Monthly Archives: April 2011

Taiwo Summoned After Final Rant

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Nigeria international Taye Taiwo has been summoned to a May 5 hearing by National Ethics Council (CNE) to explain his foul-mouthed outburst at the League Cup final, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced Wednesday.

Taiwo scored the winning goal as league champions Marseille beat Montpellier 1-0 to win the trophy last weekend.

But moments after the triumph the big defender went from hero to villain as he grabbed a microphone and unleashed a verbal volley at Marseille’s bitter league rivals Paris Saint Germain.

As Taiwo celebrated near the Marseille fans he was heard proclaiming: “Marseille are coming up to Paris to (expletive) PSG.”

The next day France’s Professional Football League (LFP) said it would probe Taiwo’s behaviour, which has now reached the CNE.

Teammate Stephane Mbia has also been summoned to the hearing for the role he played in the incident.

Taiwo has since made a public apology to PSG via Marseille’s television channel, and widened that apology in a press release Monday.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said: “He shouldn’t have done that. He’s made a huge blunder, but he didn’t think it would reach such proportions.

“He knows it now, and is very sorry.”

Marseille are only two points behind league leaders Lille, with a game in hand.

Losing Taiwo, one of Marseille’s most influential players, to a ban could theoretically damage their chances of defending the league title

Lloris Set For Lyon Contract Talks

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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has today spoken of his desire to enter contract negotiations with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Lloris has been in excellent form this season, form which has led to strong interest from clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Lyon have the second best defense in the Ligue 1 and Lloris has been at the centre of this fantastic achievement.

Aulas is keen to get a new contract sorted to ward off any interest from the big boys in England.

“I met with Hugo just before he left the national team to inform him that we’re ready to enter the negotiations,” the supremo told French radio station RMC.

“We’d like to have this wrapped up within a month and give him the good terms that he deserves and that Olympique Lyonnais want.”

The 24-year-old has kept 10 clean sheets this season and has cemented his spot as the French No. 1.

Marseille Aiming For Top Spot

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Marseille could go top of Ligue 1 tonight if they beat OGC Nice at Stade Velodrome.

L’OM are currently two points behind current leaders Lille after they only managed a 1-1 draw away Lorient on Sunday.

Marseille are flying high at the moment after becoming the first team ever to retain the Coupe de la Ligue thanks to a 1-0 victory over Montpellier on Saturday.

Nice have not enjoyed the best of seasons and will be looking continue their seven game unbeaten run to help pull them away from the relegation zone, they are currently just three points clear of 18th placed Caen.

Elsewhere in Ligue 1 tonight 3rd placed Lyon face Coupe de la Ligue runners-up Montpellier at Stade de Gerland, as they look to keep up the pressure on Marseille and Lille.

Both games kick-off at 6pm GMT.

Alfortville Relegated – EAG Smash Five Past Creteil

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Alfortville were relegated to the CFA after a 2-0 defeat away at Niort this evening. The result leaves them 15 points from safety with just 12 left to play for.

Elsewhere, already promoted Bastia were held to a goal-less draw at home to Pacy. Second placed Amiens closed the gap between them and Bastia to just six points thanks to a 2-0 win over Bayonne, which should make the race to be crowned champions alot more interesting.

Third placed Guingamp pulled off the result of the night by smashing five past Creteil in a 5-1 victory at the Stade du Roudourou. Two goals from Giresse mean that he is now the leading goalscorer in the division with 19, overtaking Bastia (and ex-Guingamp) striker David Suarez who is on 18 for the season.

In the early kick-off Gap beat Plabennec 3-1 to pull themselves out of the drop zone and send their visitors into the relegation zone.

With only a couple of weeks of the season left it looks like Amiens and Guingamp will be joining Bastia in gaining promotion to Ligue 2 and at the bottom there are still 7 teams fighting to avoid the three remaining relegation spots. There should be some tense games in the next couple of weeks.

Results in full:

  • Gap 3 – 1 Plabennec
  • Cannes 2 – 0 Luzenac
  • Bastia 0 – 0 Pacy Vallée-d’Eure
  • Rouen 1 – 1 Rodez
  • Guingamp 5 – 1 Créteil
  • Bayonne 0 – 2 Amiens SC
  • Colmar 3 – 2 Fréjus St-Raphaël
  • Niort 2 – 0 Alfortville
  • Paris 2 – 2 Beauvais
  • Strasbourg 2 – 0 Orléans

Championnat National Preview 26th April

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There is a full card of fixtures in the Championnat National this evening.

The only piece of up/down news that can occur tonight is that Alfortville can be relegated if they fail to win away at Niort, they could still be relegated however if Plabennec, Pacy and Bayonne all win their respective matches. With their fate out of their own hands it seems likely that they will be relegated this season.

At the top of the table Bastia are already promoted, Amiens and Guingamp occupy the two remaining promotion spots, Amiens travel to struggling Bayonne and Guingamp host mid-table Creteil. The only team that looks likely of catching them now is Strasbourg, they play host to mid-table Orleans who are stuttering of late with just one win in their last four games.

Elsewhere Paris FC are not sure of safety yet and they face a difficult evening playing host to 5th placed Beauvais.

Fixtures:

  • Gap – Plabennec – 6pm GMT
  • Cannes – Luzenac – 7pm GMT
  • Bastia – Pacy Vallée-d’Eure – 7pm GMT
  • Rouen – Rodez – 7pm GMT
  • Guingamp – Créteil – 7pm GMT
  • Bayonne – Amiens SC – 7pm GMT
  • Colmar – Fréjus St-Raphaël – 7pm GMT
  • Niort – Alfortville – 7pm GMT
  • Paris – Beauvais – 7pm GMT
  • Strasbourg – Orléans – 7pm GMT