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Scholes is stretchered off against Aalborg.
SCHOLES FACES LONG LAY-OFF

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Paul Scholes sustained medial ligament damage during Tuesday’s Champions League match against Aalborg and revealed the midfielder could be out for six to eight weeks.

Scholes had to be substituted after 16 minutes against United’s Danish opponents.

Although the team managed well without him, winning 3-0 in their Group E match, the loss of Scholes potentially until late November will be a significant blow to United.

The former England international was replaced following a challenge with Thomas Augustinussen.

Ryan Giggs came on as his replacement, and laid on the first goal for Wayne Rooney.

Speaking after the match, Ferguson revealed Scholes may face a lengthy lay-off, denying him the services of the 33-year-old whose experience is valued in the United midfield.

HARPER STRENGTHENS TAX POLICY FOR ALL SPORTING FAMILIES

OTTAWA – September 30, 2008 — Prime Minister Harper has added to a sporting Conservative Party track record by committing to extend the benefits of the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (CFTC) to lower income families by making the credit fully refundable. “Making the CFTC refundable is an important step towards reducing one of the financial barriers to participation and family involvement in sport,” says Ian Bird, Senior Leader of the Sport Matters Group. “Yesterday’s announcement demonstrates the Conservative Party’s on-going understanding of how to use the tax system as a strategy that encourages children’s participation in sport and physical activity programs.”

The Sport Matters Group expects that this supplementary tax measure, valued at $80 million over four years, will enable Canadian parents who pay little or no tax, and who cannot afford to register their children in low cost sport programs, to have the costs of their children’s registration covered by the credit. This proposal comes at a time when a Statistics Canada study (Sport Participation in Canada, 2005) demonstrated that “children in the lowest income bracket were three times more likely to have never participated in organized activities such as sports, than those in the highest bracket.” Ian Bird comments, “With this approach, Mr. Harper and his tax advisors have recognized how new fiscal policy for sport can fill a gap in the current tax regime, reduce the cost barrier for those that need it most, and extend the health and social benefits of sport participation to many Canadian children.”

Today’s announcement comes in advance of the release of the Conservative Party platform and the potential for additional sport policy and community infrastructure proposals. “We look forward to the final two weeks of the campaign and the efforts by all parties to expand upon their sport and physical activity platforms. In particular, we anticipate an informed discussion of the various platforms during the All Party Sport Forum scheduled for later this week,” says Bird. The All Party Sport Forum, scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, 2008 in Mississauga, Ontario and webcast throughout the country, is a non-partisan venue for each political party to present their sport and physical activity plans for public deliberation. The following representatives have already confirmed their participation: Honourable Helena Guergis (Conservative Party), Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal Party), Ms. Olivia Chow (New Democratic Party), and Ms. Grace Yogaretnam (Green Party). The Bloc Québécois have yet to confirm a representative.

Through the “I believe in the power of sport” campaign, the Sport Matters Group (SMG) is urging all parties in the federal election to include the following measures in their platforms:

1. Increased federal investment in sport and physical activity to a minimum of $500 million/year, so that Canada meets its target of investing the equivalent of 1% of the health care budget on sport and physical activity;

2. Substantial long-term investments to erase the infrastructure deficit (estimated by Canadian Parks and Recreation Association at $15billion) in sport and recreation and address new demands in growing communities (projected at $18billion by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities), through partnerships with the provinces, territories, municipalities, community organizations, and the private sector;

3. Innovative tax measures to encourage greater participation in sport and new sources of funding from the private sector and the public;

4. New federal leadership strategies including a Cabinet Minister responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Vancouver 2010 and an integrated departmental corporation or separate agency.

The SMG is a voluntary group of sport leaders and organizations who have come together to deliberate and collaborate around issues that affect sport and physical activity in Canada. The Group operates like a community of practice which undertakes various public policy activities relevant to sport and physical activity. It is currently composed of hundreds of national and provincial organizations and thousands of individuals who care about the contribution of sport and physical activity to Canada.

- 30 -

For immediate inquiries please contact:

Ian Bird
Senior Leader, Sport Matters Group
Tel : (613) 447.2488
Email: ian.bird@sportmatters.ca

Keane - set for new deal.
QUINN CONFIDENT OF NEW KEANE DEAL

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is confident manager Roy Keane will sign a new contract within weeks.

