Arsenal

Arsenal
A virtuoso performance from Dennis Bergkamp inspired Arsenal to victory. Thanks to Bergkamp's vision and touch Arsenal had scored twice in the opening 12 minutes, the Dutchman setting up Robin van Persie and Robert Pires. Bergkamp's pass for Arsenal's third was even better, releasing Patrick Vieira who deftly chipped Richard Wright. After the break Pires bagged a second, Edu fired in a penalty, Bergkamp capped a superb display with the sixth, with Mathieu Flamini completing the rout. Arsenal's control was so total that manager Arsene Wenger was able to introduce Thierry Henry after the break, the Frenchman's return from a groin injury a timely boost ahead of the FA Cup Final. Everton were restricted to a few hurried shots, two from Mikel Arteta and one from James Beattie. The margin of Arsenal's victory - a record win under Arsene Wenger and a record defeat in the Premiership for Everton - was even more astonishing given the Toffees' qualification for the Champions League. Visiting manager David Moyes, who had asked his team to enjoy the occasion after securing fourth place in the Premiership, ordered them to go and apologise to their travelling fans at the end. HEAVIEST PREMIERSHIP DEFEATS Man Utd 9-0 Ipswich, Mar 95 N'castle 8-0 Sheff W, Sep 99 Nottm For 1-8 Man U, Feb 99 Arsenal 7-0 Everton, May 05 B'burn 7-0 Nottm For, Nov 95 Man U 7-0 Barnsley, Oct 97 Arteta's first effort came before Arsenal scored their opener, a miss that was to prove costly. Bergkamp has still not yet been offered a new contract by Arsenal, but on the evidence of his performance he is likely to be finding gainful employment at Highbury come the start of the new season. The Dutchman, who turned 36 on Tuesday, was by far the best player on the pitch, his every touch, his every pass, drawing appreciation from the Highbury crowd. First Bergkamp slipped a pass through to Van Persie that completely cut out the Everton defence. Without breaking stride, Van Persie curled the ball past Wright. After displaying the art of the short pass, Bergkamp showcased his long passing skills, freeing Van Persie, who was lurking on the left. The former Feyenoord winger pulled the ball back for Pires, whose initial shot was well saved by Wright. However luck was against the Everton keeper as the ball went straight to Pires, who cleverly flighted a lobbed header over Wright. As Arsenal warmed to the task of entertaining Highbury for its final game of the season, Edu's dummy created a space for Vieira, whose swerving shot went narrowly wide. Vieira was soon on the scoresheet as he delicately chipped Wright after the Frenchman was released by another exquisite Bergkamp pass. After the interval Bergkamp was quickly back to work, twice releasing Henry, who first fell under a clumsy tackle from Joseph Yobo and then was just unable to reach the Dutchman's cross. The fourth goal arrived on 50 minutes, with Bergkamp once again involved. He clipped the ball into Henry, whose pass found its way to Pires after a deflection off Carsley. Pires effortlessly stroked the ball past Wright to claim his second of the game. Carsley handled a Henry pass to give away the penalty. The Arsenal team asked Edu to take the spotkick, the Brazilian scoring in his final Highbury appearance despite Wright getting a hand to the shot. Bergkamp brought the house down when he scored Arsenal's sixth, clipping the ball past Wright. Arsenal refused to rest on their laurels and Flamini added a seventh with a half-volley after good work from Henry and Jose Antonio Reyes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Campbell, Senderos, Cole, Pires (Fabregas 64), Vieira (Flamini 45), Edu, Reyes, Bergkamp, Van Persie (Henry 45). Subs Not Used: Almunia, Toure. Booked: Flamini, Campbell. Goals: Van Persie 8, Pires 12, Vieira 37, Pires 50, Edu 70 pen, Bergkamp 77, Flamini 85. Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Weir, Yobo, Pistone, Carsley, McFadden, Watson, Arteta (Ferguson 75), Kilbane, Beattie (Bent 45). Subs Not Used: Stubbs, Plessis, Turner. Att: 38,073. Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Moyes is humiliated by thrashing
Everton manager David Moyes said he was "embarrassed" by the scale of the Toffees' 7-0 defeat at Arsenal. Moyes had led his team to fourth place, and the right to play a Champions League qualifier, but he saw them succumb to a vintage Gunners display. "I am embarrassed by tonight's performance," said Moyes. "It has been a great week for for Everton Football Club and I have no criticism of the players but tonight, as a manager, I am embarrassed."

