THIS IS EXTRA TIME

American keeper Hope Solo pulls an angry-Lehmann after she was passed over for the US Women's semi-final against Brazil in favour of Briana Scurry at the World Cup:

"It was the wrong decision, and anyone who knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind that I would have made those saves. The fact of the matter is that it is not 2004 anymore. It's 2007 and you have to live in the present and you can't live in the past. It does not matter what someone did in an Olympic gold medal game three years ago. Now is what matters and that's what I think."

The US got spanked 4-0 by a sparkling Brazilian side.


source: Hope Solo Rips Ryan, Scurry: 'Wrong Decision ... I Would Have Made Those Saves'

Labels: hope solo, quick quotes, women's world cup

Besiktas player Ricardinho announced yesterday that he is going to sue Djibril Cisse's crazy (yet sexy - wish he'd stop bleaching the beard though) ass for a tackle that resulted in him being injured and thus sidelined for two months a few weeks ago. Ricardinho says, "The Marseille players played like butchers. There was a World Cup rugby match a few days before in Marseille, they must have confused the rules."

Any chance they could use a non-legal approach to sorting this thing out? May we suggest 'hugging it out'? Preferably shirtless?

source: Injured Ricardinho tells Cisse: I'm suing

Labels: beskitas, djibril cisse, marseille, ricardinho

Victora Beckham filmed her scenes for Ugly Betty last week. Anna Oritz, who plays Hilda on the show, says that Posh came in sans entourage and endangered her fabulosity by wearing a fat suit and an ugly sack-dress during her scenes. It takes a very strong woman to do that, Posh, and for that we salute you. However, we will still point and laugh (at you not with you) when your episode of Ugly Betty airs.

Posh played herself as one of Wilhemina Slater's (Vanessa Williams) bridesmaids at her marriage to Bradford Meade (Alan Dale).
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Anna Oritz talks about Posh filming her Ugly Betty scenes - WATCH

Labels: ugly betty, victoria beckham

After his well publicized five-piece poolside romp, Cristiano Ronaldo is working extra hard trying to clean up his image:

"Many people have images of footballers as people who like to go out all the time, spend their money lavishly and like to date many women, but I don't drink alcohol, I hate smoking and I'm not a big spender. I live in a rural part of Cheshire, where squirrels, birds and cows are my closest neighbours."

Oh, our bad. Shall we just call you Mister Rogers from now on then, Cris? Or would you prefer Santa Claus?

"'Every year I dress up as Santa Claus in full costume. It is a family tradition. The younger children have no idea…it is magical."

No, what's magical is the level of crizaziness you've been spewing to Hello! Magazine. What's also magical is the level of LOLs the aforementioned crizaziness has brought to football gossips the world over. Thank you for being you, Cristiano, thank you for being you.

source: Cristiano Ronaldo: I hate smoking, I don't drink and I'm not a big spender - Cristiano Ronaldo: I want to be a dad

Labels: bringing the LOLs, cristiano ronaldo

At the opening of Marco Pierre White's new restaurant at Stamford Bridge:

"Well, Jose is like any dish in my restaurant. You like it or not, but it doesn’t stay on the table for long."

source: Rom: I ate that Jose Mourinho!

Labels: chelsea, jose mourinho, quick quotes, roman abramovich

In an interview with Sky, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso confirmed that his girlfriend, Nagore, is pregnant. This is the couple's first child. Congrats to Nagore: now you're officially on the payroll for life - whoo!

Labels: pregnant, WAGs, xabi alonso

David raced home to be with his dad yesterday night after hearing that, Ted Beckham, 59, had a heart attack. David was said to be in a state of shock and tearful as he arrived at his father's bedside at London Chest Hospital where his father is being treated by the country's top heart specialists and is now in stable condition. It's said that David is blaming himself for his father's rapid decline in health as the two had a falling out after Ted divorced from David's mum in 2002 and their relationship became further strained when Ted's tell-all book about David came out in 2005.

Victoria cancelled her major promotion campaign for her perfume and cosmetics line in Japan to fly to London to be with David.
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David leaving LA yesterday evening


Victoria leaving Japan to be with David in London



source: Beckham's tears as he is reunited with sick father at hospital bedside - celebutopia

Labels: david beckham, victoria beckham

The Liverpool captain compares you, the new striker, to one of the most profilic players to ever play the English game. Like totally no pressure though.

