THE MIRROR: <>

I'm not a betting man and, I'm sure Roberto Carlos is not short of a 'bob or two', my guess is he'd have to put down at least 100,000 quid (@ 10:1) to get that kind of return?

Bud Cronje :-O

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2000

Answers

Here's the missing quote from "The Mirror" (see above):

"Real Madrid's Brazilian star Roberto Carlos won #1million after betting that his team would beat Manchester United 3-2 in the second-leg at Old Trafford."

This formatting didn't appear to like my "less than" and "greater than" characters! :-(

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2000

According to TattleTalk:

game

Villa to release Bartelt

Spurs snap up young star/ Thatcher bid upped

Redknapp confirms summer exits

SATURDAY, APRIL 22 2000

Euro ban threat ++

Leeds are facing a possible Euro ban after Galatasaray striker Hakan Sukur was apparently hit by a coin thrown from the crowd on Thursday. Sukur was apparently felled during the second half of the semi final second leg and he said: "I was hit by a coin, I picked it up and handed it to the referee." Leeds must now wait to see if the official includes a report of the incident in his match report. Club secretary Ian Sylvester said: "Neither the match officials or the UEFA delegates discussed this alleged incident with me after the game. "If the referee does refer to it in his report we shall have to wait and see what UEFA in turn put to us." Meanwhile Leeds have stressed that if the incident is proved and they can identify the culprit that person will be banned from the club for life.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2000

Reds smash record to land van Nistelrooy ++

Manchester United have smashed the British transfer record to sign PSV Eindhoven's 23-year-old striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Reds to clinch Ruud

PSV have confirmed the transfer - in the region of #19million - of the highly-rated Dutch international in a move which finally puts a lid on months of speculation. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have made the move just 24 hours after United's exit from the Champions League following their 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid at Old Trafford. Chairman Martin Edwards was in Holland on Thursday to complete formalities after two weeks of negotiations.

Van Nistelrooy, with 29 goals already this term, has reportedly signed a five-year deal worth a staggering #17million in wages. PSV chairman Harry van Raajj confirmed: "Manchester United's first offer was about #14.5million and I just told them that was too low. "Then, after about 20 minutes, the deal was done." The news will come as a major blow to Arsenal and Chelsea, who were both said to be in the race for the player's signature.

Camara invites Celtic bid ++

Liverpool striker Titi Camara has invited Scottish Premier League giants Celtic to take him to Parkhead after falling out of favour at Anfield.

Camara keen on Bhoys switch

Since Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier recently snapped up former Leicester striker Emile Heskey in an #11million deal Camara has had to ply his trade for the greater part in the reserves, prompting speculation he could be set for a move. Kenny Dalglish saw him against Manchester United reserves earlier in the week, but it now seems Camara himself wants out of the Merseyside club even though he is currently on a four-year contract. Camara commented: "I would be very interested in going to Celtic and I believe I could do a job for them.

"It would depend on Liverpool and Celtic coming to an agreement because I am under contract just now." The Premiership trio of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Leicester are all believed to be keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

Robson: Ferguson is going nowhere ++

Newcastle United boss Bobby Robson has slammed suggestions that he will sell striker Duncan Ferguson before the end of the season. Speculation regarding the giant Scot's future resurfaced after the striker limped off with knee trouble during Newcastle's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley. Robson said: "We are more concerned about getting him fit than selling him." Robson also added that Real Madrid should prove their determination to sign Nolberto Solano with a bid. He added: "Any player has a price and I can't stop a club making an offer. If and when Real Madrid come in with a realistic bid we will make a decision."

World Cup bid unaffected by Leeds trouble ++

Alec McGiven, director of England's 2006 World Cup bid, believes the trouble around Leeds United's UEFA Cup tie will not affect England's chances. Trouble brewed on Thursday evening when Leeds supporters were involved in scuffles outside Elland Road where their side were playing host to Turkish giants Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final second leg. However, McGiven feels that this will not have a negative effect on England's bid to host the prestige competition ahead of Germany, South Africa, Brazil and Morocco. McGiven said: "This was a particular one-off situation and football authorities round the world know that. "FIFA have acknowledged on many occasions how much work has been done to make football in England safe."

Carlos busted for betting on game ++

Roberto Carlos has landed himself in hot water with FIFA after winning #1million on the outcome of the Champions League game against Manchester United. The multi-millionaire Brazilian international placed a sum in the region of #25,000 on Real to win 3-2, at odds of around 40-1. If Carlos is prevented from picking up his winnings he'll wish he'd have kept quiet because the incident only came to light after he gave details of his speculative punt to a Spanish newspaper. FIFA rules prevent players even from backing their own team to win so as well as declaring Carlos' bet void, the outcome of their investigation could also land Carlos with a fine. There is little doubt that Carlos alone could influence the result, especially given Roy Keane's own-goal which set Real on their way. There is no question that the Spaniard's place in the semi-finals has been jeopardised by Roberto Carlos' actions.

So that's the only reason ManUre lost. No doubt, Taggart will demand a replay. I wonder how much he bunged Keane-O?

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2000