Soccer digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Kroenke promises Arsenal trophies

AMERICAN businessman Stan Kroenke has vowed to bring silverware back to Arsenal's trophy cabinet after securing a 62.89 per cent controlling share in the club.

Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE) cleared the way for a full takeover after agreeing to buy out major shareholders Danny Fiszman (16.1%) and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith (15.9%) for around €265 million.

By passing the 30 per cent threshold, Kroenke is obliged to make a cash offer for the remaining capital at €13,300 per share. The club’s total value has been set at €828 million.

Kroenke will become the fifth American owner in the Premier League, with Arsenal joining an established sporting stable.

KSE already own NFL franchise the St Louis Rams, NBA team the Denver Nuggets, NHL club the Colorado Avalanche and Major League Soccer champions the Colorado Rapids.

Kroenke has backed Arsene Wenger as manager and vowed to bring success to the Emirates Stadium: “Arsenal is a fantastic club with a special history and tradition and a wonderful manager in Arsene Wenger,” said Kroenke. “We intend to build on this rich heritage and take the club to new success.”

Nightmare debut for young Lizalda

YOUNG amateur goalkeeper Jeison Lizalda wept after Deportes Quindio’s 5-0 rout by Millonarios, while Colombia’s soccer authorities washed their hands of the professional players’ pay conflict with the club.

Quindio’s owner sent his under-20 team, including 16-year-old Lizalda, to Bogota at the weekend to face Millonarios when the first team squad refused to play because they were owed three months’ wages.

Ramon Jesurun, president of the leagues governing body Dimayor, said they could not intervene in issues over unpaid wages, a regular blight of Colombian football.

Lizalda’s worries were not about money but a traumatic debut although Millonarios goalkeeper Nelson Ramos consoled him at the end and gave him his jersey.

Doyle 'doubtful' for league finale

KEVIN Doyle admits he is facing an uphill battle to play any further part in Wolves’ Premier League survival fight. The Republic of Ireland striker is resigned to being sidelined for at least another month with the knee injury suffered on international duty a fortnight ago.

“We are probably looking at six weeks out from when I did it – at least. It is not going to be the four weeks which was the most optimistic forecast initially. That’s pretty certain.

“We can’t try any harder to get it right. We are doing everything anyway. It is going to take however long it takes. But there is no point in me trying to come back early and injuring myself again. I’m still aiming to come back before the end of the season but it’s going to be close.”

Millwall condemn inciting fans

MILLWALL have condemned the behaviour of a small minority of their fans during Saturday’s win over Leeds at the New Den. Four Millwall fans were ejected from the ground for waving Turkish flags and shirts, while six Leeds fans were arrested.

Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed to death in street clashes the night before Leeds played Turkey’s Galatasaray in the Uefa Cup in 2000.

Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler said: “We have identified a number of people and will continue to work tirelessly, using all possible evidence to identify and prosecute perpetrators.”

Blackpool trip big one for McCarthy

WIGAN midfielder James McCarthy believes their forthcoming trip to Blackpool is their “biggest game of the season” and will be hugely significant in their battle to avoid relegation.

The Latics are bottom of the Premier League and two points from safety, with the Seasiders just one place above the bottom three.

They face each other at Bloomfield Road at the weekend.

“You can’t put into words how big this weekend’s match against Blackpool is going to be, what a game that’s going to be,” said the Republic of Ireland international, whose side lost 1-0 at Chelsea at the weekend.