Fernandes makes Portsmouth move
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Article summary
Portuguese international Manuel Fernandes has joined Portsmouth FC from SL Benfica, while Manchester City FC ban defender Ben Thatcher for six matches.
Article body
Portsmouth FC
Manchester City FC have suspended defender Ben Thatcher for six games and fined him six weeks' wages for a reckless challenge on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes, who was knocked unconscious. Thatcher's elbow put Mendes out cold and although he was only booked for the incident, City have meted out their own disciplinary punishment. Two weeks of the ban and fine were suspended.
Juventus are scheduled to begin their bid for promotion back to Serie A away to Rimini Calcio FC in Serie B, following the publication of the new season's fixtures. On the same day in Serie A, champions FC Internazionale Milano will play at ACF Fiorentina, while AS Roma will host AS Livorno Calcio.
Bohemian FC have parted company with player-manager Gareth Farrelly following the Dublin club's defeat by lower-league side Shamrock Rovers FC in the FAI Cup third round. The 31-year-old has stood down after two years at the helm to be replaced by captain Kevin Hunt on a caretaker basis. He had led Bohemians to third place in the Republic of Ireland in his first season in charge.
Villarreal CF defender Gonzalo Rodríguez successfully came through an operation on Tuesday to repair cruciate ligament and cartilage damage in his right knee. The 22-year-old suffered the injury during a pre-season match against Real Madrid CF on 19 August and will be out of action for six months.
KR Reykjavík booked their place in the Icelandic cup final after defeating First Division Thróttur with a Skúli Jón Friðgeirsson goal in the 12 minutes into extra-time. The 1-0 semi-final victory sets up an all-Premier League final against Keflavík on 30 September. They had an easier path through, defeating Víkingur Reykjavík 4-0 on Monday thanks to goals from Jónas Gudni Sævarsson, Gudmundur Steinarsson (2) and Thórarinn Kristjánsson.
Former German international defender Jürgen Kohler has been named as Ivory Coast's new coach. He succeeds Frenchman Henri Michel, who quit after leading Ivory Coast's campaign at the FIFA World Cup finals this summer. Kohler, who left his job coaching MSV Duisburg in April, has signed a two-year contract with the Elephants.
VfB Stuttgart
