A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Chelsea fail to buy back Bridge freehold
CHELSEA were yesterday defeated in their bid to buy back the freehold of Stamford Bridge following a dramatic extraordinary general meeting of Chelsea Pitch Owners shareholders.
The Blues failed to convince the holders of 75 per cent or more of the shares in CPO to support their proposal, which was seen as a precursor to a move to a new 60,000-seater stadium.
At an emotionally-charged meeting in Stamford Bridge’s Great Hall, the plan was backed by 61.6 per cent of the 5,796 votes cast in person or by proxy, leaving the club 13.4 per cent short of their target.
The defeat prevented Chelsea regaining ownership of the land they sold to supporter-led group CPO in the 1990s to ensure the club was not made homeless.
FA to interview Ferdinand over Terry
ANTON Ferdinand will be interviewed by the Football Association in England today as part of their investigation into the allegations that John Terry racially abused the Queens Park Rangers defender during Sunday’s west London derby at Loftus Road.
It is understood that representatives of the governing body’s disciplinary commission will speak to Ferdinand at QPR’s Harlington training ground this morning, to ask the 26-year-old for his account of events.
Ferdinand has yet to speak publicly about his interpretation of the events that led to Terry, the Chelsea and England captain, being at the centre of an FA inquiry into alleged racism.
Ferdinand, however, is believed to have been unaware of any racial element to the altercation, which took place between him and Terry in the closing stages of QPR’s 1-0 victory, until well after the final whistle.
Wenger makes rallying call for unity at Arsenal’s agm
ARSENE Wenger has issued an impassioned rallying call at Arsenal’s Annual General Meeting – urging everyone at the club to stay united behind the team.
“I can see a lot of fear and discontent among you and I can understand that because we live in a world where we fight with people who have extremely high resources,” said Wenger, who spoke for more than 10 minutes at the end of what had been a sometimes spiky meeting where majority shareholder Stan Kroenke gave his first speech since completing a takeover.
“The way we can compete is to try to be intelligent, but as well to be united because it is very difficult to be consistent in football. We have been more consistent than anybody else in the world in the last 15 years.
“To stay at the top, top level, we have to be united.
“That doesn’t mean I am not to be criticised. I accept that is part of my job and the board has been criticised, but to the outside we have to show we are united because that is the only way to survive at the top.”
Uefa invite Sion to consultation
UEFA have invited Sion to a consultation meeting to consider their possible re-integration into the Europa League.
Uefa have already held talks with Celtic, who took Sion’s place in the group stage, and the other teams in Group I over the effects on fixtures should the Swiss club be reinstated.
Sion were thrown out of the competition in September after fielding ineligible players in their play-off matches against Celtic.
Villa defend Hutton over tackle row
ASTON Villa have defended full back Alan Hutton after the strong criticism of him by West Brom boss Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson was incensed by the challenge by Hutton on striker Shane Long, who will be sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury, during the game at Villa Park.
Hodgson described it as “a wicked challenge,” adding that there was “no place in football” for such tackles and that Hutton should have been red-carded.
But Villa assistant manager Peter Grant insists Hutton is not a dirty player. “I know what Alan has been painted as but he’s not that type of player. That’s been proven over the years. People haven’t said in the past that Alan is aggressive, goes over the ball and is a dirty full back.
“I don’t think anybody has ever said that in his career. They’ve said he is an attacking full back who likes to get forward.”
No falling-out insists McCarthy
MICK McCarthy insists there has been no falling-out with the Wolves fans who called for him to be sacked during Saturday’s draw with Swansea.
The Wolves manager claims his record during nearly 20 years as a manager stands up to close scrutiny as he prepares for a second meeting with Manchester City in four days.
Fans chanted ‘You’re are getting sacked in the morning’ and ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ during the 2-2 draw at Molineux.
There was a more civil atmosphere at a half-empty Molineux for Wednesday night’s League Cup clash with City, who triumphed 5-2 in a match where both sides made many changes.
McCarthy said: “If anyone wants to suggest that I’ve fallen out with the fans who were making themselves heard on Saturday, it is quite the opposite. I just think they have let me and the players down.
“ I would make it clear those words are only directed at the fans who were vocally negative towards me and the team on Saturday.”
