SPORTS BETTING NEWS

ENGLAND

Everton have suspended Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde due to a breach of club discipline (non-appearance at training). Manager David Moyes said: "Andy has had numerous warnings about this type of thing and we won't tolerate it any longer. I will make a decision regarding the player's future next week."
Liverpool Steven Gerrard may miss England's friendly with Germany on Wednesday after suffering a hairline fracture of the toe in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Toulouse, which Liverpool won 1-0. Gerrard is expected to play against Chelsea on Sunday with the aid of a pain-killing injection but manager Rafael Benitez says the midfielder may have to pull out of the England game.
Tottenham Striker Dimitar Berbatov and defender Younes Kaboul became the latest addition to Tottenham's growing injured list. Berbatov will be out of action for several weeks because of a persistent groin problem, while Kaboul will also miss three to four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Everton. Tottenham are already without Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Gareth Bale, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Lee Young-pyo.
Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for three games, including Sunday's derby against rivals Manchester City. The Portuguese winger was sent off for an apparent head-butt on Portsmouth substitute Richard Hughes in Wednesday's Premiership game, just seconds after Pompey's Sulley Muntari was ejected in the 83rd minute for his second yellow card. The match finished 1-1 and Manchester United were left still looking for their first league victory of the season.
West Ham United have completed the transfer of England midfielder Kieron Dyer from Newcastle United for a fee believed to be in the region of €10m. The 28-year-old scored 23 goals in 190 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, but struggled with injuries. Dyer also has 32 caps for his country.
Chelsea Sevilla have rejected Chelsea's offer for highly rated Brazilian international Daniel Alves. Spanish media reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich put the brakes on the deal because he baulked at paying such a large fee for the defender and that he had reduced the offer to from €32m to €25m. Alves, 24, joined Sevilla from Bahia in 2003 for less than a million euros.
Middlesbrough Egypt international striker Mido completed his move to Middlesbrough from Tottenham Hotspur in a €8.8m deal. The 24-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract, is available for Saturday's away trip to Fulham. Mido scored 14 goals in 48 appearances for Tottenham. He had been set to join Birmingham City in the close season but a move fell through.
Derby County have agreed the transfer of United States midfielder Benny Feilhaber from Hamburger for a reported fee of €1.5m. The 22-year-old has signed a three-year contract with with the English Premiership newcomers. Manager Billy Davies also signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at Derby County until summer 2010.

FRANCE

Toulouse Right-back Albin Ebondo suffered the hamstring injury at Toulouse’s 1-0 home defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday. The 23-year-old will be sidelined for three weeks.
Marseille have taken striker Matt Moussilou on loan from Nice with the option of a permanent transfer next summer..Midfielder Samir Nasri will miss Wednesday's Ligue 1 match against Valenciennes. The France playmaker, who had just returned from an ankle injury, is hampered by a sore thigh muscle. Nasri will rejoin forward Mamadou Niang on Marseille's injured list, but it was not immediately known how long he will be sidelined.
Auxerre Forward Toifilou Maoulida, who missed two penalties in a 2-0 defeat by Bordeaux at the weekend, has been left out for Wednesday's visit to Strasbourg. Auxerre coach Jean Fernandez has criticised Maoulida for insisting on taking the second penalty after missing the first.
Lyon Captain Cris will be out of action for about six months after injuring his knee. The Brazil defender tore two ligaments in his right knee after colliding with Johan Elmander in the 1-0 defeat by Toulouse on Saturday. His injury is another blow to Lyon, who will be without France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet until December, also because of damaged knee ligaments.
Monaco have announced that midfielders Lucas Bernardi and Camel Meriem have been ruled out of their league game at Lorient this weekend. It was not immediately known how long they will be sidelined. Argentine Bernardi has a groin injury while Frenchman Meriem has thigh pains.

