The enemies of football are now pariahs of the Premier League... Gourlay should pay with his job for this

No evidence: Chelsea's claims about Mark Clattenburg have proved to be unfounded - but they won't say sorry

For a cabal that has found it easy to spread so much insinuation and so many insults about so many innocent parties, Chelsea cannot bring themselves to utter the one appropriate word.

Sorry was not to be heard in the wind howling down Fulham Road last night. It was as predictable an omission as it was sad.

The FA had found the club’s accusation that referee Mark Clattenburg called John Mikel Obi a ‘monkey’ did not stand up to scrutiny. All logic and instinct had told us that the minute the claim was made on October 28 following Chelsea’s acrimonious defeat by Manchester United.

Sky TV had failed with all 20 of their cameras to pick up the racial slur. The other officials cleared Clattenburg of wrongdoing.  Chelsea had a record of intimidation and arrogance.

What is more, Clattenburg speaks with a Geordie accent. Anyone who has spent time in a Newcastle pub will tell you how those tones can be faintly indecipherable to English ears let alone to a Brazilian, namely Ramires, who thought he heard the insult despite the backdrop of a noisy stadium. Ramires’ recollections were translated for the rest of the team by David Luiz, another Brazilian. Mikel, the supposed victim who has good English, did not hear the word monkey spoken.

Despite all this — and after the shameful saga of John Terry,  Chelsea’s totem, calling Anton  Ferdinand a black **** — the club were going public within hours about Clattenburg’s supposed crime. They also claimed Juan Mata was called a ‘Spanish t***’, an accusation later withdrawn.

Nasty episode: The John Terry race row with Anton Ferdinand brought shame onto the club

 

 

Why did they not keep quiet while they considered if a complaint was worthwhile? That is a question for Ron Gourlay, the chief executive. A second question for him is: will you resign after this fiasco?

Harsh? Hardly. This is a club drunk on its own oxygen and wealth.

Take Rafa Benitez’s unveiling as the ninth manager of Roman Abramovich’s nine-year reign. He is the latest pawn in a billionaire’s game where normal employment rights — like reward for success — do not count because he can afford to override them.

No wonder the men on the pitch and in the boardroom adopt such high-handedness when the boss sets such a rebarbative example.

The litany of modern Chelsea’s bullying of referees is without parallel in British football.

Remember him? Referee Anders Frisk (second left) was forced into retirement by death threats

 

 

The crime sheet goes back as far as February 2005, when the then manager Jose Mourinho accused Anders Frisk of collusion with Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard during Chelsea’s defeat at the Nou Camp that saw Didier Drogba sent off. Chelsea were charged with inappropriate conduct and Mourinho was banned from the touchline.

Frisk retired after receiving death threats.

Mourinho was cast as an ‘enemy of football’ by UEFA referees’ committee chairman Volker Roth.

Since then the wrath has been incited not just on the continent but also closer to home. Chelsea have gone from the enemies of European football to the pariahs of the Premier League.

In November 2006, Graham Poll sent off Terry as Chelsea lost to Tottenham for the first time in 16 years. Terry accused the referee of changing his explanation over why he had shown the red card.

The delightful Ashley Cole chimed in, saying Poll had warned Chelsea players he wanted to ‘teach us a lesson’. A fortnight later, Chelsea withdrew the accusation and Terry was fined £10,000.

Who could forget this? Ref Tom Henning Ovrebo was subjected to vile treatment from Chelsea fans

Fast forward to May 2009, when Norwegian Tom Henning Ovrebo turned down four Chelsea penalty appeals. Admittedly, it was a shocking refereeing performance but not as wayward as the reaction of Drogba and Jose Bosingwa, who both turned on Ovrebo at the final whistle. Drogba screamed ‘It’s a f***ing disgrace’ into a television camera. Ovrebo was still being  subjected to vile emails from  Chelsea fans as late as this spring.

Last October after that infamous game against QPR, Chelsea were fined £20,000 for failing to control their players. Drogba and Bosingwa were dismissed in the first half. Manager Andre Villas-Boas called it a ‘very poor display’ — by the  referee, that is, not his players.

