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US businessmen George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks will become co-chairmen of English Premier League club Liverpool after completing a deal to take ownership of the club beating off competition from Dubai International Capital. Liverpool announced to the stock exchange they had agreed the terms "of a recommended cash offer" made by Kop Football Limited, the US consortium led by Gillett and Hicks to buy the club. "The offer is £5,000 in cash for each Liverpool share, valuing the issued share capital of Liverpool at approximately £174.1million," read the statement. "Together with the £44.8 million of net debt in the club as at December 31, 2006, this represents an enterprise value for Liverpool of £218.9 million." The statement also revealed the board "unanimously recommends" that shareholders accept the offer. Gillett and Hicks confirmed they would make funds available, both for team strengthening and the building of the club's new stadium in Stanley Park. Existing chief executive Rick Parry will continue to run the club and Liverpool chairman David Moores will become an honorary life president. Gillett and Hicks each own NHL ice hockey teams and it is thought to be the first time that two owners of rival sports clubs in one league have combined to purchase a club in another. The deal makes Liverpool the third Premier League club to come under American ownership, following the takeovers of Manchester United and Aston Villa.
By PAUL J. WEBER, Associated Press Writer
February 1, 2007 DALLAS (AP) -- Tom Hicks, owner of the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers, is close to adding England's Liverpool soccer club to his list of sports holdings. Hicks has agreed to join Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. in a bid to purchase the five-time European champions, a person familiar with the negotiations said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The decision by Hicks to join Gillette's bid was first reported by The Dallas Morning News on its Web site Thursday. Hicks did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Hicks would have a 50 percent stake in the group. Gillette's offer seemed imminent after a Dubai-based consortium pulled out of a proposed $882 million offer Wednesday. Dubai International Capital, owned by the ruler of Dubai, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, called off negotiations after hearing that the board of directors was considering a bid from Gillett. Liverpool has won a record 18 English league titles and is planning to build a 60,000-seat stadium. The club has been looking for a buyer to help fund construction of a new stadium and provide the financial power to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer market. If the Hicks-Gillett bid succeeds, the group would become the third American owner of a Premier League team. Malcolm Glazer owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United, and Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner took over Aston Villa in September. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a bid for Liverpool three years ago. The Liverpool board also had talks with another American billionaire, New England Patriots and Revolution owner Robert Kraft. AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins contributed to this report.
Glenn Roeder has confirmed he will not stand in Nigel Pearson's way should The Football Association invite him to be a part of the new-look Under 21 setup. The FA are currently locked in talks with Manchester United after Stuart Pearce accepted the task of managing England's young hopefuls, but the club have been keen to stress that they have not released the former international yet. Magpies assistant Pearson is also in the frame to join the coaching staff, and Roeder has no qualms about allowing his right-hand man to work as a part time assistant at international level should the chance materialise. "When Trevor Brooking approached me about Nigel when I was doing my Pro Licence at Warwick University last week, I told him straight away it was not a problem to us," said Roeder. "In fact, I consider it a honour for Nigel Pearson and an honour for Newcastle United to be associated with the England Under 21 squad if that is what The FA are going to announce." By Tom Adams - Created on 29 Jan 2007
The Portuguese international spent the first half of the premiership season on loan at Portsmouth but talks stalled over a permanent deal and the talented midfielder returned to Estadio da Luz. However Fernandes will now be making his way back to England after agreeing to join David Moyes' side on a temporary basis. The loan signing of the 20-year-old is something of a coup for Everton given that league rivals Middlesbrough had also been chasing a deal for the Benfica star after his abortive stay at Fratton Park. Whilst confirming the transfer, Benfica also revealed that Fernandes has signed a new deal which may signal that his long-term future lies in his home country, rather than at Goodison Park. "Benfica have reached agreement with Everton Football Club to loan Manuel Fernandes until the end of the season," read a statement on the Portuguese giants' website. By Tom Adams - Created on 29 Jan 2007
