Dave Yadallee's personal blog - Arsenal

We follow each other

nospam@example.com () — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:41:48 -0600

Twitter Arsenal and rootnl2k at twitter are following each other.

Superb Superb Arsenal!!

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:47:57 -0600

Ever since Arsenal lost to West Ham, they have been undefeated.

Qualified for the UEFA Champions' League, Arsenal seems to be

doing well since Henry and Ljungberg transferred out.

The next 2 games against Sevilla and Derby will be testers.

Come on you Gunners, WIN!! WIN!! WIN!!

And Henry bids good bye to Arsenal

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 23:02:35 -0600

We will miss Henry and his departure was classy.

Look it up at http://www.arsenal.com .

And that is where it ends. I have no respect for

a cheat organization called Barcelona.

Middlesbrough vs Arsenal 2006/2007

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:40:24 -0700

The 1- 1- score line does not amuse me.

Liverpool drew Everton early in the day. This was a perfect chance for Arsenal for Arsenal to

get close. Senderos is red card and gives the opposition a chance to lead.

Thank to Thierry Henry for leveling the game.

We needed a win!

Arsenal given 3rd Round CL Qualifying Opponents

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sat, 29 Jul 2006 18:17:00 -0600

IT will be one of 2 teams. From http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=406218&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Arsenal+will+face+Dinamo+Zagreb+or+Ekranas+in+Europe:

Arsenal will face Dinamo Zagreb or Ekranas in Europe

Arsenal will face Dinamo Zagreb or Ekranas in the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League.

Arsène Wenger's team are likely to travel to Croatia for the start of their latest European campaign after Dinamo beat the Lithuanians 4-1 in the first leg of their Second Qualifying Round match.

Eduardo Da Silva scored twice while Marijan Buljat and Davor Vugrinec were also on target in Lithuania as the Croatian champions virtually secured their place in the next round. The second leg takes place on August 2.

Third Qualifying Round:

1st Leg

FK Ekranas or NK Dinamo Zagreb v Arsenal

Either Tuesday 8th/Wednesday 9th August 2006

2nd Leg

Arsenal v FK Ekranas or NK Dinamo Zagreb

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Emirates Stadium. Kick-off: 7.45 p.m.

TV coverage in respect of both of the above ties to be confirmed.

Third Qualifying Round draw:

Sheriff (Moldova) or Spartak Moscow (Russia) v FC Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic)

Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) v Fimleikafelag Hafnarfjardar (Iceland) or Legia Warsaw (Poland)

FC Zürich (Switzerland) or Salzburg (Austria) v Valencia (Spain)

Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) or FC Sioni Bolnisi (Georgia) v Chievo (Italy)

Hearts (Scotland) or iroki Brijeg (Bosnia and Herzegovina) v AEK Athens (Greece)

CSKA Moscow (Russia) v Djurgården (Sweden) or Ruomberok (Slovakia)

AC Milan (Italy) v Cork City (Republic of Ireland) or Crvena Zvezda (Serbia and Montenegro)

Galatasaray (Turkey) v Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) or Vålerenga (Norway)

Standard de Liège (Belgium) v NK Gorica (Slovenia) or Steaua Bucharest (Romania)

Austria Vienna (Austria) v Benfica (Portugal)

Ekranas (Lithuania) or Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) v Arsenal (England)

FC Copenhagen (Denmark) or MyPa (Finland) v Ajax (Holland)

Hamburg SV (Germany) v Osasuna (Spain)

Metalurgs (Latvia) or Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) v Fenerbahçe (Turkey) or B36 Tòrshavn (Faroe Islands)

Liverpool (England) v Maccabi Haifa (Israel)

Lille OSC (France) v Debrecen (Hungary) or Rabotnicki (Macedonia)

Diname Zagrab is not a pushover. Play tight boys. Away goals needed!

Bergkamp Testimonial

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 08:17:16 -0600

From Arsenal.com:

Match Report

Bergkamp Testimonial

Bergkamp Testimonial

Emirates Stadium

Saturday, July 22, 2006, 4.15pm *

Arsenal

Arsenal

2

Ajax

Ajax

1

By Richard Clarke at Emirates Stadium

It was the end of an era and the start of another.

