วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 17 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2551

Capello pledges co-operation in tax probe

England coach Fabio Capello has promised the Italian authorities his full co-operation during their tax investigation.
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The Football Association have been quick to confirm they are taking Capello's assurances of no wrongdoing at face value.
Soho Square officials certainly do not expect the investigation to have any effect on Capello's focus ahead of his opening game in charge, against Switzerland on February 6.
And Capello is fairly laid back about the situation too, even if the process is likely to prove long-winded.
Close associates have vowed to work with the authorities and Capello is convinced their conclusions will unearth nothing of major significance.
'With my advisors, I have always endeavoured to conduct my financial business with integrity,' said Capello.
'I have assured the Football Association today that my finances are in order and that I am not aware of any matters which would be of concern.
'I understand that these inquiries in Italy are part of a wider investigation into the finances of many high-profile individuals.'
Although Capello spends a lot of time in Switzerland, it has been stressed that at no stage has he been resident in the country for tax purposes.
Nevertheless, someone who has been so highly paid for such a long time is bound to have his wealth spread about, so it could be months before a definitive conclusion is reached.
It is believed Capello already knew about the investigation into payments made to the England coach during his time at Juventus between 2004 and 2006.
However, public confirmation of the work, which is part of a wide-ranging investigation into the finances of major figures in Italy, sparked immediate fears of Capello, who has yet to complete a fortnight as Steve McClaren's successor, being dragged into a major scandal, causing huge embarrassment for the FA.
This now appears not to be the case, so, having negotiated a satisfying World Cup qualifying campaign in Zagreb on Monday, Capello is now finalising arrangements for two friendlies in May - one of which will be at Wembley, possibly against Scotland - as well as potential opponents for a game on August 20, the final outing England will have before they tackle Andorra and major Group Six rivals Croatia at the start of their bid to reach the 2010 Finals in South Africa.
Capello is also taking the opportunity to watch as many players as possible ahead of his first squad announcement, which will almost certainly be made at the start of next month.
The FA have confirmed England will wear black armbands during the Switzerland encounter, which takes place exactly 50 years after the Munich air crash.
Pictures of the eight Manchester United players killed will also be shown on the big screens at Wembley, although there are no plans to hold a minute's silence even though there were four England internationals among the victims - including Duncan Edwards, at the time the youngest player to represent the Three Lions and widely regarded as one of the finest players to have ever done so.
However, the FA are angrily denying suggestions that the move was due to fears that England fans would fail to observe the silence.
'The FA has been liaising closely with Manchester United over the appropriate arrangements to mark the Munich anniversary at Wembley on February 6,' added the spokesman.
'It has been agreed that images of the Busby Babes will be shown on the large screens before the game and the England players will wear black armbands during the match.
'Both the FA and the club are happy with the mark of respect we are showing and feel it is appropriate.'

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