Other soccer news in brief
Terry's father in 'entrapment' case
THE father of England defender John Terry was spared jail yesterday for supplying cocaine to an undercover reporter after a judge said he was a victim of entrapment.
Edward Terry, the 56-year-old father of the former England soccer captain, admitted supplying 3.5 grammes of the drug to the journalist from the News of the World when he appeared before magistrates last month.
“Employees of a national newspaper decided to mount what was in effect a sting operation against Mr Terry to ascertain whether he could or would supply class A drugs,” prosecutor Paul Scothern told Basildon Crown Court yesterday. Terry received a suspended prison term of six months and 100 hours of community service. “It is a very, very clear case of entrapment solely to create a newspaper story,” said Judge Christopher Mitchell.
Mourinho reveals positions he would like to strengthen
NEW Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has shed some light on areas in the team that he believes needs strengthening as he begins work on his new project at the Bernabeu.
The 47-year-old has wasted no time pinpointing the positions in which he will be looking to bolster his squad over the summer.
“Real has a right-back that I like very much in Sergio Ramos,” Mourinho said. “But in my way of thinking, I believe he can be better as a central defender so we might need a right-back.
“I also would like to have an alternative left-back to Marcelo. Marcelo has his characteristics but Real needs a balanced squad, different players for each position.
“I would like a left-back that has different characteristics to Marcelo.”
Madrid’s midfield is considered by the club’s fans as their biggest weakness. “The midfield line is very important,” Mourinho said. “It’s difficult to find a player in midfield right now that is complete.”
Deal done to save Crystal Palace
CRYSTAL Palace were yesterday hauled back from the brink of extinction after the CPFC 2010 consortium finally agreed a deal in principle to buy the club and its Selhurst Park ground.
The administrator in charge of the Championship club, who have debts of €36 million, gave them until 3pm yesterday to reach an agreement with Lloyds Bank before the liquidation process was due to begin. Hundreds of Palace fans who had gathered outside the bank’s headquarters to demonstrate were fearing the worst when that deadline passed. But negotiations continued behind closed doors and the deal was struck, saving the 105-year-old club from going out of business.
Yesterday’s announcement should secure the future of the club, who overcame a 10-point deduction to avoid relegation to League One on the final day of the season and now appear to have won an even bigger battle.
New Arsenal deal for Ramsey
WELSH international Aaron Ramsey, who suffered a double fracture of his right leg in February, has signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday.
The 19-year-old made 29 appearances and scored four goals for Arsenal before his season was prematurely ended when he suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg in a collision with Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City.
Bellamy to consider Cardiff move
MANCHESTER City striker Craig Bellamy has indicated he would consider a move to Championship side Cardiff.
Bellamy, born in the Welsh capital, is reportedly wanted by a host of clubs, including Celtic, Wolfsburg and Tottenham after speculation circulated the frontman was keen on a move away from Eastlands.
City boss Roberto Mancini is said to be preparing more big spending commitments during the close season, which could put the 30-year-old’s starting place under threat.
Bellamy said he would refuse to sit on the bench just collecting his wages, and as surprise reports suggested Cardiff could be the Welshmans next destination, Bellamy hinted at a transfer to his hometown club. “Playing anywhere else in Europe would be too much of a strain on my family because they live in Cardiff. So it really limits me to maybe one place.”
Van Damme signs for Wolves
BELGIUM international defender Jelle Van Damme became Wolverhampton Wanderers’ first close-season signing when he joined the Premier League club on a three-year deal yesterday.
The 26-year-old, signed for an undisclosed fee from Belgian champions Anderlecht, returns to the English top flight after previously playing for Southampton in the 2004-05 season. “Jelle is a player we’ve been watching for a long time and I’m delighted we’ve managed to sign him,” manager Mick McCarthy said.
“With all due respect to the Belgian League, there’s a big difference between that one and the Premier League,” Van Damme, who has made 22 international appearances, said. “Anderlecht is the biggest club in Belgium but for me this is two steps higher.”
