Soccer Shorts

Other soccer news in brief

Portsmouth lose initial court ruling

PORTSMOUTH remain confident they can have the winding-up petition brought against them by the Revenue and Customs in Britain struck out on appeal despite losing an initial ruling.

High Court Judge Mr Justice Newey ruled against the club after they argued the VAT portion of their massive tax bill was overvalued by €8.5 million.

But after describing his deliberations as “difficult”, Mr Justice Newey granted the club the right of appeal.

Should the expected appeal be successful then the ruling would be reversed and the Revenue and Customs decision struck out before the petition reaches a final hearing.

In a statement released in conjunction with Portsmouth’s legal representatives, Neumans LLP, the club said:

“The owner, the board and associates would like to assure fans that they are working hard towards a positive solution and are confident that this matter will be resolved in our favour.

McDonnell feels Newry not to blame

NEWRY City manager John McDonnell feels his players and staff have no case to answer after violent skirmishes led to Saturday’s Irish Cup tie against Larne at the Showgrounds being abandoned.

McDonnell insists he and the club will co-operate fully with the IFA investigation but, having seen Raymond Crangle’s referee’s report, is unsure what the case against Newry is.

Crangle sent off Liam Hogan and Alan Reid of Larne, before their manager Paul Millar was also dismissed and the match was abandoned with eight minutes remaining and Newry leading 2-1.

Larne have since suspended Anthony Lagan, pictured kicking Cullen Feeney in the head while the Newry player lay on the ground.

McDonnell said last night: “None of my staff were involved, none of them. If any players were involved I’d say it was definitely in self-defence.”

Aquilani agent denies move on

ALBERTO Aquilani’s agent has laughed off claims the Liverpool midfielder could return to Serie A with Juventus this January.

The Italian arrived as a €23 million replacement for Xabi Alonso but has failed to live up to expectations at Anfield.

Aquilani has made just six Premier League appearances after struggling for fitness and form, and was singled out for criticism after the shock FA Cup exit to Reading this month.

Redknapp interested in signing van Nistelrooy

TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed the club are interested in signing Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy on loan.

Former Manchester United frontman Van Nistelrooy had been linked with the Premier League club and now Redknapp has revealed he would not turn his back if the deal was right.

Redknapp also scoffed at suggestions Tottenham are trying to land Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster as he prepared his side for the league clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

However, it is likely unhappy Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko would have to leave to make way for 33-year-old Van Nistelrooy.

Pavlyuchenko is keen to return home to Russia but Redknapp is not looking to increase the number of strikers at his disposal.

“It’s interesting but it depends what the deal is,” said Redknapp of the possibility of landing Van Nistelrooy . . . . If he was available it could be of interest.”

Gold and Sullivan take over Hammers

DAVID Gold and David Sullivan, former owners of Birmingham City, took control of debt-ridden West Ham United yesterday and set their sights on moving the club to the new Olympic Stadium.

Icelandic bank Straumur said it had sold subsidiary CB Holding’s 50 per cent stake and Sullivan and Gold would take immediate operational and commercial control.

Straumur, who said the deal valued the strugglers at €120 million, retained the other 50 per cent although Sullivan expected to attract more investment.

Sullivan and Gold backed team manager Gianfranco Zola and said the key to restoring West Ham’s place as a force in English football would be to move into the nearby 2012 Olympic Stadium.

“I would say if it’s not 50-50 (we will take over the stadium) I would be very surprised,” Sullivan said.

Joining Sullivan and Gold will be Karren Brady, former managing director of Birmingham.

Celtic and Rangers go through

CELTIC booked their spot in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup with a 1-0 away win over First Division side Morton last night.

Morton looked the livelier side from the kick-off and Peter Weatherson tested Artur Boruc with a strong drive.

The visitors struggled to get going, but took the lead on 35 minutes when Niall McGinn rifled the ball in from Marc-Antoine Fortune’s cut-back.

Celtic went on to dominate the second half but they were unable to add to their lead. Celtic now travel to play Stenhousemuir or Dunfermline in round five.

Rangers beat Hamilton 2-0 after extra-time in their fourth round replay, after the sides finished scoreless on 90 minutes. Steven Whittaker scored twice in the 98th and 99th minutes.