Sepp Blatter's reign over world football could be about to enter its final phase.
Today, in Kuala Lumpur, Mohamed Bin Hammam is expected to announce that he will run against Blatter for the presidency of Fifa
The Qatari, the president since 2002 of the Asian Football Confederation, could then end the 75-year-old Fifa functionary's 13 years in control when delegates from the game's 208 national federations of the governing body vote on June 1.
Barring a last-minute change of heart, Bin Hammam will offer himself as the champion of transparency and probity, the man who will throw open the windows of Fifa and let everyone look inside.
He will call for "change" in a moment in history when the word resonates so deeply with so many.
He will promise to enact term limits for the presidency, keenly aware of how uncomfortable many in the football world have become with the idea that only two men - Joao Havelange and Blatter - have led Fifa for the past 37 years.
At the Asian Cup in Doha two months ago, Bin Hammam outlined his campaign without actually launching it.
He spoke of how he believed Blatter's 35 years inside Fifa leave him defenceless against charges of cronyism.
He said a term limit of eight years would "allow new people to come into power without hesitation, and new people mean new ideas and new thoughts and pushing the organisation well ahead".
Bin Hammam also said he would make Fifa's financial dealings open to scrutiny. Such as, it would be hoped, the startling 56 per cent rise in 2010 of the salaries and expenses paid to top Fifa executives and executive committee members.
Where did that new £20.3 million (Dh120m) come from, exactly?
Blatter's Fifa is not saying.
Bin Hammam will make an attractive candidate. He has led the Asian federation well. He is articulate in both Arabic and English. He has gravitas. His personality is strong enough that he can make any audience sympathetic to him and his ideas. He is 61 but seems younger; it is easy to mentally categorise him as the hip uncle to Blatter's semi-doddering grandfather, the "tomorrow" to Blatter's "yesterday".
Blatter, however, will not be easy to bring down. One of Bin Hammam's complaints is that long-term presidents eventually find themselves perpetually campaigning for re-election, and the truth is that Blatter has done that all too well.
Most of the major decisions Fifa has made for the past decade seem designed to extend Blatter's presidency.
Consider how he has guided Fifa's grand prize, the World Cup, to South Africa and Brazil, to Russia and Qatar, shoring up his support in sub-Saharan Africa, in South America, in eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Qatar 2022 will be particularly difficult for candidate Bin Hammam to minimise.
While he remained mostly in the background, it was Blatter who celebrated the surprise decision and was harshly criticised for it, from Australia to Japan to the United States. Indeed, it seems unlikely Bin Hammam will be able to count on a united Asian bloc as the foundation of his campaign.
Blatter was Fifa's point man in defending a World Cup in the Gulf. And it was his candidate, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who won an election for a Fifa vice-presidency in January, defeating Bin Hammam's preferred candidate, the incumbent Chung Mong-joon, by a vote of 25-20. Afterward, some observers predicted that the 25 federations who supported the Jordanian would support Blatter in June, as well.
Bin Hammam will need 105 notes to unseat Blatter, and if he doesn't begin with all of Asia's, it is difficult to see him reaching the magic number, perhaps leaving him doomed to reprising the 2002 Fifa bid by the African confederation president Issa Hayatou, whom Blatter crushed by a 139-56 vote.
Several European federations, England most prominent among them, seem ready to support "anyone but Blatter". But where are the rest of Bin Hammam's votes?
Blatter has been a master of patronage. He also has overseen, by means fair or foul, the first US$1 billion (Dh3.67bn) revenue year in Fifa history and earlier this month claimed cash reserves of $1.3bn.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Challenge from Asia for FIFA president Sepp Blatter
ASIAN football chief Mohamed bin Hammam confirmed yesterday he would run for the FIFA presidency.
He poses the first challenge to Sepp Blatter in nearly a decade.
"Today after careful study, consultation and consideration, armed with my love and passion of our football, believing that our game is about fair competition, I have decided to contest," the Asian Football Confederation president said.
Bin Hammam ended months of speculation about his decision during a news conference streamed online live from the confederation's Kuala Lumpur headquarters.
The Qatari's announcement met an April 1 deadline to declare himself a candidate as he seeks to end his former ally Blatter's 13-year reign as the man running the world's biggest sport.
He needs to be nominated by one of FIFA's 208 national federations, which will vote on June 1 at their congress in Zurich. Blatter has been nominated by Somalia.
The 61-year-old bin Hammam has long held ambitions to lead football's international governing body, which has had just
eight presidents in its 111-year
history.
All were European bar Blatter's predecessor, the long-serving Brazilian Joao Havelange.
His challenge gained fresh momentum last December when FIFA's ruling executive committee chose Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.
A wealthy businessman with construction interests, bin Hammam held several sports leadership positions in Qatar before Asia elected him to FIFA's high command in 1996.
He primed the 75-year-old Blatter to expect a challenge when he said in February 2010 it was time for FIFA to have Asian leadership.
One month later, his FIFA executive colleagues rejected his motion to limit the terms of future presidents.
The tactic was interpreted as testing Blatter's strength.
Bin Hammam then told journalists that, despite the setback, the "situation can be different" in 2011.
They made peace when Blatter visited the Gulf last April and said the region was ready to host a World Cup.
However, the FIFA president is believed to have backed the United States as the 2022 host. The US was defeated by Qatar in the final round of voting.
Blatter has not been challenged since 2002 when he defeated African confederation president Issa Hayatou by 139 votes to 56.
He poses the first challenge to Sepp Blatter in nearly a decade.
"Today after careful study, consultation and consideration, armed with my love and passion of our football, believing that our game is about fair competition, I have decided to contest," the Asian Football Confederation president said.
Bin Hammam ended months of speculation about his decision during a news conference streamed online live from the confederation's Kuala Lumpur headquarters.
The Qatari's announcement met an April 1 deadline to declare himself a candidate as he seeks to end his former ally Blatter's 13-year reign as the man running the world's biggest sport.
He needs to be nominated by one of FIFA's 208 national federations, which will vote on June 1 at their congress in Zurich. Blatter has been nominated by Somalia.
The 61-year-old bin Hammam has long held ambitions to lead football's international governing body, which has had just
eight presidents in its 111-year
history.
All were European bar Blatter's predecessor, the long-serving Brazilian Joao Havelange.
His challenge gained fresh momentum last December when FIFA's ruling executive committee chose Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.
A wealthy businessman with construction interests, bin Hammam held several sports leadership positions in Qatar before Asia elected him to FIFA's high command in 1996.
He primed the 75-year-old Blatter to expect a challenge when he said in February 2010 it was time for FIFA to have Asian leadership.
One month later, his FIFA executive colleagues rejected his motion to limit the terms of future presidents.
The tactic was interpreted as testing Blatter's strength.
Bin Hammam then told journalists that, despite the setback, the "situation can be different" in 2011.
They made peace when Blatter visited the Gulf last April and said the region was ready to host a World Cup.
However, the FIFA president is believed to have backed the United States as the 2022 host. The US was defeated by Qatar in the final round of voting.
Blatter has not been challenged since 2002 when he defeated African confederation president Issa Hayatou by 139 votes to 56.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
UEFA to decide 2014 World Cup qualifiers format
UEFA says its executive committee will discuss how European teams can reach the 2014 World Cup in Brazil at a meeting later this month.
World Cup organizer FIFA confirmed last week that Europe retains the same 13-nation qualification quota it had for the past two tournaments.
UEFA says its ruling panel will consider the qualifiers format at a March 20-21 meeting in Paris.
Europe is likely to enter the same 53 countries which played in the 2010 World Cup preliminaries, when nine group winners gained direct entry to the finals in South Africa. The eight best runners-up were then drawn in home-and-away playoff ties to decide four remaining slots.
The preliminary draw for the 2014 World Cup finals, which will feature 32 teams, is scheduled July 30.
World Cup organizer FIFA confirmed last week that Europe retains the same 13-nation qualification quota it had for the past two tournaments.
UEFA says its ruling panel will consider the qualifiers format at a March 20-21 meeting in Paris.
Europe is likely to enter the same 53 countries which played in the 2010 World Cup preliminaries, when nine group winners gained direct entry to the finals in South Africa. The eight best runners-up were then drawn in home-and-away playoff ties to decide four remaining slots.
The preliminary draw for the 2014 World Cup finals, which will feature 32 teams, is scheduled July 30.
FIFA probe six officials amid match-fixing claims
FIFA on Wednesday opened disciplinary proceedings against six referees and match officials amid an investigation into match-fixing in two international friendlies.
World football's governing body were alerted to unusual betting patterns on two games - Bolivia versus Latvia and Estonia against Bulgaria - which were both held at Antalya, Turkey last month.
FIFA said in a statement: "FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against six match officials in relation to the international A friendly matches Bolivia v Latvia and Estonia v Bulgaria played in Antalya (Turkey) on 9 February 2011.
"The proceedings were opened following an evaluation of all documentation and information received by FIFA, in relation to a possible match-fixing situation in these matches.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be in charge to deal with the matter."
Both matches were organised by a Thai company that holds rights to organise matches and they were refereed by three Hungarians who do not feature on the official list of FIFA's international referees.
Estonia drew 2-2 against Bulgaria and Bolivia beat Latvia 2-1. All seven goals were scored through penalties, which lead to suspicions of match-fixing.
FIFA have demanded a detailed report on the matches from both the Bulgarian and Estonian football federations.
World football's governing body were alerted to unusual betting patterns on two games - Bolivia versus Latvia and Estonia against Bulgaria - which were both held at Antalya, Turkey last month.
FIFA said in a statement: "FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against six match officials in relation to the international A friendly matches Bolivia v Latvia and Estonia v Bulgaria played in Antalya (Turkey) on 9 February 2011.
"The proceedings were opened following an evaluation of all documentation and information received by FIFA, in relation to a possible match-fixing situation in these matches.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be in charge to deal with the matter."
Both matches were organised by a Thai company that holds rights to organise matches and they were refereed by three Hungarians who do not feature on the official list of FIFA's international referees.
Estonia drew 2-2 against Bulgaria and Bolivia beat Latvia 2-1. All seven goals were scored through penalties, which lead to suspicions of match-fixing.
