SOCCER SHORTS: Piermario Morosins's funeralThousands of mourners lined the streets and packed into a suburban church in the northern city of Bergamo yesterday for the funeral of Piermario Morosini, the Italian footballer who collapsed on the pitch and died last week.
Flowers, club scarves, soccer boots and banners with messages such as "Ciao Moro, you will always be in our hearts" hung on the railings outside the modern church in the Monterosso district of Bergamo where Morosini grew up.
Thousands of people applauded and touched Morosini's coffin as it was carried out of the church, draped in his number 25 red Livorno shirt. Morosini, a former Italy under-21 international, was 25 when he died. The black-and blue number eight shirt he wore as a youth player at his home club Atalanta was also put on the coffin as it was placed in a hearse. Fans lit flares and chanted. Morosini collapsed on the pitch during a Serie B match between Livorno and Pescara on Saturday, prompting the cancellation of all Italian championship matches last weekend.
Atletico Madrid and Sporting make final strides
Uefa Europa LeagueAtletico Madrid put one foot in the final of the after a Radamel Falcao double lifted the 2010 winners to a 4-2 semi-final first leg win at home to La Liga rivals Valencia last night. The Colombia striker nodded Atletico ahead in the 18th minute before Jonas levelled moments before the break. Second-half goals from defender Miranda, forward Adrian and a stunning second from Falcao made it 4-1 before Ricardo Costa snatched a second for the visitors in the fourth minute of added time to keep Valencia's hopes alive.
Sporting came from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at home thanks to goals by Emiliano Insua and Diego Capel, earning a well-deserved advantage in the first leg. Jon Aurtenetxe grabbed the breakthrough for the visitors in the 54th minute.
Arteta out for rest of season
Premier LeagueMikel Arteta will miss Arsenal's run-in with an ankle ligament injury. The Spanish midfielder rolled his ankle when attempting a cross in the opening stages of Monday's 2-1 home defeat to Wigan.
The former Everton man received treatment off the pitch – during which time Wigan scored their second goal – but he could not continue. Scans have since revealed no break but the ligament damage is serious enough to keep the 30-year-old out for the rest of the campaign.
Celtic managerNeil Lennon has been handed a two-match ban for his criticism of Scottish League Cup final referee Willie Collum but no punishment for his dismissal at Ibrox. Lennon faced a Scottish FA judicial panel at Hampden yesterday on two charges and it was confirmed they had imposed an immediate two-match ban for his comments following Celtic's 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Hampden on March 18th.
Lennon received no further punishment for being sent from the dugout in a 3-2 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox the following weekend.
Coyle 'wouldn't be surprised' if Muamba returns to action
Premier LeagueFabrice Muamba may play again for Bolton Wanderers despite his cardiac arrest at Tottenham Hotspur last month, according to the manager, Owen Coyle.
Muamba was discharged from the London Chest Hospital on Monday and he is now recuperating at an undisclosed address with his family and friends.
Coyle said: “I understand, because of the interest, that everybody thinks he’s released from hospital so that’s it – he’s singing and dancing down the street, but people have got to understand there’s room for continued improvement. But knowing Fabrice and how much of a battler he is, it wouldn’t surprise me if he comes back.”
Muamba is spending time with his fiancée Shauna and son Joshua as he continues his recovery.Bolton entertain Swansea City tomorrow and Coyle said it was up to Muamba should he wish to visit the club in the immediate future.
“That would be Fabrice and his family’s decision,” he said. “He’ll not come under any pressure from us. Once he feels he’s up to it. If it’s next season, great.”
United still most valuable club
Forbes Rich ListManchester United continue to top the Forbes list as the most valuable football club in the world but Real Madrid are gaining ground. United also remain ranked as the most valuable team in any sport, worth €1.7 billion, €292 million more than baseball's New York Yankees and the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Arsenal are fourth on the list, worth €981 million, behind Real Madrid (€1.2bn) and Barcelona (€997m) but just ahead of Bayern Munich (€935m). The Forbes list ranks Chelsea in seventh place, worth €579m and Liverpool eighth with a value of €471m.
United’s huge global fan base, estimated by Forbes to number 330 million, has helped maintain the club’s position at the top. However, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have higher revenues than United, due in large part to the fact they have negotiated their own television rights deals in Spain.
FORBES RICH LIST– 1 Manchester Utd - €1.7bn; 2 Real Madrid - €1.2bn; 3 Barcelona - €997m; 4 Arsenal - €981 m; 5 Bayern Munich - €939m; 6 AC Milan - €752m; 7 Chelsea - €579m; 8 Liverpool - €471m; 9 Juventus - €449m; 10 Schalke 04 - €446m; 11 Tottenham - €429m; 13 Manchester City - €337m..