GERMANY

Bayern Left-back Marcell Jansen, 21, have suffered a calf injury in training. He has been ruled out of Bayern's Bundesliga game against Werder Bremen on Saturday and Germany's friendly in England on Wednesday.
Wolfsburg have signed one of the Czech Republic's most talented young footballers, Sparta Prague central defender Jan Simunek, in a deal reportedly worth €5m. The 20-year-old has moved to the Bundesliga club on a contract until 2011. Simunek was captain of the Czech team which lost 2-1 to Argentina in the final of the Under-20 World Cup in Canada last month. Brazil midfielder Josue, 28, also reached a deal to move from Brazilian champion Sao Paulo to Wolfsburg for nearly €1.4m.
Stuttgart Ivory Coast defender Arthur Boka has been ruled out of action for up to a month. The 24-year-old left-back has damaged ligaments in his left knee in training. On a brighter note, Turkey midfielder Yildiray Basturk returned to full training after recovering from a pulled muscle. Basturk joined Stuttgart from league rivals Hertha Berlin earlier this summer.

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2008

Football Manager 2008 Announced

SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that Football Manager™ 2008 for PC and Apple Macintosh will be in stores before Christmas 2007. Football Manager™ 2008 is the next iteration of the prize-winning Football Manager™ series developed by world respected studio Sports Interactive. The latest version of Football Manager will be fully updated for the new season and will allow players to select their favourite club or international team and guide them to glorious success by putting them through Cup matches, Leagues, European Championships and even major international tournaments, with over 5,000 playable teams from over 50 countries.

Fan feedback on the previous version of Football Manager™ was, as always, taken very seriously by the Sports Interactive team, resulting in over a hundred new features, including a brand new advisory system to help new players through the different aspects of the game. This makes Football Manager™ 2008 the most accessible Football Manager™ yet, without losing any depth for the more experienced player.

"With Football Manager™ 2008 we're once again raising the bar in the sports management genre." commented Miles Jacobson, Studio Director of Sports Interactive. "With dozens of new small features and larger things like a complete revamp of international management and the new match flow system, we're really looking forward to seeing the reaction from people when they get to play it on release.

"With all-new features, improved gameplay and a depth only seen from Sports Interactive, Football Manager 2008 offers a management simulation that is second to none. To whet the appetite of every Football fan, SEGA and Sports Interactive have unveiled the key new features available in Football Manager™ 2008.

Match Flow - The largest change to match-day in a Sports Interactive game since the introduction of the second match engine. Match flow brings more atmosphere to match-days with match previews, team talks, opposition player instructions, the match itself, half time and post match. These now seamlessly follow on from one another, with no more pausing to make tactical changes, and a mini-radar pitch whilst making those tactical changes to keep you in touch with what's going on in the match.

International Management - The international management gameplay has been completely revamped for Football Manager™ 2008, including, but not limited to, media improvements, international retirements, player interaction, international scouting, improved pool selection, captain selection and a separation of international and club morale for players.

Easier to Use - A much cleaner skin, a brand new advisor system to help players through various areas of the game. A new notes and notebook system, better button positioning for simpler navigation and an updated tutorial and manual. Also, coach reports make taking over a new team easier, and the new calendar system lists all important dates throughout the season. These all help to make Football Manager™ 2008 the easiest Sports Interactive game to use yet.

Confidence - Players can now easily tell what the board and supporters think about their performance in the game through the new confidence section. This gives players feedback not just on their current progress in competitions, but also their financial management and signings.

Transfer Centre - A new way of managing all current transfer and loan bids for a players club, both incoming and outgoing, making it easier to compare bids and reject or accept them.

Match Engine Improvements - A greatly improved match engine, once again utilising the footballing brain of former Republic of Ireland international player Ray Houghton as well as other tools used by real-life managers to make the most accurate simulation of football in a computer game. The ability to change the pitch dimensions at the start of the season to suit players styles of play better has also been added.Awards re-write - An overhaul of the awards system inside the game which is not only more accurate now, but also includes new awards such as the European golden boot, and a "best eleven", which shows the all-time (in game) best eleven for all teams and nations.

Finances revamp - To reflect the changes in modern day football, Sports Interactive have updated the finance area of Football Manager™ 2008 to better reflect the ever changing football world, with more information available to the manager too, including, but not limited to, corporate match day income, season ticket news, investment funds, improved sponsorships, collective win bonuses, and the ability to move around funds from the wage budget and transfer budget (and vice versa) at any point to help you in your quest for the ideal squad.