Bergkamp made to wait on new deal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists Dennis Bergkamp will have to wait to find out if he will be given the final one-year contract that he craves. The 36-year-old inspired Arsenal to their 7-0 win over Everton while the crowd chanted "one more year". But afterwards Wenger said: "We'll sit down together at the end of the season and come to a decision. "He's 36 and you can't base your entire season around him as you can't say he will play 50 games." The Arsenal boss added: "I've made a decision, but we won't announce it until the end of the season. "He is a super-special player. You don't meet a Dennis Bergkamp at the end of every street." Wenger is understood to want assurances from Bergkamp that the forward does not expect to be an automatic choice. "What he can do is still play 20 or 25 games, like he has done this season," said Wenger. "He is a great example to the other players and the likes of Robin van Persie have made a huge improvement this season." Bergkamp is out of contract at the end of the season and is hoping to have one final season at Highbury before retiring from playing. And after the 7-0 thrashing of Everton, Bergkamp said: "It's always in the back of your head it might be my last game at Highbury. "Hopefully we can sort something out and I think the club will be sensible. "They must have their reasons and it's not the first time, but I'm quite confident it will be okay." And he said that the reaction of the supporters moved him to tears. "It was quite special," said the Dutchman. "It was difficult not to get emotional as it was quite something for them to all be cheering my name and shouting 'one more year'. "Was I moved to tears? Inside, yes. You are playing the game but with that singing, you get really emotional yourself. "I know that I have the fans' respect but I was still a bit surprised. They obviously feel there is another year left in me, so that's great as it shows they're really behind me."

Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal
Walter Pandiani is held off by Kolo Toure at St Andrews Emile Heskey scored a late winner as Birmingham defeated a below-par Arsenal at St Andrews. Walter Pandiani gave Birmingham the lead on 79 minutes, poking home after a goal-mouth scramble. But Dennis Bergkamp, playing in perhaps his final Premiership game, latched on to a cute Patrick Vieira through-ball to level things with two minutes to go. However, Heskey sealed things for the home side a minute later, pouncing on a long-ball to slam the ball home. Birmingham had more of the possession in the opening quarter while the visitors struggled to find their rhythm. After 17 minutes, Pandiani shrugged off Philippe Senderos and cut the ball back to Stephen Clemence who sidefooted over. And two minutes later Pandiani had a header blocked by Ashley Cole from Darren Carter's cross. Arsenal's best chance of the first half came just before the break when Robin van Persie diverted a Kolo Toure cross straight at Blues keeper Maik Taylor. Van Persie came close again shortly after the restart, bending a left-footed free-kick just over the bar. And Bergkamp squandered a good chance after Van Persie had put him through, nudging just wide of the goal. Bergkamp then shot straight at Taylor before almost setting up Van Persie but the young Dutchman could not bring the ball under control. Clinton Morrison, on for the injured Carter, was foiled by Jens Lehmann on 67 minutes after being released by Pandiani. And two minutes later Jeremie Aliadiere had his shot saved by Taylor after Sol Campbell's neat through-ball. Toure came close to scoring on 75 minutes, crashing a right-foot shot on to the base of Taylor's upright. But it was Pandiani who broke the deadlock 11 minutes from the end, the Italian scoring from close range after a melee in the Arsenal area. Bergkamp levelled things just before the end after an exquisite ball by Vieira but Heskey crashed home his 11th of the season to seal it for the Blues. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot (Tebily 78), Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Nafti, Carter (Morrison 62), Clemence, Pandiani (Martin Taylor 90), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Blake, Vaesen. Booked: Pandiani. Goals: Pandiani 80, Heskey 90. Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Senderos, Campbell, Cole, Fabregas (Flamini 75), Silva, Vieira, Ljungberg (Edu 68), Bergkamp, Van Persie (Aliadiere 68). Subs Not Used: Almunia, Eboue. Goals: Bergkamp 88. Att: 29,302 Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).

