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CONCACAF Gold Cup™ Semifinal USA v Panama, Wednesday 6/22 live at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX Soccer! For a complete match schedule, click here
HOUSTON - Michael Bradley won't be returning to Aston Villa after new manager Alex McLeish decided not to pick up the club's option to purchase the American midfielder.

Instead, Bradley will continue to feature for the United States during the Gold Cup while keeping any options for his future open.

Bradley's agent Ron Waxman confirmed Aston Villa's decision to Goal.com via email.

"Michael will not be joining Aston Villa on a permanent transfer," Waxman said.

As he updated reporters Tuesday about his status, Bradley seemed resigned to finishing out the last year of his contract with the Borussia Mönchengladbach if necessary but would prefer to find a solution that is mutually beneficial to both sides.

"I've got a year left on my contract there so we’ll see what happens," said Bradley, before adding, "If something comes up, that’s good for Gladbach and good for me, I’ll look at it. Otherwise, another year at Gladbach."

Given Gladbach's financial situation, the club would likely prefer to sell the the 23-year-old now rather than let his contract run out. However, the club isn't against Bradley's return.

"We are trying to reach Michael by telephone," Borussia sporting director Max Eberl told Bild. "If there are no other option for him he'll train with Gladbach after the Gold Cup and his vacation. He has one more year left on his contract."

Bradley is currently with the U.S. national team in Houston ahead of the Gold Cup semifinal against Panama.

With his club futures of several United States team players still in limbo, Bradley believes that international competition is beneficial because it allows those players, himself included, to focus solely on the national team.

"You get to get away from all of that," Bradley said. "One of the special things about this team is that when guys come in, we are committed to [the U.S. national team] and we don’t let things on the outside distract us."

He added, "It's been nice to be here [in the Gold Cup] and concentrate on the things at hand."

Michael Bradley | A vital cog for the U.S. team, less so for Aston Villa

Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Ogugchi Onyewu, Freddy Adu and even Clint Dempsey all have uncertain statuses within their current club teams. Wednesday's match marks the Stars and Stripes' fifth over the span of 17 days, so there has been limited time to think about anything else aside from fitness and the next opponent.

Still, in a rare moment of pause, Bradley opened up on his perspective about what's happened with his own current situation.

"My experience at Villa was a good one but it is a new situation [now],” he said. "With a new manager coming in, it's totally understandable that it is his club and he wants to have his say on the team."

"On my end, its good because I don't want to be at a place where I am not wanted," he said.

Bradley’s loan to the Birmingham-based club was based on a fractured relationship between the midfielder and then-coach Michael Frontzeck at Gladbach. In May, the club explained that it never wanted to let Bradley leave the club and, now under new management, it appeared as if Bradley was open to returning to the German club.

"No doors are closed," said Bradley to Goal.com after the U.S. friendly 4-0 loss to Spain earlier this month. "I'm just trying to keep all options open at this point."

Alex Labidou is the Deputy Editor of Goal.com USA. Agree or disagree with the story above? Give him a shout @sportslab on Twitter.

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Labels: after, Aston, Bradley, decline, Goalcom, keeping, Michael, Midfielder, options, purchasing, Villa

BANGKOK (AP)—Winfried Schaefer is set to be appointed as coach of Thailand’s national team.

Local media reported Wednesday that former Cameroon coach Schaefer signed a memorandum of understanding with the Football Association of Thailand president Worawi Makudi.

Reports put the salary at almost $50,000 per month for three years.

He would replace former Manchester United great Bryan Robson, who resigned earlier this month after successful cancer treatment.

Schaefer, a German, led Cameroon to the African Nations Cup title in 2002 and coached the team at that year’s World Cup. He was most recently in charge of Azerbaijan club Baku.

Labels: after, coach, Robsons, Schaefer, Thailand

* Everton make it seven wins out of eight against City

* Chink of light for Spurs and Liverpool (adds quotes)

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Manchester City fans are used to their team doing things the hard way so they will have hardly been surprised when, with fourth place there for the taking, they fell to a 2-1 Premier League defeat by Everton on Saturday.

The result made it seven wins in eight meetings for the Toffees and ensured a nervous finale to the season with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, who visit City on Tuesday, still in with an outside chance of overhauling them and snatching the Champions League qualifying round slot.