FIFA have demanded a detailed report on the matches from both the Bulgarian and Estonian football federations.
Argentina overtakes Brazil in FIFA Rankings
The latest edition of the FIFA/Coca- Cola Men's World Rankings was released on Wednesday, and they saw Argentina move past Brazil and into fourth place.
A number of friendlies from the past month had an impact on the latest rankings, although Spain, the Netherlands and Germany remain in the top three spots respectively.
Argentina (4th, up 1) was able to overtake Brazil (5th, down 1) on the strength of a 2-1 win over Portugal, while Brazil suffered a 1-0 defeat in France which dropped them just below their South American rivals.
There was also one other change inside the top 10 as Portugal's defeat dropped them into ninth, with Croatia moving up to eighth.
The United States (19th, down 1) is still the highest-ranked team in the CONCACAF region, while Mexico remains in 27th.
A few teams used big jumps to get into the top 50 as Bulgaria (47th, up 4), Jamaica (48th, up 11) and Ecuador (49th, up 5) each moved up with Bosnia- Herzegovina and Austria both dropping.
The next edition of the FIFA Rankings will be published on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
A number of friendlies from the past month had an impact on the latest rankings, although Spain, the Netherlands and Germany remain in the top three spots respectively.
Argentina (4th, up 1) was able to overtake Brazil (5th, down 1) on the strength of a 2-1 win over Portugal, while Brazil suffered a 1-0 defeat in France which dropped them just below their South American rivals.
There was also one other change inside the top 10 as Portugal's defeat dropped them into ninth, with Croatia moving up to eighth.
The United States (19th, down 1) is still the highest-ranked team in the CONCACAF region, while Mexico remains in 27th.
A few teams used big jumps to get into the top 50 as Bulgaria (47th, up 4), Jamaica (48th, up 11) and Ecuador (49th, up 5) each moved up with Bosnia- Herzegovina and Austria both dropping.
The next edition of the FIFA Rankings will be published on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
UAE take first step to Olympics
The UAE had one of the easiest starts to their campaign to qualify for the London Olympics football finals in 2012 as they trounced Sri Lanka 7-1 at the Baniyas Stadium here on Tuesday night.
Leading 4-0 at the break, the Asian Games silver medal winners did not really have to work a sweat and will now meet the Lankans in the second leg tomorrow.
The favourites however almost conceded an early goal — but Sri Lankan skipper Philip Rashen, with only UAE goalkeeper Adel Hosani to beat, shot wide.
The UAE opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Ahmad Khalil latched on to a pass from Omar Abdul Rahman and shot home off the right post.
Rashid Eisa, back in the squad after recovering from injury, made his presence felt with a 15th minute strike off an Abdul Rahman pass and seven minutes later converted another chance, this time off Khalil.
Khalil, who was totally off colour with the senior national team in the Asian Games in Doha in January, was back in business with his incisive play. In the 37th minute he was brought down inside the box by Lankan defender Ramalan and the UAE skipper Hamdan Al Kamali made no mistake with the resultant spot kick.
Changing ends with a 4-0 lead, Khalil scored his second in the 54th minute off Abdul Aziz Hussain.
Leading 4-0 at the break, the Asian Games silver medal winners did not really have to work a sweat and will now meet the Lankans in the second leg tomorrow.
The favourites however almost conceded an early goal — but Sri Lankan skipper Philip Rashen, with only UAE goalkeeper Adel Hosani to beat, shot wide.
The UAE opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Ahmad Khalil latched on to a pass from Omar Abdul Rahman and shot home off the right post.
Rashid Eisa, back in the squad after recovering from injury, made his presence felt with a 15th minute strike off an Abdul Rahman pass and seven minutes later converted another chance, this time off Khalil.
Khalil, who was totally off colour with the senior national team in the Asian Games in Doha in January, was back in business with his incisive play. In the 37th minute he was brought down inside the box by Lankan defender Ramalan and the UAE skipper Hamdan Al Kamali made no mistake with the resultant spot kick.
Changing ends with a 4-0 lead, Khalil scored his second in the 54th minute off Abdul Aziz Hussain.
FIFA Launches Match-Fixing Probe Over Friendlies
FIFA is investigating six match officials over possible match-fixing in two friendly internationals in Turkey that produced a total of seven penalties last month.
FIFA, which last week said it would take greater control over friendlies, ordered the investigation into the Latvia-Bolivia and Estonia-Bulgaria matches played in the resort of Antalya on Feb 9.
Latvia won 2-1 and the other game ended 2-2, all the goals coming from penalties. A FIFA spokesman said the officials would not be named.
"The proceedings were opened following an evaluation of all documentation and information received by FIFA, in relation to a possible match-fixing situation in these matches," FIFA said in a statement on Thursday.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be in charge of dealing with the matter."
Match-fixing by illegal betting rings has become a major concern for sporting authorities.
UEFA president Michel Platini has described it as the biggest scourge facing soccer and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said last week it was putting sport in danger.
The four teams involved complained at the time about the refereeing.
"We had some doubts about the refereeing in this match," Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) president Borislav Mihaylov told reporters after his team's match.
Gustavo Quinteros, making his debut as Bolivia coach, told La Razon newspaper after the game: "For me, he (the referee) invented all three of the penalties, the two against us and the one in favour. It was a disgrace."
There was also confusion over the identities of the referees.
Official reports from the BFU and the Estonian FA say the referee at their match was Hungarian Krisztian Selmeczi.
However, Hungarian referees' chief Laszlo Wagner and Hungarian media have indicated the referee was Selmeczi's compatriot Kolos Lengyel.
Wagner said last month the three Hungarian match officials involved would 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 at the time.
"I can say that these three will not officiate any more matches while I'm head of the commission."
The Bolivian Football Federation asked FIFA for an identity check after their game against Latvia.
"We asked to check if the referees from the Czech Republic were the ones who took charge of the match and if they had FIFA credentials," it said a statement published on its website.
FIFA said last week it would tighten the rules over friendlies, which until now have been a free-for-all with no control from soccer's governing body.
FIFA said it would have to be informed who was refereeing each match and that it would intervene in the future if it saw anything suspicious.
FIFA, which last week said it would take greater control over friendlies, ordered the investigation into the Latvia-Bolivia and Estonia-Bulgaria matches played in the resort of Antalya on Feb 9.
Latvia won 2-1 and the other game ended 2-2, all the goals coming from penalties. A FIFA spokesman said the officials would not be named.
"The proceedings were opened following an evaluation of all documentation and information received by FIFA, in relation to a possible match-fixing situation in these matches," FIFA said in a statement on Thursday.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will be in charge of dealing with the matter."
Match-fixing by illegal betting rings has become a major concern for sporting authorities.
UEFA president Michel Platini has described it as the biggest scourge facing soccer and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said last week it was putting sport in danger.
The four teams involved complained at the time about the refereeing.
"We had some doubts about the refereeing in this match," Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) president Borislav Mihaylov told reporters after his team's match.
Gustavo Quinteros, making his debut as Bolivia coach, told La Razon newspaper after the game: "For me, he (the referee) invented all three of the penalties, the two against us and the one in favour. It was a disgrace."
There was also confusion over the identities of the referees.
Official reports from the BFU and the Estonian FA say the referee at their match was Hungarian Krisztian Selmeczi.
However, Hungarian referees' chief Laszlo Wagner and Hungarian media have indicated the referee was Selmeczi's compatriot Kolos Lengyel.
Wagner said last month the three Hungarian match officials involved would 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 at the time.
"I can say that these three will not officiate any more matches while I'm head of the commission."
The Bolivian Football Federation asked FIFA for an identity check after their game against Latvia.
"We asked to check if the referees from the Czech Republic were the ones who took charge of the match and if they had FIFA credentials," it said a statement published on its website.
FIFA said last week it would tighten the rules over friendlies, which until now have been a free-for-all with no control from soccer's governing body.
FIFA said it would have to be informed who was refereeing each match and that it would intervene in the future if it saw anything suspicious.
UEFA charges Arsenal manager Wenger, Nasri
UEFA charged Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and midfielder Samir Nasri with improper conduct on Wednesday for comments to referee Massimo Busacca after their team's Champions League elimination against Barcelona.
Wenger argued furiously with the Swiss official on the sidelines after Arsenal's 3-1 loss Tuesday, and the dispute continued in the tunnel. Arsenal lost 4-3 on aggregate.
Wenger was angry that forward Robin van Persie was shown a second yellow card at 1-1 in the 56th minute. Busacca ruled that Van Persie deliberately kicked the ball away when shooting at goal immediately after being ruled offside.
UEFA studied reports from Busacca and match delegate Dane Jost of Slovenia before asking its disciplinary unit to open cases.
Arsenal also must answer a charge that it was responsible for the late kickoffs in the both the first and second half at the Nou Camp, the European football authority said.
UEFA's disciplinary panel will hear the cases on March 17.
Article 10 of UEFA's disciplinary rules states that players or officials should be suspended for at least two European competition matches in cases of "pestering or insulting any match official."
Van Persie, who was not charged Wednesday, called his second yellow card a "total joke." The Netherlands forward claimed he hadn't heard Busacca's whistle amid the noise of a 95,000-plus crowd.
"He's been bad all evening, whistling against us. I don't know why he's here tonight," Van Persie said. "We feel betrayed a bit. When it was 1-1 it was all to play for and in my opinion this referee killed the game."
Wenger said Busacca's decision to send off Van Persie was "embarrassing."
"If you play football at a certain level you cannot understand this decision," Wenger said. "To take the decision in that way and how quickly he did it."
Busacca has been rated one of Europe's top referees for several years and was selected by UEFA to handle the 2009 Champions League final. He won praise as Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in Rome.
The 42-year-old Busacca has also been at the center of controversies.
In September 2009, he aimed an obscene hand gesture at fans who verbally abused him during a Swiss Cup match. He accepted he acted badly, apologized and served a three-match suspension.
"It was just human reaction. Like a player in a game when he uses bad words," Busacca told The Associated Press in an interview before leaving for the 2010 World Cup.
However, Busacca found trouble in his first match in South Africa. He sent off the host team's goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, in its 3-0 loss against Uruguay for tripping Luis Suarez in the penalty area.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Busacca "doesn't deserve to be here," and FIFA did not award him another match.
