Simplicio ends Hammers UEFA run
Blackburn, Newcastle and Spurs reach Euro groups
Liverpool are Stanley Park bound
—– West Ham United’s return to European competition is short-lived as they lose 0-3 at Serie A high-flyers Palermo to go out 0-4 on aggregate in the First Round of the UEFA Cup. The Italian’s Fabio Simplicio scores twice.
Blackburn Rovers produce the most impressive performance with a 2-0 win against big-spending Red Bull Salzburg at Ewood Park to go through 4-2 on aggregate.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur - having 1-0 leads from their away legs - both confirmed their expected progress. Newcastle beat Levadia Tallinn 2-1 at St James’ Park while Spurs grab another 1-0 win against Slavia Prague at White Hart Lane.
There’s mixed news for the Scottish clubs. Rangers are through (2-0 v Molde) but Hearts are out (0-2 v Sparta Prague).
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—– Liverpool’s aim to build a new 60,000-capacity all-seater stadium now seem almost certain after the club secure European funding.
The European Union Objective One grant of £9million will be spent on regenerating the area around the Stanley Park site.
Liverpool were given the money after guaranteeing that the £180million funding for the entire project is in place.
The club can now claim £5million from Liverpool City Council and £8.9million from the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
The council have already approved a 999-year lease on the stadium site, which is 300 yards away from Anfield.
—– Ken Bates escapes a misconduct charge for his derogatory comments about former club Chelsea.
The Premiership champions had lodged an official complaint with the Football Association accusing the Leeds United chairman of bringing the game into disrepute.
Chelsea claim Bates had made “rude, insulting and inappropriate comments” in a dispute between the clubs over three young players.
In August, Leeds made a formal complaint to the Football League, which was then referred to the FA, over alleged illegal approaches for the youngsters by the London giants.
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