Black Cats close in on Premiership
Hammers avoid points deduction
Sky win NI contract
—– Sunderland return to the top of the Championship and close in on a return to the Premiership with a thrilling 3-2 win against Burnley in front of nearly 45,000 at the Stadium of Light.
After taking the lead, the Black Cats then have to come from behind to win with a spectacular late strike from Carlos Edwards.
Whatever happens elsewhere, they will be up with a win at relegated Luton Town in their final game of the season next week.
Manager Roy Keane says: “The game summed up our season. We gave away one or two soft goals but the players showed great character, determination and desire.
“It keeps it in our hands. A draw or loss tonight would have put Birmingham and Derby back in the driving seat.”
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—– West Ham United avoid a points deduction but are fined £5.5million after being found guilty by the Premier League of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
They were part-owned by Media Sports Investment; a company formerly run by Iranian-born businessman Kia Joorabchian.
The transfers were negotiated by former chairman Terence Brown and managing director Paul Aldridge, both of whom have left Upton Park since the takeover by current chairman Eggert Magnusson.
The Hammers breath a sigh of relief as, presently three points adrift of safety with three games to play, a points deduction would almost certainly of condemned them to relegation to the Championship.
It isn’t a huge sigh though because the fine is the biggest in English football history by some distance.
The previous record of £1.5million was imposed on Tottenham Hotspur in 1994 for financial irregularities.
West Ham face a vital game at fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic tomorrow, and Tevez is cleared to play at the JJB despite the Premier League report also stating: “The registration of Carlos Tevez can be terminated.”
—– Sky Television secure the exclusive rights to broadcast live Northern Ireland home internationals from next year.
Under-21 internationals and Carnegie Premier League games will also be screened by Sky Sports.
The Irish Football Association had also been in negotiation with the BBC about renewing their current contract.
Chief executive Howard Wells explains: “This is a very significant deal for Northern Ireland football. It gives us distribution not only in Northern Ireland but right across Great Britain and the exposure can only help us to develop our game further.”
If you are one of those who doesn’t believe the old adage that “luck evens itself out over the course of a season”, we are sure you’ll be interested in the league table that shows the Premiership standings should the refs had called it right more often.
Please click here to take a look at the latest innovative RIGHT RESULT TABLE.