By JOHN BOSCHINI
The long-standing rivalry between Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premier League has always been one of the most bitter and dangerous in all of sports but the threat went to a new level yesterday when it was discovered that the bombs sent to the Celtic manager and two supporters were active.
Glasgow police have described the bombs sent to manager Neil Lennon and two supporters as live and designed to cause “significant harm” had they been opened. Four packages, two targeting Lennon, were intercepted at sorting offices on dates ranging from March 9 to earlier this week.
“What is required here is all people, particularly those that love the game of football, unite to condemn such actions and unite to condemn those who abuse football for their pathetic and dangerous prejudices,” Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond told the BBC.
This follows an incident from earlier this year in which Lennon and two Celtic players received bullets in the mail.
Here are some more stories to keep your Wednesday going.
German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will not extend his contract with Schalke, the club confirmed today. Neuer’s contract is up in 2012 and 25-year-old has confirmed that Bayern Munich is interested. Manchester United is also reportedly interested as Edwin van der Sar is retiring at the end of the season.
Schalke, who currently sit 10thin the Bundesliga table, will face Manchester United in the semifinals of the Champions League. Neuer said consistent Champions League play was a factor in his decision.
NO BAN FOR INIESTA
UEFA has ruled that Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will not be banned for an additional game and is free to face Real Madrid. The Spanish international was booked in the first leg of Barcelona’s quarterfinal matchup with Shakhtar Donetsk, leading to suspicion that it was an intentional move to clear his record ahead of the semifinals. Barcelona faces Real Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals on April 27.
DUBAI GROUP ANNOUNCES GETAFE PURCHASE
A Dubai-based firm is close to securing a purchase of La Liga side Getafe, making it the third La Liga team to be sold to foreign ownership in the past year. The Royal Emirates Group, headed by Sheikh Butti Bin Suhail Al Maktoum, will name Getafe “Team Dubai” but it is unclear whether or not that will become the official name of the squad. Getafe currently sits 14thin the La Liga table and is flirting with relegation.
SUNDERLAND’S CAMPBELL TO UNDERGO SURGERY
Sunderland’s growing striking concern grew today with the news that Fraizer Campbell will be out for most of next season after undergoing knee surgery. The 23-year-old missed most of this season due to injury. Sunderland will also be without keeper Craig Gordon for up to six months with a knee problem of his own.
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What do you think of today's stories? What can be done to curb the violence in Glasgow? Where would you like the see Neuer end up? Will "Team Dubai" be good for Spanish soccer?
