Manchester City take the lead to face down Uefa over break-even rules

Manchester City need only to draw with West Ham on Sunday to win the Premier League and, while the ghosts of calamities past hovered during the goalless first hour of Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, there is no longer genuine dread at City that something has to go wrong.

Sergio Agüero slayed many of City's demons with his stoppage-time winner in that nerve-shredding final game against Queens Park Rangersto seize the title two years ago and the talk has not, as in 2012, been all about the trophyless years since the 1970s. Six years and a still barely believable £1bn into the club's ownership by Sheikh Mansour, of Abu Dhabi's ruling Al Nahyan family, this is a transformed Manchester City.

Expected to claim their second title in three seasons, the League Cup won, a place in the Champions League knockout stage secured, City are where Mansour's executives, led by the chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, targeted them to be by now. They have world-class footballers in each position, a manager they sought – whose calm and charm has been admired – a "brand" going global, with clubs bought in New York and Melbourne, while attending to thankful fans and local roots: a modern, corporate sports organisation, growing accustomed to getting what it wants.

That is why the talk during the run-in this time – raining on City's planned parade – about Uefa's "investigatory chamber" finding the club's £151m loss in 2011-12 and 2012-13 in breach of the financial fair play rules, has upset the ownership so markedly. Uefa set a deadline of Friday for City to accept a €60m (£49m) settlement to be paid to the European governing body over three years, a 21-player limit to next season's Champions League squad and a wage cap to the current level.

City's executives are understood to argue emphatically that they have not breached the rules, and are particularly affronted that their sponsorships with Abu Dhabi companies and the country's tourist authority have been called into question – and, on Friday, the deadline passed with no action by Uefa. It is now said that Uefa will decide on Monday what to do next; whether to stick with its finding and refer City to potentially tougher sanctions from its "adjudicatory chamber", which the club's ownership will almost certainly fight.

While, in crude terms, the Abu Dhabi relaunching of Manchester City is the most spectacular injection of cash by an owner to buy rapid success in football history – anathema to traditionalists and influential German clubs that are still owned by their supporters and have always sought to break even, financially – inside City, they pride themselves on having done things professionally and properly.

Uefa's break-even rules – the stated aim of which is to encourage financial responsibility and dampen down player wage inflation – limits clubs' losses to €45m between 2011 and 2013. City are understood to be adamant, however, that their £151m loss is brought within that much smaller limit after they discount major expenditure on youth development, community work and infrastructure, which is allowed by Uefa to encourage long-term progression.

The rules also say clubs will be considered "favourably" if their £37m deficit is due to their loss in 2011-12, and was due to player wages on contracts signed before the rules came into force. City, who lost £99m in 2011-12 and £52m in 2012-13, are understood to believe this applies to their situation.

Galling to City was the apparent Uefa determination that the sponsorships with Abu Dhabi companies – including the airline Etihad's £35m a year naming rights for the stadium, shirt and new training campus – are not "fair value"; that they are more lucrative given their connections with Mansour. City insist their sponsorships were properly agreed, and that Etihad receives good value, as opposed to the Qatar tourist authority's €200m per year deal with Paris Saint-Germain, which looks flagrantly overpriced.

Uefa's investigators are also thought not to have accepted the two deals that City's accounts stated had earned them £47m in 2012-13: £22m selling their branding, football and other expertise to their own women's and New York teams; £25m selling players' image rights to third-party agencies. Again, City executives argued these were genuine transactions for good corporate reasons.

More generally, they argue that they have shaped their football project the right way, whatever people feel about the gulf states' extraordinary super-funding to claim English and European trophies. They point to City's extensive community activities and the enormous campus – a £200m development on 80 acres taking concrete shape across Ashton New Road – where they will aim to develop young players. One corner, on 5.5 acres, has been given to a new college, sports centre and swimming pool, at a £20m cost to City, improving a blighted area of east Manchester.

After the loadsamoney talk of the first few days after Mansour's 2008 takeover – fronted then by the Dubai entrepreneur Sulaiman Al Fahim – Al Mubarak, a senior government advisor on his country's image and strategy, has steered a more seemly course, Manchester City being the most far-reaching, globally televised projection of Abu Dhabi. The country has been criticised by human rights groups alleging a repressive crackdown on dissent – long prison sentences for people found guilty in disputed trials of planning to overthrow the ruling regime – and for the historically low pay and poor conditions of migrant workers. In Manchester, they have been keen not to put a foot wrong: City are the only Premier League club committed to paying all staff a recognised living wage.

