It took only six matches for Ronaldinho's return to Brazilian football to be considered a success.
Ronaldinho still isn't playing the kind of football that twice made him the FIFA player of the year, but on Sunday he scored a decisive goal and lifted his first trophy since joining Flamengo after 10 years in European football.
"I'm euphoric," Ronaldinho said after Flamengo's 1-0 victory over Boavista in the Guanabara Cup final. "This is how I want to make history with Flamengo, scoring goals and winning titles."
The goal in the Guanabara Cup — the first stage of the Rio de Janeiro state championship — was Ronaldinho's third since making his debut with the popular Brazilian club following a transfer from AC Milan in January, a move that brought him back to Brazil after thriving with some of Europe's top clubs.
"I came to Flamengo at the right time," the 30-year-old Ronaldinho said. "I'm very motivated to start playing well again and to be happy again."
Ronaldinho was FIFA's player of the year in 2004 and 2005 with Barcelona, but was struggling recently with AC Milan and decided to return home to revamp his career.
"My goal is to return to the national team as soon as possible," he said. "I'll keep working hard."
Ronaldinho is yet to have a stellar performance since his debut with Flamengo on Feb. 2, but the club has won five of the six matches he played.
He scored his first goal with Flamengo with a penalty kick against Boavista in the group stage on Feb. 6, and his second came with a header against Murici in the Brazilian Cup on Feb. 16.
The 71st-minute goal on Sunday came at a crucial moment for Flamengo, which was dominating the match but was having difficulties getting past the opponent's tight defensive scheme at the Engenhao stadium in Rio.
He curled a right-footed shot over the wall, striking it so perfectly that he began running to celebrate even before the ball hit the net. He ran near the sideline with several teammates lined up behind him, all dancing together.
The playmaker was praised and hailed in headlines across Brazil's top newspapers on Monday.
"Ronaldinho decides with masterful goal," the Lance sports daily said.
"Ronaldinho gives Flamengo the title," read a front-page headline in the O Globo newspaper in Rio.
Ronaldinho signed with Flamengo in January after a controversial negotiation that involved two other Brazilian clubs, Palmeiras and Gremio, where he started his career. Ronaldinho's agent and brother Roberto Assis negotiated with the three clubs for several days before announcing Ronaldinho's decision to join Flamengo until the 2014 World Cup, which will be played in Brazil.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Serbia Could Be Expelled From Euro Qualifiers
UEFA president Michel Platini warned Serbia on Thursday they would be thrown out of the Euro 2012 qualifiers and the country's clubs banned from European competition if their fans caused any more crowd trouble.
Platini met Serbian president Boris Tadic and told him the national team and domestic clubs would be expelled from Europe if the Balkan country's supporters continued to cause trouble, Tadic's press office said in a statement.
"Michel Platini told Serbia's president it was UEFA's position that the Serbian national team and the country's clubs would be expelled from all European competition if its hooligans continued with their violent and criminal behaviour," it said.
Platini's warning follows a history of violence involving Serbian fans, most recently a riot in Genoa last October during the country's Euro 2012 Group C qualifier away to Italy.
Serbian supporters forced the game to be abandoned after six minutes when they threw flares at home players, fans and police at the Luigi Ferraris stadium, having attacked their own team bus before the kick off.
Last month the ringleaders of Partizan Belgrade's ultras who beat to death a French fan ahead of the team's Europa League match with Ligue 1 side Toulouse in 2009 received sentences of up to 35 years each in prison.
Platini met Serbian president Boris Tadic and told him the national team and domestic clubs would be expelled from Europe if the Balkan country's supporters continued to cause trouble, Tadic's press office said in a statement.
"Michel Platini told Serbia's president it was UEFA's position that the Serbian national team and the country's clubs would be expelled from all European competition if its hooligans continued with their violent and criminal behaviour," it said.
Platini's warning follows a history of violence involving Serbian fans, most recently a riot in Genoa last October during the country's Euro 2012 Group C qualifier away to Italy.
Serbian supporters forced the game to be abandoned after six minutes when they threw flares at home players, fans and police at the Luigi Ferraris stadium, having attacked their own team bus before the kick off.
Last month the ringleaders of Partizan Belgrade's ultras who beat to death a French fan ahead of the team's Europa League match with Ligue 1 side Toulouse in 2009 received sentences of up to 35 years each in prison.
Claudio Borghi Appointed Chile Coach
Claudio Borghi of Argentina has been appointed coach of Chile's national soccer team as a replacement for countryman Marcelo Bielsa, who led the South Americans to their best World Cup finish since 1962.
The Chilean federation made the announcement Thursday.
Borghi quit three months ago as coach of Argentine club Boca Juniors.
Bielsa resigned three weeks ago in a dispute with the leadership of Chilean soccer but remains popular after leading Chile to the second round in its first World Cup since 1998.
The Chilean federation made the announcement Thursday.
Borghi quit three months ago as coach of Argentine club Boca Juniors.
Bielsa resigned three weeks ago in a dispute with the leadership of Chilean soccer but remains popular after leading Chile to the second round in its first World Cup since 1998.
Empty Blatter: FIFA's boss speaks first, thinks later
In the flibbertigibbet world of Sepp Blatter, the vocal cords act first, and at some later time the vestigial reasoning and social conscience portions of his brain are engaged.
This would be hilarious, except that Blatter is the president of FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, and he is in charge of important events such as the World Cup.
Blatter recently presided over the flawed awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
On Monday, he made a dumb remark when asked whether gay fans should attend the tournament in Qatar.
“I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities,” Blatter said in a news conference in South Africa.
It was a perfect example of why people should not flick their thumbs or their tongues before thinking. Given that English is Blatter’s fourth or fifth language, and that his Swiss sense of humor may not reverberate well in other parts of the world, it was still a foolish — and perhaps highly revealing — thing to say.
This gaffe may take him even further from the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has been lusting after for years. A Nobel Peace Prize for doling out soccer tournaments under murky circumstances, and occasionally prattling about fair play?
Blatter apologized Friday at a news conference in the United Arab Emirates, where the final of the Club World Cup will be held Saturday. His handlers had convinced him that he had blundered.
“It was not my intention and never will be my intention to go into any discrimination,” Blatter said. “This is exactly what we are against. If somebody feels that they have been hurt, then I regret, and present apologies.”
The apology was noted by Juris Lavrikovs, the communications director for the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. In an interview from Brussels, Lavrikovs called upon FIFA to “engage in a dialogue” about the conditions for gays in 2022. He said his organization was more concerned about full-time residents of Qatar, which is listed among 70 nations in which homosexuality has been criminalized.
An official with the Qatar bid committee, who was not authorized to speak because the committee has technically been disbanded, said in a telephone interview that the nation would be open to all people but noted that the public display of affection is banned to all.
Details of the 2022 World Cup will be worked out in a document early in 2011, Chuck Blazer, the lone U.S. representative on the FIFA board, said from the United Arab Emirates.
Blatter’s statement might be fine, except for one thing. No sooner had 22 FIFA board members, many allegedly trading votes and favors in private, chosen Qatar than a few people remembered that, oh gee, the temperature in Qatar averages 107 degrees in June and July, when the World Cup is played.
Qatar, a wealthy and progressive nation, could undoubtedly construct fantastic stadiums with some form of shelter and air-conditioning. But now, in classic Blatter revisionist fashion, there is talk of moving the 2022 World Cup to January, when the weather is delightful. This would entail a thorough dismantling of soccer’s precious September-to-May club schedule in most big leagues.
This would be hilarious, except that Blatter is the president of FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, and he is in charge of important events such as the World Cup.
Blatter recently presided over the flawed awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
On Monday, he made a dumb remark when asked whether gay fans should attend the tournament in Qatar.
“I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities,” Blatter said in a news conference in South Africa.
It was a perfect example of why people should not flick their thumbs or their tongues before thinking. Given that English is Blatter’s fourth or fifth language, and that his Swiss sense of humor may not reverberate well in other parts of the world, it was still a foolish — and perhaps highly revealing — thing to say.
This gaffe may take him even further from the Nobel Peace Prize, which he has been lusting after for years. A Nobel Peace Prize for doling out soccer tournaments under murky circumstances, and occasionally prattling about fair play?
Blatter apologized Friday at a news conference in the United Arab Emirates, where the final of the Club World Cup will be held Saturday. His handlers had convinced him that he had blundered.
“It was not my intention and never will be my intention to go into any discrimination,” Blatter said. “This is exactly what we are against. If somebody feels that they have been hurt, then I regret, and present apologies.”
The apology was noted by Juris Lavrikovs, the communications director for the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. In an interview from Brussels, Lavrikovs called upon FIFA to “engage in a dialogue” about the conditions for gays in 2022. He said his organization was more concerned about full-time residents of Qatar, which is listed among 70 nations in which homosexuality has been criminalized.
An official with the Qatar bid committee, who was not authorized to speak because the committee has technically been disbanded, said in a telephone interview that the nation would be open to all people but noted that the public display of affection is banned to all.
Details of the 2022 World Cup will be worked out in a document early in 2011, Chuck Blazer, the lone U.S. representative on the FIFA board, said from the United Arab Emirates.
Blatter’s statement might be fine, except for one thing. No sooner had 22 FIFA board members, many allegedly trading votes and favors in private, chosen Qatar than a few people remembered that, oh gee, the temperature in Qatar averages 107 degrees in June and July, when the World Cup is played.
Qatar, a wealthy and progressive nation, could undoubtedly construct fantastic stadiums with some form of shelter and air-conditioning. But now, in classic Blatter revisionist fashion, there is talk of moving the 2022 World Cup to January, when the weather is delightful. This would entail a thorough dismantling of soccer’s precious September-to-May club schedule in most big leagues.
2010 World Cup organizer Danny Jordaan loses FIFA vote
South African World Cup organizer Danny Jordaan has lost his bid to join FIFA's 24-man executive committee.
The Confederation of African Football said Wednesday that Jordaan came fourth among five candidates to fill two spots on soccer's ruling body.
Algerian federation president Mohamed Raouraoua was first with 39 votes. Ivory Coast federation president Jacques Anouma followed with 35 and will serve a second four-year term. Jordaan received 10 votes from the 53 CAF members.
Raouraoua replaces Amos Adamu, suspended by FIFA after it concluded he sought bribes prior to December's vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts.
The new terms start July 1 at the FIFA Congress in Zurich. The terms of CAF President Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Hany Abo Rida of Egypt run until 2013.
The Confederation of African Football said Wednesday that Jordaan came fourth among five candidates to fill two spots on soccer's ruling body.
Algerian federation president Mohamed Raouraoua was first with 39 votes. Ivory Coast federation president Jacques Anouma followed with 35 and will serve a second four-year term. Jordaan received 10 votes from the 53 CAF members.
Raouraoua replaces Amos Adamu, suspended by FIFA after it concluded he sought bribes prior to December's vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts.
