Fair Proxy Web

Hicks demands Parry quits Liverpool role

LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has asked chief executive Rick Parry to resign from his post at the club.

The request is the latest twist in the tumultuous relationship between Hicks and co-owner George Gillett — who has been closely aligned with Parry.

Parry, who sat with the Gillett family during Tuesday’s Champions League win over Arsenal, vowed to fight on after 10 years in the job.

It is my intention to remain focused on the job of serving Liverpool Football Club to the best of my abilities at this very important time of our season, Parry said.

Hicks is believed to be unhappy with Parry’s ability to run the club. His main concerns are supposedly that Parry is slow and unresponsive when dealing with manager Rafa Benitez and the signing of players, and that he is disrespectful to fans, particularly over tickets for last season’s Champions League final.

Despite being England’s most decorated club, the five-time European champions lag behind their global rivals in terms of generating revenue and recent success on the field.

Liverpool have not won the title for 18 years and are only likely to finish fourth this season — but the latest breakdown comes only days after they advanced to the Champions League semifinals against English rivals Chelsea.

The acrimonious spat between Hicks and Gillett has unsettled the Dubai consortium vying for control, and Dubai Capital International chief executive Sameer Al Ansari has halted all talks for now.

You have two partners who do not see eye to eye and we decided that we pull out completely, Ansari said. Let them sort out their problems.

Gillett had been close to sealing a deal with DIC. We will continue to be interested and would love to own the club, Ansari said.

But we are not going to put ourselves in a difficult situation where we make the investment but we have no control over the destiny of the club and we cannot influence the success of the club. Unfortunately, the terms that have been put on the table do not allow us to do that.

Hicks has threatened to veto Gillett selling his 50 per cent stake to DIC, while working to raise the capital through his sports group to buy his partner out.

The Americans bought Liverpool for 218.9 million in March 2007, but their relationship rapidly unraveled following the sounding out of Juergen Klinsmann as a potential replacement for Benitez and Hicks’ rebuffing of DIC.

A 350 million financing package in January left the club with debts of 105m.

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has failed to overturn the extended two-match ban handed to him by the English Football Association last month.

Mascherano was found guilty of improper conduct after being sent off at Manchester United on March 23, banned for two extra games and fined 15,000.

He appealed on the grounds that the punishment was excessive but this was dismissed and he will now finish his ban by sitting out Sunday’s Premier League match against Blackburn.

Mascherano appeared to question referee Steve Bennett’s decision to caution Fernando Torres at Old Trafford and was then shown a second yellow card himself for dissent.

The Argentine, who admitted the charge, initially refused to leave the pitch. E-mail to a friend

found here.

Rock fears force changes to Tour de France

(CNN) — Tour de France organizers have been forced to make changes to the route of this year’s race because of fears of falling rocks.

Officials were worried about threats to the safety of riders during the planned four-kilometer (2.5-mile) climb up the Col de Larche during the 15th stage, according to the race’s official Web site.

They have now decided to switch the leg, which was due to start at Digne-les-Bains on July 20, to leave from Embrun.

Instead of facing the Col de Larche, the pack will have to face the climb up the Col d’Agnel, whose altitude is 2744 meters (9,000 feet).

The stage will be 30 km shorter than planned, taking off from Embrun and heading the 185 km to Prato Nevoso.

The organizers of the Tour de France have decided, after speaking to the local authorities and following the recommendations of the State departments, to modify the itinerary in order to guarantee the security of the riders, the spectators and the followers of the Tour, a statement said.

The risk of rock falls on about 4km of the course was known for several months and all the parties concerned were trying to find a solution.

Unfortunately, three months before the start of the Tour, the works considered could not guarantee the necessary security for the passage of the race, and based on the time necessary for the study of a new course, wisdom commanded to change the itinerary.

The race will begin in Brittany on July 5 and conclude on the Champs-Elysees on July 27, with 20 teams having entered.

There will be 21 stages: 10 on the flat; nine at varying mountain altitudes; and two individual time-trials.
found here.

Route changes, scuffles mark Olympic torch relay

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) — Heavy security surrounded runners taking part in the controversial Olympic torch relay in San Francisco Wednesday, as the threat of violent protests prompted officials to make dramatic last-minute changes.

Plans to hold a waterfront closing ceremony were abruptly canceled.