Wenger argued furiously with the Swiss official on the sidelines after Arsenal's 3-1 loss Tuesday, and the dispute continued in the tunnel. Arsenal lost 4-3 on aggregate.
Wenger was angry that forward Robin van Persie was shown a second yellow card at 1-1 in the 56th minute. Busacca ruled that Van Persie deliberately kicked the ball away when shooting at goal immediately after being ruled offside.
UEFA studied reports from Busacca and match delegate Dane Jost of Slovenia before asking its disciplinary unit to open cases.
Arsenal also must answer a charge that it was responsible for the late kickoffs in the both the first and second half at the Nou Camp, the European football authority said.
UEFA's disciplinary panel will hear the cases on March 17.
Article 10 of UEFA's disciplinary rules states that players or officials should be suspended for at least two European competition matches in cases of "pestering or insulting any match official."
Van Persie, who was not charged Wednesday, called his second yellow card a "total joke." The Netherlands forward claimed he hadn't heard Busacca's whistle amid the noise of a 95,000-plus crowd.
"He's been bad all evening, whistling against us. I don't know why he's here tonight," Van Persie said. "We feel betrayed a bit. When it was 1-1 it was all to play for and in my opinion this referee killed the game."
Wenger said Busacca's decision to send off Van Persie was "embarrassing."
"If you play football at a certain level you cannot understand this decision," Wenger said. "To take the decision in that way and how quickly he did it."
Busacca has been rated one of Europe's top referees for several years and was selected by UEFA to handle the 2009 Champions League final. He won praise as Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in Rome.
The 42-year-old Busacca has also been at the center of controversies.
In September 2009, he aimed an obscene hand gesture at fans who verbally abused him during a Swiss Cup match. He accepted he acted badly, apologized and served a three-match suspension.
"It was just human reaction. Like a player in a game when he uses bad words," Busacca told The Associated Press in an interview before leaving for the 2010 World Cup.
However, Busacca found trouble in his first match in South Africa. He sent off the host team's goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, in its 3-0 loss against Uruguay for tripping Luis Suarez in the penalty area.
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Busacca "doesn't deserve to be here," and FIFA did not award him another match.
Former FIFA executive David Sasso Sasso dies
FIFA says Isaac David Sasso Sasso, an executive committee member for 17 years, died at his home in Costa Rica on Tuesday. He was 85.
Sasso Sasso also was vice president of the Confederation of North and Central American and Caribbean Football from 1990-07 before stepping down because of ill health.
CONCACAF President Jack Warner says in a statement that "we have tremendous respect for Isaac David Sasso Sasso's service."
The cause of death was not announced.
Sasso Sasso was a director of Costa Rican club Herediano. In 1990 he began an eight-year stint as national federation president.
At FIFA, he helped organize Olympics soccer tournaments.
Sasso Sasso also was vice president of the Confederation of North and Central American and Caribbean Football from 1990-07 before stepping down because of ill health.
CONCACAF President Jack Warner says in a statement that "we have tremendous respect for Isaac David Sasso Sasso's service."
The cause of death was not announced.
Sasso Sasso was a director of Costa Rican club Herediano. In 1990 he began an eight-year stint as national federation president.
At FIFA, he helped organize Olympics soccer tournaments.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Maradona lined up to be Ukraine boss
Argentina legend Diego Maradona is set to become the new coach of Ukraine, according to reports in the country’s capital Kiev.
Maradona, who many consider as being the greatest player ever, is said to be undergoing Ukrainean lessons ahead of taking over from present incumbant Juri Kalitvinzev.
Directors from the Ukrainian FA want Maradona to lead the national team ahead of the country acting as joint-hosts for the European Championships in 2012.
Maradona has been out of work since leading his native Argentina to the World Cup quarter-finals and has been linked with the Iranian job and Premier League side Blackburn.
Maradona, who many consider as being the greatest player ever, is said to be undergoing Ukrainean lessons ahead of taking over from present incumbant Juri Kalitvinzev.
Directors from the Ukrainian FA want Maradona to lead the national team ahead of the country acting as joint-hosts for the European Championships in 2012.
Maradona has been out of work since leading his native Argentina to the World Cup quarter-finals and has been linked with the Iranian job and Premier League side Blackburn.
High pay, greedy players danger to game: Pele
Pele, Brazil's greatest footballer, said he believed high salaries and greedy players were a danger to the modern game.
Former New York Cosmos player Pele told a news conference held in Hong Kong to promote the reformed US soccer club that players' loyalties now are where the money is.
"They go to Real Madrid or to Santos or to Manchester," he said. "They are presented with the shirt (and say) 'I love Manchester'.
"Tomorrow they go to Madrid, they say 'I love Madrid'. They love who pays a little more. That is a danger for football."
Pele, 70, was named the joint best player of the 20th century alongside Argentine Diego Maradona by world soccer's governing body FIFA in 2000.
Former New York Cosmos player Pele told a news conference held in Hong Kong to promote the reformed US soccer club that players' loyalties now are where the money is.
"They go to Real Madrid or to Santos or to Manchester," he said. "They are presented with the shirt (and say) 'I love Manchester'.
"Tomorrow they go to Madrid, they say 'I love Madrid'. They love who pays a little more. That is a danger for football."
Pele, 70, was named the joint best player of the 20th century alongside Argentine Diego Maradona by world soccer's governing body FIFA in 2000.
Barcelona in Champion's League quarterfinals courtesy of Messi
Barcelona beat Arsenal 3-1 and qualified to Champion's League quarterfinals. Argentine Lionel Messi scored two goals. The Spanish team, the favourites to lift the European Cup at Wembley in May, overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Nou Camp for a nerve-wracking 4-3 aggregate win.
Barcelona dominated the first half and took the lead through Lionel Messi in stoppage time, before an own goal from Sergio Busquets following an Arsenal corner put the visitors ahead on aggregate after 53 minutes.
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was sent off for a second yellow card after 56 minutes before Xavi (69th) and Messi, with an audacious penalty two minutes later, gave Barca a 3-1 win as they knocked out Arsenal for the second successive season.
Barcelona dominated the first half and took the lead through Lionel Messi in stoppage time, before an own goal from Sergio Busquets following an Arsenal corner put the visitors ahead on aggregate after 53 minutes.
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was sent off for a second yellow card after 56 minutes before Xavi (69th) and Messi, with an audacious penalty two minutes later, gave Barca a 3-1 win as they knocked out Arsenal for the second successive season.
Man U's chief executive defends American owners
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has defended the club's American owners at a British parliamentary inquiry into English football.
Some Manchester United fans are angry that the Glazer family's 2005 takeover left the club with debts that currently exceed 500 million pounds ($812 million).
Gill told a House of Commons committee Tuesday that the Glazers are not "an embarrassment." He said the club would not "open a dialogue" with fans' groups who are "at war with the owners."
Gill says the Glazers have "delegated Alex Ferguson" to talk to the fans. He didn't mention that the manager is refusing to talk to the media, including United's own TV channel.
Gill says one of the biggest issues facing United is when will the 69-year-old Ferguson retire. Gill says that will be "in due course."
Some Manchester United fans are angry that the Glazer family's 2005 takeover left the club with debts that currently exceed 500 million pounds ($812 million).
Gill told a House of Commons committee Tuesday that the Glazers are not "an embarrassment." He said the club would not "open a dialogue" with fans' groups who are "at war with the owners."
Gill says the Glazers have "delegated Alex Ferguson" to talk to the fans. He didn't mention that the manager is refusing to talk to the media, including United's own TV channel.
Gill says one of the biggest issues facing United is when will the 69-year-old Ferguson retire. Gill says that will be "in due course."
Escudero, Atletico's career leading scorer, dies
Atletico Madrid says Adrian Escudero, the Spanish club's all-time leading goalscorer, has died. He was 83.
Escudero joined the Spanish capital club in 1945 as a 17-year-old and eventually helped it to consecutive league trophies in 1950 and '51.
Escudero retired in 1958 after scoring 150 goals in 287 topflight games, while also scoring once from three appearances for Spain.
Escudero joined the Spanish capital club in 1945 as a 17-year-old and eventually helped it to consecutive league trophies in 1950 and '51.
Escudero retired in 1958 after scoring 150 goals in 287 topflight games, while also scoring once from three appearances for Spain.
Adriano and Roma end contract by mutual agreement
Adriano's disappointing return to Serie A has ended, with the former
Brazil striker and Roma reaching a mutual agreement to cut short his contract.
The deal was due to expire in June 2013.
After a decent season with Flamengo in Brazil, Adriano joined Roma in June with hopes of reviving his European career, having previously reached stardom with Inter Milan.
However, Adriano was plagued by weight problems, injuries and unexplained absences.
He appeared in just five Serie A matches with Roma, started just twice, and failed to score. He played 44 minutes in the Champions League, 22 minutes in the Italian Super Cup and 45 minutes in the Italian Cup.
Brazil striker and Roma reaching a mutual agreement to cut short his contract.
The deal was due to expire in June 2013.
After a decent season with Flamengo in Brazil, Adriano joined Roma in June with hopes of reviving his European career, having previously reached stardom with Inter Milan.
However, Adriano was plagued by weight problems, injuries and unexplained absences.
He appeared in just five Serie A matches with Roma, started just twice, and failed to score. He played 44 minutes in the Champions League, 22 minutes in the Italian Super Cup and 45 minutes in the Italian Cup.
Financial Climate Makes French Clubs Nervous
Faced with the economic crisis, a depressed transfer market and the prospect of lower television rights, French clubs are going through a delicate financial period.
As a sign of the nervousness, the union of professional clubs has for the first time refused to endorse a report by the national directorate of management control (DNCG), the financial police of the professional league, for the 2009/10 season.
"The accounts are not good. However, it is necessary to keep our heads," league president Frederic Thiriez said.
"This report will be submitted to the union so that it can make its observations," he told reporters, adding that he would go back to talk to his members in a month.
In its annual report, the DNCG announced a cumulative deficit of nearly 130 million euro (111.7 million pounds) for clubs (114 for Ligue 1 and 15.8 for Ligue 2) for the year ending June 30, 2010.
