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Setanta in World Cup highlights deal with ITV
England football fans unable or unwilling to face trips to Minsk, Astana or Kiev to follow their team’s World Cup fortunes will be glad to hear that a deal has been done to televise highlights of the matches on terrestrial television.
There was considerable upset, especially among tabloid newspaper sports editors, when Setanta, the sports channel operator, failed to reach an agreement with either the BBC or ITV that would allow them to show highlights of the team’s 4-1 defeat of Croatia on September 10.
Setanta has exclusive rights to televise England away games for the next four years.
The broadcasters could not come to terms after Setanta, which paid the FA £5m for the live and highlights rights, demanded a £1m payment for the game.
Both terrestrial broadcasters offered £250,000 in the first instance and although ITV later increased its offer to £500,000, no deal could be done on the day.
Instead, Setanta suspended its encryption for a short period so that viewers with access to its sports channel on satellite, cable or Freeview television were able to see the highlights on the same night.
ITV then paid an undisclosed sum to show the highlights the following evening, drawing an audience of 1.6m, 12 per cent more than had watched the match live.
Now it has agreed with Setanta, again for a cost that has not been made public, that it will show highlights of England’s remaining three away World Cup qualifying games.
England are scheduled to play Belarus on October 15, Kazakhstan on June 6 2009 and Ukraine on October 10 2009. That last game is likely to decide who will qualify in the group for the World Cup finals in South Africa in 2010.
ITV, which already has the rights to England’s home qualifiers, is expected to show the highlights of the three matches at 10.30pm, after its evening news broadcast. England football fans unable or unwilling to face trips to Minsk, Astana or Kiev to follow their team’s World Cup fortunes will be gla... more -
Capello's boys cruise to Croatian glory
It seems Fabio Capello's strict diet regime on his England footballers might well be working, as they've just thumped Croatia 4-1 in their second World Cup qualifier.
Croatia seemed rattled from the start after an opening goal from Arsenal' Theo Walcott. Things quickly seemed to get a bit more physical on the pitch, with challenges flying in thick and fast from the Croatian players. One especially savage one floored Joe Cole and meant he had to be stretchered off the pitch with blood pouring from his head. Theo Walcott was definitely man of the match, scoring a hat-trick in 80mins, with the fourth coming from Wayne Rooney.
Seems the Croatian fans taunting the England players with doughnuts didn't do a thing! It seems Fabio Capello's strict diet regime on his England footballers might well be working, as they've just thumped Croati... more -
England footy stars 'taunted with doughnuts'
After reports emerged last week that Fabio Capello had the England team on a strict no-junkfood diet, and that some of the team were allegedly smuggling in midnight snacks of crisps and chocolate into their rooms, Croatian fans are now taunting players with doughnuts! With one of them saying:
"If they're getting too fat they should use more energy on the pitch. They should be hungry for goals, not Mars bars."
I think he's got a valid point. After reports emerged last week that Fabio Capello had the England team on a strict no-junkfood diet, and that some of the team were ... more -
England footy stars starved by Capello
Apparently England manager Fabio Capello has introduced a fasting regime for his players, meaning they're banned from eating anything for up to eight hours after training.
The players, who normally stock up heavily on carbs to keep them going, have allegedly been smuggling chocolate and crisps into their rooms to battle the hunger.
One senior source highly placed in the England camp said: “Players were complaining of feeling light-headed and nauseous after training. They’d been together four days and couldn’t believe how little they’d eaten. Most are used to diets packed with carbohydrates to keep going. Now all they’re allowed is a bit of cereal and toast."
I like the idea of my national football team sneaking in crisps and chocolate into their hotel rooms, I bet they all sit around and have midnight-feasts in their pyjamas. Apparently England manager Fabio Capello has introduced a fasting regime for his players, meaning they're banned from eating anyt... more -
Last minute equaliser saves Capello's blushes
Fabio Capello's reign as England manager continues to be just like the British summer, bleak. They scraped a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic,
A few substitutions and playing players out of position seemed odd and unnecessary, and probably contributed to a lacklustre and uninspired performance. England went 1-0 down in the first half only for Wes Brown to thump a header home to equalise. The Czech Republic looked stronger in the second half with them looking all set for the win until an injury-time goalmouth scramble saw Joe Cole bumble the ball over the line to pull the scores equal.
Lucky escape I'd say. Fabio Capello's reign as England manager continues to be just like the British summer, bleak. They scraped a 2-2 draw against the... more -
FA bigwig set to quit
I don't know if this is cos of how bad England are playing at the moment, but Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has announced he's quitting at the end of the year.
"Barwick, who previously worked for both the BBC and ITV, was appointed the FA's chief executive in November 2004."
I think he should have gone when McClaren got the boot as well really. I don't know if this is cos of how bad England are playing at the moment, but Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick ... more -
John Terry to skipper England
England coach Fabio Capello has announced that John Terry will be the national side's captiain in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup.
Capello had previously chosen Rio Ferdinand to captain the side, but said that Terry's big personality was the key in his decision:
"The big personality of John was the reason I chose him but Rio is very important to the team"
Obviously quite chuffed, especially given his poor run of form at the end of last season, ahem, penalties, he said:
"I think everybody realises it means the world to me to retain the armband. To get the armband back is a huge achievement for me."
"I heard about an hour before the news conference, just after training. The manager called the whole squad together and told us as a whole.
