Italians fightback for draw
Brooking backs full-time post
Jordan wins Dowie case
England let a two-goal lead slip against Italy in the European Under-21 Championships in Holland. The Group B game played in Arnhem ends in a 2-2 draw. The young Lions score twice in the opening half-hour through David Nugent and Leroy Lita before they are pegged back with goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Alberto Aquilani. With one more group game to play, despite the missed opportunity, coach Stuart Pearce remains confident of reaching the semi-finals: “
We know our fate now. If they can show that determination I think we will win against Serbia, but it will be a tough game again. I thought this was a great spectacle and a credit to the tournament.”
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Stuart Pearce’s hopes of retaining his current Under-21 post on a permanent basis increase after Sir Trevor Brooking confirms that the Football Association intend to appoint a full-time England Under-21 coach. Until recently the manager of Manchester City, Pearce’s present deal runs out at the end of the European Championships. He seems the firm favourite for the full-time appointment as Brooking - the FA’s director of football development - says:
“We all feel the post should be full-time and we will be looking at that shortly after the end of the tournament. We have always said we will wait until the end of the tournament, but Stuart Pearce has organised them really well.”
Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan declares it has been ‘a good day for football’ as he wins his court case against the Eagles’ former manager Iain Dowie. Jordan waived a £1million clause in a compromise agreement when Dowie left his Palace post on 22 May 2006 as he wanted to be closer to his family in Bolton. Eight days later, he was appointed the new boss at London neighbours Charlton Athletic. The amount of compensation will be agreed at a later hearing after Mr Justice Tugendhat rules that the current Coventry City boss had lied to negotiate his way out of his contract with Palace. Although it will be less than £1million, Jordan feels his action has been fully justified:
“A judgement has been found in favour of contracts. The allegations made were not put forward in as dignified a manner as I would have wanted but I’m delighted that they were proven.”