Manchester United winger Nani admits Barcelona’s passing game could cause his team trouble in the UEFA Champions League final.United will be looking to add to their English Premier League title when they take on Pep Guardiola’s team in the European decider at Wembley on May 28.
Nani said on Wednesday it was important for United to apply pressure and not allow Barcelona to settle into their possession game.
“It is a big problem because no-one likes to run behind the ball and try to get the ball all the time,” the Portuguese star said.
“It is very difficult when that happens but we must try to get the ball off them as quickly as possible because if we have the ball they cannot do the possession and we can get a goal if we have the ball.”
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will need to stop the star-studded Barcelona team and Nani acknowledged the problems Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta would pose.
“I think Barcelona is a very talented team. They are special because of the way they play,” Nani said.
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“We don’t have a lot of teams that can play the same style. Of course, they have very good players, individual players.”
Both United and Barcelona will be looking to win their fourth European crowns.
Arsene Wenger believes captain Cesc Fabregas will remain with Arsenal for "many, many years" despite his summer flirtation with Barcelona.
The Spain midfielder was persuaded to stay at the Emirates Stadium by Wenger despite a series of bids from his former club.
Fabregas joined the Gunners from the Catalan club's youth system in 2003 and he has gone on to make almost 300 first-team appearances.
He remains under contract until summer 2014 and Wenger expects the north London club to receive many more years of service from the 23-year-old midfielder.
Speaking at the club's AGM, he said:"He is from Barcelona and has an attraction to where he grew up.
"At the end of the day, I believe he wants to win with this club. For how long I don't know but hopefully for many, many years.
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"I'm not pessimistic. I'm confident we will keep him for a few more years.
"He deeply loves this club, believe me. If he did not love the club, he would have gone."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega has admitted that he wants to leave the club this summer, and is already in discussions with other clubs.
The Colombia international’s contract at the DW Stadium will run out at the end of the season, and despite attempts from The Latics to extend his stay, the South American is determined to leave the relegation-threatened outfit.
“It’s sure that I won’t play anymore for them after this season,” Rodallega told The People.
“This will be my last three months with Wigan.
“I’m already talking with other teams, but I won’t name them. I must respect Wigan. Wigan have received many offers for me, but they always said no.
“I want to leave Wigan with the team having avoided relegation.
“I would love that Wigan fans recognise my effort when I leave the club in May,” he concluded.
Tottenham were believed to be interested in signing Rodallega in the January transfer window but instead acquired Louis Saha, as the Colombian looks towards the next step in his career.
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Beijing Guoan went third on the Chinese Super League table with a 3-0 win at Nanchang Hengyuan on Saturday, while Shaanxi were held.Beijing, who finished an agonising two points shy of the AFC Champions League places last season, maintained their strong start by routing Nanchang in a bright second half.
Portuguese import Roberto scored his first goal in a Beijing shirt on 33 minutes, a prelude for what was to come after the break.
Honduras international Walter Martinez picked up his second goal in as many games in the 70th minute, before midfielder Wang Changqing added the finishing touches with a 90th-minute sealer.
Beijing move to third place, one point behind Guangzhou and two points off leaders Hangzhou Lucheng after five games.
Elsewhere, Shaanxi Chanba faltered at home to Changchun Yatai, settling for a 1-1 draw after both clubs made early inroads.
Changchun striker Zhang Wenzhao opened the visitors’ account with a goal in the 12th minute, one that was matched by former Zilina attacker Tomas Oravec 10 minutes later.
In other results, Qingdao Jonoon bounced back from consecutive defeats to edge Dalian Shide 2-1 in a thriller at Qingdao Tiantai Stadium.
Qingdao, who escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, rocketed to a two-goal lead by the 55th minute thanks to a brace by Brazilian attacker Eber.
Bulgarian striker Martin Kamburov kept it interesting by pegging one back for Dalian in the 70th minute.
Finally, Jiangsu Sainty and Henan Construction fought out a 1-1 draw at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center.
China international Zhao Peng put Henan ahead in the 11th minute, a lead that would last only seven minutes before on-loan Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite found the net.
