Weekly Football News, June 4, 2012
More woe for England boss Hodgson
Gary Cahill has become the fourth member of England manager Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for Euro 2012 to withdraw through injury after being ruled out with a fractured jaw.
Cahill, the first choice Chelsea defender, was injured in a needless tussle with Belgium winger Dries Mertens during England's 1-0 friendly victory on Saturday. He joins goalkeeper John Ruddy and midfielders Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard in withdrawing from the squad for Ukraine and Poland because of injury.
PSV winger Mertens apologised on his Twitter page. He said: "I sincerely apologise for the harm I've cost to Cahill. When in the heat of the moment, you often don't think about the consequences.
"My thoughts go out to him and I hope he recovers well."
Manchester United central defender Rio Ferdinand, who was omitted from Hodgson's original squad for "footballing reasons", has again been overlooked as Cahill’s replacement, with Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly instead called up.
"It's a lack of respect. He wants to play," Ferdinand's representative Jamie Moralee told BBC Sport. "Rio's very disappointed. He thought he had done enough. It's very difficult to accept.
"This is a player with 81 caps for his country. I don't know anyone who understands it."
Better news for Blanc
Meanwhile, England’s first round opponents at Euro 2012, France, received better news after midfielder Yann M'Vila limped out of their warm-up victory over Serbia on Thursday.
"The MRI confirmed that it's a moderately serious sprain, without aggravating factors," read an FFF statement. "It's running its course, there are no complications."
M’Vila will now travel to Ukraine with the rest of the French squad, with his chances of being involved against England on June 11 now questionable.
The FFF also said that goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who had injured a toe on his right foot, was fit to play, but an MRI scan on midfielder Blaise Matuidi revealed that he has sustained "a minor tear to his right hamstring".
Hummels one of Europe’s best: Klopp
Germany defender Mats Hummels has snubbed reported interest from English Premier League champions Manchester City as well as Manchester United by committing his future to Borussia Dortmund.
The 23-year-old has signed a new five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions and German cup holders, insisting that he was not swayed by rumoured interest from some of Europe’s largest – and wealthiest – clubs.
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Hummels’ defensive qualities.
"Mats Hummels could have moved to practically any club in Europe, but he has chosen Borussia Dortmund and that is a great story," Klopp said on the club's website. "Mats is a highly-intelligent player in terms of winning tackles and closing people down and I don't know anybody across the whole continent who does it as well as he."
Hummels joined Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2008 and has since become a national team regular under Joachim Loew.
Kuyt leaves Liverpool in search of lost confidence
New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has made his first decision at Anfield by allowing forward Dirk Kuyt to leave for Fenerbahce.
The Turkish club announced the signing of the Holland striker on Sunday on a three-year contract, ending his six-year spell on Merseyside.
Kuyt endured a frustrating season under former manager Kenny Dalglish and he has long discussed his desire for a fresh challenge away from the EPL.
"After six years I am ready for a new challenge," Kuyt said. "[The club and supporters] I will always carry in my heart.
"The appointment of the new coach has nothing to do with it. But when Fenerbahce came to me and made their ambitions known, from the first moment I was sold. They give me the confidence that I lost."
Compiled by Marc Fox
2012 News
Chelsea Win Champions League - 21 May World Soccer News - Chelsea win the Champions League though Torres is unhappy.
Roy Hodgson Appointed England Boss - 30 April World Soccer News - Roy Hodgson to become England manager and the Manchester derby as title decider.
Reds v Blues in FA Cup - 16 April World Soccer News - Liverpool to face Chelsea in FA Cup Final as Zenit close in on Russian title.
Champions League Last 4 - 5 April World Soccer News - Champions League down to Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Fabrice Muamba - 19 March World Soccer News - Bolton's Fabrice Muamba collapses on the pitch.
Balotelli - 27 February World Soccer News - Liverpool's Carling Cup win and Balotelli considered a problem for Euro 2012.
Zambia Triumph - 13 February World Soccer News - Zambia win Africa Cup of Nations; Suarez, Dalglish apologize over Evra race affair.
Africa Cup of Nations - 30 January World Soccer News - FA Cup 5th Round Draw and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester United v Liverpool - 9 January World Soccer News - Manchester United to face Liverpool in FA Cup; QPR sack Warnock.
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