Football Dispatch

Weekend Football
14 November 2008
by Jerrad Peters

Ferguson celebrates 50 years in football

Fifty years to the day after Alex Ferguson debuted for Queen’s Park against Stranraer, the 16-year-old Govan lad turned Commander of the British Empire will celebrate his golden anniversary in football.

While he enjoyed a splendid 16-year career as a striker for The Spiders, St. Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United, he made a name for himself in management.

After short stops in East Stirlingshire and St. Mirren, Ferguson took the helm at Aberdeen—guiding The Dons to three Scottish titles, four Scottish Cups, one League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

It was Aberdeen’s triumph over the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern in the Cup Winners’ Cup that first caught Sir Bobby Charlton’s eye. The Manchester United legend eventually helped bring Ferguson to Old Trafford, where he is currently managing his 22nd season with the Red Devils.

At United, Ferguson became a legend. He ended Liverpool’s dominance of English football and racked up ten Premier League titles of his own. He also ended the club’s 31-year drought in the European Cup and won a second Champions’ League to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster.

Ferguson will mark the occasion of his half-century in professional football by welcoming Stoke City to Old Trafford, Saturday. Currently fourth in the league standings, United are desperate for the points and will need all three to keep pace with Liverpool and Chelsea.

Drogba charged for violent conduct

The Football Association has charged Didier Drogba with “violent conduct” following his actions in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

Drogba, after opening the scoring for Chelsea against Burnley in the 27th minute of the fourth-round tie, threw a coin into a section of visiting supporters. He subsequently raised his middle finger at the Burnley fans. Both incidents were reviewed by the FA on Thursday and Friday.

At the very least, Drogba will be handed a three-match ban—the minimum penalty for a violent conduct charge. The Metropolitan Police are also investigating the incident.

In 2002, Jamie Carragher was suspended for three matches after flinging a coin at Arsenal fans and Steve Smith was banned for a pair of games after tossing a water bottle at the visiting contingent while at Leeds.

Drogba may receive additional punishment if the FA deems his flipping of the bird to be a separate offense.

Ramos linked with Madrid position

Juande Ramos is one of two frontrunners to replace Bernd Schuster at Real Madrid.

Schuster, who managed the Meringues to the title last season, is under the cosh after crashing out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of third division Real Union on Tuesday. Madrid are also on tenuous footing in Group H of the Champions’ League and have won just three of their past six matches.

Despite being chased out of England following a disastrous spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Ramos remains well regarded on the Iberian peninsula and would jump at the opportunity to repair his continental reputation. The 54-year-old managed Sevilla to consecutive UEFA Cups before joining Spurs last October.

If Ramos is overlooked in the hiring process, the job will likely go to current Madrid technical director Miguel Angel Portugal.

Zaki will go to highest bidder

Wigan striker Amr Zaki will probably leave the club in January, according to Egyptian side Zamalek. Although the Latics paid 1.25M-pounds to take the 25-year-old on loan in September, his rights are owned by Zamalek and he will be sold to the highest bidder in January.

Already, Liverpool and Manchester City are preparing bids for the Egypt international. With eight Premier League goals, he is currently second in domestic scoring to Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

Zaki would likely fetch upwards of 7M-pounds on the open market. Of course, Wigan would be welcome to table an offer as well. But with big clubs coming in for him, it’s likely the player will bolt the JJB after Christmas.

Chacarita fans commandeer city buses

Seventy supporters of Chacarita Juniors were detained by police, Thursday, and two remain in custody on weapons charges after supporters of the second division Argentinean club hijacked a pair of city buses.

“They threatened the passengers,” said police spokesman Carlos Durante, “[they] made them get off and took over the vehicle.” Several of the fans are reported to have been carrying knives.

Fans commandeered the buses in an attempt to arrive at the club’s Buenos Aires stadium in time for kickoff against Talleres de Cordoba.

Have a question about football? Email your query to jerradpeters@gmail.com.

Jerrad Peters covers football for the Winnipeg Free Press, Soccer Three-Sixty magazine, ESPN Soccernet, and Soccer365.com. His work has also appeared in The Globe and Mail, TheMirror.co.uk, Canadian-soccer.com, Footy247.co.uk, Foot2ball.com, and Squadinfo.com.