Surreal may be the most suitable word to describe the feelings of Birmingham City fans after an eventful transfer deadline day. An improbable top half finish last season had been strikingly augmented by the signing of Alexander Hleb, Jean Beausejour and Martin Jiranek. Earlier in the summer their manager Alex Mcleish had pulled off a coup by swooping for Serbian international Nikola Zigic and England stopper Ben Foster. Of the previously mentioned trio Hleb has experience in the Premier League with Arsenal but left for Barcelona in 2008. He is on a season’s long loan from that storied club and has already criticised the qualities of his new colleagues. Should Birmingham fans be shocked at the brevity of his comments or admiring of his openness?
Having had a month to acclimatise from life in Barcelona to Brum, the Belarus international said, “I’m not quite happy with the level of the team, but such things do happen. Naturally I miss the combinational and creative football of Arsenal and Barca.” Yet in making this surprising switch he knew that the team would embody a battling spirit based on a combativeness and team spirit. His manager Mcleish has appealed to the midfielder to effectively recalibrate his expectations but has described Hleb as “world class” and similar in style to Michael Laudrup. “He’s one of these Willo’ the Wisp characters. He tends to float over tackles.”
Palpably nostalgic for his time in London, Hleb’s comments may strike a chord with the crowd rather than infuriate. The sound of boos rang around St Andrews earlier this month as Everton ended Birmingham’s club-record equalling run of 18 league games unbeaten at home. For many observers the crowd’s reaction was objectionable, a symbol of the modern era’s pampered football supporter. Yet the fans’ frustrations were centred on the continual use of Cameron Jerome as a lone centre forward. Zigic entered the fray after 70 minutes and Matt Derbyshire only had ten minutes to make an impact. The lack of goals and therefore a corresponding attacking plan was highlighted by the outspoken Hleb. “In the recent Birmingham games there was a lot of struggle – they were constantly hoofing the long ball forward.”
While a dearth of goals may be lamented, the Blues’ extraordinary ninth place finish last term was built on the foundations of a solid, unyielding defence. The droll Mcleish conceded that his team will have to deviate from a predictable formula to guard against the ever-looming second season syndrome. The spine of the team has remained intact but recent signings portray a desire to bolster the creativity and flair of the midfield. Hleb’s comments may be interpreted as provocative but the player is sincerely grateful of the chance to play regularly, restoring his flagging confidence. His opening goal in the League Cup match against the MK Dons would have had that medicinal effect. Two goals followed in the next four minutes from Zigic and Craig Gardener. Beausejour on the wing was instrumental in supplying these goal-scoring opportunities.
Although against League One opposition there was evidence of the combinational style that Hleb craves. Despite being no Barcelona, Birmingham have some excellent players, especially Gardener who was been one of the outstanding performers of this season. The former Stuttgart man and his new club may require a period of readjustment but ambition should not be a dirty word in football. An expectant crowd may have found an ally in Hleb.
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One accusation that has been floating around for a number of seasons and has become much more talked about this season is the question of if certain players escape sanctions because of their reputation off the field and vice versa.
I have to say, on recent viewing I have to agree with this – in the last few weeks alone there have been players who have escaped any kind of sanction for tackles which should have been straight red cards, and others who have been sent off for offences that are dubious to say the least.
Take Frank Lampard – a player who is not known for being malicious or dangerous on the field, and off it has a pretty good reputation to boot – he escaped a red card for a horror tackle in the match against Wolves when Kompany saw red for a challenge that made no contact with Nani some games later. Lampard’s challenge was a certain red card, yet this was not the case in the eyes of the officials.
Likewise this of course works the other way – players such as Joey Barton or Mario Balotelli get such attention off the field – albeit entirely deserved, and this can then influence the decision of the officials when a borderline decision has to be made. Take the Balotelli sending off against Liverpool – would this have happened had the player been say Fernando Torres? Most likely not, then again it would probably punish Chelsea more to leave their misfit on the field than to send him off.
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Rooney is a similar type of character and again is well known for his loss of control at times and outbursts, and again it is not a shock to see him pick up a card for something another player – for example Gerrard who seems to be Teflon in officials eyes – would get away with easily.
This is much the same with players winning free kicks and penalties. Certain players have a reputation for diving and thus officials are reluctant to give away a penalty just in case they are being conned. Nani is one of the players well known for his diving practice on the field and you can’t really blame a referee for failing to give him a free kick every time he goes to ground.