The unfortunate referee then was Chris Foy. By coincidence, he takes charge of Chelsea’s game against Manchester City on Sunday.

Sound familiar? Chelsea retracted claims about comments by Graham Poll back in 2006

 

 

So back to Chelsea’s weasel words in response to the FA findings. They said: ‘Chelsea FC has a duty of care, as do all employers, to act responsibly when such allegations are reported by employees.’ 

It smacked of the usual one-eyed, self-serving nonsense that fails to acknowledge a wider obligation to football itself or the lightly trampled reputation of a blameless referee.

We are Chelsea. We snarl and we smear. Who says we should say sorry?

Suarez is arrogant, big-mouth, diver... I want to knock him out, blasts Williams

 

No love lost: Swansea's Ashley Williams (left) and Luis Suarez of Liverpool

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Swansea City v Liverpool     11:00pm      Mio    102

Swansea defender Ashley Williams has launched an extraordinary attack on Luis Suarez, accusing the Liverpool forward of being a serial cheat and admitting he was so riled by him in one game last season that he wanted to 'knock him out'.

Writing in his book My Premier League Diary, published on Wednesday, Williams claims that Suarez dives more than any other player he has faced and slams his 'superior' manner on the pitch. 

The comments were revealed on the eve of Liverpool's must-win Europa League match at home to Young Boys of Berne.

Swansea host Liverpool on Sunday, a fixture that marks Brendan Rodgers' first competitive return to the Liberty Stadium since leaving for Anfield in the summer.

Referring to Swansea's 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield last November, Williams writes: 'Suarez has that aura about him that says, "I'm untouchable", and his manner and behaviour made me want to knock him out.

'The manner in which he approached the game, with utter contempt for us all, means that he's streets ahead of any player I've truly disliked since we've been in the Premier League.

'He dived more than any other player I've played against - it was so bad I was genuinely shocked.

'Throughout the game, he just dived down and screamed at any given moment. A couple of times I'd hear the scream, see him writhing on the floor and for the life of me couldn't see where the contact could have been.'

Although the book was sanctioned by Rodgers during his reign at Swansea, the Liverpool boss expressed surprise at the tone of what Williams had to say: 'When I saw the comments I was very surprised. I know Ash and he certainly wouldn't have meant it the way it came out. Everyone who comes up against Suarez will feel that his unpredictability and ability are incredible.'

Rodgers also hailed the patience of Liverpool's owners following Roberto Di Matteo's sacking at Chelsea, as he described football management as now being a 'no-win business'.

'I really respect that people have been lenient with me because this is a club that demands so much,' said Rodgers, who was told by principal owner John W Henry in July that he did not have to deliver a top-four spot this season.

'I have also been respectful of how realistic people have been. Is it no-win being a manager? At some clubs. But this is a different club.

Fall guy: Suarez has been accused of diving by players and managers

Nice touch: Suarez celebrates goal in derby by diving in front of Everton bench

IT will all end in tears.

The only certainty is this: Rafa Benitez will become Roman Abramovich’s 9th managerial victim.

Benitez became the only manager in Liverpool’s history to win major trophies in each of his first two seasons at the club.

Then he landed the Holy Grail — the Champions League trophy in 2005. But then it all imploded spectacularly.

Rafa managed to upset players, fans and owners with a farcical rotation system that at one stage saw him change the team 99 times on the trot, plus a dodgy transfer spree that saw him sign an incredible succession of dud players.

And Rafa’s managerial ‘skills’ were further exposed when he moved to Inter Milan — after they had won the Champions League under former Blues boss Jose Mourinho — surviving there for only six months.

Certainly, ex-Inter defender Marco Materazzi is no fan.

He insists Benitez was paranoid about following Mourinho’s success at the Nerazzurri — and simply did not measure up.

The Italian international says of his troubled spell under Rafa in 2010: “I did not get on well with Benitez. He thought he knew everything but he was afraid of his own shadow.