The losses for the 20 clubs in the top flight were reduced to 114 million after write-downs by some shareholders but the widening of the deficit, which has more than doubled from 2008/09 (57 million), still worries the league.
The phenomenon is not limited to France. More powerful and more structured European clubs do not feel this financial threat any less, especially those who rarely make it into the lucrative Champions League.
The leaders of French football, in creating the DNCG, have taken an innovative approach and want it to be an example for the other championships in Europe, with Italy's Covisoc operating in a similar way.
TRAINING CENTRES
Michel Platini, president of European football's governing body UEFA, was also inspired to set up the "financial fair play" initiative aimed at imposing discipline on the financial accounts of European clubs.
The programme, which includes a salary cap and seeks to compel clubs to achieve financial balance, comes fully into force on June 1 and is paradoxically partly to blame for the current difficulties of French clubs.
Due to the quality of its training centres, French football is one of the principal breeding grounds for top European teams who have come to do their shopping here, alongside French clubs who are financially incapable of competing for the best talent.
Then the economic crisis arrived, forcing European football's big clubs to tighten their purse strings and depriving French clubs of one of their main sources of revenue.
The crisis has equally led to a drop in match ticket sales, notably season tickets, the withdrawal of local authority help for clubs because of budget problems and a decrease in sponsorship by companies.
There are also penalising tax measures, including the abolition of collective image rights which allowed clubs up to last season to enjoy an exemption of 30 percent in the charges of the remuneration of certain players.
TELEVISION RIGHTS
However, the most serious threat hanging over French sides is the renegotiation of television rights, with the current contract up next year having generated 668 million euros per year from 2008-2012, an average of 57 percent of club budgets.
The next deal will be radically changed after the decision of existing broadcaster Orange to withdraw, leaving a shortfall of 203 million euros with Canal+ now the league's only partner.
This virtual monopoly has prompted French professional football to create its own channel, CFoot.
The tender for 2012-2016 will be launched no later than May 15 when each of the two camps, league and broadcasters, will engage in a tense game of poker.
"I would say the financial state of French professional football is serious given the uncertainties in the short term, including TV rights," Didier Primault from the Centre for Law and Economics of Sport (CEDS) in Limoges told Reuters.
Highlighting the virtuous behaviour of clubs thanks to the control exercised by the DNCG, he refuses to be overly alarmist.
"Overall, the difficulties are quite moderate and under control, especially when you see what is happening elsewhere in Europe like in England or in Spain for example," Primault added.
He underlines the low debt of French clubs compared to some European counterparts and the prospect of additional resources from the construction of new stadiums for the 2016 European championship in France.
"The current tensions (between the clubs and the inspection body) are the result of the crisis," Primault said.
"But in the medium to long term, if common sense remains and if the stadiums projects are going well, France may challenge big European leagues like Italy and Spain."
As a sign of the nervousness, the union of professional clubs has for the first time refused to endorse a report by the national directorate of management control (DNCG), the financial police of the professional league, for the 2009/10 season.
"The accounts are not good. However, it is necessary to keep our heads," league president Frederic Thiriez said.
"This report will be submitted to the union so that it can make its observations," he told reporters, adding that he would go back to talk to his members in a month.
In its annual report, the DNCG announced a cumulative deficit of nearly 130 million euro (111.7 million pounds) for clubs (114 for Ligue 1 and 15.8 for Ligue 2) for the year ending June 30, 2010.
The losses for the 20 clubs in the top flight were reduced to 114 million after write-downs by some shareholders but the widening of the deficit, which has more than doubled from 2008/09 (57 million), still worries the league.
The phenomenon is not limited to France. More powerful and more structured European clubs do not feel this financial threat any less, especially those who rarely make it into the lucrative Champions League.
The leaders of French football, in creating the DNCG, have taken an innovative approach and want it to be an example for the other championships in Europe, with Italy's Covisoc operating in a similar way.
TRAINING CENTRES
Michel Platini, president of European football's governing body UEFA, was also inspired to set up the "financial fair play" initiative aimed at imposing discipline on the financial accounts of European clubs.
The programme, which includes a salary cap and seeks to compel clubs to achieve financial balance, comes fully into force on June 1 and is paradoxically partly to blame for the current difficulties of French clubs.
Due to the quality of its training centres, French football is one of the principal breeding grounds for top European teams who have come to do their shopping here, alongside French clubs who are financially incapable of competing for the best talent.
Then the economic crisis arrived, forcing European football's big clubs to tighten their purse strings and depriving French clubs of one of their main sources of revenue.
The crisis has equally led to a drop in match ticket sales, notably season tickets, the withdrawal of local authority help for clubs because of budget problems and a decrease in sponsorship by companies.
There are also penalising tax measures, including the abolition of collective image rights which allowed clubs up to last season to enjoy an exemption of 30 percent in the charges of the remuneration of certain players.
TELEVISION RIGHTS
However, the most serious threat hanging over French sides is the renegotiation of television rights, with the current contract up next year having generated 668 million euros per year from 2008-2012, an average of 57 percent of club budgets.
The next deal will be radically changed after the decision of existing broadcaster Orange to withdraw, leaving a shortfall of 203 million euros with Canal+ now the league's only partner.
This virtual monopoly has prompted French professional football to create its own channel, CFoot.
The tender for 2012-2016 will be launched no later than May 15 when each of the two camps, league and broadcasters, will engage in a tense game of poker.
"I would say the financial state of French professional football is serious given the uncertainties in the short term, including TV rights," Didier Primault from the Centre for Law and Economics of Sport (CEDS) in Limoges told Reuters.
Highlighting the virtuous behaviour of clubs thanks to the control exercised by the DNCG, he refuses to be overly alarmist.
"Overall, the difficulties are quite moderate and under control, especially when you see what is happening elsewhere in Europe like in England or in Spain for example," Primault added.
He underlines the low debt of French clubs compared to some European counterparts and the prospect of additional resources from the construction of new stadiums for the 2016 European championship in France.
"The current tensions (between the clubs and the inspection body) are the result of the crisis," Primault said.
"But in the medium to long term, if common sense remains and if the stadiums projects are going well, France may challenge big European leagues like Italy and Spain."
Tripoli ruled unsafe for international soccer
Libya's 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros has been moved from Tripoli because of the country's political turmoil.
The Confederation of African Football says it's seeking a neutral country to host the match. It was scheduled between March 25-27 in Tripoli's June 11 stadium.
After two matches, Libya leads the group, which includes Mozambique and Zambia.
Last week, CAF decided Libya was unsafe to host the eight-nation African Under-20 Championship scheduled March 18-April 1 in Tripoli and Benghazi.
CAF says a new venue and rescheduled match dates in April-May will be announced next week.
Algeria's federation says it and South Africa have offered to host the event, a qualifier for the Under-20 World Cup.
The Confederation of African Football says it's seeking a neutral country to host the match. It was scheduled between March 25-27 in Tripoli's June 11 stadium.
After two matches, Libya leads the group, which includes Mozambique and Zambia.
Last week, CAF decided Libya was unsafe to host the eight-nation African Under-20 Championship scheduled March 18-April 1 in Tripoli and Benghazi.
CAF says a new venue and rescheduled match dates in April-May will be announced next week.
Algeria's federation says it and South Africa have offered to host the event, a qualifier for the Under-20 World Cup.
Serbian fan sentenced in Italy for inciting riot
A Serbian fan has been convicted for instigating a riot at a European Championship qualifier in Italy in October, receiving a jail sentence of three years, three months.
Wearing a black mask to cover his face, 29-year-old Ivan Bogdanov climbed onto a barrier separating fans from the field, used a wire cutter to slice apart a mesh fence and launched fireworks onto the field as he encouraged other Serbian fans to do the same.
European soccer's governing body awarded Italy a 3-0 win over Serbia after the Oct. 12 match was stopped in the seventh minute with the score 0-0. The Union of European Football Associations also ordered Serbia to play its home match against Northern Ireland on March 25 in an empty stadium.
Three other Serbian fans received slightly shorter sentences at the trial in Genoa, with charges ranging from resisting public officials to damaging public property, as well as violating rules for behavior inside stadiums, the ANSA news agency said.
Four other Serbia fans made a plea bargain last month in which they were released from jail and banned from Italy for five years.
Bogdanov and the other fans on trial have been held in Genoa since the match.
Wearing a black mask to cover his face, 29-year-old Ivan Bogdanov climbed onto a barrier separating fans from the field, used a wire cutter to slice apart a mesh fence and launched fireworks onto the field as he encouraged other Serbian fans to do the same.
European soccer's governing body awarded Italy a 3-0 win over Serbia after the Oct. 12 match was stopped in the seventh minute with the score 0-0. The Union of European Football Associations also ordered Serbia to play its home match against Northern Ireland on March 25 in an empty stadium.
Three other Serbian fans received slightly shorter sentences at the trial in Genoa, with charges ranging from resisting public officials to damaging public property, as well as violating rules for behavior inside stadiums, the ANSA news agency said.
Four other Serbia fans made a plea bargain last month in which they were released from jail and banned from Italy for five years.
Bogdanov and the other fans on trial have been held in Genoa since the match.
Italy announces March 29 friendly in Ukraine
The Italian football federation has announced the Azzurri will play a friendly against Ukraine in Kiev on March 29.
The match comes four days after Italy visits Slovenia in European Championship qualifying and it will also give the Azzurri a chance to visit one of the host countries for next year's tournament.
Italy leads its qualifying group, three points ahead of Slovenia, while Ukraine qualifies directly for Euro 2012 as co-host with Poland.
In six meetings with Ukraine, Italy has won five and drawn once. One of the victories was a 3-0 win in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, which Italy went on to win.
The match comes four days after Italy visits Slovenia in European Championship qualifying and it will also give the Azzurri a chance to visit one of the host countries for next year's tournament.
Italy leads its qualifying group, three points ahead of Slovenia, while Ukraine qualifies directly for Euro 2012 as co-host with Poland.
In six meetings with Ukraine, Italy has won five and drawn once. One of the victories was a 3-0 win in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, which Italy went on to win.
Toulalan signs new contract with Lyon
France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan has signed a new contract with seven-time French champion Lyon until 2015.