The new terms start July 1 at the FIFA Congress in Zurich. The terms of CAF President Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Hany Abo Rida of Egypt run until 2013.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Egypt to ask for African Cup postponement
Egypt's soccer federation will ask to have next month's African Cup of Nations qualifying match against South Africa postponed because of unrest at home.
Egypt is scheduled to play in South Africa on March 24 in Group G. Association spokesman Azmey Mejahed says Egypt will ask African federation officials to change the match to a later date.
Hosni Mubarak was ousted as president on Feb. 11 after protests around the country.
The U.S. national team's exhibition against Egypt in Cairo on Feb. 9 was canceled.
Egypt is scheduled to play in South Africa on March 24 in Group G. Association spokesman Azmey Mejahed says Egypt will ask African federation officials to change the match to a later date.
Hosni Mubarak was ousted as president on Feb. 11 after protests around the country.
The U.S. national team's exhibition against Egypt in Cairo on Feb. 9 was canceled.
Danny Jordaan Hopes to Capitalise on 2010 in FIFA Vote
Danny Jordaan, the man responsible for organising a successful World Cup in South Africa, hopes to capitalise by following Michel Platini and Franz Beckenbauer onto FIFA's executive committee this week.
Jordaan is among six candidates for two African places on the 24-man committee, one of which has been left vacant following the suspension of the disgraced Amos Adamu, found guilty of bribery by FIFA's ethics committee last November.
Chief executive of South Africa's 2010 World Cup organising committee, Jordaan told Reuters he wanted to follow the path of Platini and Beckenbauer who also went from World Cup organisers to join FIFA's decision-making cabinet.
"Everyone in Africa has been praising us for the successful hosting of the World Cup and so in the tradition of Platini and Beckenbauer, it is logical we seek to bring that experience to the FIFA committee," Jordaan told Reuters in an interview.
Jordaan, a long-serving sports administrator and former South African member of Parliament, says he is under no illusions it will be a tough contest.
"I think it's going to be tough and we have had to do a lot of ground work."
Platini was co-head of the organising committee for the 1998 World Cup in France and Beckenbauer was head of Germany's organising committee eight years later.
Incumbent Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast is up for re-election while other candidates come from Algeria, Nigeria, Seychelles and Zambia. The vote will take place during the Confederation of African Football (CAF) congress in Khartoum.
Jordaan has spent the last week backtracking from reported statements made about higher ambitions, including the leadership of African football.
The support for candidates of powerful and long-standing CAF president Issa Hayatou is expected to be influential in Wednesday's contest.
"I never said I was intending on standing for CAF president in the future. This is a story that has been blown out of proportion," Jordaan insisted.
Jordaan seeks to go straight to the FIFA executive committee without time spent on the CAF executive which has been the traditional route to Zurich for African soccer administrators.
His rivals Anouma, Mohamed Raouraoua of Algeria and Suketu Patel of Seychelles are existing members of CAF executive and favoured to dominate the voting.
Nigeria have been allowed to belatedly nominate their former football federation president Ibrahim Galadima in place of Adamu, who lost an appeal over his three-year ban from all soccer-related activities earlier this month.
Adamu was banned by FIFA's ethics committee after allegedly offering to sell his vote in the recent World Cup bidding campaign to Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for an American consortium.
Jordaan is among six candidates for two African places on the 24-man committee, one of which has been left vacant following the suspension of the disgraced Amos Adamu, found guilty of bribery by FIFA's ethics committee last November.
Chief executive of South Africa's 2010 World Cup organising committee, Jordaan told Reuters he wanted to follow the path of Platini and Beckenbauer who also went from World Cup organisers to join FIFA's decision-making cabinet.
"Everyone in Africa has been praising us for the successful hosting of the World Cup and so in the tradition of Platini and Beckenbauer, it is logical we seek to bring that experience to the FIFA committee," Jordaan told Reuters in an interview.
Jordaan, a long-serving sports administrator and former South African member of Parliament, says he is under no illusions it will be a tough contest.
"I think it's going to be tough and we have had to do a lot of ground work."
Platini was co-head of the organising committee for the 1998 World Cup in France and Beckenbauer was head of Germany's organising committee eight years later.
Incumbent Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast is up for re-election while other candidates come from Algeria, Nigeria, Seychelles and Zambia. The vote will take place during the Confederation of African Football (CAF) congress in Khartoum.
Jordaan has spent the last week backtracking from reported statements made about higher ambitions, including the leadership of African football.
The support for candidates of powerful and long-standing CAF president Issa Hayatou is expected to be influential in Wednesday's contest.
"I never said I was intending on standing for CAF president in the future. This is a story that has been blown out of proportion," Jordaan insisted.
Jordaan seeks to go straight to the FIFA executive committee without time spent on the CAF executive which has been the traditional route to Zurich for African soccer administrators.
His rivals Anouma, Mohamed Raouraoua of Algeria and Suketu Patel of Seychelles are existing members of CAF executive and favoured to dominate the voting.
Nigeria have been allowed to belatedly nominate their former football federation president Ibrahim Galadima in place of Adamu, who lost an appeal over his three-year ban from all soccer-related activities earlier this month.
Adamu was banned by FIFA's ethics committee after allegedly offering to sell his vote in the recent World Cup bidding campaign to Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for an American consortium.
Monday, February 21, 2011
FIFA Will Decide on World Cup Slots Next Month-Report
FIFA will decide next month on the prickly question of how many places each continent will be allocated at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a member of the executive committee was reported as saying on Sunday.
Junji Ogura said the matter would be debated and decided at the next FIFA executive committee meeting in Zurich on March 2 and 3, Japan's Kyodo news agency said.
A FIFA spokesman told Reuters the meeting had been scheduled and said the agenda would be confirmed in the next two or three days.
The draw for the 2014 qualifying competition is due to be made in Rio de Janeiro on July 30.
Asia Football Confederation president Mohammad Bin Hammam said last month that Asia would not agree to anything less than the four-and-a-half places it has in Brazil.
Australia, North Korea, South Korea and Japan represented Asian in 2010 while Bahrain lost in a playoff to New Zealand, winners of the Oceania qualifying tournament.
Jack Warner, president of the CONCACAF federation representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, has already said that his region want their quota increased to four direct places.
CONCACAF had three guaranteed spots in South Africa last year while Costa Rica lost to Uruguay in a playoff for another place.
South America, which had four-and-a-half places in South Africa, is hopeful of maintaining its quota with Brazil, who qualify automatically as hosts, being an additional team for the continent.
Africa had six teams at the 2010 World Cup including South Africa as hosts, although only one -- Ghana -- made it past the first round.
Europe had 13 teams at the 2010 World Cup, of which seven were eliminated in the group stage and three made it to the semi-finals.
Junji Ogura said the matter would be debated and decided at the next FIFA executive committee meeting in Zurich on March 2 and 3, Japan's Kyodo news agency said.
A FIFA spokesman told Reuters the meeting had been scheduled and said the agenda would be confirmed in the next two or three days.
The draw for the 2014 qualifying competition is due to be made in Rio de Janeiro on July 30.
Asia Football Confederation president Mohammad Bin Hammam said last month that Asia would not agree to anything less than the four-and-a-half places it has in Brazil.
Australia, North Korea, South Korea and Japan represented Asian in 2010 while Bahrain lost in a playoff to New Zealand, winners of the Oceania qualifying tournament.
Jack Warner, president of the CONCACAF federation representing North and Central America and the Caribbean, has already said that his region want their quota increased to four direct places.
CONCACAF had three guaranteed spots in South Africa last year while Costa Rica lost to Uruguay in a playoff for another place.
South America, which had four-and-a-half places in South Africa, is hopeful of maintaining its quota with Brazil, who qualify automatically as hosts, being an additional team for the continent.
Africa had six teams at the 2010 World Cup including South Africa as hosts, although only one -- Ghana -- made it past the first round.
Europe had 13 teams at the 2010 World Cup, of which seven were eliminated in the group stage and three made it to the semi-finals.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
World Cup delays a big worry
Delays in getting Brazil ready to host the 2014 football World Cup could end up with the South American nation being "red-faced" when the time comes, retired soccer legend Pele said.
"We are really worried," he told a media conference in Sao Paulo, speaking for the Brazilian Football Confederation and FIFA.
"I think Brazil is running the risk of being red-faced in the way it is managing the World Cup, principally in communication and airports," he said.
The comment by the Brazilian considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time highlighted the fact that work on almost all of the 12 World Cup venues in the country were behind schedule.
Airports in Brazil are also saturated, with flight delays and cancellations a common occurrence each day.
"Brazil has the duty to put on a good World Cup. And unfortunately it's behind schedule," Pele said, pointing out the example of Sao Paulo, where no World Cup-standard stadium has yet been built.
"We are really worried," he told a media conference in Sao Paulo, speaking for the Brazilian Football Confederation and FIFA.
"I think Brazil is running the risk of being red-faced in the way it is managing the World Cup, principally in communication and airports," he said.
The comment by the Brazilian considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time highlighted the fact that work on almost all of the 12 World Cup venues in the country were behind schedule.
Airports in Brazil are also saturated, with flight delays and cancellations a common occurrence each day.
"Brazil has the duty to put on a good World Cup. And unfortunately it's behind schedule," Pele said, pointing out the example of Sao Paulo, where no World Cup-standard stadium has yet been built.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Uefa reveal cost of Champions League final tickets
UEFA today admitted that ticket prices for the Champions League final at Wembley on May 28 will be the most expensive ever.
The cheapest tickets on general sale will come to £150 plus a £26 administration fee, while the cheapest category four tickets available through the clubs will be £80.
UEFA's director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti said the prices were in line with comparable events such as the World Cup final or European Championship final.
Marchetti said at the ticket launch at London's City Hall: "The prices are based on the type of event and when you compare it to other events we don't think that the Champions League final is overpriced.
"We do not want to squeeze every single penny out of the market.
"We have to benchmark this event against other comparable events, like for example the final of the Euros and the World Cup.
"Last year there was already a significant increase compared to the previous editions but it's nothing to do with being in London and it is still priced below comparable events."
UEFA announced that 11,000 tickets will be available on general sale at £300, £225 and £150 with wheelchair entry costing £80. A certain number of £80 tickets will be available among the 25,000 allocated to each club in the final.
The cost of Champions League final tickets has rocketed since Rome 2009 - the category three tickets have almost doubled since then, when they cost £80.
Marchetti faced hostile questioning about the administration fee and the cost of 'youth packages' - especially with UEFA president Michel Platini moving the final to a Saturday because he wanted to encourage more children to attend.
"That's also why we put some tickets from children at a discounted price," said Marchetti, though the cost of a package for one adult and one child is only available in category two and will cost £338. "That's a 50% discount for the child," said Marchetti.
The £26 administration fee per two-ticket booking - or £36 outside of Europe - was justified because there were "costs involved", he said. Asked about the administration fee for the UEFA's women's Champions League final at Craven Cottage on May 26 - where tickets cost just £5 - Marchetti replied: "That is a nasty question. I hope you don't think the men's final and women's final have the same target of people. We are not making a profit, we have different targets and objectives for the women's final.