Thousands of people who had gathered at Justin Herman Park to watch, to support China or to protest China’s record on human rights and its crackdown in Tibet began leaving the site.

The announcement came during a day in which the torch’s trek through the city was shortened and its path altered to try to minimize the chances that protesters would mar the event.

Anti-Chinese protesters and Beijing supporters lined the streets along the planned route hours ahead of the start of the relay.

The torch was lit in a short ceremony at ATT Park in front of hundreds of pro-Chinese supporters who waved Chinese, American and Olympic flags. Watch the lighting ceremony

But from the park, the runners, accompanied by Chinese security forces, went into a security warehouse and the torch disappeared from public view for about 45 minutes.

Vehicles were later seen leaving the building.

The torch was driven to a nearby neighborhood, where the runners began the relay.

There was a disproportionate concentration of people in and around the start of the relay, Mayor Gavin Newsom told The Associated Press.

Dozens of police and security team members flanked the runners and took very decisive action when protesters tried to get close to the torch, CNN’s Thelma Gutierrez reported. Watch Gutierrez’s account of the relay

There were several scuffles between police and demonstrators along the route. One torchbearer also got into trouble by displaying a Tibetan flag.

The Chinese security and cops were on me like white on rice, it was no joke, Majora Carter told the AP. They pulled me out of the race, and then San Francisco police officers pushed me back into the crowd on the side of the street.

Activists were in town from both camps: People who believe the Olympics should not be held in China and those who support the event. Watch a Chinese torchbearer train and tell why she’s running

The only U.S. stop for the torch relay was San Francisco, where it wrapped up the first week of a 23-city international tour.

The flame’s worldwide trip from Greece to Beijing has attracted thousands of protesters, many of whom want to focus world attention on China’s human rights record, its actions in Tibet and its close relationship with Sudan.

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided he would not attend the opening ceremony in Beijing in August.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate, has called on President Bush to follow Brown’s lead.

The White House was vague as to whether Bush, who is slated to attend the Olympics, would attend the ceremony.

It is way too far in advance for us to announce the president’s schedule, White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters.

Clinton also called on her rivals, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, not to attend the ceremonies.

Obama has not announced whether he will attend the games, but has said the United States should take a stronger stance against China.

In our policy towards China, we have not been consistent enough and tough enough in pushing them to deal with Tibet properly and also to their continued support of Sudan, a country that has been engaged in genocide against the peoples of Darfur, he said.

Obama has said he has expressed his concerns to Bush.

McCain’s campaign said the president should evaluate the situation as it evolves and ought to keep his options open.

McCain has condemned China’s oppression of Tibet and has called on Beijing to open dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

On Capitol Hill, those calls for dialogue were echoed in a House resolution demanding China end its crackdown in Tibet. The passing measure was introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who also called on Bush to consider boycotting the opening ceremony.

When people consider whether they want to go to that opening party and give credibility and face to the Chinese government, I hope they remember that there’s not a party going on among the refugees in Darfur, where people are living in subhuman conditions, she said.

For its part, China — which blacked out domestic airing of news coverage about the crackdown in Tibet — broadcast video showing the controversy over the Olympic flame in detail.

Beijing organizers have said the monthlong international relay will go on despite the protests, but some International Olympic Committee members have suggested considering an early end.

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board will take up the topic of the torch relay in general Thursday or Friday, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. But there is no proposal to end the global tour early, she said.

Liu Jingmin, vice president of the Beijing organizing committee, said the Olympic torch has been warmly welcomed by the local people in each city.

He said the organizers are confident that the Beijing Olympics torch relay in overseas cities will be carried out successfully.

China’s Foreign Ministry has reacted more forcefully.

We express our strong condemnation to the deliberate disruption of the Olympic torch relay by Tibetan separatist forces regardless of the Olympic spirit and the law of Britain and France, China spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.

Their despicable activities tarnish the lofty Olympic spirit and challenge all the people loving the Olympic Games around the world.

Beijing blames the Dalai Lama and his followers for violence that erupted in March amid protests for Tibetan independence.

China has drawn international criticism for its crackdown on the demonstrations, which began peacefully on the 49th anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising.
found here.

Route changes, scuffles mark Olympic torch relay

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) — Heavy security surrounded runners taking part in the controversial Olympic torch relay in San Francisco Wednesday, as the threat of violent protests prompted officials to make dramatic last-minute changes.

