Standard Liege will break away from the Belgian league and join France’s Ligue 1 if a new Belgian-Dutch league is not created, club owner Roland Duc-hatelet warned yesterday.
“Without the establishment of a ‘Beneliga’, Belgian football will die a beautiful death. If this project does not see the light of day Standard will ask to join France’s Ligue 1,” Duchatelet told Sudpresse newspapers.
“It’s officially feasible, if the French agree to it,” the businessman added.
The Standard Liege owner’s priority however is a brand new championship “comprising eight Belgian clubs and 12 Dutch sides” to compete with the major European leagues’ television rights.
Bosingwa’s QPR future uncertain
Portuguese defender Jose Bosin-gwa’s future at QPR is in the balance after manager Harry Redknapp refused to say whether he would play for the side again.
Bosingwa has attracted both Redknapp’s and the fans ire since he refused to sit on the substitutes’ bench for the league game with Fulham earlier this month – it led to him being fined two weeks wages (£130,000).
“It disturbed me when a player doesn’t want to sit on the bench when you are bang in trouble,” said 65-year-old Redknapp.
“We are all in trouble. The owner and the fans see their team losing every week and suddenly you get someone who doesn’t want to sit on the bench.”
No Africa Cup for Ameobi – Pardew
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will not allow striker Shola Ameobi to play for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
The 31-year-old Ameobi, who once played for the England U-21, had been named in Nigeria’s provisional squad for the tournament which gets under-way on January 19.
But Pardew insists the player is needed for the Premier League campaign.
“Shola won’t be going to that, and the national team manager knows the reasons behind that, which I am going to keep to myself,” said Pardew.
Nuremberg opt for reserves coach
Michael Wiesinger has been named coach of Bundesliga strugglers Nuremberg as a reward for his work with the reserve team, team manager Martin Bader announced.
Wiesinger replaces Dieter Hecking, who on Saturday became coach of fellow strugglers Wolfsburg.
“Michael has done exceptional work for the past year-and-a-half with the reserve team,” said Bader.
Nuremberg are presently fifth from bottom in the table after 17 matches, eight points clear of the relegation places.
Wilshere urges Walcott to stay
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has urged England winger Theo Walcott to follow his example by pledging his future to the Gunners.
Walcott, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has reportedly been unable to come to an agreement with Arsenal over a new deal and Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in the 23-year-old.
“Everybody at the club wants Theo to re-sign. I’m always winding him up, saying ‘c’mon Theo, sign’,” Wilshere said.
“Theo’s been great for us and he knows what he means to us and the fans. Five of us British boys have just signed so hopefully he can be the sixth and cap it off.”
Friedel extends Spurs contract
Veteran American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has extended his contract with Tottenham until 2014, the Premier League club announced yesterday.
At 41, Friedel is the oldest player in the Premier League and he is also the only man in the history of the division to start 300 consecutive matches.
He started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper at White Hart Lane but has since lost his place in the side to Hugo Lloris, the France international.
Friedel, who has 82 inter-national caps for the United States, has been playing in England since 1997, when he joined Liverpool.
Lukaku happy at West Bromwich
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has told Chelsea he wants to extend his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion for a second season.
Chelsea have the option to recall the 19-year-old during the January transfer window, but Lukaku is keen to extend his stay at the Hawthorns through to the end of the 2013-2014 campaign.
“I want to stay here. I’ve had so many questions in the last few weeks asking ‘are you staying?’” Lukaku said.
“I have a lot of contact with Chelsea, but they are asking questions about my development and I tell them I’m very happy to be here.
“I have not spoken to the manager (Rafael Benitez) but I know what is going on. For me, it is a one-year loan and then hopefully it may be one year again next season.”