Wembley first goalscorer Cole dies at age 27
LONDON, England ● Mitchell Cole, who scored in the first competitive club game at the new Wembley Stadium, has died at the age of 27. Cole, who found the net for Stevenage against Kidderminster in the 2007 FA Trophy final at Wembley, retired as a professional player last year because of a heart [...]
Muamba aspires career in football politics
LONDON, England ● FIFA President Sepp Blatter is to meet with Fabrice Muamba later this month as the footballer who unexpectedly recovered from an on-field cardiac arrest considers a career in football politics. The midfielder was forced to retire from football in August, five months after collapsing at Tottenham while playing for Bolton in front [...]
Skrtel agrees new long-term contract with Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, England ● Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel signed a new “long-term” contract with the Premier League club on Monday. Skrtel had been linked with English champions Manchester City and Serie A outfit Fiorentina during the close season, but Liverpool have moved to keep the 27-year-old at Anfield. Skrtel has become a vital member of the [...]
Nigeria footballer Obodo abducted, says family
LAGOS, Nigeria ● Nigeria international Christian Obodo has been abducted in Warri, southern Nigeria, his family confirmed. The player’s family said Obodo, who last season played for Lecce in Italy’s Serie A, was driving alone in his car following a visit to a relative when he was taken by unknown gunmen. “His whereabouts are unknown [...]
Tragedy Defoe with death father
WARSAW, Poland ● England striker Jermain Defoe has returned home following the death of his father. The Football Association confirmed the news on Thursday morning, adding that the player is expected to return at some point and no replacement is being called up. It is not known at this point whether Defoe will be [...]
Manuel Preciado dies of heart attack
VILLAREAL, Spain ● Manuel Preciado, who was due to be unveiled as the new coach of Villarreal on Friday, has died of a heart attack. Villarreal announced on Wednesday they had reached an agreement with Preciado to take charge of the club next season, with the 54-year-old set to be presented to the [...]
Francis in hospital after suspected heart attack
LONDON, England ● Former England striker Trevor Francis is recovering in hospital following a suspected heart attack. A spokesman for Championship club Birmingham, who gave Francis his professional debut in 1971, said they had been informed by a person close to the former player’s family that he had been taken ill on Friday. Francis was [...]
Doni to miss Wembley after failed appeal
LONDON, England ● Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones looks set to start Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against city rivals Everton after the club’s appeal against second choice Doni’s suspension was rejected. Jones, whose young son Luca died of leukaemia late last year, was thrust into the spotlight at Blackburn Rovers in midweek when [...]
Tragedy in Somalia
SOMALIA • The president of Somalia’s Olympic committee and the head of the national football federation were killed in a suicide bomb blast Wednesday that the IOC called an “act of barbarism.” FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he knew both men personally and they would be “sorely missed.” Somali Olympic Committee head Aden Yabarow [...]
