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	<title>Football</title>
	<description>news</description>
	<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum</link>
	<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 21:07:55 +0000</pubDate>
	<ttl>30</ttl>
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		<title>Eric Abidal forced into retirement</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65079-eric-abidal-forced-into-retirement/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Had to retire after his liver transplant.<br />
 <br />
Bad news for Barca, he was a good defender.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 21:07:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65079-eric-abidal-forced-into-retirement/</guid>
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		<title>Grant Holt...</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65078-grant-holt/</link>
		<description>Just handed in a transfer request, surprised by that really, had an excellent season.</description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 15:42:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65078-grant-holt/</guid>
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		<title>Fabianski - Let me go</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65076-fabianski-let-me-go/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'><span rel='lightbox'><img src='http://img.skysports.com/11/11/660x350/Lukasz-Fabianski-Arsenal_2678195.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'> </span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'><p class='citation'>Quote</p><div class="blockquote"><div class='quote'><strong class='bbc'>Lukasz Fabianski is hoping Arsenal allow him to leave the club this summer after becoming frustrated at being left on the bench.</strong><br />
 <br />
The Poland goalkeeper is understudy to his compatriot Wojciech Szczesny at the Emirates, but wants to be first choice.<br />
 <br />
And Fabianski, who joined Arsenal five years ago, has accepted that is not likely to happen in North London, and has set his heart set on a fresh start.<br />
 <br />
He told Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza: "I hope that my adventure with Arsenal has come to an end.<br />
 <br />
"I intend to leave and play in a strong league.<br />
 </span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'>"I wanted to leave in the winter, too, but Arsene Wenger did not give a green light."</div></div></span></span>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 10:49:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65076-fabianski-let-me-go/</guid>
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		<title><![CDATA[N'Zonzi battle begins]]></title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65075-nzonzi-battle-begins/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'><span rel='lightbox'><img src='http://img.skysports.com/12/02/660x350/NzonzicelebBlackburnvQPR_2717036.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'> </span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'><p class='citation'>Quote</p><div class="blockquote"><div class='quote'><strong class='bbc'>Sky Sports understands the race to sign Blackburn midfield star Steven N'Zonzi has already begun with nearly half the Premier League keen on him.</strong><br />
 <br />
N'Zonzi has been a pivotal player for Rovers since moving from Amiens in 2009.<br />
 <br />
In January Rovers fended off interest, but now their relegation has been confirmed Sky Sports understands that they will not stand in his way, subject to their valuation being met.<br />
 <br />
Rovers will be looking to cut their budget now they are in the Championship and N'Zonzi is one of their most prized assets.<br />
 <br />
Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Everton, Sunderland and Fulham are all among the clubs looking at making a move for the 23-year-old.<br />
 </span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'>Sky Sports understands a number of clubs are already in contact with N'Zonzi's representatives as he looks set for a move straight back to the Premier League.</div></div></span></span>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 09:39:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65075-nzonzi-battle-begins/</guid>
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		<title>Platini warns City</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65074-platini-warns-city/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'><span rel='lightbox'><img src='http://img.skysports.com/11/08/660x350/Michel-Platini-Champions-League-Draw_2640814.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span></span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'> </span></span><br />
<span class='bbc_center'><span class='bbc_center'><p class='citation'>Quote</p><div class="blockquote"><div class='quote'><strong class='bbc'>UEFA president Michel Platini has told clubs to be careful about what they spend under new rules and is concerned about what could happen to Manchester City if their owners leave the club.</strong><br />
 <br />
Financial Fair Play rules are being introduced to make sure European football is played on a more level playing field and by 2013/14 clubs will be required to break even on their balance sheets.<br />
 <br />
For the first couple of years a &#8364;45m (&#163;36m) deficit will be considered an 'acceptable deviation' but clubs will then start getting punished for spending more than they earn.<br />
 <br />
Manchester City have invested heavily in their squad since Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group took over and this season they became Premier League champions.<br />
 <br />
Platini insists that money does not guarantee success, however, and has fired a warning about the future.<br />
 <br />
"We have to protect the clubs, because until they pay Manchester City will be happy but if they (the owners) leave Manchester City what is going to happen with this club?" Platini said in an interview with Fox Soccer America and broadcast on Sky Sports News.<br />
 <br />
