Pele Slammed Robinho of Rape Allegations

Edson Aranate do Nascimento, better known as Pele, openly criticized the recent behavior of the international soccer star Robinho on Wednesday.

Speaking from Rio De Janeiro, whilst sitting with FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Robinho's former mentor is quoted as saying by several worldwide news outlets, "It's bad news because, as Brazilians, we fight to create a good image abroad. What happened with Robinho, as well as other players like Adriano and Ronaldo have ruined the image of Brazilian soccer players around the world."

Pele made the remarks next to Jose Serra, the mayor of the city Sao Paulo and the FIFA president Joseph Blatter.

Robinho is currently being investigated for allegedly raping a girl in a nightclub in England on Jan. 14.

Brazilian Soccer Star Robinho Denies Sexual Assault Allegations

Brazilian soccer star Robinho denied wrongdoing after English police questioned him about allegations of a sexual assault, his spokesman said Wednesday. Robinho, British soccer’s most expensive signing, denied wrongdoing after reports that he was arrested and questioned over an alleged sex assault.

The 25-year-old soccer forward was released on bail by police after being questioned late Tuesday in Leeds, England, where the crime was alleged to have taken place at a nightclub early on Jan. 14. Robinho then played in a 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday night.

“We can confirm that Robinho met the police, as pre- arranged and as part of a criminal investigation,” Robinho’s spokesman Chris Nathaniel was quoted as saying on the player’s personal Web site. “He strenuously denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to cooperate with the police if required further.”

Manchester City star Robinho claimed in a telephone call to Brazil coach Dunga that the 18-year-old woman accusing him of sexual assault is an opportunist.

Last week Robinho left a club training camp in Tenerife without authorization to go to Brazil on what he said was a family matter. He’s now returned to City and faces a club fine of two weeks’ wages, or about 300,000 pounds, according to U.K. press reports.

Brazil Head Coach Dunga Voiced his Support for Robinho

Brazil head coach Dunga has voiced his support for Manchester City forward Robinho after he was questioned following allegations of a serious sexual assault in Leeds.

The British record signing was questioned by police on Tuesday and issued a statement on his website denying any "wrongdoing or criminality".

And, ahead of Brazil's friendly with Italy at Emirates Stadium on 10th February, Dunga has backed the former Real Madrid player.

"I have no reason to doubt the word of Robinho," said Dunga.

"He is a player on whom I have been able to count every time I have needed him and who has shown exemplary professional behaviour when he has been in the national squad."

Dunga assured Robinho that there was no threat to his place on Brazil’s roster for an exhibition game against Italy on Feb. 10 in London. “Robinho told Dunga that he’s a victim of an opportunist and that he has done everything necessary in the legal sense to clarify the matter, in which he had no participation,” the Brazilian Football Federation said on its Web site.

Barclays English Premier League - Fixtures

Tues 27th January 2009
Sunderland	v	Fulham	19:45		Preview >
WBA	v	Man Utd	19:45		Preview >
Portsmouth	v	Aston Villa	20:00		Preview >
Tottenham	v	Stoke City	20:00		Preview >
Weds 28th January 2009
Chelsea	v	Middlesbrough	19:45		Preview >
Manchester City	v	Newcastle	19:45		Preview >
Wigan Athletic	v	Liverpool	19:45		Preview >
Blackburn	v	Bolton	20:00		Preview >
Everton	v	Arsenal	20:00		Preview >
West Ham Utd	v	Hull City	20:00

Manchester City 1-0 Wigan Athletic

Manchester City claimed all three points thanks to a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the Barclays Premier League.

Pablo Zabaleta steered 10-man Manchester City to victory against Wigan with his first goal for the club.

The Argentinian showed good skill to rattle home a shot from 20 yards in the 51st minute after Daniel Sturridge's cross had only been half-cleared.

A minute later City were reduced to 10 men when skipper Richard Dunne was sent off and Wigan should have equalised only for Amr Zaki to head over from close range.

Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City

Two late goals capped a dramatic fightback by Chelsea who were made to work hard for their win.

Rory Delap put Stoke City in front with a 59th minute goal but Juliano Belletti, on for Jose Bosingwa, headed a dramatic equaliser with three minutes remaining.

Then in second-half stoppage time Frank Lampard slammed the ball home from 20 yards for a sensational finish.

Manchester United Defeated Bolton Wanderers from Last-Minute Goal

Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Manchester United

Manchester United moved to the Barclays Premier League summit after scoring a last-minute goal.

It appeared the Red Devils would have to settle for a point despite keeping a record-equalling 10th clean sheet.

But when Carlos Tevez broke free of the Bolton Wanderers defence, his cross was perfect for Dimitar Berbatov, who finally broke Jussi Jaaskelainen's brave resistance.