Toulalan joined Lyon from Nantes in 2006 and won two French titles with the club.
Toulalan struggled this season after failing to recover quickly from France's World Cup debacle. He was banned for one match by the French football federation for his role in the boycott of a training session in South Africa.
Lyon coach Claude Puel said Toulalan "came back to a very good level, which is obviously good for the team."
Toulalan is the fourth player to extend his contract with Lyon this season after Remy Vercoutre, Jeremy Pied and Anthony Reveillere.
Toulalan, who said he will end his career in Lyon, has played 36 times for France.
Toulalan joined Lyon from Nantes in 2006 and won two French titles with the club.
Toulalan struggled this season after failing to recover quickly from France's World Cup debacle. He was banned for one match by the French football federation for his role in the boycott of a training session in South Africa.
Lyon coach Claude Puel said Toulalan "came back to a very good level, which is obviously good for the team."
Toulalan is the fourth player to extend his contract with Lyon this season after Remy Vercoutre, Jeremy Pied and Anthony Reveillere.
Toulalan, who said he will end his career in Lyon, has played 36 times for France.
FIFA lifts ban on Israel's soccer coach
FIFA has lifted its suspension of Israel national team coach Luis Fernandez.
Fernandez was suspended by soccer's governing body last month because he had not obeyed a November 2009 disciplinary committee ruling regarding a long-standing debt he owed to a club in Qatar.
The debt has now been settled, and FIFA said Fernandez has been given the go-ahead to coach the team this month for the European Championship qualifiers.
Responding to the decision, Fernandez said: "I arranged things with FIFA so that I can be with my team. Now everyone has to have one aim, to get six points from the upcoming two games against Latvia and Georgia."
Fernandez was suspended by soccer's governing body last month because he had not obeyed a November 2009 disciplinary committee ruling regarding a long-standing debt he owed to a club in Qatar.
The debt has now been settled, and FIFA said Fernandez has been given the go-ahead to coach the team this month for the European Championship qualifiers.
Responding to the decision, Fernandez said: "I arranged things with FIFA so that I can be with my team. Now everyone has to have one aim, to get six points from the upcoming two games against Latvia and Georgia."
Saturday, March 5, 2011
England tried royal influence in World Cup bid
England's failed 2018 football World Cup bid tried to use Prince Andrew's relationship with the Qatari royal family to secure a voting alliance, a report said Saturday.
It came as several newspapers rounded on Queen Elizabeth II's second son over his business links.
The British Broadcasting Corporation claimed a freedom of information request it submitted showed that diplomats and the Football Association (FA), the game's governing body in England, had worked on a strategy for Qatar's support.
Fifty-one-year-old Andrew, the Duke of York, has served as Britain's special representative for international trade and investment since 2001 and has significant influence and contacts worldwide.
Correspondence from British diplomats in Qatar made it clear that securing the support of the Gulf state's emir would be crucial to England's chances of landing the 2018 tournament, the BBC said.
Its report said a plan was discussed to use royal influence -- Andrew in particular -- to secure a voting alliance.
One email from a Foreign Office official said: "The advice from the ambassador in Doha is that, subject to anything that happened at that meeting, we should ask the duke to be kind enough to speak to the emir on the phone as soon as is convenient... in order to seek his support for the England bid."
It is not known if any meeting or phone call took place, the BBC said.
Andrew's office has said no lobbying took place. The FA has declined to comment.
Another email showed concerns over the eventual winning Russian bid for the 2018 tournament.
"It is the Russians who have been signalled to us consistently by the Qataris as the main threat to England," it read.
England was eliminated in the first round in December, gaining only two votes, including its own.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William, the FA president and Andrew's nephew, plus former England captain David Beckham had all flown to FIFA's headquarters in Zurich in a last-ditch bid to garner support.
The 2018 tournament went to Russia, with the 2022 event heading to Qatar.
It came as several newspapers rounded on Queen Elizabeth II's second son over his business links.
The British Broadcasting Corporation claimed a freedom of information request it submitted showed that diplomats and the Football Association (FA), the game's governing body in England, had worked on a strategy for Qatar's support.
Fifty-one-year-old Andrew, the Duke of York, has served as Britain's special representative for international trade and investment since 2001 and has significant influence and contacts worldwide.
Correspondence from British diplomats in Qatar made it clear that securing the support of the Gulf state's emir would be crucial to England's chances of landing the 2018 tournament, the BBC said.
Its report said a plan was discussed to use royal influence -- Andrew in particular -- to secure a voting alliance.
One email from a Foreign Office official said: "The advice from the ambassador in Doha is that, subject to anything that happened at that meeting, we should ask the duke to be kind enough to speak to the emir on the phone as soon as is convenient... in order to seek his support for the England bid."
It is not known if any meeting or phone call took place, the BBC said.
Andrew's office has said no lobbying took place. The FA has declined to comment.
Another email showed concerns over the eventual winning Russian bid for the 2018 tournament.
"It is the Russians who have been signalled to us consistently by the Qataris as the main threat to England," it read.
England was eliminated in the first round in December, gaining only two votes, including its own.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William, the FA president and Andrew's nephew, plus former England captain David Beckham had all flown to FIFA's headquarters in Zurich in a last-ditch bid to garner support.
The 2018 tournament went to Russia, with the 2022 event heading to Qatar.
FIFA plans clampdown on friendlies
FIFA is planning to take greater control over international friendlies after a fake Togo team played in one game in September and seven penalties were awarded in two matches in Turkey last month.
Until now, FIFA have taken little interest in friendlies, allowing national associations to set up games where and when they want without intervention.
But on Thursday FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said that, following the recent incidents which threatened the sport’s credibility, football’s governing body planned to tighten the rules.
“We have had problems with friendlies played in Turkey and also the match between Bahrain and Togo and we want to make sure these kind of matches cannot happen anymore without a clear indication to FIFA,” Valcke told reporters.
“We will strengthen our capabilities of intervening if we have the feeling there is a suspicion of match fixing, or whatever to protect football.”
“We would need a several types of information including the name of the referee. FIFA and the confederation will have the power to change the referee if we think he’s not the right referee to be in charge.
“In Turkey, there was a grey area.”
Seven penalties were awarded in two friendlies held one after the other in the Turkish resort of Antalya last month with Latvia beating Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia drawing 2-2 with Bulgaria.
All four federations complained to FIFA, who are investigating, and Bolivia cancelled friendlies this month against Finland and Bulgaria, also in Turkey.
Bahrain’s 3-0 win over Togo was quickly forgotten when it transpired that the African team was a fake.
Tchanile Bana, an assistant coach of the real team, was suspended for three years for taking the imposters to Bahrain.
Valcke said the new measures would first have to be approved by the FIFA Congress in May.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he took the threat of match-fixing, usually by illegal betting rings, seriously.
“We have 60 professionals working in our legal service, it is one of the biggest departments,” he said.
“Football has become a very attractive game for gambling and we have to protect it.
“You have to protect the game. We are a victim of our popularity and we must also take responsibility.”
Until now, FIFA have taken little interest in friendlies, allowing national associations to set up games where and when they want without intervention.
But on Thursday FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said that, following the recent incidents which threatened the sport’s credibility, football’s governing body planned to tighten the rules.
“We have had problems with friendlies played in Turkey and also the match between Bahrain and Togo and we want to make sure these kind of matches cannot happen anymore without a clear indication to FIFA,” Valcke told reporters.
“We will strengthen our capabilities of intervening if we have the feeling there is a suspicion of match fixing, or whatever to protect football.”
“We would need a several types of information including the name of the referee. FIFA and the confederation will have the power to change the referee if we think he’s not the right referee to be in charge.
“In Turkey, there was a grey area.”
Seven penalties were awarded in two friendlies held one after the other in the Turkish resort of Antalya last month with Latvia beating Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia drawing 2-2 with Bulgaria.
All four federations complained to FIFA, who are investigating, and Bolivia cancelled friendlies this month against Finland and Bulgaria, also in Turkey.
Bahrain’s 3-0 win over Togo was quickly forgotten when it transpired that the African team was a fake.
Tchanile Bana, an assistant coach of the real team, was suspended for three years for taking the imposters to Bahrain.
Valcke said the new measures would first have to be approved by the FIFA Congress in May.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he took the threat of match-fixing, usually by illegal betting rings, seriously.
“We have 60 professionals working in our legal service, it is one of the biggest departments,” he said.
“Football has become a very attractive game for gambling and we have to protect it.
“You have to protect the game. We are a victim of our popularity and we must also take responsibility.”
FIFA threatens to ban Portuguese teams over statutes
FIFA has threatened to suspend Portugal’s national sides and clubs from international competition should the country’s federation fail to approve new statutes that conform with the world soccer body’s rules.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) hopes it will pass the statutes in a vote on March 19, after its regional associations rejected them in previous assemblies because they feared losing influence at national level.
“Should that (approval) not be the case, the Associations Committee would refer the case to the FIFA Emergency Committee for possible sanctions, including suspension,” FIFA’s media office said via email on Friday.
The suspension could put the national side’s 2012 European Championship qualifiers at risk and exclude the country’s top clubs from UEFA competitions. Porto, Benfica and Braga have qualified for the last-16 round of the Europa League.
“We are worried about the situation in Portugal. The Portuguese federation has to approve the statutes,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter told reporters in Zurich on Thursday.
The Portuguese government, which insists on the rule changes, has already reprimanded the FPF for not resolving the problem and terminated sponsorship contracts.
The new statutes would transfer significant voting power from regional associations to the country’s leagues, players’ unions, referees and coaches.
“We are making another appeal to our members’ sense of responsibility on March 19, so we can avoid grave damage to Portuguese football,” the FPF board said in a statement.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) hopes it will pass the statutes in a vote on March 19, after its regional associations rejected them in previous assemblies because they feared losing influence at national level.
“Should that (approval) not be the case, the Associations Committee would refer the case to the FIFA Emergency Committee for possible sanctions, including suspension,” FIFA’s media office said via email on Friday.
The suspension could put the national side’s 2012 European Championship qualifiers at risk and exclude the country’s top clubs from UEFA competitions. Porto, Benfica and Braga have qualified for the last-16 round of the Europa League.
