Hamburg fined 35,000 euros

German club Hamburger SV have been fined €35,000 by the DFB Discplinary Panel for the behaviour of their supporters against Werder Bremen’s Frank Baumann when the two clubs met in the Bundesliga on November 23.

Werder skipper Baumann was struck on the left cheekbone by a mobile phone battery thrown from the crowd at the Nordbank Arena. Hamburg won the game 2-1, with goals coming from Jose Guerrero and Ivica Olic.

This is not the first time that Hamburg have had to pay a fine.

In October 2006, they were ordered to pay €20,000 after a glass bottle hit Bremen keeper Tim Wiese in the face.

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Cristiano Ronaldo wins Ballon D’Or

Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2008 Ballon D’Or award, according to an announcement made by French magazine France Football at 0200 GMT. Ronaldo picked up a massive 446 votes out of a possible 480, and was the only player on the lists of all the 96 journalists. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi came second with 267 votes, while Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was third with 165 votes. Ronaldo is the fourth Manchester United player to win the award, after Dennis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best. He is only the third Portuguese player to bag the coveted award after Eusebio in 1965 and Luis Figo in 2000.

Ronaldo was instrumental in Manchester United winning the double in the 2007-08 season
Ronaldo was instrumental in Manchester United winning the double in the 2007-08 season

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FA Cup 2008/09 Third Round Draw

The draw for the third round of the FA Cup has been made. Defending champions Portsmouth are up against Bristol City. Three all Premiership ties- Sunderland against Bolton, Hull vs Newcastle and Spurs vs Wigan. Histon, who shocked Leeds United in the second round, have drawn Swansea.

Here are the ties ( Bold indicates all Premiership ties)

    Portsmouth v Bristol City

    Sheffield Wed v Fulham

    Preston v Liverpool

    Birmingham v Wolves

    West Ham v Barnsley

    Middlesbrough v Barrow

    Hull v Newcastle

    Hartlepool v Stoke

    Chelsea v Southend

    Man City v Nottm Forest

    Cardiff v Reading

    Ipswich v Chesterfield/ Droylsden

    Charlton v Norwich

    West Brom v Peterborough United / Tranmere Rovers

    Torquay v Blackpool

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