Pramac lose Alice backing, Canepa to Onde

Onde 2000 look set to expand to two Ducatis in 2009 to accommodate Niccolo Canepa, who jumps from the scaled down Pramac team.

A shortfall of funds could force the Pramac Ducati team to scale down their efforts to just one bike for Mika Kallio in 2009, with Niccolo Canepa being quickly transferred over to the Onde 2000 team instead.

Spanish publication AS is reporting that Italian telecommunications company Alice has decided to pull its sponsorship of the satellite Ducati team, leaving them with only enough money to run a single bike for 250GP graduate Kallio.

Another blow to the series in the week that saw Kawasaki poised to withdraw their manufacturer effort, Ducati have nonetheless moved quickly to maintain their five-strong effort in 2009.

Indeed, despite the threat of being frozen out, Ducati test rider Canepa will continue to make his MotoGP debut this year after being shifted over to the sister GFH-run Onde 2000 team alongside series returnee Sete Gibernau.

Onde 2000 were apparently already considering a second bike alongside Gibernau, but AS claim it was originally being earmarked for Suzuki World Superbike exile Fonsi Nieto, relative of GFH owners Pablo and Gelete Nieto.

Nonetheless, it is Canepa who will assume the bike, which is getting its title sponsorship from a large Spanish property development company, to keep the official entry at 19, pending Kawasaki's expected announcement.

Source:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Fergie: Chelsea Clash is Crucial

By Rich Jones, PA Sport

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists an early conclusion to his side's league battles with title rivals Chelsea this season should not detract from the significance of this Sunday's clash.

Every season since 2002-03, the Red Devils have faced Chelsea in the closing weeks of the season, with their summit meetings frequently termed title deciders.

However, after September's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, this weekend's match at Old Trafford will bring an unusually early end to their Barclays Premier League hostilities.

But although the games remaining this season would give either team plenty of time to recover from defeat, Ferguson insists the importance should not be downplayed.

"That will be a big game. It's unusual to have it in January, it's usually towards the end of the season," the Scot told Inside United magazine.

"It's been later - in the last two or three games - for the last two seasons. It doesn't matter when you play Chelsea, though, it's always going to be a massive game.

"It's a little different with the timing, but we're still aiming to win it. They've done very well away from home but not so well at home so it's been interesting from them this season."

Should United win in front of their own fans it will take them to within a point of Luiz Felipe Scolari's side with two games in hand.

And Ferguson admits that would strike a major psychological blow against the team widely expected to provide their main competition for the Premier League crown.

"If we can get within a couple of points of Chelsea and we've games in hand, then we're in a great position," he said.

Source:
http://www.sportinglife.com

Arbuckle injury blow for Queens

Queen of the South striker Gary Arbuckle will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Morton.

The 24-year-old former Clyde forward was on target at Cappielow but had his leg fractured in two places, following a tackle from behind.

Arbuckle had just returned to the starting line-up after missing four games through injury.

Saturday's goal was Arbuckle's second of the season for Queens.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk

Jose set for Fergie reunion

Jose Mourinho will renew his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson when Internazionale take on Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Mourinho guided his then FC Porto side to victory against United in 2004 before the Portuguese team went on to win the Champions League and he enjoyed many classic encounters with Ferguson's side as manager of Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri returns to Stamford Bridge after Chelsea were drawn against the Turin-based side.

Ranieri spent four years in charge of Chelsea before being replaced by Mourinho, since when he endured difficult spells at Valencia and Parma before taking charge of Juve last year.

Liverpool play Real Madrid in a repeat of the 1981 European Cup Final in Paris, which was decided by Alan Kennedy's goal, while inconsistent Arsenal face an AS Roma side that is currently tenth in the Serie A table.

Elsewhere, Barcelona will start as favourites to progress against Lyon while Atletico Madrid take on Iberian rivals FC Porto.

Sporting Lisbon, who finished as runners-up to Barcelona in Group C, take on a Bayern Munich side that had the best record in the group stages, while outsiders Panathinaikos have been drawn against the 2006 semi-finalists Villarreal.

The full draw is:
Chelsea v Juventus
Villarreal v Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v FC Porto
Lyon v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Arsenal v AS Roma
Internazionale v Manchester United

Source:
http://www.football.co.uk

Tevez Unhappy With Fergie Comments

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has risked the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson by reacting to the manager's comments regarding his contract situation.