"This is the market price. Do you think we would have trouble filling Wembley if the prices were higher? You think it would be different?
"We try to strike a balance between the interest of the supporters and the interest of the event. Why should we price the tickets lower than what we think is a fair level?"
UEFA expect income from the Champions League final to top £14million, £3m more than last year's final in Madrid.
The cheapest tickets on general sale will come to £150 plus a £26 administration fee, while the cheapest category four tickets available through the clubs will be £80.
UEFA's director of competitions Giorgio Marchetti said the prices were in line with comparable events such as the World Cup final or European Championship final.
Marchetti said at the ticket launch at London's City Hall: "The prices are based on the type of event and when you compare it to other events we don't think that the Champions League final is overpriced.
"We do not want to squeeze every single penny out of the market.
"We have to benchmark this event against other comparable events, like for example the final of the Euros and the World Cup.
"Last year there was already a significant increase compared to the previous editions but it's nothing to do with being in London and it is still priced below comparable events."
UEFA announced that 11,000 tickets will be available on general sale at £300, £225 and £150 with wheelchair entry costing £80. A certain number of £80 tickets will be available among the 25,000 allocated to each club in the final.
The cost of Champions League final tickets has rocketed since Rome 2009 - the category three tickets have almost doubled since then, when they cost £80.
Marchetti faced hostile questioning about the administration fee and the cost of 'youth packages' - especially with UEFA president Michel Platini moving the final to a Saturday because he wanted to encourage more children to attend.
"That's also why we put some tickets from children at a discounted price," said Marchetti, though the cost of a package for one adult and one child is only available in category two and will cost £338. "That's a 50% discount for the child," said Marchetti.
The £26 administration fee per two-ticket booking - or £36 outside of Europe - was justified because there were "costs involved", he said. Asked about the administration fee for the UEFA's women's Champions League final at Craven Cottage on May 26 - where tickets cost just £5 - Marchetti replied: "That is a nasty question. I hope you don't think the men's final and women's final have the same target of people. We are not making a profit, we have different targets and objectives for the women's final.
"This is the market price. Do you think we would have trouble filling Wembley if the prices were higher? You think it would be different?
"We try to strike a balance between the interest of the supporters and the interest of the event. Why should we price the tickets lower than what we think is a fair level?"
UEFA expect income from the Champions League final to top £14million, £3m more than last year's final in Madrid.
Ukraine President promises 4.4 billion for Euro 2012
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Thursday promised some 6.1 billion dollars in government and private funds would be spent on preparations for the Euro 2012 football championship by January.
"Euro 2012 is not just a wonderful sports event, it is jobs and our GDP," Yanukovych said, speaking at a meeting with government officials in the southern city Odessa.
The Ukrainian government has budgeted some 1.2 billion dollars towards preparation for the championship to be spent by the end of 2011, and private industry is likely to contribute another 3.2 billion dollars in investment credits over the same period, he said.
The money would go towards improving airports, roads, railroad, and developing hotel infrastructure, he said.
Opposition politicians have criticized the Yanukokych administration for allegedly spending too lavishly on getting ready for Euro 2012, and for planning to slash pensions and raise taxes to help pay to co-host the championship.
The UEFA in 2007 named Poland and Ukraine co-hosts for Euro 2012.
Ukraine's preparation effort thus far has been mixed with delays in stadium construction, transportation infrastructure overhaul, and hotel development the worst headaches.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Yanukovych's top lieutenant, on Monday said work to get ready for Euro 2012 would be "practically complete" by the end of 2011, according to an Interfax report.
"Euro 2012 is not just a wonderful sports event, it is jobs and our GDP," Yanukovych said, speaking at a meeting with government officials in the southern city Odessa.
The Ukrainian government has budgeted some 1.2 billion dollars towards preparation for the championship to be spent by the end of 2011, and private industry is likely to contribute another 3.2 billion dollars in investment credits over the same period, he said.
The money would go towards improving airports, roads, railroad, and developing hotel infrastructure, he said.
Opposition politicians have criticized the Yanukokych administration for allegedly spending too lavishly on getting ready for Euro 2012, and for planning to slash pensions and raise taxes to help pay to co-host the championship.
The UEFA in 2007 named Poland and Ukraine co-hosts for Euro 2012.
Ukraine's preparation effort thus far has been mixed with delays in stadium construction, transportation infrastructure overhaul, and hotel development the worst headaches.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, Yanukovych's top lieutenant, on Monday said work to get ready for Euro 2012 would be "practically complete" by the end of 2011, according to an Interfax report.
Bulgarian Referees Banned from Football
Six Bulgarian referees have been banned from football for good for officiating at international matches in South America and not informing the Bulgarian Football Union about their presence there.
Luchezar Yonov, Petar Tarulov, Emil Mitev, Penyo Tashev, Ruslan Minchev and Veselin Rashkov were in charge of games at Under-20 international tournaments in Venezuela and Argentina back in 2010. All of them received personal offers from the "Exclusive sport" agency without telling the national body, thus breaching its ethics code.
The wrongdoing was revealed after it turned out that the Hungarian referee, who presided over the suspicious international friendly between Bulgaria and Estonia, was also present at one of these tournaments.
FIFA and UEFA are currently investigating the Bulgaria-Estonia friendly amid strong allegations of match-fixing. The match ended 2-2 with all four goals coming from the penalty spot.
Furthermore, the game was organized by the Thailand-based agency "Footy Sport International", while Russian Sergey Protsenko acted as an intermediary despite not holding a license by a FIFA manager. The same people organized the previous match between Latvia and Bolivia, in which all three goals were also scored from penalties.
It is still unclear whether the banned Bulgarian referees participated in match-fixing schemes during their secret stays in South America.
Luchezar Yonov, Petar Tarulov, Emil Mitev, Penyo Tashev, Ruslan Minchev and Veselin Rashkov were in charge of games at Under-20 international tournaments in Venezuela and Argentina back in 2010. All of them received personal offers from the "Exclusive sport" agency without telling the national body, thus breaching its ethics code.
The wrongdoing was revealed after it turned out that the Hungarian referee, who presided over the suspicious international friendly between Bulgaria and Estonia, was also present at one of these tournaments.
FIFA and UEFA are currently investigating the Bulgaria-Estonia friendly amid strong allegations of match-fixing. The match ended 2-2 with all four goals coming from the penalty spot.
Furthermore, the game was organized by the Thailand-based agency "Footy Sport International", while Russian Sergey Protsenko acted as an intermediary despite not holding a license by a FIFA manager. The same people organized the previous match between Latvia and Bolivia, in which all three goals were also scored from penalties.
It is still unclear whether the banned Bulgarian referees participated in match-fixing schemes during their secret stays in South America.
FIFA lost a legal challenge
Major sports events such as football's World Cup will be available to all television viewers in Britain and Belgium after FIFA lost a legal challenge on Thursday.
The General Court, the European Union's second highest court, dismissed a similar challenge by European football's governing body, UEFA, against a decision by British authorities to protect broadcast of the European Championship finals.
"A member state may, in certain circumstances, prohibit the exclusive broadcast of all World Cup and Euro football matches on pay television, in order to allow the general public to follow those events on free television," the Court said.
It is said such restrictions were justified by the public's right to information and the need to ensure wide access to TV broadcasts.
Under an EU directive, EU countries are allowed to draw up a list of events of national interest or "crown jewels" for broadcast on free-to-air stations,
Such events include the Olympic Games, the football World Cup, the European Championships, England's FA Cup and the Wimbledon tennis championships.
FIFA was contesting a 2007 Commission decision allowing Belgium and Britain to reserve broadcasting rights for the World Cup to free-to-air TV stations.
FIFA and UEFA argued that the regime interferes with their property rights, especially when some countries broadcast all matches even though their national teams do not play in some of the events. The sports bodies also argue that they get less money from free-to-air TV broadcasts, which in turn would have a knock-on effect on investments and attracting world-class players and hence the quality of the games.
Proponents say allowing everybody to watch sports events will increase interest in the games.
"We welcome the decision from the EU and continue to support the principle of protecting sports events for free to air coverage," a spokesman for Britain's Culture, Media and Sport department said.
The General Court, the European Union's second highest court, dismissed a similar challenge by European football's governing body, UEFA, against a decision by British authorities to protect broadcast of the European Championship finals.
"A member state may, in certain circumstances, prohibit the exclusive broadcast of all World Cup and Euro football matches on pay television, in order to allow the general public to follow those events on free television," the Court said.
It is said such restrictions were justified by the public's right to information and the need to ensure wide access to TV broadcasts.
Under an EU directive, EU countries are allowed to draw up a list of events of national interest or "crown jewels" for broadcast on free-to-air stations,
Such events include the Olympic Games, the football World Cup, the European Championships, England's FA Cup and the Wimbledon tennis championships.
FIFA was contesting a 2007 Commission decision allowing Belgium and Britain to reserve broadcasting rights for the World Cup to free-to-air TV stations.
FIFA and UEFA argued that the regime interferes with their property rights, especially when some countries broadcast all matches even though their national teams do not play in some of the events. The sports bodies also argue that they get less money from free-to-air TV broadcasts, which in turn would have a knock-on effect on investments and attracting world-class players and hence the quality of the games.
Proponents say allowing everybody to watch sports events will increase interest in the games.
"We welcome the decision from the EU and continue to support the principle of protecting sports events for free to air coverage," a spokesman for Britain's Culture, Media and Sport department said.
Israel coach Fernandez suspended
Israel national coach Luis Fernandez was suspended from all football activity with immediate effect by world governing body FIFA on Thursday, a FIFA source told AFP.
The 51-year-old Spanish-born former French international had been suspended FIFA said because of an outstanding judgement made against him in 2009 relating to a Qatari team he had coached.
The Israeli Football Association (IFA) had said earlier on Thursday they had received an “official request” from FIFA to fire Fernandez.
The request said Fernandez “must cease all football related activities immediately due to a failure to pay a debt to a team he coached in the past in Qatar,” the Israeli body said in a statement.
The IFA said in a statement they were due to meet Fernandez to discuss the issue.
“Next week I will meet with Luis Fernandez and decide together how to solve the problem that was created,” IFA chairman Eli Luzon said.
In the statement Fernandez added: “This is a long-standing legal dispute. I am sure that things will work before the next set of matches at the end of March.”
Fernandez has not had much success since taking over the national team last March, racking up just one win in European qualifying, over Malta.
Fernandez, who played 60 times for France and was a member of the side that won the 1984 European Championship title, coached Paris Saint Germain to the 1996 Cup Winners Cup, and was also in charge of Spanish sides Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol.
The 51-year-old Spanish-born former French international had been suspended FIFA said because of an outstanding judgement made against him in 2009 relating to a Qatari team he had coached.
The Israeli Football Association (IFA) had said earlier on Thursday they had received an “official request” from FIFA to fire Fernandez.
The request said Fernandez “must cease all football related activities immediately due to a failure to pay a debt to a team he coached in the past in Qatar,” the Israeli body said in a statement.
