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Keeper moves goalposts
IFK Goteborg goalkeeper Kim Christensen could face a suspension or fine after moving the posts to make the goal slightly smaller during a Swedish first division match. Christensen was caught by TV cameras pushing the posts toward each other, moving the bottom parts inward by a few centimeters, before Thursday night’s game against Orebro. Referee Stefan Johannesson spotted that the posts had been moved about 20 minutes into the game and pushed them back into their original place. He was unsure, however, who had moved them and did not take any action against Christensen. The Danish goalkeeper later admitted that he had done the same thing before several previous games, when the same type of goal was used. The Swedish Football Association is investigating the incident. “I have never heard anything like this before, it’s unique,” the Swedish FA’s disciplinary committee chairman Kheneth Tallinger told daily Aftonbladet.
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Bellamy probe dropped
Police have dropped an investigation into a clash between Craig Bellamy and a fan who ran onto the pitch at last weekend’s explosive Manchester derby, a spokesman said on Thursday. The Manchester City player was warned by the Football Association after he responded to the fan by pushing him in the face on Sunday, while the police said they had launched a probe. A Greater Manchester Police spokesman, however, said on Thursday: “We have received no complaints about this incident and are currently not investigating the matter.” The fan involved will appear in court on Wednesday charged with going on to a playing area without lawful authority. Gary Neville, a non-playing Manchester United substitute, was also investigated for his actions in celebrating the home side’s winner by running down the touchline toward the City fans, but the FA have decided against charging either player with improper conduct.
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Burglars confront Jagielka
Everton defender Phil Jagielka was confronted by knife-wielding burglars, the latest Premier League star to fall victim to gangs raiding the homes of soccer’s super-rich. The 27-year-old, who is currently injured, was watching his team on TV on Wednesday when three men burst into the father-of-two’s plush home in Knutsford, northwest England. He was threatened with a knife and forced to hand over jewelry and the keys to his car. Last month, Blackburn Rovers midfielder Vince Grella was also held at knife-point when thieves smashed their way into his home in Wilmslow, also in Cheshire.
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