Fan days - The board can now arrange fan days to boost ailing attendances, or for matches that are likely to attract a low crowd, with a long term affect to attendances if all goes well.

Expanded media - More media and feedback than ever before, plus more detail in existing media, and a new competition news section to find out what major things are going on in all league competitions.

Regenerated player photo's - All in game generated players now have pictures using FaceGen technology to give each player more personality, and the ability for the players to be seen to grow up in front of your eyes as the game is going on.Faster - Saving and loading is now significantly faster, with network gaming faster and smoother to play, as well as tactical changes and match reports being quicker than ever before.

Football Manager 2008 for PC (XP & Vista) and Apple Macintosh (OS10.3.9 and above) is set for release before Christmas 2007.

THE "FUTURE" STARS

Giovani Dos Santos

Barcelona's next big thing By Chris Beattie - August 13, 2007 Their Far East tour may've courted controversy - including criticism from within - but Barcelona directors will welcome the squad back this week thrilled with the emergence of Mexican teenager Giovani dos Santos.
The 18 year-old ended the tour as Barca's top scorer and created such a clamour from Japanese and Chinese media that there was pressure on coach Frank Rijkaard to continue selecting him. Demand for Dos Santos interviews outstripped requests for big-names Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho and now after only a few days on the other side of the world, Barca's marketing team know they have the world's next big thing on their books.
And it will be Dos Santos' year. The attacking midfielder will collect his Spanish passport before the end of the month and the form he showed last week will give Rijkaard a welcome headache. Never mind how he fits his 'Big Four' into the team - how will he handle the growing pressure to give a young Mexican his chance?
For all his unpredictable flair and flamboyance, Dos Santos has emerged from a very organised and systematic career path. His Brazilian father, Zizinho, a former star with Sao Paulo before enjoying further success in Mexico with Monterrey and America, brought on Giovani's talent through his own football school. Zizinho established the Sao Paulo soccer school in Monterrey, where Giovani was the star pupil. His son's first taste of success was in the prestigious Dallas Cup youth tournament, where Sao Paulo won the U12 division and Giovani won the plaudits. That success convinced Zizinho his son needed exposure to a professional environment and he was soon signed to Monterrey.
"My Dad is a very important person, he was my first coach, he taught me how to play and I have footballer's blood thanks to him," says Giovani. "But both (Mum and Dad) have supported me since we changed countries. I am grateful to them for everything."
Only weeks into his time at Monterrey, a last-minute call to join a tour of France by their youth squad was to change Giovani's life forever.
Monterrey faced a Sevillan team with Barcelona ties during the trip and Dos Santos' performance was enough for their coach, German Vaya, to immediately call Barca's youth chief at the time, Joaquin Rife, and alert him to this prodigious talent. Soon Barca president Joan Gaspart and sports director Carles Rexach were on the phone to Zizinho to close a deal for the 13 year-old.
That one-off game in France not only changed the life of Giovani, but also younger brother Jonathan. Now 17, Jonathan has been with Giovani at Barca since his early teens and such has been his progress that he is expected to feature for Pep Guardiola's Barcelona B this season. Zizinho's eldest son, Eder, is also a pro, having just signed with Club America's satellite team, Socio Aguila.
"I am very happy seeing my children have success," says Zizinho. On Giovani's development, he is adamant: "The skill of walking, running, mainly dribbling with the ball that Giovani possesses is typical of a Brazilian player. I'm very happy about this."
Giovani could easily have declared for Brazil before leading Mexico to the U17 World Championships crown two years ago. As Zinedine Zidane now hints, you fancy Brazilian fans will long be lamenting Zizinho's reluctance to push his son to choose Brazil over the nation of his birth.
"He is a very good player," says Zizou. "I enjoy watching him play. He's something different, with great vision, and it's good he's playing for Mexico. Barcelona must take care of him and protect him."
Zidane needn't worry. As they did with Lionel Messi, Barca have placed a protective shield around Dos Santos - both on and off the pitch. A Mexican TV crew's request to profile the teen was knocked back before he left for the Far East and his media appearances in Japan and China - while standing room only - were carefully stage-managed.
On the playing side, Barca's fitness staff won't get near the 18 year-old with a weights program for another two years. He's currently regarded as being two kilos overweight, but that's of no concern given his age. However, Giovani's diet will change this year as he can stack on the kilos easily.
Also like Messi, Dos Santos has been taken under the wing of Ronaldinho. The Brazilian ace is regarded as the one senior player closest to Dos Santos. Tales of pranks in hotel rooms and delaying flights involving the pair only added to Dos Santos' popularity amongst the Asian media.
But for all the high spirits, Barca's senior players are sure to keep him grounded. Fellow Mexican Rafael Marquez explained: "He knows he must keep his feet on the ground and work hard. He knows how competitive things are here at Barca.
"I think we all know about the potential that he has and we will help him in anyway possible to maintain his improvement."
Just like those few days in France five years ago, a week on the other side of the world has marked another leap forward in Giovani Dos Santos' career.