Cole probe sets date for verdict
The Premier League inquiry into the alleged illegal approach by Chelsea for Arsenal defender Ashley Cole will deliver a verdict on 1 June. Cole is accused of approaching Chelsea while the Blues, manager Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon are charged with approaching him. A two-day inquiry into the meeting - which allegedly was held at a London hotel in January - ended on Wednesday. The independent commission will now consider its verdict. And a statement from the Premier League confirmed: "Having heard evidence from all the parties involved the independent commission has retired to consider its decisions and will reconvene on Wednesday 1 June when they expect to deliver a verdict on the three charges." Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added: "They told us judgement will be rendered on 1 June, two weeks from now. "It was a three-man panel and we thought the members of the panel were attentive, very knowledgeable about the evidence, familiar with the workings of football and asked some good questions. "On Tuesday morning Jose Mourinho testified and was cross-examined and in the afternoon Peter Kenyon testified and was cross-examined. "I thought the evidence of both of them was forthright, honest and very credible. There is nothing further we can say and the club will have no further comment until judgement is rendered on 1 June." High Court judge Sir Phillip Otton, the man heading the Premier League inquiry, confirmed: "It depends on a lot of factors and we would like to get a decision out but I suspect because it is a point of law, we may have to delay it for a short period." Kenyon, Mourinho, agent Pini Zahavi, Cole and his advisor Jonathan Barnett were all in attendance at the meeting in London that is under investigation. The gathering was, it is alleged, a breach of rules which govern contact with players contracted to another club. Chelsea claimed Cole and Barnett were responsible for instigating the meeting, but this is fiercely denied by the Arsenal star's camp. "For it to be suggested that I cynically set up a meeting with Chelsea and dragged them to it almost against their will is, quite frankly, ludicrous," said Barnett recently. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger criticised the timing of the hearing, claiming it is hampering his preparations for Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester United. He told BBC Radio Five Live: "If a punishment is to be harsh it has to delivered quickly. The whole process could and should have been quicker. "No matter what happens now, it has influenced our season but it will not have influenced Chelsea's season - yet we have done nothing wrong. "The whole case is now about the future. What happened during this season - Chelsea have got away with it. "If more time was needed to gather evidence, why have the inquiry this week and not next week?" Cole has been charged under Rule K5, governing approaches from players to clubs, while Mourinho was charged under Rule Q, governing a manager's conduct. Chelsea's charge relates to Rule K3 and governs clubs approaching players. Reports have stated that Chelsea could suffer a points penalty if they are found guilty but a fine is a more realistic option Cole's agent Barnett, along with Zahavi will not face any disciplinary action for attending the meeting as they do not fall within the jurisdiction of the FA Premier League. Lawyer Nick Fitzpatrick held the investigation and all parties are understood to have confirmed that a meeting did take place.

Wenger to be offered job for life
Arsene Wenger will be offered a place on the board if he decides to step down as Arsenal manager. Wenger hinted after Saturday's FA Cup win over Manchester United that he might leave Arsenal when they move to their new stadium in 2006. But vice-chairman David Dein told BBC Radio Five Live: "I believe Arsene will stay at the club for a long, long time. "If he becomes tired of being a tracksuit manager there has to be a role for him on the board." Wenger had told the News of the World newspaper: "One day, another manager will benefit from the new stadium and new team. "When we go to the new stadium I feel it will have completed what I set out to do with Arsenal." Arsenal are scheduled to move to their Ashburton Grove stadium in 2006 - but Dein was keen to stress that he sees Wenger as a pivotal figure in the club's future. "I believe he is Arsenal's best-ever manager," added Dein. "His heart, his desire and ambition is still with the club and we have already said do not want him to leave." Dein added that Wenger is building a young squad that promises to have a successful future. "His record with the club is almost unsurpassable," said Dein. "In eight full seasons he has won seven trophies - the FA Cup four times and the Premiership three times - and, for good measure, four Charity and Community Shield trophies. "You can see the talent he has brought through, the likes of Cesc Fabregas at 18, Gael Clichy at 19, Robin van Persie at 21 and Philippe Senderos at 20. "We have a team behind a team now and the future is in safe hands." And Dein was keen to stress that Arsenal will be strengthening their team over the summer - not selling. "We do not intend to sell anyone," added Dein. "We will be looking at strengthening the squad with maybe two or three new players coming in. "No-one will be leaving the club." Ashley Cole has been linked with a move away from the club following Chelsea's alleged 'tapping-up' of the England defender. But Dein was at pains to suggest that the defender's relationship with Arsenal remains good and that the player will be staying at Highbury. "Ashley Cole is, and will be, remaining an Arsenal player," he said. "We really have no problem with Ashley - we may have a problem with others - and now we await the outcome of the hearing on 1 June. "We have always had a very, very warm and happy relationship with Ashley and I believe he has too with the club. "He has come on leaps and bounds and the fact that he is now one of the finest left-backs in the world speaks for itself - and we do not intend to lose our best players."

