WHUFC.com
The last Hammers defender to play for England at the FIFA World Cup has wished Matthew Upson well
22.06.2010
Former West Ham United and England defender Alvin Martin is in no doubt Matthew Upson will "do everyone proud" when he makes his FIFA World Cup bow on Wednesday against Slovenia. The club captain is set to start for his country in the must-win afternoon fixture in Port Elizabeth after England boss Fabio Capello stated in his press briefing that he would pick 31-year-old Upson to play alongside John Terry at the heart of the England defence. The pair actually played alongside each other in the 2-1 friendly defeat of the Slovenians at Wembley last September. The No15 moved in line for his 20th cap for his country ahead of Tottenham Hotspur's Michael Dawson, with Ledley King injured and Jamie Carragher suspended. For Martin, who was the last Hammers defender to feature for the Three Lions in a World Cup tie in 1986, it was the right choice. "It is fantastic for Matthew," he told whufc.com. "I am well chuffed for him. Matthew is left-footed, has the ability to deal with pace and will slot in well alongside Terry. "From the feedback I have had out here [in South Africa], it has been all positive about Matthew and I am sure he will go out there and do a good job for his country. "He has experience and won't be daunted by having to come in like this having not yet played in the tournament and with the emphasis on it being such a crucial match for England. "It is often more difficult to be in and out of a team especially at this level, then playing near-on every game, but this won't phase Matthew at all. I certainly have no doubts that he can do well and won't let us down."
Martin is at the finals doing commentary work for talkSPORT and lending his considerable experience to covering the matches for the radio broadcaster as well as enjoying a tournament he feels is "getting going now". Speaking about his own experience playing in a World Cup finals when he memorably shone in a 3-0 second-round defeat of Paraguay in the Mexico finals 24 years ago, he said: "It is great and something you never ever forget. I am still talking and remembering it all now and it is part of the reason I am getting to work out here as well, to be able to talk about it. "I know how special it is, to be able to pull on the shirt for your country in the World Cup."
Martin also had a note of reassurance for Hammers keeper Robert Green and said he believed the 30-year-old shot-stopper would not be affected long term by the mistake against the United States that cost him his place in last Friday's second Group C match against Algeria. He said he would emerge even stronger for the experience. "For Robert, it was terrible when it happened. He made a mistake but he is a very good goalkeeper still and you can't take that away from him over one mistake. He didn't let anyone down, he made a mistake. "The best thing was that he came out afterwards, straight away, and said it was a mistake. He spoke to the press and dealt with it all in the best way possible. I know from being out here that all of that went down very well with everyone here. "He has then just got on with working hard in training. The first thought from pretty much everyone here when it happened, was sympathy for him and his family. "Although it was something he wouldn't have wanted to experience, he is a strong character and lad and I don't think his confidence long-term will be affected. "When he returns for the new season for West Ham, he will be stronger for it. Both he and Matthew can come back stronger and ahead in fitness having being playing and training like this in the summer and that can only be good for West Ham."
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Red card woe for Behrami
WHUFC.com
West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami was sent off playing for Switzerland on Monday
21.06.2010
Valon Behrami was unfortunate to be shown a straight red card on his first outing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. The West Ham United midfielder was making his bow in South Africa after missing the 1-0 win against Spain last Wednesday through injury. He was named in the starting lineup for Monday's 1-0 defeat by Chile but lasted only 30 minutes before being shown a red card for violent conduct. Behrami was involved in a tussle with Arturo Vidal that saw the Chilean go to ground as he was being shielded from the ball. It could mean a three-match ban for the Hammers player, with the Swiss set to conclude their Group H campaign against Honduras on Friday night. He said: "I said sorry to my team-mates and they told me 'you don't need to apologise for that because it was astonishing'. "In the tackle I was going for the ball, I had no need to touch him. I felt a contact and I lost my balance so I moved my hands and I touched him here [his neck] and he put his hand here [his face] - that is incredible."
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Upson to start for England
WHUFC.com
West Ham United captain Matthew Upson is in pole position for England on Wednesday
21.06.2010
Matthew Upson will make his FIFA World Cup bow on Wednesday against Slovenia. Fabio Capello confirmed the West Ham United captain would line up alongside John Terry during his press briefings on Monday morning, with Jamie Carragher suspended and Ledley King injured. Upson, 31, has never been on the losing side when playing with Terry for England and has won 19 caps overall, with one goal. The huge encounter in Port Elizabeth, which starts at 3pm, comes after two Group C draws have left England needing a victory to be certain of progressing to the last 16 of the finals in South Africa. Robert Green is expected to be on the bench, after David James got the nod for last Friday's goalless draw with Algeria.
