this issue, so Hodgson has every opportunity to get the squad ready for what is an incredibly important season for Liverpool football club. Torres would play a huge part in that process and therefore it is vital he is retained at Anfield.
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
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Arsene Wenger has never been a man to advocate panic buying and despite his claims that the summer’s transfer dealings at Arsenal weren’t born out of panic signing four players in the last few days of the window, two of them without medicals, suggests otherwise. So, what difference have those signings made? With the exception of Mikel Arteta, who has played a vital role in Arsenal’s recovery deputising for the injured Jack Wilshere, and Gervinho (seven assists, two goals) how much of an impact have the new signings really made so far?
Per Mertesacker
With a name that roughly translates as ‘meat sack’ you could be forgiven for viewing the giant German as some kind large inanimate object whose primary purpose was to obstruct attackers using only his physical presence. However on the whole he hasn’t even done that with much conviction. At fault for two goals against Chelsea and again at the weekend in Norwich the hugely experienced international’s performances have left many preferring to see Koscielny paired with Vermaelen at the back, and rightly so. However the acquisition of the former Werder Bremen man will seem better value as he adapts to life in the Premier League. Koscielny’s first season at the club suggested that he wasn’t cut out for life in England but his performances this season have much better and at times brilliant.
Andre Santos
Another defender that needs time to adapt; the Brazilian might not be the player that Arsenal fans want him to be (he can’t defend) but he is at least covering for the perpetually injured Gibbs. His attacking presence has been worthy of a place in the team so far and whilst he might lack certain necessary qualities the Brazilian was bought to add depth to the squad. Unless something changes radically about Santos’ play I think we can expect to see Gibbs back in the team when he has recovered.
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Yossi Benayoun
Largely anonymous, potentially past it; the Israeli captain has barely been used by Wenger so far. But then again: no money was paid for him. Benayoun is a panic buy if ever I’ve seen one. However that doesn’t make him useless. Far from it. Yossi’s versatility means that he can be, and has been, used on the wing or in the centre and his work ethic and defensive ability should provide an example for some of the lazier wingers at the club. He potentially has a part to play for Arsenal this year but he will not get a run in the team unless they are ravaged by injuries. Perhaps Wenger had Gervinho’s absence due to the African Nations in mind when he signed Benayoun.
Park Chu Young
Used sparingly, largely unimpressive. Park’s goal in the Carling Cup against Bolton gave Arsenal fans a glimpse of what could be, but he has failed to produce on his two other appearances. The Korean, like the rest of Arsenal’s new signings, needs time to adjust but he recently told Arsenal that physically he was ready to give his best.
Youngsters
Oxlade-Chamberlain has shown what he could be capable of with some brilliant performances in the Carling Cup and the England U21 team. However we all knew that he would perhaps be one considered more for the future. Joel Campbell too will perhaps be appreciated in a few years; he is doing well at Lorient and has earned himself a place in the team. Jenkinson was another for the future however even though their were many Arsenal fans complaining about his performances so far this year he was getting better with every game and many of those same fans will be disappointed to see him injured.
Obviously these players need time to settle in. All players do, or at least should. But if everyone knows that is the case then why were these signings made so late. If the inefficiency of the players cannot be blamed on the players themselves then it must be blamed on the people who didn’t sign them early enough to get a pre-season under their belt. There’s no point in Arsene saying that Mertesacker didn’t know he would be closed down as quickly as he was by Morrison on Saturday. The fact is that he should have been taught these things by now because soon mistakes like that will cost them points and the fans will not be as forgiving. Whether the delay in bringing in new players was the fault of the board or the manager is yet to be known, but both should have known better.
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The quality of the player signed can be properly evaluated later in the season when they have had time to settle in. The success of Wenger’s ‘panic buying’ can be brought down to one main question: was he buying squad players or first team players? Obviously Gervinho and Mertesacker were bought for the first team but it seems that the others were bought to compensate for Arsenal’s repetitive injury problems. And therefore even though they haven’t lit the league alight with flair-filled performances players like Santos, Arteta and Jenkinson have done what they were meant to do. Benayoun too has provided ample cover and having an extra centre back in Mertesacker has definitely been beneficial to the club. The summer transfer window may not have gone exactly to plan for Arsene but it would be hard to imagine their recovery without their new players.
