ronaldo stay in england for 08/09

http://www.sforts.com/2008/07/07/calderon-doubts-ron-deal/

kaka on bules

http://www.sforts.com/2008/07/06/galliani-blues-bid-for-kaka/

Fifa vote for 'six-plus-five'

Fifa have voted in favour of the 'six-plus-five' rule which would place restrictions on foreign players.
The president of football's world governing body, Sepp Blatter, hopes to see the initiative implemented by the 2012/13 season.
The ruling would limit the number of overseas players any one team can field in their starting XI to just five.
Fifa have grown increasingly concerned by the number of foreign stars infiltrating Europe's top leagues, with the English Premier League standing out as the most obvious example.
Despite fears from the European Union that the introduction of the rule would contravene freedom of movement regulations, Blatter insists that Fifa would proceed "within the limits of the law".
Balance
"It's to make sure that there is better balance in the competitions and not only three or four teams in a league of 18 or 20 are fighting to be the champion and all the others are just there to not be relegated," said Blatter.
"As (Newcastle manager) Kevin Keegan recently said: 'I can only start my season to fight to be fifth or sixth or seventh. It is impossible for me to go into the final four'.
"At the end of the Champions League in Europe you have in the quarter-finals four teams of the same association; in the semi-finals three of these teams.
"Then in the final you are surprised that you have two teams of the same association?
"We want to bring some remedies and this is the six-plus-five rule's objective."
Incompatible
While Fifa are keen to push on with the idea, Uefa are still calling for a rival 'home-grown' player system to be introduced.
Uefa defines 'home-grown players' as team members who, regardless of age or nationality, have been trained by their club or by another club in the National Association for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
The EU have already given their backing to this concept as it contains no conditions based on nationality and would prefer to see Fifa back down with their controversial proposal.
"Compared with the intentions announced by FIFA to impose the so-called '6-plus-5 rule', which is directly discriminatory and therefore incompatible with the EU law, the 'home-grown players' rule proposed by UEFA seems to me to be proportionate and to comply with the principle of free movement of workers," said EU Commissioner Vladimir Spidla

Robinho - Chelsea want me

Chelsea are prepared to pay £28million to bring Real Madrid star Robinho to Stamford Bridge, according to the player and his agent.
The Brazilian forward has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United, possibly in a swap deal involving Cristiano Ronaldo, but his advisor has now revealed that he has engaged in talks with Chelsea.
Agent Wagner Ribeiro claims he met with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon on Thursday, during which a fee for the player was discussed.
"I met Peter Kenyon, Chelsea managing director, in London on Thursday," said Ribeiro to Brazilian TV station Globo.
"He told me that they (Chelsea) were considering making an offer of 35 million euros for Robinho."
Real possibility
The 24-year-old backed his agent's claim by confirming a firm interest from Chelsea.
"What could happen is that I could go to Chelsea, as I have an offer from them," Robinho added.
Robinho continued to reveal Milan were also monitoring his situation, but talk of a switch to Manchester United was nothing more than conjecture.
"Milan are also interested in me. The Milan directors have asked to hold a meeting with Wagner," he added.
Speculation
"There is nothing from Manchester, that's all just speculation.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is not going to leave there. He's just won the Champions League and he could be crowned the best in the world."
Only last week Robinho claimed he was settled in Spain and had no intention of leaving Madrid, but news of Chelsea's interest will certainly cause a stir in the capital.
Blues owner Roman Abramovich has made no secret of his desire to see a more aesthetically pleasing style of football being played in West London, and Robinho is certainly a player that would meet such criteria.