The Black Cats boss embarked upon the final year of his current three-year deal at the start of the new season, but has repeatedly insisted he is relaxed about the future.

However, Quinn revealed initial talks with Keane’s solicitor, Michael Kennedy, began last week after funding for the next two years was secured, and he is optimistic of a positive outcome in the near future.

Quinn said: “We have just opened up negotiations with Roy’s solicitor last week, and that will move along nicely, I hope.

“You never know, we will see, but I am pretty confident we will have something nice to say in the next few weeks.

“I didn’t want to go to Roy Keane with a new contract offer when I couldn’t tell him what was happening in 12 months’ time, because the minimum contract would have been a year.

“Now hopefully this year, we will be okay and maybe a couple after.

“I don’t know. We haven’t quite got to the detail, but I am pretty pleased.

“The great thing about Roy is you are not sitting in here with a big agent talking about money, it’s about direction.

“That’s the biggest thing in the contract talks, and I am confident that on my side of the table, we have got the direction that will please him.

“That’s become apparent in the last week or so, and we will kick on from there.

“It will be a great day if he does sign. It will be a big day for him as a manager too.

“It takes a bit of time and there are a few dots on the i’s and crosses on the t’s.

“Hopefully that’s what it is, but I will keep you posted.”

A confidentiality agreement prevented Quinn from commenting on reports that Irish-American businessman Ellis Short has acquired a 30 per cent stake in Drumaville, the consortium which owns the club, and that it is his financial muscle which has allowed the Wearsiders to present Keane with a two-year blueprint.

However, as chaos reigns at neighbouring Newcastle following Kevin Keegan’s resignation over claims of interference from Board level, the chairman confirmed his manager has no worries on that front.

He said: “We won’t put any restrictions on Roy. He is very aware of the power he has in bringing people to the club, and he will just get our backing to do that.

“He has appointed scouts in 13 countries since we came, which is a big change from where we were two and a bit years ago.

“Slowly but surely, every aspect of the club is going that way.

“He has got the power to appoint scouts, he has got the power to name and choose the players we go after.

“He is the manager in every sense of the word and the fact now that we have a two and a half-year business plan, it is the right and correct time to ask him to commit.”

Quinn’s comments came as he joined forces with Gina Carter, the widow of former Sunderland goalkeeper Tim Carter, at the launch of an appeal to raise 1.2million to build a hydrotherapy pool at the Percy Hedley School in Newcastle.

Carter, whose four-year-old son Jensen attends the special school for children and adults with cerebral palsy, died earlier this year at the age of 40.

Mrs Carter said: “Tim would have been very proud and very humble that people thought so highly of him.

“It was a big passion in Tim’s heart and to have such a centre built in his name will be tremendous.”

Berbatov - blasted by Venables.
VENABLES BLASTS ‘POISONOUS’ BERBATOV

Former Tottenham manager Terry Venables has laid the blame for the club’s dire start to the season squarely at Dimitar Berbatov’s door, bemoaning the Bulgarian’s “poisonous presence” at the beginning of the campaign.

Berbatov started the season at White Hart Lane but was clear in his desire to realise a ‘dream’ move to current club Manchester United.

Speculation over Berbatov’s future dominated Spurs’ early matches as manager Juande Ramos wrestled with whether or not to select the striker, who eventually signed for the Red Devils in a 30million deal.

With two points from six league matches so far Spurs lie bottom of the table and Ramos is under intense pressure.

But Venables, who last week turned down the chance to return to top-flight management with Tottenham’s fellow strugglers Newcastle, believes the club’s current strife stems from Berbatov.

“Berbatov kept telling us he had ‘a dream’. Well, good for you Dimi. You had a dream with a few extra noughts added to your bank balance,” he told The Sun.

“But did Spurs have a dream too? You got your way but your poisonous presence at the start of the season - the brooding and the reluctance to play - has cost the club that believed in you.”

Venables also believes the Spurs board erred in selling Berbatov’s strike partner Robbie Keane to Liverpool before they had a replacement.

“They thought they were going to get Andrei Arshavin,” said Venables.