City, who face Stoke City in the FA Cup final next week, are fourth on 62 points from 35 games. Fifth-placed Liverpool have 55 from 35 and Tottenham Hotspur, who host Blackpool later on Saturday, have 55 from 34.

Arsenal, who visit Stoke on Sunday, have 67 points while Chelsea are second on 70 and Manchester United top on 73 ahead of their crunch title clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

West Ham United ended a run of five defeats with a 1-1 home draw against Blackburn Rovers but remain bottom of the standings and destined for relegation after Robbie Keane missed a glorious late chance to win it.

Wigan Athletic, who host West Ham next week, drew 1-1 at Aston Villa to climb above Blackpool out of the relegation zone.

Birmingham City are still not safe, four points above the drop zone after another defeat, 2-1 at Newcastle United, but Sunderland are after their late 2-1 win at Bolton Wanderers.

CLASSY SILVA

Manchester City looked to have overcome their problems against Everton as they dominated the first half at Goodison Park.

David Silva looked a class above anyone else on the pitch and quickly set up Patrick Vieira, who blazed over the bar.

He was the provider again after 28 minutes when Yaya Toure lifted the ball over Tim Howard for a deserved lead. Silva sent Toure through again after an hour but this time Howard saved well to deny him a second and City paid a heavy price.

Sylvain Distin equalised against his former club when he headed in a Mikel Arteta free kick in the 65th minute and seven minutes later Phil Neville swung in a cross which Leon Osman thumped in with a magnificent header.

“It was impossible to lose this game today after all the chances we had,” City manager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports.

“I don’t know why we stayed too deep in the second half, for 15 minutes we kept our defenders near the box and for them it was easy to play the long ball. It was strange, but we didn’t deserve to lose.

“The players need to learn that when we have a chance to score we can’t be selfish, it’s not important who scores.”

The Italian, however, had no concerns about hanging on to fourth place. “We don’t have a problem for this…if we had won today we could have prepared very well for the FA Cup final but now we’ll have to play very hard on Tuesday.”

Everton have been one of the form teams of the second half of the season, although their run has come a little late.

However, manager David Moyes was delighted with the performance of his seventh-placed side.

“A brilliant performance by our players in the second half, it didn’t look likely after 45 minutes and we did well to come in only 1-0 down,” he said.

“We started showing our spirit and our attitude and it was a great goal to win it.”

(Editing by Martyn Herman; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Labels: after, Everton, fourth, Reuters

JOHANNESBURG, March 18 (Reuters) - South African club Orlando Pirates have received a suspended fine after one of their fans threw porridge at a referee, the country’s Premier Soccer League said on Friday.

The Soweto club, among the front runners for the league title this season, were hit with a suspended 50,000 rand ($7,106) fine after pleading guilty to a charge of spectator misbehaviour and bringing the game into disrepute.

A supporter hurled a handful of stodgy porridge, which South Africans commonly eat with most meals, at the referee at the end of a comfortable away win for the Pirates in Durban in January.

In October last year, arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs were handed a suspended 500,000 rand ($71,060) fine after angry fans threw two plastic vuvuzelas and a cabbage on to the pitch during a cup tie to protest about refereeing decisions.

The throwing of missiles by frustrated fans was a major problem in South African soccer for some time but has almost disappeared in recent years.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Martyn Herman) To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Labels: after, attack, Pirates, porridge, Reuters, suspended, swallow

BORDEAUX, France, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Girondins Bordeaux coach Jean Tigana has decided to stay after his resignation was rejected and a meeting with club officials on Monday reassured him about his position and the side’s prospects.

“The doubts have been lifted, it’s all in the past,” Tigana told reporters after leaving the meeting.

The 2009 French champions are mired in midtable and lost 5-1 at FC Lorient on Feb. 19 but had given their under pressure coach a boost by beating Auxerre 3-0 on Saturday.

The former Fulham boss cut an enigmatic figure in the post-match news conference following the Auxerre game however, hinting all was not well.

His assistant coach Michel Pavon also left in mysterious circumstances last week.

Tigana only took over at Bordeaux in the close-season when Laurent Blanc left to coach France and knew his task would be difficult when the club sold top midfielder Yoann Gourcuff to Olympique Lyon in August.