Arsenal Football Club played their first game at their new home on Saturday but, alas, it was a farewell testimonial for Dennis Bergkamp

After 11 years, 423 games, 120 goals and millions of wonderful memories, it was time for this exceptionally talented footballer to hang up his boots. Only something massive and memorable would be good enough to rightly reflect his impact on Arsenal Football Club and fortunately this occasion fitted the bill perfectly. The ground, the atmosphere and the legendary level of the players involved were just right.

Emirates Stadium was limited to 54,000, around 6,000 below capacity, but the demand for tickets had been incredible. Specially-made T-shirts were left on the seats as they had been for the final game at Highbury so the ground was a sea of red, white and orange when the stadium was formally opened with a small ceremony 45 minutes before kick-off.

At the start of the game, the current squads of Ajax and Arsenal came out and formed a guard of honour for Bergkamp, along with his family, to walk out and wave their hellos. The goodbyes would be for later.

Dennis father Wim ceremonially kicked off the match and the first few flicks were exchanged by three generations of Bergkamps with 10-year-old Mitchell playing a role.

This would be a proper game of two halves. The first 45 minutes was current Arsenal v current Ajax. The second 45 minutes would be Arsenal Legends v Ajax Legends. In truth no one would care about the result as long as Bergkamp got a goal.

The current Arsenal was shorn of the vast majority of its World Cup players. Alex Hleb, Mathieu Flamini and Pascal Cygan provided the bulk of the experience. The visitors, backed by a few thousand fans in the south-east corner of the ground, captured the early initiative.

In the ninth minute Klaas Jan Huntelaar unleashed a shot that Manuel Almunia fisted wide from the corner, Hedwiges Maduro steered a header around the post.

On the quarter-hour Arsenal got their first chance. Armand Traore had already produced a couple of thumping challenges. The left back impressed further when he got to the by-line and cut the ball back for Jeremie Aliadiere to swivel on the six-yard box and fire off a shot that Maarten Stekelenburg held high above his head.

A few minutes later Hlebs pull-back allowed Bergkamp to go for one of his famous chips. For once it drifted just over the bar.

The game did not really match the occasion after that with neither side creating much in front of goal. Eight minutes before the break, Edgar Manucharyan found some space on the left and cross the near post where the leaping Hunterlaar volley past Mart Poom. A minute later the Estonian keeper did just enough to stop the unmarked Manucharyan adding a second.

At the break ex-Arsenal keeper Bob Wilson announced the Legends team for the second half. Ajax included Frank Rijkaard, Jan Wouters, Wim Jonk, the De Boer brothers, Edgar Davids and Edwin van der Sar in their side. Johan Cryuff was their manager. Arsenal included Thierry Henry, David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Patrick Vieira, Ian Wright, Steve Bould, Marc Overmars, Edu, Ray Parlour, Kanu and Emmanuel Petit. The stars truly had come out to honour Bergkamp.

Eight minutes in the second half, Arsenal equalised. Bergkamp fed Dixon on the right, who floated a cross to the near post as he had throughout the 90s at Highbury. Henry latched on to it, held off his marker and side-footed a shot past Van der Sar from close range.

Arsenal now had the upperhand. Gilles Grimandi sprayed a perfect long ball to Overmars and the little winger cut inside to thump a drive into Van der Sars chest.

Just past the hour, Davids burst through and flicked the ball past Seaman. All he had to do was tap the ball into the net but Grimandi raced up and brought him down. Given that the ex-Tottenham midfielder had been getting so playful stick from the crowd ever since he came on, this was a very popular move. However justice was not served when Ronald de Boer hoofed the penalty over the bar.

With 10 minutes left, the crowd was sprung two surprises. Ajax brought on two players from whom the word legend is not good enough Johan Cryuff and Marco van Basten.

The latter showed his class almost immediately, flicking the ball over the head of Bould at the near post and forcing a fine one-handed save out of Alex Manninger.