The IFA said in a statement they were due to meet Fernandez to discuss the issue.
“Next week I will meet with Luis Fernandez and decide together how to solve the problem that was created,” IFA chairman Eli Luzon said.
In the statement Fernandez added: “This is a long-standing legal dispute. I am sure that things will work before the next set of matches at the end of March.”
Fernandez has not had much success since taking over the national team last March, racking up just one win in European qualifying, over Malta.
Fernandez, who played 60 times for France and was a member of the side that won the 1984 European Championship title, coached Paris Saint Germain to the 1996 Cup Winners Cup, and was also in charge of Spanish sides Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Cheapest Ticket Prices For Euro 2012
The cheapest tickets for the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine will cost 50 percent less than at Euro 2008, UEFA said on Tuesday.
European soccer's governing body announced that tickets for the June 8 to July 1 tournament would start at 30 euros (£25) for group games and from 50 euros for the final in Kiev.
"The purchasing power of local citizens has been taken into account when deciding on prices," UEFA said in a statement on its website.
Tickets, which are divided into three categories with the most expensive final ticket costing 600 euros, will go on sale at uefa.com from March 1-31 this year.
Euro 2008 was co-hosted in Austria and Switzerland.
European soccer's governing body announced that tickets for the June 8 to July 1 tournament would start at 30 euros (£25) for group games and from 50 euros for the final in Kiev.
"The purchasing power of local citizens has been taken into account when deciding on prices," UEFA said in a statement on its website.
Tickets, which are divided into three categories with the most expensive final ticket costing 600 euros, will go on sale at uefa.com from March 1-31 this year.
Euro 2008 was co-hosted in Austria and Switzerland.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Brazil’s Ronaldo want to quit
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo will announce his retirement from soccer on Monday, he told a Brazilian newspaper on Sunday.
The 34-year-old three-times world player of the year has a contract with Corinthians until the end of 2011 but is bringing his retirement forward following the team’s shock early elimination from the Libertadores Cup.
Ronaldo told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper’s website his regular injury problems were one of his main reasons for quitting now.
“I can’t take it any more,” Ronaldo said. “I wanted to carry on, but I can’t. I plan a move (in a game) but I can execute as I wish. The time is up.”
The 34-year-old three-times world player of the year has a contract with Corinthians until the end of 2011 but is bringing his retirement forward following the team’s shock early elimination from the Libertadores Cup.
Ronaldo told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper’s website his regular injury problems were one of his main reasons for quitting now.
“I can’t take it any more,” Ronaldo said. “I wanted to carry on, but I can’t. I plan a move (in a game) but I can execute as I wish. The time is up.”
Sunday, February 13, 2011
FIFA is going to an investigate a friendly match between Bulgaria and Estonia,
World soccer’s ruling body FIFA has ordered an investigation into the midweek friendly between Bulgaria and Estonia, an official said Friday.
The match, played in the Turkish resort of Antalya on Wednesday, ended 2-2 with all the goals coming from penalties.
“FIFA contacted us and requested a full report from the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) and also said they would receive a report from the Estonian FA,” a BFU official who declined to be identified told Reuters Friday.
“We will provide full assistance to FIFA.”
Earlier Friday, BFU president Borislav Mihaylov told reporters: “We had some doubts about the refereeing in this match.”
There is also confusion over which referee took charge of the game.
Official reports from the BFU and the Estonian FA say the referee was Hungarian Krisztian Selmeczi.
However, Hungarian referees’ chief Laszlo Wagner and Hungarian media have indicated the referee was Selmeczi’s fellow countryman Kolos Lengyel.
Wagner said the three match officials involved would now be suspended.
“I’m shocked because we didn’t receive a letter to allow these referees (Selmeczi, Lengyel and Janos Csak) to officiate at this game,” Wagner told Bulgarian radio.
“I can say that these three will not officiate any more matches while I’m head of the commission.”
Thursday, Estonia FA spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht told local media that his organisation were told about “possible manipulation” ahead of the match.
“The friendly was organised by an agency with whom we will not work any more,” said Uiboleht.
“We received information of possible manipulation even before the game as the same agency also organised the match between Latvia and Bolivia and there was the same scenario there.”
Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 in a game featuring three penalties in a friendly held at the same venue earlier Wednesday.
The match, played in the Turkish resort of Antalya on Wednesday, ended 2-2 with all the goals coming from penalties.
“FIFA contacted us and requested a full report from the Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) and also said they would receive a report from the Estonian FA,” a BFU official who declined to be identified told Reuters Friday.
“We will provide full assistance to FIFA.”
Earlier Friday, BFU president Borislav Mihaylov told reporters: “We had some doubts about the refereeing in this match.”
There is also confusion over which referee took charge of the game.
Official reports from the BFU and the Estonian FA say the referee was Hungarian Krisztian Selmeczi.
However, Hungarian referees’ chief Laszlo Wagner and Hungarian media have indicated the referee was Selmeczi’s fellow countryman Kolos Lengyel.
Wagner said the three match officials involved would now be suspended.
“I’m shocked because we didn’t receive a letter to allow these referees (Selmeczi, Lengyel and Janos Csak) to officiate at this game,” Wagner told Bulgarian radio.
“I can say that these three will not officiate any more matches while I’m head of the commission.”
Thursday, Estonia FA spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht told local media that his organisation were told about “possible manipulation” ahead of the match.
“The friendly was organised by an agency with whom we will not work any more,” said Uiboleht.
“We received information of possible manipulation even before the game as the same agency also organised the match between Latvia and Bolivia and there was the same scenario there.”
Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 in a game featuring three penalties in a friendly held at the same venue earlier Wednesday.
new Indian owner taking on Barca, Real
Racing Santander’s new Indian owner believes the club can one day compete with La Liga behemoths Barcelona and Real Madrid and is ready to invest whatever it takes to return the club to European competition.
Ahsan Ali Syed, the founder and chairman of investment company Western Gulf Advisory who became Racing’s majority shareholder at the end of last month, told Reuters that buying into the club had been “a dream come true” and insisted there was room for a third force in Spain.
“When La Liga is watched all across the world today the first two teams that come to mind are Real Madrid or Barca,” Ali Syed said in an interview at his luxury hotel suite in Santander on Spain’s north coast.
“As I have already said in public, I will provide everything possible to see Racing grow in the world of football,” he added, sitting in a plush armchair with his entourage and team of bodyguards looking on.
“So I am sure there is a place for a third one. It’s all about proving your talent in 90 minutes on the field. Whoever plays best will win.
“There exists a lot of potential for Racing to be competitive with these two lovely teams (Barca and Real) who are always playing good, entertaining football.”
Ali Syed, who shuttles between bases in Zurich and Bahrain in a private aeroplane, failed in an attempt to buy English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers last year.
He turned his attention instead to Spain and became the latest foreign investor in La Liga following the purchase of Malaga by a member of the Qatari royal family last year.
Racing, whose most famous fan is Spanish golfer and local resident Seve Ballesteros, are often involved in the La Liga relegation scrap, although they qualified for the UEFA Cup in 2008 with a sixth-placed finish.
Steady Growth
Ali Syed’s takeover of the cash-strapped club, which he said had been “struggling” financially but was “not completely sick”, was finalised two days before the end of the January transfer window.
That left him little time to strengthen the squad, and he said he would put that right when the window reopens at the end of the season.
“When we have more time in the summer, we’ll definitely get some more talent into the squad,” he added.
“That does not necessarily mean that if you are very aggressive, with huge money pouring into the club, the club will do wonders, that is not the case.
“But I personally feel that I want to make this club grow slowly, steadily but strongly, so that it can sustain whatever position it reaches for a longer time.”
There was no specific amount set aside for spending on players, Ali Syed said, adding that he would be making his own preferences known to the Racing staff.
“I love a lot of players, possibly I cannot get all of them,” he said.
“But when the time comes, I will definitely disclose my love and affection for particular players.
“I have not earmarked (cash) as such and as I have said already I don’t want to be very aggressive.
“But we want to get good talent. How much the talent would be worth is for the technical experts to decide.
“But whatever it takes to get the best talent into the squad we will spend.”
High Expectations
After speaking to Reuters on Saturday, Ali Syed was whisked off to Racing’s Sardinero stadium where he was shown on television wildly celebrating the team’s goals in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sevilla.
Asked how long it would take the club to qualify again for European competition, he said an important step had been taken with the reappointment this week of Marcelino Garcia, the coach who led them into the UEFA Cup in 2008.
“So you can be assured that we are moving fast towards achieving that (European) goal,” Ali Syed said. “How fast, time will only show but we have high expectations.”
In the short term, Ali Syed plans to make improvements to the Sardinero, including possibly expanding its capacity from the current 22,222.
“First of all I want to make the stadium very comfortable and entertaining for the fans,” he said, dressed in dark blue with a cravat and with two large, colourful rings adorning his fingers.
“We want to get a lot of high-tech facilities in the stadium, to make the stadium as competitive as other good stadiums across the world.”
Soccer comes some way behind cricket in popularity in Ali Syed’s native India and he said that if given the chance he may put money into the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competition, including possibly buying a team.
“Right now I don’t have investments in cricket but whenever time and opportunity comes I would definitely invest,” he said.
“If ever I get a chance I would definitely associate myself with the IPL.”
Racing’s victory over Sevilla lifted the club to 12th but they remain only four points above the relegation places.
Ahsan Ali Syed, the founder and chairman of investment company Western Gulf Advisory who became Racing’s majority shareholder at the end of last month, told Reuters that buying into the club had been “a dream come true” and insisted there was room for a third force in Spain.
“When La Liga is watched all across the world today the first two teams that come to mind are Real Madrid or Barca,” Ali Syed said in an interview at his luxury hotel suite in Santander on Spain’s north coast.
“As I have already said in public, I will provide everything possible to see Racing grow in the world of football,” he added, sitting in a plush armchair with his entourage and team of bodyguards looking on.
“So I am sure there is a place for a third one. It’s all about proving your talent in 90 minutes on the field. Whoever plays best will win.
“There exists a lot of potential for Racing to be competitive with these two lovely teams (Barca and Real) who are always playing good, entertaining football.”
Ali Syed, who shuttles between bases in Zurich and Bahrain in a private aeroplane, failed in an attempt to buy English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers last year.
He turned his attention instead to Spain and became the latest foreign investor in La Liga following the purchase of Malaga by a member of the Qatari royal family last year.
Racing, whose most famous fan is Spanish golfer and local resident Seve Ballesteros, are often involved in the La Liga relegation scrap, although they qualified for the UEFA Cup in 2008 with a sixth-placed finish.
Steady Growth
Ali Syed’s takeover of the cash-strapped club, which he said had been “struggling” financially but was “not completely sick”, was finalised two days before the end of the January transfer window.
That left him little time to strengthen the squad, and he said he would put that right when the window reopens at the end of the season.
“When we have more time in the summer, we’ll definitely get some more talent into the squad,” he added.