Plans to hold a waterfront closing ceremony were abruptly canceled.

Thousands of people who had gathered at Justin Herman Park to watch, to support China or to protest China’s record on human rights and its crackdown in Tibet began leaving the site.

The announcement came during a day in which the torch’s trek through the city was shortened and its path altered to try to minimize the chances that protesters would mar the event.

Anti-Chinese protesters and Beijing supporters lined the streets along the planned route hours ahead of the start of the relay.

The torch was lit in a short ceremony at ATT Park in front of hundreds of pro-Chinese supporters who waved Chinese, American and Olympic flags. Watch the lighting ceremony

But from the park, the runners, accompanied by Chinese security forces, went into a security warehouse and the torch disappeared from public view for about 45 minutes.

Vehicles were later seen leaving the building.

The torch was driven to a nearby neighborhood, where the runners began the relay.

There was a disproportionate concentration of people in and around the start of the relay, Mayor Gavin Newsom told The Associated Press.

Dozens of police and security team members flanked the runners and took very decisive action when protesters tried to get close to the torch, CNN’s Thelma Gutierrez reported. Watch Gutierrez’s account of the relay

There were several scuffles between police and demonstrators along the route. One torchbearer also got into trouble by displaying a Tibetan flag.

The Chinese security and cops were on me like white on rice, it was no joke, Majora Carter told the AP. They pulled me out of the race, and then San Francisco police officers pushed me back into the crowd on the side of the street.

Activists were in town from both camps: People who believe the Olympics should not be held in China and those who support the event. Watch a Chinese torchbearer train and tell why she’s running

The only U.S. stop for the torch relay was San Francisco, where it wrapped up the first week of a 23-city international tour.

The flame’s worldwide trip from Greece to Beijing has attracted thousands of protesters, many of whom want to focus world attention on China’s human rights record, its actions in Tibet and its close relationship with Sudan.

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided he would not attend the opening ceremony in Beijing in August.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate, has called on President Bush to follow Brown’s lead.

The White House was vague as to whether Bush, who is slated to attend the Olympics, would attend the ceremony.

It is way too far in advance for us to announce the president’s schedule, White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters.

Clinton also called on her rivals, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, not to attend the ceremonies.

Obama has not announced whether he will attend the games, but has said the United States should take a stronger stance against China.

In our policy towards China, we have not been consistent enough and tough enough in pushing them to deal with Tibet properly and also to their continued support of Sudan, a country that has been engaged in genocide against the peoples of Darfur, he said.

Obama has said he has expressed his concerns to Bush.

McCain’s campaign said the president should evaluate the situation as it evolves and ought to keep his options open.

McCain has condemned China’s oppression of Tibet and has called on Beijing to open dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

On Capitol Hill, those calls for dialogue were echoed in a House resolution demanding China end its crackdown in Tibet. The passing measure was introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who also called on Bush to consider boycotting the opening ceremony.

When people consider whether they want to go to that opening party and give credibility and face to the Chinese government, I hope they remember that there’s not a party going on among the refugees in Darfur, where people are living in subhuman conditions, she said.

For its part, China — which blacked out domestic airing of news coverage about the crackdown in Tibet — broadcast video showing the controversy over the Olympic flame in detail.

Beijing organizers have said the monthlong international relay will go on despite the protests, but some International Olympic Committee members have suggested considering an early end.

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board will take up the topic of the torch relay in general Thursday or Friday, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. But there is no proposal to end the global tour early, she said.

Liu Jingmin, vice president of the Beijing organizing committee, said the Olympic torch has been warmly welcomed by the local people in each city.

He said the organizers are confident that the Beijing Olympics torch relay in overseas cities will be carried out successfully.

China’s Foreign Ministry has reacted more forcefully.

We express our strong condemnation to the deliberate disruption of the Olympic torch relay by Tibetan separatist forces regardless of the Olympic spirit and the law of Britain and France, China spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.

Their despicable activities tarnish the lofty Olympic spirit and challenge all the people loving the Olympic Games around the world.

Beijing blames the Dalai Lama and his followers for violence that erupted in March amid protests for Tibetan independence.

China has drawn international criticism for its crackdown on the demonstrations, which began peacefully on the 49th anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising.
found here.

Route changes, scuffles mark Olympic torch relay

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) — Heavy security surrounded runners taking part in the controversial Olympic torch relay in San Francisco Wednesday, as the threat of violent protests prompted officials to make dramatic last-minute changes.