Blues plan Drogba meeting

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says the club will sit down with Didier Drogba to see if the striker wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has been tipped to leave the Blues over the summer, with Milan confirming he is on their list of transfer targets.
The Ivory Coast ace was sent off in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in midweek, and Buck admits it was a 'silly' red card for the forward to pick up.
But Buck remains hopeful that Drogba will still be in West London next season and is planning to hold talks with the former Marseille man shortly.
Collective decision
''Didier is a superb player generally," Buck told Chelsea TV. "There have been some comments reported to be made by Didier over the last year that maybe he would like to leave Chelsea. On most occasions he has said that he has been misquoted.
"Now that the season is over, we have to sit down with him and see what the story is and what his future is. He is a great player, I hope he stays, but that is a decision the club and Didier will have to make collectively.
"This year he has had some niggling injuries, but we know he can change the course of a game, as he nearly did in Moscow.
"As I have said, he is a superb player, but if you are a world-class player, which he is, you have to avoid the silly red cards, the ones that come about over nothing - and I think Didier will be sorry that he got that red card."
Tweaking squad
Following Chelsea's failure to win a trophy this season, there have been widespread reports of a mass exodus from Stamford Bridge over the summer.
Buck expects Avram Grant's squad to be trimmed during the off-season, but he is not predicting wholesale changes of the playing staff.
He added: "We decided several months ago that our squad size is a few players too many. It is about 28 now and it should really be 22 plus three goalkeepers.
"So there is going to be some movement just to get the squad down to the size we think is optimum. In terms of other transfers generally, every year we want to tweak the squad a bit, so there will be some changes, but I don't expect there to be massive, wholesale changes."

Reds warn Blues off Torres

Liverpool have told Chelsea to forget about making a move for Fernando Torres.
Reports in Spain and England have suggested Chelsea are weighing up a £50million move for the striker after his superb first season in the Premier League last term.
The 24-year-old scored 33 goals in his debut season after arriving from Atletico Madrid last summer.
Reports have suggested Liverpool could be willing to cash-in on Torres, but Reds co-owner , Hicks insists the Reds would never contemplate selling Torres.
Denial"We would never consider it," Hicks told the Daily Telegraph.
A spokesman for Hicks added: "It is simply beyond comprehension. There is no circumstance in which Torres will be sold," Hicks' spokesman told The Mirror.
"Why would the owners invest so much money in supporting the manager, to then undermine that support? It is ludicrous."
Torres has also rejected the speculation saying he is happy to stay at Anfield.
"I am very happy at Liverpool," noted Torres. "I prefer not to think about these stories and to focus on Euro 2008.
"After the Euros I will go on holiday and then return to Liverpool.
Feel good
"This is my team, my city and Anfield is my pitch. I can't tell you how good I feel about playing for Liverpool.
"It is so important to me that the fans think so highly of me. It is fantastic to see my name on the shirts of our fans.
"This was only my first season for Liverpool, and I can say without contradiction I want to play better here for many more yet."

Latics linked with Yebda

Wigan are reported to be lining up a move for Le Mans midfielder Hassan Yebda.
Yebda is out of contract in the summer and he is available on a free transfer after turning down a new deal at Le Mans.
The news has alerted Wigan who are believed to have made contact with the player over a possible move to the JJB Stadium.
Latics boss Steve Bruce is determined to bolster his squad and Yebda's Bosman status make him an attractive proposition for Bruce.
Yebda is believed to be keen on a move to England with the 24-year-old a bid admirer of the Premier League.
Wigan could face a fight for the Frenchman as a number of clubs across Europe are thought to be monitoring his situation.

Arsenal look set to complete their first summer signing by securing a deal for Marseille's Samir Nasri.

The Gunners have been tracking the French international for some time and are believed to be closing in on a £13million transfer.
The 20-year-old has long been regarded as one of the hottest properties in Ligue 1 and it will come as no surprise that he is set to test himself at one of Europe's top clubs.
The youngster is seen as the rightful heir to Zinedine Zidane's crown for his country and is expected to make a major impact at this summer's European Championship.
Interested
Both Nasri and Arsenal are keen to get the formalities of the move sorted before Euro 2008 gets under way, and the player's agent has confirmed that the deal should go through in the next few days.
"Arsenal's offer has caught his interest from a sporting point of view," said Jean-Pierre Bernes.
"In his career plan it is something very interesting for him.
"But he will be leaving Marseille. It will be done in the coming days."
Paperwork
Despite the transfer seemingly set for imminent completion, Arsenal have been quick to play down suggestions that the deal is a forgone conclusion and insist that no formal announcement will be made until the necessary paperwork, including international clearance, is completed.
A club spokesperson said: "There has been no signing yet. In line with our usual policy, we will only announce when they are done.