Ian Wright hit the sidenetting then, in the final minute, Kanu darted inside and saw his shot deflect off Jaap Stam and beat keeper Stanley Menzo at the near post for the winning goal.

All we needed now was a Bergkamp goal. It almost came with the last kick of the match but Menzo saved with his legs.

After the final whistle, Bergkamp received a special presentation from the chairman of Arsenal and the board of Ajax. He said a few words to the crowd, did a lap of honour and was lifted on to the shoulders of the Legends.

With that, and a fanfare of fireworks, Bergkamps career ended.

Some players elicit admiration, some provide inspiration, a precious few can do both. But this man was one of them. His cast-iron technique was forged on the youth team training ground at Ajax and his steely character developed at Inter but his best years will always belong to Arsenal.

And we were so, so lucky to have him.

Arsenal goalscorers: Henry 55, Kanu 80

Ajax goalscorers: Huntelaar 37

First-half Arsenal: Manuel Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Pascal Cygan, Matthew Connolly, Armand Traore; Alex Hleb, Alex Song, Mathieu Flamini, Ryan Smith; Dennis Bergkamp, Jeremie Aliadiere

Subs: Mart Poom, Sebastian Larsson, Nicklas Bendtner, Fabrice Muamba, Joe OCearuill, Mark Randall, Vincent Van den Berg, Arturo Lupoli, Anthony Stokes.

Second-half Arsenal squad: David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Steve Bould, Gilles Grimandi, Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit, Edu, Ray Parlour; Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Oleg Luzhny, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Alex Manninger, Patrick Vieira, Glenn Helder, Kanu.

First-half Ajax: Maarten Stekelenburg, Zdenek Grygera, John Heitinga, Jaap Stam, Thomas Vermaelen, Hedwiges Maduro, Kenneth Perez, Wesley Sneijder, Jan Vertonghen, Tom de Mul, Klaas Jan Huntelaar

Subs: Olaf Lindenbergh, Urby Emanuelson, George Ogararu, Ryan Babel, Edgar Manucharyan, Robbert Schilder, Markus Rosenberg.

Second-half Ajax squad: Edwin Van der Sar, Stanley Menzo, Danny Blind, Wim Jonk, Frank de Boer, Marciano Vink, Aron Winter, Ronald de Boer, Edgar Davids, Jan Wouters, Stefan Pettersson, Bryan Roy, Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard, Marco Van Basten.

and From BBC's Report of the Bergkamp Testimonial :

Bergkamp given rousing farewell

Dennis Bergkamp cradles daughter Yasmin

It was a family day for Bergkamp as he said his footballing farewells

Dennis Bergkamp bowed out of football on a entertaining, celebratory opening day at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium.

A sell-out crowd revelled in seeing some of the club's greats play in a second-half Legends match against Bergkamp's first club, Dutch side Ajax.

Ian Wright, Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira and Marc Overmars were some of the names to return for the Gunners.

And 59-year-old Johan Cruyff and Holland manager Marco van Basten came on for Ajax in the last 10 minutes.

Ajax's Dutch international striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar had the honour of scoring the first goal at the 60,000 capacity stadium in a first half in which the clubs sent out a host of youngsters for a regulation pre-season run-out.

Huntelaar went close on a couple of occasions before turning in Edgar Manucharyan's low, flat cross from the left.

After the break the girths were a little wider and the legs, in some cases, a bit slower than in their heyday as a new match began between two teams of legends.

But it was Arsenal's only present day player on show who gave the hosts the lead.

It's difficult to say goodbye

Dennis Bergkamp

Thierry Henry, having chartered a private jet to fly back from a family holiday in the USA for the match, converted Lee Dixon's cross to the delight of the home fans.

And after Ronald De Boer blazed a penalty over following Gilles Grimandi's foul on Tottenham's Edgar Davids - the day's pantomime villain, Kanu's deflected shot made it two to Arsenal.

He may not have scored, despite being put through one-on-one on the right in the closing minutes, but the day was all about one man and Bergkamp was given a rousing send off.