Plans to hold a waterfront closing ceremony were abruptly canceled.

Thousands of people who had gathered at Justin Herman Park to watch, to support China or to protest China’s record on human rights and its crackdown in Tibet began leaving the site.

The announcement came during a day in which the torch’s trek through the city was shortened and its path altered to try to minimize the chances that protesters would mar the event.

Anti-Chinese protesters and Beijing supporters lined the streets along the planned route hours ahead of the start of the relay.

The torch was lit in a short ceremony at ATT Park in front of hundreds of pro-Chinese supporters who waved Chinese, American and Olympic flags. Watch the lighting ceremony

But from the park, the runners, accompanied by Chinese security forces, went into a security warehouse and the torch disappeared from public view for about 45 minutes.

Vehicles were later seen leaving the building.

The torch was driven to a nearby neighborhood, where the runners began the relay.

There was a disproportionate concentration of people in and around the start of the relay, Mayor Gavin Newsom told The Associated Press.

Dozens of police and security team members flanked the runners and took very decisive action when protesters tried to get close to the torch, CNN’s Thelma Gutierrez reported. Watch Gutierrez’s account of the relay

There were several scuffles between police and demonstrators along the route. One torchbearer also got into trouble by displaying a Tibetan flag.

The Chinese security and cops were on me like white on rice, it was no joke, Majora Carter told the AP. They pulled me out of the race, and then San Francisco police officers pushed me back into the crowd on the side of the street.

Activists were in town from both camps: People who believe the Olympics should not be held in China and those who support the event. Watch a Chinese torchbearer train and tell why she’s running

The only U.S. stop for the torch relay was San Francisco, where it wrapped up the first week of a 23-city international tour.

The flame’s worldwide trip from Greece to Beijing has attracted thousands of protesters, many of whom want to focus world attention on China’s human rights record, its actions in Tibet and its close relationship with Sudan.

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided he would not attend the opening ceremony in Beijing in August.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a Democratic presidential candidate, has called on President Bush to follow Brown’s lead.

The White House was vague as to whether Bush, who is slated to attend the Olympics, would attend the ceremony.

It is way too far in advance for us to announce the president’s schedule, White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters.

Clinton also called on her rivals, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, not to attend the ceremonies.

Obama has not announced whether he will attend the games, but has said the United States should take a stronger stance against China.

In our policy towards China, we have not been consistent enough and tough enough in pushing them to deal with Tibet properly and also to their continued support of Sudan, a country that has been engaged in genocide against the peoples of Darfur, he said.

Obama has said he has expressed his concerns to Bush.

McCain’s campaign said the president should evaluate the situation as it evolves and ought to keep his options open.

McCain has condemned China’s oppression of Tibet and has called on Beijing to open dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

On Capitol Hill, those calls for dialogue were echoed in a House resolution demanding China end its crackdown in Tibet. The passing measure was introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who also called on Bush to consider boycotting the opening ceremony.

When people consider whether they want to go to that opening party and give credibility and face to the Chinese government, I hope they remember that there’s not a party going on among the refugees in Darfur, where people are living in subhuman conditions, she said.

For its part, China — which blacked out domestic airing of news coverage about the crackdown in Tibet — broadcast video showing the controversy over the Olympic flame in detail.

Beijing organizers have said the monthlong international relay will go on despite the protests, but some International Olympic Committee members have suggested considering an early end.

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board will take up the topic of the torch relay in general Thursday or Friday, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. But there is no proposal to end the global tour early, she said.

Liu Jingmin, vice president of the Beijing organizing committee, said the Olympic torch has been warmly welcomed by the local people in each city.

He said the organizers are confident that the Beijing Olympics torch relay in overseas cities will be carried out successfully.

China’s Foreign Ministry has reacted more forcefully.

We express our strong condemnation to the deliberate disruption of the Olympic torch relay by Tibetan separatist forces regardless of the Olympic spirit and the law of Britain and France, China spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.

Their despicable activities tarnish the lofty Olympic spirit and challenge all the people loving the Olympic Games around the world.

Beijing blames the Dalai Lama and his followers for violence that erupted in March amid protests for Tibetan independence.

China has drawn international criticism for its crackdown on the demonstrations, which began peacefully on the 49th anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising.
found here.