Across Manchester, the Glazer family bought United with £525m of borrowed money and have caused almost £700m to drain out of the club in interest, fees and other charges. Yet, because that has not pushed United into big losses in 2011-13, they face no sanction.

Uefa do approve of City's community investment, but, simply put, the club breached the rules, which were agreed in 2010 by the 200 top clubs in the European Club Association, and the European Professional Football Leagues, which includes the Premier League.

Eight of the nine clubs sanctioned, including PSG, have apparently settled, but City's ownership faced down Friday's deadline. They expect to win the Premier League on Sunday, and face Uefa again on Monday. Such is the state of the new Manchester City.

Manchester City crowned champions on EPL final day

Manchester City are the champions of England once more after clinching the EPL title on the season's final day.

City defeated West Ham 2-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium Sunday putting them out of reach of second placed Liverpool who themselves defeated Newcastle United 2-1 at Anfield.

Goals from Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany gave City the victory on a day that was less dramatic than the last time the blue half of Manchester secured the Premier League crown (City scored two injury time goals against QPR to win the title in the final game of the 2012 season) but the celebrations were just as jubilant and colorful.

Triumphant City fans invaded the pitch to congratulate their heroes at the final whistle, setting off flares and blue smoke bombs before clearing away so the trophy could be presented.

"It's an amazing feeling. There is no word to explain our feeling right now," City's French midfielder, Nasri told Sky Sports after the final whistle.

I'm just so happy for the manager (Manuel Pellegrini) as well because its his first title in Europe. He's done an amazing job. He remained calm all season."

The triumph marks City's second title win in three seasons but just the fourth in the clubs 134-year-history.

Bankrolled by the immense wealth of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the Abu Dhabi Investment Group, City have been a near unstoppable attacking force all year.

Big money signings such as Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, David Silva and Samir Nasri -- all brought to the club in the time since Sheikh Mansour's reign began in 2008 -- have each been outstanding.

"I manage a great group of players and a great institution," said City manager, Pellegrini. "(It's a) very special group. Maybe they were in a difficult moment when I arrived. They believe in the way I play and we try to play the year in the right way."

"This whole year comes from a lot of work without and within ... at the last, this was the best team in the league.

City's captain Vincent Kompany added to his manager's sentiments: "I'm so happy. I think this team has more than just talent. It's got heart and real soul."

Liverpool fall short

Over at Anfield, the mood was decidedly less celebratory despite the home side coming from behind to beat Newcastle United 2-1.

Eleven consecutive victories had made Liverpool favorites for the title before they dropped points at home to Chelsea and then away Crystal Palace in recent weeks.

Victory on the final day means they finish the season two points behind City in second place.

Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard was magnanimous in defeat although put perspective on what was ultimately a successful year for the Anfield club whose main aim was to finish in the top four and secure a Champions League place for next season.

"(I'm) absolutely devastated, I can't sugar coat it. (But) we can't be too down its been a fantastic season. We need to bounce back and try go one better (next year)."

"We have to congratulate Manchester City. They been the best over 38 games so congratulations to them."

Manager Brendan Rodgers echoed Gerrard's sentiments: "We've been on an incredible journey this year."

"To get to the top four was the aim. Its a real compliment that people have seen us challenging," Rodgers added.

Final day roundup

Elsewhere in England, Norwich City's relegation was confirmed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal.

The Canaries required victory and a massive swing in goal difference to have any chance of beating the drop.

Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson, however, ensured Arsenal would go into the FA Cup final with Hull in two week's time in buoyant mood.

The only team that Norwich could have caught, West Brom, lost 2-1 at home to Stoke although the result was of little relevance due to Arsenal's victory.

Ryan Giggs' time in temporary charge of Manchester United came to an end with a 1-1 draw at Southampton. England striker Rickie Lambert gave the Saints the lead before Juan Mata equalized for United.

Giggs is widely expected to be replaced in the United hotseat by current coach of the Dutch national team, Louis van Gaal in the coming weeks.

Everton secured fifth position and a place in next season's Europa League with a 2-0 victory away to Hull City while Tottenham overcame Aston Villa 3-0 at White Hart Lane.

In the day's remaining fixtures, Chelsea came from behind to beat already relegated Cardiff City, Fulham and Crystal Palace drew 2-2 while Swansea defeated in-form Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Real Madrid top soccer's rich list

Not only are Manchester United's fortunes sliding on the pitch, their fortune could also be dwindling off it.

Despite seeing a rise in revenue to $574 million, for the first time in 17 years they can no longer count themselves among the top three richest football clubs in the world.

