UEFA President Platini embarrassed by fees
Soccer Betting Lines
07/02/2009 -
Nyon, Switzerland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - UEFA President Michel Platini has again
spoken out against the escalation of transfer fees after admitting he is
"embarrassed" by Cristiano Ronaldo's $131 million move to Real Madrid.
World and European player of the year Ronaldo is the headline signing made by
the Spanish giants this summer after joining from Manchester United for a world
record fee.
However, Real have not stopped there as they have spent a combined 200million
on Ronaldo, Brazil star Kaka, Valencia defender Raul Albiol and Lyon and France
striker Karim Benzema.
Fellow France forward Franck Ribery has also been linked with a $57.5 million
move to the Bernabeu and Platini is concerned at the massive outlay made by
Real so far in the close season.
"Ronaldo's transfer stood out for me, but if Real have guarantees from the
banks," he told L'Equipe.
"On a personal note, I don't understand how anyone can spend [$131 million] on
a player. I'm embarrassed.
"But I remember the Maradona transfer from Barcelona to Napoli [in 1984]. This
would be the equivalent of [$10.5] million and I found that vulgar. I think
there is something wrong there.
"I don't like that and even less given the fact that today players sign
contracts only to then go and break them.
"But, as I said, if clubs have the money, what can I do?"
(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)
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MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.
Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.
According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).
Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.
Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.
''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''
Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.
”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.
For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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