Striker Marouane Chamakh also quit to join Arsenal last year.

(Reporting by Claude Canellas, writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Justin Palmer;

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Labels: after, Bordeaux, coach, Reuters, stays, talks, Tigana

So lightning doesn't strike twice. But short of bowling and fielding in metal boots in Nagpur yesterday, England could not have left themselves more open to another shock defeat by the Dutch before eventually launching their World Cup with a badly needed win.

The batting was hardly electrifying, either, but having allowed the opposition to score 292 for six – and that is to take nothing away from a brilliant knock of 119 by Ryan ten Doeschate – Andrew Strauss's team hauled themselves across the winning line with half a dozen wickets and eight balls to spare.

It sounds almost comfortable, doesn't it? Make no mistake, though, England were sweating until the penultimate over when Ravi Bopara – the injury replacement for broken-finger victim Eoin Morgan – hit a six, the only one of the entire innings, and two fours off medium-pacer Bernard Loots.

With those blows, Bopara made sure the Netherlands would not repeat their stunning, last-ball victory over England at Lord's in the 2009 World Twenty20. Strauss's men can also say they have registered the third highest run-chase in World Cup history. But the feeling in their dressing room last night had to be one of enormous relief – and a realisation that a repeat of this sort of performance against better sides than the Dutch will bring only humiliation.

Strauss had warned his team they would be in trouble if the Netherlands played well and their own performance was 10 per cent under par. In fact, the men in orange were terrific – and England dire in the first half of the game with some dreadful bowling and fielding.

Yes, the pitch was good and the outfield fast. But Jimmy Anderson, who conceded 72 runs from his 10 overs and bowled more dross in this match than throughout his three-month tour of Australia, set the tone for a performance which only Graeme Swann saved from being a total write-off.

Anderson began so badly with the new ball that Strauss hauled him out of the firing line after a couple of overs. But it did not get any better for the Ashes hero when he returned later on – and he could have been ordered from the attack by the umpires for sending down two illegal deliveries above waist height. Unfortunately for Anderson, the officials were lenient. He stayed on and Dutch captain Peter Borren promptly hit him for three consecutive boundaries at the end of the innings.

England surely erred by not picking a second specialist spinner with both Michael Yardy and James Tredwell left redundant. Swann, who could have been excused for looking rusty after not arriving in India until Sunday night, conceded only 35 runs from his 10 overs while taking two wickets. And while it could be argued that extra batsman Bopara came in handy, another slow bowler might have kept the target to much more manageable proportions.

But it was not only the bowling that betrayed England. A side that has come to pride itself on being a top-class fielding unit had a day that will give specialist coach Richard Halsall nightmares for weeks to come. At least three catches were dropped, there were misfields and overthrows and even a complete lack of concentration by Paul Collingwood, who failed to give England a fourth man inside the circle and therefore turned the delivery from Stuart Broad that bowled Borren into a new ball.

Nothing, though, summed up England's performance in the field better than the moment when Ten Doeschate skied a shot and watched with as much amazement as anyone else as Anderson and Pietersen left the catch to one another. Ten Doeschate, the 30-year-old Essex all-rounder, had made 47 – and he went on to more than double that score before being dismissed by Broad.

"We got a lot of things wrong with our bowling and fielding," said Strauss, who could do no more, at least in public, than state the obvious. "We have to improve as the tournament goes on."

The saving grace, of course, is that England did not lose – leaving Ten Doeschate with nothing more to celebrate than a man of the match award. For a long time it looked as if the player whose three previous ODI centuries were scored against Kenya (two) and Bermuda would be a match-winner.

He began slowly, taking 12 balls to get going. From then on, though, the innings was perfectly paced with 52 coming off his final 26 deliveries as the Dutch showed how to make good use of the final power play – plundering 50 from five overs towards the end.

England could not afford to make a stuttering start. They didn't, with Strauss and Pietersen putting on 105 at the required rate. But Pietersen lost his way and it was left to Strauss to take control with a reassuring innings of 88. And yet, whenever it looked as though the favourites would win at a reasonable canter, the Dutch struck back to keep the contest on a knife edge.