Premiership leaders Manchester United FC and champions Chelsea FC were licking their wounds on Monday after a weekend of defeats that left the title race in rude health. Sharp contrast
Setbacks for United, beaten 2-1 by Arsenal FC on Sunday, and Chelsea, who went down 2-0 at Liverpool FC on Saturday, have left England's top four clubs separated by a modest 12 points - with another 42 to play for. The contrast with last season, when a leading bookmaker paid out in September 2005 on Chelsea retaining their title, could not be sharper. Satisfaction
Wayne Rooney's 53rd-minute header had looked priceless until Robin van Persie smashed an equaliser and Thierry Henry nodded an added-time winner as United's defenders lost their bearings in London. Yet Sir Alex could still point to Monday's league table with a degree of satisfaction. With 57 points on the board, a United side who were 15 points behind Chelsea after 24 games last season are today six ahead of them. Damage limitation
Deep as the Scot's decade-long rivalry with Arsenal counterpart Arsène Wenger runs, there is also some damage limitation in United losing to their most distant rival for the title. A similar defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in April could potentially wreak a great deal more damage to Sir Alex's hopes of a first league title since 2003. Injuries
United's defeat in the capital followed five wins and a draw. Chelsea's six games before losing at Anfield yielded four draws and just two wins - one of them against fourth division strugglers Macclesfield Town FC in the FA Cup. Chelsea have also been hit hard by injuries, notably to captain John Terry and England team-mate Joe Cole, while reports of friction between manager José Mourinho and the board have dominated the British media. Long shots
Liverpool, on 46 points, and Arsenal, with 45, are still long shots for the title despite their weekend heroics. However, they will now start believing they can at least wrest the runners-up slot - worth an automatic qualifying place in the UEFA Champions League - from a troubled Chelsea. A joy for Arsenal and Liverpool supporters, the two results will clearly have delighted millions of neutral fans to boot. ©Reuters 1998-2007. All rights reserved.
FC Barcelona returned to winning ways and the top of the Primera División at the expense of Sevilla FC as the UEFA Champions League holders beat CG Tarragona 3-0, while Real Madrid CF won 1-0 at RCD Mallorca to move to third. Saviola strikes
Barça had managed just two points from their previous three matches but Javier Saviola scored his eleventh goal in his last 14 appearances to give them the lead against Tarragona at the Camp Nou. The Argentinian pounced on a bobbling shot by Oleguer Presas in the penalty area to score the opener with a powerful finish. Comfortable win
Eidur Gudjohnsen's header set up the second for Barça after the break as the bottom club failed to clear their lines and Ludovic Ludovic Guily forced in the rebound off the legs of defender César Navas. Andrés Iniesta added the third with a sweeping low shot from the edge of the area in a comfortable win for the Spanish champions. Villa thriller
Valencia won 1-0 at Real Sociedad de Fútbol thanks to a superbly struck free-kick from David Villa which flew into the top corner from 25 metres shortly before the half-hour mark. The victory lifted Valencia into fourth place in the standings, two points behind Sevilla FC, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Villarreal CF on Saturday. Madrid third
Madrid moved above Valencia and level on 38 points with Barcelona and Sevilla, thanks to another free-kick winner, this time by José Antonio Reyes in the 78th minute as he curled a left-footer into the top corner. Meanwhile, Getafe CF, who knocked Valencia out of the Copa del Rey in midweek, continued their fine run of form with Manu del Moral's first-minute strike giving them a 1-0 win at home to RC Celta de Vigo. Celta had Pablo Contreras sent off and have now gone eight games without a win. Racing held
Real Racing Club Santander looked on course for three points when defender Ezequiel Garay scored from the penalty spot five minutes from time but Real Betis Balompié equalised two minutes later, winger Xisco finding the net with a delicate looping volley. Elsewhere, RC Deportivo La Coruña-RCD Espanyol, Levante UD-Athletic Club Bilbao and RC Recreativo de Huelva-Real Zaragoza finished goalless. ©uefa.com 1998-2007. All rights reserved.
