SOCCER SHORTS:Aston Villa have moved to defuse a row over the groin injury Richard Dunne suffered at Euro 2012.
The 32-year-old defender returned from the Republic of Ireland’s campaign with a problem which required surgery, and is working his way back to fitness.
Villa last month expressed their disappointment at the situation, but have now issued a clarification.
A club statement said: “In a press release dated August 1st, 2012, Aston Villa Football Club made a number of assertions and comments about the medical treatment received by Richard Dunne during his service with the Ireland team.
“We wish to acknowledge that Richard Dunne received the highest standard of medical care before and during the Championships and apologise to those involved in providing his treatment if any other impression was erroneously given.”
Villa made their initial comments when confirming that both Dunne and Gabriel Agbonlahor would miss the start of the season through injury.
Whelan ready to fight for place with Stoke City
Glenn Whelan insists that he is happy to stay and fight Tony Puliss new signings for his place at Stoke City despite reports that Wolves offered €3 million for the Republic of Ireland midfielder on deadline day.
I got a few text messages (about the bid), but I only just signed a new deal in January and I am here to fight for my spot,” he said yesterday.
“There are midfielders coming in, so then you think some will be going out, but so long as I have a chance of playing I will keep working hard and trying to impress the manager.
While a couple of potential rivals watched from the stand and Charlie Adam made his debut as a 36th minute substitute, Whelan went on to play all 90 minutes of Saturdays 2-2 draw against Wigan.
Berbatov hits out at Alex Ferguson
Dimitar Berbatov has hit out at Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson over his treatment during his final season at Old Trafford.
The Bulgarian striker last week joined Fulham in a deal worth a reported €6.3 million after falling out of favour at United.
The 31-year-old cost United €38.75 million in 2008 and was the Premier League’s top scorer in 2010-11 but made just 12 league appearances last term.
The beginning of the end appeared to come when he was left out of the matchday squad for the 2011 Champions League final.
Speaking at a press conference in Sofia, Berbatov said: “I don’t think I deserved such treatment at United – not playing in the last year. I went more than 10, probably 15, times to ask the coach if they need me.
“And every time I was told that I’m an important player and should not leave, but then again I was not in the team. Maybe I should’ve gone when he [Ferguson] left me out of the squad for the Champions League final. I know he’s the boss, but he has lost, to some extent, my respect because of the way he treated me.”
Madrid press worry over 'sad' Ronaldo's desire to leave
It is a common maxim that money cannot buy you happiness and Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s best paid players, appears to have become the latest to acknowledge this after saying he was “sad” at Real Madrid.
The Portugal forward, who cost Real a record €94 million in 2009 and who earns around €11 million a year, refused to elaborate after Sunday’s win but added that it was for professional not personal reasons.
“The people who work here know why,” he said after their routine 3-0 home win over Granada in which he scored a brace, and his comments dominated the sports headlines in Spain yesterday.
“Enough is enough” ran the front page of sports daily Marca over a photo of a serious looking Ronaldo. An El Mundo comment piece was headlined “Rich, good-looking and sad”.
Radio station Cadena Ser and other media reported Ronaldo had held a meeting with Real president Florentino Perez on Saturday where he said he did not feel he had the support of the dressingroom, he was unhappy and wanted to leave.
Zenit do an incredible Hulk deal
Big-spending Zenit St Petersburg have splashed a record €80 million on Brazil striker Hulk and Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel, signing each to a five-year contract, the Russian champions said last night.
Hulk, 26, joined Zenit from Porto and the 23-year-old Witsel moved from Portuguese rivals Benfica. A club source said Zenit had paid €40 million for each player.
Hulk and Witsel became Zenits first major signings in the summer transfer window, which remains open in Russia for another week.
Media reports this week have also linked big-spending Zenit, backed by Russian energy giant Gazprom, with a €32 million bid for Manchester Uniteds Portuguese winger Nani before the end of the window.
Meanwhile, Fenerbache have completed the signing of Portuguese international Raul Meireles from Chelsea on a four-year deal.
Roberto Di Matteo deemed the midfielder as surplus to requirements despite Meireles started 37 games for the Blues last season after arriving from Liverpool on during last August’s transfer deadline window.