“That does not necessarily mean that if you are very aggressive, with huge money pouring into the club, the club will do wonders, that is not the case.
“But I personally feel that I want to make this club grow slowly, steadily but strongly, so that it can sustain whatever position it reaches for a longer time.”
There was no specific amount set aside for spending on players, Ali Syed said, adding that he would be making his own preferences known to the Racing staff.
“I love a lot of players, possibly I cannot get all of them,” he said.
“But when the time comes, I will definitely disclose my love and affection for particular players.
“I have not earmarked (cash) as such and as I have said already I don’t want to be very aggressive.
“But we want to get good talent. How much the talent would be worth is for the technical experts to decide.
“But whatever it takes to get the best talent into the squad we will spend.”
High Expectations
After speaking to Reuters on Saturday, Ali Syed was whisked off to Racing’s Sardinero stadium where he was shown on television wildly celebrating the team’s goals in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sevilla.
Asked how long it would take the club to qualify again for European competition, he said an important step had been taken with the reappointment this week of Marcelino Garcia, the coach who led them into the UEFA Cup in 2008.
“So you can be assured that we are moving fast towards achieving that (European) goal,” Ali Syed said. “How fast, time will only show but we have high expectations.”
In the short term, Ali Syed plans to make improvements to the Sardinero, including possibly expanding its capacity from the current 22,222.
“First of all I want to make the stadium very comfortable and entertaining for the fans,” he said, dressed in dark blue with a cravat and with two large, colourful rings adorning his fingers.
“We want to get a lot of high-tech facilities in the stadium, to make the stadium as competitive as other good stadiums across the world.”
Soccer comes some way behind cricket in popularity in Ali Syed’s native India and he said that if given the chance he may put money into the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 competition, including possibly buying a team.
“Right now I don’t have investments in cricket but whenever time and opportunity comes I would definitely invest,” he said.
“If ever I get a chance I would definitely associate myself with the IPL.”
Racing’s victory over Sevilla lifted the club to 12th but they remain only four points above the relegation places.
European Clubs not Happy with FIFA
Europe's top clubs warned FIFA on Tuesday they are running out of patience with how it runs soccer.
Leaders of the European Club Association demanded a greater voice in decision-making from the governing body.
"I wouldn't say we are at war because the clubs are very patient, but we have a limit," Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said after a meeting of the 197-member group. "What we are asking is rational, logical and fair."
The clubs criticized FIFA for managing the game without proper consultation. They cited confusion over a possible winter switch for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Leaders of the European Club Association demanded a greater voice in decision-making from the governing body.
"I wouldn't say we are at war because the clubs are very patient, but we have a limit," Barcelona president Sandro Rosell said after a meeting of the 197-member group. "What we are asking is rational, logical and fair."
The clubs criticized FIFA for managing the game without proper consultation. They cited confusion over a possible winter switch for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Iran 1-0 Russia
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari scored a late winner as Iran shocked Russia 1-0 in an international friendly.
Russia dominated the game in the neutral venue in Abu Dhabi and placed Iran under plenty of pressure, but rarely threatened goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati. However, they did have some good chances to score but Dick Advocaat's men failed to hit the target.
Meanwhile, Iran capitalized perfectly on what they got in the dying minutes of the game as Khalatbari dribbled past two defenders to beat Igor Akinfeev from six meters.
So, Russia succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in friendly fixtures.
The match was Russia's last warm-up ahead of its Euro 2012 away qualifier against Armenia on March 26. Russia leads the Group B standings with nine points from four games. Armenia, Ireland and Slovakia are tied for second two points behind, rt.com reported.
Russia dominated the game in the neutral venue in Abu Dhabi and placed Iran under plenty of pressure, but rarely threatened goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati. However, they did have some good chances to score but Dick Advocaat's men failed to hit the target.
Meanwhile, Iran capitalized perfectly on what they got in the dying minutes of the game as Khalatbari dribbled past two defenders to beat Igor Akinfeev from six meters.
So, Russia succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in friendly fixtures.
The match was Russia's last warm-up ahead of its Euro 2012 away qualifier against Armenia on March 26. Russia leads the Group B standings with nine points from four games. Armenia, Ireland and Slovakia are tied for second two points behind, rt.com reported.
Arshavin says Russia must improve
Russian captain and playmaker Andrei Arshavin believes his side needs to play a completely different kind of football in Yerevan next month to match up to Armenia.
The 29-year-old Arsenal striker made the remarks after a failed friendly against Iran in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 9, in which Dick Advocaat’s Sbornaya lost 0-1.
“I understand we played badly, and we played with football not worthy of the European Championships, or even worthy of Armenia. In Yerevan we will have to completely up our game,” Arshavin told Sport-Express.
“We must first add speed, as our main problem came from extremely slow play. Our opponents had time to get back and cover our attacks, and in the end they scored,” said Arshavin.
(In Abu Dhabi the Iranians were led by ethnic Armenian playmaker Andranik Teymourian.)
Armenia, meanwhile, lost to Georgia 1-2 in a Wednesday friendly played in Cyprus.
Armenia and Russia will meet as part of Euro-2012 qualifying in Yerevan on March 26, followed by the return game in Moscow on June 4.
The two fixtures may become crucial in deciding the winner and runner-up in qualifying Group B where Russia and Armenia are currently in first and second places, respectively.
The 29-year-old Arsenal striker made the remarks after a failed friendly against Iran in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 9, in which Dick Advocaat’s Sbornaya lost 0-1.
“I understand we played badly, and we played with football not worthy of the European Championships, or even worthy of Armenia. In Yerevan we will have to completely up our game,” Arshavin told Sport-Express.
“We must first add speed, as our main problem came from extremely slow play. Our opponents had time to get back and cover our attacks, and in the end they scored,” said Arshavin.
(In Abu Dhabi the Iranians were led by ethnic Armenian playmaker Andranik Teymourian.)
Armenia, meanwhile, lost to Georgia 1-2 in a Wednesday friendly played in Cyprus.
Armenia and Russia will meet as part of Euro-2012 qualifying in Yerevan on March 26, followed by the return game in Moscow on June 4.
The two fixtures may become crucial in deciding the winner and runner-up in qualifying Group B where Russia and Armenia are currently in first and second places, respectively.
England win against Danes
COPENHAGEN: Ashley Young scored his first goal for England as Fabio Capello’s side came from behind to beat Denmark 2-1 in a morale-boosing win ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales next month.
Aston Villa player Young, recently converted from winger to striker, came off the bench to give England victory after Daniel Agger had put the Danes ahead and Young's Villa team-mate Darren Bent had equalised.
There was plenty to encourage Capello as his side showed good composure even though they had lost to France and stuttered through a frustrating draw against Macedonia in their last two games.
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"I am happy with the result and the performance of some players," Capello told ITV afterwards."
"Bent played well and Ashley, it's a new position for him, but he played well too."
The Danes were excellent in the opening stages with 18-year-old Ajax star Christian Eriksen comfortably outshining 19-year-old counterpart Jack Wilshere, who was substituted at half-time following an encouraging but short-lived 45 minutes in a holding midfield role.
"Wilshere in the first half played with confidence and it was an interesting debut," Capello added.
England though grew in confidence as the match wore on and largely controlled a less dramatic second half.
The visitors could and should have gone ahead in the opening minutes of the match when goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen dived at the feet of Bent only to see the ball squirm to Wayne Rooney inside the penalty box.
But the Manchester United striker dithered over the opportunity and when he eventually shot it was cleared off the line by Mathias Jorgensen.
In a surprisingly open passage of play Denmark quickly made amends when the influential Eriksen crossed from the right and Agger, who plays his club football in England with Liverpool, got between John Terry and Michael Dawson to head home in the seventh minute.
That lead lasted only 120 seconds, however, because England replied when winger Theo Walcott turned his marker inside out in the penalty area and crossed low for Bent, given a rare chance to start up front alongside Rooney, to tap home at the far post for only his second international goal.
The chances continued to flow throughout an entertaining first half before the increasingly impressive Eriksen sent a left-foot shot thudding against Joe Hart’s left-hand post.
Hart then had to produce a makeshift save with his right boot when Dennis Rommedahl, who scored in Denmark’s 4-1 victory over England in Copenhagen in 2005, sent in a fierce 38th minute effort with the visiting defence once again flat-footed.
Frank Lampard, named captain for the first time as he won his 84th cap, was denied a spectacular goal to mark the occasion when his back heel was disallowed for offside
Left-back Ashley Cole had double reason to celebrate as he became the most-capped full-back in England’s history on his 86th appearance and then was handed the captain's armband as Capello sent on Gareth Barry, Young and Scott Parker at half-time for Wilshere, Rooney and Lampard.
Further substitutions followed for both sides as the game lost shape and impetus but Eriksen produced another moment to remember when his back-heel set up a good chance for Rommedahl.
It was England who looked mostly like to find a winner, however, with both Bent and Young going close with headers before the latter finally made his mark.
It was right-back Glen Johnson who created it, running the length of the pitch before dinking a pass inside for Young to side-foot home clinically in the 69th minute -- his first goal for England on his 12th appearance.
Aston Villa player Young, recently converted from winger to striker, came off the bench to give England victory after Daniel Agger had put the Danes ahead and Young's Villa team-mate Darren Bent had equalised.
There was plenty to encourage Capello as his side showed good composure even though they had lost to France and stuttered through a frustrating draw against Macedonia in their last two games.
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"I am happy with the result and the performance of some players," Capello told ITV afterwards."
"Bent played well and Ashley, it's a new position for him, but he played well too."
The Danes were excellent in the opening stages with 18-year-old Ajax star Christian Eriksen comfortably outshining 19-year-old counterpart Jack Wilshere, who was substituted at half-time following an encouraging but short-lived 45 minutes in a holding midfield role.
"Wilshere in the first half played with confidence and it was an interesting debut," Capello added.
England though grew in confidence as the match wore on and largely controlled a less dramatic second half.
The visitors could and should have gone ahead in the opening minutes of the match when goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen dived at the feet of Bent only to see the ball squirm to Wayne Rooney inside the penalty box.
But the Manchester United striker dithered over the opportunity and when he eventually shot it was cleared off the line by Mathias Jorgensen.
In a surprisingly open passage of play Denmark quickly made amends when the influential Eriksen crossed from the right and Agger, who plays his club football in England with Liverpool, got between John Terry and Michael Dawson to head home in the seventh minute.
That lead lasted only 120 seconds, however, because England replied when winger Theo Walcott turned his marker inside out in the penalty area and crossed low for Bent, given a rare chance to start up front alongside Rooney, to tap home at the far post for only his second international goal.
The chances continued to flow throughout an entertaining first half before the increasingly impressive Eriksen sent a left-foot shot thudding against Joe Hart’s left-hand post.
Hart then had to produce a makeshift save with his right boot when Dennis Rommedahl, who scored in Denmark’s 4-1 victory over England in Copenhagen in 2005, sent in a fierce 38th minute effort with the visiting defence once again flat-footed.
