Celtic get Europa League lifeline after Sion expelled

Celtic have been reinstated in the Europa League after Uefa expelled Sion from the competition.

Sion, who had been subject to a transfer embargo, fielded several new signings during their 3-1 aggregate win over Celtic in the play-off round.

A Celtic spokesman said: "We have been advised by Uefa that the two protests relating to the matches against FC Sion have been upheld."

"As a result of which each match has been forfeited in favour of Celtic."

Celtic will therefore take Sion's place in Group I, which also features Atletico Madrid, Rennes and Udinese.

The spokesman added: "We are pleased by this decision, the approach which has been taken by Uefa and the fact that Uefa rules and regulations have been upheld. We are also grateful for the support of the SFA in this matter."

Sion have three days to appeal against the verdict.

Earlier in the week, the Swiss club's president Christian Constantin had been confident of preserving Sion's place in the competition.

He told BBC Scotland: "The bottom line is that we are in the right. There's no doubt.

"It's just that there are cases where Fifa want to take unilateral decisions by force rather than by just means.

"Uefa approved the list of players we submitted, but now, because of pressure from Fifa, they're trying to find justification for making us forfeit the tie.

"We will battle fiercely to avoid losing the case. Fifa may try to mask the facts, but that won't be easy."

Constantin added that Celtic were "within their rights" to lodge their protests.

Joey Barton joins QPR from Newcastle (BBC)

Joey Barton joins QPR from Newcastle

 
Barton spent five years with Manchester City before joining Newcastle for £5.8m

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has signed a four-year deal with Premier League rivals QPR.

The 28-year-old, who joined the Magpies from Manchester City for £5.8m in 2007, was in the final year of his contract at St James' Park.
He was made available this summer on a free transfer after using Twitter to criticise the club's transfer policy.
"It's been a whirlwind, so to draw a line under it and get things sorted is a relief," Barton said on Friday.

Continue reading the main story

He's coming here to show people what he can do. He wants to get back into the England team

Neil Warnock QPR manager

"The ambition of the club really impressed me. There's obviously a great set of lads here.
"The gaffer is talking about adding two or three more bodies, and that, combined with the new owner's ambitions, bodes really well for the future."
QPR manager Neil Warnock believes Barton's arrival will be key to the club's hopes this season.
"We've got a very, very good player on our hands," he commented.
"He's very enthusiastic. People will say one or two things about him, but they've said stuff about me in the past too, so I won't worry about that.

Joey Barton facts

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• Born: 2 September 1982
• Birthplace: Huyton, Merseyside
• Position: Midfielder
• Former clubs: Manchester City, Newcastle
• League appearances: 211
• League goals: 22
• League yellow/red cards: 56/3

"He's a lot better than people give him credit for. Hopefully we can harness all his positive characteristics and get the best out of him."
Barton started both of Newcastle's Premier League matches this season, picking up yellow cards in each.
On the opening weekend, he was involved in an ugly clash with Arsenal's Gervinho, later admitting he had overreacted in the melee that led to Gervinho's sending off during the 0-0 stalemate.
Barton, who has made one appearance for England, was then booked for dissent as Newcastle recorded a 1-0 win at rivals Sunderland.
QPR and Newcastle are due to meet in a Premier League game at Loftus Road on 12 September.

Liverpool Transfer News: Bellamy, Carroll, Coates and Doyle in Today’s Press

All of the latest football transfers from Liverpool for 23 August 2011. Liverpool are linked with moves for Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates and Kevin Doyle. Kenny Dalglish has also commented on the form of £35m striker Andy Carroll.

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Liverpool has moved ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City in the race to sign defender Sebastian Coates.
The six foot six inch Coates has been scouted for some time by Liverpool and they are now ready to make a £12m offer according to the Guardian. The newspaper says that Kenny Dalglish is ready to use Luiz Suarez's connection to the player to convince the commanding centre half to join Liverpool.
The Guardian also claims that Kenny Dalglish is ready to offer Manchester City strike Craig Bellamy a return to Anfield.
The Welsh striker has been frozen out at the Etihad Stadium and Roberto Mancini is keen to release the reported £95,000 a week off the wage bill. The newspaper claims that Kenny Dalglish is ready to offer the Welshman a lucrative contract to return to the club he supported as a schoolboy.