Chelsea: Mancini awaiting Blues call

MILAN- Roberto Mancini will not tout himself to Chelsea and is content to sit tight and await their call.
Mystery surrounds the Italian's apparent departure from Internazionale, with the club yet to confirm his exit from the San Siro.
But what looks increasingly clear is that the former Sampdoria forward is vying with Blackburn's Mark Hughes and Luiz Felipe Scolari to replace Avram Grant, who was sacked at the weekend.
But Chelsea are taking their time over the appointment and have yet to get in touch with Mancini, who seemingly left Inter on Tuesday.
"As of now there is no contact with Chelsea," said Mancini's advisor, Maurizio de Giorgis.
"Roberto Mancini is not a person or coach who likes to propose himself to a club, he waits for a club to look after him so we are in that position right now. We are not proposing Mancini to any club.
"It's a natural consequence of what has happened. Chelsea are one of the top five clubs in the world so it is more likely, if there will be any talk, there is more chance of it to happen now than before.
"There are chances but at the moment, as of today, there has been no official contact with Chelsea or any other team."
Mancini has made no secret of his desire to coach a side capable of challenging for the UEFA Champions League crown and he would certainly get that opportunity with Chelsea.
Chelsea's ongoing search for a replacement for Grant is believed to be concentrating on Mancini, Hughes and Scolari.
Their interest in former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard is thought to have cooled while Russia coach Guus Hiddink has already ruled himself out.
Former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps insists he is on the shortlist but the Blues, as expected, have made no official comment.
The interest in Hughes, a former Blues player, was greeted with approval by fans on Chelsea TV but Mancini's CV ticks all the major boxes for the English club.
Mancini's replacement at Internazionale is set to be Chelsea's former coach Jose Mourinho. The 'Special One' is expected to be given a three-year deal and unveiled imminently.

Man United: Queiroz hits out in Ronaldo row

MANCHESTER- Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz has launched an extraordinary attack on the Spanish nation and Real Madrid in particular over what he believes are attempts to "naturalise" Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese coach draws a bizarre comparison between the player and Christopher Columbus.
Real Madrid have made no secret of their desire to recruit Ronaldo, prompting United to consider reporting them to FIFA.
But Queiroz feels Madrid's outspoken courting of his Portuguese compatriot is about more than their wish to snap up the gifted winger, claiming it is part of the long history and rivalry between Portugal and Spain.
"Cristiano Ronaldo will never be Spanish! As they will never take Olivenca again," he told Portuguese newspaper Jornal do Noticias, referring to the small town on the disputed border between the two countries.
Queiroz also delved further into the historic rivalry, alluding to explorer Christopher Columbus - who both countries claim as theirs - and the 60-year Philippine Dynasty when Portugal was ruled by three Spanish kings until the bloodless revolution of 1640.
"They already did the same with Christopher Columbus, and it now seems they want to naturalise Cristiano Ronaldo," added the United number two.
"Have they already forgotten what we did to them in the past? We will never lose our patience."
With Portugal preparing for Euro 2008, Queiroz knows the furore surrounding Ronaldo's future could not have come at a worse time.
"It's being done in a manner to distract the Portugal team, at the height of their preparations for the European Championships," he said.
"But I am convinced that despite pressure from the Spanish sporting press he will not accept to change his nationality.
"However, it is an attack with a well-defined strategy and Portugal should be worried about that."
Meanwhile, defender Gerard Pique has paid tribute to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after returning to Barcelona.
"I am leaving with some very special memories, most of all the experience of being part of a fantastic group," he told www.manutd.com.
"Obviously I would have liked to have played more this season, but the manager has always treated me in an exceptional manner, for which I am extremely grateful.
"I would like the fans to know that I will always carry United in my heart and I hope that they understand my decision to go back to my home club."

