Celtic qualify; United and Arsenal almost

Icelanders buy Hammers

Ritchie gets Barnsley chop

—– Celtic become the first Scottish club to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League while both Manchester United and Arsenal need to avoid defeat in their last group game.
Celtic create history at a pulsating Parkhead via a wonderful Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick and a last-minute penalty save from Artur Boruc against Manchester United.
After recent setbacks against Southend United and FC Copenhagen, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (a former Rangers player) appears to be losing patience: “To be honest, losing this game is very hard to take. I am in shock.”
Arsenal have to come from behind to beat pointless SV Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium.
Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista score in the last seven minutes as Arsenal fought back to top Group G. Rafael van der Vaart’s spectacular shot gives the German visitors a shock early lead but Robin van Persie’s cool finish drew the Gunners level after the break.

—– The only shock in the night’s FA Cup First Round replays is Macclesfield Town’s first win of the season. The 1-0 win at League Two leaders Walsall is also Paul Ince’s first victory as a manager.

—– Another Premiership club falls into foreign ownership as West Ham United announce they have accepted a £85million takeover bid from a consortium led by Eggert Magnusson, the president of the Icelandic FA.
They have secured agreements to buy 83% of shares and the Hammers’ board have recommended the offer to remaining shareholders.
Magnusson will replace Terry Brown as the Hammers chairman, although he will stay on at Upton Park as a director.
The 59 year-old member of UEFA’s executive committee reassures manager Alan Pardew about his position but the futures of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano look less secure.
The Argentina internationals were brought to West Ham by Iranian-born Kia Joorabchian, who then led a takeover attempt that failed to lead to any offer for the East London club.

—– The latest in the catalogue of strange managerial sackings sees Andy Ritchie dismissed by Barnsley for not spending transfer funds.
The former Manchester United striker leaves Oakwell six months after he led the Tykes to promotion to the Championship and, as recently as last month, Barnsley rejected an approach from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday to speak to Ritchie about their managerial vacancy.
Earlier in the week, he said he was disappointed that the Oakwell board had refused to discuss a new contract with him.
Although Barnsley are next-to-bottom, a lengthy official statement does not directly blame the current run of one win in 12 games: “The decision by the board follows the failure to resolve differences with the manager concerning the need to strengthen the first-team squad to ensure survival in the Championship.
“In the close season, the board had earmarked funding specifically for squad strengthening. It will be clear to fans that the desired strengthening of the squad has not been achieved.”
Academy manager Simon Davey is placed in temporary charge.

—– League Two Torquay United warn their players they face the sack if they repeatedly try to con referees.
New chairman Chris Roberts introduces the initiative having been disgusted by players diving and feigning injury during the World Cup: “It’s only getting worse and I sincerely believe clubs have to stand up and take responsibility for the conduct of their players. I want to win football matches but I want to win matches without cheating.”
Gulls players found guilty of clearly trying to gain an advantage by diving or feigning injury will be warned on the first two occasions, then placed on the transfer list or dismissed if they continue to transgress.
Roberts launched “The Torquay Initiative”, complete with its own website at www.torquayinitiative.org