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Cristian signs
WHUFC.com
Cristian Montano has signed his first professional contract and is looking forward to making a big impact next season
21.06.2010
Cristian Montano is setting his sights high after agreeing his first professional contract with West Ham United. The forward finished as the leading scorer in the Hammers' FA Premier Academy League side with nine goals in 18 games. Montano, who was born in Colombia before moving to London as a child, also made ten Barclays Premier Reserve League appearances, netting his first goal in the 3-2 home win over Fulham in April. The 18-year-old capped a memorable season by winning the Doris Bell Award for the club's most-promising youngster, being presented with the trophy in front of the first team following the final Barclays Premier League fixture of the season at the Boleyn Ground in May. Now, he has agreed a new deal and is already taking aim at following in the bootsteps of his idol, the former Parma, Newcastle United and Colombia forward Faustino Asprilla. "It's just a great feeling, I can't describe it," he told WHUTV. "I wasn't expecting it at first, especially when I got injured against Newcastle [United in the FA Youth Cup fifth-round defeat on 3 February], but then I got back in the team and probably proved myself again and here I am. I am looking forward to next season and carrying on proving myself. "I joined West Ham when I was an Under-12 and since then I've been doing well. I've had some problems with injuries, but now I'm injury-free and I can keep going and doing well and show the fans what I'm capable of when I get my chance. "I can describe myself as being like Faustino Asprilla, the Colombian footballer who played for Newcastle. The way he runs with the ball and the things he does - I look up to him as well. He is Colombian like me and I would like to make the career he made, or even a better career in football."
While international football may still be some way off, Montano's powerful and elusive running and goalscoring ability have already been spotted by Colombian Football Federation scouts, who invited him to train with the senior squad prior to their friendly meeting with the Republic of Ireland in May 2008. "I trained with Colombia a couple of years ago when I was 16 after the season and it was a good experience, training with people like Falcao who have played in the Champions League. It helped me want to play for Colombia even more. That's my country and where I come from originally."
In truth, Montano is modest about his own ability, but is confident enough to suggest that he sees his long-term future at the Boleyn Ground. Citing fellow Academy graduate Zavon Hines as an example to follow, the teenager is keen to catch the eye of new manager Avram Grant when pre-season training starts on Monday 5 July. "I would like to achieve a lot of things. I'd like to prove myself to the new manager because it's a fresh start for everyone. I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing and hopefully he'll see it and give me a chance. "If not, I want to do well when I play for the reserves and probably get out on loan and have some first-team experience somewhere else, then I can come back and break into the first team. "I would like to play for West Ham until they want to do something with me later in life, but I wouldn't want to leave West Ham because this is where I started my career and I want to go places with this team."
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Red for Val
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Valon Behrami's Wold Cup could be over after he was dismissed during the first half of this afternoon's 1-0 defeat by Chile. The United midfielder, starting his first game of the tournament became the first Swiss player to receive a red card at the World Cup Finals when he was dismissed on the half-hour mark. Behrami was issued a straight red card for raising his arm to shield the ball from Chile's number eight Arturo Vidal, who fell to the floor theatrically upon contact. The West Ham player was stunned to be issued the red card by Saudi referee Khalil Al Ghamdi. The 25-year-old will now miss Switzerland's final group game against Honduras, a match which they will almost certainly need to win in order to qualify for the knockout stages ahead of pre-tournament favourites Spain.
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Olympic stadium built on toxic dump
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st June 2010
By: Staff Writer
It has been revealed that West Ham United's proposed new stadium has been built on a radioactive waste dump. The Olympic Stadium at Stratford, which is scheduled for completion next year ahead of the 2012 games has been erected on a site used in the 1950s and 1960s to dump radioactive waste, according to a story in today's Guardian.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) are understood to have reported in 2008 that up to 50 tonnes of radioactive waste - which showed levels of radiation three times higher than the accepted safe level - were found on the site when building work commenced. However building was allowed to continue as when added to the general waste found over the immediate area of the entire site - some 1,500 tonnes in all - the level of radioactive material fell below the legal limit. In all, it is claimed that up to 100 tonnes of radioactive waste is buried on the Olympic site - something that data analyst John Large, assisted by environmental campaigner Mike Wells and intelligence analyst Paul Charman, is keen to highlight. "As part of the on-site assaying, the ODA contractors were clearly separating out exempt waste from non-exempt batches of low-level waste with the intention of sending this higher activity non-exempt waste to a radioactive waste disposal site," he said. "At the best, this might be interpreted as a misplaced interpretation of the radioactive waste regulations or, at the worse, some might view it as blatantly cooking the books to save on the high cost of off-site radioactive waste disposal."