"If I was to have a testimonial it was always going to be against Ajax and their fans have put in a lot of effort to come here," he said in an emotional speech after the final whistle when he gave thanks to one and all.

"My mum and dad were always there from the beginning and have probably seen every game.

"And my wife has been amazing over the years. You can't do a career like this alone and if it wasn't for her I would not be here.

"It's difficult to say goodbye. I've had a fantastic time over the last 11 years and a big part were the fans and how they treated me - they have been fantastic."

Bergkamp was carried shoulder high during a lap of honour by Vieira and Henry - Arsenal captains past and present.

It was applauded long and loud by the legends on the pitch as well as the crowd who have marvelled at his Arsenal displays for the last 11 years during which he has scored 120 goals in 423 games.

And look at BBC remembers Bergkamp the Footballer

Arsenal 2006/2007 Tentative Schedule

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 09:03:42 -0600

From Arsenal First Team Fixtures

First Team Fixture List 2006/07

July D Day C V O F A TV MM

15 Sat Friendly A Barnet 3pm ATVO Match Menu

22 Sat Bergkamp Testimonial H Ajax 4.15pm * ATVO Match Menu

(*Please note: this event commences at 4:15pm)

25 Tue Friendly A SV Mattersburg 7pm ATVO Match Menu

(Please note: The kick-off time stated is local time)

31 Mon Friendly A Schwadorf 5pm ATVO Match Menu

(Please note: The kick-off time stated is local time)

August D Day C V O F A TV MM

4 Fri Friendly A AZ Alkmaar TBA ATVO Match Menu

4 Fri Friendly A Boreham Wood 7.30pm Match Menu

(The Club will be fielding an Arsenal XI in this match)

8 Tue Champions League N Qualifier 1L TBA ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 8th or 9th August)

19 Sat Barclays Premiership H Aston Villa TBA ATVO Match Menu

22 Tue Champions League N Qualifier 2L TBA ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 22nd or 23rd August)

26 Sat Barclays Premiership A Manchester City 5.15pm PPV Match Menu

September D Day C V O F A TV MM

9 Sat Barclays Premiership H Middlesbrough TBA ATVO Match Menu

12 Tue Champions League N Matchday One 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 12th or 13th September)

17 Sun Barclays Premiership A Manchester Utd 4pm SS1 Match Menu

23 Sat Barclays Premiership H Sheffield United TBA ATVO Match Menu

26 Tue Champions League N Matchday Two 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 26th or 27th September)

30 Sat Barclays Premiership A Charlton Athletic TBA ATVO Match Menu

October D Day C V O F A TV MM

14 Sat Barclays Premiership H Watford TBA ATVO Match Menu

17 Tue Champions League A Matchday Three 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 17th or 18th October)

22 Sun Barclays Premiership A Reading 4pm SS1 Match Menu

25 Wed Carling Cup N Third Round TBA ATVO Match Menu

28 Sat Barclays Premiership H Everton TBA ATVO Match Menu

31 Tue Champions League N Matchday Four 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 31st October or 1st November)

