News

Zola not quitting Hammers

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 23/08/2009
Football betting

Gianfranco Zola has denied rumours that he is set to quit as West Ham United manager following a fall-out with the Upton Park board.

Reports have suggested that the club's cash-strapped owners are putting pressure on the former Italy international to sell his top players to ease their financial woes.

Robert Green and Matthew Upson are among the names being linked with the exit from the east London club, but Zola insists all of the rumours are untrue.

Can West Ham secure a place in Europe this season? - Latest Football Betting

Elsewhere, Everton are set to complete the signing of Ever Banega after the Argentina midfielder was granted a work permit.

The Toffees agreed a deal with Valencia to sign the 21-year-old midfielder on a season-long loan earlier in the month but the deal was subject to a work permit appeal.

Liverpool have bolstered their defensive options with the acquisition of Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens.

The 30-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at Anfield and is likely to be thrust into the first-team squad immediately, as Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger struggle with injuries.

Though the fee has yet to be officially disclosed, Liverpool are thought to have parted with around £2million for the centre-half.

Meanwhile, former Harlequins physiotherapist Steph Brennan has resigned from his role with the Rugby Football Union in the aftermath of the fake blood injury scandal.

Brennan, former Quins director of rugby Dean Richards and winger Tom Williams were all handed bans after being found guilty of playing parts in a fake blood injury substitution which occurred during last season's Heineken Cup quarter-final between Harlequins and Leinster.

Brennan accepted a role with the RFU and the England national team earlier in the summer but has now decided to step down.

In Formula One, Lewis Hamilton is on pole for the first time this season after setting the fastest time in qualifying at the European Grand Prix at Valencia.

The reigning world champion edged out team-mate Heikki Kovalainen in an all-McLaren front row, with Brawn GP duo Rubens Barrichello and online betting favourite Jenson Button third and fourth.

Hamilton won the last race in Hungary to kick-start what has been a season to forget for the Briton.

Meanwhile in rugby union, the returning Dan Carter kicked a last-gasp penalty to secure an 19-18 victory for New Zealand over Australia in the Tri-Nations in Sydney.

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