“He made me remove pictures of the most important moments of my career with Mourinho and Marcello Lippi from my locker.

“Mourinho was No 1. His secret was to make the players feel involved in the project.

“In Madrid at the 2010 Champions League final, he told me that he was leaving. I said to him, ‘Damn you for leaving me with Benitez’.”

And club president Massimo Moratti had his misgivings, too.

He reflected: “We tried to find positives from this experience until the end... but we didn’t find any. He has his qualities but marriages don’t always go well.”

Oh no! Not the 'fat Spanish waiter'! The view from a Chelsea season ticket holder

No thanks: Chelsea fan protested when Rafa Benitez was linked in March

Oh No, not Rafa Benitez. It’s like some kind of cruel payback for finally being allowed to win the Champions League.

Maybe people unconnected with the club do not understand why most fans passionately didn’t want him at Chelsea, but it is extraordinary that Roman’s recruiters have come up with this. Have they not heard the songs?

‘Fat Spanish waiter, he’s just a fat Spanish waiter’ and ‘You’re not welcome here, f*** off Benitez, you’re not welcome here’. Not exactly a red carpet, is it?

Here’s why we’re sorry to see him at Stamford Bridge...

No-one personifies the dislike between Liverpool and Chelsea more than he does.

It started with him carping on about Jose Mourinho on his way to the luckiest Champions League win in history. (Yes, even luckier than ours).

The Ghost Goal at Anfield fuelled the rivalry and Didier Drogba brilliantly responded to his ill-judged jibes about diving by dumping Benitez out in the 2008 semi-final at Stamford Bridge, celebrating with a glorious slide-past in front of the Liverpool bench.

He’s actually not very good.

Apart from winning the lottery in Istanbul what did he collect with Liverpool? An FA Cup. We’ve got plenty of those. 

His spending makes ours look like careful husbandry

More than £230million and only Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso were decent quality. And he fell out with Alonso before letting him go to Real Madrid. He paid £20m for Robbie Keane and  £18m for Alberto Aquilani — need I say more?

Signing policy: Alberto Aquilani was a flop after signing for Liverpool

 

Mess at Milan

Jose made Inter MIlan treble-winning European champions but within six months Benitez was sacked after guiding them to sixth  in Serie A and losing at Tottenham in the Champions League.

I thought we were trying to be the new Barcelona.

Benitez teams are deadly dull and he actually likes zonal marking.

It looks like a pet manager for Torres.

No-one could accuse the fans of not supporting the hapless Fernando but he’s beginning to look like a lost cause. We need to move on and you can’t build a team around such a fragile flower.

Was it in? Liverpool's Luis Garcia was awarded the goal against Chelsea

 

 

We've been here before

Back in 1996, Glenn Hoddle was poached by England and it was reported that Ken Bates had lined up George Graham to replace him. Hoddle’s last game of the season against Blackburn at Stamford Bridge was a great opportunity for supporters to give the chairman a little hint about the future, again in song. 

The first was a suggestion about where Mr Graham should be stuffed and the second was the solution. ‘Gullit! Gullit! Gullit!’

Ken listened, appointed the Dutchman and within a year Chelsea had won their first trophy for 26 years and started on the trail which led to Roman wanting to buy the club in 2003.

This time Chelsea’s hierarchy didn’t wait for our advice. Their latest signing shouldn’t expect a warm welcome against Manchester City on Sunday.

Rafa is ready to manage Chelsea

GO ON THEN, I'LL DO IT ... Rafa Benitez would be happy to manage Chelsea

CHELSEA aim to name Roberto Di Matteo’s replacement by the end of the day — with Rafa Benitez top of their wanted list.

Di Matteo was ruthlessly sacked this morning after the Blues returned to London following a 3-0 defeat to Juventus.

Last night’s result left the Champions League holders facing elimination from the tournament’s group stage as Juve leapfrogged them to close the gap on leaders Shakhtar Donetsk.