Adams ponders job in Italy
Former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams could be about to resurrect his managerial career in Italy. Adams has been interviewed by Serie B sides Verona and Torino and also spoke to Juventus about the possibility of becoming their defensive coach. The 38-year-old has made clear his desire to coach abroad in the past - but does not speak a word of Italian. Adams resigned as Wycombe Wanderers manager last November after a poor start to their League Two campaign. Adams was in Italy to continue his mentoring work with disgraced former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu. The Romanian was banned for seven months last November after testing positive for cocaine and Adams has been helping him get his life back on track since then. Adams met Juve coach Fabio Capello - who he has described as his managerial hero - to discuss the possibility of continuing to mentor Mutu next season. And he also discussed the possibility of becoming the club's defensive coach, although he was not subsequently offered the position.

Senderos to be offered new deal
Arsenal are ready to offer centre-back Philippe Senderos a new contract to keep him at the club until 2010. The 20-year-old Swiss international was outstanding after replacing injured Sol Campbell and kept his place even when the England defender was fit again. Boss Arsene Wenger told the Evening Standard: "Philippe has been magnificent. We will talk about a new contract when we report back in July. "Hopefully, it will be sorted out before the start of the season." Senderos, who cost Arsenal £500,000 from Servette in July 2003, has three years left on his present deal. He spent almost a year in treatment and rehabilitation after suffering injuries when he arrived at Highbury. But last season he made 22 first-team starts, including the FA Cup final, and his form earned him a call-up to the Swiss national team.

Arsenal release five youngsters
Arsenal have released five young players, including 22-year-old Iceland international Olafur-Ingi Skulason. Midfielder Skulason leaves after four years with the Gunners, in which time he won two Iceland caps, most recently against Italy four weeks ago. Also heading for the exit are Adam Birchall, Jordan Fowler, Danny Karbassiyoon and Frankie Simek. American Karbassiyoon, 21, joined as a striker but played six games as a left-back on loan at Ipswich last term. He scored for Arsenal in their Carling Cup win over Manchester City but could not hold down a place in the first-team squad. Compatriot Simek had loan spells with QPR and Bournemouth, but the 20-year-old defender was restricted to reserve-team games. Striker Birchall, 20, scored five goals in a 15-game loan spell at League Two Wycombe and earned international recognition with Wales Under-21s. Fowler had a six-game loan spell with Chesterfield but the 20-year-old midfielder had his season ended prematurely by a knee injury.

Lehmann 'sure' of Arsenal future
Jens Lehmann is adamant his future remains at Arsenal, despite reports Arsene Wenger may buy a new goalkeeper. "I am sure I will stay at Arsenal. I'm not looking at other options at the moment," the 35-year-old international told German magazine Kicker. "As a German goalkeeper playing at Arsenal I am often criticised but that does not faze me. It is important that the manager has faith in me. "Wenger was happy with me a few weeks ago and told me to have a good summer." Lehmann was lauded for his performance in Arsenal's FA Cup victory over Manchester United when he made a vital spot-kick stop from Paul Scholes in the penalty shoot-out. However, that success came at the end of a season during which his Highbury days looked numbered. He criticised Wenger after being dropped in favour of Manuel Almunia before battling back into contention after his replacement made some glaring errors. But his good late-season run in the side has failed to dampen speculation that Wenger may move for a new stopper, with Newcastle's Shay Given and Southampton's Antti Niemi touted as potential summer purchases. Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has warned Lehmann that he must be first choice for his club next season to have a chance of being first choice for the 2006 World Cup on home soil. As it stands Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn occupies the number one jersey but Lehmann believes he will be in goal come June 2006. "The best person will win and I think that will be me," added Lehmann.

