Samir Nasri banned from driving for six months over unpaid fines
Manchester City man's car caught on speed cameras in 2011 • Nasri had been in dispute with police over fines
Samir Nasri has been banned from driving for six months over unpaid speeding fines. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images
Manchester City's Samir Nasri has lost his battle with police over unpaid speeding fines and has been banned from driving for six months.
Nasri is the second Blues player in a week to receive a ban after Carlos Tevez pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving while disqualified and without insurance.
According to the Manchester Evening News, City's French midfielder had forced Greater Manchester police to hand back £1,900 after they sent bailiffs to his home to pick the cash up.
He signed a declaration saying he did not know his Mercedes had been caught on speed cameras three times.
But traffic police responded by launching their own investigation, which brought the Frenchman's case back to court.
Nasri finally admitted three charges of failing to tell police who was behind the wheel. As a result, he was banned from driving for six months and ordered to pay his fines for a second time.
The saga began when Nasri's car triggered three speed cameras over four months in 2011.
On 9 September 2011 it was photographed travelling at 70mph in a 40 zone. A month later, it was caught speeding at 39mph in a 30 zone and on 7 December, it triggered a camera while doing 38mph in a 30 zone.
Nasri denied the allegations when they were first heard last June, and the bailiffs were sent in after he was found guilty.
The case was heard again this week by Tameside magistrates. Nasri, 25, did not attend, but admitted the motoring offences through his defence team.
He pleaded guilty to three charges of failing to provide police with a driver's identity. He has never admitted being the driver at the time his car was caught speeding.
He was fined £667 for each offence, and ordered to pay £105 costs. His licence was endorsed with 18 penalty points, and he was banned from driving for six months.
Nasri's defence solicitor, Nick Terry, told magistrates: "Simply, he had a poor system of administration. In this case, the defendant received the notices some months after the driving. It took some time for the notices to be sent out.
"There will be a disqualification today, and he's aware of that. He's not driving at present and I will inform him immediately after the hearing of that disqualification.
"I don't have details of his income, but suffice to say he can pay whatever fine is deemed suitable by the courts."
Could Dzeko be Edin to Arsenal? Arsenal linked with Manchester City forward
It’s never really been Arsene Wenger’s strongest suit. Whilst the Frenchman has exhibited a penchant for selecting the speedy, the tricky and the skillful striker, his ability to pick a ‘traditional number nine’ to lead the line has been seen to be somewhat wanting. Over the past ten years or so, a number have been tried, but for various reasons, none fitted the bull – well, not for long anyway.
In recent times, we’ve seen the likes of Chamakh apparently be courted for a prolonged period. After his arrival however it became clear quite quickly – although perhaps not as quickly to Wenger – that he was not the answer. Others such as Niklas Bendter have flattered for a while, if only to deceive in the longer term and be farmed out. Even Adebayor, who looked to have all of the required equipment to be a long term star for the Gunners was not destined for a long stay. His nomadic wanderings amongst clubs since suggest that this was not an untypical trait. Whilst it may be a tad early to label the current incumbent, Giroud, as another in the line, Arsenal are rumoured to be looking for another striker in the same mold.
Supposedly with a substantial war chest of transfer funds to spend, it’s no surprise that the Gunners have been linked with a number of strikers around Europe. The German-based Pole, Lewandoski is a name that keeps cropping up, but given the high reputation of the player, should he leave Dortmund, the fee may be something in the region that disconcerts the ever-prudent Wenger; especially for a player unproven in English football – as was the case of many other previous strikers.
The new ‘rumour on the block’ appears to be Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko. With or without the uncertainty swirling around the future of Roberto Mancini, the likelihood of the Bosnian moving on in the summer appears to be quite high. Talk of a return to German football, where Dzeko built his reputation is persistent, but whether the fee and wages he would command could be a little rich for Bundesliga clubs, outside of Bayern, is a debatable point. A deal to take him to north London therefore potentially ‘has legs’
From the player’s point of view, it could be deemed as only a slight step down, and Arsenal’s record of regular European football – usually in the Champions’ League, will be enticing. It will also afford a few opportunities for the inevitable payback to his former employers. Add to this the fact that Dzeko can point to an enviable scoring record in Premier League football, despite a very much on-off the bench scenario, the fee for a player with a proven record may be deemed as much less of a gamble by Arsenal.