Frank Lampard, named captain for the first time as he won his 84th cap, was denied a spectacular goal to mark the occasion when his back heel was disallowed for offside
Left-back Ashley Cole had double reason to celebrate as he became the most-capped full-back in England’s history on his 86th appearance and then was handed the captain's armband as Capello sent on Gareth Barry, Young and Scott Parker at half-time for Wilshere, Rooney and Lampard.
Further substitutions followed for both sides as the game lost shape and impetus but Eriksen produced another moment to remember when his back-heel set up a good chance for Rommedahl.
It was England who looked mostly like to find a winner, however, with both Bent and Young going close with headers before the latter finally made his mark.
It was right-back Glen Johnson who created it, running the length of the pitch before dinking a pass inside for Young to side-foot home clinically in the 69th minute -- his first goal for England on his 12th appearance.
Messi VS Ronaldo
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will finally meet in an international for the first time when Argentina face Portugal on Wednesday.
Long-time club rivals in the Champions League and Spain, the gifted forwards have never come up against each other on national team duty, with the friendly in neutral Switzerland their countries' first meeting in almost 40 years.
The historic clash arrives with Barcelona's Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo locked at the top of the Spanish scoring chart with 24 league goals each.
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Portugal coach Paulo Bento downplayed talk of a personal duel between the two most recent winners of FIFA's world player award.
"As far as I'm concerned this is Portugal against Argentina," Bento said.
"It's not about individual rivalry. I doubt whether Ronaldo or Messi see it that way, either."
The last time Ronaldo shared a pitch with Messi, Madrid slumped to a 5-0 defeat against an inspired Barcelona team in November.
Messi's mesmerising play for the Spanish champions helped ensure last month the 23-year-old Argentine lifted the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy after being named the best in the world for a second straight year.
Ronaldo had previously had the edge in their rivalry, receiving the FIFA honour in 2008 when Messi was runner-up.
That prize rewarded a 42-goal season leading Manchester United to the Champions League title, including beating Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Messi struck back by starring, and scoring, in the 2009 final that was Ronaldo's last match for Man United before moving to Madrid.
Organisers of Wednesday's match say at least 85 countries will broadcast the match live and the two main attractions warmed to their task at the weekend.
Ronaldo, who turned 26 on Saturday, scored twice in Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, and Messi hit all three goals in the 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid to extend Barcelona's league winning streak to 16.
Messi also scored in Argentina's last match, a 1-0 victory against Brazil in a November 17 friendly played at Doha, Qatar.
Long-time club rivals in the Champions League and Spain, the gifted forwards have never come up against each other on national team duty, with the friendly in neutral Switzerland their countries' first meeting in almost 40 years.
The historic clash arrives with Barcelona's Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo locked at the top of the Spanish scoring chart with 24 league goals each.
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Portugal coach Paulo Bento downplayed talk of a personal duel between the two most recent winners of FIFA's world player award.
"As far as I'm concerned this is Portugal against Argentina," Bento said.
"It's not about individual rivalry. I doubt whether Ronaldo or Messi see it that way, either."
The last time Ronaldo shared a pitch with Messi, Madrid slumped to a 5-0 defeat against an inspired Barcelona team in November.
Messi's mesmerising play for the Spanish champions helped ensure last month the 23-year-old Argentine lifted the FIFA Ballon d'Or trophy after being named the best in the world for a second straight year.
Ronaldo had previously had the edge in their rivalry, receiving the FIFA honour in 2008 when Messi was runner-up.
That prize rewarded a 42-goal season leading Manchester United to the Champions League title, including beating Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Messi struck back by starring, and scoring, in the 2009 final that was Ronaldo's last match for Man United before moving to Madrid.
Organisers of Wednesday's match say at least 85 countries will broadcast the match live and the two main attractions warmed to their task at the weekend.
Ronaldo, who turned 26 on Saturday, scored twice in Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, and Messi hit all three goals in the 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid to extend Barcelona's league winning streak to 16.
Messi also scored in Argentina's last match, a 1-0 victory against Brazil in a November 17 friendly played at Doha, Qatar.
Bulgaria, Estonia friendly on match-fix suspicions
FIFA is investigating a mid-week international between Bulgaria and Estonia in which all four goals were scored from the penalty spot, football's world governing body said Friday.
"We can confirm that FIFA is looking into this case," a spokesman told German Press Agency dpa.
Newspapers of Germany's WAZ group report in editions to appear Saturday that the match in the Turkish resort of Antalya Wednesday, which ended 2-2, was under suspicion of match-fixing.
Borislav Mikhailov, president of the Bulgarian football association, was quoted as saying: "Four penalties in a match is very unusual."
Estonian football association spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht said it had been informed by the Latvian football association before the match that there could be an attempt to rig the result.
The match, and a game directly afterwards between Bolivia and Latvia, had been organized by a sports rights agency in Thailand. The second game ended in a 2-1 victory for Latvia, with all the goals also scored from the penalty spot.
"We can confirm that FIFA is looking into this case," a spokesman told German Press Agency dpa.
Newspapers of Germany's WAZ group report in editions to appear Saturday that the match in the Turkish resort of Antalya Wednesday, which ended 2-2, was under suspicion of match-fixing.
Borislav Mikhailov, president of the Bulgarian football association, was quoted as saying: "Four penalties in a match is very unusual."
Estonian football association spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht said it had been informed by the Latvian football association before the match that there could be an attempt to rig the result.
The match, and a game directly afterwards between Bolivia and Latvia, had been organized by a sports rights agency in Thailand. The second game ended in a 2-1 victory for Latvia, with all the goals also scored from the penalty spot.
Didier Drogba in world cup 2014
Despite being 32 years of age, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says retiring from international football is far from his mind, and that he is hoping play for the Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup.
"I could not leave like that (against Mali in midweek). The day I decide to retire internationally, I will take care to say goodbye to the fans. I would never creep away on tiptoes,” he said.
"I'm not in the twilight of my career with the Ivory Coast. I intend to participate in the next two African Nations Cups in 2012 and 2013.
"I'll also play my third World Cup in 2014 in Brazil. If I am called upon, I will answer."
"I could not leave like that (against Mali in midweek). The day I decide to retire internationally, I will take care to say goodbye to the fans. I would never creep away on tiptoes,” he said.
"I'm not in the twilight of my career with the Ivory Coast. I intend to participate in the next two African Nations Cups in 2012 and 2013.
"I'll also play my third World Cup in 2014 in Brazil. If I am called upon, I will answer."
Saturday, February 12, 2011
CAF Qualification for FIFA World Cup 2014
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil.
In the 2010 tournament CAF had five qualifiers for the finals tournament in
addition to the hosts, South Africa. The number of qualifiers for the 2014 tournament will be announced prior to the main qualifying draw - scheduled to take place in Brazil on 31 July 2011.
Participants:
* Algeria * Angola * Benin * Botswana
* Burkina Faso * Burundi * Cameroon * Cape Verde
* Central African Republic * Chad * Comoros
* Congo * Congo DR * Côte d'Ivoire * Djibouti
* Egypt * Equatorial Guinea * Eritrea * Ethiopia
* Gabon * Gambia * Ghana * Guinea * Guinea-Bissau
* Kenya * Lesotho * Liberia * Libya * Madagascar
* Malawi * Mali * Mauritania * Mauritius * Morocco
* Mozambique * Namibia * Niger * Nigeria * Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe * Senegal * Seychelles
* Sierra Leone * Somalia * South Africa * Sudan
* Swaziland * Tanzania * Togo * Tunisia
* Uganda * Zambia * Zimbabwe
In the 2010 tournament CAF had five qualifiers for the finals tournament in
Participants:
* Algeria * Angola * Benin * Botswana
* Burkina Faso * Burundi * Cameroon * Cape Verde
* Central African Republic * Chad * Comoros
* Congo * Congo DR * Côte d'Ivoire * Djibouti
* Egypt * Equatorial Guinea * Eritrea * Ethiopia
* Gabon * Gambia * Ghana * Guinea * Guinea-Bissau
* Kenya * Lesotho * Liberia * Libya * Madagascar
* Malawi * Mali * Mauritania * Mauritius * Morocco
* Mozambique * Namibia * Niger * Nigeria * Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe * Senegal * Seychelles
* Sierra Leone * Somalia * South Africa * Sudan
* Swaziland * Tanzania * Togo * Tunisia
* Uganda * Zambia * Zimbabwe
FIFA World Cup 2014 Asian qualifiers
Kuala Lumpur: AFC has announced the format of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. FIFA will invite entries from interested AFC Member Associations early next year and depending on the number of entries Round One will have home-and-away format on June 29, 2011, and July 3, 2011.
The format of the qualifiers remains the same like 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The winners from Round One will progress to the second round which will also have a home-and-away format on July 23, 2011, and July 28, 2011.
Twenty teams, including the winners of the second round, will be divided into five groups of four teams each. The winners and runners-up from each group will advance to the fourth round after playing in a home-and-away format.
Ten teams in the fourth round will be divided into two groups of five and top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This round will have a home-and-away format.
Third-best teams from Round 4 will play home-and-away in Round 5 and the winner will qualify for a Round 6 playoff against a team from another continent to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
MATCH DAYS
Round 1
MD1: June 29, 2011
MD2: July 3, 2011
Round 2
MD1: July 23, 2011
MD2: July 28, 2011
Round 3
MD1: September 2, 2011
MD2: September 6, 2011
MD3: October 11, 2011
MD4: November 11, 2011
MD5: November 15, 2011
MD6: February 29, 2012
Round 4
MD1: June 3, 2012
MD2: June 8, 2012
MD3: June 12, 2012
MD4: September 11, 2012
MD5: October 16, 2012
MD6: November 14, 2012
MD7: March 26, 2013
MD8: June 4, 2013
MD9: June 11, 2013
MD10: June 18, 2013
Round 5
MD1: September 6, 2013
MD2: September 10, 2013
Round 6
MD1: October 15, 2013
MD2: November 19, 2013
Eligible participants
* Australia * South Korea * Japan
* North Korea * Bahrain * Saudi Arabia
* Iran * Qatar * Uzbekistan
* United Arab Emirates * Syria * Oman
* Jordan * Iraq * China PR * Singapore
* Kuwait * Thailand * Turkmenistan
* Lebanon * Yemen * Tajikistan
* Hong Kong * Indonesia * Kyrgyzstan
* Maldives * India * Malaysia
* Bangladesh * Pakistan * Afghanistan
* Cambodia * Nepal * Sri Lanka * Vietnam
* Mongolia * Palestine * Timor-Leste * Macau
* Chinese Taipei * Myanmar * Bhutan
* Brunei * Guam * Laos * Philippines
Twenty teams, including the winners of the second round, will be divided into five groups of four teams each. The winners and runners-up from each group will advance to the fourth round after playing in a home-and-away format.
Ten teams in the fourth round will be divided into two groups of five and top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. This round will have a home-and-away format.