Henry and Forlan win Golden Shoe
Villarreal's Diego Forlan and Arsenal's Thierry Henry and will share the Golden Shoe award for being this season's top goalscorers in the European leagues. Ex-Manchester United striker Forlan scored twice on Sunday for his Spanish team to join Henry on the 25-goal mark. Henry becomes the first player to win the award two years in a row. It is only the second time it has been shared. In 1989/90 Bulgarian Hristo Stoichkov and Mexican Hugo Sanchez were the joint winners. Henry is the sixth player to win the award twice, joining such legends as Eusebio and Gerd Muller. Forlan's double came as Villarreal beat Levante 4-1 to clinch a spot in the next season's Champions League. "It's been an incredible season and we couldn't have finished it in better style," the Uruguayan said. "I'm very happy to have ended up as top scorer as it is something that doesn't happen every day. "Qualifying for the Champions League is a prize that we all deserve as we worked hard for it throughout season." TNS striker Marc Lloyd-Williams has actually scored 34 goals this season - nine more than Henry. However, the predominantly semi-professional Welsh Premier League is not deemed strong enough to compete on level terms with many other European divisions. Therefore, Lloyd-Williams appears much lower down the ratings. The number of goals scored by players in the top divisions in Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England are doubled to determine their Golden Shoe rating, reflecting the greater difficulty in scoring in these leagues compared to others.

Edu 'quits Arsenal for Valencia'
Arsenal midfielder Edu will join Valencia on a five-year deal this summer, according to the Spanish club. The 26-year-old has long been linked with the club and looks set to become one of new manager Quique Sanchez Flores's first signings. Valencia said on their website: "President (Juan Bautista) Soler has confirmed the signing of Edu, the Arsenal and Brazil player. "He will join on 1 July and will play for the team in the next five seasons." Edu is the first Brazilian player in England to have won both the Premiership title and the FA Cup. While he has been at Arsenal he has also broken into the Brazilian international team. Edu joined Arsenal in January 2001 from Corinthians after the move was delayed when he was refused admission to the United Kingdom because he held a fake Portuguese passport. Sanchez Flores was also unveiled as manager at the same time as the announcement over Edu's future. The 40-year-old played for Valencia for a decade before joining Real Madrid in 1995, where he also began coaching in 2003 before switching to Getafe in a full-time post. He replaces Antonio Lopez, who announced after Sunday's win over Osasuna he would not be continuing as coach.

Chelsea, Mourinho and Cole fined
Chelsea, their manager Jose Mourinho and Ashley Cole have been handed record fines after being found guilty in the Premier League's tapping-up probe. Chelsea were fined £300,000 and given a suspended three-point deduction. Arsenal defender Cole was handed a £100,000 fine, while Blues manager Jose Mourinho will have to pay £200,000. All three were said to have breached league rules by secretly meeting, without Cole's club knowing, at a London restaurant on 27 January. The guilty parties have 14 days to appeal against the decisions of the independent commission. Cole's lawyer Graham Shear confirmed he would be launching an immediate appeal, citing restraint of trade as a possible argument. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck also said they would almost certainly be contesting the club's punishment, and that of Mourinho as well. All parties have 21 days to pay their fines, while the costs of the case will be split equally between the three. Chelsea will only be deducted points if they are found guilty of the same offence - tapping up a player - next season. But Arsenal's request that they should receive compensation over the incident was rejected. Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon, Mourinho, Cole and agents Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett were said to have been present at the meeting. Cole was found in breach of Premier League rule K5, which prohibited him from approaching Chelsea with a view to negotiating a transfer, without permission from Arsenal. Chelsea were found guilty of breaking rule K3, forbidding them approaching Cole, who has two years left on his current deal, by any means while under contract. PREMIER LEAGUE VERDICTS Chelsea in breach of Rule K3 which prohibits a club making an approach to a player under contract without obtaining permission of his club Ashley Cole in breach of Rule K5 which prevents a contracted player making an approach to a club with a view to negotiating a contract without prior written consent from his club Jose Mourinho was found to be in breach of Rule Q, governing managers' conduct Full commission statement Mourinho was in breach of rule Q, governing managers' conduct. Reacting to the verdicts, Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, was critical of Cole's agent. "It wasn't the best protection for him by his agent, albeit that there were talks going on with Arsenal and he was looking to see his options with other clubs. "If there's a rule there and it's flagrantly breached then you leave yourself open to be charged." Zahavi, the 'super agent' who has helped broker many of Chelsea's big-name signings, was alleged to have been at the Lancaster Gate meeting, as was Barnett. Neither falls under the jurisdiction of the Premier League and therefore could not be subjected to any punishment. But the Premier League said it will pass on the independent commission's findings to the Football Association. An FA statement said: "We are investigating Jonathan Barnett's conduct in this matter and we will pursue any breach of FA regulations." The initial investigation followed newspaper reports in January that Cole, Mourinho and Kenyon met at the Royal Park Hotel at Lancaster Gate in central London. Charges were made by the Premier League on 23 March, with an independent commission hearing the case on 17-18 May. The previous record Premier League financial punishment was back in March 2002 when Middlesbrough brought charges against Liverpool for illegally approaching defender Christian Ziege. The Merseyside club were fined £20,000 while the player was hit with a £10,000 penalty. Earlier this season Aston Villa were warned and ordered to pay costs for making an illegal approach to the then Southampton striker James Beattie.

