Or so says Darren Bent. The Sunderland striker recently swore off Twitter after claiming that the 140-character-or-less social networking site was a “distraction” to himself and  his relegation-threatened teammates.

“I had a good chat with the manager recently and I just thought with the run we’re on at the moment, I needed to get rid of the distractions,” Bent told the Sunderland Echo. “I have to solely focus on getting Sunderland out of the relegation battle and I have shut the Twitter down. I don’t even go on it any more to look at what other people are posting.”

Well, I guess when it comes from a guy called “DBTheTruth” it has to be…true.

Tags: Darren Bent, Premier League, Sunderland, twitter

I don’t really get this story, but according to ESPN Soccernet, David Beckham cost the people of New Zealand $1.46 million. Apparently an exhibition match between Beck’s LA Galaxy and the Oceania “All-Stars” (yeah, those guys) failed to generate enough revenue, and now Kiwi taxpayers have to foot the remainder of whatever it cost to put on the game.

“The decision to promote the L.A. Galaxy event was made without a formal business strategy or a clear policy about the level of commercial risk that the council was willing to assume,” said New Zealand Auditor General Phillippa Smith. “We conclude that, despite the efforts of the council officers involved, the loss occurred because the L.A. Galaxy/Oceania ‘All Stars’ match was in essence the wrong event, at the wrong time, for the wrong price.”

And in other news, some Italian chick grabbed Beckham’s crotch. Video below:

Beck Ball Touch

Tags: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, New Zealand, Oceania All-Stars

Apparently all it takes is a little off-field happiness to transform a player from overpaid bust back to FIFA World Player of the Year. Or so seems to be the case with Ronaldinho.

Explaining his recent resurgence (6 goals in the past 3 games), the AC Milan midfielder said, “I feel the love and so I am happy. I step onto the field happy and everything goes smoothly from there.”

Turn up the Bobby McFerrin!

Tags: AC Milan, Ronaldinho, Serie A

So, looks like Daniel Sturridge may cost Chelsea a pretty British Pound. The Professional Football Compensation Committee ruled that the east Londoners owe Manchester City 3.5M for the July 2009 transfer and that number could balloon up to 7M if Sturridge reaches certain milestones.

Apparently, the two sides failed to reach an amount on an initial fee, and, as a result of Sturridge’s age, City is now due compensation.

That makes sense…

Tags: Chelsea FC, Daniel Sturridge, EPL, manchester city, Premier League

Yup, Sol Campbell, the guy who dropped Notts County faster than NBC dropped that awesome idea to have Leno on at 10pm , officially returned to Arsenal on Tuesday, the club that he called home from 2001-2006. Apparently, Campbell will play a few games with the reserves before Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger decides if the former England national is ready for the big, grassy stage.

In other news, Arsenal’s reserve team defeated West Ham’s backups 2-0 today.

Tags: Arsenal, arsene wenger, English Premier League, notts county, premiership, reserves, sol campbell, west hame

The group stage draws for the Champions League are in, and barring a few exceptions, the Premiership clubs again look like the favorites to make deep runs. In case you don’t feel like doing anything strenuous (like clicking a link), here’s some of the more interesting opening round pairings:

Inter and Barcelona in in Group F
Real Madrid and AC Milan in Group C
Unirea Urziceni and VfB Stuttgart in Group G

Wait a minute…

Tags: AC Milan, Barcelona, Champions League, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, UEFA

That’s right folks, Carlos Tevez claims Manchester United be scurred to play Manchester City.  In a recent interview, the Argentine striker continued his war-of-words against his former squad and, in particular, Man U manager Sir Alex Ferguson:

“Ferguson is history for me but I know that he is scared of playing against us,” Tevez told Globoesporte. “It’s dangerous for Ferguson’s objectives and for him to criticise Manchester City.”

Here’s some more kind words from Willow to A-Ferg:

“[Manchester City manager] Mark Hughes is only focused on his work and the team, he doesn’t get involved in the negotiations,” Willow said. “He has been a football player so there is a big difference in the way he treats each player.”

Tags: Carlos Tevez, manchester city, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson

Coverage starts at 4:00pm EST on Telemundo, mun2, and Futbol de Primera Radio for USA vs Mexico World Cup Qualifying match. Plan accordingly.

Side note: First time in history ESPN will be doing a live 30-min pre-game show (3:30pm EST) for a soccer match not airing on its network. Interest.

Tags: CONCACAF, el tri, ESPN, mexico men's national team, USA Men's National Team, world cup qualifying

Or so says Ex-Brit PM and Toon fan Tony Blair. For a guy who led through the London bombings, the Iraq War, and W’s presidency, calling the state of a football club “a tragedy” seems a bit excessive. Then again, Newcastle did get relegated…

Tags: Newcastle United, Tony Blair

Look yourself in the mirror and say, “I’ve sold exactly as many jerseys in the Man U Megastore as Michael Owen.” Yeah, it’s true. According to an employee, the U’s team store has received exactly ZERO requests for an Owen jersey (in case you don’t know, Owen signed with the squad earlier this month).