“We are worried about the situation in Portugal. The Portuguese federation has to approve the statutes,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter told reporters in Zurich on Thursday.
The Portuguese government, which insists on the rule changes, has already reprimanded the FPF for not resolving the problem and terminated sponsorship contracts.
The new statutes would transfer significant voting power from regional associations to the country’s leagues, players’ unions, referees and coaches.
“We are making another appeal to our members’ sense of responsibility on March 19, so we can avoid grave damage to Portuguese football,” the FPF board said in a statement.
Bin Hammam drops fresh hint about FIFA challenge
Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar dropped a fresh hint on Saturday that he could challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency in June.
The Asian Football Confederation president has not yet publicly announced whether he will stand for soccer’s top job but kept the pressure on Blatter on Saturday while the FIFA president was in Wales for a meeting of the law-making International Board.
Bin Hammam posted a message on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, linked to his official website (mohamedbinhammam.com/en), that “competition is good for the organisation (FIFA), whether the president or any other posts.”
He added that “competition is the best way to make the organisation vibrant and alive.”
Blatter, 75 next week, has been president since succeeding Joao Havelange in 1998 and is up for re-election for a fourth four-year term.
The deadline to announce a challenge is March 31 and Bin Hammam could score a notable double by becoming FIFA president following Qatar’s success in winning the right to stage the 2022 World Cup last year.
Bin Hammam told Reuters in January: “A change is a demand for an improvement really.
“I cannot be 100 percent frank with you but I think FIFA needs lot of improvement. I think there is a scope of work I can do, there is something I can present and do for international football.”
One area of doubt for Bin Hammam is that a number of associations in his Asian confederation voted for Prince Ali of Jordan to become a FIFA vice-president in January, with Prince Ali believed to have Blatter’s backing.
The countries that voted for Prince Ali have said they would support Blatter in any challenge to his leadership
The Asian Football Confederation president has not yet publicly announced whether he will stand for soccer’s top job but kept the pressure on Blatter on Saturday while the FIFA president was in Wales for a meeting of the law-making International Board.
Bin Hammam posted a message on his Twitter and Facebook accounts, linked to his official website (mohamedbinhammam.com/en), that “competition is good for the organisation (FIFA), whether the president or any other posts.”
He added that “competition is the best way to make the organisation vibrant and alive.”
Blatter, 75 next week, has been president since succeeding Joao Havelange in 1998 and is up for re-election for a fourth four-year term.
The deadline to announce a challenge is March 31 and Bin Hammam could score a notable double by becoming FIFA president following Qatar’s success in winning the right to stage the 2022 World Cup last year.
Bin Hammam told Reuters in January: “A change is a demand for an improvement really.
“I cannot be 100 percent frank with you but I think FIFA needs lot of improvement. I think there is a scope of work I can do, there is something I can present and do for international football.”
One area of doubt for Bin Hammam is that a number of associations in his Asian confederation voted for Prince Ali of Jordan to become a FIFA vice-president in January, with Prince Ali believed to have Blatter’s backing.
The countries that voted for Prince Ali have said they would support Blatter in any challenge to his leadership
Fifa chooses UAE to host 2013 U17 Cup
The UAE has achieved yet another victory after Fifa decided to allow them to host the finals for the 2013 Under-17 World Cup, beating Denmark and Ghana.
The UAE has already organised and hosted the finals of the 2003 Under-20 World Cup, the Fifa Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010 and the Beach Football World Cup finals in 2009.
The UAE has also applied to host both the 2013 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, which went to Turkey and the 2014 Women's Under-17 World Cup, which will be organised in Canada.
Saeed Abdul Gaffar, the Vice-Chairman of the UAE FA, who attended the meeting of Fifa Executive Board on Thursday, said: "It was a good achievement to beat such other applicants..."
The UAE has already organised and hosted the finals of the 2003 Under-20 World Cup, the Fifa Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010 and the Beach Football World Cup finals in 2009.
The UAE has also applied to host both the 2013 Fifa Under-20 World Cup, which went to Turkey and the 2014 Women's Under-17 World Cup, which will be organised in Canada.
Saeed Abdul Gaffar, the Vice-Chairman of the UAE FA, who attended the meeting of Fifa Executive Board on Thursday, said: "It was a good achievement to beat such other applicants..."
FIFA will fund further goal-line technology
The trials were ordered by FIFA president Sepp Blatter after he reversed his opposition to hi-tech aids for referees following complaints about mistakes at last year's World Cup.
The systems tested at FIFA's headquarters last month -- including the Adidas-owned Cairos microchip ball -- were judged to be not quick or accurate enough.
But FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said yesterday the organisation remained committed to finding the right device.
The sport's rule-making body, the International Football Association Board, will review the 10 results at its annual meeting today in Wales.
"The decision is: do we extend the tests which we at FIFA are ready to do and ready to pay for?" Valcke said in Zurich. "Maybe (we will) do the next tests in England and in a stadium.
"If something is working then why not (introduce it)?
"Blatter was clear to the executive committee by saying if there is a system that's working we have to accept it."
Under conditions set by IFAB in October, any technological device would have to determine whether a goal had been scored within one second and be 100 per cent accurate. The most high-profile blunder at last year's World Cup in South Africa came when England was denied a goal against Germany.
Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line and would have levelled the round-of-16 match at 2-2. England went on to lose 4-1.
Hawk-Eye's camera-based system, which is used in tennis, did not participate in the tests last month at FIFA House in Zurich because six cameras must be deployed in a stadium environment.
However, Hawk-Eye has been assured that it can participate in further tests if they are pursued by IFAB.
"The structure of the tests was not what they were expecting but in the meantime we know where they are," Valcke said.
"Hawk-Eye also will be discussed (today)."
The systems tested at FIFA's headquarters last month -- including the Adidas-owned Cairos microchip ball -- were judged to be not quick or accurate enough.
But FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said yesterday the organisation remained committed to finding the right device.
The sport's rule-making body, the International Football Association Board, will review the 10 results at its annual meeting today in Wales.
"The decision is: do we extend the tests which we at FIFA are ready to do and ready to pay for?" Valcke said in Zurich. "Maybe (we will) do the next tests in England and in a stadium.
"If something is working then why not (introduce it)?
"Blatter was clear to the executive committee by saying if there is a system that's working we have to accept it."
Under conditions set by IFAB in October, any technological device would have to determine whether a goal had been scored within one second and be 100 per cent accurate. The most high-profile blunder at last year's World Cup in South Africa came when England was denied a goal against Germany.
Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line and would have levelled the round-of-16 match at 2-2. England went on to lose 4-1.
Hawk-Eye's camera-based system, which is used in tennis, did not participate in the tests last month at FIFA House in Zurich because six cameras must be deployed in a stadium environment.
However, Hawk-Eye has been assured that it can participate in further tests if they are pursued by IFAB.
"The structure of the tests was not what they were expecting but in the meantime we know where they are," Valcke said.
"Hawk-Eye also will be discussed (today)."
A-League coach Herbert joins FIFA panel
Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has been appointed to FIFA's panel of instructors and lecturers.
Herbert, who is also the New Zealand national team coach, this week learnt he had been appointed to the panel for the sport's world governing body.
The appointment, which took effect on January 1 this year, means Herbert joins 29 other football coaches on the panel.
Herbert said he was surprised to be put into such a category and attributed the All Whites' impressive run in the group stage of last year's World Cup in South Africa, with the honour.
"Very few people in the world get an appointment like this, and I believe it is recognition for what New Zealand achieved at the World Cup finals last year," Herbert said.
"We must have been doing something right for this (appointment) to happen."
"I suppose it is also a reward for the work I have put in over the last 20 years or so," he said.
"It has been a long, tough battle but one I have thoroughly enjoyed."
Herbert, who is also the New Zealand national team coach, this week learnt he had been appointed to the panel for the sport's world governing body.
The appointment, which took effect on January 1 this year, means Herbert joins 29 other football coaches on the panel.
Herbert said he was surprised to be put into such a category and attributed the All Whites' impressive run in the group stage of last year's World Cup in South Africa, with the honour.
"Very few people in the world get an appointment like this, and I believe it is recognition for what New Zealand achieved at the World Cup finals last year," Herbert said.
"We must have been doing something right for this (appointment) to happen."
"I suppose it is also a reward for the work I have put in over the last 20 years or so," he said.
"It has been a long, tough battle but one I have thoroughly enjoyed."
Thursday, March 3, 2011
UEFA Officially Starts Euro 2012 Ticket Sales in Warsaw and Kiev
UEFA President Michel Platini yesterday launched sales of tickets for the Euro 2012 football championship to be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine at a special ceremony at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, with a similar event held simultaneously in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.
The ceremony in Warsaw was attended by Polish Football Association chairman Grzegorz Lato and tournament ambassadors Zbigniew Boniek and Andrzej Szarmach.
At both ceremonies winners of a UEFA promotional lottery received four tickets each for Poland and Ukraine`s first matches of the finals. Pawel Michalczak was the lucky football fan who won the tickets in Warsaw.
The Euro 2012 tickets are available exclusively via UEFA.com until 31 March. Tickets cost from 30 to 600 euros, depending on the match and seating location. There are some 1.4 million seats available for the tournament.
So far some 591,161 people from 161 countries have registered to purchase tickets but yesterday they were unable to choose which matches they wanted to attend due to heavy traffic on the UEFA website.
If demand exceeds supply for a particular match and category, a lottery will be conducted in April to select the 600,000 lucky fans who will get to watch the tournament live. The rest will be reserved for special guests, sponsors, partners and sports activists, UEFA, the Polish football association, alongside other national football associations.
Euro 2012 kicks off in Warsaw on June 8, 2012 and ends with the final in Kiev on July 1.
The ceremony in Warsaw was attended by Polish Football Association chairman Grzegorz Lato and tournament ambassadors Zbigniew Boniek and Andrzej Szarmach.
At both ceremonies winners of a UEFA promotional lottery received four tickets each for Poland and Ukraine`s first matches of the finals. Pawel Michalczak was the lucky football fan who won the tickets in Warsaw.
The Euro 2012 tickets are available exclusively via UEFA.com until 31 March. Tickets cost from 30 to 600 euros, depending on the match and seating location. There are some 1.4 million seats available for the tournament.