For an organization that once spent eight years on top of the annual money table -- compiled by business advisory firm Deloitte -- it represents a financial blow for one of soccer's most decorated clubs.

Spanish giants Real Madrid came top for a record ninth consecutive year -- despite winning no silverware last season -- with a total revenue of $702 million, $47 million ahead of domestic rivals Barcelona in second.

Chelsea's Premier League title hopes dip

Even when Chelsea held a nine-point lead over Manchester City atop English football's Premier League, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho always maintained his team wasn't the favorite.

He is being proved right -- with Saturday not helping the Blues.

Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 loss at relegation threatened Crystal Palace and hours later saw Manchester City gain a point thanks to a 1-1 draw at Arsenal. It might have been worse for Chelsea, since City led 1-0.

"I think it is now impossible to win the title," Mourinho told Sky Sports before the Manchester City game. "We depend too much on other results."

Chelsea still leads the standings by a point over Liverpool and two over City but City has two games in hand and Liverpool will go top if it earns a point Sunday at home against Tottenham.

Manchester City, fresh off a convincing victory in the Manchester derby, took a deserved lead in London in the 18th minute when David Silva was the quickest to react after Edin Dzeko's left-footed shot struck the post.

Arsenal appeared listless, perhaps the result of losing 6-0 at Chelsea last week and then dropping more points against Swansea.

But the Gunners were a different side in the second half, leveling through defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini in the 53rd. And Arsenal almost took the lead, Joe Hart stopping Lukas Podolski with City creaking.

In the end City seemed happy to take a point judging by manager Manuel Pellegrini's substitutions.

"We played better in the first half," Pellegrini told Sky Sports.

Although Chelsea tallied more than 20 shots, only two were on goal and none managed to beat keeper Julian Speroni. Speroni twice thwarted Chelsea's offensive star, Eden Hazard.

John Terry, so solid for Chelsea this season, gave Palace a valuable three points with an own goal in the 52nd minute.

Mourinho didn't blame Terry and in fact praised his four main defenders as a whole. However, he added: "You have other players who are fantastic in some matches and disappear in other matches."

Manchester United has struggled in its first season under David Moyes but there were boos when a banner flew above Old Trafford calling for the Scot's departure.

Wayne Rooney -- a week after his wonder goal from the halfway mark against West Ham -- scored twice in United's 4-1 lunchtime win over Aston Villa. Rooney was substituted in the second half, days ahead of United's Champions League quarterfinal against title holder Bayern Munich.

Elsewhere, English trio Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana shone for Southampton again in a 4-0 home win against Newcastle; and relegation contenders West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City played to a 3-3 draw after both scored deep in injury time.

Stoke and Swansea further eased their relegation worries by defeating Hull 1-0 and Norwich 3-0, respectively

Michael Schumacher shows 'moments of consciousness and awakening'

He has been in a medically induced coma for over three months, but former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has shown "moments of consciousness and awakening," his agent said Friday.

Schumacher, 45, suffered severe head trauma in a skiing accident at the French Alps resort of Meribel on December 29.

His agent Sabine Kehm's latest update follows recent unsourced newspaper reports describing Schumacher's medical condition in more gloomy terms.

"Michael is making progress on his way," said Kehm. "He shows moments of consciousness and awakening.

"We are on his side during his long and difficult fight, together with the team of the hospital in Grenoble, and we keep remaining confident."

A seven-time world champion whose F1 career ended in 2012, Schumacher has been treated in Grenoble, France, since his accident.

But recently, former Formula 1 chief doctor Dr. Gary Hartstein said the prognosis for Schumacher was grave.

"As time goes on, it becomes less and less likely that Michael will emerge to any significant extent," he said in a March 24 blog post.

The "longer one remains in a vegetative state, the less the likelihood of emerging, and the higher the chances of severe ramifications if the patient does in fact emerge.

"Most definitions consider the vegetative state to be permanent one year after the injury.

"Patients who are in a persistent/permanent vegetative state have lifespans that are measured in months to a few years.

"This depends on baseline function (extraordinary in the case of Michael, of course), the quality of nursing care, and other imponderables. They usually die of respiratory or urinary infections. Longer survivals have been described, but are exceptional."

In early January, a French prosecutor investigating the accident said that speed was not a reason for Schumacher's fall.

His investigative team says it thinks the experienced skier hit a rock hidden beneath the snow while traversing an area between two marked pistes, which catapulted him face first onto another rock.

Schumacher ended up 9 meters (30 feet) from the edge of the piste, prosecutor Patrick Quincy said.