For more Arsenal news follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay
Schalke came from a goal behind to defeat Valencia 3-1 and book their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.Ricardo Costa fired Valencia into a 17th minute lead which not only gave them the lead on the night, but also on aggregate, before Jefferson Farfan struck a sensational free-kick just five minutes before half-time to equalise for Schalke.Mario Gavranovic put the Bundesliga side in front with his 52nd minute finish and after Valencia missed a hatful of chances to take the lead on away goals, Farfan completed the victory with a delicate chip in injury time.The tie was well poised after Raul’s second-half equaliser for Schalke at the Mestalla saw the first leg end at 1-1, but it was the La Liga outfit who impressed in the early stages of the return leg in Germany.Jeremy Mathieu saw his early shot flash just wide of the post, but Unai Emery’s men did not have to wait long for a goal, which was triggered by a wonderful piece of skill by Mehmet Topal.Topal intelligently created space for himself on the edge of the area and delivered a bullet cross which was turned in by Costa to give Valencia the lead and an all-important away goal.Schalke were shaken by the goal and could have been two behind if it was not for Christoph Metzelder’s last-ditch challenge to deny Aduriz after 21 minutes.The hosts were eventually able to work themselves back into the match and should have scored through Gavranovic who missed a header, before the equaliser came when Farfan produced a superb free-kick. The Peruvian attacker curled his set piece around the wall and despite the best efforts of Valencia goalkeeper Guaita, who got a touch, the ball thudded into the back of the net to level proceedings.Energised by their goal, Schalke started the second-half well and claimed the lead when Gavranovic pounced on a Guaita error, with his shot hitting both posts before trickling over the line.The goal seemed to fire Valencia into action, and Aduriz shot into the side netting on 56 minutes before he saw a one-on-one opportunity brilliantly saved by in-demand Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer two minutes later.Valencia should have levelled again through substitute Tino Costa, but he failed to connect with his first-time shot with the goal beckoning.But as Valencia poured forward seeking the late away goal that would take them through, Schalke struck with a counter-attacking move finished by Farfan, who chipped over Guaita to send Felix Magath’s side through to the last eight for just the second time in their history.
The Football Association has written to FIFA to complain after an angry England fan gained entry to the dressing room following the disappointing goalless World Cup draw with Algeria.
England were booed off in Cape Town following a second Group C stalemate, which has left their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.
Afterwards the fan evaded security at the Green Point Stadium and barged his way into the dressing room where he reportedly confronted former skipper David Beckham, who has been with the squad in South Africa despite being injured.
"A fan got in past FIFA security," confirmed an FA spokesman.
"We have formerly complained to FIFA after the game and will follow it up in writing.
"This is not acceptable and thankfully no serious harm was done."
The incident followed a disjointed performance which has left England needing to win against Slovenia in their final group game next Wednesday to progress to the knockout stages.
Wayne Rooney again failed to perform and lambasted the booing England fans as he walked off the pitch at full-time.
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Speaking directly to the television cameras, the clearly frustrated Manchester United striker said: "Nice to see your home fans booing you. That's loyal supporters."
It has again brought to the fore questions about the temperament of a player whose last World Cup four years ago ended in a red card for stamping on an opponent.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Ousmane Dembele was one of the big names in last summer’s transfer window when he moved from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, and it seems that he will be a regular feature in the gossip pages once again.
Arsenal fans have been discussing the possibility of their club making a swoop for the 21-year-old, who cost Barca in excess of £100m.
The attacking midfielder has struggled to settle into life in the Catalan city, largely due to the fact that his start was disrupted by a serious hamstring injury.
In total this season, Dembele made 22 appearances in all competitions, including 11 starts in La Liga.
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During that time, the midfielder scored four goals and created six assists, but it seems that Barcelona are willing to offload already.
According to Spanish radio station RAC1, the Catalan giants have been contacting European clubs regarding a potential sale.
The identity of the clubs were not mentioned, but Arsenal fans are deliberating whether or not the North London outfit will launch a bid.
The majority do not feel very hopeful, while others think that Liverpool are likely to win the race due to Jurgen Klopp’s style of play.
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