Chelsea fans have not seen the last of the Tinkerman, though he walks in different shoes today. Yet unlike his predecessor Claudio Ranieri – who often gave the impression of a gambler chasing his losses with his numerous and seemingly haphazard changes – Jose Mourinho’s card sharpness is thanks to the minutiae of his pre-match preparations.
Euro 2004’s officials will apply a new interpretation to offsides, following a directive from Fifa’s international board. The thorny issue for fans will be how referees and their assistants apply the offside law’s clause regarding whether players are in “active play”.
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/ 6 February 2004
Jermain Defoe this week hit back at Terence Brown after being criticised by the West Ham chairperson. The England Under-21 striker had been irritated by the Hammers board, whose resignation to losing him resulted in his £7-million move to Tottenham on Monday.
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/ 30 January 2004
John Magnier is County Tipperary’s horse-racing patriarch. He has earned the respect he commands. Sir Alex Ferguson is similarly esteemed for his success and ruthlessness in his field, disposing of such Manchester United icons as Paul McGrath and Paul Ince.
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/ 18 November 2003
Sinisa Mihajlovic seems to have a Faustian fascination with controversy. Lazio’s Serbia-Montenegro international heaped more shame on himself and his team during their 4-0 home defeat by Chelsea when he spat at Adrian Mutu. Anyone who has followed his career, though, will not have been surprised.