Nashat Akram

Talent deserves the Premiership stage By Chris Beattie - August 13, 2007 Did he choose too soon? Or had Premiership interest dried up?
That's the question fans of Nashat Akram are now asking after the Iraq midfielder chose Al Ain over a potential move to England this month.
Only weeks earlier, Akram was upbeat about his chances of breaking ground for Iraqi footballers: "I have offers from the English Premier League�s Sunderland, Egypt's Zamalek and two other clubs.
"Roy Keane was my favourite player, my hero. I watched him when I was young.
"He is the most special player and I would be delighted to join his team and learn from him."
The interest from Sunderland arrived before the Asia Cup, where Akram led Iraq to an emotional victory and emerged as the tournament's outstanding player.
While Premiership clubs have worked hard to extend their global scouting network into developing football nations, the Middle East appears untapped. Concerns persist over the quality of football and player that competed in last month's Asia Cup, but Akram's stunning performance against the Australians, which featured many long-time Premiership names, should have ended any doubts about his ability to cope with top-flight life in England.
As an audition, it was five-star. Akram, at an imposing 186cm, showed off an array of midfield weapons. The game's pace was played through him, it was he who would decide when to slow the tempo, or quicken it. He'd regularly find ways of passing through Australia's rearguard and his nimble feet would consistently prove too quick for tackles. It was a superb, complete midfield performance and the only mystery was why it wasn't enough to have Premiership representatives pushing contracts under his hotel door.
After his performance against Australia, speculation had Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce joining Sunderland in their interest. But nothing came of it and as comparatively modest Australian talent was plucked from the A-League by Premiership and Championship clubs, it was clear that despite the quality, the experience and being just 22, Akram would have to pursue his career in Asia - for at least another season.
Not that he is complaining. Starting as a rookie in the Premiership would have meant a pay-cut for Akram, whose one-year deal with the UAE's Al Ain is said to be worth a cool US$1 million. His signing was a personal project for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - and how can you turn down someone who is the Prime Minister and vice-president of UAE - and ruler of Dubai?
For his part, Akram and his representatives are known to drive a hard-bargain. Soon after his move to Al Ain was confirmed, Egypt's Zamalek complained about his personal demands, while his release from Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab came amid contract wrangles.
Now armed with a bumper 12-month deal at Al Ain, at 22 Akram still has enough time to win a move to the Premiership. But he and his representatives may have to accept that getting a foot in the door is more important than any million pound contract.
But the cards may fall in Akram's favour over the next year. Allardyce took a chance on Iran international Andranik Teymourian at Bolton Wanderers last summer and more is expected from the midfielder this term. A strong showing from Teymourian will convince Premiership clubs to take more interest in the Middle Eastern game, where Akram is regarded as a genuine superstar.
Playing for Al Ain and having Sheikh Mohammed championing your cause is also sure to help. The Sheikh came close to taking over Liverpool last year and has also been paired with Arsenal. His Premiership links are strong and chairman won't need much convincing that taking a player of Akram's star profile will lift their club's name across the region.
And managers won't need much convincing either - if they're willing to widen their transfer net. It may mean having to trial, but the rewards for the player, Iraq and Middle Eastern football will be worth the dent to Akram's pride.

