Middlesbrough Soccer News

English clubs may be banned from carrying advertisements for online betting companies on their shirts. British Sports Minister Richard Caborn said Thursday that the government's Gambling Commission will investigate whether such sponsorships are allowed under laws that prohibit the targeting of children by gambling advertisements. Premier League clubs Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Tottenham are all sponsored by Internet betting firms. ``There is a grey area at the moment and ...

Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott will be out for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury. He picked up the injury in practice, the club said Thursday. The injury comes just days after the English club bolstered its defence by landing Jonathan Woodgate from Real Madrid and German Robert Huth from Chelsea. ``It is a real blow for Chris because it is a big season for him and he would ...

Middlesbrough signed attacking midfielder Jason Euell from Charlton on Thursday. The 29-year-old Jamaican international signed for a ``nominal fee,'' Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said. The length of his contract wasn't disclosed.

Jonathan Woodgate says he came back to the English Premier League for regular playing time and hopes that it leads to an England squad recall. Woodgate joined his hometown club on a yearlong loan from Real Madrid on Wednesday as he bids to return from a long-term thigh injury. Since joining the Spanish club in 2004, he's played only 14 games. Woodgate, who has played five games for England, said ...

Middlesbrough signed Jonathan Woodgate on a season-long loan from Real Madrid and Robert Huth on a five-year deal from Chelsea on Wednesday. ``We have added two international defenders to our squad in one afternoon,'' Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said. ``That's a significant coup for Middlesbrough.'' Woodgate joined his hometown club as he bids to return from a long-term thigh injury. Since joining Real Madrid in 2004, he's played only 14 ...

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AP) _ Defender Abel Xavier trained with former side Middlesbrough on Thursday after completing a one-year doping ban. ``I've already started training and I'm negotiating my contract,'' Xavier told Portugal news agency Lusa. ``I'm doing specific work and we have time to discuss my contract but the most important thing is having returned.'' The former Portugal international said he received an invite from Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson to ...

LONDON (AP) _ Middlesbrough scored twice in the final 10 minutes and rallied to beat Chelsea 2-1 Wednesday, leaving Manchester United alone atop the English Premier League standings. Two-time defending champion Chelsea led on a 16th-minute goal from Andriy Shevchenko before Emanuel Pogatetz equalized and substitute Mark Viduka scored in injury time to win it for Middlesbrough. Manchester United moved ahead with a 3-0 win at Charlton. In other matches, ...

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (AP) _ Germany defender Robert Huth's move to Middlesbrough fell through Thursday after he failed a medical. The 21-year-old Chelsea player missed most of the World Cup because an ankle problem that seemed to have cost him the transfer. ``It's a great shame for everyone involved that Robert won't be joining us at the present time,'' manager Gareth Southgate said on Middlesbrough's website. Southgate reached a verbal agreement ...

Former Portugal defender Abel Xavier says he is confident the Court of Arbitration for Sport will reduce his 18-month ban for testing positive for steroids in 2005. The 32-year-old Xavier tested positive for methandienone after playing for Middlesbrough in a UEFA Cup against Greek team Xanthi on Sept. 29, 2005. He was banned in November by UEFA. Xavier, who has denied knowingly taking banned substances, had appealed his ban to ...