“This was a massive managerial blunder by Spurs, especially when they had allowed Keane to leave. But letting Berbatov and Keane go without having Arshavin in the bag was a boardroom blunder.”

Benitez talks to the press on Tuesday.
BENITEZ CALLS FOR CALM

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has warned of the danger of getting carried away with his team’s impressive start to the season ahead of his 250th game in charge against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

The Reds are unbeaten in the Premier League and are only behind leaders Chelsea on goal difference having followed up a notable victory over Manchester United at Anfield with a 2-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Saturday.

After initially scraping past a resilient and impressive Standard Liege side in a difficult qualification tie, Liverpool began their Group D campaign with victory in Marseille.

Now they face PSV at Anfield on Wednesday knowing that another three points will put them well on the way to qualification for the knock-out stages.

It is a major change from their position at this point last season when Liverpool were seemingly doing all they could to be knocked out of the tournament with some dreadful, sloppy performances.

But with just two defeats in their last 29 games in all competitions - and one in their last 12 - the Reds are beginning to show signs that they could be serious contenders on several fronts and Benitez admitted that is a situation which slightly concerns him.

“When you are playing well and winning games, with everyone talking about how good you are, it is important to calm down and get people talking only about the next game,” he said.

“It is a dangerous when you hear people talking well about your team, then we have to make sure we do not listen to what is being said but just concentrate on the future.

“But it is better to manage expectations, like we are, than be bottom of the table and trying to motivate players.”

Benitez will have key midfielder Javier Mascherano back from a calf injury to face the Eredivisie champions and has no other worries as he attempts to score another European victory, which would be the first time they have ever won their opening two group fixtures.

The problem now for the Spaniard is the rampant expectation that leads many to assume they will beat sides like PSV at home.

It does not help the Anfield coach’s call for calm and concentration when Liverpool have such a good record against Eindhoven.

In 2006/07, on the way to the Athens final against AC Milan, Liverpool met the Dutch club four times in the competition.

The sides played out a goalless draw in Holland in the group stages with Liverpool winning the return 2-0, and they met again in the quarter-final with the Reds winning 3-0 away and by a one-goal margin at Anfield.

“PSV are a different side with a different manager and many players since the last time we played them in Europe,” Benitez explained.

“Yes, we have beaten them at Anfield twice, but that is when things can be dangerous. People expect things to happen.

“The fact that PSV lost their opening group match to Atletico Madrid is also a problem for us.

“They have to get something here now and they will sit and defend and try to catch us on the counter-attack.

“Technically they are very good and they are equally impressive using such tactics. We must be very careful.

“Now when we are in a good situation, people are really happy, and everybody is expecting to see the team playing well and scoring goals. But I think it’s more important to be concentrated to be focused and keep on winning.”

Benitez continued: “We had plenty of critics earlier in the season who said we were winning but not playing well. That is true, and we have plenty of room for improvement still.

“We are still suffering from players who have come back to us after a hard summer playing in the Euro 2008 finals.

“If we can continue to improve physically, I would be happier. Tactically the team is well organised and the players understand what they are doing.

“We just have to keep going this way and make sure that we do not experience what happened last season when we started out group matches badly.

“If we can win this one and then next in Madrid, we will be almost there. But you are always almost there until you finally achieve it, nobody can relax.”

Kinnear - interim Newcastle boss.
KINNEAR GETS DOWN TO WORK

Joe Kinnear got down to work on Tuesday as he attempted to drag Newcastle out of their tailspin.

The 61-year-old headed for the training pitch after giving the men who played on Saturday the day off to rest on Monday and get over the disappointment of the 2-1 home defeat by Blackburn.

As the club’s future off the field remained in the hands of investment bankers Seymour Pierce and its chairman, Keith Harris, interim manager Kinnear set about the task of restoring some stability on it.

He did so admitting he was mystified at claims he had turned up on Monday for his first day in charge expecting to find the players waiting for him.

Kinnear said: “What’s all the fuss about?

“After Saturday’s game, we all sat down and decided to give the players a day off on Monday for a variety of reasons.

“One is the fact that we are not playing until Sunday this week.

“And then it gave me the chance to go into the training ground yesterday and have a long chat with all my coaching and backroom staff.

