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British Roundup New Wembley in limbo after funding failure
Updated: Tuesday May 01, 2001 5:52 PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- England's Football Association has failed to raise funds to build a new national stadium at Wembley and the ambitious project is now under serious threat. "The FA have been unable to meet the funding gap from city backers as they would have wished," a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said. "According to FA figures the funding gap is 100 million [US$142.9 million] to 150 million pounds at the moment. They don't feel, given the length of time they have spent seeking backing, that they can proceed with the project at this stage," he said. The government still hoped a national stadium could be built and it would hold talks to try to find a solution, he said. He ruled out the government providing a "blank check" to rescue the project. Ministers will appoint an outside figure within weeks to looking into the fiasco. "We remain committed to a national stadium, so the government will work with sports authorities to see how this can be taken forward," the spokesman said. The plan to knock down the original Wembley, home of the FA Cup final since 1923 and venue of the 1966 World Cup final, and redevelop the north London site with a 90,000-seater stadium has been dogged by delays and controversy. The cost of the new Wembley has soared from an estimated 240 million pounds to 660 million pounds (US$943.2 million) and the development has fallen at least two years behind schedule. Demolition of the old stadium, due originally to begin in November 2000, is yet to begin. Critics of the project claim the Wembley site, while historically important for the English game, has bad transport links and is in an area ill-suited to handle the movement of tens of thousands of fans. Possible switch The government spokesman did not rule out the site of the stadium being switched to another city. "It is fair to say Wembley remains the front-runner for a national stadium, given the area has already been purchased," he said. "But that does not rule out other options." The FA said it could not afford to "act as the sole sponsor of the scheme." "Our number one priority is to develop grass roots football. The scale of commitment of taking sole charge of the project would put our future in jeopardy," said FA chief executive Adam Crozier. "The government understands this and a group chaired by the Home Secretary [interior minister] Jack Straw will look at how this project can be taken on from here." The Wembley National Stadium board is to discuss the developments at a meeting on Wednesday. In February, Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL), said the new stadium would not be ready until the end of 2004. But he said funding required for the new structure would be announced at the end of April after funding had been secured from investors in the financial City of London. McAllister strikes again as Liverpool wins at BradfordLONDON -- Veteran midfielder Gary McAllister made it three free kicks and a penalty in his last five games as Liverpool jumped into third place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at relegated Bradford. After Michael Owen had fired the UEFA Cup finalist ahead at Valley Parade a minute into the second half, 37-year-old McAllister curled a free kick into the top corner to maintain his rate of scoring from set pieces. In another Premier League game, Newcastle was jeered off the field by its own fans after a tame 1-1 tie with Southampton which finally scored for the first time since coach Glenn Hoddle left for Tottenham. After Kevin Gallacher had given the Magpies a 26th minute lead, Marian Pahars headed in a cross from Kevin Davies with 10 minutes to go for a first Saints goal since Stuart Gray took over from Hoddle six games ago. A minute later Saints Matt Oakley blocked a Carl Cort shot on the line but the visitor hung in for a point. In division one, third place Bolton maintained its lingering chance of gaining the second automatic promotion place by winning 2-0 at Wolves with second half strikes by Dean Holdsworth and Michael Ricketts. But Blackburn can clinch place behind Fulham by beating fourth place Preston on Wednesday. Vialli set to be confirmed Wednesday as Watford bossLONDON -- Former Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli is expected to be appointed Wednesday as manager of first division club Watford. Vialli, a 36-year-old former Italian international, was sacked by Chelsea just five games into this season and has been taking a UEFA coaching course to improve his management and motivational skills. Watford has called a news conference Wednesday at Vicagare Road at which Vialli's appointment is expected to be confirmed. Vialli will succeed Graham Taylor, who is retiring from soccer after nearly three decades in the game including stints as manager of England, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton. Vialli was fired by Chelsea on Sept. 12 and replaced by Claudio Ranieri. The first test of his new management skills would be returning the Hornets to the Premier League. In his final season in charge, Taylor was unable to take Watford to the play-offs in the club's first season after relegation from the top flight at the end of the 1999-2000 campaign. Despite having started the season with a 15-match unbeaten run, the Hornets faltered at Christmas and never recovered. Vialli joined Chelsea after helping lead Juventus to victory in the 1996 European Cup. He took on the role of player-manager two years later after the surprise departure of Ruud Gullit and enjoyed relative success in his 2-1/2 years in charge. Chelsea won the FA Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup and the League Cup under Vialli's control. But he paid the price for failing to bring the championship to Stamford Bridge. Bolton keep up pressure on BlackburnLONDON -- Bolton Wanderers won 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday to keep up the pressure on Blackburn Rovers in the race for the second automatic promotion spot from division one. Goals in each half by Dean Holdsworth and Michael Ricketts assured Sam Allardyce's side victory at Molineux. Third-placed Bolton now have 86 points with one game to play. Graeme Souness's Blackburn, on 87 points with two games left, visit fourth-placed Preston on Wednesday knowing a victory will secure them promotion. At the bottom, Huddersfield took an important step towards safety with a 1-1 draw at Wimbledon which means they are five points clear of the drop zone. Watford, who according to media reports will name Gianluca Vialli as their new manager on Wednesday, won 3-0 at Gillingham.
