D Friday, November 13, 2009 METROSPORT 27 come out fightingBy DaviD kenneDy Warning: Dunne says passion and pride can take ireland to victory premier league Clubs reject English link for Old Firm Premier League chief executive richard Scudamore last night insisted the campaign for Celtic and rangers to be allowed to join the english top flight is over for good. The 20 club chairmen have overwhelmingly rejected a bid to include the Old Firm in a two-tier competition proposed by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside. Other suggestions put forward by Gartside, including a two-tier league and changing the distribution of TV money, will be looked into by the leagues ongoing strategic review. Scudamore said: The clubs discussed this and, as far as Celtic and rangers are concerned, its a non-starter. The clubs constitutionally voted to say we are not going to take this any further. We have made a clear and unequivocal statement. No means no Celtic and rangers are not coming in. The Old Firm released statements about the Premier League snub with Celtic insisting they note the decision and move on while rangers claimed they had watched with interest the development of this issue in recent months. Ferguson given ban for ref rant mANCHeSTer UNiTed manager Sir Alex Ferguson will serve a Premier League touchline ban after being punished for his comments about referee Alan Wiley. despite being sidelined for his clubs next two matches, the Scot got off lightly according to officials union Prospect, who have criticised the ruling from the FA. The sanctions against Ferguson also include a further two-match ban suspended until the end of next season and a 20,000 fine. The FAs decision came after the 67-year-old claimed Wiley just wasnt fit enough to take charge of Uniteds 2-2 draw with Sunderland last month. Ferguson had admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his comments. However Alan Leighton, national secretary of Prospect, called the ruling disappointing. The FA had a chance to make a point and they flunked it, he said. To question the fitness of a referee is to question his ability to do the job and also his integrity. We dont think this is sending the right message to other managers. This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex but he has a particular stature within the game and if he is seen to be getting off lightly, other managers may think what he said was not beyond the pale. The ban takes effect from Uniteds league game with everton on November 21. RICHARD DUNNE has warned France not to underestimate the Re- public of Ireland as they attempt to reach the World Cup finals. Raymond Domenechs side arrive in Dublin today for Saturdays play- off first leg at Croke Park ahead of the return leg in Paris next Wednesday. They will do so under intense pres- sure to belatedly complete their quali- fication mission after finishing second to Serbia in Group Seven, much to the annoyance of their fans. But they will find themselves pitched into battle with an Ireland team buoyed by running holders Italy close in Group Eight and intent on claiming the ticket to South Africa. Star-studded France may be over- whelming favourites in the eyes of most onlookers, but that is not a view shared by Republic manager Giovan- ni Trapattoni or his players. Dunne said: Theres no doubt France will be the favourites in every- one elses but our eyes. If they underestimate us, if they come to Croke Park and think they are going to be allowed to just pass the ball around the pitch and walk their way to South Africa. If all they know about us is that fighting spirit, well then we will have to come out fighting. In some ways the two-legged tie rep- resents a clash of cultures; the elegant individualism of Thierry Henry, Nico- las Anelka and Karim Benzema and the undying commitment, passion and organisation of Trapattonis side. And asked to counter the French perception of the Irish armoury boast- ing little more than fighting spirit and Croke Park at full volume, Dunne said with a smile: Thats about it. He added: We have got the belief. We believe theres nobody in the world who can match us for work- rate and effort and fighting spirit. Thats us, thats the way we are. If you look at the squad as a whole, we are a tough team to beat and thats ba- sically down to the team spirit and the attitude of the players. But Dunne insists the Ireland team is more than just national pride and hard work, and that is the legacy of Trapattoni. He added: [Trapattoni} is great. Every game, he tells us whats going to happen, how we are going to win the game and what we have to do. So far he has been right. HiBernian boss John Hughes has revealed Liam Millers disappointment at his withdrawal from the ireland squad to face France with a calf injury. Hughes said of the former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder: i really feel for Liam Miller because he played in the last game for the republic and im sure he would have started in the double- header against France. He was really gutted when he came back on Wednesday. KeY BaTTleS Striking power: From left, Thierry Henry and nicolas anelka will lead the line for France, but robbie keane will be aiming to fire ireland to the World Cup finals Sean ST LeDger v THierry Henry Middlesbrough defender st ledger has made an impressive start to his international career, but with just seven senior caps to his name, he has found himself on a steep learning curve and will need to have learned from his experiences facing italy in qualifying. however, the 24-year-old has yet to face a striker of the calibre of barcelona superstar henry, who has pace to burn and will be a major threat as he drifts inside from wide positions at top speed. riCHarD DUnne v niCoLaS aneLka This clash of former Manchester City team-mates could prove crucial as Aston Villas dunne attempts to keep Chelseas Anelka at bay. dunne has yet again been one of irelands star performers during the qualifying campaign and has brought his consistent City form to Villa Park this season, but Anelka is currently in lethal form for Premier league leaders Chelsea and can be expected to punish the smallest of slips from the irish defence. roBBie keane v WiLLiaM gaLLaS ArsenAl centre-half gallas may have finished on the winning side when the two men squared up in the north london derby last month, but that will simply increase Tottenham striker Keanes determination to make amends this time around. The skipper boasts an irish record of 40 goals in 94 international appearances, including five during the qualifying campaign to date, and is the man most likely to punish the France defence should the opportunity arise. Picture: Sportsfile index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html28.html29.html30.html31.html