Jonathan Trott fell victim to a wonderful stumping and Ten Doeschate looked every inch a hero once again when bowling Ian Bell as the batsman tried to make room with 52 runs needed and only seven overs left.

It was crisis time, but fortunately for England, Collingwood and Bopara were cool enough to cope.

England's field day

1st over, Netherlands 7-0

Tim Bresnan misfields, deflecting Wesley Barresi's shot over the boundary.

19th over, 88-2

Further sloppy fielding allows the Netherlands to add runs, as Ian Bell's needless throw bounces over Matt Prior's head and runs away for overthrows.

28th over, 136-2

Tom Cooper cuts to long leg where Kevin Pietersen drops a catch to his right.

31st over, 147-3

James Anderson and Pietersen both go for a Ryan ten Doeschate shot before leaving it for one another to claim.

41st over, 199-4

Ian Bell slides to prevent a two but kicks it a further 10 metres instead.

45th over, 239-5

Jonathan Trott's direct hit deflects off the stumps past Andrew Strauss's dive and goes for four overthrows.

46th over, 253-5

Anderson bowls a full waist-high delivery to Ten Doeschate, which is declared a no-ball. It whistles past Matt Prior's glove, conceding a no-ball and four byes.

47th over, 259-5

Peter Borren sweeps Bresnan to short fine leg but Trott fails to hold the catch.

49th over, 284-6

Stuart Broad bowls Borren, only for the umpire to signal a no-ball owing to four fielders not being inside the 30m circle.

50th over, 292-6

Graeme Swann drops a simple catch off Borren.

Harry Brooks

Nagpur scoreboard

England v Netherlands

Nagpur: England (2pts) beat Netherlands by six wickets; Netherlands won toss

Netherlands

A N Kervezee c Prior b Bresnan 16/0/2/25/24

†W Barresi st Prior b Swann 29/0/6/25/48

T L Cooper c Anderson b Collingwood 47/0/3/73/83

R ten Doeschate c Bopara b Broad 119/3/9/110/160

B Zuiderent c Collingwood b Swann 1/0/0/10/18

T N de Grooth b Broad 28/0/3/31/47

*P W Borren not out 35/0/4/24/41

Mudassar Bukhari not out 6/0/0/5/10

Extras (b3 lb3 w2 nb3) 11

Total (for 6, 50 overs) 292

Fall 1-36, 2-58, 3-136, 4-149, 5-213, 6-274.

Did not bat P M Seelaar, B P Loots, B A Westdijk.

Bowling J M Anderson 10-0-72-0, S C J Broad 10-2-65-2, T T Bresnan 10-0-49-1, G P Swann 10-0-35-2, P D Collingwood 8-0-46-1, K P Pietersen 2-0-19-0.

England

*A J Strauss c Cooper b Bukhari 88/0/9/83/113

K P Pietersen c Borren b Seelaar 39/0/5/61/70

I J L Trott st Barresi b ten Doeschate 62/0/4/65/89

I R Bell b ten Doeschate 33/0/1/40/61

P D Collingwood not out 30/0/3/23/39

R S Bopara not out 30/1/2/20/25

Extras (b1 lb2 w11) 14

Total (for 4, 48.4 overs) 296

Fall 1-105, 2-166, 3-224, 4-241.

Did not bat †M J Prior, T T Bresnan, S C J Broad, G P Swann, J M Anderson.

Bowling Mudassar Bukhari 9-0-54-1, B A Westdijk 7-0-41-0, B P Loots 9.4-0-74-0, P M Seelaar 10-0-54-1, R N ten Doeschate 10-0-47-2, T L W Cooper 3-0-23-0.

Umpires Asad Rauf and B N J Oxenford.

England's remaining Group B fixtures (times GMT)

27 Feb India, Bangalore, 09.00

2 Mar Ireland, Bangalore, 09.00

6 Mar South Africa, Chennai, 04.00

11 Mar Bangladesh, Chittagong, 08.30

17 Mar West Indies, Chennai, 09.00

Labels: abysmal, after, Bopara, England, errors, fielding, Independent, saved

BRUSSELS (AP)—FC Brugge got rid of former international goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen after his entourage was linked to comments on a fan website lauding his performance and criticizing rivals.