It’s certainly true that we’re getting into transfer ‘silly season’ now, and many ‘leaked’ stories will quickly disappear down the drain, but if Arsenal are looking for a centre forward with an established scoring record in the Premier League, and City are willing to let him leave, perhaps Dzeko could indeed be Edin to Arsenal.
Vincent Kompany on Barcelona's radar after row with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini
Vincent Kompany’s fractious relationship with his Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will be tested by summer interest from the elite of the Champions League.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all on alert following the public club-versus-country row between Mancini and his captain.
The trio, all in the last eight of the Champions League, are long-term admirers of the Belgian, rated among the best central defenders in the world, and they are prepared to explore whether Kompany’s recent fallout with Mancini has any long-term consequences.
Mancini criticised the 26-year-old after he disobeyed an instruction to pull out of his country’s World Cup qualifier with Macedonia. He had not played for Manchester City for two months before last weekend because of a calf injury.
Belgian media have suggested Kompany was frustrated not only that he had been criticised publicly by the Italian, but also at the treatment he was receiving on the manager’s advice to cure the injury that kept him out for two months.
The Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad claimed Kompany was far happier working with national team physiotherapist Lieven Maesschalck, who he had asked to visit him in Manchester earlier in the season, and who was credited with overseeing his latest return to action.
It was also pointed out that the last time Kompany was involved in a similar club-versus-country dispute was when he was at Hamburg in 2008. That was over his involvement in the Beijing Olympic Games when his club demanded he return to Germany after the first two games. A month later he joined City.
That would appear an extreme reaction to the latest controversy, but it is the latest in a series of incidents presenting a portrait of Mancini as regularly falling out with his senior players. More and more, they appear to be willing to defy his orders.
Kompany is the most respected to date to have incurred Mancini’s ire. If the manager hoped the quarrel would blow over after he accused the player of putting the interests of Belgium above Manchester City, it may not be so straightforward.
Barcelona are particularly interested in Kompany, having first coveted him during Pep Guardiola’s period in charge. They are known to be desperate to recruit a top-class central defender this summer.
Guardiola’s move to Bayern Munich will also ensure the German champions-elect are observing developments at the Etihad closely.
Kompany is not a character who will shirk a confrontation, particularly on a matter of principle, and he made it clear he wanted to aid his country’s World Cup effort.
He responded to his manager’s comments when he posted a picture of his football boots on his Twitter page, declaring himself available for City’s weekend win over Newcastle.
City would be in a strong enough position to resist any interest in their captain even if they received world record bids for a defender.
He has become an iconic player since joining the club, his absence through injury contributing to a lacklustre title defence. If there was any suggestion of enduring strain between the captain and his manager due to the events of last week, many would argue it would have much more significance for Mancini than Kompany.
The idea of Kompany leaving, no matter how big the offer, would be unpalatable for a club who will be look to re-equip themselves over the summer to launch a fresh assault on the title.
The controversy started when Mancini asked Kompany to return to Manchester rather than play for his country.
“Sometimes players should understand that the club is more important,” Mancini said. “I am not saying the national team is not important, and I would never tell my players not to go to play for their country. But there are some cases when the club is more important, and all players should understand this.
“I expected that he wouldn’t play, and that he would be back after one or two days. Instead, he played for 90 minutes and now we don’t know his condition.”
Yaya’s yes to new deal
YAYA TOURE is set to sign a new £45million deal at Manchester City.
He has agreed to put pen to paper on a new contract worth £220,000 a week for four years.
The Ivory Coast superstar, 29, has been locked in talks with City officials since he got back from international duty last week.
Midfielder Toure had become disillusioned at after contract talks had stalled for six months.
