Monaco plan to take legal action against a French league edict that they must move their headquarters to France, ending tax exemption for the club’s players.
The Ligue 2 club accused French authorities of demanding an “outrageous” payment of €200 million to stay in the French league without having to move.
“ASM FC has decided that it has no other choice but to bring legal action to obtain a judicial resolution of the dispute,” the club said.
“ASM FC will be seeking the annulment of the LFP’s decision of March 21 requiring the club to establish its headquarters in France, as well as a claim for damages from the LFP as compensation for commercial losses suffered as a result of that decision.”
We can’t afford mistakes – Wenger
Arsene Wenger knows his Arsenal side now must be patient and that two wins from the final two games of the Premier League season is the minimum requirement in their quest to qualify for the Champions League.
By the time Wenger’s team next take to the field – against Wigan tomorrow week – their rivals will have each played a game more and may be in stronger positions in the all-London top-four fight heading into the final day.
“It’s very tight and it’s down to the team who makes no mistake,” said Wenger.
“I love it because it’s a lot of tension and very exciting. We definitely have momentum, if you look at the points we have made compared to two months ago.”
Ferguson harbours Lampard regrets
Alex Ferguson regrets not signing Frank Lampard earlier in his career. Lampard is said to be on the verge of agreeing a new contract with Chelsea given the likely return of his former boss Jose Mourinho in the summer.
The 34-year-old has scored 16 goals this term, taking him onto 201 career goals for the Blues, just one short of Bobby Tambling’s club record.
“Lampard has been unbe-lievable,” said Ferguson. “We looked at him when he was at West Ham as a young player and I maybe regret not having done it.”
Casillas deserves respect – Pepe
Real Madrid defender Pepe has told coach Jose Mourinho to show national “institution” Iker Casillas more respect.
Mourinho caused a stir when he dropped the Spain captain before Christmas and is under the spotlight after saying he wished he had signed Diego Lopez following his first season in charge.
Commenting on Mourinho’s words Pepe said: “There needs to be a little more respect to Iker.
“What the coach said was not the most appropriate. Iker is a player who is part of Madrid. He’s an institution, both in this club and in Spain.”
Milan clubs target Fabregas
Neighbouring rivals Inter and Milan are reportedly set to enter into a bidding war for Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas this summer.
The former Arsenal midfielder rejoined his boyhood club in 2011 but he failed to show his best form with the Catalan side.
Yesterday, Corriere dello Sport reported that Inter and Milan are both set to table a bid for the Spanish international midfielder.
It is understood that Inter could include goalkeeper Samir Handanovic as part of the deal since the Spanish club have shown interest in the the Slovenian goalkeeper.
Pochettino lauds Spurs’ Bale
Mauricio Pochettino suggested Tottenham could be a one-man team after watching Gareth Bale steal all three points with a dramatic last-gasp winner against his former club Southampton.
For 85 minutes Southampton matched and often bettered Tottenham, but Bale popped up yet again in the dying minutes to rifle home a superb 25-yard drive that gave the home side a crucial 1-0 win.
“He is not on the same level as Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi yet, but Bale is one of the top 10 players in the world today,” Pochettino said.
“He could play for any side in the world, in any league in the world.”
Zola ready to lift Watford
Gianfranco Zola insists he will be able to lift his disappointed Watford players for their tilt at the play-offs.
The Hornets fell agonisingly short of automatic promotion on Saturday, going down to a late Leeds winner when a victory would have sent them into the Premier League at the expense of Hull.
Instead a semi-final meeting with sixth-placed Leicester awaits.
“It will be tough,” Zola said. “They are a team we have already faced twice and we know the quality they have. The players were very tired at the end of the match, they had given everything. It’s been tough but we will come back.”