November D Day C V O F A TV MM

5 Sun Barclays Premiership A West Ham United 1.30pm SS1 Match Menu

8 Wed Carling Cup N Fourth Round TBA ATVO Match Menu

12 Sun Barclays Premiership H Liverpool 4pm SS1 Match Menu

18 Sat Barclays Premiership H Newcastle United TBA ATVO Match Menu

21 Tue Champions League N Matchday Five 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 21st or 22nd November)

25 Sat Barclays Premiership A Bolton Wanderers 5.15pm PPV Match Menu

29 Wed Barclays Premiership A Fulham TBA ATVO Match Menu

December D Day C V O F A TV MM

2 Sat Barclays Premiership H Tottenham Hotspur 12.45pm PPV Match Menu

5 Tue Champions League N Matchday Six 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 5th or 6th December)

10 Sun Barclays Premiership A Chelsea 4pm SS1 Match Menu

13 Wed Barclays Premiership A Wigan Athletic 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

16 Sat Barclays Premiership H Portsmouth TBA ATVO Match Menu

20 Wed Carling Cup N Fifth Round TBA ATVO Match Menu

23 Sat Barclays Premiership H Blackburn Rovers TBA ATVO Match Menu

26 Tue Barclays Premiership A Watford 5.30pm SS1 Match Menu

30 Sat Barclays Premiership A Sheffield United TBA ATVO Match Menu

January D Day C V O F A TV MM

1 Mon Barclays Premiership H Charlton Athletic TBA ATVO Match Menu

6 Sat FA Cup N Third Round TBA ATVO Match Menu

10 Wed Carling Cup N Semi-Final 1L TBA ATVO Match Menu

13 Sat Barclays Premiership A Blackburn Rovers TBA ATVO Match Menu

20 Sat Barclays Premiership H Manchester Utd TBA ATVO Match Menu

24 Wed Carling Cup N Semi-Final 2L TBA ATVO Match Menu

27 Sat FA Cup N Fourth Round TBA ATVO Match Menu

30 Tue Barclays Premiership H Manchester City TBA ATVO Match Menu

February D Day C V O F A TV MM

3 Sat Barclays Premiership A Middlesbrough TBA ATVO Match Menu

10 Sat Barclays Premiership H Wigan Athletic TBA ATVO Match Menu

17 Sat FA Cup N Fifth Round 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

20 Tue Champions League N Knockout Rnd 1L 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 20th or 21st February)

24 Sat Barclays Premiership A Aston Villa TBA ATVO Match Menu

25 Sun Carling Cup N Final TBA ATVO Match Menu

March D Day C V O F A TV MM

3 Sat Barclays Premiership H Reading TBA ATVO Match Menu

6 Tue Champions League N Knockout Rnd 2L 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 6th or 7th March)

10 Sat FA Cup N Quarter-Final TBA ATVO Match Menu

17 Sat Barclays Premiership A Everton TBA ATVO Match Menu

31 Sat Barclays Premiership A Liverpool TBA ATVO Match Menu

April D Day C V O F A TV MM

3 Tue Champions League N Quarter-Final 1L 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 3rd or 4th April)

7 Sat Barclays Premiership H West Ham United TBA ATVO Match Menu

9 Mon Barclays Premiership A Newcastle United TBA ATVO Match Menu

10 Tue Champions League N Quarter-Final 2L 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 10th or 11th April)

14 Sat Barclays Premiership H Bolton Wanderers TBA ATVO Match Menu

(The FA Cup Semi-Final is also scheduled for this date)

21 Sat Barclays Premiership A Tottenham Hotspur TBA ATVO Match Menu

24 Tue Champions League N Semi-Final 1L 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 24th or 25th April)

28 Sat Barclays Premiership H Fulham TBA ATVO Match Menu

May D Day C V O F A TV MM

1 Tue Champions League N Semi-Final 2L 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

(This game will be played on either 1st or 2nd May)

5 Sat Barclays Premiership H Chelsea TBA ATVO Match Menu

13 Sun Barclays Premiership A Portsmouth TBA ATVO Match Menu

19 Sat FA Cup N Final 3pm ATVO Match Menu

23 Wed Champions League N Final 7.45pm ATVO Match Menu

Arsenal investigated by FIFA over Beveren

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 08:54:05 -0600

From BBC sports:

FA wants clarity on Arsenal probe

Arsenal badge

Arsenal say they do not have control of any other clubs

The Football Association have asked Fifa to clarify what rules Arsenal might have broken regarding their relationship with Belgian club Beveren.

Fifa want the FA to look into claims they made payments to Beveren.

FA spokesman Mark Hooper said: "We will await clarification on whether the allegations breach Fifa rules."

Premier League rules prohibit clubs making loans or owning shares but these rules do not apply to dealings with a club based outside of England.

A Belgian police inquiry discovered secret money links between Arsenal and Beveren to fund the club's takeover.

But Beveren club spokesman Dirk Dobbeleir said: "We have nothing to fear.

"A joint venture agreement has been made between Arsenal and Beveren but the police said everything was in order and there was no case to answer.

"We don't know why the media suddenly made so much of the matter though probably because the name Arsenal made it newsworthy."

