Today's other stories in brief
Primus forced to retire
PORTSMOUTH defender Linvoy Primus has announced his retirement after failing to overcome a serious knee injury.
The 36-year-old has not made a single appearance this season and surgeons have advised him not to play again following a further knee operation.
Initially sidelined by surgery to the knee in 2007, Primus will now work in an ambassadorial role for Portsmouth.
Sky wins rights for next three seasons
SKY Sports has won the right to show the vast majority of Premier League games in Ireland for the next three seasons. The five packages Sky secured are identical to those awarded to the broadcaster in the UK.
Setanta Ireland retained rights to broadcast 33 matches per season on Irish television until the 2012/13 season. All of the Setanta games will be broadcast live at 3pm on Saturdays, the highest-rated slot on Setanta’s schedule.
ESPN, which entered the market following the collapse of Setanta’s British operation earlier this year, was awarded the rights to broadcast 23 fixtures in this country every campaign for the next three years.
Commenting on yesterday’s news, Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “This is great news for Sky Sports viewers in Ireland . . . with this year’s new deals for Uefa Champions League and the Football League, plus our range of other games, we can offer over 400 live matches each year.”
“We are delighted with the news,” said Michael O’Rourke, co-founder of Setanta Sports. “It is great to end 2009 on a strong note. We are very confident that in 2010 we will continue to bring Irish sports fans great premium sport.”
Rangers' Boyd still in the dark
KRIS Boyd yesterday insisted he was in the dark over Rangers’ claims they had opened contract talks with his agent. Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain told the club’s agm yesterday he had spoken to the striker’s representative, adding: “I am aware of what Kris sees as acceptable as a contract.”
But, speaking at Glasgow Airport ahead of tonight’s final Champions League Group G game at Sevilla, Boyd said: “It’s the first I heard about it, so I don’t know.”
The 26-year-old, who turned down a move to Birmingham in the January transfer window, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Boyd is doubtful for the game in Spain after picking up a thigh strain scoring his 150th and 151st SPL goals in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Falkirk.
Rangers’ European adventure this season will end regardless of the result tonight.
Fingal sign u-21 international Finn
NEWLY-promoted Sporting Fingal have bolstered their squad for next season’s maiden campaign in the Premier Division by signing former UCD captain and Irish under-21 international Ronan Finn. Manager Liam Buckley has also acquired goalkeeper Brendan Clarke from St Patrick’s Athletic. Finn (21) spent five campaigns with the students, captaining them to the First Division title, and is regarded by Buckley as a key acquisition for next year’s campaign that will see Fingal participate in the Premier Division, Uefa Europa League, Setanta Sports Cup and EA Sports Cup as well as defend their FAI Cup.
CSKA players suspended
UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body have provisionally suspended CSKA Moscow defenders Alexei Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich from all domestic and European competitions after both players provided positive doping tests.
The random tests were carried out following their Champions League clash with Manchester United on November 3rd.
“Both players’ A samples revealed the presence of a prohibited substance under the category ‘S6. Stimulants’ from the WADA Prohibited List 2009,” said a statement from Uefa.
“The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body will meet to discuss fully the merits of the case on Thursday, December 17th, at its next meeting.”
However, CSKA have defended the players and claim it was down to a “clerical error”.
“The problem is that during the doping control procedures . . . a clerical error was made by employees within our medical staff,” said the statement.
Lagarde shocked at Domenech bonus
FRENCH Economy Minister Christine Lagarde was shocked by reports that national team coach Raymond Domenech had earned more than €800,000 in match bonuses during Frances 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
French media, citing figures from the French Football Federation, reported that Domenech had earned €826,222 in bonuses over a two-year period following Frances qualification for next years finals in South Africa.
France only secured their place at the finals after a blatant handball by Thierry Henry led to an aggregate winning goal in their European zone play-off against the Republic of Ireland in the Stade de France.
“I come from the world of amateur sport where you sweat it out and pay for your own shirt, said Lagarde, a former synchronised swimmer.”
Lagarde had earlier suggested the game against Ireland should have been replayed.
Beattie looks to be on his way out of Stoke City
STOKE City striker James Beattie is considering a move away from the club following a bust-up with manager Tony Pulis.
It was alleged Pulis and Beattie had to be separated in the dressing room after Saturday’s defeat by Arsenal.
On Monday Stoke said they would hold an investigation, but contrary to reports, Beattie has not apologised to Pulis.
The 31-year-old has 18 months left on his current contract, having arrived at the Britannia Stadium in January, 2009.
Beattie did not train with the rest of the Stoke squad on Monday, though he did spend around 30 minutes at the club’s training ground before departing.
And BBC 5 live’s Dan Roan reported: “I’ve been told by sources very close to the player that contrary to reports James Beattie has most definitely not apologised to Tony Pulis, nor does he feel the need to following a bust-up between the pair at the Emirates on Saturday.”