Of course I am not saying this is right – players should be judged on the incident that has occurred, not what has preceded it or how they are viewed in the tabloids – yet it is a fact of life that the referee will have an opinion of his own and this may become clouded by what his personal feelings towards the player are – entirely wrong yes, but not an impossible scenario to envisage. Like the accusation that top clubs get favoured by officials, and that Fergie time exists, the worry that some players are treated differently to others is, in my opinion an entirely accurate one. Don’t get me wrong – I do not agree with it or like it, but it is certainly a valid argument to make.
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A single point. Saturday, lunch time kick-off, the time earmarked as the moment Manchester United would go out to Ewood Park and do the job required of them in sealing a record 19th League title and surpass Liverpool’s tally of 18.
Yet, it was very nearly not to be. A strong side having been named, Sir Alex Ferguson made sure he showed his opponents respect in not wanting to show any complacency in his squad selection, recognising that until it was mathematically true, United were in no way guaranteed to be champions.
The only major change being Tomasz Kuszscak taking position between the posts in place of Edwin Van Der Sar proved to be a decision that may well have been a regret in wanting to rest the retiring Dutch ‘keeper, keeping him fresh for his final most important moments of the season and indeed his career. His Polish stand in having a torrid day, looking nervy and leading to a dominant United side being deflated after going one goal down after 20 minutes.
There on in United looked restless, shaky and frustrated against a resilient Blackburn, and it looked as though it might not be their day until with under 20 minutes left, Javier Hernandez broke through Blackburn’s back four, beating the offside trap and just about latching on to a sublime pass from Ryan Giggs, and although the ball looked beyond him, the young Mexican was able to take a touch away from Paul Robinson who dived out, taking Hernandez with him, conceding a penalty and providing Wayne Rooney with the opportunity to take his team within minutes of being crowned champions.
In front of United’s travelling support, Rooney stepped up to emphatically drive home his spot kick, leading Ferguson’s men to see out the match, with Blackburn not looking to challenge from there on, until the final whistle was blown, and Manchester United were once again crowned Premier League Champions. With that, here are five things that may be taken from the game.
1) Tomasz Kuszscak – Weakest Link
On such a momentous day, I will try and limit the negative statements. However, as is this also an analysis of the match itself, I would not be doing what was expected of me if there was not some sort of critique of certain performances, and the one that is certain to be considered a let down unanimously is that of Van Der Sar’s understudy. If, as expected, Kuszscak is leaving Old Trafford this Summer, he will not have left fans with a pleasant leaving moment.
A nervy performance throughout, his own lack of assurance in United’s goal seemed to filter through to the rest of the defence, looking an indecisive unit at a time when Van Der Sar would have allowed for far more control. It started badly when he failed to make up his mind as to whether or not to pick up a ball that may well have been judged a back pass, early in the first half and from there was never able to regain any confidence, looking out of sorts when coming for crosses and could have dealt with matters better in the build up to the opening goal of the game, looking to chase the ball after it had been crossed and finding himself out of position.
Perhaps a lack of match practise had been to blame, perhaps nerves had played a part knowing his contribution was of importance in helping seal the title, but whatever may have been affecting him, it does not excuse what was a below-par showing at a time when Ferguson will have wanted to keep Van Der Sar fresh in not having to play him when a reliable option is available. For a goalkeeper who has had positive contributions at times in his United career, his performance on Saturday afternoon emphasised the importance in picking an adequate replacement for next season as United’s first choice goalkeeper.
2) Paul Scholes appearance helped to regain control
With a defence that looked short on confidence for various reasons, after conceding an avoidable goal, United came under pressure from Blackburn. Despite having more possession, in terms of attempts, Blackburn were more than a match for Ferguson’s team, with his side failing to make much of the possession they had, even coming close to conceding a second when early in the second half When Olsson rose above Valencia to powerfully head the ball against the post.
However, United held on, refusing to lay low, and when Scholes was brought on for Fabio, it helped to regain a dominance in midfield, bringing a personality that had been there before, knowing what was required for the big occasion, and although still stifled by Blackburn’s resistance, the display began to look more self assured, showing threatening signs until Giggs played a superb pass to Hernandez leading to being awarded a penalty that would seal the title.
3) Ryan Giggs continues to astound
On what might otherwise be described as a day of frustration for Manchester United, fans will no doubt feel reassured that no matter what, there is always a big game personality, who might produce something that may just be enough to see their side through. On many occasions this season, that man has been Ryan Giggs, and once again provided yet more evidence for this on Saturday afternoon, helping orchestrate the moments that led to the all important title-winning goal.