Stijnen had already been sent down to the “B” team last week for “damaging the interests and image” of the club, but on Monday both sides decided to “end their cooperation with immediate effect.”

After the story of the two-year internet slander campaign surfaced and put the goalkeeper at the heart of the accusations, his brother and girlfriend claimed they, not Stijnen, had written the comments.

Labels: after, Brugge, campaign, goalkeeper, slander

MARSEILLE, France, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Marseille forward Mathieu Valbuena has made a rapid recovery from a knee problem and could face Manchester United in Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg (1945 GMT) in southern France.

The France international had looked set to miss the game after sustaining an injury on Jan. 22 which the French champions described as “pretty serious”.

However, the club said in a statement he was back training fully with the group and media reports are speculating he could make an immediate return.

His involvement could provide a major boost to Didier Deschamps and his team after striker Andre-Pierre Gignac was ruled out of the game with a groin problem.

Fellow forwards Loic Remy and Brandao also suffered injuries in Saturday’s 2-1 Ligue 1 win over St Etienne but are both set to be available on Wednesday having rested on Monday.

(Reporting by Francois Revilla; Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Labels: after, Marseilles, quick, Recovery, Reuters, United, Valbuena

BURNLEY rued a second-half collapse as they bowed out of the FA Cup with a 5-1 fifth round defeat at West Ham.

But manager Eddie Howe is determined to focus on the positives as they bid to keep their top six Championship push on track.

The Clarets were proving more than a match for the Premier League strugglers, who named a strong line-up despite their relegation battle and having already reached the Carling Cup semi-final last month.

FROM BACK PAGE Howe counted his players unlucky to fall behind to Thomas Hitzlsperger’s strike in the 23rd minute but went into the second half with confidence after a bright end to the first.

However, the game took an unexpected twist as Carlton Cole made it 3-0 by the 50th minute.

Winston Reid and Freddie Sears made it more comfortable for the Hammers, either side of Jay Rodriguez’s consolation goal.

“I thought it could have been very different,” said Howe.

“In the first half I thought we were excellent and very unfortunate to go in one down at the break.

“We had a bad start to the second half, there’s no denying that.

“Defensively we looked a little shaky and West Ham punished us.

“But I thought there were a lot of positives to take from the game, a few things we need to work on, but the result could have been very different.

“If we could have got the first goal it goes without saying it could have made all the difference.

“We had a really good spell where we were keeping the ball and creating chances, the ball just didn’t fall for us in the box at times and their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves.

“But at the start of the second half the game was over.

“Once you go 3-0 down you’ve got to try to chase the game and it’s very difficult.”

But as attentions turn to back to the Championship on Saturday, and a derby at relegation-threatened Preston, Howe will look to quickly put the disappointment of this cup exit to bed.

“There’s a lot to take,” he said.

“We know we’ve got a talented squad and we know the areas where we think we’re very strong and I think we proved that today.

“I thought we passed and moved the ball really well in the first half.

“The result sort of takes the gloss off that. We know there are areas we can improve. The second half was a disappointment in terms of our defending and we got a little frustrated.

“All in all we’ve had a good little run in the FA Cup and now our focus has to turn to the league.”

Labels: after, Burnley, focus, Lancashire, Telegraph

Labels: after, Algeria, called, cancelled, Egypt, match, Reuters

What a week. There has never been anything like it in those 24 years: being asked to talk to a radio station in New Zealand, nonstop work, and by the time I had finished yesterday's match preview, about 10,000 words written on Crawley in seven days.

When the fifth-round draw was made, there were supporters in the club bar who had followed the club through thin and thinner for more than 30 years. There was more elation at the pairing with Manchester United than there had been 24 hours earlier after the fourth-round win at Torquay United.

It really has been nonstop. My paper, the Argus, is based in Brighton and has had the home-town club's exploits to report, too. We did a 20-page "FA Cup Fever" special on Saturday, covering both Sussex sides (it's the first time two from the county have made it this far) and we could easily have filled a 40-page supplement. It is strangely gratifying when you go into Tesco and see people devouring every word. It is a story that gathers its own momentum very quickly, though it can still upset some readers. The front-page splash the day after the draw was all about Crawley's £2m game, yet a few Brighton fans rang up to complain about unbalanced coverage.

