Football Dispatch

Thursday Football
24 May 2007
Liverpool fans clashed with Greek riot police, yesterday, as hundreds of ticket-holders were refused entry into Spiridon Louis Stadium in Athens. The authorities sprayed tear gas and fought with pockets of furious Scousers -- many holding legitimate tickets. Countless supporters were permitted entry into the grounds with forged tickets or none at all. UEFA, hoping to avoid further controversy, has laid the blame for the disturbances squarely at the feet of Liverpool's traveling contingent.

AC Milan's 2-1 triumph over Liverpool in the Champions' League Final was met with calculated reflection from Reds manager Rafael Benitez. The 47-year-old Spaniard was thoughtful in his post-match remarks, commenting that the club "needs to start thinking of how we can improve, because we need to be going forward." Benitez admitted that his side were, in actuality, far removed from contending for silverware this season. "It's something we have known for a long time," he stated -- proceeding to hope, out loud, that he would be granted sufficient funds over the summer to launch an assault on Chelsea and Manchester United in the Premiership next season.

On the other side of the ball, the ageless Paolo Maldini lifted a fifth European Cup in the Greek capital. The soon-to-be 39-year-old played the full 90-minutes in an effective central-defensive pairing with Alessandro Nesta. The two were impenetrable on the night -- thwarting Liverpool's crosses and runs at every opportunity. The overwhelming success which has marked his career is not enough to satisfy the appetite of Maldini, however. He hopes to return for another European assault next season.

Newcastle are in the midst of a shock takeover. Billionaire Hertfordshire businessman Mike Ashley purchased Sir John Hall's 41.6% interest in the club, yesterday for 55M-pounds. He will now turn his attention to buying-out chairman Freddy Shepherd's 28% stake. While the purse-strings have never been tight at St. James' Park, Ashley's will be a fresh and welcomed face to the club's supporters -- many of whom have become increasingly weary of Shepherd's never-ending huffing and puffing. Sir John Hall will remain as president of the club.

England have named their B-side which will face Albania, tomorrow. Michael Owen will start in an attacking partnership with Alan Smith. The inclusions of David Bentley and Nicky Shorey, however, are somewhat more surprising. Steve McClaren's squad reads as follows: Carson, P. Neville, King, Dawson, Shorey, Lennon, Barry, Jenas, Bentley, Owen, Smith.

Tottenham Hotspur look to have pipped Manchester United to the signature of Southampton and Wales left-back Gareth Bale. Spurs will reportedly pay 6M-pounds immediately -- with an additional 4M-pounds to follow in the coming months. The 17-year-old left-back has yet to agree personal terms with the London clubs and speculation has mounted that United could yet make a successful counter-offer.

United's interest in Bale is complicated by the status of Gabriel Heinze. Juventus have been tracking the Argentinean all season and will submit a bid in the neighborhood of 4M-pounds in the coming weeks. Villareal, however, will hope to scuttle the deal and bring Heinze to La Liga. Patrice Evra is widely seen as Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice player at the position; and Bale's arrival would certainly force Heinze's exit.

Bayern Munich have targeted Robin Van Persie as their major summer signing. The 23-year-old has struggled for fitness this season but is still seen as a major piece of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's youth movement. Still, Wenger could be swayed by Bayern's 8M-pound offer. Arsenal acquired the Dutchman for 2.75M-pounds from Feyenoord in 2004. With both Roque Santa Cruz and Roy Makaay almost certain to depart the Bavarian giants, Van Persie is seen as the ideal partner to Lukas Podolski in attack. Miroslav Klose is on Bayern's radar as well.

Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson will attempt to make Kieran Richardson his first signing since arriving at Bramall Lane last week. The 22-year-old was an integral part of West Bromich Albion's last-minute survival in the 2005 Premiership campaign -- a club that was managed by Robson. Sir Alex Ferguson has already hinted at the exits of several Manchester United players over the summer and would be willing to part with Richardson for about 3M-pounds.