On Sunday Tevez, 24, revealed his disappointment at speculation that he had rejected a new offer from the Premier League champions, and on Monday he reiterated his desire for his future to be sorted.

"I didn't like him (Ferguson) saying I didn't like the offer I was made because neither my agent nor me were given one," the Argentina international, whose deal runs out in the summer, told Radio del Plata.

"I don't know anything on my future. United know what they must pay if they want me to stay.

"I want to stay but the club have not made any offer. I've been waiting for them for a year and a half."

The ongoing saga has prompted reports that Tevez, who joined United from West Ham in 2007, is a target of Real Madrid, and the forward added: "If I have to quit the club, I want to quit on good terms."

"Now all clubs are on an equal footing. If a club comes to me and offers me a five-year deal, I will accept it for peace of mind.

"I will sign my last contract, and then I figure that I'll go back to Boca (Juniors.) That could be in four or five years."

"I want everybody to know no offer has been made. I don't like that they are playing with our fans, who show their love to me in each match."

Source:
http://www.football365.com

Football News

1 Premier League
- Ferguson defends Glazer over Man United debt
- Arsenal romp past Blackburn
- Hiddink: Tension is back
- Fulham Hope To Extend Hangeland's Stay
- Michael Essien Back For Chelsea Today
- Keane For Spurs Is Nonsensical Move...
- Scolari Keeps Thoughts to Himself
- Ronaldo Returns to Training
- Rio Ferdinand writes off Arsenal title hopes
- Silva exited by Milan Challenge
- Premier league: Ronaldo sees future at United
- Carlos Alberto backs England to shine
- Ferguson praise for ref justice
- Joe Cole out for season
- Shearer queries Man City strategy
- Veron urges Tevez to stay
2 Serie A
- Inzaghi wary of Chelsea threat
- Mourinho's Inter first up for Barcelona
- Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito score in Inter's win over Parma
- Juventus sets Diego date
- Kaka nostalgic for AC Milan
- Seedorf explains Gattuso chaos
- Zambrotta: 'AC Milan must have faith'
3 La Liga
- Champs Barcelona, Real Madrid set to maintain top spots
- Real 'have signed' big name
- La Liga - Milito may play this season
- Boluda sets date for Real presidential election
- Valencia to host two America's Cup pre-regattas
- Atletico Madrid Unleash Late Hell To Sink Barcelona
- Hammers loan Julien Faubert to Real
- Raul equals Madrid record
- Real Madrid Make Offer for Inter's Mancini
- Barca aim to retain pair
4 Bundesliga
- Kahn: Schalke Came Too Eearly
- Bayern, Wolfsburg pressure Hertha
- Klinsmann satisfied as Bayern close gap
- Schalke sack Rutten
- Enke Out to Prove He's No 1
- Unhappy Allianz in Munich
- Brazilian stars stay put at Fenerbahçe
- Bayern boost for Klinsmann

5 Others
- Japan-England World Cup Warm-Up Mooted
- PSSI beats Persib in Asia Cup tryout
- Lionel Messi Available For Upcoming Argentina Matches
- Maradona: ‘I Won’t Resign’
- Osaka crush Adelaide's hopes in AFC final 1st leg
- Chung to step down as head of SKorean soccer

Alonso unhurt in Kenyan plane incident

Fernando Alonso has emerged unhurt from an incident on Sunday aboard a private plane in Kenya, according to reports

Citing the information of the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the website of Spain's sports publication Diario AS said a wing was damaged when the plane, also carrying the Renault driver's wife Raquel and members of her family, took off early on Sunday evening

Alonso, 27, was attempting to return to Spain after visiting northern Kenya where his team boss, Flavio Briatore, owns the luxury resort Lion In The Sun

A Renault spokesperson confirmed the incident that occurred at the Malindi airport, insisting that no-one was hurt

AS said the plane's right wing struck a building, causing the pilot to momentarily lose control. It is said that a female pilot was in a state of minor shock

The party, including Raquel's sister and her partner, subsequently organised to return to Spain on another private flight

Source:
http://www.onestopstrategy.com

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