Shaun Goater Day
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Builders see red over United shirt ban at site of City’s new campus
The man, who does not want to be named, claims bosses at the 80-acre site have told all of those who work there that football shirts are banned and that anyone found breaking the rule runs the risk of being sacked.
A worker at City’s under-construction £120m Etihad Campus says labourers have been ordered to take off their United shirts.
The man, who does not want to be named, claims bosses at the 80-acre site have told all of those who work there that football shirts are banned and that anyone found breaking the rule runs the risk of being sacked.
He said things came to a head at the Ashton New Road development, which will become City’s new training ground, earlier this week when two Reds-supporting workers were told to take off their United shirts.
But BAM, the construction firm building the complex, say they ban all football shirts at all of their sites around the world. And they deny that workers were discriminated against because the shirts they were wearing were those of the Blues’ fiercest rivals.
The worker said: “Because the weather has been so nice a lot of the lads have been wearing football shirts. Some of those have been United shirts but on Tuesday two lads wearing United shirts were told to cover them up or get off the site.
“They asked why and were told that there was a no-football shirt policy. They said it was in the rules but it’s the first we’ve heard of it.”
The worker added: “We see a silver Land Rover giving people tours of the site and I think that the club may have been embarrassed by it.”
He also claimed that site bosses were carrying out spot inspections at areas of the site where concrete is poured in a bid to stop workers of a Red persuasion burying United paraphernalia in the foundations. The claim is denied by BAM.
The worker said: “It’s annoying a lot of the lads working there and you are now starting to see bit of ‘MUFC’ graffiti about the place.
“They are annoyed because builders always wear old football shirts. The site is in Manchester and so people are going to wear United shirts.”
Ian Fleming, from BAM Construction, said: “BAM took the decision from the start of this project to ban all football shirts on site to avoid any partisan alliances being brought into the work place. This policy is reinforced in all sub-contractors terms of reference. We are treating any football shirts, no matter what the team, in the same way. We may have missed some but are striving to enforce the policy site wide. Strict building regulations are laid down for elements of the construction process one of which is for a local building control officer to inspect the quality of a structural concrete pour which includes checking the foundations.”
City hope to move from their Carrington base to the new complex, which will be connected to the Etihad Stadium by a bridge, in time for the 2014-15 season.
It includes 16 full-size football pitches, a Fifa regulation indoor pitch and a training, medical and operational facility. A sixth-form college and sports centre for community use is also being built on the site which was once the home of the Clayton Aniline Company.
City hopeful of sealing £21m swoop for Isco as midfielder gets ready to snub Real Madrid
Manchester City hope to complete a £21million deal for Malaga midfielder Isco in the next 48 hours.
There were fears Real Madrid could hijack the transfer, and City were said to have grown increasingly concerned that the player seemed undecided.
But the 21-year-old looks to have chosen Manchester and indicated on Thursday that a deal could be tied up over the weekend.
‘I prefer not to comment about my future but the matter could be closed this Sunday,’ Isco said.
The chance to work with new City boss Manuel Pellegrini, his coach at Malaga for the last two years, was a deciding factor in Isco’s decision.
So too was his belief that he would have a greater chance of first-team football at City rather than Madrid, where Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Kaka and Angel Di Maria would be competition.
Malaga gave permission for him to speak to City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain, who persuaded Isco to move the Premier League.
The deal would follow the signings of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho and Sevilla winger Jesus Navas.
GOLDEN BOLLOX : 21 June 2000
Shaun Goater Day is announced in Bermuda where City’s prolific striker is treated like a returning hero following a fantastic season with the Blues. His 33 goals help City achieve back-to-back promotions for the first time in the Club’s history and the people of Bermuda award ‘The Goat’ with his own one-off day of celebration.
A motorcade drives through the capital Hamilton with Shaun and his wife Anita the guests of honour and hundreds of people turn out to cheer the man who has put their tiny island on the footballing map.
PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS QUEUE UP FOR MANCHESTER CITY YOUNGSTER IBRAHIM
EVERTON are one of SIX Premier League clubs on the trail of Abdisalam Ibrahim, the Manchester City starlet dubbed the new Patrick Vieira.
Ibrahim, 22, has told new City boss Manuel Pellegrini he wants to quit the club, where he has just one year left on his contract.
Despite coaching staff comparing Ibrahim to their football development executive Vieira and current star Yaya Toure, he has had little chance at the Etihad.
Crystal Palace, Fulham, Hull, Swansea and Sunderland have all expressed an interest in the midfielder who is likely to cost about £1m.
Ibrahim was born in Somalia but moved to Norway aged seven and has represented the country at under-21 level.
In March he was farmed out to Norwegians Stromsgodset and has two games left of his loan spell. And in six years with City, he has made just three appearances.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid or staying at Napoli?
Speculation has been rife since the end of the 2012-13 Serie A season that Uruguayan hitman Cavani will be leaving Napoli in favour of a higher profile club in either England or Spain.