So far some 591,161 people from 161 countries have registered to purchase tickets but yesterday they were unable to choose which matches they wanted to attend due to heavy traffic on the UEFA website.
If demand exceeds supply for a particular match and category, a lottery will be conducted in April to select the 600,000 lucky fans who will get to watch the tournament live. The rest will be reserved for special guests, sponsors, partners and sports activists, UEFA, the Polish football association, alongside other national football associations.
Euro 2012 kicks off in Warsaw on June 8, 2012 and ends with the final in Kiev on July 1.
UEFA wants five officials at Euro 2012
UEFA wants to have five officials on hand for matches at Euro 2012, its chief Michel Platini said Tuesday, in a renewed drive to deal with disputed on-pitch decisions.
Speaking during a visit to Poland, co-host of the 2012 European championships along with neighbour Ukraine, Platini said adding officials to the traditional trio of a referee and two linesmen had proven its mettle in continental club competitions.
"I'm 500 percent satisfied with the way having five officials has worked in the Champions League and Europa League," he told reporters.
"The results have been great, and the referees are really happy to have two colleagues to help them out," he added.
The concept of extra officials is being tested out by FIFA, world football's governing organisation.
The International Football Association Board, which determines the rules of the game, has been wrestling with how finally to end years of controversy over goals deemed to have been disallowed or approved unfairly.
"We have an International Board meeting on Friday and Saturday in Wales and we're going to return to the issue of five officials," Platini said.
"We've asked the International Board to allow five officials during the European championships. We'll see that they have to say to us. I hope the answer will be positive," he added.
Platini spoke at a ceremony to mark the start of ticket sales for the 16-nation tournament -- European football's showcase -- which kicks off in Warsaw on June 8, 2012 and ends with the final in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on July 1.
The event started with hiccups, as staff had to rip down a stage curtain behind which Platini and fellow officials were sitting, after it failed to glide open.
Platini's microphone then failed to work right away and when it did, was hit by interference from his mobile telephone, which he threw to a colleague in the audience.
"You see, that's the problem with technology," Platini said, with a grin, taking advantage of the situation to reaffirm what he not want to see in refereeing.
"That's why I'm against using video," he said.
FIFA has also rebuffed calls for the use of video to resolve contentious decisions, despite it being a success in sports such as tennis, cricket, and rugby league and union. The rationale is that it would disrupt the flow of the game.
Speaking during a visit to Poland, co-host of the 2012 European championships along with neighbour Ukraine, Platini said adding officials to the traditional trio of a referee and two linesmen had proven its mettle in continental club competitions.
"I'm 500 percent satisfied with the way having five officials has worked in the Champions League and Europa League," he told reporters.
"The results have been great, and the referees are really happy to have two colleagues to help them out," he added.
The concept of extra officials is being tested out by FIFA, world football's governing organisation.
The International Football Association Board, which determines the rules of the game, has been wrestling with how finally to end years of controversy over goals deemed to have been disallowed or approved unfairly.
"We have an International Board meeting on Friday and Saturday in Wales and we're going to return to the issue of five officials," Platini said.
"We've asked the International Board to allow five officials during the European championships. We'll see that they have to say to us. I hope the answer will be positive," he added.
Platini spoke at a ceremony to mark the start of ticket sales for the 16-nation tournament -- European football's showcase -- which kicks off in Warsaw on June 8, 2012 and ends with the final in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on July 1.
The event started with hiccups, as staff had to rip down a stage curtain behind which Platini and fellow officials were sitting, after it failed to glide open.
Platini's microphone then failed to work right away and when it did, was hit by interference from his mobile telephone, which he threw to a colleague in the audience.
"You see, that's the problem with technology," Platini said, with a grin, taking advantage of the situation to reaffirm what he not want to see in refereeing.
"That's why I'm against using video," he said.
FIFA has also rebuffed calls for the use of video to resolve contentious decisions, despite it being a success in sports such as tennis, cricket, and rugby league and union. The rationale is that it would disrupt the flow of the game.
FAW regret over ticket blunder
THE FA of Wales have expressed their regret over an embarrassing error which could see hundreds of fans forced to hand back tickets for this month’s Euro 2012 qualifying clash with England.
More than 900 England supporters have been told to return tickets for the sell-out clash after an administrative error saw seats released that should not have gone on sale.
And the FAW have confirmed there has also been a “knock-on effect” which could see scores of Welsh fans eager to see Gary Speed make his competitive bow as Wales national boss disappointed.
“It is with regret that I must confirm the FAW has had to reduce the number of tickets for the Wales v England match on Saturday, March 26,” said chief executive Jonathan Ford.
“The reason for this reduction is that the total tickets that the FAW understood could be made available for sale was incorrect.
“On behalf of the FAW, I would like to apologise for the disappointment this will cause.”
It is not known how many Wales fans have been unwittingly affected by the administrative error, although it is thought to be fewer than the 951 that the English FA will now have to take back from their supporters.
But, having sold out the 74,500 capacity Millennium for the first time in six years, the Welsh FA admit it was inevitable fans would be disappointed to miss out – even before the error.
“There’s a lot of Welsh fans who will be disappointed because of the massive interest in this game,” said a FAW spokesman. “
“We sold out very quickly and could have sold a lot more. Our last crowd was just over 14,000 and this is quite extraordinary, even for a game against England
“There are fans who handed their applications back before the deadline who’ve unfortunately not been able to have tickets because of them going on sale in a first-come, first-served basis.
“But unfortunately there will also be a knock-on effect from this administrative error which will also come as a disappointment to some.”
The English FA, said to be fuming about the ticket hitch, pressed the FAW to hold onto the tickets but were told there was no option but for supporters affected to return them.
With close to 8,000 away fans expected in Cardiff for the first meeting between the sides since Joe Cole’s winner sealed a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in 2005, England have still received more than the Uefa-required minimum of 10 per cent.
“The FA shares the disappointment fans will sense at being let down for this crucial match,” said the English FA in a letter to fans, confirming they would fully refund any person affected.
And Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke called for fans to be compensated rather than simply refunded.
He said: “It is a pretty deplorable situation and we would want to have discussions urgently with the FA about what approach they are going to take for this and in what ways they might compensate those affected.”
As for whether it is the English or Welsh association who will take responsibility for compensating those affected, Clarke said: “That is really a matter for them to sort out themselves.
“I don’t think the fans will be particularly interested in that issue. I’m sure privately the FA will be having words with the Welsh FA anyway about that point.
“I think they should have some additional form of compensation for this mistake because it’s very annoying to be told you’ve been successful in getting a ticket and then have that taken away from you.
“This will be a very, very high-demand game for obvious reasons.
“Somebody has got to do more than just refund everything.”
More than 900 England supporters have been told to return tickets for the sell-out clash after an administrative error saw seats released that should not have gone on sale.
And the FAW have confirmed there has also been a “knock-on effect” which could see scores of Welsh fans eager to see Gary Speed make his competitive bow as Wales national boss disappointed.
“It is with regret that I must confirm the FAW has had to reduce the number of tickets for the Wales v England match on Saturday, March 26,” said chief executive Jonathan Ford.
“The reason for this reduction is that the total tickets that the FAW understood could be made available for sale was incorrect.
“On behalf of the FAW, I would like to apologise for the disappointment this will cause.”
It is not known how many Wales fans have been unwittingly affected by the administrative error, although it is thought to be fewer than the 951 that the English FA will now have to take back from their supporters.
But, having sold out the 74,500 capacity Millennium for the first time in six years, the Welsh FA admit it was inevitable fans would be disappointed to miss out – even before the error.
“There’s a lot of Welsh fans who will be disappointed because of the massive interest in this game,” said a FAW spokesman. “
“We sold out very quickly and could have sold a lot more. Our last crowd was just over 14,000 and this is quite extraordinary, even for a game against England
“There are fans who handed their applications back before the deadline who’ve unfortunately not been able to have tickets because of them going on sale in a first-come, first-served basis.
“But unfortunately there will also be a knock-on effect from this administrative error which will also come as a disappointment to some.”
The English FA, said to be fuming about the ticket hitch, pressed the FAW to hold onto the tickets but were told there was no option but for supporters affected to return them.
With close to 8,000 away fans expected in Cardiff for the first meeting between the sides since Joe Cole’s winner sealed a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in 2005, England have still received more than the Uefa-required minimum of 10 per cent.
“The FA shares the disappointment fans will sense at being let down for this crucial match,” said the English FA in a letter to fans, confirming they would fully refund any person affected.
And Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke called for fans to be compensated rather than simply refunded.
He said: “It is a pretty deplorable situation and we would want to have discussions urgently with the FA about what approach they are going to take for this and in what ways they might compensate those affected.”
As for whether it is the English or Welsh association who will take responsibility for compensating those affected, Clarke said: “That is really a matter for them to sort out themselves.
“I don’t think the fans will be particularly interested in that issue. I’m sure privately the FA will be having words with the Welsh FA anyway about that point.
“I think they should have some additional form of compensation for this mistake because it’s very annoying to be told you’ve been successful in getting a ticket and then have that taken away from you.
“This will be a very, very high-demand game for obvious reasons.
“Somebody has got to do more than just refund everything.”
FIFA rejeces Wales bid
Wales’ hopes of hosting either the Under-17 or Under-20 World Cups in 2015 have been dashed.
FIFA’s executive committee instead chose New Zealand to host the Under-20 tournament and Chile for the Under-17 event.
Wales also lost a bid in January to host UEFA’s 2013 European Under-21 Championships.
They were also up against Russia and Tunisia for the Under-17 World Cup while Tunisia, Peru were the other bidders for the Under-20 tournament.
FIFA’s executive committee instead chose New Zealand to host the Under-20 tournament and Chile for the Under-17 event.
Wales also lost a bid in January to host UEFA’s 2013 European Under-21 Championships.
They were also up against Russia and Tunisia for the Under-17 World Cup while Tunisia, Peru were the other bidders for the Under-20 tournament.
Ronaldo back on song as Real thrash Málaga
Cristiano Ronaldo broke his four-game scoring drought with a hat-trick as Real Madrid trounced lowly Málaga 7-0 in La Liga to trim the gap with leaders Barcelona back to seven points.