COMMENT, ANALYSIS, STORIES ...

Marina Hyde in the Guardian calls for shares in footballers to be traded on the open market. “With concepts such as loyalty seemingly increasingly outmoded, surely the time has come to contemplate a future where clubs would hold a player’s registration - as they have in the case of Tevez - but be made starkly aware that the market is the ultimate decision-maker.”

Also in the Guardian, Barney Ronay looks at “the rise of the celebrity gaffer.” “Mourinho has both an official and unofficial 2007 photo-calendar (both sold out). Football management is hip. It gets you noticed. How did this happen? And is it likely to stop soon?”

With some quite apalling timing, Lawrence Donegan in the Guardian says “The wonder is not that there has been a Beckham backlash in the States but that it hasn’t been more vehement.” If only he would have waited just a few more hours…In the same paper John Doyle has an insightful article on Toronto FC and Danny Dichio.

Michael Henderson in the Daily Telegraph claims that “Roy Keane is a modern-day Brian Clough”. “He’s a chip off the old block, isn’t he, Roy Keane? The block in question being Brian Clough, who played with distinction for the club the Irishman now manages.”

Martin Samuel, writing his weekly op-ed in The Times, opts to talk about his favourite topic - the England team and Steve McClaren’s failings. “As he surveys the wreckage of his forward line, Steve McClaren, the England head coach, has two choices: to learn from history, or to repeat it.”

FANS TALK DAILY FOOTBALL NEWS

ENGLAND

Sheffield United have confirmed they plan to sue West Ham for the cost of relegation from the Premier League
United draw again, Chelsea come from behind; Voronin
Liverpool boss Benitez: Voronin can be revelation
Gelson: City are Manchester's favourite team
Newcastle convinced over deal for Everton's Neville
Inter Milan keep tabs on Arsenal striker Bendtner
Arsenal, Chelsea eyeing Bordeaux whiz Saivet

SPAIN

Sevilla offer £40M Alves for Real Madrid pair Baptista and Cicinho
Five defeats for Real Madrid but Schuster says: Don't panic
Barcelona's Messi delighted with comeback goal
Valencia won't shelve Van der Vaart pursuit
Boca Juniors won't give up on Villarreal's Riquelme

ITALY

Napoli ahead of Torino for Inter Milan's Recoba
Wolfsburg move for Udinese striker Di Natale
Juventus chasing 'new Eto'o'
Palladino confident Del Piero will pen Juventus deal
Cagliari have inside-running for Chievo striker Obinna

SCOTLAND

Celtic boss Strachan proud after Spartak Moscow draw
Cervenkov confident winning over Hearts fans
Positive financial result for Scottish clubs
Beslija: I have Hearts future
Inverness Caley won't stop signings with Watt

GERMANY

Schalke have signed Uruguay international Carlos Grossmuller from Danubio
Hertha Berlin boss Lucien Favre is set to sign Steve von Bergen from his former club FC Zurich
Stuttgart midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has extended his current deal with the Bundesliga champions
Big guns eye Czech starlet
Germans miss out on Eduardo
Davies waits on duo
Valencia bid for van der Vaart
Wolfsburg set to bag Simunek
Larsen sidelined after clash
Hammarby trio wanted
Bundesliga round-up
Borowski out for Germany

FRANCE

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough is still looking to sign Caen left-back Kenny Gillet
Paris Saint Germain striker Pauleta has admitted he could leave the club this month
Lyon forward Sylvain Wiltord is still keen to secure a move to Rennes, according to his lawyer
Elmander keen on England
Baup: We were in awe of Reds
Fred wants to quit Lyon
Wiltord set for Lyon stay
Elmander ready for Reds
Perrin drops Heinze hint
Lyon consider Heinze bid
Emon admits injury concerns
Hammarby trio wanted

FANS TALK FOOTBALL HEADLINES

ENGLAND

Man Utd's Heinze: I've told boss I want out.
Real Madrid want Chelsea to cover Ballack wages
Chelsea tell Real Madrid: £27M for Robben
Ardiles: Man Utd's Tevez can play with Rooney
Aston Villa bid big for West Brom's Davies
Everton confident of deal for Porto's Gonzalez
Shevchenko to make Chelsea kickoff
Chelsea's Drogba to miss Liverpool clash