Cole to launch appeal after fine
Arsenal's Ashley Cole will appeal against the £100,000 Premier League fine imposed on him for his involvement in the 'tapping up' saga. Cole's lawyer Graham Shear said: "We think this is an entirely unsatisfactory conclusion. We will be lodging an appeal immediately. "The decision seems to be based on conjecture and speculation." Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein said he hoped Cole would "rethink the strategy" to appeal. Dein wants Cole to stay at Highbury and put the tapping-up probe behind him. The Gunners vice-chairman, who described the whole episode as "an unpleasant experience", said: "We hope Ashley does not leave. He is valuable and we intend to keep him. "People learn from their mistakes. We are going to close the book now. We do not want any hostility. Life goes on. "Three points suspended is not inconsiderable and it will be a deterrent," he added. Cole was found to have breached Premier League rule K5, which prohibited him from approaching Chelsea with a view to negotiating a transfer, without permission from Arsenal. A footballer is a modern employee and should not be restrained in this way Graham Shear Ashley Cole's lawyer Chelsea were fined £300,000 and handed a suspended three-point deduction and their manager, Jose Mourinho, was fined £200,000. Shear continued: "We find it hard to understand how the decision could have been reached in light of that evidence. "The decision does not seem to bear much of a relationship to the evidence given by either Ashley Cole or Jonathan Barnett. "Proportionality is an extremely important factor in any justice system and I would suggest there are questions to be asked on this matter regarding the fine provided to Ashley Cole." Shear added that the punishment meted out also had far-reaching implications regarding contract law and its impact upon a player. "Our appeal will not only be so far as the factual of evidentiary side is concerned but so far as the restraint issues are concerned as well," said Shear. "The decision does not deal with the extremely important issue of restraint of trade as far as footballers are concerned and does not explain why footballers cannot speak to prospective future employers. "It grabs hold of the master and servant relationship that employees had a century ago. "A footballer is a modern employee and should not be restrained in this way."

Football player's brother jailed
England defender Sol Campbell's brother has been jailed for 12 months for attacking a student who allegedly suggested the player "might be gay". John Campbell, 34, of Manor Park, in east London, was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court in April of grievous bodily harm. The court heard Campbell punched and kicked Mark Golstein unconscious, shattering his jaw, last February. Mr Golstein has always denied making the remark about the Arsenal player. 'Loss of control' Campbell was cleared of an alternative charge of GBH with intent. Sentencing him on Friday, Judge David Richardson said: "I am told you are frustrated when people taunt you about your brother... but it does not justify an attack with kicks. "Mr Golstein's behaviour could have been dealt with by words." Mr Golstein, 26, a student at the University of East London, spent three days in hospital after the attack and could initially only take food through a straw. Campbell, older brother of the Arsenal and England defender, had denied the charges, insisting he only defended himself after Mr Golstein struck the first blow. 'Self-defence' The court heard Campbell punched and kicked his victim during a training session at Clapton Football Club in February 2004. Campbell told the court he acted in self defence after Mr Golstein told him, "Your brother's gay", and threw the first punch. Mark Golstein, who was on a four-year sport and exercise course with Campbell, denied he had made comments regarding Sol Campbell's sexuality. Campbell's barrister said his client had endured years of "turning the other cheek" and now he had "brought shame on his family and most ironically to his younger brother, whose reputation he had fought to protect".

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