However, this was not his only contribution, in a game that saw the seasoned veteran out run players over 10 years his junior, tracking back to win the ball and providing top quality tackles in fighting for every ball. Saturday, 14th May 2011 marked the day Ryan Giggs won his 12th League title, adding yet more gloss to an already glistening career, there was not a single player in the squad that deserved such praise as he. A great role model on the pitch, and no doubt a superb advertisement for yoga as well.
4) The critics have been answered
The game at Ewood Park certainly seemed to sum up United’s season away from home, often looking indifferent, their consistency at Old Trafford has truly made the difference in what has been an unusual but refreshing season for the Barclays Premier League. Teams have been more competitive than ever, the neutral will have been extremely entertained when teams have been so closely competing. The fact that nothing had been decided so late on was testament to the strength of competition within the league.
Matches found themselves to be far less predictable, with no one game allowed to be taken for granted. With a lack of dominance at the top of the table, some took on this fact to criticise United, despite being top for much of the season it was felt that the squad that had been assembled was far from vintage, and as such were considered lacklustre and poor. However, some will argue that it was simply a case that other sides had also improved, with the likes of Tottenham, Manchester City and later, Liverpool emerging as stronger sides.
Indeed, United had suffered with the loss of Ronaldo, as well as being hampered by injuries to important players like Ferdinand and Valencia as well as the retirement of Gary Neville. But regardless of the opinions on Ferguson’s men, what cannot be denied is their desire to win, the hard working attitude and the fact that a game was never lost in their minds, refusing to give in with this belief often rescuing matches. An example is when United travelled to Blackpool. It had looked to be one of those days, a nightmare when Blackpool went 2 goals up early on. However, in the second half a resurgent squad worked their way back into the match, exploiting Blackpool’s weaknesses to pull away with a victory.
Throughout the season this attitude has been evident and for all the faults of the team, some quality football has also been played, hitting form with the return of key players, emphasised most by Antonio Valencia, returning from such a long lay-off to become an ever present threat on the right wing, and providing a new attacking edge to United’s play.
Of course, the emergence of Javier Hernandez is also not to be forgotten, scoring 20 goals in all competitions so far, he has been regarded by many as the signing of the season, especially given the relatively modest sum that was paid for him, in light of other grotesquely more expensive signings, such as that made by Chelsea in January for a certain Spanish striker.
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5) 19 Times. All eyes on Barcelona.
Naturally, Sir Alex Ferguson will not take the final game of the season against Blackpool lightly. The fact the title has already been won, he will no doubt want to end the season with a victory on which to receive the trophy officially, setting up a wild celebration amongst the United faithful.
The fact the title has been sealed will now mean all the focus will be on the Champion’s League final at Wembley, and with the game against Blackpool as well as Gary Neville’s testimonial still to come, these games will provide opportunity for Ferguson to analyse which of his squad will be starting at Wembley on 28th May, as well as keeping his players fresh with some game time before the big occasion.
As is Sir Alex Ferguson’s way, he will be looking on to the next one. For now though, his players will be allowed to revel in their achievement, bask in their glory for what they have done. To overhaul Liverpool’s tally of 18 titles is something that many will never have foreseen. A remarkable feat, but as is Ferguson’s way, he will soon be looking on to the next opportunity, and soon will be looking to the next season, it what will provide a new challenge. But for now fans will enjoy such glorious times of happiness and celebrate the victory of a side that has been written off throughout. 19 times. Well and truly deserved.
Men of the match: Phil Jones for Blackburn. Ryan Giggs for Manchester United.
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Chelsea 2-0 Marseille – As respected pundit and famous dancing leather robot Bruce Forsyth used to say; Points make prizes. What do point’s make? – Prizes! And Chelsea are inclined to agree, as they eased themselves closer to the round of 16 with a competent if not exhilarating performance against a decent Marseille side. The away team actually had the better of it in the second half, and with a heavy smattering of former Premiership players (oh, *cough* sorry, I meant “Barclays Premier League” players) never looked intimidated or second best, except when it came to doing something effective in that little boxy thingy with the net in. As Ruud Gullit mentioned post match, inbetween the fawning man-crush attentions of Jamie Redknapp (Literally!), this is likely the last chance for the house that Jose built to win this coveted trophy. The creaking legs of Lamps, Big Man, Cashley et all will soon need to give way to the re-building process if Chelsea want to stay on their perch in future seasons. So it was fitting in a way (and for the purposes of making randomly pretentious allusions for editorial continuity) that the two players who’s penalty misses defined their closest assault on the prize, were the ones who ensured them the points.
