Drogba Admits to FA's Charge of Violent Conduct

Star striker for Ivory Coast and Chelsea, Didier Drogba has admitted to FA's charge of violent conduct, according to a statement issued by Chelsea.

Drogba sucking something and looking orgasmic. Hmm.

For hurling a missile, thought to be a coin back into the spectator stands during his post goal matches, Drogba now faces a possible three match ban for violent conduct. An FA regulatory commission will hear the case on Tuesday and make their final decision based on video evidence and written submissions.

While Drogba's decision to not contest the charge is amazingly professional by his standards, he must have been disillusioned that perhaps they will applaud his honesty in returning a lost coin back to the crowd despite the global credit crunch.

Djibril Cisse was motivated by Roy Keane

Sunderland striker, Djibril Cisse had revealed how manager, Roy Keane had pulled the right strings during the half time team talk to ignite his flame and send him into the second half a vastly improved player.

"I can't tell you what was said because that's between the players and the manager, but he found the right words to give us a boost. He got me a bit annoyed and I wanted to show him that I can score goals and work hard," said the frenchman.

Known more for his flamboyant hairdo and outragous dressing in the well limited range of football shorts, jersery and boots, than his predatory instinct, Cisse has pumped in five goals since joining Sunderland this season.

I can guess what Roy Keane said. He most probably told him his Chinese tattoo actually meant "Right winger" instead of "Hitman" and if he continues to behave like Dawn Yang in the penalty box, he is going to hire someone to break his leg, making Sunderland into Liverpool 2 for him.

I was right - Drogba claims headlines on ESPNsoccernet

London's Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating Wednesday's incident at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea striker Didier Drogba threw an object, believed to be a coin, back at Burnley fans during a Carling Cup tie.

The striker will also face an FA charge, as confirmed from Soho Square just moments after the police announced their investigation. An apology issued straight after the match may not be enough to save the 30-year-old from punishment.

Drogba was prevented from celebrating his first goal of the season in the 27th minute by a coin, thrown on to the pitch by away supporters. And Drogba, who also appeared to gesture to the away fans, threw the coin back into the crowd. He may now face an FA investigation and a possible misconduct charge.

The Ivorian was shown the yellow card for his actions but was contrite in his post-match interview. He said: "This is something I want to make clear. I tried to celebrate the goal and I received some things at me.

"The big mistake I did was to throw it back so if someone was hurt, I just want to apologise for it. This is not something I should show in a football match and I want to apologise.

"It was an incident in the heat of the moment and I regret it. It was just a mistake and nothing more."

Drogba had put Chelsea ahead in their Carling Cup fourth-round tie against the Championship side with a superb curling effort into the bottom corner. Ashock equaliser 20 minutes from time through Burnley's veteran striker Ade Akinbiyi stunned last season's Champions League finalists.

Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen saved in a penalty shoot-out from Wayne Bridge and John Mikel Obi to send Chelsea crashing out of the competition.

Chelsea chose to await referee Keith Stroud's report before commenting further but Burnley manager Owen Coyle and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari both denied seeing the incident.

Scolari said: "I have not spoken with Didier about any problem. The referee gave him a yellow card but I did not see what happened."

In 2002, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was sent off in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal at Highbury after throwing a coin back into the crowd. He received a mandatory three-match ban.

He was also interviewed by police but no further action was taken. However, Carragher was fined by the club and warned as to his future conduct. -- ESPNsoccernet

Question in mind: if you get thrown with money, wouldn't you keep it? But Drogba most probably mistook it for a bottle cap anyway.

Other Carling Cup Results

Burnley Stuns Chelsea With Shock Win.

Jensen the "Beast" saving Mikel's penalty

Following 120 minutes of deadlock at 1-1, Burnley keeper and hero of the day, Brian Jensen saved penalty kicks from Wayne Bridge and John Obi Mikel to snatch a 5-4 shootout win over Chelsea.

Chelsea had left six regulars out of the starting line up and that clearly paid dividends to Burnley. Drogba opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 27th minute with a curling effort past Jensen but is expected to take headlines instead for throwing a coin back at spectators during his post-goal celebrations.

While going for the kill with a second goal has become almost routine in Chelsea's matches this season, it was sorely missing last night. Sensing their chance, Burnley clawed one back with substitute Akinbiyi pouncing on a save from Cudicini following good work from Robbie Blake.

The game remained level with Chelsea spurning glorious chances after chances while Burnley defended in defiance till the final whistle blew for a dramatic penalty shootout win, with Jensen, nicknamed the Beast proving every right to be named so.

At White Hart Lane, Liverpool succumbed to a rejuvenated Totteham Hotspurs who is now on route to retaining their crown as Carling Cup winners. Three goals in eight minutes in the first half following defensive lapses uncharacteristic to Liverpool must have sent Spurs high on confidence, as they made it four following a Liverpool pullback by Damien Plessis in the 49th minute. Veteran defender, Sami Hypia who had been a loyal servant to Liverpool for the past 10 years made it two for the Reds but that was all a second string Liverpool team could muster against a team revived by Harry the Houdini.

As for the match between Sunderland and Blackburn, nothing noteworthy. But for information sake, Blackburn emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. See, i told you, nothing noteworthy.

Young Guns Oust Lactics in Carling Cup

Fielding a team consisting mainly second stringers with an average age of 19, Arsenal has delivered another scintillating performance following their previous thrashing to Sheffield United to annihilate Wigan's hopes for the Carling Cup.

Mexican teen sensation, Carlos Vela created devastating havoc to Wigan's defence all night long and deservedly added Arsenal's third goal to his name after conjuring Arsenal's second.

Young striker, Jay Simpson started on his debut game for Arsenal and is likely to attract close attention from reporters in his next game, should he start for Arsenal again. He scored two goals against a Wigan defence comprising mainly first team regulars and was singled out by Arsene Wenger for his sterling performance.

Elsewhere, Tevez converted a 76th minute to squeeze Man United into the next round with a paltry 1-0 win over Ipswich. If not for Peter Ramage's moment of madness which granted United their converted penalty, United would have stolen the headlines off Arsenal's entertaining demolition of Wigan.

As for other results of the Carling Cup so far, nothing worth mentioning i guess.

Global Financial Turmoil to Paint Reds Redder?

The Red Liverbird Feeling the Heat as Debt Chalks Up

Premier League takeover broker Keith Harris believes Liverpool could go into financial meltdown in January and might be forced to sell up.

Harris, who has masterminded deals for Chelsea, Aston Villa, Hull City, West Ham United and Manchester City and is currently seeking buyers for Newcastle United and Everton, claims that the Reds could be severely affected by the global credit crunch.

Bickering Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have two months to pay back a reported £350million worth of debt and with refinancing packages and new financial stakeholders getting harder and harder to find the Merseyside club might have to offload star players to pay off the debt.

The worse case scenario would be for the banks to consider repossessing the club if the payments cannot be met.

"The one that worries me is Liverpool," said Harris. "Liverpool's debt is due in January, with maybe a six-month extension."

"The two banks which are the principal lenders - the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia - are two of those that have suffered. Whether they want to lend it again or not, they may not be able to."

Harris, chairman of Seymour Pierce investment bank and a former Football League chairman, has also admitted that Everton and Newcastle are no closer to finding a buyer.

"It has never been more difficult to find buyers," explained Harris.

"It's no longer a question of price negotiation - it's should we? People are wondering if now is the time to spend."

Source: ESPNsoccernet

When Capoeira Meets Muay Thai

Enjoy.