Madrid to sign duo Heinze and Robben

Real Madrid will present Gabriel Heinze and Arjen Robben to the fans and media at 4pm today.

The Spanish champions have not revealed whether the duo have passed their medicals or signed contracts yet but appear confident of the transfers being completed by 5pm local time.

Real's long chase for Arjen Robben finally looks to have reached a successful conclusion after the Primera Liga champions agreed a deal with Chelsea for the transfer of the Dutch international winger to the Bernabeu on a five-year contract.

Full-back Gabriel Heinze is also heading to Spain with an agreement in place to bring the Argentina international to Madrid from Manchester United on a four-year deal.

Both transfers are subject to successful medicals but, providing there are no complications, the duo could well form a new-look left-hand side at Real next season.

Heinze, 29, is set to step into the full-back berth vacated by long-serving Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who departed for Turkey this summer, while winger Robben has long been a target of Real's to boost their options down the flanks.

Real president Ramon Calderon promised to bring Robben to the Bernabeu as part of his successful election campaign in 2006, but no deal was forthcoming until Chelsea announced on Wednesday they had agreed to let the player leave Stamford Bridge for Spain.

A statement on the Chelsea website confirmed: 'Chelsea Football Club and Real Madrid have reached an agreement for the transfer of Arjen Robben subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.'

While Robben and Heinze both look poised to became Real's latest summer signings - following in the footsteps of Christoph Metzelder, Pepe, Javier Saviola, Jerzy Dudek, Royston Drenthe and Wesley Sneijder - one player who is set to leave the club is full-back Cicinho.

On the same day that the deals for Robben and Heinze were announced, Real revealed the 27-year-old Brazilian is heading to Italian side Roma.

A statement on the club's official website read: 'Real Madrid announce that they have reached an agreement for the transfer of Cicero Joao de Cezare `Cicinho' to AS Roma.

'The club wish to thank the player for his services and wish him the best of luck for the future.'

Real's trio of transfer deals came just three days before they launch the defence of their Primera Liga title with a mouth-watering home clash against local rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

The build-up to that game has been far from smooth however, with the team having lost six of their 10 pre-season matches under new coach Bernd Schuster.

The latest of those losses came at the Bernabeu last weekend when Real were beaten 5-3 by Sevilla en route to a 6-3 aggregate defeat in the Spanish Super Cup.

That saw the first piece of silverware of the season slip through their grasp, but the moves for Robben and Heinze - a double swoop which could cost Real almost 50million euros (£34million) in total according to the Spanish media - shows the champions are not going to take it lying down.

Source: Soccernet.com

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Eriksson set to buy to replace injured Bojinov

Table-topping Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is determined to bring in a replacement for injured striker Valeri Bojinov.

The Bulgarian will be out for at least five months and probably longer after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in Sunday's win over Manchester United.

Bojinov had only been on the field for six minutes before he sustained the injury in a collision with United defender Patrice Evra and now the 21-year-old is facing a major battle to play any part in the remainder of the campaign.

While Eriksson has nothing but sympathy for Bojinov - the youngest foreign player to appear in Serie A when he turned out for Lecce aged just 16 - the Swede recognises he is now short on firepower.

Aside from £8million new-boy Rolando Bianchi, Eriksson has only last season's mis-firing quartet of Georgios Samaras, Bernardo Corradi, Darius Vassell and Paul Dickov to call on ahead of Saturday's trip to Arsenal.

And, as he is also lacking midfield options, Eriksson is keen to do some more shopping ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline.

'Work is going on in the office,' he told the club website.

'We didn't want to have to do it but we have to look carefully at the situation because when you have a player who needs this kind of operation and rehabilitation, you can never be sure how long it takes to come back.

'To lose one player for such a long time is a big blow.

'But it is not only a striker, we need one or two midfielders as well to be covered properly.'

Bojinov's injury has seen Eriksson switch his thoughts away from reinforcing his goalkeeping pool even though a move for Livorno's Marco Amelia has long been touted.

Instead, it appears increasingly likely the former England coach will stick with Kasper Schmeichel, who has started his senior career with three consecutive clean sheets, and England Under-21 international Joe Hart, knowing he will have more experienced back-up in Andreas Isaksson once his fellow countryman recovers from a broken thumb.

'I would say the goalkeeping situation is on ice at the moment,' he said.