SPAIN

Reyes tells fans: I will give everything to Atletico Madrid
New keeper signing Oier wins Barcelona debut
Lyon coach Perrin keen on Sevilla's Kanoute
Boca Juniors declare Villarreal's Riquelme set to sign
Di Stefano backs Saviola to make Real Madrid impact
Drenthe makes courts threat to get Real Madrid move
Fiorentina to offer Ujfalusi in deal for Sevilla's Alves
Real Madrid try again for Ajax's Sneijder
Jose Mari seeks Villarreal exit
Juventus offer Legrottaglie to Atletico Madrid
Betis approach Benfica for striker Nuno Gomes
Osasuna make offer for Belenenses striker Dady
Agent: No Inter Milan offer for Real Madrid's Emerson

ITALY

Maldini welcomes new AC Milan teammate Pato
AC Milan signing Pato to be handed Sheva's old No7 shirt
Lazio eager to wrap up Szetela deal
Real Madrid consider Roma offer for Cicinho
Ivanovic: Juventus move would be fantastic
Lazio keen on Torino's Di Loreto
Reginaldo ready to fight for Parma place
Ze Maria linked with Parma return
Genoa to send Figueroa away on-loan
Napoli in Juventus talks for Blasi
Napoli go for Piacenza pair Cacia, Kharja
Parma complete Pavarini signing
Agent rules out Napoli for Inter Milan's Cruz
Roma sign Bellinoza teen Unal
Stronati promises major Siena striker signing
Colantuono admits Palermo must find Bresciano replacement
Palermo coach delighted with preseason form
Inter Milan's Coco blasts Saint-Etienne
Comotto keen to see Torino fans turn-out

SCOTLAND

Hearts won't panic in market, insists Frail
More exchanges between Hearts, Kaunas
Newcastle's Krul: Numan convinced me about Falkirk
Sheffield Wednesday move for Celtic's Riordan
Cash gap widening between Scottish and English game
Celtic boss Strachan admits Mozart interest
Hearts contact Zeta for midfield pair Marco Cetkovic and Slaven Stjepanovic
Sylla leaving Kilmarnock
Sionko fires parting shot at Rangers
Kilmarnock boss Jefferies: £2M price-tag stays on Naismith
Dundee Utd ready to splash out on Roussel
Dundee Utd boss defends Flood after diving dismissal
Motherwell boss McGhee targets more signings after opening win
Rangers suffer Boyd setback

GERMANY

Werder Bremen target Martin Fenin has been attracting interest from clubs in England.
Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Costa has been ruled out for the rest of the year after injuring his knee
Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf is confident his team will progress in the UEFA Champions League
Tottenham Hotspur new boy Kevin-Prince Boateng admits he is hurt by Hertha Berlin's reaction to his move
Schuster: Rafael on my list
Fenin linked with Bundesliga duo
Delura agrees Greek switch
Roque ready to rumble
Spurs pick up Prince
Schalke end Appiah interest
Intertoto Cup round-up
Castelen joins Hamburg
Bayern claim early success

FRANCE

Yepes tipped for PSG exit
Koller expects bench role
Niang worry for L'OM
Toulouse wait on Elmander
Diawara nears Bordeaux move
Beye: I want to enjoy it
Domenech rues Coupet injury
Cisse denies Rafa rift
Asamoah to join Nice
Signorino signs for Getafe
Reading snap up Fae

HOLLAND

Drenthe fights for Real move
Roda JC have announced the signing of Club Brugge striker Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo
Van Persie settles feisty tie
AZ Alkmaar boss Louis van Gaal has criticised Middlesbrough's efforts to sign Gretar Steinsson.
Feyenoord held by Porto
Ajax see off Atletico
Blues get Alex clearance
Real give up on Drenthe
Ajax capture Colin
Touma leaves FC Twente
Metgod wants Drenthe stay
Pelle signs AZ deal
Ajax fail in Suarez bid