This week was always going to be busy, but there was also a league game at Wrexham on Tuesday to fit in. The match ended 0-0 and fortunately there were no "injury heartache" stories – just a nice line instead about Sir Alex Ferguson being there on a spying mission. "A lot of people are talking about these boys – I thought I'd take a look for myself," he said.

We got back to Crawley at 2.30am on Wednesday and later in the day it was time to field a dozen or so calls from journalists from the national press asking for information and phone numbers. Then the news desk needed help tracking down fans from New Zealand, Hong Kong, the US and Canada who were coming over for the game.

Thursday was the club's press day and nearly 60 journalists, radio and TV crews, and photographers turned up. The players looked overwhelmed and who can blame them? Normally there are three of us covering the club home and away. But they seemed to revel in it, especially Ben Smith when he was asked to compare the cars the Crawley players drove with those of their United counterparts. The club organised it well and have coped with the past three weeks superbly, selling 9,000 tickets, shedloads of merchandise, organising 27 supporters' coaches and dealing with worldwide media interest. All with a full-time staff of four.

The Sun have their name on the shirts and enjoyed more access to the team as a result, but speaking to Steve Evans and the players throughout the past couple of weeks has never been a problem. When all the fuss is over, it will be back to the usual suspects watching Southport at home on Tuesday night.

And so to the big day. I get there way too early and feel a bit like a tourist wandering around Old Trafford for an hour before we can get into the ground. It is surreal watching players I am used to seeing perform in far more humble surroundings on one of the biggest stages in world football and playing with more belief than a few Premier League teams have at Old Trafford this season. The final whistle blows and reality bites: six pages to fill. Next away trip: Kidderminster two weeks on Tuesday.

Bruce Talbot is the Crawley Town correspondent for the Argus, Brighton

Labels: after, Crawley, Guardian, Manchester, Southport, United

Labels: after, Modric, Reuters, Spurss, surgery, weeks

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists his side have the advantage over Sparta Prague following the 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Europa League tie in the Czech Republic.

The stand-in Reds captain believes his side are in pole position ahead of the second leg at Anfield next week despite not getting an away goal.

He told Five: "A goalless draw away from home is always a decent result but you would like the away goal of course.

"But it is advantage us. We just have to make sure they don't get the away goal now."

Kenny Dalglish took charge of his first European game as Liverpool manager nd despite the stalemate, Carragher is not worried by the lack of goals.

He added: "The last few weeks we have been winning games and scoring goals, but tonight we haven't done that.

"In Europe it is a slightly different game, especially with two legs but we are quite pleased with a 0-0 draw."

Liverpool, who were without the injured Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Andy Carroll and the cup-tied Luis Suarez, will now fancy their chances of getting a positive result at Anfield.

Carragher continued: "The manager changed a few players around so it was a good experience for a few players.

"But now we just have to make sure we do the job at Anfield."

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Labels: Advantage, after, Carragher, Defender, Goalcom, Jamie, Liverpool, Prague, Sparta, Stalemate

* Contador cleared to compete after appeal accepted

* International cycling union to study decision

* Spaniard can join up with his Saxo Bank team (Adds UCI statement, RFEC statement, details)

Alberto Contador is free to compete again after Spain's cycling federation (RFEC) lifted his one-year doping ban on Tuesday but the Tour de France champion still faces the threat of possible appeals by two global bodies.

Contador said he was "relieved and obviously happy" at the decision, though the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) could yet appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"It has been some very stressful months for me," Contador said in a statement on his team's website (www.saxobank-sungard.com).

"To both the team and the authorities I have explained that I never cheated or deliberately took a banned substance."

Contador has been banned since August after testing positive for a small amount of the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol on his way to victory in last year's Tour, his third win in the sport's most important race.

The UCI said it reserved the right to study the reasons behind the RFEC decision before expressing an opinion.

"Once this documentation (from the RFEC) has been received, the UCI will issue its decision within 30 days," the body said in a statement.

WADA noted in a later statement it would have another 21 days to determine whether or not to use its independent right of appeal to the CAS.

Tuesday's ruling means Contador will be able to join up with his team Saxo Bank, conceivably in time to defend his title at the Tour of Algarve starting on Wednesday.