Third-best teams from Round 4 will play home-and-away in Round 5 and the winner will qualify for a Round 6 playoff against a team from another continent to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
MATCH DAYS
Round 1
MD1: June 29, 2011
MD2: July 3, 2011
Round 2
MD1: July 23, 2011
MD2: July 28, 2011
Round 3
MD1: September 2, 2011
MD2: September 6, 2011
MD3: October 11, 2011
MD4: November 11, 2011
MD5: November 15, 2011
MD6: February 29, 2012
Round 4
MD1: June 3, 2012
MD2: June 8, 2012
MD3: June 12, 2012
MD4: September 11, 2012
MD5: October 16, 2012
MD6: November 14, 2012
MD7: March 26, 2013
MD8: June 4, 2013
MD9: June 11, 2013
MD10: June 18, 2013
Round 5
MD1: September 6, 2013
MD2: September 10, 2013
Round 6
MD1: October 15, 2013
MD2: November 19, 2013
Eligible participants
* Australia * South Korea * Japan
* North Korea * Bahrain * Saudi Arabia
* Iran * Qatar * Uzbekistan
* United Arab Emirates * Syria * Oman
* Jordan * Iraq * China PR * Singapore
* Kuwait * Thailand * Turkmenistan
* Lebanon * Yemen * Tajikistan
* Hong Kong * Indonesia * Kyrgyzstan
* Maldives * India * Malaysia
* Bangladesh * Pakistan * Afghanistan
* Cambodia * Nepal * Sri Lanka * Vietnam
* Mongolia * Palestine * Timor-Leste * Macau
* Chinese Taipei * Myanmar * Bhutan
* Brunei * Guam * Laos * Philippines
Qualification Phase of the FIFA World Cup
From now until June 2014, each National Association Football team from various countries will go through the FIFA World Cup Qualification process. This qualification process involves tournaments being held within each of the six FIFA confederations (as shown in the FIFA section above).
Over 200 national association teams will participate in this qualification process. Based on the strength of each of the confederations, FIFA assigns a total of 32 spots. The host country of the World Cup automatically qualify, however, the defending champions are required to qualify.
Below are the major World Cup qualifying tournaments in the six confederations:
• Asia: Asia Cup
• Africa: African Cup of Nations
• Europe: UEFA European Football Championship
• North/Central America & Caribbean: CONCACAF Gold Cup
• Oceania: OFC Football World Cup Qualifiers
• South America: Copa América
Over 200 national association teams will participate in this qualification process. Based on the strength of each of the confederations, FIFA assigns a total of 32 spots. The host country of the World Cup automatically qualify, however, the defending champions are required to qualify.
Below are the major World Cup qualifying tournaments in the six confederations:
• Asia: Asia Cup
• Africa: African Cup of Nations
• Europe: UEFA European Football Championship
• North/Central America & Caribbean: CONCACAF Gold Cup
• Oceania: OFC Football World Cup Qualifiers
• South America: Copa América
Soccer Worldcup 2014 Stadiums
1. Maranaca Stadium
The Estádio do Maracanã is an open-air stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Owned by the Rio de Janeiro State Government, it is named after the Maracanã neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro. It was opened in 1950 to host the FIFA World Cup, and in the final game Brazil was beaten 2-1 by Uruguay. Since then, it has mainly been used for football matches between the major football clubs in Rio de Janeiro, including Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama.
Although the paid attendance at the final game of the 1950 FIFA World Cup was 199,854, the stadium currently seats 82,238 spectators. It was the main venue of the 2007 Pan American Games, hosting the football final, and the opening and closing ceremonies.
The Maracanã is currently closed for renovations and upgrades, and will reach a total capacity of around 85,000 spectators in preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Maracana is also the worlds greatest playground for world famous soccer stars such as Ronaldo, Romario, Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, Carlos Alberto, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Falcao, Junior, Pele, Rivaldo, Rivelino, Romario, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, Socrates, Zico and the list goes on...
2. Mineirao Stadium
Mineirão, officially Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto established in 1965 in Belo Horizonte, is the largest football stadium in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and the second largest in the country, after Maracanã. It will be a host stadium in the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be held in the country.
The largest attendance of the Stadium was 132,834 people in 1997 in the match between Cruzeiro and Villa Nova in the final match of the state league. In this match, women and children did not pay, as was usual on that time for games played on the stadium. The paying attendance was 74,857, and there were 56,618 women and children who entered for free. For safety reasons the capacity of Mineirão had been reduced for the majority of its 40 years of history. In 2004, by imposition of FIFA, the capacity of the stadium was reduced to 72,000 people.
For safety reasons the capacity of Mineirão had been reduced for the majority of its 40 years of history. In 2004, by imposition of FIFA, the capacity of the stadium was reduced to 72,000 people.
3. New Corinthians Stadium
The Brazilian Football Confederation has announced that Corinthians as yet unbuilt stadium will host the opening match of the 2014 World Cup and will replace the City owned Pacaembu Stadium as the home stadium of Corinthians. The project was first announced on August 27, 2010, by president of CBF Ricardo Teixeira, the governor of São Paulo, Alberto Goldman and the mayor of São Paulo Gilberto Kassab, with a planned opening date of 2013. The stadium is intended to have a capacity of 65,281 spectators, and should hold the opening ceremony for 2014 FIFA World Cup.
4. Castelão Stadium or Gigante da Boa Vista
The Estádio Plácido Aderaldo Castelo, also known as the Castelão or Gigante da Boa Vista, is a football stadium that was inaugurated on November 11, 1973 in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, with a maximum capacity of 60,326 people.
The stadium is owned by the Ceará state Government, and is the home ground of Ceará Sporting Club and Fortaleza Esporte Clube. Its formal name honours Plácido Aderaldo Castelo, who served as the Governor of Ceará from September 12, 1966 to March 15, 1971, and was the stadium construction idealiser.
Castelão is one of the venues of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Brazil. After the redevelopment, the stadium will have a new all-seater capacity of 66.700.
5. Estádio Fonte Nova
The Estádio Fonte Nova, also known as Estádio Octávio Mangabeira, was a football stadium inaugurated on January 28, 1951 in Salvador, Bahia, with a maximum capacity of 66,080 people. The stadium was owned by the Bahia government, and was the home ground of Esporte Clube Bahia and Esporte Clube Vitória. Its formal name honors Octávio Cavalcanti Mangabeira, a civil engineer, journalist, and former Bahia state governor from 1947 to 1954.
After part of the upper terraces collapsed, killing 7 people and injuring several others, the government of Bahia announced the demolition of Fonte Nova and the construction of a new stadium, the Arena da Bahia, in the same place.
The stadium was nicknamed Fonte Nova because it was located at Ladeira das Fontes das Pedras.
6. The Estádio Beira-Rio Stadium
Estádio Beira-Rio, officially Estádio José Pinheiro Borda, is a football stadium located on the Rio Guaíba shoreline in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It serves as the home stadium of Sport Club Internacional. It is named after José Pinheiro Borda – an ageing Portuguese engineer who supervised the building of the stadium for many years, thus becoming the biggest accomplisher of his own dream. Unfortunately, he died before seeing its completion. The stadium is nicknamed Beira-Rio (literally:river bank) because it is located along the margins of Rio Guaíba.
The stadium is about to undergo restoration and developments that would make it fit to host matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Internacional has a project of restoration and improvement of Beira-Rio complex named 'Gigante Para Sempre'(Giant Forever). The stadium will be adapted to an international standard, ready to host any national or international game.
7. The Governador José Fragelli or Verdão
Estádio Governador José Fragelli, usually known as Verdão, is a multi-purpose stadium in Cuiabá, Brazil. The current stadium, used mostly for football matches, holds 47,000 and was built in 1976. Sometime before 2014, it will be replaced by a new stadium in the city, seating about 40,000, that will be used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The state government planned to invest $250 million to build a new stadium in the place of Verdão. Cuiabá was announced as one of the 12 host cities on May 31, 2009. The new stadium is planned to be a 40,000 all-seater and will include other projects such as a shopping mall and a convention center. To construct the new stadium will be an investment for $ 450 million by the state government of Mato Grosso. The lawn will have dimension of 70x110.
The stadium is apparently under demolition currently to make space for the new stadium. Demolition started on April 26, 2010 and is expected to be finished in less than 3 months.
8. Arena Cidade da Copa Recife Stadium
Arena Cidade da Copa is a new multi-use stadium in Recife, Brazil, that is currently in the planning stages. Once completed, it will be used mostly for football matches and will be used to host matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The stadium will have a capacity of 46,160 people.
9. Estádio Nacional de Brasília
Estádio Nacional de Brasília (formerly known as Estádio Mané Garrincha) is a multi-purpose stadium in Brasilia, Brazil. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 45,200. The stadium was built in 1974. Estádio Mané Garrincha is owned by the Department of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation of Distrito Federal. The former name is taken after the footballer Mané Garrincha.
There are plans on reconstructing the stadium to increase its capacity to 71,000 as well as to reach the requirements for the 2014 World Cup, which will be held in Brazil. The stadium was renamed in early 2010 to the Estádio Nacional de Brasília and the reconstruction began on April of the same year. The reconstruction involves dismantling the lower tier and retaining the upper tier into the new rectangular bowl, and reducing the size of the playing field so that the stadium can be a football-specific stadium.
10. Arena das Dunas or Dunas Arena
The Arena das Dunas or Dunas Arena (lit. "Dunes Arena") is a football stadium designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) and that its construction will start in January 2011 to host football matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup which will be held in Brazil. Is being built in the city of Natal in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte Brazilian state. The stadium is due to be built in place of the Machadão stadium the Machadinho gym, whose buildings will be demolished in 2011.
The stadium is going to be located by the Senador Salgado Filho Avenue (BR-101 highway), a multi-lane road already served by the Complexo Viário do Quarto Centenário (Fourth Centennial Complex road). The project was one of the most praised by inspectors from FIFA.
11. Vivaldao or Arena de Amazonia
Estádio Vivaldo Lima, usually known by its nickname Vivaldão, was a multi-purpose stadium in Manaus, Brazil. It was formerly used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 43,000, with 31,000 seats. It was built between 1958 and 1970. The Vivaldão was owned by the government of Amazonas state. The stadium was named after Vivaldo Lima, who was the founder of Nacional Fast Clube and it was the home ground of América Futebol Clube (AM), Nacional Futebol Clube and Atlético Rio Negro Clube.
On May 31, 2009, Manaus was chosen as one of the host cities of World Cup 2014. The city's project included the demolition of the current stadium, which will give rise to the Arena Amazonia, which will have capacity for 47,000 people. The stadium was closed on March 19, 2010, The opening day of the foundation stone of the new arena. For nearly four months was made to withdraw any material that could be salvaged, such as seats, turnstiles and floodlights, which were donated to the stadium from the state. After the withdrawal of all this stuff started on July 12, 2010 the demolition of the structure of the old Vivaldão, scheduled for completion in October this year, in November to begin building the new stadium, whose works are scheduled to end in December 2012, The time the city also receive the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013. About $580,000,000 will be invested in the construction of the new stadium, which will also have an area of sport and recreation and a shopping mall. The idea is that the site is used seven days a week and combines sports and leisure.