In reply, ODA Director of Infrastructure Simon Wright refuted claims that the area is potentially dangerous to people visiting on a regular occasion, stating: "The Olympic Park and all venue sites are completely safe with no radiation measurements above the normal background levels that people would experience in their everyday lives. "We have been open and transparent about the contamination found on the Olympic Park site, a former industrial landfill site. As previously announced, a small amount of soil containing traces of very low-level radioactive material, classed as 'exempt' under current environmental law, has been safely buried in a cell on site, using a proven, safe and approved method of disposing of such material."
Despite Wright's claims, it is thought that no further development work will be allowed on the site of the Olympic Park due to the inherent danger of exposing 100 tonnes of radioactive waste lying just below the surface in a highly-poulated urban area.
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At last
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 21st June 2010
By: Staff Writer
Matthew Upson is set to make his World Cup bow in England's must-win game against Slovenia on Wednesday night. Under-pressure England manager Fabio Capello confirmed during a press conference this morning that the 30-year-old Hammer will start alongside Chelsea's John Terry at the heart of the English defence in a game that the Three Lions must win in order to progress to the knock-out stages of the competition. Despite starring in the majority of England's World Cup qualifying matches Upson was dropped first for Ledley King, who sustained an injury during England's opening game against the USA, and then left out as Jamie Carragher, who had previously announced his retirement from the international scene, replaced the Tottenham man. But with Carragher suspended for the Slovenia game having picked up two yellow cards in England's opening two matches Upson is in almost by default, being preferred to England's only other fit centre half, Tottenham's Michael Dawson (who was only drafted into the squad following Rio Ferdinand's withdrawal). Despite the squad rallying behind Robert Green, who was dropped for making a solo mistake against the US, the Hammers stopper is unlikely to feature with Portsmouth's 39-year-old goalkeeper David James expected to retain his place.
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Hammers fail with Barca bid
Fontas opts to stay at Camp Nou
Last updated: 22nd June 2010
SSN
West Ham have failed with a bid to lure Barcelona starlet Andreu Fontas to Upton Park, skysports.com understands. Fontas' current deal has a buy-out clause of just €3million (£2.5million) and The Hammers made their move to land the highly-rated defender. West Ham went as far as agreeing terms with the 20-year-old and were ready to conclude a deal for him. However, Barca - who have lost a string of top youngsters in similar circumstances in recent years - have now persuaded Fontas that he is very much part of their first-team plans and he is set to sign a long-term deal at Camp Nou. Fontas made his debut for Barca's first-team last season and Pep Guardiola is ready to include him in his plans next term. Meanwhile, West Ham have confirmed that their young striker Cristian Montano has agreed his first professional contract with the club. The 18-year-old Colombian-born striker has penned a one-year deal.
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Rennes - Marveaux staying put
West Ham target not for sale
By Patricio Figueroa & Graeme Bailey Last updated: 22nd June 2010
SSN
Rennes have told West Ham United target Sylvain Marveaux that he is staying put this summer. The Hammers have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old midfielder, who had an excellent campaign with the Brittany club last term. Marveaux himself has revealed the interest in him is high and that he feels he should be allowed to leave Rennes, the club where he has spent his entire career. "Rennes is my club and I owe them because I have been trained by them and they gave me my chance," he said. "But today, large French and European clubs want me, and that has left me thinking, at 24, I think it is time to move on."
Despite the interest, and Marveaux's sentiments, Rennes are standing firm and their general manager Pierre Dreossi insists they will not be selling. Rennes have recently sold Jimmy Briand to Lyon, meaning that they are in no need to raise any money from further sales. "I have said this before and I repeat, Sylvain Marveaux will be with Rennes next season," said Dreossi. "I do not usually change my mind, I've demonstrated that in the past. "We are looking forward to a good season and expect Sylvain to be part of that."
Following the departures of Briand and Petter Hanson, who joined Monaco, Rennes are wasting little time in adding to their squad. They have completed a deal for Le Havre starlet Jean-Armel Kana Biyik, who has signed a four-year contract. They are also hopeful of completing a deal for Nigerian international stopper Onyekacki Apam from Nice after bidding more than £4million for his services. Apam is also set to sign a four-year deal with the club. Likewise Cameroonian international Georges Mandjeck is putting the finishing touches to his switch from Stuttgart.