<strong class='bbc'>Rules on suspensions</strong><br />
 <br />
Platini was speaking ahead of the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday between Bayern Munich and Chelsea at the Allianz Arena.<br />
 <br />
Seven players altogether are suspended for the European showpiece, with John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles missing for Chelsea and Bayern without Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber.<br />
 <br />
While Terry was sent off in the second leg of the semi-final against Barcelona for kicking out at Alexis Sanchez, the other six are banned after receiving yellow cards.<br />
 <br />
A plea from the international players' union, FIFPro, for these players to be allowed to play was rejected by UEFA, but Platini is prepared to review the rules in another three years.<br />
 <br />
He said: "Why not? I am totally open to having the best team to play in the final of the Champions League.<br />
 <br />
"It could be a discussion and could be matter of thinking."<br />
 <br />
<strong class='bbc'>Damaging</strong><br />
 <br />
Platini also reiterated his opposition to goal-line technology, even though it appears to be edging closer after FIFA ordered the final phase of testing to be carried out last month.<br />
 <br />
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has said goal-line technology could start in English football halfway through next season, but Platini does not want it in the Champions League.<br />
 <br />
He says it would not be long before technology was used for other aspects of the game and that would prove damaging.<br />
 <br />
"The goal-line technology will be the beginning of the technology," he said.<br />
 <br />
"Why not goal-line technology, why not penalty area technology or corner line technology? Why not have technology on all the lines like in tennis?<br />
 <br />
"The red card of Terry was seen by the additional referee, not by the referee or by goal-line technology."<span class='bbc_center'></div></div></span></span></span>]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 09:37:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65074-platini-warns-city/</guid>
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		<title>Fenerbahce to play 6 in front of women and children</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65073-fenerbahce-to-play-6-in-front-of-women-and-children/</link>
		<description>After clashing with Galatasaray fans and police after the final game of the season, in which they lost the league title, Fenerbahce have been ordered to play 6 games in front of only women and children! Not sure what kind of punishment that is but they were also fine €38,000 or near enough.</description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:57:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65073-fenerbahce-to-play-6-in-front-of-women-and-children/</guid>
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		<title>Dortmund line up Bendtner?</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65072-dortmund-line-up-bendtner/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Daily Mail reporting Dortmund are, for a second time, going in for Bendtner. For some reason they think they'll get him for as little as £2.5m. <br />
<br />
Replacement for Barrios who has already gone for Lewandowski who is attracting interest from around Europe?]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:37:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65072-dortmund-line-up-bendtner/</guid>
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		<title>Arsenal fail to convince Van Persie</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65071-arsenal-fail-to-convince-van-persie/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[<a href='http://www.emirates247.com/sports/football/arsenal-fail-to-convince-robin-van-persie-2012-05-17-1.459179' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.emirates247.com/sports/football/arsenal-fail-to-convince-robin-van-persie-2012-05-17-1.459179</a><br />
<br />
Not sure if the above link will work as I'm on my phone but, as the title says, Arsenal have failed to convince Van Persie to stay and he apparently hints he wants out. <br />
<br />
After a poor season, much investment is needed and I'm guessing RVP doesn't see it coming. <br />
<br />
Would be a huge blow for Arsenal to lose him]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:31:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65071-arsenal-fail-to-convince-van-persie/</guid>
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		<title>Guangzhou Evergrande name Lippi as boss</title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65070-guangzhou-evergrande-name-lippi-as-boss/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Not only is it players heading to China for big money, it's managers too after Guangzhou named former World Cup winning manager Lippi as their new boss.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:25:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65070-guangzhou-evergrande-name-lippi-as-boss/</guid>
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		<title><![CDATA[Ronaldo: I'm happy.. for now]]></title>
		<link>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65069-ronaldo-im-happy-for-now/</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Ronaldo has been giving his 'happy for now' speech again, putting his Real future in doubt. Just like he did when leaving United. <br />
<br />
Realistically, there's only one club who could afford him and that's City but it remains to be seen if he's willing to cut all his ties with United and move there. <br />
<br />
Of course, he said in a year or two, maybe more but I can't see Chelsea breaking the bank for him and I'd like to think he'd stay away from Russia and the likes. <br />
<br />
In an ideal world, he'd come back to Old Trafford. One can live in hope.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 01:18:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.afootballforum.com/forum/index.php/topic/65069-ronaldo-im-happy-for-now/</guid>
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