Footage from a small camera attached to Schumacher's helmet has been used to help the investigators' analysis.

As in Kehm's previous statements, Schumacher's agent asked the media to respect the privacy of the F1 legend's family.

"We would like to thank you all for the continuous sympathies," Kehm said. "At the same time, we again ask for understanding that we do not intend to disclose details.

"This is necessary to protect the privacy of Michael and his family, and to enable the medical team to work in full calmness."

Australia leads Flight 370 search

Four weeks to the day since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing, the trawling for clues goes on.

The search for physical evidence continues Saturday -- both on the surface of the southern Indian Ocean and deep below it.

The search for digital clues on the hard drives of a flight simulator in the home of one of the pilots turned up nothing conclusive. There was no "we got it" information, a U.S. official with knowledge of the investigation told CNN late Friday.

There were some "curious" things, given the situation, the official said. The captain, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, had programmed several alternate routes into the simulator, but it appeared he had done so to come up with safe plans of action in case of emergencies aboard the plane, the official said.

The searches appear to be what an experienced and professional pilot would do, the official said.

In the choppy waters of the Indian Ocean, the hunt is not letting up.

The British Royal Navy survey ship HMS Echo and the Australian naval supply ship Ocean Shield began scouring for the plane's pingers and possible wreckage about 6,500 feet to 13,000 feet deep on the ocean floor Friday.

The search was along a single 150-mile (240-kilometer) track, said retired Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, the head of the Australian agency coordinating the operation.

Time is ticking fast to find the missing Boeing 777's locator pingers: If functioning as expected, their batteries will run out of juice in the next few days.

The Ocean Shield has high-tech gear borrowed from the United States. That includes a Bluefin-21, which can scour the ocean floor for wreckage, and a Towed Pinger Locator 25, with its underwater microphone to detect pings from the jet's voice and data recorders as deep as 20,000 feet (6,100 meters).

"It is a very slow proceeding," U.S. Navy Capt. Mark M. Matthews said of the second tool, which is towed behind a vessel typically moving at 1 to 5 knots.

Bill Schofield, an Australian scientist who worked on developing flight data recorders, said: "If they do find it, I think it'll be remarkable."

Up to 10 military planes and three civilian aircraft -- in addition to 11 ships -- will be looking Saturday for any sign of Flight 370, according to the Australian government.

The search area will be just under 84,000 square miles (217,000 square kilometers), which is slightly less than the area searched Friday, and will focus some 1,050 miles northwest of Perth. This is about 50 miles further from the western Australian city than was the case a day earlier.

Is this the right spot? Will they find anything? So far, all efforts to locate signs of the airliner have proven unsuccessful. Still, those involved have vowed to keep trying.

"Really, the best we can do right now is put these assets in the best location -- the best guess we have -- and kind of let them go," U.S. Navy Cmdr. William Marks told CNN. "Until we get conclusive evidence of debris, it is just a guess."

'Long way to go'

Officials have repeatedly warned that the massive international search to find signs of the Kuala Lumpur-to-Beijing flight may not conclude any time soon.

In the case of Air France Flight 447, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in 2009, officials found debris on the surface after five days of searching. But it took them nearly two years to find the main pieces of wreckage, the flight recorders and many of the bodies of those on board.

With Flight 370, the search teams have even fewer clues.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott warned that "we cannot be certain of ultimate success in the search" for the Malaysian aircraft. He described it as the most difficult search "in human history."

Authorities have yet to explain why the plane flew off course or where it ended up.

Investigations into the 227 passengers and 12 crew members have yielded no suggestion that any of them might have been behind the disappearance.

Kolej Tun Perak (TPK)

Hah ni kolej tun perak kat uitm kampus alor gajah macam2 cita misteri kat sini. Kolej ni untuk budak part 1 yang baru masuk. Senior saya kat sini kata kat ground floor ade nenek kebayan.gan ade budak kecik pompuan. Saya nak kongsi pengalaman misteri yang pernah saya alami di sini . Setiap kali kul 3 pagi ke atas entiti amat amat lah aktif . Saya pernah terserempak gan entiti ini yang berbentuk seorang wanita tua yang lebih famous lagi gan panggilan nenek kebayan.Tapi tak lama lah sebab bilik saya kat ground floor jadi saya dah biasa gan entiti ini.Senior di sini ade beri tahu kat saya kalau kita terserempak gan dia kita kena  buat tak tahu.Sem ni ramai juga yang kene rasuk pengalaman paling mengerikan apabila saya lihat sendiri bagaimana keadaan pelajar yang di rasuk .