UK Roundup

Arsenal's Pires denies speaking about possible Vieira move

LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires said Monday he never spoke about teammate Patrick Vieira's possible transfer to Real Madrid.

Vieira has been linked with Real Madrid for more than a month, and fellow French international Pires was quoted as saying in the Scottish Sunday Herald that Vieira was certain to join the Spanish club.

"All the players wanted Patrick to stay, but he has made his choice and we respect that," Pires reportedly said. "We can all understand why he has decided to go. I would just wish him all the luck in the world at (Real Madrid)."

But on Arsenal's Web site, Pires said he had "never given an interview to a Scottish newspaper."

"I am really furious when I read words that are put in my mouth," he said. "I have never said a word about Patrick's situation. I have too much respect for him to give my opinion.

"How can I wish Patrick good luck in Madrid when I saw him at the training ground this morning?"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Sunday he wanted Vieira to make up his mind about Real Madrid before the Premier League season starts Saturday. Madrid reportedly made a 23 million pound ($US42 million) offer last week.

"As far as I know, Patrick hasn't signed for Real Madrid, and I really hope, as do all my teammates, that he stays with Arsenal," Pires said.

Vieira captained Arsenal to the Premier League title in 2003-04. Arsenal went unbeaten, collecting 26 wins and 12 draws.

FIFA boss: Sex scandal brightened up the summer

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- A sex scandal that led to the resignation of three English Football Association employees and jeopardized the job of the England coach is "something good" that brightened up the summer, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Monday.

"It's enriched the summer non-footballing season in England," Blatter told reporters.

England coach Sven-Goeran Eriksson was last week cleared to continue in his job after the FA decided he hadn't misled it about his affair with a secretary employed by the association.

But FA Chief Executive Mark Palios and director of communications Colin Gibson resigned following media reports that they had tried to make a deal with a tabloid newspaper to break the story of the affair while covering up Palios' affair with the same woman.

The secretary, Faria Alam -- who is having talks with a public relations consultant to sell her story to the newspapers -- also resigned.

"It isn't an incident, it is something good," Blatter said.

"It is human relations, and football is also human relations. It is better than violence or ... tackling from behind. Football is part of our life, and in our life if you have attractive people in the room then such things happen."

Alluding to the spate of resignations by coaches following the European championships last month, Blatter said he agreed that soccer officials have to bear responsibility for their actions but that the English case "doesn't affect the game on the field of play."

Reports: Owen thinking over move to Real Madrid

LONDON (Reuters) -- Liverpool striker Michael Owen is considering a move to Real Madrid, according to British newspaper reports on Tuesday.

Real are willing to pay 10 million pounds ($18.41 million) in cash for Owen while sending 15 million pounds-rated Fernando Morientes or Real Mallorca's Samuel Eto'o to Liverpool in a package deal worth 25 million pounds, the reports said.

The Madrid club own a 7 million pound stake in Eto'o and would have to pay Mallorca 8 million pounds to conclude the package deal, the newspapers said.

England international Owen's contract at Liverpool runs out at the end of this coming season, when he would be able to leave the club on a free transfer.

Owen told reporters last week he could agree a new contract with the club before the premier league season starts on Aug. 14.

The 24-year-old striker scored 19 goals last season for Liverpool and is in their squad for the Champions League third qualifying round, first leg tie with Graz AK in Austria later on Tuesday.

Spurs miss out on Murphy signing

LONDON (Reuters) -- Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy's proposed 3 million-pound ($5.47 million) move to Tottenham Hotspur has fallen through, Tottenham's website reported on Monday.

The 27-year-old, who has nine England caps, travelled to north London for talks but failed to reach agreement with the premier league club now managed by former France coach Jacques Santini.

"We have withdrawn from these negotiations following a meeting with the player," a club statement said. "We acknowledge that a guaranteed first-team place was a deciding factor in his decision and we wish him well."

Murphy, who has two years left on his Liverpool contract, has also attracted interest from Charlton Athletic and Everton.

Kezman wins appeal of three-match ban

LONDON (Reuters) -- Chelsea's Mateja Kezman has won his appeal of a three-match ban, given after the Serbia and Montenegro striker was sent off for violent conduct during a friendly last month.

