Wenger criticised the Stoke City centre-back in February after his challenge left Aaron Ramsey with a broken leg. Then, after Stoke’s match at Tottenham Hotspur last month Wengerclaimed both Shawcross and team-mate Robert Huth had repeatedly fouled the goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, describing their methods as “rugby tactics”.

“He’s obviously got something against me. It’s just weird,” said Shawcross. “He seems to have a problem with Stoke, our manager and certain players. Criticism doesn’t bother me, unless it’s a false accusation like this one.

“It’s just disappointing he came out and said something that wasn’t needed. He could have said there was a problem week-in, week-out in the Premier League, but he shouldn’t have named individuals.”

Shawcross added in The Sentinel: “I don’t mind people having their opinions but if it’s not a game involving his players then I don’t see the point of bringing up me and Huthy. I’ve watched the video again and at no point did I go anywhere near Gomes.

“I didn’t think I had, but I didn’t want to say I hadn’t touched him before looking at the video to make sure.”

The Stoke manager, Tony Pulis, was also furious at Wenger’s remarks and wrote to the Premier League and Football Association to complain. However, the FA decided against any punishment.

Wenger had said: “You cannot say it is football any more. It is more rugby on the goalkeepers than football. When you see the way Shawcross kicked Heurelho Gomes, how Robert Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football any more.”

That prompted Pulis to respond: “The club is desperately disappointed with the comments which Wenger has come out with, especially the comments about Shawcross. We think they are out of order and you don’t expect it from a person of Wenger’s esteem. What he said about Ryan was very, very poor and the football club will take that matter up. The club will deal with it in the right and proper manner.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/06/ryan-shawcross-arsene-wenger-vendetta

Riders in the premier MotoGP class were informed after their race.

“I found out now, when things like this happen nothing else matters,” the MotoGP world champion, Valentino Rossi, told Mediaset television. “He was a lovely guy, it was a horrible accident.”

Suter’s Tomizawa was travelling at full speed when he fell off before a corner and was hit violently by the bikes of Alex De Angelis and Scott Redding, who both also tumbled but looked relatively unhurt.

“You forget sometimes how easily something like this can happen. Sometimes our sport is just too dangerous,” the MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso said.

Moto2, the new name for the former 250cc category below MotoGP, generates huge speeds and officials said they decided to continue with the race after the crash because of the fear of other accidents if a red flag was suddenly shown.

They added that Tomizawa was alive when he was taken from the track and rushed to a local hospital on Italy’s east coast. He was pronounced dead soon after.

The official news of his death had not filtered through before the start of the MotoGP race, so the event went ahead.

Rossi, who suffered a broken leg in an accident before the Italian grand prix in June, led riders in a tribute to another dead Japanese colleague Daijiro Kato earlier in the week in a ceremony at Misano.

Kato, who lived in the Misano area, died after an accident at the Japanese grand prix in 2003.

Rossi has worked hard with other riders to try to make the sport safer but has said there is a limit to how much they can do.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/05/shoya-tomizawa-moto2-san-marino

The Swiss won 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 in four minutes short of four hours. Murray, tugging at tightening leg muscles, was left drained and disheartened at what he and most observers, bar Wawrinka, would consider an unexpectedly early exit for the fourth seed.

Everything had been going so well for the Scot all week but his tennis fell apart horribly and Wawrinka seized on nearly every mistake, 43 of which were unforced.

Murray’s touch and radar, so sure in the first two rounds, were at times way off and his mood went from subdued to dark as ink.

What made defeat doubly poor was that his opponent was hampered by spasms in both quads from midway through the third set. Wawrinka needed an extended time out and left the court briefly in the fourth set too. Neither setback helped Murray, whose game slowly fell apart under pressure. He has not played as badly since Monte Carlo.

It could have been so different had Murray taken his early chances. The first set almost got away from him, as he was passed three times in the break game, before getting back on terms with similar daring at 5-5.

After trying to volley Wawrinka out of it, Murray, rightly, chose to take the sting from his bustling, uncomplicated tennis by mixing it up more after going 4-1 behind and it worked. Serving to stay in, Murray fashioned a beautiful backhand volley at 30-all and went on to ensure a tie-break. This one went Murray’s way but not before a rare and minor row.

At 2-0 up Murray’s shot clipped the net and sat up for Wawrinka, who shouted “Allez!” after hitting his return, which Murray netted. “As long as it was on it’s way, that is not a distraction,” the umpire, Steve Ulrich, said. Murray was not convinced but went on to take the tie-break 7-3, ending a tough, tense first set after an hour and nine minutes, one of the longest of the tournament.

Just as he looked to be getting control of the exchanges, at 2-0 up in the second, he lost concentration again and Wawrinka, a top-10 player only two years ago, did well to claw his way back. The set was there for Murray to take at 5-3 but he dropped serve again, swearing at anyone and anything within earshot. Wawrinka earned a second tie-break and this time he took it.

Murray continued his up-down pattern, breaking and dropping serve at the start of the third. But Wawrinka’s big serve had a lot to do with that. With fewer opportunities now, Murray’s frustrations mounted.