Manchester United signs 12-year-old boyMANCHESTER, England -- English champion Manchester United have signed a 12-year-old boy in a deal which could earn his former club 136,000 pounds (US$195,000). Daniel Rowe was signed from first division club Preston, where he was playing in the Premier Academy League under-13s league. His fee, determined by a compensation tribunal, will be paid in installments, with Preston receiving 100,000 pounds (US$143,000) if Rowe makes 10 first-team appearances. Rowe has been playing with Preston since he was 6, and the club said it had done the right thing in allowing him to go to Manchester United. "We as a club suggested that, if Daniel wanted to leave, he went to Manchester United because it's the biggest club in the world," Preston spokesman Ben Rhodes said. "If you're going to lose a player -- and it's not as if he was poached or anything like that -- we suggested to him that Manchester United was the club to aim for. "To get that amount of money for a player of that age, who you don't know what is going to happen to in the next few years, seems like a good deal." English clubs are investing heavily in children of primary school age in a bid to find the most promising talent at the earliest age. Several clubs have already had success fostering young talent, such as West Ham with Joe Cole and Michael Owen at Liverpool. Arsenal also reaped rewards for the signing of then 15-year-old Jermaine Pennant for 2 million pounds (US$2.86 million) from Notts County in 1999. Fulham win rights to fulhamfc.com domainGENEVA -- A United Nations panel has awarded London soccer club Fulham the rights to the Internet domain name www.fulhamfc.com. In a decision released Tuesday, the World Intellectual Property Organization ordered the name transferred to the club, which is formally known as Fulham Football Club. The domain name had been registered by Belize Domain Services, which is based in the Central American country. Fulham, which has been promoted to the English Premier League for next season, said it had "spent significant time and other resources in developing and exploiting its goodwill by developing a commercial program based on the Fulham FC brand." The club's official Web site is at www.fulhamfc.co.uk. When it contacted Belize Domain Services about the .com domain name, the organization said it had registered the name for a client which was planning to operate a "fun club" at the site, but no Web site has ever been set up, the club said. Fulham added that the Belize company has also registered www.wimbledonfc.com. WIPO said Belize Domain Services had "not participated" in the case. Panelist Edward Chiasson ruled that the domain name should be transferred to Fulham. He said the company which registered it had no legitimate rights in the name. Anyone can register a domain name for a few dollars, which has led so-called "cybersquatters" to file for famous names to make a fast buck from those who want the names. Some names are worth millions of dollars. The WIPO procedure, which started in 1999, allows those who think they have the right to a domain to get it back without having to fight a costly legal battle or paying large sums of money. Burley commits to IpswichIPSWICH, England -- Ipswich manager George Burley has committed his long term future to the club by signing a five-year contract. The club has exceeded all expectations in its return to the Premier League this season, reaching fourth place with two games left. Burley joined the club from Colchester in December 1994. His contract extends to 2006 and his annual salary has reportedly risen to 500,000 pounds (US$715,000). "Last year, in taking the club back to the Premiership, was the most special moment of my career as a player or manager," Burley said. "This year, it has just got better and better for everyone concerned. "There is still lots to be done, but I am so proud of the way we have performed at the highest level." Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks said the new contract would make the Scotsman "among the top echelons of football managers in England" and was "a measure of our belief in his talents." Ispwich has already qualified for the UEFA Cup, but hopes of reaching the Champions League suffered a setback after Monday night's 2-1 defeat at Charlton. Villa's Gregory eyes MellbergBIRMINGHAM, England -- Aston Villa manager John Gregory is targeting a Swedish international playing in Spain as a possible replacement for transfer-listed captain Gareth Southgate. If Southgate leaves the club this summer, Gregory wants Olof Mellberg to fill the defender's position. He has watched the 23-year-old play for Racing Santander in recent weeks. The Spanish club value the Swede at 6 million (US$8.58 million) and are willing to sell if the price is right. But they may have to fight off interest for Mellberg from Chelsea and Tottenham. Southgate went on the transfer list 11 months ago and is eager to win some medals and taste Champions League soccer before he retires. Forest wants to extend Platt dealNOTTINGHAM, England -- Nottingham Forest chairman Eric Barnes wants to extend the contract of manager David Platt, despite the club missing out on a playoff spot. The first division club is believed to want a two-year extension to the former England star's current deal, which has another year to run. "David has only got one year left on his contract. Since everybody knows how much I admire what he does and how supportive I have been, it isn't good business practice to have someone with just one year left on their contract," Barnes said. "The board and I are talking now with David and I very much want him to extend his contract and we're trying to bring that about." Platt succeeded Ron Atkinson in 1999. Forest flirted with relegation in his first season at the club before finishing 14th. Although Forest has enjoyed better fortunes this season, the club missed out on a playoff spot. Oxford fans force sacking of coachesOXFORD, England -- Disgruntled fans have forced the sacking of Oxford United's coaching staff after the club's relegation to division three. Manager David Kemp and assistant Alan McLeary were fired by Oxford chairman Firoz Kassam after the club's annual general meeting Tuesday. Kassam said he had to act after fans protested during Oxford's 3-1 victory over Swansea on Saturday. "I have always said that I will do what I feel is best for the club rather than listening to supporters," Kassam said. "But on Saturday there was not just a handful of fans chanting for David to go, but thousands. "That was not nice for me to listen to and I don't think it was very good for David either." Kemp and McLeary were brought in last October but results have not improved. Oxford finished bottom of division two following the worst season in its history. Larsson on course for Golden ShoeGLASGOW, Scotland -- Scottish player of the year Henrik Larsson is on target to win the Golden Shoe award as the top goalscorer in Europe. The Swede has scored 50 goals for Celtic this season, of which 34 have come in the Scottish Premier League. PSV Eindhoven striker Mateja Kezman is Larsson's main rival for the award. Scottish goals are not worth as much under the competition's scoring system as other leagues. Kezman's goals are worth two points as opposed to Larsson's 1.5. Larsson has 51 points with three games remaining, while Kezman has 44 -- effectively four goals behind. Three players are on 40 points -- Ebbe Sand of Germany's Schalke 04, AC Milan's Andrei Shevchenko and Ali El Khattabi, who plays in the Dutch league with Sparta. Sunderland's Kevin Phillips won the award last year, which is sponsored by European Sports Magazines. Rushden and Diamonds win promotionLONDON -- Rushden and Diamonds won promotion to the English League without kicking a ball on Tuesday after Yeovil, their only rivals for promotion, lost 3-2 at home to Hereford. Yeovil's defeat means that Rushden, based in Northamptonshire some 60 miles north of London, will play in the League for the first time next season after clinching the Football Conference title. The battle to avoid the drop into the Conference is still unresolved. Rushden, managed by Brian Talbot -- a former FA Cup winner with both Ipswich Town and Arsenal, owe their unusual name to the merger in 1992 between former local arch-rivals Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds. The club's impressive 9,000-seater Nene Stadium is based in Irthlingborough and the club are backed by Max Griggs, the producer of the Dr. Marten boot.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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