England legend Sol Campbell has urged fans not to go to Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland unless they want to return in a coffin.
The ex-Arsenal and Spurs star warned they face threats of racism and violence. Campbell, who won 73 caps for the Three Lions and played in a record six tournaments, said: “Stay at home, watch it on TV. Don’t risk it because you could end up coming back in a coffin.”
He blasted European football’s governing body UEFA for letting this summer’s championships take place in the host countries.
Campbell, 37, told BBC1’s Panorama: “They were wrong, because what they should say is that if you want this tournament you sort your problems out.Until we see a massive improvement, you are never going to get the tournament.”
Vincent Kompany has insisted he is not interested in leaving Manchester City as he wants to be a part of the club's long-term project.
Kompany lifted the Premier League title with City this season and his exploits as captain have earned widespread acclaim.
There have been suggestions that a number of major European clubs are keeping a close eye on the Belgian defender, but he has assured supporters that he is totally committed to City.
Kompany believes City can build on their Premier League success and must now start to think about challenging for European glory."I'm happy in Manchester. Lots of people want me to talk about moving but what interests me is Manchester City," he said in The People.The project here is not just a sporting one. It will bring a lot to the city and to the people.We can't stop with the title. We want to win the Champions League.Is it possible in three to four years? Maybe not, but when I see what's been achieved at the club in the last few years, nothing is impossible."
Kompany believes the foundations are in place for City to enjoy a golden era and he is excited about what might lie ahead in the next decade or two.
"We're going to build a new training centre to bring together the junior and senior players," he explained.The project is to take the club back to its former glories but people won't see this for perhaps another 10 years. I'm happy to be part of all that.
"It's not a three-year project but rather one for 10, 15, 20 years. It's exciting to think I can be part of taking the club where it wants to go."
Manager Roy Hodgson claimed the Football Association would not wait to discover the extent of Barry's injury and the player was likely to have a scan on Monday, which is shaping up to be a significant day in England's Euro 2012 campaign.
It is also anticipated Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will report to have their respective ankle and toe injuries assessed by the England medical team.
Hodgson has to confirm his 23-man squad to UEFA by midday on Tuesday, after which he will not be allowed to make any changes.
If Barry is ruled out, Hodgson is expected to call Phil Jagielka into his Euro 2012 squad.
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson should, in theory, be the replacement as the midfield standby.
However, even though he won his third cap in the Ullevaal Stadium, Henderson has been below-par for long periods of his debut season on Merseyside.
Jagielka was outstanding alongside Joleon Lescott in central defence against the Norwegians.
It will not have gone un-noticed that Jagielka was also part of the England defence when they secured that excellent win over world champions Spain in November.
"I am prepared to reconfigure,'' said Hodgson, when asked if he would be willing to replace a member of his midfield with an additional defender.
"I am not necessarily looking to replace man-for-man in the midfield area because we have a lot of players in that area.''
Roberto Martinez will announce on Tuesday whether he will become Liverpool's new manager.
The Spaniard has been heavily linked with the Anfield job since Kenny Dalglish was fired a fortnight ago.
Wigan boss Martinez met Liverpool owner John Henry in Miami last week and has jetted to the Carribbean for a family break.
Wigan will hold a press conference this week in which Martinez is expected to announce whether or not he will stay at the club.
The 38-year-old met Liverpool's owners in Miami on Thursday to discuss the managerial vacancy and was not put off by the huge challenge that would face any new manager.
However, it is understood Martinez has not made up his mind completely whether to accept that challenge and has given himself until Tuesday to do so.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claimed on Friday the Spaniard had received an offer from Liverpool's principal owner John Henry after their meeting in Miami on Thursday. Doubts emerged over Whelan's interpretation of the situation, with the Reds refusing to comment amid the general belief no formal offer had been made.
Martinez's appointment would doubtless divide opinion among Liverpool supporters, some of whom may have been expecting a bigger name to be recruited to replace the sacked Kenny Dalglish.
But captain Steven Gerrard has already pledged his full support to Martinez should he get the job.
Gerrard, preparing for last night's England friendly against Norway, was a big supporter of Dalglish but cautiously welcomed the idea of Martinez taking charge. "We'll have to wait and see," said the midfielder.
"My focus has been on the game. I'm aware Roberto Martinez has been talking to the club but all I've heard about him is positive.
"If he is going to be the manager, he's got my full support."
Throughout the process, Whelan has insisted it was not a foregone conclusion he would lose his manager to the club's north west rivals, claiming there were still some issues - mainly surrounding working under a technical director - to be overcome before Martinez would even be in a position to accept.
"He went to Miami and had a very constructive meeting with the owner of Liverpool," the Latics chairman told Sky Sports News.
"They're going to talk again on Tuesday. They've made Roberto an offer and he has agreed to consider it.
"He's said, 'What are my responsibilities?' These are American owners and the rules and regulations are a bit different from what we English set down.
"Roberto is a seven-days-a-week, 12-hours-a-day worker and I don't know whether they realise how hard he works.
"He has rules and regulations to be fully in charge of football and I know he won't move anywhere unless he is fully in charge of the football.
"I think he'll give it fair consideration. Hopefully, he stays with us but, wherever he goes, he's 100% dedicated to that football club."