CONTAMINATED MEAT

The 28-year-old Contador has always denied deliberate wrongdoing, saying the failed test was due to contaminated meat. His team's owner Bjarne Riis said the Spaniard had been vindicated by Tuesday's ruling.

"This decision is indeed proof that the relevant authorities do not find grounds for believing that Alberto has committed any intentional doping offence," Riis said.

"We take note of this decision and fully respect it, but we are also sensitive to the fact that the parties of this case still have the right to appeal this decision."

Spanish media reported that the RFEC's disciplinary committee reversed their decision because it could not prove intent or negligence on Contador's part.

Announcing his appeal against the RFEC's original one-year ban, Contador had criticised "obsolete" doping controls in cycling. He was backed by the local media, the general public and by the RFEC's president, who was not a part of the disciplinary proceedings.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero entered the fray last week.

"There is no legal reason to sanction Contador," he said on the government's Twitter feed.

Labels: after, Again, CyclingContador, Eurosport, lifted, Yahoo

"I couldn't believe it," said Mr Long, who was taking his two children to school. "He asked if we were OK and pushed the car to safety. We were stuck on the A10 roundabout for about ten minutes, which was pretty dangerous. He got us out of a sticky situation."

Labels: after, aposin, aweapos, Beckham, David, Driver, Scotsman

The club’s board made a “unanimous” decision to relieve the Italian of his duties and place him on ‘gardening leave’ after their 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, which completed a run of 13 defeats in the club’s last 18 matches.

Di Matteo’s departure – with West Brom outside the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference alone – prompted rumours that Sam Allardyce or Martin O’Neill might return to management.

However, former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton was established as the bookmakers’ early favourite. Brighton manager Gus Poyet — a former team-mate of Di Matteo’s and currently fourth in the League Managers Association’s performance table — and St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes are also understood to be in the frame.

Close friends of Di Matteo said he was irritated not to have been able to make proper reinforcements last month and in a statement released through the LMA, the 40 year-old explained that he was shocked by the club’s decision.

“I was extremely surprised and disappointed to be relieved of my duties,” he said. “Winning promotion to the Premier League with West Brom last season was without doubt one of the highlights of my career and certainly my managerial career.

“Playing in this league is tough and we have had to compete against some fantastic sides, but we have shown that we can compete with the best. Apart from the first week of the season, the club has not been in the bottom three. I am disappointed that I don’t now have the chance to lead the team through this crucial period and keep them in the league.’’

Richard Bevan, chief executive of LMA, added: “Roberto represents yet another victim of the ‘hire and fire’ mentality that pervades in our game.”

Di Matteo’s dismissal was also met with surprise by supporters, not only because West Brom have not been known as a sacking club – as chairman Jeremy Peace was at pains to point out, they have had just four managers in 11 years — but because of the relative progress made by the side. Despite their 6-0 opening-day defeat at Chelsea, the team enjoyed a strong start to the season, making a brief appearance in the top four.

Di Matteo was praised for his commitment to attacking football, yet Peace said in a statement that the board had lost confidence in his ability to pull the club out of its tailspin.

“Our poor sequence of results stretches back more than three months and there has been little sign of it coming to an end,” he said. “If this run continues much longer, achieving our goal of retaining our Premier League status will become increasingly difficult. That is why we felt compelled to act now.”

Control has temporarily been handed to first-team coach Michael Appleton but the club hope to have a new head coach installed in time for a crucial home match against West Ham this weekend, and certainly before the following Sunday’s home fixture against Wolves.

Although Allardyce, O’Neill and Martin Jol have been mentioned as possible replacements, the club have stressed that any appointee would be required to fit into the club’s “existing set-up” and work under sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth.

Labels: after, defeats, disastrous, Matteo, Results, Roberto, Telegraphcouk

When children are literally up to their gills with the learning and sport

activities in school, it may seem superfluous to enroll them for after

school activities. In spite of this, after school programs are sprouting

up in large numbers and most of these are booked full. This shows that

there is a real need for after school activities.

