A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Tickets for Euro 2012 ‘50% cheaper’
THE cheapest tickets for the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine will cost 50 per cent less than at Euro 2008, Uefa said yesterday. UEFA announced that tickets for the June 8th to July 1st tournament would start at €30 for group games and from €50 for the final in Kiev. Tickets, which are divided into three categories with the most expensive final ticket costing €600, will go on sale at uefa.com from March 1st-31st this year.
PHIL JONEShas become the latest Blackburn player to commit his future to the club after signing a one-year contract extension. The England Under-21 international, currently sidelined with a knee injury, has added another 12 months on to his current deal, which now takes him up to the summer of 2016.
Jones, who can play in defence or midfield, follows the likes of captain Chris Samba, Michel Salgado, Jason Roberts and Mark Bunn in agreeing new contracts in the last month.
Hoddle apologises for remarks
GLENN HODDLE yesterday apologised for comments he made live on air during Sky’s broadcast of the Premier League game between Fulham and Chelsea on Monday night. The former England manager committed the gaffe after watching Chelsea striker Fernando Torres mis-control the ball when through on goal.
Co-commentator Hoddle said: “When it’s not going for you, it’s not going for you. It’s come off his chest, his knee and his toe. It’s almost like the Chinese player Knee Shin Toe.”
Hoddle said yesterday: “I can only apologise to those who took offence. There’s no excuse. It’s an old football expression and I understand I can’t say things like that.”
Crawley fan held over taunts
A CRAWLEY Town fan has been arrested by police and banned for life by the club after taunting Manchester United over the Munich air disaster in the video for their official FA Cup song.
Crawley officials reported him to police after a United fan noticed the 19-year-old making aircraft gestures in the video, which had been posted on YouTube ahead of the fifth-round clash between the sides this Saturday. The non-league side had recorded a version of The Specials' song A Message to You Rudycalled A Message to You Rooneyand were unaware of the gestures made by the fan during the recording.
A statement from Sussex Police said: “The man from Crawley was arrested under the Public Order Act on suspicion of causing harassment, alarm or distress and has been bailed until February 25th pending further inquiries.
Crawley Town chief executive Alan Williams said: “He’s not welcome here now or ever again.”
Park Ji-sung out for a month
MANCHESTER United midfielder Park Ji-sung has been sidelined for four weeks with a hamstring injury. The South Korean only resumed training last week after a month away on international duty at the Asian Cup. “We got a blow on Saturday morning with the news that Park Ji-sung did his hamstring on Friday afternoon in training,” manager Alex Ferguson said.
SCOTLAND will play Brazil in a friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on March 27th. Scotland last met Brazil at the 1998 World Cup, the last time they qualified for a major tournament.
The match will kick off at 2pm and will complete a week which will see Scotland convene for a five-day training camp at La Manga resort in Spain.
Hunt signs new deal at Reading
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND striker Noel Hunt has signed a new contract at Reading with the Dubliner committing himself to the Championship outfit until 2013.
“Its something we both wanted,” said the player yesterday.
“A lot of players in my situation let their contract run out and see what happens, but I didnt have any doubt in my mind and I love it here.”
Clarke joins Sligo Rovers from Sporting Fingal
FORMER Sporting Fingal goalkeeper Brendan Clarke has joined Sligo Rovers on a one-year deal, writes Emmet Malone.
The under-23 international will compete with FAI Cup final hero Ciaran Kelly for a place in Paul Cook’s side over the coming season having impressed in a trial game against Castlebar Celtic at the weekend.
A number of clubs have been talking with other players who have become available in the wake of Fingal’s demise last week.
Gary O’Neill is having talks with Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic, Shaun Williams is considering offers from Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers and Ronan Finn and Conan Byrne are also believed to have held talks with Pat Fenlon about a move to Dalymount Park.