Benitez, 52, has been out of work since since parting company with Inter Milan in 2010.

And the former Liverpool boss has made it clear he would be interested in taking charge at Stamford Bridge.

Spaniard Benitez said: “In football a lot of people are talking so we will see what happens in the next few days.

“I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies and Chelsea is one of these clubs.

“I have to talk with my agent and see what he has been doing the last couple of days.

“But I am just trying to go to a team that can win.”

Game over: Di Matteo has been sacked, six months after landing the Champions League

Chelsea statement on Di Matteo - in full

Down and out? Chelsea were soundly beaten by Juventus in the Champions League last night

Shortest reigns under Roman

Who's next? Guardiola and Benitez are in the frame to take the helm at Stamford Bridge

The Liverpool winger, who made his international debut last week, was quizzed under caution after he went to a police station by prior appointment

Nike will have to dig deep to extend Man United sponsorship deal

Swoosh: Manchester United's current kits are made by Nike

Nike face having to shell out huge sums of cash if they want to maintain their association with Manchester United.

The American sportswear giants are due to sit down with Red Devils officials in February at the start of an exclusive six-month negotiating period with United over their £303million kit supply deal.

And whilst United officials were giving little away today during a conference call to provide information on their first quarter results, it seems obvious Nike will have to come up with an enormous sum to satisfy the club’s owners, the Glazer family.

In July, United announced a staggering £357million deal with General Motors for the Chevrolet logo to be worn on their shirts for seven seasons from 2014.

That figure prompted United to buy-out the present deal with DHL for United’s training kit, which will now come to an end at the climax of this season.

'We feel we know, with some clarity, the value of our rights, and we are bullish about the abundance of opportunities available to accelerate the growth of this business,' said Woodward.

'The planning on DHL started post-GM deal. We are always monitoring the value of our rights. We can improve the amount, duration and rights-package about that deal.

'Our six-month negotiating window with them (Nike) starts in February. We look forward to sitting down with them then.'

Privately, United officials do not see the way the Nike deal is structured fits with the more commercially aggressive Glazer regime.

When the present deal was negotiated in 2002, United were a publicly floated company and preferred to take as much risk as possible away from any sponsorship tie-up.

Therefore, a profit-share arrangement was put in place which ensured United received only a proportion of the cash generated from worldwide shirt sales in exchange for a guaranteed sum.

The Glazer family have not gone down the same route. They have even stopped the policy of contracting out pre-season tour arrangements, believing they can negotiate better deals themselves.

Costly: If Nike want to extend the deal they will have to cough up

 

 

As a battle is presently taking place between Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne for two proposed matches in Australia during 2013, the value of such an attitude is obvious.

It has also been noted Nike now pay the French Football Federation almost £40million-a-year, without a profit-share arrangement, for a seven-year period which began at the start of last season.

Sponsorship certainly appears to be a lucrative revenue stream for United given they posted a 32% increase to £27.8million for the three months to September 30, 2013.

Including the General Motors contract, United did 10 sponsorship deals during that time, confirming an increase in workforce from 670 to 735 was almost exclusively connected to the marketing sector.

They now have mobile phone partnerships in 44 countries, with Woodward claiming the three-year deal with Japanese soft drinks manufacturer Kagome came as a direct result of opening an office in Hong Kong.

He added that the USA was the 'next natural place' for the club to open a regional centre given as many supporters watch United live there as do so in the United Kingdom.

Lucrative: From 2014 United will be sponsored by General Motors

 

 

It was also confirmed United received £2.5million as a result of being an Olympic Games football venue, plus £1.3million in compensation for players appearing at Euro 2012.

In addition, United used proceeds of IPO to reduce total debt by 17% to £359.7million.

This is unlikely to appease the vast numbers of anti-Glazer United supporters though.

An ‘exceptional item’ of £3.1million related to professional advisor fees in connection with the IPO, part of what is estimated to be an overall spend of £550million in interest and fees since the Glazer takeover in 2005.