Fifa communications director Markus Siegler said: "According to the structure of rules which are in place, the FA have to look into the matter.

"Fifa are interested in all cases around the world but individual members must run football in their country.

"They must take responsibility for their members so absolutely this is a case for the FA to deal with."

If found guility, Arsenal could be punished with anything from a fine to being relegated from the Premiership or kicked out of the Champions League.

The investigation, which was shown in a television report on Newsnight on Thursday, suggested that Arsenal had used Belgium's slack rules to recruit players from Africa.

The Gunners signed Emmanuel Eboue from Beveren for £1.5m.

While the FA have been instructed to lead the investigation, leading sports lawyer Mel Goldberg does not think Arsenal have anything to fear.

Goldberg told Five Live Sport: "Uefa and Fifa have rules about clubs owning shares in foreign teams.

"I don't think that's happened here because Arsenal say, rightly, they have no control of a foreign club."

Goldberg added: "There are two sets of rules you need to look at.

"One is the Premier League rules which prevent clubs owning shares or an interest in another Premiership or Football League club. That hasn't happened here.

"Then there are Uefa and Fifa rules which are similar, about clubs owning shares in foreign teams, and I don't think that's happened either."

The Belgian police investigation forced Arsenal to admit they had indirectly loaned Beveren £1m, although previously they had denied putting any money into the club.

A statement from the Gunners said: "Arsenal confirms it has never owned, directly or indirectly, any shares in Beveren or had any power whatsoever to influence its management or administration."

From BBC Sports:

FA asked to investigate Arsenal

Arsenal badge

Arsenal say it has never owned any shares in Beveren

Fifa has written to the Football Association requesting it investigates the relationship between Arsenal and Belgium club Beveren.

The BBC's Newsnight programme claims the Gunners made payments to Beveren.

The letter said: "We kindly ask you to carry out an investigation into the relevant relationship between your affiliated club, Arsenal, and Beveren.

"We would be grateful to be updated on the developments and informed of the findings as soon as possible."

The statement added: "We ask you to carry out an investigation to ensure proper clarification of the issue."

Newsnight learned that a police probe in Belgium had concluded Arsenal made secret payments of £1m to Beveren.

Arsenal have admitted providing a loan to Beveren indirectly, but say they have never had a controlling influence over the Belgian club.

Premier League rules prohibit clubs making loans or owning shares but these rules do not apply to dealings with a club based outside of England.

The Gunners have an arrangement with the Belgium club to play friendly matches and loan players.

Arsenal deny allegations of making irregular financial payments to Beveren.

An FA spokesman said: "We have received Fifa's letter asking us to carry out an appropriate investigation into the allegations relating to Arsenal.

"As requested our compliance department will be in contact with Arsenal regarding this matter."

From BBC Sports:

Arsenal probe finds no evidence

Arsenal badge

The Football Association has announced that it has not uncovered any evidence of wrongdoing by Arsenal in the club's relationship with Belgian side Beveren.

BBC Newsnight said Belgian police found that Arsenal made irregular payments to Beveren, charges the club denied.

Football's world governing body Fifa asked the FA to investigate, but it concluded the Gunners had not breached any FA or Premier League rules.

The material obtained during the FA's investigation has been sent to Fifa.

"As a result of our inquiries, we can confirm that we have not identified any evidence to suggest that Arsenal have breached any rules of the FA or the FA Premier League (FAPL) in relation to their dealings with Beveren," read an FA statement.

"In order to protect the integrity of matches and competitions, these rules prohibit clubs in the same competition from being owned, influenced or controlled by the same person or entity.

The FA has established that Beveren is a Belgian football club and therefore does not compete against Arsenal in the Premiership or the FA Cup. This is not what Sepp Blatter asked for

Newsnight reaction

The Football Association has undertaken a thorough and appropriate inquiry

FA response

Newsnight & FA statements in full

"In this case, the relevant competitions are the FA Cup and the FA Premier League. The rules also prevent a Premier League club from owning or controlling another Premier League or Football League club."