Such is the landscape in the modern era, Cavani’s future has been clouded by contradicting reports from those closest to him: his parents.
Cavani’s mother was widely quoted in the Spanish press last week as saying: “Edi is dealing with Real Madrid and Manchester City.”
His dad, Luis Cavani, has also chimed in with remarks, saying: “Cavani’s intention is to play for Madrid. He is excited about it and is very willing to see it through. He has told the family in private that he wants to join Real Madrid but if he declares it publicly it will annoy Napoli.”
Furious at the constant speculation about their centre-forward, Napoli fans hit back on Thursday as a series of banners were spotted in the southern Italian city calling out Cavani to decide his future now.
Banners in Naples read “Cavani, Go Away!” and ”Cavani give us a straight answer: let us rejoice or get out of here quickly”.
Pellegrini to debut in SA
Johannesburg - Manuel Pellegrini will make his debut as Manchester City manager in Pretoria on July 14 against Premiership club SuperSport United, officials said in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The 2012-2013 English Premier League runners-up behind Manchester United face another top-flight team, AmaZulu, in Durban four days later, and will remain in the Indian Ocean city for a pre-season training camp.
Manchester City announced last month that they would tour South Africa ahead of the 2013-2014 Premier League season, but no details of opponents or venues were disclosed.
Chilean Pellegrini quit Spanish La Liga outfit Malaga to succeed Italian Roberto Mancini, who paid the price for a trophy-less domestic season and a UEFA Champions League group-stage exit.
The two games will raise funds for a charity of Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, who is being treated in a Pretoria hospital for a recurring lung infection.
CHELSEA'S EDIN DZEKO HOPES FADE BUT CHASE REMAINS FOR EDINSON CAVANI AND HULK
CHELSEA are continuing to chase striking sensations Edinson Cavani and Hulk - but one-time target Edin Dzeko looks to be going elsewhere.
The Manchester City frontman, 27, was tipped to become Jose Mourinho's first signing on his return to Stamford Bridge.
Dzeko was backed by punters into an odds-on shot to join the Blues as The Special One overhauled his squad.
But the switch hasn't materialised and the longer it goes on, the less likely a deal is to be done.
Now Serie A runners-up Napoli - who are resigned to the fact that £55m Cavani is on his way out - are looking to nip in to sign Dzeko themselves, according to sources in Italy.
Money shouldn't prove a stumbling block with the bumper fee they are due to receive from Cavani, who Chelsea and City are both interested in, set to fund any deal.
But it's Real Madrid that are leading the chase for the Uruguayan ace and he has indicated he would be interested in a move to the Spanish capital.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 21 June 2010
Manchester City beat Chelsea in race to sign £29m Valencia forward David Silva
Manchester City have agreed a £29million deal with Valencia for Spain international David Silva.
In demand: Silva is set for City move
The 24-year-old, who had also been courted by Real Madrid and Chelsea, is now expected to finalise terms on a four year contract worth around £160,000 a week.
City delegates have been in Spain to iron out the deal amid concerns that Chelsea may step in at the eleventh hour but are confident everything is now in place.
They plan to team the silky midfielder with Yaya Toure and James Milner in a revamped side geared not just for Champions League qualification but a title push.
City are still searching for a right-back and will add a striker too before the end of the window but Silva has been a priority, as revealed in Sportsmail last month.
The one-time Mancheser United target had been keen on a move to Chelsea but they were unwilling to match cash-strapped Valencia's valuation.
Man City legends heading to town for charity match
A TEAM of Manchester City legends will be heading to Woolston next month to take on a Warrington Hospital side as part of a charity fundraiser.
Great Sankey couple Jack and Eloise Leighton have helped organise the match in aid of the neonatal ward after their son Alfie was stillborn in September last year.
Led by Eloise’s father and former England player Peter Barnes, the game is part of a fundraising day at the Monks Sport Club, Hillock Lane, on July 28 and will include a selection of players from the last 30 years.
Eloise added: “At such a painful and stressful time the staff at the unit could not have done more to support us.
“We are hoping to raise enough funds to help purchase a foetal distress monitor as we know it will save babies’ lives and prevent other babies and parents suffering as we have.”
The day will also include market stalls, food, live music and a range of prizes through competitions and raffles.
Doors open at 11am with kick off at 2pm. Entry is £2 per adult or £1 per child/concession.
For more details visit facebook.com/AlfiesCharityFootballMatchFamilyFunDay or donate via justgiving.com/warringtonandhaltonhospital.
