SOCCER BRIEFS
The Sunday Age
Sunday December 20, 2009
Antic stays onBELGRADE: Serbia coach Radomir Antic has extended his contract with the Serbian Football Federation until 2012. It means the Balkan nation, which will take on Australia in group D at next year's World Cup, will be led by Antic until the 2012 European championships. Antic, who once coached Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, was also awarded the "Golden Ball" for the best coach in Serbia.Domenech survivesPARIS: Raymond Domenech has been confirmed as the coach of France and will lead his team at the World Cup. Last week, a member of the federation's governing body had called for Domenech to leave in order to "stop the bloodshed". "It would not have been very professional to put somebody else in charge," said French federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes. "The players . . . would have felt betrayed." Domenech has been criticised for France's poor results during its qualifying campaign.Watford crisis easesLONDON: Cash-strapped Watford might escape going into administration after its former chairman, Jimmy Russo, appeared to relent in his demand for immediate repayment of a multi-million-dollar loan. Watford, which plays in English football's second-tier Championship, appeared destined for administration after Russo demanded the immediate repayment of a 4.88 million (A$8.9 million) loan. But he said he was now ready to talk to Watford officials. "I'm happy to suspend any legal action providing I have an appointment with them," he said. Under Football League rules designed to encourage sound financial management, teams risk having 10 points deducted if they enter administration.Spurs' party furoreLONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has promised to take "severe" action against players involved in an unsanctioned Christmas party. Redknapp, mindful of embarrassing episodes arising from some Premier League clubs' previous Christmas parties, had insisted no such event would take place at Spurs this year. But it has since emerged up to 16 first-team members ignored his instruction and travelled to Dublin for a party, reportedly organised by striker Robbie Keane. Redknapp says any action against the players will be taken after this weekend's fixture against Blackburn.Donovan to EPLLONDON: US forward Landon Donovan has joined Premier League club Everton on a short-term loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy. The loan, from January until mid-March, will finish in time for Donovan to return to the Major League Soccer for the Galaxy's opening match on March 27.
© 2009 The Sunday Age
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