SOCCER SHORTS:THE four ringleaders of Serbian soccer fans convicted of killing a supporter of French club Toulouse ahead of a Europa League match in September 2009 were each sentenced to up to 35 years in prison yesterday.
The verdict handed a total of 240 years to 14 Partizan Belgrade fans for beating up Brice Taton, who died in hospital 12 days after he was clubbed with bats, iron bars and flares before being thrown off a wall.Two of them, Djordje Prelic and Dejan Puzigaca, are still on the run but were sentenced to 35 and 32 years respectively after being tried in absentia by the Belgrade Senior Court.
Ivan Grkovic and Ljubomir Markovic got 30 years each, four other fans were sentenced to 14 years each and another four got 12 years each. Slobodan Ruzic, the lawyer of Taton’s parents who attended the nine-month long trial and the sentencing, said they were satisfied with the verdict.
Transfer newslines . . .
Emmanuel Adebayor'sstormy time at Manchester City came to at least a temporary close last night when he joined Real Madrid on loan for the remainder of the season. . . Hoffenheim have signed forward Ryan Babelfrom Liverpool on an initial two-and-a-half-year contract, the German club announced yesterday . . . West Ham have completed the signing of midfielder Gary O'Neil(27) from Middlesbrough on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee . . . Gael Kakutais set to join Fulham from Chelsea on loan after having a medical yesterday. Fellow youngster Patrick van Aanholtwas also set to be allowed to move on a temporary transfer, with Leicester a possible destination . . . Bayern Munich's Mark van Bommelhas joined Serie A leaders AC Milan after losing his starting place with the German champions. The 33-year-old has signed a short-term deal until June.
Australia and Japan in final
AUSTRALIA secured a first Asian Cup final appearance against three-times champions Japan after they thrashed a disappointing Uzbekistan 6-0 at the Khalifa Stadium yesterday.
Japan beat South Korea 3-0 in a penalty shootout after the two sides drew 2-2 in the first semi-final at the Al Gharafa Stadium.
Australia and Japan will now meet in the final on Saturday at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Player of the Year nominees
KEVIN DOYLE, Richard Dunne and John O’Shea have been short-listed for the 3/FAI Senior International Player of the Year award which will be presented on February 6th in an event televised live by RTÉ from their headquarters at Montrose.
Selected Nominees: Senior International player of the Year: Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), John O'Shea (Manchester Utd); Young Player of the Year: Greg Cunningham (Manchester City), Darron Gibson (Manchester Utd), Shane Long (Reading); International Goal of the Year: Kevin Doyle v Andorra (07/09/10), Robbie Keane v Algeria (28/05/10), Liam Lawrence v Paraguay (25/05/10); Under 21 Player of the Year: Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Séamus Coleman (Everton), Anthony Stokes (Celtic); Airtricity League Player of the Year: Joseph Ndo, Richie Ryan (both Sligo Rovers), Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers); Under 19 International Player of the Year: Robbie Brady (Manchester Utd), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Greg Cunningham (Manchester City); Under 17 International Player of the Year: Shane Byrne (Leicester City), Sean McGinty (Man United), Frankie Sutherland (QPR); Senior Women's International Player of the Year: Emma Byrne, Ciara Grant (both Arsenal), Fiona OSullivan (AIK Stokholm); Under 19 Women's International Player of the Year: Karen Duggan (UL), Cherelle Khassell (Benfica), Becky Walsh (Salthill Devon).
Agbonlahor and Young maintain Villa resurgence
Wigan Athletic 1 Aston Villa 2:GABRIEL Agbonlahor and Ashley Young maintained the Aston Villa resurgence with the second-half goals that saw off battling Wigan last night.
Gerard Houllier’s side pulled themselves further away from the Premier League relegation zone as they followed up last weekend’s uplifting win over Manchester City in impressive fashion at the DW Stadium.
Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy marked his return from injury by pulling one back as Villa finished in nervy fashion but the visitors hung on to leave Wigan, with just one win in nine, in trouble in the bottom three.
Darren Bent almost grabbed a third for Villa as he raced onto an Agbonlahor throughball but Al Habsi rushed out to deny him.
The Wigan fans thought they had an equaliser to celebrate near the end when Rodallega fired inches wide from the edge of the area.