His agent Dimitri Seluk exclusively revealed to SunSport last month that Toure was ready to quit unless his contract was sorted out quickly.
City’s response was instant — and they moved to thrash out a new deal to hold on to one of their biggest stars.
Toure, who joined from Barcelona in a £24m switch in July 2010, has been fundamental to City’s success in the last couple of years.
Car-loss is stuck with City
CARLOS TEVEZ and Manchester City look stuck with each other after he was ordered to do 250 hours’ community service for driving offences.
The Argie striker, who pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance, enters the final year of his contract this summer.
Tevez hinted in January that he would like to extend his stay but no talks are planned.
There is certain to be interest from abroad if the striker decides to move on — or City want to sell him — with AC Milan and Brazilian side Corinthians showing interest recently.
But Tevez, 29, would have to apply for a special amendment through the courts if he wanted to quit the UK before completing his punishment.
And that could prove difficult as Tevez is unlikely to have done the hours before the August transfer window shuts.
Tevez was also hit by a fresh six-month driving ban and fined £1,000 by Macclesfield magistrates — but avoided a custodial sentence.
His offences carried a maximum sentence of six months behind bars.
'Let's be champions of Manchester': Vincent Kompany revs up City to beat United at Old Trafford again
Blues' captain knows the title is heading back across town but says there are still local bragging rights to play for in next Monday's big match
Vincent Kompany says Manchester City must try to salvage some pride in Monday's derby showdown at Old Trafford.
Champions City trail Manchester United by 15 points, with skipper Kompany and boss Roberto Mancini having already conceded their title defence is over.
But Kompany wants City to end the season on a high, by beating United and showing the gulf between the two sides is not as big as the points difference suggests.
The reverse fixture, at Eastlands in December, was moments away from ending in a 2-2 draw before United's Robin van Persie scored a deflected last-gasp winner.
"It would be nice to challenge them on their turf again," said Kompany. "A derby is a derby. I don't think we could care less about the league in that game.
"It's about who is going to be champions of Manchester. That's all it is.
"Collectively, it's disappointing. At the same time, I feel there is still a lot to look forward to.
"Whichever way we finish this season might set us up for the next one. The end of one season has an impact on how you start the next one."
City's last trip to Old Trafford, in October 2011, saw them famously win 6-1 to set up their title triumph the following May.
"I don't expect United to be less motivated because they have this points gap between us, where they are pretty safe," added Kompany.
"It will be like a one-off game - like a cup final. I can only wish the same with a happy ending for Manchester City.
"Everything that has happened in the past has no importance whatsoever next Monday.
"It's about coming out on top in that game. I'm looking forward to it and I think everyone else at Manchester City is too."
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[/spoiler]Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic will not speak with fellow Serbs Serbs Aleksander Kolarov and Matija Nastasic ahead of clash with Manchester City
Nemanja Vidic will sever all lines of communication to fellow Serbs Aleksander Kolarov and Matija Nastasic ahead of Monday's Manchester derby.
The Manchester United skipper is close friends with the duo.
However, their commitment to the Blues cause makes it impossible for idle chit-chat, no matter how well the fellow countrymen get on.
For Vidic, the only way to deal with the situation is not to communicate at all.
"I never speak with an opponent before a game," he said.
"I am good friends Kolarov and Nastasic. But I don't like to talk.
"I like to go there and do it. On game day I think about the game, I don't waste energy before the game starts, otherwise you end up tired."
Fifteen points clear with seven games left, United are in the happy position of knowing even a draw would effectively clinch a record 20th championship.
Yet, after Monday's FA Cup defeat at Chelsea, a stalemate would represent a hollow victory given the championship is the only trophy available after growing hopes of a treble were ended by Real Madrid in the Champions League before Demba Ba's stunning winner ended the dream of an alternative Wembley visit.
Alex Ferguson will want to get his team selection right, with many United fans believing the decision to include Park Ji-sung at the Etihad Stadium last term handed the initiative to Manchester City.
