At least 19 people were killed in a stadium crush during a World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi in Abidjan on Sunday.

A rush by spectators led to the collapse of a wall, medical officials said. Police then fired tear gas to clear the crowd, causing a stampede which also left many people seriously injured.

“We have 19 dead and many seriously injured,” a military source at the stadium said.

The crush occurred after part of a wall collapsed when ticketless fans stormed one of the entrances to the 45 000-capacity Houphouet-Boigny arena in the West African country’s main city, Abidjan.

“Spectators who did not buy tickets were jostling before the match,” Sports Minister Dagobert Banzio said on state television. “They smashed one of the main gates of the stadium. They were trampled.”

He put the number of injured at 132.

“There were lots of supporters outside who wanted to get in,” Interior Minister Desire Tagro said. “There was a crush.”

Ivory Coast defeated Malawi 5-0 in the World Cup qualifier.

Riots and crushes are common at African soccer stadiums, which are frequently overcrowded.

The tragedy followed similar incidents which have marred international matches in Africa in the last decade, including two separate ones in Zambia and the death of 13 people in Zimbabwe nine years ago.

Fifa instigated a programme of stadium inspections across Africa before the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium was passed as safe for international matches.

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David Beckham is England’s most capped out-field player, but is happy with the new role as substitute.

Beckham passed Bobby Moore’s previous record of 108 caps when he came on as a half-time substitute in Saturday’s 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia. On his 109th appearance in an England shirt, Beckham proved his continued worth to the side, setting up Wayne Rooney with a cross for England’s second goal.

Beckham’s impressive cameo will have given coach Fabio Capello food for thought as the Italian prepares to pick his team to face Ukraine in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.

A win for England would cement their position on top of European qualifying group six and keep Capello’s team firmly on course to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Capello started the Slovakia match with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon on the right flank and his pace caused Slovakia problems at times. Beckham admits Lennon offers a different kind of threat and he is prepared to start on the bench if it helps England get a crucial victory.

“Aaron went past players like they weren’t there,” Beckham said. “With the pace he’s got, he’s in exceptional form for Tottenham, he deserved to start.

“Everyone wants to start for England, but at the end of the day, everyone also wants to play for England.

“Substitutes can be very important. We saw that at Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League final with Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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Sir Alex Ferguson will retire as Manchester United manager at the end of next season, according to his son Darren. Speculation about when Ferguson will end his long reign at Old Trafford has been ongoing since he changed his mind about quitting when he turned 60 seven years ago.

Now Darren Ferguson, manager of League One side Peterborough, has hinted it could be the summer of 2010 when his father finally walks away from the game. “His health is fine and he’s building a new team,” said Darren. “If they win (the Premier League) this year then they catch Liverpool in terms of titles won.

“I can see him doing this year and next – and then that might be it for him.” United are only a point clear of Liverpool at the top, but have a game in hand.

Source: soccernews.com

Steven Gerrard have indicated that he is now happier than ever in his career and is ready to sign a contract extension with Liverpool.

The Reds skipper is looking to cap an amazing fortnight by helping England overcome Slovakia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday before the crucial World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine on April 1 as Fabio Capello’s team look to maintain their 100% start to Group Six.

He could hardly be in a more confident mood.

Having helped dump Real Madrid out of the Champions League, beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford and score a hat-trick in the five-goal hammering of Aston Villa on Sunday, Gerrard suddenly finds himself leading a team with realistic ambitions of winning the Barclays Premier League.

It is a far cry from the dark days when it seemed Liverpool would never threaten at the top end of the table and joining Chelsea looked like a far more attractive option.

“I have never been happier throughout my whole career than I am at the moment,” Gerrard said.

“I have two years left on my contract and if there was a chance to extend it, I am sure I would.

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Wayne Rooney will not face any more disciplinary action from FA following the red card he received against Fulham over the weekend.

The Manchester United forward was sent-off for two bookable offences during the Premier League champions’ shock 2-0 defeat.

Although he had words with Phil Dowd after being shown the red card, the official has confirmed he was not sworn at by Rooney, an offence which could have led to a longer ban.

However, the Football Association (FA) are to write to Rooney, whose temper has been a worry to some within the English game, about his conduct after the former Everton favourite punched a corner flag while leaving the pitch.

An FA spokesman said on Monday: “We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed.

“In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities.”

Rooney will now be suspended for one match, the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, United’s home ground, on April 5.

Source: supersport.co.za

Liverpool moved to within one point of the Premier League log leaders Manchester United yesterday by beating Aston Villa 5 – 0 at Anfield. Captain Steven Gerrard scored a hat trick.

