THE FA hit the Hammers with a further blow in the Carlos Tevez saga by ruling in favour of Sheffield United in their claim for compensation.

The Blades were relegated on the last day of the 2006-2007 season as West Ham dramatically survived through a Tevez goal at Old Trafford.

West Ham signed Argentinian duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano in 2006 in what was seen as a major coup for the club. Both players were part owned by the MSI group, fronted by Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian.

However, doubts were raised over the ownership of the players and their eligibility to play for the East London club under premier league rules. This was confirmed as the Hammers were hit with an initial £5.5 million fine.

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe was delighted with the ruling after a gruelling 16 month case.

He said: “The arbitration panel has awarded in our favour.

“The matter is still legally in process so I do not wish to comment any further.”

While no official figure of compensation has been stated, reports suggest that it could be somewhere in the region of £30 million.

BY ABDUL KASHIF

The New York Red Bulls crashed to a 3-1 defeat against eastern conference front runners Columbus Crew in a pulsating match at Crew Stadium.

A confident Bulls team, playing some of its best football in recent times, took a 1-0 lead courtesy of a stunning Juan Pablo Angel free kick. The ex Aston Villa striker struck a bullet free kick from all of 30 yards to put his team ahead.

Angel’s strike was his eighth goal in his last ten games for the Bulls. Alongside Landon Donovan of LA Galaxy, Angel is the hottest striker in MLS at the moment continuing his form from last season.

However, the dream start soon turned into a nightmare as the Crew produced a fight back to demolish the Bulls. MLS veteran Frankie Hejduk leveled matters just before half time with a cross that sailed over Jon Conway and into the back of the net.

Table toppers Crew then turned on the style in the second half as Robbie Rogers scored an unstoppable 30 yard rocket, leaving Jon Conway helpless.

New York were clearly missing influential Dutch midfielder Dave Van Den Bergh, who is expected to miss at least two games through a hernia injury.

Columbus wrapped up the match on the 85th minute when Eddie Gaven scored the third and decisive goal.

There was little positive after that for New York and matters went from bad to worse in the final minute when defender Kevin Goldthwaite was shown a red card.

The Bulls remain in fourth place in the eastern conference on 35 points while Columbus are out in front on 47 points.

Up next for the Bulls, a crucial home game against Colorado. Columbus make the trip to the Gillette Stadium to face New England Revolution.

Abdul Kashif

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has accepted that it made a serious
blunder in extending an invitation to West Ham striker Carlton Cole for a
2010 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifying game against the Bafana Bafana of
South Africa last weekend.

Carlton Cole though born of Nigerian parents is no longer eligible to play
for the country, but was extended an invitation by the Nigerian Football
Federation.

President of the NFF, Sani Lulu blamed human error for the mistake stating
that there was a mix-up somewhere.

“It was our mistake to have invited Cole. Yes he is Nigerian though resident
in the UK but we realise he is not eligible to play for us. ” Lulu told
kickoffNigeria.com

“We were aware of the mix-up in the invitation but ideally he (Cole) started
his engagement with the English team and by the rules guiding football, he
is no longer eligible to play for Nigeria,”

“These are human errors and anybody can fall into it, but as quickly as
possible, and it was quite timely that the corrections had been effected. If
he is not eligible to play for Nigeria, then why should we make a case for
him?” he added

“I just want to believe that until otherwise is proved we will not think
about inviting him,”

Awenlimobor Sylvester

Borussia Dortmund striker, Mohammed Zidan is expected to make his long
awaited return to the Egyptian senior National team according to the
Pharaohs goalkeeping coach Ahmed Soliman.

The former Hamburg striker was slammed with a three month ban for failing to
resume to the Egyptian training camp ahead of their opening 2010 World
Cup/Nations Cup qualifying game against DR Congo in June. Zidan faked injury
and rather stayed with Hamburg forcing the Egyptian FA to impose a
suspension on him after uncovering the fake injury plot.

The Egyptian technical staff are set to give the striker an early call-up
taking into view his good conduct while serving out his punishment.

“He behaved well during that period. He didn’t make any offensive comments
towards the technical staff after being banned,” Soliman told Modern Sport
on Thursday.

“Zidan will soon return to Egypt’s squad.” he confirmed

He however pointed out that influential Al Ahly striker, Mohammed Barakat
would still remain a pariah in the team, after his continued criticism of
the Egyptian technical bench.

“We were infuriated by Barakat’s repeated criticism of us. We will not
tolerate such comments from any player,” Soliman added.

“Consequently, we decided that Barakat will not be part of our plans for the
future,” he concluded.

Awenlimobor Sylvester

By Awenlimobor Sylvester

Head coach of the Nigerian senior National team, the Super Eagles, Amodu Shuaibu has stated that he does not feel threatened by the exploits of coach of the Nigerian Olympic soccer team Samson Siasia, amidst rumours that the latter was shaping up to take over from him soon as coach of the senior team.

Speaking with reporters from local newspaper Vanguard just before departing for South Africa for Nigeria’s 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup qualifying game against the Bafana Bafana, the former Orlando Pirates coach stated that he does not feel threatened, and would not want to be distracted by side talks.

“The match against South Africa is important and we should face it squarely.” he was quoted as saying on the newspaper

“Honestly, I am not threatened. There is nothing to be afraid of. Siasia has done so well with his boys and should be commended We are neck-deep in the match against South Africa and I guess that the match is more important that these trivialities about Siasia taking over my job” he added

“I have a contract with the NFF so why I should I panic?”

Amodu also promised to ensure that the jinx that has seen the Super Eagles dominate the Bafana Bafana over the years.

“We are going for a battle. The battle plan is to kill your enemy. And that is what we are going to do. South Africa has never beaten Nigeria in any competitive game. It is not going to start from my tenure as Eagles Coach. We are guarding jealously that record” he promised

Nigeria plays South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, September 6th in a game that holds more importance for the South Africans than the Nigerians.