Steven Gerrard on Fernando Torres:

"He reminds me a bit of Ian Rush. I know Ian Rush was a great striker, and I don't want to put much pressure on Fernando as far as goals are concerned ... There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and as captain of the team I don't want to put any more on him."

Talk about jinxing a guy. Liverpool fans: knock on wood.

source: Torres reminds me of legend Rush - Gerrard

Labels: fernando torres, liverpool, quick quotes, steven gerrard

With the wifey out of town, Becks was checking out LA's scenery going clubbing for the first time since his move to LA. He was spotted at Hyde with some of his LA Galaxy teammates - including Cobi Jones.

TMZ also has Leelee Sobieski (you mean she's not dead then?) on record saying, "he just looked like a dude having a good time." How good of a time though? Posh will not be happy about this.

source: X17 XCLUSIVE: David Beckham... At Hyde??! - If Hyde's Walls Could Talk

Labels: bad behavior, david beckham

Looks like those Japanese kids managed to bring out a flicker of emotion from the fab-bot that is Posh. She's in Tokyo doing promotion this week.

P.S. Did anyone else see Mel B on Dancing with Stars last night? Was anyone else half expecting her to spontaneously shout out 'Zig-a-zig-a-ahhh!'. Oh, the memories...
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source: celeb-city

Labels: victoria beckham, WAGs

Cheryl Cole at Heathrow this morning on her way out to LA. Well, at least she remembered her shirt this time.
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source: celeb-city

Labels: cheryl cole, WAGs

Pop Quiz.

Q: How embarassed at your national team do you have to be to want your country pulled out of the Euro 2008?
A: About as pissed off as 4,000 (and counting) Austria fans are right now. They're mad and they're not gonna take it anymore!

Austria fans are so peeved at watching their national side drag the golden brand that is Austrian football through the mud that they've started an online petition to remove the team form the tournament. They've gotten so sick of the team that they fall into a "dismal state of depression when watching a match featuring the Austrian national football team." Ouchies.

In case you haven't heard these guys are actually co-hosting the event...this summer. Having the hosts drop out would be like showing up to a Galaxy game and having Becks not turn in an appearance. Even if it is just a flashy smile in a designer suit on the sidelines, at least he was there. We get the point you're trying to make, Austrians, but this plan is a bit outtie.

source: Austria fans petition for Austria-free Euro 2008

Labels: austria, euro 2008, supporters

Again, the golden rule of gossip-watchers everywhere rings true: If they have to say things are fine, things usually aren't fine. Even though Tottenham tried to deny it yesterday, senior members of the board did hold crisis talks and they did decide Martin Jol would definitely be leaving. Yesterday afternoon at Tottenham's training ground in Chigwell, senior members of the board including chairman Daniel Levy agreed that Martin Jol will only be staying on a 'match-by-match' basis until a replacement is found, Jol has already agreed to a £4million compensation deal. Marty could be gone this week, next week or even in a few days.

source: Jol to stay in charge match-by-match until new Spurs boss is found - Jol agrees Spurs exit deal - Report

Labels: managers, martin jol, tottenham hotspur

Let us be very clear: Tzofit Grant, wife of Chelsea's newly promoted Avram Grant, is one crazy-ass lady. And we're not talking about that Alex Curran-esque "OMG, my 1-year-old paints her toenails!" type of crazy . No, Tzofit's kind of wacko is of a completely different and peculiar brand. Case in point: Tzofit has drunk her own pee-pee on live TV (she said it tasted like the Dead Sea). She has bathed in chocolate, spaghetti and sauce and consistently makes ill-advised hair, makeup and fashion decisions. Again, all on live TV.

So, why haven't you heard of Grant's bizarro brand of fabulosity, you ask? Well, she couldn't really be bothered to make the trip over to England when Avram was at Portsmouth and she was still focusing on her TV career in Israel when Avram was made Director of Football/Suck-ups and Backstabbers at Chelsea. However, now that she has decided to make the big leap over to London to stand at her husband's side and support him as he embarks on his great new football adventure, you will definitely be hearing a lot more about her. That and her TV show in Israel was cancelled so she's looking to strike up a new one in England. Oppurtunism: a trait that is inherant in and natural to all of WAG-kind.

source: The weird one: Wife of new Chelsea boss is a Wag like no other - New Chelsea manager's wife drank her own urine live on TV

Labels: avram grant, tzofit grant, WAGs

"There is a joke in London that he (Mourinho) is the Special One, but he's not that special. This would be a hard job for him and he knows it."