BRENDAN RODGERS has hailed Glen Johnson as one of the Premier League’s star performers — despite continuing to spend most of the campaign out of position. 

Johnson has fought accusations of defensive concentration lapses from the day he arrived at Liverpool three years ago. 

Yet the England right-back has steadily defied his critics after being switched to the left flank because of a lack of numbers and candidates. 

Now Kop boss Rodgers has come out fighting on behalf of the Reds star after his latest impressive display in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea. 

Ironically Martin Skrtel’s illness meant Jose Enrique played most of the game at left-back — although Johnson again stood out when he was moved there late on. 

And Rodgers insisted: “If there is a team of the season so far in the Prem, then Glen would be in it. He’s one of the best right-backs in the world playing on the left.” 

Skrtel’s late withdrawal at the Bridge meant Daniel Agger had to play with a groin strain, so he is struggling to face Wigan on Saturday. 

He said: “I had no choice. I hope I’ll be OK.”

Up for the battle: Kolarov (left) believes City can now go unbeaten

On target: Kolarov urged unsettled Dzeko to concentrate on the job in hand

MARK CLATTENBURG PROBE IS DROPPED BY THE POLICE

MARK CLATTENBURG'S fight to clear his name gathered momentum when the police last night dropped their investigation into allegations against him.

Blues fear JT’s out for the season

Chelsea 1 Liverpool 1

HORROR ... John Terry's right leg crumples awkwardly underneath Luis Suarez

 

HORROR ... John Terry's right leg crumples awkwardly underneath Luis Suarez

CHELSEA fear John Terry’s season is over after he suffered an horrific-looking knee injury yesterday.

The Blues skipper, 31, was carried off in agony following a first-half collision with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

Terry’s knee bent backward grotesquely under the weight of the clash and it is feared he has serious ligament damage.

Centre-half Terry, who had headed Blues in front, screamed in agony before being carried off and he will undergo an MRI scan today.

He left Stamford Bridge on crutches with his right knee in a brace last night.

Anxious Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo said: “Obviously we are worried about John and we hope it’s not serious.

“We won’t know the full extent of the damage until we have the results of the scan but we hope it’s not long-term.”

Suarez, who nicked Liverpool’s second-half equaliser, went on Twitter to voice his concern for Terry.

He tweeted: “A shame we couldn’t get the three points.

“Glad to help the team with another goal ... Hugs to Terry, I hope it’s nothing serious.”

Ex-England captain Terrry had surgery on the same knee earlier in the year.

And if he has sustained cruciate ligament damage, that would require another operation — putting him out for anything up to six months.

HOPPING FOR THE BEST ... skipper is all strapped up as he hobbles out of the Bridge on crutches last night.

 

It was immediately apparent Terry was in serious trouble as he beat the ground and signalled for help.

The injury could not have come at a worse time for Terry, who was playing his first Premier League game since completing a four-match ban for racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand.

Di Matteo said: “We had just got John back into the team. It’s a real shame.”

Everton midfielder scored his sixth goal of the season against Sunderland - and would be eligible for the Champions League

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Chelsea will make a ­sensational £30million move for Everton ­talisman Marouane Fellaini in the January transfer window, writes the Sunday People.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light to a huge offer for the powerful Goodison hero who has been one of the major successes of the Premier League this season.

Boss Roberto di Matteo wants more strength in his side and an alternative to Fernando Torres, with fearsome Fellaini top of his wish list. And the fact Belgian Fellaini would be eligible for the Champions League is a major plus as the Londoners set up one of the biggest deals of the January market.

Fellaini scored his sixth goal of the season yesterday before setting up Nikica Jelavic for the winner in Everton’s 2-1 comeback win over Sunderland.

And he has been dropping hints he would like to move on soon – much to the annoyance of Everton boss David Moyes.

It will take a big bid to make it happen but Chelsea are happy to spend, knowing Torres cannot lead their attack on his own if they are to challenge for the title or get anywhere near retaining the Champions League.

Fellaini – who turns 25 next week – fits the bill as he can lead the line, support the main attacker or add his 6ft 4ins frame to a talented but small attacking midfield.