If it’s any consolation to the former Liverpool/England national team star, at least he can’t get any less popular with Red Devil fans…right?

Tags: Man U, Manchester United, Michael Owen

Following up on an early Soccerati post, looks like that little book on David Beckham (the aptly titled The Beckham Experiment) might cause some serious relationship issues for the LA Galaxy.

In the book, LA team-mate Landon Donovan calls out Becks’ commitment to the Galaxy and the British international’s leadership skills.

“Maybe he’s not a leader, maybe he’s not a captain,” LD says. “Fair enough. But at minimum, you should bust your ass everyday. That hasn’t happened. And I don’t think that’s too much to expect. Especially when he’s brought all this on us.”

Oh no he didn’t!

The damage control on Donovan v. Beckham should be fun to watch.  Stay tuned for more.

Yup, the Spanish giants just reached an agreement to add Lyon forward Karim Benzema to the squad. Los Blancos shelled out 30 million GBP (yawn) for the French 21-year-old.

GALACTICOS UNITE…AGAIN!

Tags: Karim Benzema, Lyon, Real Madrid

Or it’s a done “world-record setting” deal to be more precise. That’s right, Man U and Real Madrid officially completed the 80 million GBP (how the heck do you make the Pound sign on a computer) transfer of Cristiano “The Bad Guy” Ronaldo from the Red Devils to the Los Blancos.

The done deal comes only days after Real unveiled Kaka as the newest member of Los Merengues (so many nicknames). 

GALACTICOS UNITE!

Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Real Madrid

Or at least that’s what former Blues coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is doing regarding his sacking from Chelsea. Big Phil feels his demise came about because Didier Drogba, along with Petr Cech and Michael Ballack, failed to show the Brazilian any respect as a head coach.

“The people sacked are always the coaches. The main players already know this. That was my problem at Chelsea. Drogba, Ballack and Cech did not accept my training methods or my demands.”

Awwww, does Big Phil need a hug?

Tags: Chelsea FC, Didier Drogba, luiz felipe scolari, michael ballack, petr cech

We won! We won! No seriously, we won. The US scored a huge upset today by defeating the #1 team in the world, ESPANA! The win (thanks to goals from Jozy Altidore & Clint Dempsey) means our guys advance to the finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup where they’ll face either Brazil or host country South Africa.

US v Spain Highlights

Last week, the US need a stars-and-moons-aligned miracle just to get out of the group stage and now they’re playing in the finals. Man, I love soccer.

Tags: Brazil, clint dempsey, confederations cup, jozy altidore, south africa, Spain, USA

Ok, so former World Player of the Year and Inter Milan-er Luis Figo recently retired from “high level” soccer and now wants to spend his golden years…playing for the Chinese Super League? Yeah, here’s an exact quote from the Portuguese international:

“I am also happy to accept offers from CSL clubs.”

Ummm…ok, or you could just retire.

By the way, the name Chinese Super League rocks. I suggest we change the NBA to the FSBA or the F’ing Sweet Basketball Association.

Tags: Chinese Super League, Inter Milan, Luis Figo, Serie A

Following the boozy arrest of defender Ledley King, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, Harry Redknapp, plans to instill a club-wide ban on alcohol next season.

In future news, Totttenham Hotspur fail to sign any players with a desire to get laid.

PS If you plan on getting stumble bum drunk and tossed out of a nightclub, probably not the best idea to wear suits with your team’s logo on the lapel.

Tags: Harry Redknapp, Ledley King, Tottenham Hotspur

Or they’re in talks with Barcelona about a 40 million GBP transfer for star striker Samuel Eto’o. Or not. Wait, now I’m confused.  Man City – are you trying to buy this guy or not?

Tags: Barcelona, manchester city, Samuel Eto'o

Yeah, David Beckham’s an international celebrity, but in LA he’s just another dude with a nice haircut and well-tanned trophy wife. Or so says a new book by SI writer Grant Wahl.

In The Beckham Experiment, Wahl chronicles Beck’s time in Los Angeles, and apparently that time included D.B. being denied a glass of wine because he failed to produce a valid ID. Shocking!

In all seriousness, the book does provide some juicy insights like Beckham’s icy relationship with teammate Landon Donovan and an alleged “shadow takeover” of the Galaxy by the English international’s management company 19 Entertainment.

Double shocking!

Tags: David Beckham, Los Angeles Galaxy, the beckham experiment

Which means Bayern Munich v Barcelona will be on ESPN360.  Plan accordingly.

Tags: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC, ESPN, Soccer on TV, uefa champions league