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[/spoiler]Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will speak to Juan Mata in an attempt to reassure the 25-year-old Spain midfielder that he wants to keep him at Stamford Bridge. Reports had claimed that Mourinho was keen to sell Mata, with Barcelona said to be interested. Daily Mirror
The agent of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 28, has down played his client's chances of a move to Napoli and a reunion with former Reds boss Rafa Benitez. Sky Sports
Arsenal are putting the finishing touches on a £50m deal for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, and the club's billionaire shareholder Alisher Usmanov has also urged manager Arsene Wenger to make a move for 27-year-old Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. DSSC
The Gunners are also set for a £6m move for Dyanamo Zagreb defender Tin Jedvaj, 17. Wenger is unhappy with Swansea's £10m asking price for Ashley Williams, 28, and sees Croatian Jedvaj, who came close to joining Roma recently, as another option. Sun
Southampton and Cardiff City are set to battle it out for the signature of Celtic's 21-year-old midfielder Victor Wanyama, who is valued at over £10m by his club. Sky Sports
Hull are set to move for Gent striker Ilombe Mboyo after failing to agree a fee for Burnley's Charlie Austin. Belgium striker Mboyo, 26, who scored 21 goals last season, almost joined Norwich in January and would cost £6m. The Tigers offered £4m for Austin but the Clarets want £7m. Daily Star
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley hopes his controversial appointment of Joe Kinnear as director of football will heal a rift between manager Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr. Daily Mirror
However, Kinnear's arrival has cast doubt on the future of midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, 26, who was about to start contract talks. Independent
Ex-England manager Fabio Capello rejected the Paris St-Germain job because he thinks the French club want to appoint Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger next summer. Sun
Former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell, 38, wants to replace Stuart Pearce as England Under-21 coach. Daily Star
Aston Villa midfielder Charles N'Zogbia, 27, could miss the start of the season after suffering an "unspecified" injury while on holiday. Birmingham Mail
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi's father has vented his anger on radio over accusations that he and his son have attempted to defraud Spanish authorities of more than 4m euros (£3.4m) in tax. Marca
Liverpool gave Andy Carroll a £1m pay-off to leave the club. The England striker, 24, joined West Ham in a £15m deal this week. Daily Mirror
Brighton will target Tottenham coach Tim Sherwood if Gus Poyet, currently suspended by the Championship club, leaves the Seagulls. Daily Star
Blackburn global adviser Shebby Singh is facing an uncertain future and has not been seen at Ewood Park for nearly three months.Sun
Laurent Blanc is the latest in a long list of coaches to be approached by Paris St-Germain over replacing Carlo Ancelotti. Frank Rijkaard has reportedly rejected the advances of the French champions. L'Equipe
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 30, has told Spanish media that he believes his club would understand if he had the "chance to improve and go to a bigger club," adding that there are "not many bigger than Liverpool". The Spaniard has been linked with a return to Barcelona. Onda Cero
The future of Aitor Karanka - Jose Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid - remains in the balance. The Spaniard has been offered a job at Chelsea, but is also considering a move into management in Dubai. Marca
Manchester United and Chelsea's pre-season visits to Thailand could be in jeopardy. The Football Association of Thailand could be suspended from international competition by Fifa after Thai club Pattaya FC won an injunction to prevent a vote on rule amendments. DSSC
GOLDEN BOLLOX : June 21 2011
Arsenal's Gael Clichy is a £7m target for Roma, and the Italian club are willing to sell striker Mirko Vucinic. Daily Mirror
Swansea are closing in on the £3m transfer of Poland international goalkeeper Grzegorz Sandomierski from Polish club Jagiellonia. Daily Mirror
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will refuse to give up on his pursuit of Stewart Downing, despite Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish's reluctance to sell the England winger. Daily Mirror
Adebayor in Zenit link as Manchester City look to offload out-of-favour striker
Emmanuel Adebayor is attracting interest from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg as Manchester City desperately try to offload one of their many unwanted players.
Adebayor spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Madrid but has been told there is no chance of a permanent transfer.
The former Arsenal striker - who earns £130,000-a-week - is unlikely to be attracted to a move to Russia.
City are due to meet with the agent of another unwanted forward, Craig Bellamy, in the coming days as they look for a way to ease the Welsh captain out of Eastlands. Celtic are keen but cannot fund a deal without City subsidising it.
Aberdeen are looking to bring Man City's Colombian reserve goalkeeper David Gonzalez to the club on a six-month loan deal.
Jerome Boateng's Move to Bayern Munich Stalling Because of Manchester City's Fee
Jerome Boateng did not have a happy year in Manchester and is very eager to return home. It seemed like Bayern Munich would snatch him up, but disagreements in price have arisen between Bayern and Manchester City.
GOLDEN WAG
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[/spoiler]Bayern have lined up Barcelona's Gabriel Milito as a replacement because they do not want to pay the £17 million City is demanding for the 22-year-old Boateng, who still has four years left on his contract.
Liverpool and Manchester City to Fight for Lyon's Aly Cissokho
Lyon left back Aly Cissokho has been on Liverpool's radar for some time, but now they'll have to fend off Manchester City.
Liverpool were originally linked to Cissokho in January, and Kenny Dalglish is even more eager now to bring in an experienced left back.
Now that Jerome Boateng is likely leaving City for Bayern Munich, Roberto Mancini would like some defensive cover and is preparing a bid for the £9 million-rated 23-year-old Cissokho.
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