At 1-2 and 0-30 on his own serve, Murray hit an inexplicably weak half-volley that fell invitingly in mid-court, hinting at disintegration. He foot-faulted (the first of three), hit a return wide, then double-faulted to drop serve. From this point on Murray was never really in the match.

Wawrinka stayed strong and, at 4-1 up, the set was his to lose. Then he suffered the most wretched twist of fate, as his right quad went on him when he chased down a wide shot at 40-15 down on Murray’s serve.

He looked to be restored to full working order and went to 5-2, only for his left quad to start giving up on him. When Murray invited him to the net, however, Wawrinka bolted in like a colt and thrashed a cross-court winner.

Wawrinka had the crowd with him as he served for the set. Holding three set points, he double-faulted, then Murray tamely patted a simple volley wide.

The fourth set started as anarchically as the third, Murray dropping serve, then breaking back, his last success.

Murray, striving for rhythm, looked to be reasserting himself until broken again in the fifth game to trail 3-2. There were faint cheers of “Andy! Andy!” in far corners of the cavernous stadium but they faded with the light as the match ebbed away from him.

Serving to stay in the match, Murray double-faulted. He was then passed in a chip-lobby exchange by the most exquisite backhand of the tournament and was two points from defeat. He pushed a volley wide and Wawrinka had match point, which Murray saved. There was nothing he could do about another backhand winner off his second serve for deuce. When his final stroke went long and wide, the agony was over.

A few weeks ago American tennis had nobody in the men’s top 10 for the first time since rankings began 37 years ago. Now they have four in the top 20 and, one of them, Sam Querrey, is next up for Wawrinka.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/06/andy-murray-stanislas-wawrinka-us-open

Lemieux, who led the Pittsburgh Penguins to two Stanley Cups and is among the greatest players in NHL history, was invested as an officer in a ceremony held Friday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, home of Canada’s Governor General.

Among the others honored were Montreal Canadiens President Pierre Boivin, Paralympic champion Chantal Petitclerc, and former Canadian prime minister Kim Campbell, as well as Ivan Reitman, who directed “Ghostbusters,” rock musician Burton Cummings, former Manitoba premier Gary Filmon, former Nova Scotia premier John Hamm, operatic tenor Ben Heppner and actress Tantoo Cardinal.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536891

In front of 4000 spectators, Chandhok – on loan from regular team HRT – completed 14 laps of the Yeongam venue, which will host the inaugural Korean Grand Prix on October 22-24. The ‘Circuit Run 2010’ also included demonstration laps by Formula BMW and Korean touring cars.

Former Red Bull Junior Team member Chandok drove the Red Bull car as the team‘s regular drivers were unavailable due to other commitments.

“It’s a really interesting layout,” the Indian said after the run. “The track’s got a good mix of corners and I think we’ll see a lot of overtaking in the first sector – there are long straights into slow hairpins. The straight after turn one and two is really long, so we may see some good slip streaming there, like in Shanghai. From turn seven onwards, there’s a fast section of flowing corners all the way back to the start-finish line – so I think the Red Bull Racing guys will be happy in sectors two and three.”

Chandhok’s successful run at the circuit should halt media speculation over its completion and the 26 year-old said he saw no reason the venue would not be finished in time for next month’s race.

“Looking at the facilities, the garages and team buildings look pretty much finished and they’re big! I think teams will need to bring around 30% more furniture to fill them! The grandstands also look reasonably finished. The track itself needs a bit more work on the asphalt and the kerbs, but the organisers think it’s all within their time-lines and are confident that it will be ready on time. And the locations nice, we’re overlooking the sea.”

Race organisers Korea Auto Valley Operation (KAVO) were delighted with the KIC’s first event. “This has been an excellent opportunity for us to fine-tune the facilities ahead of next month’s Grand Prix, and it is exciting to see how enthusiastically the KIC has been received by Korean residents,” said Yung Cho Chung, KAVO CEO.

“There’s certainly some enthusiasm for F1 here,” added Chandhok. “There are a lot of people at the event today, which wasn’t heavily publicised, and there’s a lot of media, which shows an interest. The organisers say they have sold a significant amount of tickets, so it should be a good race. It’s been great to drive the Red Bull car again and thanks to my team, HRT F1, for letting me complete this demonstration run.”

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/9/11208.html

But Davies said: “I’m convinced the selection was the right one – we played well in the first-half

“We let things slip after the break and I don’t think other players would have made a difference.

“We have a plan for our internationals and I am sticking with that. The team was good enough to go and win in Treviso and that team will play again for us this season.”

Newport Gwent Dragons boss Paul Turner pulled no punches after they were on the wrong end of a 40-17 thrashing at Connacht.

It was the Dragons biggest ever defeat to the Irish side and Turner said: “That was as poor a performance as I’ve witnessed for a long time.

“I knew we wouldn’t be ready but we shouldn’t be that far off – there’s a lot of players who have got to take a long, hard look at themselves.”

Fly-half Dan Biggar bagged 21 points in Ospreys trip to Ulster but that wasn’t enough to prevent the champions going down to a 27-26 defeat.