The Beckhams are on the move again. David and Victoria - or 'Posh and Becks' as they are dubbed by the UK press - are moving this time from Spain to Los Angeles. We take a look at ten reasons why the Beckhams are going to love their new home: 10. Victoria's freakish orange tan will no longer stand out against the pastiness of her British contemporaries. 9. David need no longer face the perils of rain frizz. LA's tropical climate will mean the star's immaculately coiffed head will remain intact. 8. The best plastic surgeons are just minutes away. After confessing last year that "I look awful naked," Posh will be able to make the most of Dr 90210 and nip/tuck to her heart's content. 7. David will be able to fully embrace his metrosexual lifestyle without worrying about alienating his soccer fans. After all, it's not like anyone's going to be watching anymore... 6. Posh will be completely in her element, surrounded by other talentless singers, such as Paris Hilton, Kevin Federline and the Pussy Cat Dolls. 5. Nobody will notice Victoria's bizarre eating habits. Last year, a source told the New York Post that the former Spice Girl's diet comprised solely of endamame (fresh soy beans), pretzels and occasionally sushi. Compared to the regimes of diet-obsessed Hollywood, Posh's diet could be considered positively balanced. 4. Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz won't have to hang their heads in shame when they are introduced to other children. Compared to Tullulah Belle (Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter) and Banjo Patrick (Rachel Griffiths and Andrew Taylor's son), the boys got off pretty lightly. 3. Posh will be closer to her BFF, Katie Holmes, making their bizarre colour co-ordinated outings, as exhibited during last year's Paris Fashion Week, that much easier. 2. The Beckham boys will be able to have play dates with baby Suri, thus making the arranged marriage (that their parents have no doubt been plotting for months) a smooth and seamless transition. 1. Victoria will finally live up to her nickname Posh, when compared to the crotch-baring antics of other Hollywood residents. 12:30PM Friday January 12, 2007
By Joanna Hunkin
La Liga
Barcelona were disappointing on Saturday as they dropped two points against newly-promoted Levante, after Deco's fine opener was cancelled out by Alvaro's close range finish.
On Sunday, Real Madrid came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao as Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were on target, but for Sevilla, a 2-1 defeat at Espanyol dented their own title credentials.
Serie A
Internazionale stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games with a comfortable win over Siena, with Roma keeping up their pursuit of the league leaders with a win over Atalanta, which included a pair of Francesco Totti penalties.
On Sunday,Milan endured another disappointing result in only claiming a 2-2 stalemate against Cagliari.
Scottish Premier League Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski stepped from the bench to net his side's winner against Aberdeen, to extend their lead at the SPL summit to what looks to be an insurmountable 16 points.
Rangers continue to struggle to match their European exploits domestically, as they fell to an embarrassing1-0 defeat against Falkirk.
Ligue 1
Lyon's bid for a sixth successive title shows no sign of abating after Sylvain Wiltord's strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Le Mans.
Sochaux continue to exceed all expectations as they won again, on Sunday, against Marseille, thanks to Rabiv Afolabis' second half header.
Bundesliga
On Saturday Miroslav Klose fired Werder Bremen to the top of the Bundesliga with a double in their 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin.
Werder could have been usurped by Schalke on the Sunday but the Gelsenkirchen outfit were disappointing in their with Nurnberg.
Eredivisie:
PSV Eindhoven's march for the title still looks strong as Edison Mendez's goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win Vitesse Arnhem that keeps them top.
Ajax and AZ Alkmaar are the two clubs in closest pursuit, as they both secured comprehensive wins over Willem II and Excelsior respectively.
Best of the rest.
In Turkey, Fenerbahce stole bragging rights in the big game of the weekend, as they put Galatasaray to the sword 2-1.
Porto remain a form side in Portugal as they beat Boavista 2-0, whilst Friday night's big clash saw Benfica win 2-0 at Sporting Lisbon.
By Alex Dunn - Created on 4 Dec 2006
Holland coach Marco van Basten has dropped striker Ruud van Nistelrooy from the squad to face Ireland in a friendly on Wednesday. Van Nistelrooy, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester United last month, was left out along with midfielder Mark van Bommel. "We are now preparing for qualification for the European Championships in two years and we had to make choices," Van Basten said. "In our opinion we picked the best squad and they will have our confidence for the coming period." Van Nistelrooy was left on the bench throughout Holland's second round World Cup defeat by Portugal. Squad: Goalkeepers: Henk Timmer (Feyenoord), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) Defenders: Urby Emanuelson (Ajax Amsterdam), John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven) Midfielders: Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Nigel de Jong (SV Hamburg), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV), Denny Landzaat (Wigan Athletic) Forwards: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax Amsterdam), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea) , Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)
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