“As a result, I knew all I had to know when the players came in today.”

What Kinnear must figure out ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Everton at Goodison Park is how to put together a team capable of halting a run of five successive defeats, four of which have come since Kevin Keegan’s departure.

The Magpies rallied after a dismal first-half display against Blackburn to at least regain some pride, although there is a long road to be travelled if they are to turn around a season which bears all the hallmarks of impending doom.

Injuries and suspensions have not helped, and the news that Mark Viduka is ready to consult specialists in Australia over his Achilles problem, which is not responding to treatment as well as the medics expected, is an added concern.

But there could be some relief for the club this weekend with midfielder Danny Guthrie having served the three-match ban he picked up for his red card in the 2-1 home defeat by Hull for a wild challenge on Craig Fagan.

In addition, Spanish full-back Jose Enrique has shaken off the hamstring injury he suffered in his side’s 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Arsenal on September 30, Keegan’s last game in charge.

Kinnear said: “I have had a long chat with Chris Hughton and our medical team and the only one of the injured players we are likely to have back at Everton on Sunday is Jose Enrique.

“That will give us a boost, as will having Danny Guthrie back from suspension.

“Unfortunately, the key players we have got missing could make us a better side. Chris says there are six players who, if fit, could be in the team.”

Enrique, a 6.5million Sam Allardyce signing from Villarreal, has struggled to command a regular place since his move to St James’ Park.

However, such is the Magpies’ need, particularly in defence, that he will be a welcome addition to the squad.

Indeed, it is understood that, with no specialist senior right-back available to Kinnear as Habib Beye battles an Achilles problem, the club are considering offering a short-term deal to the out-of-contract Stephen Carr, who left the club at the end of last season.

But if uncertainty persists on the playing side, it is nothing compared to the situation in the boardroom.

Suggestions that former chairman Chris Mort could return to steer the club through an intensely difficult period were played down on Tuesday as a series of potential buyers jostled for position.

The Nigerian consortium fronted by Chris Nathaniel continues to promote its candidacy, while a less forthcoming South African group is among those to have declared an interest.

But with Seymour Pierce keeping their own counsel amid suggestions that owner Mike Ashley is ready to drop his asking price, the big decisions are being made away from Tyneside.

Berbatov - no fears about United future.
I’LL DELIVER FOR UNITED - BERBATOV

Dimitar Berbatov insists that he can cope with the pressure of playing for Manchester United.

The Bulgarian star is yet to find the back of the net since his much publicised and controversial 30.75million move from Tottenham on transfer deadline day.

However, despite not scoring in his first three games - Berbatov remains confident he will deliver the goods at Old Trafford.

“I have had to handle expectation and pressure throughout my life,” he told The Sun.

“I’m not scared and that’s why I’m here. The most important things are to enjoy myself, help the team to win more trophies and entertain the fans.

“If I do that, if I play like I did at Tottenham, I don’t think it will be a problem.

“I’m at the biggest club in the world and here I can develop in the way I want and that’s the most important thing. I really hope I’ll be successful here.”

Gough - could play in IPL.
GOUGH INTERESTED IN IPL

Darren Gough could become the second English player to sign up for the Indian Premier League.

Former Yorkshire captain Gough, 38, has been contacted about a move to the cash-rich competition, which runs its second season next April.

Gough retired from full-time action on the county scene last week and received a special award in recognition of his career achievements at the Professional Cricketers’ Association annual dinner on Monday.

He is to meet officials from the Twenty20 tournament next week and could follow Dimitri Mascarenhas, the one English representative in the first season, into the IPL.

“The IPL has always been an interest for me,” Gough told BBC Sport. “I can still bowl, I’ve proved that this season, I still get a buzz from cricket and it would be nice to test myself at that level again.

“The IPL would be a great buzz for me and I need cricket to be a buzz. It’s something I know I could do.

“Every single cricketer wants to play in the IPL and there’s not so many places available this year.”

That would suggest Gough is being viewed as a short-term fill-in as players come and go during the six-week event.

Gough has hinted that he could yet play 20-over cricket in England next summer.

He is also involved in setting up a cricket academy for youngsters in Abu Dhabi this winter.