Jol also stamped out rumours that the not-so-Special One was being persued by bosses at White Hart Lane saying that chairman Daniel Levy personally assured him that the rumours were 'rubbish'. Common sense and the fact that Levy called Mourinho's agent five times to put in a bid tells us otherwise.

UPDATE: Rumours are flying around this morning that Martin Jol and the board are holding a crisis meeting later on today after Jol announced that he's ready to leave. No official news yet but we're so watching this story.

source: Defiant Jol doesn't fear the sack

Labels: jose mourinho, martin jol, quick quotes, tottenham hotspur

WAG Jamelia, Rio Ferdinand and Emmanuel Adebayor attended Naomi Campbell's Fashion for Relief earlier this week. It's great to see these guys doing something for the greater good and stuff but were the hot footballers already booked or something?







source: Big Brother twins steal the show at star-studded Fashion Relief - Fashion for Relief - slideshow

Labels: emmanuel adebayor, fashion, jamelia, rio ferdinand

Chelsea went from having The Sex-in-an-overcoat on the touchine to this. It's a sad state of affairs at Stamford Bridge.



Seen here pulling a Rafael Nadal. No pun intended.



source: Daily Mail

Labels: avram grant, chelsea, chelsea fabulosity, managers, not sexy

We haven’t taken to any of Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriends in the past. Not because we’re jealous but rather because…well actually it is because we’re jealous. However, we’re still unsure about his new girl, Luciana Abreu: 22 year-old Portuguese pop star, Pop Idol reject, and self-confessed ‘good catholic girl’ with a questionable fashion sense. From what we gather she seems pretty wholesome though. She even played the lead role on a kids TV show and although that doesn’t exactly guarantee a good score in the wholesome department (read: Vanessa Hudgens) we’ll give her the benefit of the doubt – for now, at least.


source: Ronaldo dates a Pop Idol flop

Labels: cristiano ronaldo, luciana abreu, WAGs

Haterating on serial WAG and glorified bully Danielle Lloyd has been one of our favourite feel-good pastimes for about half a year now. For example, in any other situation a girl getting a boxed in the back of the head by a random stranger in a club restroom at a MOBO awards after-party would induce feelings of pity and possibly even (if we’re in a good mood that day) sympathy. However, in this case and particularly because Danielle is the victim, our feelings are more a kin to wanting to give an enthused running-jump-high-five and ‘you go, girl!’ to the woman that stepped up to the task.

Some tabloids are reporting that the incident actually happened because Danielle was sticking up for her friend while others are saying that she pissed someone off because she was knocking impatiently on a restroom cubicle door. We’re going with: Dani got punched because she's, in the words of Arsenal defender Armand Traore, ‘a slag’.

This is actually the second time Danielle's been attacked in a nightclub. The first time four girls followed her into a Liverpool club restroom called her a ‘stupid cow’ and stole her cell phone.

source: Danielle Lloyd attacked after row in nightclub toilet - HERO DANI SAVES PAL FROM BEATING

Labels: bad behavior, danielle lloyd, ex-WAGs

Mourinho on whether he felt he wasn't appreciated by Chelsea for being as 'special' as he thought he was:

"Why? Ask my wife if I'm special."

Mourinho speaks for the first time after his departure from Chelsea - WATCH

Labels: chelsea, chelsea fabulosity, jose mourinho, quick quotes

Who knew Jermain Defoe was an underground Big Brother addict? We may have just found our new soulmate. Unfortunately though, Defoe is one of those BB fans who has let the addictive drama of Friday night evictions interfere with his personal and professional responsibilities not to mention his fall-out with Tottenham manager Martin 'getting sacked in the morning' Jol. His insistence on never missing an episode of the fantastical (this is our blog, people) reality show has caused him to be fined for skipping and showing up late to club dinners. Jermain told the Daily Mail, "Once we were on an away trip and the coach knew that I wanted to watch it so he made the time for dinner a little bit earlier. He said that I had to be down, but I remember thinking 'yeah right, I'm not missing it'. I can't remember who was evicted that night, but I do remember coming down half an hour late and getting a fine. It was definitely worth it though."

It must've been the Charley eviction episode that did Jermain in. No footballer in his right mind would be able to be ripped away from the self confessed South London It Girl repeating "I'm not being funny but..." every two minutes - it would be too much to ask from a man.

source: Defoe reveals his big bust-up with Jol

Labels: bad behavior, big brother, jermain defoe, tottenham hotspur

Okay, now it feels like we're live-blogging this whole Mourinho-peacing-out debacle but this drama is too good not to post.

