Ahead of the game: Live Champions League

The news in 60 seconds

LIVE: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Humiliated in the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, Arsenal have an opportunity to repair their reputation tonight against AC Milan, the Champions League holders. We're covering the action live with rolling commentary from 7.45pm, including updates on Lyons v Manchester United and Celtic v Barcelona.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/sports_commentary/football/index.html

LAMPARD 'UNDERSTANDS DECISION'
Frank Lampard and John Terry understand Avram Grant's decision to leave them out of the Champions League fixture against Olympiacos in Athens. "There are a lot of important games to come," Lampard said, clearly thinking he will start the Carling Cup final on Sunday - even though Grant insisted nobody is certain of a place.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3404580.ece

CARRAGHER: GERRARD MADE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Jamie Carragher believes Steven Gerrard is "made for the Champions League" after the club's captain scored the second goal in the victory against Inter Milan. The defender added that the club's captain is one of the best players in the world - and proves it against quality opposition. Some people call it blowing smoke, but he may have a point.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3404517.ece

GRANT DEATH THREATS
Avram Grant has received dozens of anti-Semitic e-mails and letters from people claiming to be Chelsea fans. News of the hate campaign emerged after a package containing death threats and white powder was sent to the club's training ground.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article3402512.ece

FERGIE: WE CAN CONQUER EUROPE
Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced that Manchester United finally have the right blend in their squad to win the Champions League. AOTG is fairly sure he has said that before.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3399660.ece

FABREGAS: WE CAN CONQUER EUROPE, TOO
Cesc Fabregas says Arsenal will prove they can become the strongest side in Europe tonight. "We are not scared of anything," he said. Not even United?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article3399673.ece

EVERTON NEAR FULL STRENGTH
David Moyes has almost a complete squad to pick from for Everton's Uefa Cup tie against Brann at Goodison Park, with only Anthony Gardner unavailable. "I think this is only the second time this season we have had the entire squad to select from," the manager said. Tottenham Hotspur must cope without the injured Michael Dawson against Slavia Prague, plus all the other team news on tomorrow's Uefa Cup ties involving English sides.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3404278.ece

WEBSTER EXPECTS TO SET TREND
Rangers defender Andy Webster thinks the result of his landmark court case will lead to big-name players walking away from their clubs before their long-term deals expire.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article3403480.ece

IPSWICH WANT NUGENT
Jim Magilton, the Ipswich Town manager, hopes to sign David Nugent on loan. The Portsmouth forward scored the winning goal against Ipswich in the FA Cup but has started only seven games this season.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article3403521.ece

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If you've got another couple of minutes

DOES THE FA FAVOUR ARSENAL?
Sir Alex Ferguson thinks the football authorities reserve special treatment for Arsenal. The Manchester United manager made the claim after the FA decided not to take action against William Gallas even though television replays showed he kicked Nani off the ball during their FA Cup tie at Old Trafford. "There's one law for Arsenal and another for everybody else," Ferguson said. "There could have been quite a few players sent off from their team."

On the day after Liverpool defeated the form team in Europe and Avram Grant got away with a big gamble in the Champions League, Ferguson's outburst was not examined with quite the detail usually afforded an accusation of such serious implication. It may be that we have simply grown immune to excessive statements from the managers of English football's biggest clubs but that alone is not a sufficient argument to let it pass. Fergie is one of the most senior figures in the sport and he made his claim not in the heat of a post-match discussion but in a press conference set up to discuss tonight's Champions League tie against Lyons.

What was his motive? Did he actually mean it? Would the FA have punished a side of lesser standing than Arsenal for the indiscretions committed on Saturday evening? Or was Fergie hoping to rile Arsene Wenger as the title race enters the final straight, as he has so successfully in the past? Maybe it was an act of reverse psychology employed to make his players feel the odds are stacked against them even after they have ripped apart the league leaders. Or perhaps he simply saw an opportunity to accuse a rival of an advantage that many have seen as the sole privilege of United. As Patrick Vieira once said after United were awarded a contentious penalty against Arsenal, "You get used to it when you play at Old Trafford." AOTG wants to hear your thoughts: sport@timesonline.co.uk

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5
Maximum number of non-nationals Sepp Blatter wants to see in a club's starting XI. The European Commission today said that such a rule would violate EU law.

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A quickie before you go, sir?

THE REALLY LONG BALL APPROACH
It is an old style of football where the ball travels long distances. Once pursued across the country, it is now confined to a corner of northern England. Contests can seem interminable and are generally low on goals. No, this is not a preview of Bolton Wanderers versus Atletico Madrid, but instead explains Shrovetide Football. An event dating to the 12th century, Shrovetide Football takes place on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Two teams of 500 attempt to transport a ball to opposite ends of the town using pretty much any means possible.

Traditionally, only intentionally hurting an opponent or trespassing on private property or churchyards is frowned upon. This year, however, a serious breach of rules struck "at the very integrity of Shrovetide" and sparked an investigation into players' conduct. Rumour has it that one player produced a replica ball at a critical moment, distracted the opposition and enabled his team-mates to score. AOTG could not find footage of the alleged act of subterfuge but it did unearth highlights from the event. For the record, the Up'ards, from the northern end of Ashbourne, beat the Down'ards, their southern rivals, 2-0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwQlIibBEgA

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>>>>>THE TABLOID TALE<<<<<
On your 'ead son! It's Becks Jnr - The Sun
What you need to know: 1) Cruz Beckham stole the show at a Spice Girls gig in New York. 2) The tot started break dancing on stage during the hit Mama. 3) He even attempted a head spin. 4) Victoria was laughing too much to continue singing. 5) Singing. Seriously, that's how they described it.