Liverpool, who have also been linked with former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and Swansea's Brendan Rodgers, are looking to finalise the technical director post, with which Dutchman Louis van Gaal has been linked.
Berbatov is keen on a summer move to moneybags French outfit Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester United have activated a one-year extension to their record signing’s contract in the past couple of months.
However, they are willing to listen to offers for the £30.75million Bulgarian forward, 31, and PSG — bossed by ex-Chelsea chief Carlo Ancelotti — are leading the chase.
Berbatov’s agent Emil Danchev said: “PSG’s project can really interest him because he wants to play in the Champions League next year.
“Plus, there has never been a Bulgarian player at PSG, so it could be good.”
The departing Barcelona boss has abandoned plans for a year off.That shock change of heart has alerted Stamford Bridge owner Rom, who is a massive fan of Guardiola.The Spaniard now wants clubs to contact him. He said: “I will be pleased to receive their calls. But for the next months I have to charge my batteries and charge my mind.“I will wait. If they seduce me I will train again. I will be ready once a club wants me.”Sources close to the Russian billionaire claim he is ready to move swiftly to make 41-year-old Guardiola an offer he cannot refuse.The developments are a further kick in the teeth for Champions League and FA Cup double-winning caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian, also 41, has kept a dignified silence since guiding Chelsea to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich last Saturday.Guardiola, who has won an incredible 14 trophies in four years with the Catalan giants, celebrated his final game in charge by leading them to a 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final last night.
Roberto Martinez has been offered the chance to manage Liverpool according to Wigan chairman Dave Whelan.
Wigan boss Martinez was in Miami on Thursday for talks with Reds owner JW Henry about succeeding Kenny Dalglish as manager of the Anfield club.
Whelan has confirmed that Liverpool have made an offer to his manager and a decision will be made within the next week.
The only sticking point would appear to be whether Martinez will be given the level of control he demands.
"I have just spoken to Roberto," Whelan told Sky Sports News on Friday. "He went yesterday to Miami and had a very constructive meeting with the owner of Liverpool.
"They're going to talk again on Tuesday. They've made Roberto an offer and he has agreed to consider it.
"He is also aware that I have said 'I'd love to keep you but I need a decision by Wednesday or Thursday of next week'.
"If we lose him we've got to move and appoint someone for Wigan Athletic.
"In the meeting I think they've made him an offer and he's said 'what are my responsibilities'.
"These are American owners and the rules and regulations are a bit different from what we English set down.
"Roberto is a seven days a week, 12 hours a day worker and I don't know whether they realise how hard he works.
"He has rules and regulations to be fully in charge of football and I know he won't move anywhere unless he is fully in charge of the football.
"I think he's considering it and I think he'll give it fair consideration."
Asked to clarify whether Martinez is set to become Liverpool's new manager, Whelan added: "I couldn't say that 100% for sure. They have made him an offer, I don't know what that offer is.
"I think he has said thank you for the offer but I only work when I have complete control of football.
"But he's having another meeting with them on Tuesday when he says a decision will be made."
"If he goes to Liverpool we will wish him good luck and get on with the business."
Asked if this meant Wigan are now actively seeking a new manager, Whelan said: "I would never do that until Roberto says one thing or the other. I want desperately to keep Roberto.
"I have said I would like to know one way or the other by next Thursday."
England manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed both Andy Carroll and Rob Green will start the friendly against Norway in Oslo.
The veteran coach will be taking charge of his first fixture in charge of the Three Lions, and has opted to give Carroll in particular the chance to prove his worth ahead of the forthcoming European Championships.
With Chelsea's Champions League winners yet to join the squad and Wayne Rooney - suspended for the first two Euro 2012 games - not involved, Hodgson does not have numerous options at his disposal.
As a result, he admits a lot of positions have been taken for tomorrow, with Liverpool striker Carroll and West Ham goalkeeper Green occupying two of them.
"Andy ended the season well and that was after a difficult start at Liverpool," Hodgson told a pre-match press conference.
"He ended the season well and he has continued in the same vein with us.
"A lot of positions are taken care of as we're still waiting for the Chelsea players and of course Wayne Rooney.
"I know what I am going to do, but I haven't told the players yet.
"The back four takes care of itself, Rob Green will be in goal and Steven (Gerrard) will start as captain."
Green's return between the sticks will be his first appearance since his ill-feted run-out against the United States.
He will be back-up to Joe Hart at the Euros, more so now with Norwich's John Ruddy ruled out with a broken finger.
Ruddy was one of Hodgson's wildcard selections for Poland and Ukraine, and had planned to delay his honeymoon to travel with the squad.
He will not do so, though, having suffered the injury in training.
"It was unlucky for us," Hodgson added.
"He was so excited to be with the national team and to go to the Euros, but to break a finger, in goalkeeping work too, was really unfortunate.
"We can't take a risk. The finger will heal before the start of the season but the medical advice was for him to stop at home.
"As a result, we've given a chance to a young goalkeeper, Jack Butland, who's cutting short his holiday in Mexico."
Hodgson also reported mixed news on three other injured players in the shape of Scott Parker (Achilles), Glen Johnson (toe) and Danny Welbeck (ankle).
