Premier League News, Daily Ticker: Aug. 16

Eriksson Thinks Capello Was Wrong To Force Beckham Out

Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has criticized current manager Fabio Capello for announcing that David Beckham would likely not play in any more competitve matches for the Three Lions.

“Beckham deserves all the respect you can give to him,” Eriksson said. “When he gets fit, he is still a very good football player.”

Capello surprised many when he announced before England’s friendly fixture against Hungary that Beckham, who is 35, was “too old” to continue to make a significant impact. The Italian manager was also roundly criticized for not speaking when the superstar midfielder before speaking to the BBC.

“If it is somebody with 20, 30, 40, 50 caps then, yes, you have to speak to him before dropping him. I would do it myself, I did it many times – David Seaman was one,” said Erriksson

Bellamy Banned From Manchester City

Manchester City Roberto Mancini has banned Craig Bellamy from the club and has ordered that the Welsh winger stay away until a loan deal can be arranged.

The move comes after Bellamy was ordered to train with the reserve squad late last week but was uncooperative and “disruptive” enough to draw the ire of Mancini and City’s senior officials. The Guardian is reporting that Cardiff City is the most likely destination for Bellamy, who has never shied away from speaking his mind.

The saga began near the end of last season when Bellamy was seen high-fiving Tottenham manager Harry Redknap after a 1-0 defeat effectively ended City’s Champions League hopes. Bellamy than repsonded by saying Mancini hadn’t spoken to him in six months. Tottenham are reportedly interested in Bellamy’s services but City are reluctant to sell to such a close competitor. Celtic and Sunderland are also interested in buying Bellamy.

Liverpool Will Not Appeal Cole’s Red Card

Liverpool have announced that they will not appeal the red card issued to newly-signed Joe Cole and the midfielder will serve a three-match ban.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson said that he was considering appeal in post-match interviews after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday. “We now have the benefit of replays on the TV and those replays suggest to me he [Cole] was a little bit unlucky,” said Hodgson.

Cole will miss Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures at Manchester City, West Brom and Birmingham City.