Saturday, June 11, 2011

Mid-Day Ticker: Martinez spurns Villa, Madrid appeals Mourinho ban and more

MartinezWigan (Getty Images)

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has reportedly turned down an offer to take over for Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa, opting to remain at DW Stadium for the foreseeable future.

According to reports, Martinez met with Villa's American owner, Randy Lerner, who wanted the 37-year-old Spanish manager and former Wigan player to become his new manager.

Instead, Martinez signed a three-year extension at Wigan, which finished in 16th place and three points clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League this past season.

Reports out of England suggest that Villa will turn its attention to trying to pry Owen Coyle away from Bolton.

Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:

MADRID APPEALS MOURINHO BAN

Real Madrid has appealed the five-game European ban to manager Jose Mourinho, which was handed down in the aftermath of his comments following Madrid's first-leg loss to rival Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

Mourinho was sent to the stands during the match after a red card issued to Pepe caused him to go off on the referee.

After the game, Mourinho made comments insinuating that Barcelona gets preferential treatment from officiating crews.

JUVENTUS ADDED TO WORLD FOOTBALL CHALLENGE

Juventus is the latest European power to be included in the World Football Challenge after it was announced on Thursday that the Italian side will play Club America at New York's Citi Field on July 26.

The match is reportedly one of three that Juventus will be playing the United States this summer, and it will be based in Philadelphia while it is in the states.

FRANCE TOPS POLAND

French midfielder and Wigan star Charles N'Zogbia had a shot deflected into the goal by Poland defender Tomasz Jodlowiec, and the tally held up as France defeated Poland, 1-0, in an international friendly on Thursday in Warsaw.

France is unbeaten in its last 10 matches under manager Laurent Blanc.

NEVILLE'S AWFUL FIRST PITCH

Former Manchester United standout Gary Neville was in Chicago on Thursday and had the honor of throwing out the first pitch before the White Sox' game with the Oakland A's. If there was a soccer equivalent for the outcome, it'd have to be "over the bar." Watch for yourself (pitch is at the 0:25 mark):

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What do you think about Martinez turning down Villa to stay at Wigan? Who would be a good fit as Villa manager? Think Mourinho's ban should be reduced? Hope to see Juventus play against the Union? What do you think about France's form? What'd you think of Neville's toss?

Share your thoughts below.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SoccerByIves/~3/sHX80ZFHez8/mid-day-ticker-martinez-spurns-villa-madrid-appeals-mourinho-ban-and-more.html

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