Big Men on Campus – Any fears of Chelsea collapsing again when faced with a team of any substance were eased within seven minutes when they took the lead courtesy of Englands Brave Lion (TM), who flicked a short (and possibly bad) corner with the outside of his boot into the near post past the commendable efforts of the player on the line, who was valiantly trying to remember if he’d locked the patio doors or not. This was Big Man’s first goal of the season, and his first in the Champions League since everyone found out what a terrible and despicable person he was. Once the catalyst of France’s massive World Cup brain fart, Nicolas Anelka, had endeared himself further to his compatriots with a cheeky penalty, the game was all but over competitively. Yet despite all Marseille’s offensive enthusiasm, the home side still really should’ve won by three or four, with both Alex and Essien striking the woodwork. But they didn’t. And 2-0 was about fair in the end.
Le Freak, C’est Chic – Marseille is cool. The birthplace of both Zinedine Zidane and Eric Cantona can’t not be cool. It couldn’t not be cool even if wore corduroy trousers with rainbow braces and stuck two pieces of blu-tac up it’s nose. So if you’re going to start fighting in an English football stadium – something which hasn’t been cool since the mid 80s, no matter how many hobbits get into it – you might as well do it shirtless with your cap on backwards and a Gauloises hanging from your mouth. I say fighting, but of couse being French it looked far more like seriously profound gesticulating, but whatever the manner of troubles that seemed to erupt pre-match, it didn’t stop the Marseillais raucously out-singing the Bridge at kick off and mostly throughout, fittingly for the city that spawned La Marseillaise.
Continued on Page TWO
The Future’s Bright, The Future’s…erm..Blue? – Despite all the talk of Manchester City ruining the English game with their money splashing mercenary ways, it can’t have escaped notice that an awful lot of promising young players have somehow wound up in the England team via way of Eastlands. Now it seems the original money splashing mercenaries (Well, after Blackburn) are in on the act too. Not only has Ancelotti given a reassuring amount of playing time to former City boy Daniel Sturridge (who missed practically an open goal last night incidentally) but he also gave his third run out in a week to the most talked about player I’d never heard of and apparent future of club and country, Josh McEachran. I failed to ascertain from his three touches whether or not he was the new Fabregas, but it’s interesting, if not downright startling that as United nurture their Italian prodigy and Liverpool’s children lose to Northampton, the future of the English National team seems to lie in the hands of the blues. Shirted and blooded. Ruining the game indeed.
FK Partizan 1-3 Arsenal – In a game that nearly didn’t happen due to faulty electrics and insufficient floodlighting, Arsenal rolled out their usual routine of looking both inspiring and underwhelming at the same time before eventually winning comfortably in a hostile but at least flatteringly lit atmosphere in Belgrade. The Gunners rode their luck a bit early on, showing the same kind of galic nonchalance in defence that let West Brom boing them at the weekend, but once Andrei Arshavin had given them the lead, they settled into their more natural passing game, with only a slight hint of dodgy decision making and unnecessary over elaboration. Amazingly, they also seemed to have someone vaguely competent between the sticks for once, and even more amazingly, it was Łukasz Fabiański.
Where there’s a Wilshere, there’s a way – Little Jack Wilshere seems to have returned from Bolton a boy anew, like a small child sent away to fat camp who comes back 6ft 2 and built like a boxer, providing that boxer isn’t Ricky Hatton. Except not 6ft 2 obviously, or particularly built, and not alarmingly fat to begin with of course, but you get my point, hopefully, which is basically just that he’s really something special now. Young Jack seems to have been involved in almost everything good Arsenal have done this season, and he was the lynch pin for the breakthrough again here, jinxing his way into the box before side rolling and pulling the ball back in one motion to set up Arshavin for a simple finish. Lovely stuff. An England call up can’t be far away. But it probably will be knowing England.