Barclays Premier League Results - Sat 17th January 2009

Sat 17th January 2009
Blackburn	3-0	Newcastle			Report >
Bolton	0-1	Man Utd			Report >
Chelsea	2-1	Stoke City			Report >
Manchester City	1-0	Wigan Athletic			Report >
Sunderland	1-2	Aston Villa			Report >
WBA	3-0	Middlesbrough

Stoke City 0-0 Liverpool

League leaders Liverpool had to settle for a point after failing to break down a feisty Stoke City.

Liverpool welcome Fernando Torres back in the side as they travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke today. Steven Gerrard twice rattled the woodwork in the last five minutes and Dirk Kuyt steered a header wide from a good position. The Spanish striker has been out of action since November, but takes his place on the bench. Also back in the squad is midfielder Javier Mascherano who has recovered from a knock which he picked up in the FA Cup win over Preston last week.

However, Stoke City also carved out a number of good chances and Rory Delap should have scored only for his close-range effort to hit the underside of the bar.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso is out with a foot injury, but veteran defender Sami Hyypia makes his 700th club career appearance.

Stoke meanwhile hand Matthew Etherington his debut after joining from West Ham this week. Dave Kitson starts as Ricardo Fuller remains suspended, while fellow striker Richard Cresswell plays strike partner to the former Reading man.

Barclays Premier League Football Results

Sat 10th January 2009
Aston Villa	2-1	WBA	12:45			Report >
Arsenal	1-0	Bolton	15:00			Report >
Everton	2-0	Hull City	15:00			Report >
Middlesbrough	1-1	Sunderland	15:00			Report >
Newcastle	2-2	West Ham Utd	15:00			Report >
Tues 30th December 2008
Hull City	0-1	Aston Villa

Birmingham City Signed Winger Scott Sinclair on Loan from Chelsea

Birmingham City have signed winger Scott Sinclair on loan from Chelsea on an initial one-month deal. The 19-year-old has already established himself as one of the most exciting attacking players of his age having enjoyed previous loan spells at Plymouth, Queens Park Rangers, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace over the last two years. England Under-19 international Sinclair is expected to make his debut in Saturday's Championship match against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

IFFHS 2008 List of the Top 10 National Leagues Released

The IFFHS (International Federation of Football History and Statistics) released their annual report and named the EPL as world number one. The English Premier League is the top football league in the world for the second consecutive year. This is largely due to last season's Champions League, which was dominated by English teams.

The IFFHS generate a ranking using a statistical formula based primarily on the performance of teams from the various national leagues in continental tournaments. The recent strong performances of English teams in International club competition, particularly the European Champions League, has resulted in the EPL dominating the ranks for the past couple of years.

La Liga drop down to fourth - according to the IFFHS, the Spanish clubs did poorly in the Champions League and UEFA Cup, as well as other competitions which are taken into consideration.

The Italian Serie A was in second place after receiving the same amount of points as last year.

Primera Division Argentina was third best league in the world, after achieving multiple successes in the CONEMBOL competitions of 2008.

The Netherlands Eredivisie is not listed as Dutch clubs made little impression in European competition.

Here is the list of the top ten national leagues according to the IFFHS 2008 report:

1. England
2. Italy
3. Argentina
4. Spain
5. Brazil
6. Germany
7. France
8. Mexico
9. Portugal
10. Ukraine
    

Barclays Premier League Fixtures - 10th & 11th January 2009

Sat 10th January 2009
Aston Villa	v	WBA	12:45
Arsenal	v	Bolton	15:00
Everton	v	Hull City	15:00
Fulham	v	Blackburn	15:00
Middlesbrough	v	Sunderland	15:00
Newcastle	v	West Ham Utd	15:00
Portsmouth	v	Manchester City	15:00
Stoke City	v	Liverpool	17:30
Sun 11th January 2009
Wigan Athletic	v	Tottenham	13:30
Man Utd	v	Chelsea	16:00

Manchestar United beats Southampton 3-0 in FA Cup

Defending champion Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at second tier 10-man Southampton in the FA Cup on Sunday and will host Tottenham in the fourth round.

Danny Welbeck got the opening goal after 20 minutes and Nani added a 48th-minute penalty kick for the record 11-time F.A. Cup champion. Darron Gibson made it 3-0 after 81 minutes.

Facing a 10-man team that is struggling in the League Championship, United created many more chances but appeared lucky to its second goal. Nani scored from the penalty spot in the 48th minute for a handball against Southampton's David McGoldrick. Darron Gibson added the third in the 81st after a strong run by Wayne Rooney.

Matthew Paterson of second-tier Southampton was dismissed after 37 minutes for a challenge on Nemanja Vidic.

The Saints had an upset 1-0 win over United in the 1976 final, the only time they’ve won the tournament.

Aston Villa won 2-1 at Gillingham and will travel to Cheltenham or Doncaster in the next round.