Man United: Club issues FIFA threat to Madrid over Ronaldo

MANCHESTER- Manchester United have insisted they may report Real Madrid to FIFA over their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Premier League and European champions issued a statement this evening describing their "growing irritation" at continuing comments seemingly emerging from the Spanish club concerning their interest in the Portugal attacker.
The statement, released on their website, manutd.com, said: "Manchester United has watched with growing irritation the comments attributed to Real Madrid over their alleged desire to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The facts are: the player is on a long-term contract and his registration is held by Manchester United; The player is not for sale.
"The club will have no alternative but to report Real Madrid to the world governing body, FIFA, if it continues to behave in this totally unacceptable fashion. These public attempts to unsettle the player are completely against the regulations and the club will not tolerate them any longer.
"In addition, the club is certain that they are a distraction for the Portuguese national squad as they prepare for the European Championships. No one should be in any doubt that Manchester United will do everything in its power to keep its best players."
Madrid coach Bernd Schuster confirmed Ronaldo is his club's number one summer transfer target.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already voiced his dislike of Madrid touting for Ronaldo, pointing out their major domestic rivals, Barcelona, refrain from public expressions of admiration for other clubs' players.
That tactic has worked for Barca in securing the services of United defender Gerard Pique on a four-year contract on Tuesday.
But with any softly-softly approach for Ronaldo almost certain to meet with failure, Real have decided to come out all guns blazing.
And Schuster's latest comments seem to have prompted a curt response from United today.
Ferguson is sure to be infuriated by Schuster referring to the 23-year-old in a manner that would suggest the signing has virtually been completed.
"There are other players we have been looking at but everything has slowed down a little due to all this Cristiano Ronaldo business, seeing as he is the big priority for the club," said Schuster.
"The English way has been a perfect education for a player with such exceptional individual talent.
"There he has learned to enjoy his football as a complete professional. This means we would get a Cristiano who would arrive here with his lessons learned."
Given such a statement, Ferguson is probably glad he is due to embark on his annual summer holiday next week, thus avoiding what is sure to be a regular stream of stories linking Ronaldo with a move to Madrid.
For his part, the United boss is adamant Ronaldo neither wants to, nor will be, leaving Old Trafford this summer, claiming last week the acid test of the relationship between player and club will not be faced for another two years.
By that time, Ferguson expects his team to have added at least one more European Cup to a tally they took to three with their penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in Moscow last week.
In addition, they could have overtaken Liverpool's record of 18 English championships; United moving to within one with their latest success, the 10th of Ferguson's 23-year stint as manager.
Not that Real are likely to be dissuaded by history.
Although they, like United, have won back-to-back titles, European success has remained frustratingly out of reach since 2002 for the nine-time winners, a record Schuster is determined to put right with Ronaldo leading the charge.
"Cristiano would help us in a lot of ways, without a doubt, but we can't stop with just him," he explained.
"He'll be expensive and we'll have to pay a lot of money, but we need more players because he won't be enough.
"For a few months now we have had a plan and we know what we want, but now Alexander Hleb has been added to that plan.
"We didn't know he would be able to leave Arsenal, but now it seems he will."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will be about as happy with Schuster as Ferguson but the German, who has impressed at Real since replacing England boss Fabio Capello at the end of last season, is not likely to be influenced by that.
He certainly does not see the man expected to be confirmed as the world's best player in December being a problem to his squad, no matter what massive price tag is attached and what attention he attracts. After all, this is the club that signed David Beckham.
"In this Madrid side, the kid wouldn't create any problems," he said.
"For the fans this signing would be an amazing explosion similar to what happened here when Beckham arrived.
"This isn't England, and that change will affect him. We have to be clever about this and sort this problem out for the kid."