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Kenny Dalglish has also said that the club had put too much pressure on Andy Carroll in his first months at the club.
The striker has made a slow start to his Anfield career, suffering with injury and lack of form. The Geordie striker has only netted twice in nine games since his £35m move from Newcastle and Liverpool fans are said to be unimpressed so far with his contribution compared to Luiz Suarez.
"Andy's fitness is an improvement since last season because he was never really fit when he came here," said the Liverpool manager, whose substitutions worked to perfection against Arsenal with Raul Meireles and Suarez instrumental in the late victory.
"We pushed him in probably earlier than we should have last season and it wasn't particularly fair on him. It's best to judge him when he's fully fit. Last season, we were a wee bit unkind on him and asked a bit too much of him. This season he certainly looks a lot fitter. Andy is 22. Every time he'll play, people will ask if that's the best he can be. But you never stop. You always want to improve," he continued.
Liverpool have been told to 'get lost' by Wolves manager in their pursuit of Kevin Doyle. The Republic of Ireland striker has been linked with a move away from Wolves but McCarthy has said the striker will not be joining Liverpool, or anyone else, this summer.
"He's inked in in my team every week. I'm just not having it. They might like him, of course they do. I'm certain a lot of them like him. But I really was sincere in the fact that I would now tell them to get lost," McCarthy said.

Liverpool Transfer News: Loss of Sotiris Kyrgiakos Distances Reds from United

It's becoming more and more apparent that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are vying for the Premier League title, and the rest of the league is just trying not to fall farther behind.
The latest bad news for any team not named United, City or Chelsea is Liverpool's loss of Sotiris Kyrgiakos to VfL Wolfsburg on a two-year deal.
Kyrgiakos, signed in the summer of 2009 as more of a stop-gap, instead flourished for the Reds, ending up making 49 appearances for the club as an important role player.
The 32-year-old hasn't exactly been a premiere player for the club and he is aging, but his loss means Liverpool has to plug up their central defense. And although Martin Kelly has the ability to switch from full-back, it likely means the Reds will have to make another signing.
That could mean they aggressively pursue Gary Cahill, Ryan Shawcross or Scott Dann, players they've been linked to this year.
And right now, the Reds don't have a choice but try to acquire a high-impact player. A stop-gap like the Kyrgiakos signing isn't going to cut it anymore. United and City have led the charge before the transfer window closes, and Liverpool is running out of time to keep up.
Liverpool may even be farther than a big-time signing at one position. They have a lot of pieces that move around a lot but pale in comparison to the product that United and City is putting out onto the field right now. The squad certainly has depth, but simply not enough difference-makers. It's like trotting out a multitude of players that would be backups on the favorites and hoping they wear down the superstars they're pitted against.
Losing players who produced for you certainly isn't the way to curb this trend.

Liverpool Keen On Tempting £12m Chelsea Swap Deal

There is growing speculation that Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is keen on signing Raul Meireles and Kenny Dalglish made be tempted to consider an offer for the Portuguese international, just as long as Liverpool get up and coming striker Daniel Sturridge in return.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of striking targets as Dalglish looks to beef up his attacking options and is reportedly an admirer of England Under 21 international Sturridge. The former Man City man will struggle to secure first team football at Stamford Bridge with the likes of Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and even Salomon Kalou ahead of him in the pecking order.
Whilst Meireles was in inspired form since the turn of the year last term it appears that the arrival of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have pushed the talented midfielder out of the starting eleven, in fact even with Steven Gerrard out injured the 28 year old started the season opener with Sunderland on the bench.
Chelsea are looking to add creativity to a midfield that has a great deal of brawn in the shape of John Obi Mikel, Ramires and Michael Essien but not so much in the way of forward momentum aside from ageing Frank Lampard and youngster Josh McEachran. There is also growing speculation that Israeli international Yossi Benayoun could be used as a makeweight in the pursuit of Luka Modric.
Liverpool purchased Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll in January for a combined fee of around £55m and the pair are considered the club’s first choice striking options but in terms of back up options the Merseyside club lacks alternatives. Dirk Kuyt is still used more predominantly out wide and Frenchman David N’Gog has struggled to impress and could be offloaded to Bolton.
Sturridge will not be keen to spend the season on the Blues bench having experienced a taste of regular Premier League football whilst on loan at the Reebok Stadium last term and the 21 year old may be keen on any move that brings him nearer to first team football.

Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made bids of £15m and more than £20m respectively for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila and Lille forward Eden Hazard. The Frenchman may also return to Everton with a fresh approach for defender Phil Jagielka.
Full story: Daily Mirror
The Gunners are reportedly offering striker Nicklas Bendtner to Werder Bremen in a swap deal for experienced centre back Per Mertesacker.
Full story: Caught Offside
Tottenham could renew their efforts to sign Atletico Madrid frontman Diego Forlan as the Uruguayan has grown unsettled at the Vicente Calderon.
Full story: Fanatix
Spurs have also again been linked with controversial Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, according to reports.
Full story: Caught Offside
Out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has claimed he is close to joining AC Milan.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Chelsea will make a move for Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic as soon as their deal to sign Juan Mata from Valencia has been finalised. Full story: Fanatix
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Paris Saint-German attempted to sign Dimitar Berbatov, but that he wants to keep the striker at Old Trafford.
Full story: Inside Futbol
Ferguson is reportedly monitoring Japanese international Shinji Kagawa, the 22-year-old midfielder currently with Borussia Dortmund.
Full story: Caught Offside
Blackburn are on the verge of signing striker Vedad Ibisevic from Hoffenheim for £6m.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Arsenal are set to open talks with Lazio striker Mauro Zarate and hope to have the Argentine in the squad in time for the weekend's match against Manchester United.
Full story: Footy Bunker
Liverpool are tempted by a possible swap deal that would send midfielder Raul Meireles to Chelsea in exchange for striker Daniel Sturridge.
Full story: Caught Offside
The Reds are also considering a move for Wolves striker Kevin Doyle before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has warned Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger that he will abandon his pursuit of Samir Nasri if the midfielder plays against Udinese on Wednesday. (the Times)
England coach Fabio Capello has added his opinion on the unrest at Arsenal by urging manager Arsene Wenger to make some signings.
Full story: Daily Star

Jose Enrique joins Liverpool from Newcastle BBC CONFIRMATION

Jose Enrique joins Liverpool from Newcastle

Page last updated at 11:15 GMT, Friday, 12 August 2011 12:15 UK

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Enrique scores for Newcastle

Liverpool have completed the signing of Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique for a reported £6m.

The 25-year-old becomes manager Kenny Dalglish's fifth summer signing.

"This is one of the happiest days of my life. I have come to one of the biggest clubs not just in England, but in the world," said the Spaniard.

Enrique joins Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni and Stewart Downing in moving to Liverpool during the summer.

LIVERPOOL'S SUMMER SIGNINGS

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• Stewart Downing (Aston Villa) £20m*
• Jordan Henderson (Sunderland) £16m*
• Charlie Adam (Blackpool) £8.5m*
• Doni (Roma) Free
• Jose Enrique (Newcastle)*

* - official fee undisclosed

"I am excited by the new signings - it shows Liverpool's ambition," added Enrique, who has signed a long-term deal.

"They spent a lot of money in January on Andy [Carroll] and Luis Suarez, and this summer they've spent a lot of money on other players.

"You can see they have big ambitions and that's why I came here - because I want to win things and I think I can do that here.

"My ambition is win everything with Liverpool. This year we won't play in the Champions League, so the most important thing is to try and win the league."

Enrique added that Liverpool's illustrious history had played a major part in convincing him to move to Anfield.

"They have won a lot of things, including the Champions League," he said.

"Of course I am looking forward to playing in front of the Kop. Everybody speaks about the fans here and they are amazing. I am looking forward to it. I hope it will be this weekend, but if not I can wait."

Enrique joins Liverpool a little more than 24 hours ahead of their Premier League season opener at home to Sunderland.

The Spaniard, who joined Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007 for £6.3m, was disciplined by United last month after criticising their decision to sell major players, such as Carroll and Kevin Nolan, on his Twitter.

This confirms what we here posted over a week ago.