Newsnight responded to the announcement by saying: "After its investigation the Football Association has concluded that because Beveren is a Belgian football club, there is no evidence that Arsenal has breached any of its own FA or FAPL rules.

"But this is not what Sepp Blatter asked it to investigate.

"The FA has not investigated any of the allegations in the original Newsnight film which related to dealings between Arsenal, Beveren and the Ivory Coast."

However an FA spokesman insisted: "We have conducted an inquiry in line with their request.

"The FA has undertaken a thorough and appropriate inquiry and will continue to offer any assistance that Fifa may require."

Newsnight revealed on 1 June how Belgian police uncovered an investment into Beveren of £1m from an anonymous donor, which they subsequently concluded had been provided by Arsenal.

Arsenal admitted providing a loan to Beveren indirectly, but said they have never had a controlling influence over the Belgian club.

Premier League rules prohibit clubs making loans or owning shares but these rules do not apply to dealings with a club based outside of England.

The Gunners have an arrangement with the Belgium club to play friendly matches and loan players.

Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue moved to Arsenal following a successful spell with the Belgian team.

From BBC Sports:

Fifa clears Arsenal after probe

Fifa has cleared Arsenal of any breach of club ownership rules over their dealings with Belgian side Beveren.

BBC Newsnight said Belgian police found Arsenal made an irregular £1m payment to Beveren - a charge the club denied.

Fifa asked the Football Association to look into the allegation and it absolved Arsenal of any wrongdoing.

And Fifa will not take the matter further, saying: "There is no evidence or indication of any infringement of the relevant regulations."

Arsenal always maintained the £1m payment to Beveren was by way of a loan "to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren" and vehemently denied having a controlling influence over the club.

The FA earlier found the Gunners had not breached any rules of the FA or the FA Premier League in relation to their dealings with Beveren.

The Fifa statement backed up these findings.

It read: "After carefully analysing the documents and statements provided by the Football Association in relation to an alleged breach of club ownership rules by Arsenal and Belgian club Beveren, Fifa confirmed there is no evidence or indication of any infringement of the relevant regulations.

"The FA had already reached the same conclusion, having been requested by Fifa to investigate the case.

"Under the Fifa statutes, it is the responsibility of the member associations to ensure that neither a natural nor a legal person exercises control over more than one club whenever the integrity of any match or competition could be jeopardised.

Emmanuel Eboue

Eboue joined Arsenal from Beveren

"In view of these findings, Fifa does not see any reason for further investigation or for any additional measures to be taken in this connection."

Premier League rules prohibit clubs making loans or owning shares but these rules do not apply to dealings with a club based outside England.

The Gunners have an arrangement with the Belgium club to play friendly matches and there is an option for players to be loaned between the clubs.

Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue moved to Arsenal following a successful spell with the Belgian team.

The end of 2005/2006

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sun, 28 May 2006 09:02:22 -0600

This was not Wenger's best season. Arsenal finish 4th, has to qualify in 2 legs for UEFA CL 2006/2007. They can do it. Arsenal came runners up in the Champions Leauge.

Still Thierry Henry is committed to Arsenal till 2010. Robert Pires leaves for Villarreal and Tomas Rasicky comes in. A lot of work to be done.

UEFA CL here we come!!

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:15:59 -0600

Arsenal is headed for Paris. First, we have to win 4 games in a row: Sunderland, Man (useless) City and Wigan then Barcelona. Come on you Gunners!! WIN!!WIN!!WIN!!

Come on Barcelona!! LOSE!! LOSE!! LOSE!!

Arsenal forges ahead

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 09:04:27 -0600

Check up The Arsenal Soccer Club of London.

In QFs Leg 1 Arsenal 2 Juve 0. This weeken Arsenal 5 Aston Villa 0

and in Italy Treviso 0 Juventus 0 and Treviso is in last place.

Come on ARSENAL you can win all your games up to the end of May!

UEFA CL 2005/2006 Round 2 Stage One

nospam@example.com (DSY) — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 07:37:50 -0700

Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 1

Hopefully Arsenal can get into the QFs. 8 March 2006 Will be the indicator.