Hamilton - increased his lead in Singapore.
HAMILTON: WE ARE GETTING STRONGER

Lewis Hamilton feels he is riding a tidal wave of positivity as he closes in on this year’s Formula One world title.

Hamilton heads into the final three grands prix in Japan, China and Brazil with a seven point cushion to Ferrari rival Felipe Massa.

The 23-year-old stretched his advantage following Massa’s calamitous race in Singapore on Sunday when he suffered a pit-lane disaster.

A scheduled stop saw the Brazilian released early which resulted in him knocking over two of his mechanics before setting off down the pit lane with the fuel hose still attached to his car.

A drive-through penalty followed for an unsafe release from the pits, culminating in Massa finishing 13th after starting on pole.

Hamilton, meanwhile, drove a steady, faultless race to finish third behind race winner and former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso in his Renault.

Hamilton said his team has always been “rock-solid”.

“We started the year feeling really strong and we have just kept developing that,” he said.

“I’d say now the team is the most positive and together it’s ever been.

“Since the middle of the season, we’ve got the car in such a sweet-spot that it’s been competitive at every race.

“I think Singapore showed just what we could do. We didn’t really put a foot wrong.

“I’ve got to give credit to the engineers and strategists for helping me to save fuel during the first safety car period.

“The guys in the garage pulled off two perfect pitstops. What more can I ask for?

“We’re just getting stronger and stronger. We all want this so much that every race just pulls us closer and closer together.

“I can’t really describe that feeling of team-work, but it’s incredibly strong. It’s what keeps us all going.”

Hamilton now faces a leisurely time at home in Geneva this weekend, what he describes as “a normal regime”, prior to a hectic finish of three races in four weeks.

The race in Singapore underlined Hamilton’s commitment to focusing on taking advantage of a situation at any given time, rather than going for glory.

As Massa was not in a position to score points, Hamilton coasted to a comfortable third place instead of pushing Williams’ Nico Rosberg for second and potentially crashing out.

Such a mature mindset will not change, with Hamilton adding: “The six points we got on Sunday were pretty important to our title chances.

“We’re ahead now in both world championships and have to keep focused during these next three races.

“I’ve said before that consistency is what will win this world championship, and I feel really pleased that we did that in Singapore.

“We only finished third, but we couldn’t really have asked for more from that result, and I didn’t want to risk throwing those points away with any kind of move as you never know what might happen.

“We also made all the right decisions at the right moments in the race, and the car still feels fantastic to drive.

“All I can do is take one race at a time while keeping one eye on the final result at the end of the year.”

Hughes - searching for new players.
CITY SEARCH FOR JANUARY DEALS

Manchester City have revealed their search for top talent to Eastlands in the January transfer window is already well under way.

City are now one of the heavyweights in the football transfer market following the arrival of billionaire new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, in August.

Backed by new found riches, boss Mark Hughes signed Robinho in a British record deal from Real Madrid on deadline day of the summer transfer window, while he also bid for Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez and Valencia star David Villa.

And Hughes’ assistant manager Mark Bowen has now revealed that City, who have also been linked with Bayern Munich forward Lukas Podolski, already have their ‘private detective’ scouts working abroad in preparation for when the transfer window reopens in 2009.

“We have people out there looking at names already, we will be travelling Europe over the next few months,” Bowen told City’s official website.

“We also have the chance, because we know what the budget is, to target players at the very top so if you think you can get them maybe they will come.”

Bowen, though, insists Hughes is determined to maintain harmony at City and is eager to secure a strong dressing room spirit.

“You can also do a lot of background work, a lot of our scouts might almost be like private detectives to see if a target might settle in with us,” Bowen added.

“Are they likely to embrace what we do, not just on the pitch but on the training ground as well?

“The gaffer puts a lot of emphasis on training and if you are asking players to perform at the highest level of intensity, then bringing people in who just want to stand around at training counting the hours to Saturday might upset the balance as well.

“That homework has to be done. Possibly the hardest job will be careful selection of the players we bring in, but also moulding them into a team. We have to make sure that we have a team.

“You can’t just point at the best players in the world, it does not work that way. You have to man-manage them and motivate them, you have to carefully select who you bring in and who they will work around.”