Source: Soccernet.com

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Real Madrid agree deal for United's Heinze

The messy Gabriel Heinze saga has finally reached its conclusion after the Manchester United defender agreed a four-year contract with Real Madrid.

Heinze was still considering whether to launch an appeal against the Premier League decision to block his preferred to Liverpool when Real made their move.

United, aware the 29-year-old's Old Trafford future was non-existent, were quick to agree a fee with the Spanish champions, believed to be well in excess of £5million, forcing the issue back into Heinze's court.

Although the Argentina World Cup star still wanted to explore the Liverpool option, he knew that by dragging the situation out even further, his chances of moving out of England before the August 31 transfer deadline would effectively disappear.

Having already had one lot of talks with Real earlier in the summer, Heinze has now opted to join the Spanish champions instead - a move which will no doubt disappoint Rafael Benitez, who expressed his disgust for the verdict reached by the Premier League 24 hours earlier.

In contrast, United will be glad to get rid of a player who became a firm fans' favourite in the immediate aftermath of his move from Paris St Germain in 2004 but became a pariah amongst supporters for so actively pursuing a move to their fierce north-west rivals.

Heinze must still pass a medical but providing there are no problems, he will join Bernd Schuster's squad within the next 48 hours as a replacement for long-serving Brazilian Roberto Carlos, who left the Bernabeu for Turkey this summer.

The move concludes a story which dogged United throughout their Far East tour and left Sir Alex Ferguson bemused about the player's intentions.

Those were made perfectly clear earlier this week when Heinze attending the Premier League hearing himself to claim a letter, signed by Red Devils chief executive David Gill, confirming a fee at which United would be willing to do business, constituted a promise to sell.

The panel disagreed, having also heard the startling revelation of Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander who told the three-man inquiry team he was approached by one of Heinze's representatives with a proposal for the player to join the Eagles before then being moved on to Liverpool.

Such a move may have attracted the attention of FIFA, whose rules forbid a player joining three clubs in one season, but ultimately never came to fruition.

However, it does emphasise the scale of Heinze's desire to become the first player to move from United to Liverpool since Phil Chisnall in 1964.

The whole episode has left a nasty taste in the mouth of Benitez, who must now look elsewhere for a left-back following Heinze's decision to accept Real's offer.

'I would like to ask the Premier League a number of questions. How can a player with a signed agreement be treated like this?' Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

'He has a document which is clear, but the Premier League prefers to believe the word of someone else who made a mistake. I know there were accusations made against Liverpool in the hearing which were unbelievable. How can this be allowed?'

And broadening his attack from the Heinze issue, Benitez said: 'Then I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always plays the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?

'We had more than the top clubs last season and we have four already to prepare for this season.

He then - somewhat bizarrely given the story dominated the news agenda for most of the close-season - claims it was 'so easy' for United to sign Tevez.

Benitez added: 'Then I want to ask the Premier League why it was so difficult for Liverpool to sign Javier Mascherano, when we had to wait a long time for the paperwork, but it was so easy for Carlos Tevez to join Manchester United?

'It's going to be very difficult for us to win the Premier League because the other teams are so strong, but I want our supporters to know that despite the disadvantages we have, we will fight all the way.

'We will fight to cope with our more difficult kick-off times and all the other decisions which are going against us.'

Source: Soccernet.com

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Robben set for Real Madrid switch

helsea have agreed to sell Dutch winger Arjen Robben to Spanish champions Real Madrid, the London club said on Wednesday.

Real confirmed the agreement and said the 23-year-old would sign a five-year deal with the club after undergoing a medical.

Spanish media reported that the nine-times European champions would pay around €36 million for the player.

Robben had been stalling over signing a contract extension at Chelsea, even though his existing deal has two years to run.

The news of Robben's signing came just a few hours after Real announced they had agreed to buy Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United for a reported €12 million.

He becomes Real's eighth signing of the close season following defenders Heinze, Christoph Metzelder, Pepe, Dutch duo Wesley Sneijder and Royston Drenthe, Argentine striker Javier Saviola and former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy having signed for Real last season, Robben's signing brings the club's Dutch contingent to four.

Real's total expenditure since Fabio Capello was sacked following their victory in the Spanish championship is in the region of €120 million.

The winger has been a long-time target of Real's and together with Cesc Fabregas and Kaka was one of the players Ramon Calderon promised to sign when he became president last July.