Top three stories from the Sunday People:

Premier League: Manchester City v Tottenham match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium

After a promising start, Spurs have been lacklustre in their last two domestic fixtures, going down 2-1 to Norwich in the League Cup before losing 1-0 at home to Wigan in their last league match.

But Andre Villas-Boas' men bounced back to form on Thursday with a 3-1 over Maribor in the Europa League, and they will enter the match with a bit of confidence on the back of that win.

Roberto Mancini's City team, meanwhile, have stumbled in recent matches themselves - with their last outing in the league resulting in a 0-0 draw at West Ham before they were forced to come from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

A win for either side would get things back on track.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 9.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Manchester City 3 (Nasri, Lescott, Balotelli) Tottenham 2 (Defoe, Bale), Premier League, January 2012

Tottenham 1 (Kaboul) Manchester City 5 (Dzeko 4, Aguero), Premier League, August 2011

Manchester City 1 (Crouch OG) Spurs 0, Premier League, May 2011

STATS...

Samir Nasri has scored in three of his last four league appearances against Tottenham, and provided three assists in the one game he failed to register a goal.

Andre Villas-Boas' side are one win away from 300 in the Premier League.

The north London outfit have won seven of their last 11 league visits to City.

Since a 3-1 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's kids 17 years ago, Villa have crumbled when United visit. Paul Lambert's revolution is making slow but steady progress, his young side's three-match unbeaten run putting a relatively comfortable four-point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone. Villa are boosted by the return after suspension of Karim El Ahmadi, whose crisp passing has brought some vital composure to an otherwise inexperienced midfield; Villa have held the majority of possession on only two occasions this season. The hosts will need significantly higher ball retention than in recent weeks if they are to stunt a visiting side that seem to be steadily growing in confidence as the season progresses. United have won four successive league games since the shock 3-2 defeat by Tottenham, and with a relatively straight forward run of games until the Manchester derby in early December, Ferguson will be keen to ensure his team do not drop points against sides as depleted as Villa.

Venue Villa Park, Saturday 5.30pm

Tickets £25-45 (0800 612 0970 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 0800 612 0970 end_of_the_skype_highlighting )

Last season Aston Villa 0 Man Utd 1

Referee Kevin Friend

This season's matches 5 Y19, R1, 4.00 cards per game

Odds Aston Villa 5-1 Man Utd 4-7 Draw 3-1

 

Aston Villa

Subs from Given, Hutton, Albrighton, Holman, Westwood, Bowery, Weimann, Stevens, Herd, Baker, Burke, Williams

Doubtful Baker (ankle), Bennett (knee), Herd (knee)

Injured Dunne (groin, 17 Nov), Gardner (knee, May), Bent (ankle, unknown), N'Zogbia (knee, unknown), Petrov (leukaemia, unknown)

Suspended Lichaj (one match)

Form guide WDLLDL

Disciplinary record Y23 R2

Leading scorers Bent, Benteke 2

Manchester United

Subs from Johnstone, Lindegaard, Giggs, Anderson, Smalling, Welbeck, Henríquez, Cleverley, Fletcher, Powell, Hernández, Buttner, Macheda, Bébé

Doubtful Evans (groin)

Injured Nani (hamstring, 17 Nov), Jones (knee, 24 Nov), Kagawa (knee, 28 Nov), Vidic (knee, 15 Dec)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWWLW

Disciplinary record Y18 R0

Leading scorer Van Persie 8

Match pointers

• Villa have won only one of their past 33 top-flight matches against United – 3-1 in August 1995

• United's 16-match unbeaten run at Villa Park is the longest of any team away from home against the same side in the Premier League

• Villa won last week but have gone 48 matches since they last had consecutive victories

• Wayne Rooney has missed seven of the 20 penalty kicks that he has taken in the top flight (35%)

• Villa have kept just three clean sheets in their past 15 games in all competitions

• United have caught an opponent offside just six times so far this season – the fewest in the division