United still have a game in hand but, having won 4-1 at Old Trafford last week, the Reds now have a better goal difference by two with eight games left.

Dirk Kuyt started the goal-spree with seven minutes gone and Albert Riera doubled the lead just after the half hour at Anfield.

England midfielder Gerrard added a third from the spot just before the interval and scored a fourth with a free-kick just after the restart.

The Liverpool captain scored a second penalty after goalkeeper Brad Friedel was sent off for a challenge on Fernando Torres as Villa’s winless run stretched to eight games.

Fifth-placed Villa remain three points behind Arsenal and a place in the top four is now looking beyond them.

Liverpool began with real purpose and from Fabio Aurelio’s corner, Friedel was forced to save from Martin Skrtel’s header with just a minute on the clock.

After Villa’s James Milner had a shot deflected wide, Liverpool took the lead with just seven minutes gone following Nigel Reo-Coker foul on Riera down the left flank.

Gerrard drove the ball into the area and Xabi Alonso’s header came back off the bar but Kuyt made no mistake with a powerful follow-up from six yards for his tenth goal of the season

With Gabriel Agbonlahor left on the bench, Villa had a strong spell and Pepe Reina pulled off an impressive stop from John Carew’s flick from Ashley Young’s cross from the left.

Midway through the opening period, another glancing header from Carew, this time from Reo-Coker’s lofted free-kick, was pushed away by Reina before Young hit the side-netting.

But just as Villa were looking threatening, Liverpool doubled their lead.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has in his own words described the current Manchester United squad under his control as the best at Old Trafford in two decades, but does not believe his team will win the unprecedented five trophies this season.

United, who have already won the Club World Cup and English League Cup this term, are currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League and still have chances to win both the FA Cup and the European Champions League.

However, the Scottish boss – who took charge of United in 1986 following a successful spell as Aberdeen manager – was adamant that at least one key result would go against his side.

“The thing about Cup football is you need to be the best but you also need a lot of luck and I think it’s asking too much for all the games to go your way,” Ferguson said in an interview with the New Statesman magazine.

“The one thing I will say is, this squad is the best I have ever had. Every game we play, I feel confident.

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Arsenal came from behind to beat Hull City 2-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium in London last night. The Gunners struggled to break down a resolute Tigers defence until 16 minutes from time Andrei Arshavin unselfishly set up Robin Van Persie for a close range tap in. Arshavin who was quiet until the end of the 1st half was the crucial element in the Arsenals fight back and in the end proved to much for a tired Hull defence.. Then just 6 minutes before full time an offside William gallas headed home from close range to ensure Arsenals first visit to the new Wembley stadium where they will face Chelsea.

The Tigers came out all guns blazing and took the lead through a deflection off Djourou from a shot by Nick Barmby and left fabianski for dead. Hull fortunatley couldn’t maitain their level of intensity and once the Arsenal got control of the ball the complexity of the game changed which saw Hull constantly on the back foot defending.The match was marred by a number of ridiculous yellow cards dished out by Mike Riley and many a Hull player should and will feel agrieved by some of his descisions.At the end of the day Arsenal live on to fight another day.

Rafael Benitez have signed a new deal with Liverpool to keep him at Anfield till 2014.

The former Valencia boss, who led the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005, has been in contract talks with the club for much of the season. He told the club’s website: “My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal. “I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying.

“I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.

“The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.

“Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal. All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies.”

Joint-owner Tom Hicks said: “It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the club. Since he became manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made.

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The English FA are waiting for the referee’s report before deciding whether to take any action against Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas following an allegation he spat at Hull City assistant manager Brian Horton. Hull manager Phil Brown had accused Spaniard Fabregas of spitting at the feet of Horton in the tunnel of the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal‘s 2-1 FA Cup quarterfinal victory on Tuesday.

“We are aware of the allegations but are waiting for the report from referee Mike Riley, or if there is any complaint from Hull City,” an FA spokesman said on Wednesday.

Fabregas strongly denied spitting at anyone.

“I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match,” Fabregas, who did not play because of injury, said in a statement on Arsenal’s website (http://www.arsenal.com).

“I have never done this in my whole career on the pitch, so why would I do it when I am not even playing?

“I can understand the frustration of losing a game to a dubious goal, that has happened to me many times in my career as well. But this is not the fault of me or any of the Arsenal players.”

Brown said he had watched Fabregas spitting near his assistant manager.

“I was there and I witnessed it, he spat at my assistant manager down the tunnel,” Brown had said at a post-match news conference after William Gallas’s controversial late header knocked his side out of the Cup.

Brown added: “He spat at his feet.”

Arsenal manager Wenger said he had not witnessed any incidents at the end of the game.

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