Bits And Bobs

Last updated : 12 August 2007 By Editor

* Ferguson about Richardson transfer:

"Richardson I also let go, mainly because some fans were getting on his back and I don't like that. Keiran has great ability, but it isn't going to flourish if he hasn't got everyone behind him. So when Sunderland made a good offer I decided to accept and send him on his way with our best wishes for a good future".

* Ferguson on Smith leaving:

"With hand on heart I couldn't promise Alan the kind of regular first team place he wants. Alan is probably a man in a hurry after being sidelined for so long with his bad leg injury, and I think he will get a better opportunity with Newcastle.

"In fact, I believe there will be enough games for everyone at United, because we will be competing in 4 competitions and hopefully staying in them for substantial runs. But Alan, who's approaching 27, felt it would be a gamble for him, and he goes with our good wishes - even if I expect to see him fiercely challenging our defenders when we encounter him in a black and white shirt"

* Reuters:

A judge on Saturday postponed an Argentine first division soccer match between River Plate and Newell's Old Boys over worries of possible violence between rival groups among River's hooligan supporters.

The decision by Judge Luis Rodriguez to indefinitely suspend Sunday's game comes after a leading figure in River's fan club died on Thursday, two days after being attacked and shot in the head.

The match was to be the seasonal debut in the Apertura championship for River Plate, one of Argentina's most popular clubs.

Police are investigating if the death of 29-year-old Gonzalo Acro is linked to an ongoing violent rivalry between River fan groups.

Acro was a leading figure in one of two factions that make up the team's hooligan fans, known in Argentina as "barras bravas".

In recent days, both groups posted Internet messages suggesting renewed clashes could occur at Sunday's game.

In February, the rival factions openly fought at a social club near the team's stadium hosted by River officials.

Hooligan fans linked to Acro chased after reporters covering his wake on Friday.

* Joey Barton:

'When there are players who are cheating not only themselves but also the people they work for, then frustrations in dressing rooms are born. I don't claim to be the best player - far from it - but one thing people can never level at me is that I haven't given my utmost for whatever team I've played for.

'That started at junior level and has stayed with me. I can hold my head up high. I know that I've never cheated anybody.

'You get some players coming off the pitch saying they couldn't be bothered. Yes, literally. The training ground, too. I just look at them. There are days for us all when you maybe don't feel like giving everything you've got. But you need a strong mentality to come through those dark days.'

'Footballers tend to think they're centre of the universe, but they're not. This is just a game that's only a hundred or so years old. When people talk about my dark days, when I sit down and think about it - the misdemeanours I've had in the real world, with the things that go on - the things I have done are stupid and foolish.

'But they are not war crimes. That's what gets me. When footballers are on the front page and on page seven is something about soldiers dying or floods or the real tragedies in this world, I ask myself how we can justify that.'

* Ryan Shawcross scored in Stoke's 1-0 win over Cardiff, but he did conceed a late penalty, albeit saved. He joined Stoke last week on a six-month loan deal.