Not only were Jose's nerves being stretched with the board but it's coming out now that he was having issues with the players as well. Tabloids are reporting that Mourinho and John Terry had a dressing room falling out. JT confronted Jose after the manager attempted to consult with medical staff behind his back about what was causing the captain's disappointing performances. Jose's relationship with Lampsy seemed to still be on par however - he called him first at around 9:30 last night and the two had an emotional chat before he texted the others to let them know he would be leaving.

Also, Roman actually missed the Blue Revolution (JT and Lampsy were not there either) premiere because he was in talks with the board about the club's disappointing performances. After the premiere let out Jose joined the meeting when things started to go sour. A source told The Sun this morning, "Roman was already furious with the way things had been going. It seemed everything he asked for from the team in the way they played turned out the opposite. Roman is tired of saying one thing and seeing another. This is where it cracked.”

source: See ya later Lamps
Row With Skipper Terry Was Last Straw For Mourinho

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Labels: chelsea, chelsea fabulosity, jose mourinho

Oh. My. God.
The Special One has left Fabulosity Central.

The official statement given by Chelsea says that Mourinho left by “mutual consent” but we all know that in requisite crizazy Jose-style there has got to be more behind this story.

Allegedly, after the Chelsea documentary “Blue Revolution” premiere tonight, an agitated Mourinho approached Chelsea bosses and told them they needed to get to chattin'. What they disagreed upon is yet to be fully known but some sources are saying that Abramovich was unhappy with both the results and the lack of attractive football while others are saying that disputes over Sheva and money to buy new ‘eggs for the omlette’ were to blame. Whatevs, it hardly matters. Mourinho was pissed and he was ready to roll out. He then told a few of his senior players that he was resigning last night. He texted Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard ahead of the official announcement: “good luck in the rest of your career,” he told them. By midnight, the whole team knew he was going and later on in the night Chelsea issued the offical announcement.

To be fair, we should’ve seen this coming. When Abramovich walked out during the Villa match we knew things were getting a bit ‘next level’. Case in point: the uncharacteristic bad haircut, which led to Jose’s unfortunate steep decline in hotness.

Juande Ramos (who is also rumoured to be taking over at Tottenham) and former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps are both being considered for the vacant position. Former Israel coach and Chelsea's director of football Avram Grant is set to take hold in the meantime, ahead of the side's clash against Manchester United this weekend.
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Jose's last ever press conference as Chelsea manager. Oh, the memories - WATCH
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read more:
The Times' Martin Samuel - End of the road for gunslinger who played like an accountant
AFP - Controversial Mourinho exits Chelsea the only way he knows how
Telegraph - Jose Mourinho resigns as Chelsea manager

Labels: chelsea, chelsea fabulosity, jose mourinho

Tottenham manager Martin Jol is hella delusional. On the fans he said:

“Although they read your papers, they’re still backing me. That’s a great feeling."

Allegedy, the board has given Jol six games to save his job after last weekend's shameful 3-1 loss to Arsenal. Arsenal fans said it best: you're so getting sacked.

source: Jol determined to ride out Spurs storm

Labels: managers, martin jol, quick quotes, tottenham hotspur

It's official: Jamelia and Bristol City's Darren Byfield are back together. Jamelia was spotted this weekend at Bristol City's away match at Coventry City cheering on Darren at his debut for the side (fyi: he scored - Bristol City won 3-0). No news as to whether Jamelia has moved back in (she moved back to Birmingham after the split a month ago) but the two have a daughter together so it's likely she will soon.

Welcome back, Jam. It's like you never left...no seriously.

source: celeb-city

Labels: bristol city, darren byfield, jamelia, WAGs

While Stevie was busy fending off Porto in Portugal, Alex Curran was at The V&A Golden Age of Couture Gala looking like a gigantic feather-duster.
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source: WENN

Labels: alex curran, fashion, WAGs

Please see:
1. Didier Drogba sans shorts. Approved.
2. Arjen Robben's very toned bum-bum. Who knew he had it in him?
3. A towel we wish a certain someone would spontaneously lose grip of.
4. And who is that next to Drogba touching his crotch? Regardless, we approve.


Because we're nasty we have taken this image to the next level in our minds. You are free to do the same.


Say what you want about Lampsy but his thighs are near perfection.


And one for the JT fan-girls. Although we respect your taste, we do not count ourselves among you. Do what you must.


source: Chelsea - official

Labels: arjen robben, chelsea fabulosity, didier drogba, frank lampard, john terry

After Houston's 3-1 win over LA:

“I was sitting on the sideline in the first half, and I was like, ‘I hate these guys.’ … That’s why you saw the first half get so heated. We hate to lose to these guys, and we hate playing these guys.”

