THE BEST OF THE REST
From the Guardian:
Roy Keane and Thierry Henry are included in the first five names in the top 100 living footballers chosen by Pele to mark Fifa's centenary.
The list of "most influential" players will be made public at a dinner in central London on March 4, when the players will also receive awards for their contribution to the game.
Five of the players were named yesterday, when details of celebrations to mark Fifa's centenary this year were also revealed. In addition to Keane and Henry, the players named were Roberto Baggio, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Mia Hamm.
Almost all the 100 players have agreed to attend the dinner, the proceeds of which will help fund Fifa's projects around the world. Organisers refused to reveal yesterday whether Maradona was included in Pele's list and if he had been invited to the dinner.
Fifa has chosen 12 photographers to take the players' pictures, including Lord Lichfield, Martin Parr, Marc Quinn and Helena Christensen. The photographs will be posted on www.the-100.com next month.
Leeds United face having nine points deducted this season, and almost certain relegation, if they go into administration.
The club thought it had escaped that potential punishment when the Premiership clubs voted to introduce the rule for next season. However, several leading chairmen are lobbying for the penalty to be brought in if Leeds escape relegation and then go into administration in June.
Leeds would face some hostile opposition if they pulled off a remarkable escape and then took the administration route.
The vote to bring in the nine-point penalty was carried by a 15 to five majority at last week's meeting. As expected Leeds and Leicester were among those opposed to the plan. Manchester City were also against penalties as were Arsenal and Tottenham. But the rest of the Premiership felt the move was right.
From the Sun:
Scott Carson insists he is relishing the prospect of a full Leeds debut at Premiership champions Manchester United.
The 18-year-old rookie keeper played the final few minutes of the 3-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough on Saturday after Paul Robinson had been sent off.
His first task was to pick the ball out of the net when Michael Ricketts converted an 88th-minute penalty. But Carson will have a chance to show he has what it takes at Old Trafford on February 21 because Robbo now has a one-match suspension.
Carson said: “Playing against Manchester United would be a dream full debut for me.
“It’s just hard to believe. I thought it was a dream when I was going on against Boro but I haven’t even been to Old Trafford, let alone played there.
“Hopefully, we won’t get beaten 5-0 and I can make a name for myself in the game. It will be a good opportunity.”
Neil Lennon believes Martin O'Neill "owes it to himself" to leave for a club like Manchester United if Celtic fail to back his ambitions.
Lennon told the Herald: "If you are talking about Manchester United or Liverpool, who are going to be challenging for honours not just in Britain but in Europe, and you look at the prestige that goes with it, I know if I were in Martin's shoes I'd certainly be tempted to do it.
"I think Martin owes it to himself to have a crack at it elsewhere at some stage. Ultimately if it can't happen for him at Celtic, why not?
"I think he is respected, not just in Britain but in Europe, as one of the best managers around.
"In an ideal world if Martin had the backing [of the board] with money to spend to make a real challenge in Europe, or if Celtic were to play in England, I think there's no doubt he would stay in Glasgow for as long as possible.
"My own take on it though is that he'll eventually think 'okay, enough is enough'. I think he'll say I've run my course here, now it's time for another crack in England or possibly abroad.”
From the Guardian:
Police hope to prevent as many as 2,500 troublemakers from travelling to Portugal this summer as part of a range of measures intended to prevent hooliganism at the finals of Euro 2004.
Almost 2,000 convicted hooligans are subject to banning orders which stop them travelling abroad when major England matches are being played. Another 300 cases are in the criminal justice system and police hope that they will lead to banning orders.
David Swift, chief constable of Staffordshire and the spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) on football issues, said that with more than 50,000 England supporters expected to attend the championships, British police had been working closely with the Portuguese authorities to minimise trouble.
Mr Swift said: "The Portuguese want to foster a festival atmosphere at the tournament and the police will acknowledge that drunkenness and rowdiness exist but that it is distinct from an intention to create trouble.
"I think 99% of people there from the UK will not be at risk of starting a riot, but they are at risk of being tainted by the infamy of those who have gone before them."
Portuguese police would adopt a "welcoming style" with fans and riot police would be used sparingly, he said. At least 20 British officers will be on the ground in Portugal to offer assistance, and a ports operation will stop troublemakers travelling.
In a change of approach, Mr Swift stopped short of advising fans without tickets not to travel to Portugal, saying it was unrealistic.