The pacy, left-footed winger joined the Londoners from PSV Eindhoven for £11million in 2004, and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, helping them win back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006.

He weighed in with 15 league goals in three seasons but was dogged by inconsistency and injury and made just 51 Premiership appearances. He underwent knee surgery at the end of March and has not played since.

Robben's future was thrown into futher doubt when Chelsea moved to sign France midfielder Florent Malouda from Olympique Lyon last month, though they denied he was a replacement.

The winger will compete with Brazilian Robinho and Drenthe for a place on the left of midfield though his versatility allows him to operate on both flanks and he is perhaps more likely to act as a replacement for David Beckham down the right.

• Meanwhile, Real Madrid have agreed to sell Brazil right back Cicinho to AS Roma, the Spanish champions said on Wednesday.

Roma confirmed the deal and said the player would arrive at the Italian club on Thursday.

The 27-year-old defender joined Real from then world club champions Sao Paulo in December 2005 for an estimated fee of €5million.

He played regularly in the second half of that campaign before tearing the cruciate ligament in his right knee in September 2006 and playing only seven games last season.

Cicinho follows in the footsteps of fellow countryman Emerson who also left Real this week for Italy, the midfielder joining AC Milan for around €5millionmillion.

The deal to sell Cicinho ended a frenetic night at Real who also announced the signings of Argentina left back Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United and Dutch winger Arjen Robben from Chelsea for an estimated total outlay of €48million.

Source: soccernet.com

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Torrest score his first goal for Liverpool, but equalize by Lampard penalty, Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

Liverpool and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw which suggested the Barclays Premier League season could be a war of attrition right to the end.

The two clubs have played each other 16 times in three seasons and familiarity clearly breeds contempt with nine bookings and Hampshire referee Rob Styles coming in for flak from both sets of players as he fought to maintain order.

Fernando Torres' excellent first goal for Liverpool was all but forgotten as the yellow cards were waved, five for Chelsea and four for Liverpool. Captains Steven Gerrard and John Terry were among the bookings.

• Benitez laments 'unbelievable' decision

Chelsea battled away after going behind and were rewarded with a controversial penalty that Frank Lampard drove past Jose Reina.

Steve Finnan was adjudged to have brought down Florent Malouda, but the incident looked more like the Frenchman jumping between Finnan and Jamie Carragher before crashing to the ground.

The incident set the tone for the rest of a fractious match in which Styles almost lost control. In the latter stages he appeared to book Michael Essien for a second time without sending off the Ghanaian only for the fourth official reveal the booking had been issued to Terry.

Broken toe or not, Gerrard was there to skipper Liverpool against a Chelsea side who had their own captain Terry back from injury.

It was never a cordial meeting between international skipper and his deputy, the pair involved in frequent verbal exchanges during an increasingly feisty clash.

Chelsea included Essien in their defence, who was pressed into service despite a groin injury because Jose Mourinho was without defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira.

Chelsea used Essien at right-back and John Obi Mikel as a holding midfielder, with Salomon Kalou trying to push on from midfield to aid Didier Drogba.

Malouda, who chose Chelsea ahead of Liverpool when he moved from Lyon in the summer, and Shaun Wright-Phillips were also quick to attack in a brave Mourinho system.

Liverpool went for a straight-forward 4-4-2 with Riise keen to exploit any unfamiliarity to right-back from Essien.

And the threat was demonstrated when Riise appeared in yards of space to take a Steve Finnan cross-field ball only for Petr Cech to come flying off his line to avert the danger.

Essien was booked for sending Alvaro Arbeloa flying on the touchline, then Chelsea's vulnerability on their right flank saw them a goal behind on 16 minutes.

Gerrard played the ball with the outside of his right foot, finding Torres heading into the area.

The Spain international took on Tal Ben-Haim, leaving the ex-Bolton man in just a couple of yards before squeezing a clever side-foot shot just inside Cech's far post.

Anfield went wild and the £20million man was an instant hero as he was mobbed by his delirious colleagues.

Chelsea responded with a Drogba free-kick that was deflected wide and Kalou saw a six-yard box chance disappear as he failed to shoot quickly.

Gerrard mopped up with a ferocious challenge on Drogba to clear.

The match got more heated and Dirk Kuyt was booked for a trip on Lampard.