Think Terry's the right man for the job? England coach Fabio Capello has announced that John Terry will be the national side's captiain in the run-up to the 2010 World Cu... more -
England stars urge end to knives
David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Goal keeper David James say there must be an end to fatal stabbings in England. The players joined Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and senior police officers in a press conference in Watford on Britain's Gun Crime. David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Goal keeper David James say there must be an end to fatal stabbings in England. The players joined Ho... more
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England cruise to victory over Trinidad and Tobago
Fabio Capello's team coasted to victory over a Trinidad and Tobago team who had vowed to gain some revenge for their dismissal from the 2006 World Cup.
The opening goal came from Gareth Barry after a neat move between Stuart Downing and Wayne Bridge, followed four minutes later with Jermain Defoe's goal taking it to 2-0.
The third came after a Wayne Bridge cross fell nicely for Defoe to get his second.
The game saw Capello bring in some lesser known England players for the friendly, testing out the 'fringe' players who he has not had a chance to see play for their country yet, as well as giving David Beckham the captaincy. Fabio Capello's team coasted to victory over a Trinidad and Tobago team who had vowed to gain some revenge for their dismissal fr... more -
Does Beckham have a future in the England team?
It was Fabio Capello's first outing as manager and the 2-1 win against Switzerland has left fans and the press mutedly hopeful of a change in the England team's fortunes.
Capello clearly has no room for sentiment or names as Michael Owen spent the whole 90 minutes on the bench following Beckham’s exclusion and starts were handed to in-form players such as Matthew Upson, David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas. So what does this new, forward-looking style of management mean for older players like Beckham and Owen?
Beckham was denied his 100th England cap and the new boss asserted that he won't be swayed by fan loyalty towards the former captain.
Owen's future is equally in doubt. Capello made five second-half substitutions but kept Owen on the bench for the entire game. After the match, Capello refused to offer any hope for the striker, insisting all his players will be treated as equals on his watch.
Asked why he didn't bring Owen on, Capello said: "I think about the substitute according to what happens on the pitch. According to what I see on the pitch I decide who to bring on and who to take off. If people perform how I want I will keep them on the pitch. All players are equal to me."
*** Match Report ***
After a shaky first half, which the new manager has blamed on the pressure cooker atmosphere of Wembley, the England side began to grow in confidence into the new look 4-5-1 formation in which Joe Cole, Wayne Rooney and Bentley all impressed. A lot has been written about Capello’s command of the English language but he seemed to have no problem getting his point across from the touchline as he inspired his new players to victory with goals from Jenas and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Clearly banning guests, golf and mobile phones has had the desired effect but as the manager recognises himself there is still a long way to go. It was Fabio Capello's first outing as manager and the 2-1 win against Switzerland has left fans and the press mutedly hopeful of... more -
Capello Set To Manage England Squad
Former AC Milan head honcho Fabio Capello is tipped to be managing the England squad early next year, with Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger fully behind his posting. Having spent yesterday in discussions with FA bosses, the 61-year old Italian is keen to take the mantle as Steve McClaren's successor. Read the full breaking news here - Capello looks set to be a sure bet. Former AC Milan head honcho Fabio Capello is tipped to be managing the England squad early next year, with Alex Ferguson and Arsene We... more
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Mourinho Rejects England Job
Jose Mourinho has turned down the chance to become England's new supremo after discussions with Football Association hierarchy.
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Mourinho Says No To England Job
Jose Mourinho has reportedly turned down the chance to coach the England football team. Details are sketchy at the moment but one thing's for certain - English football would have been a lot more exciting and entertaining with the Special One in charge. Jose Mourinho has reportedly turned down the chance to coach the England football team. Details are sketchy at the moment but one thin... more
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Footballers Fare Better Than Fathers In Role Model Survey
According to a recent study, one in four children don't consider their fathers a close member of the family. And more boys look up to David Beckham than their own fathers as role models. This is quite a sad statement about the fate of the family in the modern world. But does it have to be this way? Are people quick to blame long working hours on the lack of fathers' involvement in their children's lives? According to a recent study, one in four children don't consider their fathers a close member of the family. And more boys look u... more
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England 2 - Croatia 3
Ok so this has very little to do with the title but I needed to get your attention somehow.
While England's men were last night failing to get to the Euro 2008 finals, the women (I don't mean the Wags) were probably putting in the hours at their second and third jobs.
Why you ask? Well Englands women World Cup team earned just £40-a-day each for reaching the quarter-finals in China two months ago.
Female striker Eniola Aluko said people are still working to recoup the money.
Yet an FA spokesman insisted that the budget in womens football has never been BIGGER.
Heres hoping he meant bigger than 14 years ago and not sufficiently greater today.
Ill be honest Im not the biggest fan of womens football but something seems grossly unfair about this. Ok so this has very little to do with the title but I needed to get your attention somehow. ... more -
McClaren sacked as England coach
Steve McClaren has been sacked as England coach following his side's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
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First the fans now the economy
Shirt manufaturers, bars and the wider retail industry are licking their wounds over a projected £2bn loss following England's failure to qualify for next years European Championships. The wider ranging ramifications will now be realised in 2008 due to the lack of a "Football Fever" which would have seen an increase in the sales of merchandise, Flat Screen TV's and beer.
I myself am disappointed to see England go out but as a fan of good football more importantly I haven't seen much of that from England recently. I was relying on teams like France and Spain to provide me with the tournament excitement as England haven't captured the imagination since Euro 96.
A greater concern is the projected economic impact for 2008 which isn't gonna be fun for no one. Shirt manufaturers, bars and the wider retail industry are licking their wounds over a projected £2bn loss following England's fa... more
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