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>>>>>THE RIVALS<<<<<
Flamini finds voice for shouting match with 'the growler' - The Independent
Scudamore says overseas plan is alive and kicking - The Guardian
Fab: Get it sorted - The Sun
Bolton in rage at leaks - Daily Mirror
Ramos putting Robbo back on Wembley trail - Daily Mail
Caldwell: We won't just sit back, Barca - Daily Express
Coleman welcomes 'fresh air' - The Daily Telegraph

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In TheGame

In the first entry to an exclusive new blog, David Gold, the Birmingham City chairman, argues that the 39th step is a good idea. "It is naive to assume," he writes, "that, because the proposal has a degree of financial interest, it is not beneficial for football."
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/02/the-39th-game-i.html
Avram Grant took his biggest risk yet as Chelsea manager when he rested John Terry and Frank Lampard for the match last night. His side escaped with a 0-0 draw but the negative performance will not have impressed Roman Abramovich. Grant responded by suggesting that neither England international is assured of a starting place in the Carling Cup final. Has the Israeli lost his senses? Can he afford to take such risks with team selection? Let us know.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/02/avram-grant-sen.html
Martin Samuel has responded to your comments on his debate concerning Nani and his showboating. Our Chief Football Correspondent takes issue with the reader who wondered if he has ever played the game, accuses another of sticking to a belief that has held English football back for 40 years and says the appointment of Fabio Capello will lead to five years of patronising lectures.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/02/martin-samuel-2.html
At the last count, an incredible 3,500 voted on our Nani poll. Almost 90 per cent came out in support of the winger. Most definitely showman, not show-off.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/02/nani-showman-or.html
More than 2,000 voted on our poll asking whether Benitez deserved the sack, but his situation has changed markedly with victory against Inter Milan. So, what is the consensus now? 56.7 per cent say he should stay at Liverpool whatever, 23.2 per cent think he should be judged only at the end of the season and the remainder want him out. What do you think?
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/02/so-what-do-you.html
Your contributions to the Game Podcast debate are typically impassioned. Covering a wide range of topics, you think Ronaldo's legacy is underplayed, claim Arsenal have been punching above their weight and accuse Guillem Balague of being soft on Benitez - Balague has yet to respond. Plus, Gabriele Marcotti defends his interview with Gianluca Vialli and Lampard, in which they met in an Italian restaurant. "We're not there in Jeremy Paxman roles and we're not there in a court of law," Marcotti writes. "We're there to chat about football in a relaxed setting."
We're looking for new contributors to Fanzine Fanzone, our forum for the best biased football writing on the web. Think you have what it takes to deliver the last word on your team? Send an example of your writing to sport@timesonline.co.uk. Click on the next link for more information.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/fanzine_fanzone/2008/02/be-a-part-of-th.html
Bill Edgar has posted his daily trivia question: "In the 1980s, Ron Saunders and Billy McNeill each achieved an unwanted double, doing so in successive seasons. What was it?" Edgar has also revealed the answer to yesterday's poser.
http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2008/02/200208-bill-edg.html

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Joe Bloggs' Soapbox

"Re: Matt McGraw's memory of George Best at Highbury (yesterday's AOTG). Scottish oak Ian Ure would have been a hapless full back. He was barely competent as a centre half, as Man U would probably remember. Didn't he play for them, too, in the distant days when it wasn't unheard of for Arsenal and Man U to trade players?"
Yes, Monty Smith, Ure did ply his singular talents at Old Trafford, too, and played most of his career at centre back. On reflection, and in danger of becoming the Ian Ure of the online football community, AOTG suspects it should have mentioned this.

"What did Wenger say about that comedy penalty trick that went so badly wrong between Pires and Henry a couple of seasons back? Were they showing respect to the opposition? Suck a lemon, Wenger."
Will Fred joins the growing chorus singing out in favour of Nani.

"You slightly missed the point of Matt McGraw's letter. You said he "reckons Nani had every right to show off his skills against Arsenal" but he was saying that Arsenal had every right in kicking him because of this showboating. What a load of rubbish! Doing the kind of thing that Nani was doing involves skill and is therefore welcome. Doing what Gallas, Hoyte, et al did needs no skill whatsoever. All it requires is a lack of the ability to lose gracefully and a thug mentality. That Wenger didn't condemn them speaks volumes about who is installing this mentality into them. Just because Nani is actually that good is no reason for him to be kicked up and down the park. I am not a Man United fan by the way. Just a fan of the beautiful game."
AOTG agrees with Paul in Harrow but must plead not guilty of the alleged error. McGraw was making both points. We just highlighted the one that put his email in context.

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Tomorrow's news today

- Chelsea ramp up security for Grant
- Ramos remains cagey over Robinson return
- The original Dutch master returns to Ajax

And expect...

Lyons to get a last-minute penalty and Fergie to complain United never get a decision in France.

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Anonymous tips, suggestions, funnies, fan mail and complaints: sport@timesonline.co.uk
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