Well, you didn’t have to sugarcoat it for us, Bri.

source: Houston 3 Los Angeles 1

Labels: brian ching, houston dynamo, la galaxy, quick quotes

You’ve heard the usual: ‘The wind was bad’; ‘It wasn’t offside.’ ‘It was offside.’ and the trusty ‘The referee was...blind/a moron/Graham Poll.’ but we’ll bet you’ve never heard this one before. Nigeria Women’s coach Ntiero Effiom has come out with reasons for the side’s 2-0 loss to North Korea that are unrivalled even by some of Jose Mourinho’s wackiest of tirades. Effiom is placing the blame for the Nigerian ladies’ undesirable performance at the World Cup squarely on the shoulders of the Nigerian Football Association’s in-house cleric, Pastor Edward Odiakosa. “That pastor has been collecting money from players to offer special prayers to them so that they can play well and outshine the opponent," Effiom says. "When players should be resting, he is there keeping them busy. I do not understand how that man could have been allowed free reign in our camp.”

The trouble for Nigeria does not stop at the meddling pastor, however. Nigeria’s players are now embroiled in a pay dispute with the NFA over bonuses and allowances. The players have not been paid since they've entered camp in Nigeria. Allegedly, they’ve stopped attending training ahead of their vital match against the US this morning where they must win to qualify for the knockout stage.

If not for the talent, you’ve got to love African football for the oh-so-delicious drama they consistently put out. Forget Footballers’ Wives, we’ll take an NFA reality show any day.

source: Nigeria: 'Pastor Collects Money From Players' -
Nigeria: NFA, Falcons Still At Loggerheads - Nigeria: Falcons On Strike in China, Shame On Country

Labels: african football, nigeria, ntiero effiom, women's world cup

The girl that served Becks that coffee this morning probably imploded at the very sight of all that footballer fabulousness because we, even at this safe (yet wholly undesirable) distance, can barely look at this photo without a teensy bit of drool escaping from our mouths.
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source: BREAKING NEWS: BECKS GOES FOR COFFEE

Labels: david beckham

Cheryl Cole's hair attacked her forehead at Julien Macdonald's show last night. Oh, and she forgot to wear like half her outfit.
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source: celebutopia - WENN - Cheryl, I can see through you

Labels: cheryl cole, fashion, WAGs

Okay, we know that Victoria is all about setting trends not following them but do you see this one catching on anytime soon? The dress is from Marc Jacobs resort 2008 collection and doesn't actually look so bad on the model but then again, nothing really looks bad on a human clothes hanger.
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On the model:


source: celebutopia

Labels: david beckham, fashion, victoria beckham, WAGs

Abi's new life plan:

"I never, ever just wanted to marry a footballer and have children. I have my own life and my own career. To be honest, I don't really know what a WAG means. I've always been happy with Peter - we are living together and it's perfect."

Abi's life plan two years ago which she announced to judges at her audition for Britain's Next Top Model:

"marry a footballer, get pregnant and then shop for the rest of her life"


source: Abigail: I'm a WAG wannabe - EXCLUSIVE: ABBEY lifts the lid on HELL'S KITCHEN

Labels: abi clancy, quick quotes, WAGs

What was the highlight of this week's Euro qualifiers? You say Scotland, we say Scolari.

Towards the end of Wednesday's Euro qualifier against Serbia, Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari landed a decent punch on Serbian defender Ivica Dragutinovic. Dragutinovic then unleashed a whole slew of swear words whilst running around trying to get in a hit (which he failed to do). We also see some hugsies on the Portugal bench and a bit of the lovely Nuno Gomes objecting to the Dragutinovic-action. We should add that the spectacle would have been infinitely improved had Cristiano joined in. With his shirt off.

There were talks about Portugal possibly ending its contract with the Scolari but the Portuguese Football Federation has publicly ruled that out. Scolari has already apologized for the incident saying, "I'm not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and I lost my head here. But it was because I was protecting my player. I would like to apologise to my players, the people of Portugal, the FPF [Federação Portuguesa de Futebol] and UEFA." UEFA is now investigating the incident and both face a charge of improper conduct.



source: Scolari Sorry For Serbia Slap -
Uefa investigates Scolari scuffle

Labels: ivica dragutinovic, luis felipe scolari, on-pitch fighting, portugal,