The unavailability of parental supervision is the leading cause for the

surge in after school programs. It is seen that many children spend about

20-25 hours a week unsupervised and alone at home. And as the saying

goes, "An idle mind is a devil's workshop". Children who are left alone

to contend with too much free time invariably fall into the wrong

company. Drug abuse, alcohol, tobacco and crime come knocking at their

doors sooner rather than later. Parents enroll children to various after

school programs to keep them occupied in a productive manner. This way,

the kids are free to enjoy themselves in a supervised activity.

Crime is considered to be at its peak during the after school hours,

between 3- 4 p.m. During such a time, children need protection. Getting

the children together under one roof and encouraging them to participate

in a group activity is protection enough. It diverts the children from

ennui too.

Obesity is a matter of growing concern in this country. It is noticed

that more and more children are becoming couch potatoes. After school,

many of them relax on the sofa with packets of chips, cool drinks or

chocolates while they watch T.V. 30 % of the kids below the age of 19 are

considered overweight, and about 15% of these are obese. An after school

program ensures that the child shakes off his lethargy and keeps himself

busy. This also helps to reduce the child's fascination for T.V and

computer games.

After school activities that promote social awareness develop the

individual's sense of social responsibility. It is seen that these sorts

of programs not only keep kids out of trouble, but also help to produce

responsible citizens. To that extent, they are valuable building blocks

in a child's personality.

Times are changing and parents want their children to excel in academics

as well as in other activities. This may be a reflection of the parent's

unfulfilled desire to excel - a remnant from his own childhood. Whatever

the reason, parents today encourage their children to enroll themselves

in various programs and develop the various facets of their

individuality. Children too seem to be comfortable learning many things

at the same time, and gain satisfaction from this.

Labels: activities, after, school

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 6:18 PM on 6th February 2011

Robbie Keane looks to be out of the Republic of Ireland's Carling Nations Cup opener against Wales after picking up a calf injury in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Birmingham.

Keane, who scored on his Hammers debut at Blackpool on Wednesday, had to come off with 15 minutes of Sunday's match at Upton Park remaining after feeling his calf tighten.

West Ham boss Avram Grant said that he believes the 30-year-old is out of Tuesday's game in Dublin and could miss next weekend's crucial match at West Brom.

Grant said: 'Robbie Keane is injured. His calf has tightened. We will have to wait and see. I hope he will be fit for next weekend but he will not be fit for the international.'

Celtic's Anthony Stokes was placed on standby for a call-up when Giovanni Trapattoni named his squad last week and could replace Keane if he is pulled out.

Bristol City striker Andy Keogh had to be drafted into the Republic squad on Saturday after Newcastle striker Leon Best was injured in his side`s remarkable 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

Labels: after, clash, Daily, injury, Irelandaposs, Keane, picking, Wales

SAO PAULO (AP)—Former Brazil star Ronaldo says he thought about retiring from football after his team’s own fans attacked Corinthians’ bus as players arrived for practice following their elimination from the Copa Libertadores.

The fans threw rocks and attacked the bus on Saturday, one day before Corinthians’ match against rival Palmeiras.

Ronaldo said on Twitter that in the past few days he “really thought” about retirement, but decided he “would not give this pleasure to critics and vandals.”

The striker says he was disappointed with the team’s performance against Deportes Tolima in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday in Colombia, but condemned the violent protest by fans.

Ronaldo has previously said he plans to retire at the end of the year.

Labels: about, after, retiring, Ronaldo, thought, violence

Steve Morgan was unsuprised, though, by his side's triumph over the formerly unbeaten league leaders.

Whilst the victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's side won't be enough on its own to secure top flight football for next season, Morgan is still looking to build from the triumph.

"We have played some fantastic football this season," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We've had horrendous luck but it all came together and the whole club is absolutely delighted.

"It's in our hands. If we show the same spirit that we showed (against United) we'll be absolutely fine," he said.

The Wolves chairman also found time to criticise fair play standards, citing Chelsea's recent expenditures as a luxury his own side can't afford.

"To clubs like Wolves and many other clubs like us it's completely surreal," he said. "It clearly isn't a level playing field when some clubs can literally throw telephone numbers around and others have to live within our budget.

"I think it's nuts and I don't know how certain clubs are going to get through the fair play rules which kick in next season."

With three points against United Saturday, Morgan will hope Wolves will be there to find out.

Labels: after, Chairman, confident, Goalcom, Manchester, Morgan, Steve, Wolves