The atmosphere deteriorated further after Chelsea complaints to referee Rob Styles over challenges on Malouda and Terry, the latter involved in an exchange of words with the perpetrator, Torres.

Pennant was then booked for dissent after being penalised for a foul.

Gerrard was next into the book for a foul on Mikel, the half ending with Torres limping away after a heavy challenge and plenty of exchanges between England colleagues on both sides.

Chelsea brought on Claudio Pizarro for Kalou at the break, to provide better support for Drogba. And the Peruvian made an instant impact.

First he nodded on a Lampard corner for Terry to head just over, and then he stretched at the far post to head wide himself.

Much of Liverpool's play in the opening half was geared to containment, but they were more adventurous attacking the Kop end and Gerrard and Xabi Alonso both saw chances go wide while a Riise free-kick was charged down.

But on 61 minutes, Chelsea were level from the penalty spot. It was a controversial decision by referee Styles to penalise Steve Finnan for a challenge on Malouda.

It looked as if Malouda had jumped between Finnan and Carragher before tumbling and Carragher was booked for arguing before Lampard drove the spot-kick home.

The bookings continued and Ben-Haim's for dissent soon after was the third caution in four minutes.

On 67 minutes, Ryan Babel replaced Pennant, who had just set up Riise for a power drive just wide.

Lampard was soon booked for dissent, with Terry following, Chelsea fuming at what they perceived as a Torres dive looking for a free-kick.

There was more argument involving Essien before the free-kick went Liverpool's way. The Ghanian appeared to be booked for a second time but Styles later confirmed that only Terry had been yellow-carded.

What was certain was that the game had deteriorated into a nasty, spiteful battle.

Cech did well to keep out a close-range Riise effort as Liverpool pressed again. Crouch taking over from Riise with seven minutes left.

Kuyt's flicked header just cleared the bar before Alex came on for his Chelsea debut in place of Malouda.

Chelsea were now intent on the point, which they achieved after Babel skimmed a late effort inches wide.

Source: Soccernet.com

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Lehmann gift Blackburn to earn draw with Arsenal, Blackburn 1 - 1 Arsenal

Arsenal were left to rue a moment of carelessness by goalkeeper Jens Lehmann which gifted Blackburn a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

He allowed Blackburn to secure a point when he flapped at a shot from David Dunn and watched in disbelief as it nestled in the net.

It was the second time this season the German has been punished for a lack of concentration. On the opening day of the season he allowed Fulham's David Healy to score from close range.

Arsenal went on to secure a victory against their London neighbours but were not so fortunate in Lancashire after Robin van Persie had given them the lead.

• Wenger fury at Blackburn 'violence'

The only sour note for Blackburn was the dismissal of skipper Ryan Nelsen for two yellow cards.

Arsenal took the lead in the 18th minute when Van Persie took advantage of some sloppy defending to score.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel failed to deal with Eduardo Da Silva's shot after Theo Walcott had headed the ball on.

Nelsen and David Dunn both had chances to clear but failed to do so and Van Persie took advantage his second goal of the season

It was just the start Arsenal wanted after their Champions League victory against Sparta Prague in midweek.

However manager Arsene Wenger was forced to make a change in the 25th minute with William Gallas limping off and replaced by Philippe Senderos.

Blackburn almost drew level in the 34th minute following a free-kick from David Bentley.

He picked out Christopher Samba at the back post and the towering defender headed the ball back across the area.

Nelsen was the first to react and powered the ball forward only to see his effort come back off the post.

Blackburn, though, were still looking vulnerable at the back and a mistake by Stephen Warnock let in Walcott with Nelsen dragged out of position.

Walcott was in two minds whether to shoot or cross and failed to trouble Friedel in the home goal.

The Arsenal youngster sent a harmless ball across the face of the area and Van Persie was unable to get a touch.

Then Senderos delivered a goal-bound header a minute before the break only to see Samba make the clearance.

Bentley then tried to curl a free-kick beyond Lehmann in the 53rd minute but his effort fail to trouble the goalkeeper.

This was a good spell by Blackburn and Roque Santa Cruz sent a header narrowly wide of the post in the 57th minute following a free-kick from Bentley.

Derbyshire then almost equalised three minutes later when he got on the end of a cross from Bentley but Toure made a vital interception.

There was controversy in the 62nd minute when Cesc Fabregas handled Samba's effort on the line but referee Alan Wiley awarded Arsenal a free-kick for an infringement.