The Ospreys conceded 13 penalties and boss Sean Holley said: “We simply have to adapt to refereeing interpretations.

“If there are areas where we need to improve our discipline they will be highlighted in the review we will hold this week.”

Cardiff Blues brightened the Welsh gloom with a Dan Parks inspired 34-23 win over Edinburgh.

The Blues new-boy, who moved from Glasgow, bagged six goals in and outstanding display and coach Dai Young said: “We all know what Dan is good at – on a couple of occasions, when we were under pressure in the game, he certainly turned the pressure back on them.

“I thought he was a great link between forwards and backs. He got our game going really well. I was really pleased with his performance.”

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/17210.php

That could be the only sticking point for Houllier, 63, who is not keen on a director of football role.

A source close to the club said: “Mr Houllier is the first choice but there are still finer details to sort out on Monday.”

Houllier, the current technical director for France, won five trophies as Liverpool manager in one season back in 2001.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3125723/Gerard-Houllier-will-decide-today-whether-he-will-take-Aston-Villa-job.html

The Manchester United forward has been under intense scrutiny since Sunday’s newspaper allegations concerning his private life and the England manager had intimated that he would have to assess the player’s psychological fitness but has now concluded that Rooney is in the right frame of mind to play.

“He told me he wanted to play and he will play,” said Capello on Monday afternoon after the squad had arrived in Berne. “He will also be in a good situation tomorrow. I hope the performance of Rooney tomorrow will be the same as at Wembley. We are focused on the game, not about the private life of the players. We are here to play this game and train very well.”

The England head coach said that once Rooney had informed him he was ready to play his mind was made up. His only selection dilemma, now, he said, was deciding which of Matthew Upson and Gary Cahill would partner Phil Jagielka in central defence.

Steven Gerrard, the England captain, said he expected Rooney to have a “big game” and that sometimes the best place for a player to be when their private lives were under scrutiny was on the pitch. “He’s got an issue off the pitch but that won’t stop him playing well tomorrow night.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/06/wayne-rooney-england-switzerland1

Torres, who last month pledged his future to the club amid speculation linking him with a move away, also confirmed more than one team had a bid turned down for him this summer.

Reiterating his commitment to Liverpool, where he is contracted until 2013, the 26-year-old said he is desperate to help bring success back to Anfield. For that to happen, Torres believes the club’s owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, must complete their proposed sale of the club as soon as possible.

“It’s fundamental new owners arrive who can make us a competitive side,” he told the Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. “We’re not that far behind. We had an appalling season last time around, but the year before we were just four points from Manchester United.

“Hopefully, we can find a consortium that buys the club and can make Liverpool able to fight financially with Chelsea and United. Then let’s see what we’re capable of doing this season.”

Like Torres the club’s captain, Steven Gerrard, was linked with a move away from Anfield in the transfer window and his retention was thought to be a crucial factor behind his team-mate’s decision to stay.

“Liverpool kept Steven Gerrard, which was fundamental. It’s still a great team. It’s a delicate situation because we’re not in the Champions League but it’s still the biggest club in England and to play at Anfield every week is a privilege,” Torres said.

“That’s how I see it. I like to have targets and to be able to help bring Liverpool back where they deserve to be is a beautiful target. It’s always complicated when you start with a new manager and new players, but we’ll see what we’re capable of.”

Chelsea and Manchester City were both linked with moves for Torres this summer.

“The club received offers and decided to reject them,” said Torres without identifying the clubs in question. “That’s where it ends. Everyone thought I was leaving for Spain during the World Cup when there was nothing in it. I said the day I returned to train that my future was at Liverpool. I have a contract until 2013.

“This year, our target has to be the top four. Like every team-mate, we all want to improve and win titles and, for that, it’s fundamental we get new owners.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/sep/01/liverpool-fernando-torres-new-owners

European football’s governing body has informed its 53 member associations that it has taken the move for reasons related to Europe’s football culture and tradition, saying that the atmosphere at matches would be changed by the sound of the vuvuzela.

The World Cup was characterised by the vuvuzela’s widespread and permanent use in the stands. In the specific context of South Africa, the vuvuzela adds a touch of local flavour and folklore, but UEFA feels that the instrument’s widespread use would not be appropriate in Europe, where a continuous loud background noise would be emphasised.

The magic of football consists of the two-way exchange of emotions between the pitch and the stands, where the public can transmit a full range of feelings to the players. However, UEFA is of the view that the vuvuzelas would completely change the atmosphere, drowning supporter emotions and detracting from the experience of the game.

To avoid the risk of these negative effects in the stadiums where UEFA competitions are played and to protect the culture and tradition of football in Europe – singing, chanting etc. – UEFA has decided with immediate effect that vuvuzelas will not be allowed in the stadiums where UEFA competitions matches are played.

UEFA’s associations have been instructed to take all necessary operational measures, and to instruct their clubs concerned to do the same in all UEFA club competitions in which they participate.

http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/stadiumsecurity/news/newsid=1521821.html