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Behrami to discuss future
Midfielder attracts interest claims agent
By Simone Bargellini Last updated: 21st June 2010
SSN
West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami will meet with the club after the World Cup to discuss his future. The 25-year-old Switzerland international is currently competing in the South Africa tournament, and he helped produce a big shock as his side beat European champions Spain 1-0 in their opening match. Behrami has been at West Ham since joining from Lazio in 2008, and he has also had a spell in Italy with Genoa. Serie A outfit Palermo are thought to be interested in his signature, but his agent Alessandro Beltrami believes the Hammers do not want to sell someone who they regard as a key player. Beltrami told Sportitalia: "I have some contacts in the market because Valon is a player who is liked. "We have agreed with West Ham to meet and discuss after the World Cup but the last time they spoke to me they told me that they consider Behrami non-transferable. "Who wants him? Palermo did in January but West Ham had to stay up and they needed Valon."
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Chile v Switzerland: Valon Behrami hopes to get another chance at the World Cup
Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami is hoping his team-mates can keep his World Cup dream alive following his sending-off in the 1-0 defeat to Chile.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Telegraph staff and agencies
Published: 4:37AM BST 22 Jun 2010
Valon Behrami hopes his Switzerland team-mates can qualifty for the knockout stages after his red card against Chile means he will miss the final group game against Honduras Photo: AP The 25-year-old West Ham United player was dismissed for elbowing Chilean counterpart Arturo Vidal seconds after clashing with Jean Beausejour 30 minutes into a tense encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Behrami later protested his innocence but will take no part in the Group H finale against Honduras as the Swiss attempt to make the most of their opening victory over Spain to book their place in the last 16. 'Of course my team-mates will go to the next round because we deserve that - and after this decision, we deserve better. It will come back for us," Behrami said. ''How I feel now is that it's destroyed my World Cup. A season like this, it's unbelievable. ''It surprised me because it's normal to have contact in football. My movement wasn't intended to create damage or do something to the player. ''I just wanted to protect the ball, like I have done every time. It's unbelievable for me.''
Switzerland were already having to defend in numbers when Behrami's premature departure made their task all the more difficult. Swiss boss Ottmar Hitzfeld was unhappy with the sending-off but admitted his side could have come away with a draw. ''We had a great chance in the 90th minute, and a 1-1 draw would have been the perfect result for us,"he said. ''It would have been deserved as well because we had to play 10 v 11 for 60 minutes and particularly because the red card wasn't a red card, in my view.''
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Behrami rages at Vidal
Published: Tue Jun 22 2010, 9.56AM
ITV
Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami accused Chile counterpart Arturo Vidal of destroying his World Cup after he was sent off in Monday's Group H clash. The West Ham player was given a straight red card by Saudi Arabian referee Khalil Al Ghamdi after tangling with Jean Beausejour and then Vidal 30 minutes into his side's 1-0 defeat by the South Americans. Behrami said: "How I feel now is that it's destroyed my World Cup. A season like this, it's unbelievable. I just wanted to protect the ball, like I have done every time. It's unbelievable for me." He added: "It surprised me because it's normal to have contact in football. My movement wasn't [intended] to create damage or do something to the player." Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was even more scathing about the decision, which left his team facing a desperate fight to stay in the game. He said: "Of course I was angry because I was just three or four metres away when Valon Behrami defended the ball and then Vidal fell down with a lot of drama. It was quite a performance. "It clearly wasn't a red card - it wasn't even a yellow card. It was unfair on the part of Vidal to roll around on the floor simply asking for the red card. "There are some referees who should whistle on the field and some who should whistle on the beach."
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World Cup 2010: Switzerland's Valon Behrami Adamant That Arturo Vidal 'Dive' Destroyed His Tournament
West Ham midfielder adamant referee was wrong to dismiss him…
By Rupert Fryer
Jun 21, 2010 6:21:00 PM
Goal.com
Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami has admitted he was surprised by referee Khalil Al-Ghamdi's decision to show him a straight red card in his side's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chile today. Behrami was given his marching orders after a flailing arm caught Chile's Arturo Vidal and the West Ham man was devastated with the decision. "How I feel now is that it's destroyed my World Cup. A season like this, it's unbelievable," said Behrami to the microphones of Goal.com. "It surprised me (the red card) because it's normal to have contact in football. My movement wasn't (intended) to create damage or do something to the player. I just wanted to protect the ball, like I've done every time. It's unbelievable for me." "I don't know how many games they'll give me for the ban," he continued. "If it's one, OK. If it's not, I will do something," he added, before confirmed he felt the decision was "100%" incorrect." Finally, Behrami confirmed that he had received sympathy from his team-mates and insisted that Vidal's reaction played a major role in the referee's decision. "After seeing what happened, they just feel sorry for me," he said. "Of course I was surprised. I couldn't believe he gave me a red card for that, and also, what can I say - the Chile player, found himself too much people diving like this. He just maybe touched my hand and you can't just dive like this. "Of course my team-mates will go to the next round because we deserve that, and after this decision we deserve better. It will come back for us," he concluded.
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