Continued on Page THREE
The Pen is Mightier than the Sword – From then on the Gunners upped the tempo and could have grabbed three or four but for wasteful finishing and acrobatic clearances. That was until Denilson handled the ball in his own box, giving Partizan striker Cleo the chance to level from the spot, which he duly accepted. Soon after the interval Arsenal were awarded a penalty themselves after Chamakh was very really brought down by last man Jovanovic about half a millimeter inside the area, but still decided that a comical exaggerated dive 2 seconds after the infringement was the way to go. The Partizan man was sent on his way and justice for the Moroccan Amateur Dramatics society, if not football, was done when Arshavin blasted the kick straight at Stojkovic’s legs. After Arsenal had eventually restored their lead through Chamakh (who I still seem to be the only person in football punditry/journalism/blogging to have realised is s**t) and extended it though Squillaci, Partizan were awarded another penalty, this time after Kieran Gibbs had clumsily fouled and then fallen on someone, which apparently wasn’t a cast iron nailed on penalty in the impartial eyes of hugely unbiased co-commentator Alan Smith. Cleo missed this one, and Arsenal go marching on with six points from six.
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Absolutely Fabulous – The decision of who to field in goal for the big Super Sunday 3D HD Armageddon showdown with Chelsea just got a little harder for Arsene after a great penalty saving performance from stand in keeper Łukasz “Well I didn’t realise they’d taken it!” Fabiański. His heroics also included a couple of smart one on ones late in the game and with Manuel Almunia doing his best to remind everyone he’s still available and worthy of playing for England at the weekend by making several calamitous errors, Wenger could do worse than going on form.
In Other News – Jose and The Decepticons continued their unwavering march to rule the world by boring them into submission by beating Auxerre with a late Angel Di Maria goal. Things are so dire down Galactico way that Jose even seems to have lost his style, sitting glumly in the dugout in a shiny pimp suit whilst Serio Ramos – who’s looking more like Val Kilmer than the fat Val Kilmer lookalike that passes for the actual Val Kilmer these days – handled the ball in the build up. Speaking of handling, elsewhere the most evil man that ever lived ever, Luis Suarez, showed a delightful bit of skill to set up the opener in the clash of the not quite Titans anymore between Ajax and Milan, before Zlatan made sure the spoils were shared by executing a bicycle kick half a yard from goal. Also Cluj should be a rude word, but isn’t. Unless we make it one use it enough. This is something I feel almost forcibly compelled to do.
….And Finally – The gimpy pointless flagless officials behind the goal line finally had something to do in the Spartak -Zilina game as Ari’s header was cleared away from inside the netting. Thankfully, due to the brilliant human eyesight of these much needed and hardworking bastions of the game, they were able to clearly see that the ball was a good 3 yards behind the line and allow the ref to award the goal. Thank God we have them.
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Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas has stated that Frank Lampard is part of his long-term plans and will not leave the club in January.
The veteran midfielder has not been an automatic choice for the Portuguese coach since he assumed power in the summer, with rumours rife that the England international may make an exit from Stamford Bridge.
However, Villas Boas has confirmed that Lampard will stay with The Blues for the foreseeable future.
“He’s going to be here for sure. Yes, long-term,” the trainer stated at a press conference.
Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are both out of contract in the summer and have also been speculated with leaving the club, but Villas Boas wants to keep the Ivory Coast duo.
“They will return to this club from the African Nations and hopefully we will hold on to them until the end of the season.
“That’s our intention, and I think their willingness as well,” he continued.
Finally, the under-fire tactician stated that it was time for his players to get victories on the pitch to reignite their title challenge.
“The problem is you have to show it on the pitch.
“At the moment, we have exhausted ourselves in words.
“It’s time for us to get a practical run of victories to make our title challenge together. We are trying to begin that,” he concluded.
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Bob Houghton has resigned as India coach after allegations of racism were dropped by the country’s football federation.The Englishman, 63, was the subject of an investigation by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) following claims that he made a racist remark to a match official during a friendly against Yemen last October.
Houghton, who coached Swedish club Malmo to the 1979 European Cup final, described the allegations as ‘nonsensical’.
“The AIFF feels that in the absence of any definitive and concrete evidence the allegations against Mr Houghton cannot be sustained and therefore the AIFF agrees to withdraw all charges and allegations made against him,” the statement said.
“However, Mr. Houghton, for his personal reasons, does not wish to continue working in India and in his position as the head coach of the Indian football team.”
Houghton, who took over India in 2006, was contracted until 2013 after agreeing a new deal last year.
His tenure was marked by public disagreements with AIFF officials over the state of football infrastructure in the country and he had been tipped to walk away on several occasions.
Some sources have suggested that the federation agreed to drop the charges in exchange for Houghton’s resignation, with the arrangement reportedly suiting both parties.