HILLSBOROUGH: TEN YEARS ON
A moving minute's silence at Anfield today marked the 10th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster which killed 96 fans and injured more than 700.
Referee Ray Lewis, who took the players off the pitch in the Liverpool-Nottingham Forest FA Cup semi-final of 1989, again blew his whistle at 3.06pm to start the silent tribute.
Thousands of fans stood in the Kop, with players past - such as Alan Hansen - and present, including Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler. Across in Liverpool city centre shoppers also stood in silence.
The service was primarily aimed at remembering the victims, but Families Support Group chairman Trevor Hicks also used it to renew pleas for new action to be taken against those responsible for the disaster.
SPAIN IN THE NECK
Wives, ay, who needs them? Certainly not the Fiver, who is perfectly happy living in a one-bedroomed flat with only a computer, Richard Keys and a microwaveable Biryani for company.
It is well known however that professional footballers are more inclined to close marital relations: David 'Dinner's in the bin' Unsworth, Paul 'No villa is too big' Ince, and Ian 'Husband of Suzi' Walker. The end, as they say, is listless. And today they are joined by Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane confirmed the many rumours surrounding his future at Juventus by telling newspaper La Repubblica that his family are not happy with living in the industrial centre Turin and that "I would like to play in Spain where my wife and parents are from."
"For now I am with Juventus - for now," he continued. "But at the end of the season I will have to talk to management and to my wife." The next thing you know he'll be talking to his wife before stepping over the ball and selling a dummy to two Man United players.
Zidane confirmed that both Real and Atletico Madrid are interested in acquiring his services, but Juve are unlikely to give up without a fight. Only last weekend coach Carlo Ancelotti told the press, "Zidane is important to this side whether we play a 4-4-2 formation, 4-3-3 or 8-1-1." 8-1-1? Should be an exciting game next Wednesday, then.
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"You think 'lucky Arsenal' when they get a deflected equaliser. Then they get a penalty and you think 'lucky bastards'."
Alex Ferguson, magnanimous even in victory, gives his touchline account of last night's thriller at Villa Park.
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STRAIGHT DOWN THE LINE
Mr Robbie Fowler, footballer and ladies man, has finally received some support after everyone took a pop at him for his 'entertaining' drug-taking celebration during the Merseyside derby. Fowler's narco-turn earned him a four-game FA ban and hefty fine, but Paul Merson, no stranger to drugs, thinks that the whole furore is "a joke".
Merse's problems are well chronicled. When he wasn't discussing equine investments with his turf accountant, the Villa striker used to enjoy a small snifter to go along with the odd pint, making him more qualified than most to comment on Fowler's antics. "When the Fowler incident happened, I looked upon it as just one of those things. Personally I think the four-game ban is a bit strong, a bit of a joke," said the Villa striker.
However over the last week Merson has been having a tough time of it by his own admittance. "It's funny how a week changes the way you feel about things," he said. "I'm struggling now and maybe it isn't funny."
But apart from wildly fluctuating opinions, Paul Merson's doing great, thank you very much. In fact, Merson, who has spent the majority of the past few months warming the Villa bench, is thoroughly content with his recent performances on the pitch: "I'm not being big-headed when I say if I keep performing like I did against Southampton every week then I don't see too many better players around." With self-confidence like that, who needs drugs?
NEWS IN BRIEF
Former Real Madrid boss Jupp Heynckes has been tipped to replace Graeme Souness as manager of Portuguese club Benfica in the close season. Souness has been widely criticised in Portugal over his team's performances and for his policy of importing English players (including such luminaries as Gary Charles and Mark Pembridge) to the club.
Former Rangers skipper Jonas Thern has all but announced his retirement from the game following a severe knee injury. He told a Swedish newspaper, "I'm not closing the door completely, but the chances (of me playing again) are not big."
Ryan Giggs could miss next week's Champions League semi-final match with Juventus after sustaining an ankle injury in last night's FA Cup replay. Peter Schmeichel, who injured his groin during the game, is likely to be rested this weekend in the hope of being fit for next week.
TONIGHT'S TV AND RADIO
Sky Sports 1: Football League Review (6.30pm)
Sunderland and Fulham going up, going up, going up up UP.
You're on Sky Sports! (11pm)
Quality of Sky Sports 1's output tonight going down, going down, going down down DOWN.
Sky Sports 3: Spanish Football (8.30pm)
Zinedine Zidane looks on wistfully.
Bobby Charlton's Football Scrapbook (10pm)
Did Bob ever tell you he used to play for Man U?
Radio Five Live: Wembley, The Church of Football (7.30pm)
Yea, your view was obscured by a large pillar of salt.
REST IN PEACE
Jack Anderson, Colin Mark Ashcroft, James Gary Aspinall, Kester Roger Marcus Ball, Gerard Baron Snr., Simon Bell, Barry Bennett, David John Benson, David William Birtle, Tony Bland, Paul David Brady, Andrew Mark Brookes, Carl Brown, Steven Brown, Henry Thomas Burke, Paul Andrew Burkett, Paul William Carlisle, Raymond Thomas Chapman, Gary Christopher Church, Joseph Clark, Paul Clark, Gary Collins, Stephen Paul Copoc, Tracey Elizabeth Cox, James Philip Delaney, Christopher Barry Devonside, Chris Edwards, Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons, Steve Fox, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, Barry Glover, Ian Thomas Glover, Derrick George Godwin, Roy Hamilton, Philip Hammond, Eric Hankin, Peter Andrew Harrison, Gary Harrison, Stephen Francis Harrison, Dave Hawley, James Robert Hennessy, Paul Anthony Hewitson, Carl Hewitt, Nick Hewitt, Sarah Louise Hicks, Victoria Jane Hicks, Gordon Horn, Arthur Horrocks, Gary Philip Jones, Thomas Howard, Tommy Anthony Howard, Eric George Hughes, Alan Johnston, Christine Anne Jones, Richard Jones B.Sc., Nicholas Peter Joynes, Anthony P. Kelly, Michael Kelly, Carl David Lewis, David William Mather, Brian Christopher Matthews, Francis Joseph McAllister, John McBrien, Marian Hazel McCabe, Joe McCarthy, Peter McDonnell, Alan McGlone, Keith McGrath, Paul Brian Murray, Lee Nicol, Stephen Francis O'Neill, Jonathon Owens, William Roy Pemberton, Carl Rimmer, Dave Rimmer, Graham John Roberts, Steven Robinson, Henry Charles Rogers, Andrew Sefton, Inger Shah, Paula Ann Smith, Adam Edward Spearritt, Philip John Steele, David Leonard Thomas, Pat Thompson, Peter Reuben Thompson, Stuart Thompson, Peter F. Toole, Christopher James Traynor, Martin Kevin Traynor, Kevin Tyrrell, Colin Wafer, Ian Whelan, Martin Kenneth Wild, Kevin Daniel Williams and Graham John Wright.