Lehmann had to look lively in the 66th minute to push away an inswinging free-kick driven at pace from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Then came his howler which allowed Dunn to score his first goal in his second spell for the club.

Blackburn were growing in confidence and Pedersen made space down the left only to find the side-netting with his shot.

However they were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Nelsen picked up his second yellow card of the game for a challenge on Van Persie.

Blackburn, though, kept their shape to take a point and continue their good start to the season.

Source: Soccernet.com

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United stunned by City's Geovanni, Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United

After 2 frustrating draw for the new season open, United had been defeated by their neighbours, Manchester City in Manchester Derby match.

Sven-Goran Eriksson maintain his 100% win for the new season start after his team defeated Sir Alex Ferguson side with 1 - 0.

Beside that, Owen Hargreaves had made his debut for Manchester Untied along side with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.

Carlos Tevez has make his 2nd start for United, and was a constant threat as well, with Richards requiring all his lauded speed and agility to get City out of trouble.

Full Report: Soccernet.com

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Beckham bend it at MLS, first goal for LA Galaxy, D.C. United 0 - 2 LA Galaxy

David Beckham has score his first goal for LA Galaxy in the SuperLiga Semifinal. It was a superb free kick by Beckham at 27', and his assisting Landon Donovan to score the 2nd goal at 57'.

With the 2 goal lead, LA Galaxy has heading to SuperLiga Final.

Youtube clip about David Beckham's freekick:


Full Report: soccernet.com

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Malaysia Cabinet rejects apology from Negarakuku rapper

The Cabinet has not accepted student Wee Meng Chee’s apology for the furore caused by his Negaraku rap videoclip on video-sharing web portal YouTube.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the Cabinet had decided yesterday that they were not in the position to forgive him and that “the law would have to take its course”.

“The offence was not against the Prime Minister or ministers concerned but against the nation,” Nazri told reporters after the launch of the International Conference on Media and Information Warfare: A Global Challenge of the 21st Century here.

“If he had committed an offence, which I think was an offence, then we must allow the Attorney General to investigate and decide whether to take him to court,” he said.

Wee had on Tuesday apologised for the parody and agreed to remove the videoclip from his blog.

Nazri said Wee’s apology could be used as mitigation in sentencing but not as a reason to not prosecute him.

“To not prosecute him is not ‘on’ at all because he has committed an offence against the nation and no one, not the Cabinet or political parties, are in the position to forgive him,” he said.

Wee could be charged under the Sedition Act because he had insulted the symbol of the nation, he said.

“We cannot be like the West where you can have the underwear with the design of the Union Jack. In Britain, you can insult the Queen or the flag, I don’t care, but in this country we have laws and we cannot create a precedent where you commit an offence, apologise and get away with it,” he said adding that Wee was not a boy but a 24-year-old man and he should be held responsible for the act.

“It is not an issue of ethnicity or being racial but against national interest,” he said.

When asked how Wee had insulted the national anthem, Nazri said the song was supposed to be sung based on how it should be sung, otherwise, it would mean insulting the song, especially when the lyrics were changed.

“Malaysia Negaraku ku. 'Ku ku' can also mean ‘cuckoo’ so it was insulting. I don’t think this was done out of ignorance. He was a university student and he meant to insult the national song,” he said.

On whether Wee would be called home to answer charges against him, Nazri said the AG would have to investigate and if he comes to the decision to prosecute him, then when Wee returns, he would have to face the charges.

He also said that he wanted action to be taken against video-sharing portal YouTube and other bloggers who have allowed sensitive material to be published that went against the law of our country.

Source: thestar.com.my

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Another frustrating draw + C.Ronaldo sent off for United, Portsmouth 1 - 1 Manchester United

Manchester United had another frustrating drew with Pompey after their home draw with Reading last Sunday.

With away at Fratton Park, Manchester United was took the lead at 15' when Carlos Tevez set up the scoring chance for Paul Scholes to finished it to the net.

Pompey's Benjani head in the equalizer with the superb cross from Matthew Taylor at 53'.

Ronaldo was sent off for an apparent headbutt on Portsmouth substitute Richard Hughes in a dramatic last few minutes at Fratton Park - just seconds after Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Ronaldo will faces a three-match ban for violent conduct, which means United will play against Manchester City, Tottenham and Sunderland.

Full Report: Soccernet.com

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