"At a Disciplinary Commission hearing today, the appeal for wrongful dismissal by Chelsea's Mateja Kezman was upheld," the Football Association said in a statement on Monday.

"He will therefore not serve any suspension and no extra punishment would be invoked in the case of another sending-off this season."

The 25-year-old Kezman, who joined Chelsea from PSV Eindhoven in the close season, was sent off for violent conduct in the premier league club's friendly against AS Roma during a pre-season tour of the United States.

Chelsea, who finished second last season, is at home to Manchester United in its first league match of the season on Sunday.

West Brom's Hughes jailed for hit-and-run crash

LONDON (Reuters) -- West Bromwich Albion footballer Lee Hughes was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday after being found guilty of killing a man in a hit-and-run crash.

The 28-year-old striker was convicted of dangerous driving in the death of Douglas Graham, in the West Midlands, in November 2003, a spokesman for Coventry Crown Court said.

Graham, 56, died after Hughes's Mercedes ran into a Renault, in which he was a backseat passenger, near the city of Coventry shortly after midnight.

Hughes, who was convicted by a jury after a six-day trial, had denied the charge.

During the trial, jurors heard that he fled the scene and turned himself in to police 36 hours later.

Hughes had previously pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

His club later issued a statement saying Hughes's contract, which had two years left to run, had been terminated following the outcome of the trial.

"The club would like to take this opportunity to express its deepest sympathies to the Graham family on the loss of Mr Douglas Graham," the statement added.

The footballer, nicknamed the "Ginger Ninja," was sold to Coventry City for a record fee of £5 million ($9.21 million) in 2001. He rejoined West Bromwich in 2002.

Newcastle agree terms with Spurs for Carr

LONDON (Reuters) -- Newcastle United has agreed a deal with Premier League rival Tottenham Hotspur for Ireland defender Stephen Carr, the Tyneside club said on Monday.

Carr, who joined Spurs as a trainee in 1992 and had a year left on his existing contract, was due in Newcastle over the next 48 hours to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical.

Newcastle, who off-loaded defenders Andy Griffin and Steve Caldwell earlier in the close season, did not reveal details of their offer.

The 27-year-old right back captained Spurs last season during the injury absence of Jamie Redknapp and had been expected to be part of a re-built team under new coach Jacques Santini and sporting director Frank Arnesen.

Solskjaer likely to miss season

LONDON (Reuters) -- Manchester United forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to miss the whole season after learning he still has serious damage to a knee cartilage, the Premier League club said on Monday.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer underwent an arthroscopy yesterday (Sunday) in Gothenburg. This unfortunately confirmed persistent damage to the articular cartilage of his right knee," a United spokesperson told the club's official website.

"He will undergo further treatment but it is likely that Ole will miss the whole of this season."

The 31-year-old Norway international, who had an operation 11 months ago on the troublesome knee injury that kept him out of action for much of last season, underwent further surgery at the weekend.

Palace manager Dowie agrees to four-year deal

LONDON (Reuters) -- Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie has agreed a new four-year contract, the promoted Premier League club said on Monday.

Dowie, who moved to Selhurst Park last December, led Palace via the playoffs to the top flight for the first time since 1998.

"We have in my opinion one of the best if not the best managers in the country, a man with huge ambition and drive," Palace chairman Simon Jordan said in a statement on the club's website.

"Obviously, Iain will need the right players and facilities to work with and I will ensure that he is given them."

Palace begin their premier league campaign away at Norwich City, also promoted from the first division last season, on Saturday.

Arsenal's Aliadiere faces lengthy layoff

LONDON (Reuters) -- Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere faces several months out of action after rupturing his cruciate ligament during the 3-1 Community Shield victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

The France under-21 international, who made 10 league appearances last season, was injured eight minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for Dennis Bergkamp.

Following a scan on Monday the club's website said: "It has been confirmed that Jeremie Aliadiere has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for several months.

"Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery."

Aliadiere scored four goals for Arsenal last season, all in the League Cup.

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