12. Arena da Baixada
Arena da Baixada is the stadium in the city of Curitiba which will host matches of the World Cup2014.Its an indoor arena inaugurated on June 6, 1914 in Água Verde neighborhood, Curitiba, Paraná, with a maximum capacity of 25,180 people.
On May 31 2009, the stadium was designated by FIFA as one of the match sites in the Brazil 2014 World Cup Brazil 2014 venues unveiled. The Stadium is thus undergoing expansion in order to host over 40,000.
The lateral side which today is incomplete will be finished, bringing the stadium closer to an Arena. Capacity will be increased from current 25,400 seats to 41,375 seats. Two parking loots will be built, one inside the stadium fitting 1,908 vehicles and one outside the stadium fitting 7,500 vehicles. The restaurants and commercial sectors will be expanded.
Arena da Baixada is one of the three private stadiums to host matches of the Cup 2014 (the other ones are Beira-Rio and Morumbi). Because the stadium is private, the Governments (Federal, State and city) are less willing to inject public money to carry out the necessary works; this report of March 5th informs that, according to the managers of Atletico, works in the stadium will start in 2011 or, at the earliest, after the World Cup 2010 is finished.
The Maracanã is currently closed for renovations and upgrades, and will reach a total capacity of around 85,000 spectators in preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
2. Mineirao Stadium
3. New Corinthians Stadium
4. Castelão Stadium or Gigante da Boa Vista
5. Estádio Fonte Nova
The stadium was nicknamed Fonte Nova because it was located at Ladeira das Fontes das Pedras.
6. The Estádio Beira-Rio Stadium
7. The Governador José Fragelli or Verdão
8. Arena Cidade da Copa Recife Stadium
9. Estádio Nacional de Brasília
10. Arena das Dunas or Dunas Arena
The stadium is going to be located by the Senador Salgado Filho Avenue (BR-101 highway), a multi-lane road already served by the Complexo Viário do Quarto Centenário (Fourth Centennial Complex road). The project was one of the most praised by inspectors from FIFA.
11. Vivaldao or Arena de Amazonia
12. Arena da Baixada
On May 31 2009, the stadium was designated by FIFA as one of the match sites in the Brazil 2014 World Cup Brazil 2014 venues unveiled. The Stadium is thus undergoing expansion in order to host over 40,000.
Arena da Baixada is one of the three private stadiums to host matches of the Cup 2014 (the other ones are Beira-Rio and Morumbi). Because the stadium is private, the Governments (Federal, State and city) are less willing to inject public money to carry out the necessary works; this report of March 5th informs that, according to the managers of Atletico, works in the stadium will start in 2011 or, at the earliest, after the World Cup 2010 is finished.
Friday, February 11, 2011
World Cup 2014 Cities
Seventeen cities showed interest in being chosen as World Cup host cities and 12 were finalized for 2014 world cup: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Cuiabá, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Paulo. Maceió withdrew in January 2009.
1. Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country. Belo Horizonte (or "Beagá" or "Belô", as it is also familiarly known from the sound of its initials "BH" in Portuguese) has a population of over 2.4 million, or almost 5.4 million in the official Metropolitan Area.
2. Brasília
The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 (3,599,000 in the metropolitan area) as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the fourth largest city in Brazil. However, as a metropolitan area, it ranks lower at sixth. It is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Brasília hosts 119 foreign embassies.
3. Cuiabá
Cuiabá is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. It is located in the exact centre of South America and is in conurbation with the neighbouring town of Várzea Grande.
4. Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. The city has the largest population, the largest economy in the State and also in southern Brazil. According to the American magazine Reader's Digest, Curitiba is the best place to live in Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people (8th largest nationwide) and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$30 billion (ranking 4th nationwide) according to IBGE.
5. Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population of over 2.5 million (metropolitan region over 3.4 million), Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of 313 square kilometres (121 sq mi) and one of the highest demographic densities in the country (8,001 per km²).
6. Manaus
Manaus is a city in Brazil, the capital of the state of Amazonas. It is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Amazon rivers. It is the most populous city of Amazonas, according to the statistics of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and is a popular ecotourist destination. Manaus belongs to mesoregion Center Amazonense and microregion Manaus. It is located in northern Brazil, 3,940 kilometers (2,168 miles) from the federal capital, Brasília.
7. Natal
Natal is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state in Brazil. As of the IBGE July 2009, the city had a total population of 806,203 (1,263,547 in its Greater Natal)[1]. Natal is considered by IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research of Brazil), the safest capital city in the country.
8. Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the tenth most populous municipality in Brazil, with 1,409,939 inhabitants, and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area (3,979,561 inhabitants). It is also the capital city of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian state. Porto Alegre is one of the most important cultural, political and economic centers of Brazil. Two Mercosul countries, Argentina and Uruguay, border on the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
9. Recife
Recife is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 4th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper was 1,561,659[2] in 2009. Recife is located where the Beberibe River meets the Capibaribe River to flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ("River of January"), commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world.
11. Salvador
Salvador is the largest-city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival.
12.São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere, and the world's 7th largest metropolitan area. The city is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous Brazilian state. The name of the city honors Saint Paul. São Paulo exerts strong regional influence in commerce and finance as well as arts and entertainment. São Paulo is considered an Alpha - World City
1. Belo Horizonte
Belo Horizonte is the capital of and largest city in the state of Minas Gerais, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country. Belo Horizonte (or "Beagá" or "Belô", as it is also familiarly known from the sound of its initials "BH" in Portuguese) has a population of over 2.4 million, or almost 5.4 million in the official Metropolitan Area.
2. Brasília
The name is commonly spelled Brasilia in English. The city and its District are located in the Central-West region of the country, along a plateau known as Planalto Central. It has a population of about 2,557,000 (3,599,000 in the metropolitan area) as of the 2008 IBGE estimate, making it the fourth largest city in Brazil. However, as a metropolitan area, it ranks lower at sixth. It is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Brasília hosts 119 foreign embassies.
3. Cuiabá
Cuiabá is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. It is located in the exact centre of South America and is in conurbation with the neighbouring town of Várzea Grande.
4. Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. The city has the largest population, the largest economy in the State and also in southern Brazil. According to the American magazine Reader's Digest, Curitiba is the best place to live in Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people (8th largest nationwide) and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$30 billion (ranking 4th nationwide) according to IBGE.
5. Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population of over 2.5 million (metropolitan region over 3.4 million), Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of 313 square kilometres (121 sq mi) and one of the highest demographic densities in the country (8,001 per km²).
6. Manaus
Manaus is a city in Brazil, the capital of the state of Amazonas. It is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Amazon rivers. It is the most populous city of Amazonas, according to the statistics of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and is a popular ecotourist destination. Manaus belongs to mesoregion Center Amazonense and microregion Manaus. It is located in northern Brazil, 3,940 kilometers (2,168 miles) from the federal capital, Brasília.
7. Natal
Natal is the capital and largest city of Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state in Brazil. As of the IBGE July 2009, the city had a total population of 806,203 (1,263,547 in its Greater Natal)[1]. Natal is considered by IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research of Brazil), the safest capital city in the country.
8. Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the tenth most populous municipality in Brazil, with 1,409,939 inhabitants, and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area (3,979,561 inhabitants). It is also the capital city of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian state. Porto Alegre is one of the most important cultural, political and economic centers of Brazil. Two Mercosul countries, Argentina and Uruguay, border on the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
9. Recife
Recife is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 4,136,506 inhabitants, the largest metropolitan area of the North/Northeast Regions, the 4th-largest metropolitan influence area in Brazil, and the capital of the state of Pernambuco. The population of the city proper was 1,561,659[2] in 2009. Recife is located where the Beberibe River meets the Capibaribe River to flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro ("River of January"), commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world.
11. Salvador
Salvador is the largest-city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival.
12.São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere, and the world's 7th largest metropolitan area. The city is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous Brazilian state. The name of the city honors Saint Paul. São Paulo exerts strong regional influence in commerce and finance as well as arts and entertainment. São Paulo is considered an Alpha - World City
Official Emblem
The role of the Official Emblem is to provide a strong, visual representation of both the event and the host country. Though designing this can be a challenging task. As was the case at the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when FIFA and the Brazil Local Organising Committee (LOC) had to consider how to characterise a nation as colourful and vibrant as Brazil - a country with a rich traditional cultural heritage, yet rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most modern and influential economies.
FIFA and the Brazil LOC invited 25 Brazilian-based agencies to submit designs for the Official Emblem of the 2014 tournament and the task of picking the winner was awarded to a high-profile seven-strong judging panel consisting of CBF chairman Ricardo Teixeira, FIFA executive secretary Jérôme Valcke, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, architect Oscar Niemeyer, writer Paulo Coelho, singer Ivete Sangalo, and designer Hans Donner.
Brazil will host 2nd time
Brazil is the only team who won the FIFA world cup five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002.
20th World Cup is scheduled to take place in June and July 2014 in Brazil. Brazil will host 2nd time this mega event, first was in 1950 World Cup. Total number of teams are 32 who will compete.
The 12 cities to host soccer in Brazil for the World Cup 2014:
* Belo Horizonte
* Brasília
* Cuiabá
* Curitiba
* Fortaleza
* Manaus
* Natal
* Porto Alegre
* Recife
* Rio de Janeiro
* Salvador
* São Paulo
The CBF estimates that the cost of construction and remodeling of stadiums alone will be approximately over R$ 1.9 billion (US$ 1.1 billion, £ 550 million). In addition to the stadium upgrades and renovations, there will be millions more spent on basic infrastructure needs to get the country ready.
The Brazilian federal government has earmarked R$ 3 billion (US$ 1.8 billion, £ 1.1 billion) for investment in works relating to the 2014 World Cup, and intends to release a package of works, entitled the FIFA World Cup PAC (Portuguese acronym for Growth Acceleration Programme).
20th World Cup is scheduled to take place in June and July 2014 in Brazil. Brazil will host 2nd time this mega event, first was in 1950 World Cup. Total number of teams are 32 who will compete.
The 12 cities to host soccer in Brazil for the World Cup 2014:
* Belo Horizonte
* Brasília
* Cuiabá
* Curitiba
* Fortaleza
* Manaus
* Natal
* Porto Alegre
* Recife
* Rio de Janeiro
* Salvador
* São Paulo
The CBF estimates that the cost of construction and remodeling of stadiums alone will be approximately over R$ 1.9 billion (US$ 1.1 billion, £ 550 million). In addition to the stadium upgrades and renovations, there will be millions more spent on basic infrastructure needs to get the country ready.
The Brazilian federal government has earmarked R$ 3 billion (US$ 1.8 billion, £ 1.1 billion) for investment in works relating to the 2014 World Cup, and intends to release a package of works, entitled the FIFA World Cup PAC (Portuguese acronym for Growth Acceleration Programme).
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