It leaves the Red Devils chief facing a big call at the back given Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans all have claims on a starting berth.
Vidic is in a pretty strong position given recent statistics showed he has the highest win percentage of any United player who has made more than 60 appearances for the Old Trafford outfit.
That figure is creeping towards 72% following Saturday's victory at Sunderland.
And it is clear Vidic soaks up such facts with relish.
"Now we have the opportunity to see statistics with the analyst after every game," he said.
"You can see how many tackles or headers you have won. You can look at certain things and see where you can improve. Even the passing rate, you can see the percentage you have got right.
"But it is not just the stats, it is the clips as well. I love to watch them. Not every player looks but you have the chance to - and I do."
Wayne Rooney will continue to have treatment on the groin injury that ruled him out of both weekend games.
Startlingly, whilst there continues to be talk of Rooney leaving Old Trafford in the summer despite Ferguson's assurance that it will not happen, the 27-year-old has scored three goals in seven appearances since Robin van Persie got his last one.
And having netted in both England World Cup qualifiers as well, it would be a major surprise if Rooney wins his fitness fight, and is then overlooked by Ferguson.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, has urged Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, 27, to join him at Paris St-Germain. Sun
Brendan Rodgers is ready to offer striker Andy Carroll, 24, an unlikely Anfield lifeline - but only if the England international accepts a role as an impact substitute. Carroll has spent the season on loan at West Ham, who could yet make a permanent move for the player. Daily Mirror
Tottenham are plotting a major summer reshuffle of their striking department and have put Aston Villa's £15m goalscorer Christian Benteke, 22, at the top of their wanted list. Daily Star
Manchester United are tracking the progress of Benfica's 24-year-old former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic. talkSHIT
Norwich manager Chris Hughton is plotting another raid on his old club Birmingham - this time for 19-year-old winger Nathan Redmond. Daily Mirror
Blackpool are facing their fifth managerial change of the season after it emerged that boss Paul Ince, 45, is a shock candidate to replace under-pressure Nigel Pearson at Leicester. Daily Mirror
Former Leeds United boss Neil Warnock says he wants Mark Hughes to succeed him at Elland Road so he can "destroy another team of mine". Hughes, 49, took over at QPR after Warnock, 64, was sacked in January 2012. talkSHIT
Real Madrid could be punished after defender Sergio Ramos, 27, and midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, appeared to seek bookings deliberately during last night's 3-0 Champions League quarter-final win over Galatasaray in order to miss the second leg and be clear of cards for the semi-final. Guardian
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested striker Robin van Persie, 29, is suffering the effects of "the intensity of his first season" with the Premier League leaders. Daily Mirror
The pressure on the Premier League to oversee a reduction in ticket prices has intensified after a supporters' collective representing a dozen influential fan groups urged chief executive Richard Scudamore to consider a range of cost-cutting initiatives. Times
Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez, 52, says he thought it was an April Fool joke when he learnt Ray Wilkins had blamed him for the injury suffered by Ashley Cole against Manchester United. Daily Telegraph
Real Madrid are facing an investigation by the European Commission over allegations it received illegal state funds in a property deal it struck with Madrid City Council for land around the Bernabeu stadium. El Pais
Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 21, who is on loan at Werder Bremen, is expected to leave the German side in the summer. According to De Bruyne, the West London side have told his agent that he must move to a "bigger club". Suddeutsche.de
Barcelona and Paris St-Germain have complained about the officiating during Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg, which ended 2-2. Barca's Sergio Busquets, 24, said the referee "was not happy" until the French side had equalised, while PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti said the Catalans' second goal was "a gift from the ref". Marca
German legend Franz Beckenbauer, 67, says Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon, 35, was made to look like a "pensioner" in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Corriere.it
Former Derby County, Plymouth and Inter Milan defender Taribo West has been accused of lying about his age by ex-Partizan Belgrade president Zarko Zecevic, who claims the player was 40 - not 28 - when he joined in 2002. DSSC
more bollox later ...