The Portuguese forward's uncharacteristic barren patch ended when he netted Real's fourth in the 51st minute at the Bernabeu after goals from Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Marcelo had put Jose Mourinho's side 3-0 ahead at the break.
France striker Benzema added a fifth in the 62nd and Ronaldo blasted the ball home from the penalty spot in the 68th after defender Manolo Gaspar had been shown a second yellow card for handling in the area.
Ronaldo completed his treble with just over 10 minutes left before leaving the pitch to a rapturous ovation from the fans despite the fact Mourinho had already made three substitutions and Real had to play the rest of the match with 10 men.
The club said in a statement Ronaldo had felt muscle tightness in his left leg and the player told reporters he may not be available for Sunday's match at Racing Santander.
"I did it when I scored the third goal but I am sure it's nothing special," Ronaldo said. "It's better not to take risks. I don't think I'll be available for Sunday's match."
Málaga were reduced to nine a few minutes earlier when Cala was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious ankle injury and the visitors had also used all three subs.
The Portuguese forward's uncharacteristic barren patch ended when he netted Real's fourth in the 51st minute at the Bernabeu after goals from Karim Benzema, Angel Di Maria and Marcelo had put Jose Mourinho's side 3-0 ahead at the break.
France striker Benzema added a fifth in the 62nd and Ronaldo blasted the ball home from the penalty spot in the 68th after defender Manolo Gaspar had been shown a second yellow card for handling in the area.
Ronaldo completed his treble with just over 10 minutes left before leaving the pitch to a rapturous ovation from the fans despite the fact Mourinho had already made three substitutions and Real had to play the rest of the match with 10 men.
The club said in a statement Ronaldo had felt muscle tightness in his left leg and the player told reporters he may not be available for Sunday's match at Racing Santander.
"I did it when I scored the third goal but I am sure it's nothing special," Ronaldo said. "It's better not to take risks. I don't think I'll be available for Sunday's match."
Málaga were reduced to nine a few minutes earlier when Cala was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious ankle injury and the visitors had also used all three subs.
US Soccer reportedly scouting Argentine Marcelo Bielsa for technical
In January, U.S. Soccer appointed April Heinrichs as the first-ever technical director of the U.S. Women’s National Team program and Jill Ellis as development director. Tandildiario is now reporting that U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati has offered Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, the successful coach of Chile since 2007, to be the technical director for the entire U.S. Men’s National Team program. Bielsa officially resigned his post on February 4, due to differences with a change in leadership in Chile’s federation. Bielsa has also received offers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. One key task of Heinrich and Ellis is to thread consistent philosophy..
Diego Milito To Stay At Inter As Agent Excludes Genoa Move
Milito will fight for place at Inter, undeterred by Pazzini... By Salvatore Landolina Share Share Find the best odds and bet on Serie A. Diego Milito has no reason to split from Inter as agent Fernando Hidalgo sets straight stories of a move for the striker...
New United contract for Carrick
Michael Carrick has signed a new contract with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2014.
Although Carrick has not enjoyed the best of seasons, he has improved in recent games, and with Sir Alex Ferguson beginning the process of reshaping his squad he was keen to keep the 29-year-old who joined from Tottenham in 2006.
"I am thoroughly enjoying my time at this great club," said Carrick.
"There is a fantastic team spirit within the squad and I am pleased to have committed my future to United."
The news came barely 20 minutes after Sir Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following comments made about referee Martin Atkinson immediately after United's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
That game marked Carrick's 218th United appearance and his new three-year deal will offer the opportunity to make many more.
Having already collected three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy in his time with the Red Devils, the England international is keen for United to put their midweek setback behind them and focus on collecting more silverware.
"We are in a very good position at the moment and I am confident this team will be successful for many years to come," he said.
With Paul Scholes' future undecided and Anderson struggling with injuries, Carrick's playmaking abilities are likely to come in very handy on the run-in, with Ferguson delighted Carrick has joined Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra, who have also recently signed contract extensions.
"I am delighted Michael has signed a new contract," said Ferguson.
"He has been outstanding since joining us from Tottenham in 2006. He is a true professional and it is great he has committed his future to the club."
Although Carrick has not enjoyed the best of seasons, he has improved in recent games, and with Sir Alex Ferguson beginning the process of reshaping his squad he was keen to keep the 29-year-old who joined from Tottenham in 2006.
"I am thoroughly enjoying my time at this great club," said Carrick.
"There is a fantastic team spirit within the squad and I am pleased to have committed my future to United."
The news came barely 20 minutes after Sir Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following comments made about referee Martin Atkinson immediately after United's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
That game marked Carrick's 218th United appearance and his new three-year deal will offer the opportunity to make many more.
Having already collected three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy in his time with the Red Devils, the England international is keen for United to put their midweek setback behind them and focus on collecting more silverware.
"We are in a very good position at the moment and I am confident this team will be successful for many years to come," he said.
With Paul Scholes' future undecided and Anderson struggling with injuries, Carrick's playmaking abilities are likely to come in very handy on the run-in, with Ferguson delighted Carrick has joined Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra, who have also recently signed contract extensions.
"I am delighted Michael has signed a new contract," said Ferguson.
"He has been outstanding since joining us from Tottenham in 2006. He is a true professional and it is great he has committed his future to the club."
Maicon, Neymar back for Brazil's Scotland date
Brazil coach Mano Menezes made several high-profile recalls on Thursday when he named his squad to face Scotland in a friendly game in London on March 27.
Inter Milan defenders Lucio and Maicon and Santos midfielder Elano, overlooked since Brazil's quarter-final exit at last year's World Cup, all returned to the fold, along with Santos starlet Neymar.
Neymar, 19, missed the 1-0 defeat by France in Brazil's most recent game last month as he was firing his country's under-20 side to glory at the South American Youth Championship in Peru.
Manchester United pair Rafael da Silva and Anderson were both overlooked, the latter due to injury, while AC Milan attacker Robinho was also surprisingly left out of the 24-man squad.
"Robinho was included in all the previous squads and he just needs to take a break," explained Menezes at a press conference.
"I'll be counting on him at the Copa America. This is just a chance for him to recover."
There was no room either for Real Madrid playmaker and former Ballon d'Or winner Kaka, despite his return to action following a six-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Having been beaten 1-0 by arch-rivals Argentina in November, Brazil will be looking for a first win in three matches as they continue to build towards the Copa America in Argentina in July.
The meeting with Scotland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, will take place at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce/TUR), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Lucio, Maicon (both Inter Milan/ITA), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA)
Midfielders: Elano (Santos), Elias (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Jadson (Shaktar Donetsk/UKR), Lucas (Liverpool/ENG), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Sandro (Tottenham/ENG)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Jonas (Valencia/ESP), Neymar (Santos), Nilmar (Villareal/ESP)
Inter Milan defenders Lucio and Maicon and Santos midfielder Elano, overlooked since Brazil's quarter-final exit at last year's World Cup, all returned to the fold, along with Santos starlet Neymar.
Neymar, 19, missed the 1-0 defeat by France in Brazil's most recent game last month as he was firing his country's under-20 side to glory at the South American Youth Championship in Peru.
Manchester United pair Rafael da Silva and Anderson were both overlooked, the latter due to injury, while AC Milan attacker Robinho was also surprisingly left out of the 24-man squad.
"Robinho was included in all the previous squads and he just needs to take a break," explained Menezes at a press conference.
"I'll be counting on him at the Copa America. This is just a chance for him to recover."
There was no room either for Real Madrid playmaker and former Ballon d'Or winner Kaka, despite his return to action following a six-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Having been beaten 1-0 by arch-rivals Argentina in November, Brazil will be looking for a first win in three matches as they continue to build towards the Copa America in Argentina in July.
The meeting with Scotland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, will take place at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce/TUR), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Lucio, Maicon (both Inter Milan/ITA), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA)
Midfielders: Elano (Santos), Elias (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Jadson (Shaktar Donetsk/UKR), Lucas (Liverpool/ENG), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Sandro (Tottenham/ENG)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Jonas (Valencia/ESP), Neymar (Santos), Nilmar (Villareal/ESP)
London Olympic stadium to be taken on by West Ham
West Ham's bid to take over the 2012 Olympics stadium was given formal approval by the British Government and Mayor of London Boris Johnson on Thursday.
The green light allows the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) to enter into negotiations with West Ham and their consortium partners to agree a lease for the facility.
"We are delighted with the progress that has been made and very pleased we have reached this very significant milestone in determining the long-term legacy for the Olympic Park following the Games," local government minister Bob Neill said in a statement.
The OPLC had given its backing to West Ham last month after a bitter battle for the stadium venue with Premier League rivals Tottenham.
West Ham won after tabling a bid which proposed retaining the stadium's running track.
Bid rivals Spurs had proposed demolishing the stadium and replacing it with a purpose built venue without an athletics track, a plan that had been condemned by British Olympic officials.
The green light allows the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) to enter into negotiations with West Ham and their consortium partners to agree a lease for the facility.
"We are delighted with the progress that has been made and very pleased we have reached this very significant milestone in determining the long-term legacy for the Olympic Park following the Games," local government minister Bob Neill said in a statement.
The OPLC had given its backing to West Ham last month after a bitter battle for the stadium venue with Premier League rivals Tottenham.
West Ham won after tabling a bid which proposed retaining the stadium's running track.
Bid rivals Spurs had proposed demolishing the stadium and replacing it with a purpose built venue without an athletics track, a plan that had been condemned by British Olympic officials.
World Cup berths unchanged for 2014
FIFA announced Thursday that berths for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will remain the same as in 2010.
Under that format, Europe is guaranteed 13 spots, Africa five, South America - in addition to Brazil qualifying automatically as host - four, Asia four, and CONCACAF three to account for 30 of the 32 spots.
In addition, South America, Asia, CONCACAF and Oceania were also given a half- berth, meaning one country from each region qualifies for a two-legged playoff series for an opportunity to advance as one of the final two qualifiers.
The most notable change is the playoff series will be decided by an open draw, not the old format of prearranged pairings. That draw will be held in July.
The only difference from 2010 will be Africa has one less spot, as it lost the place given to South Africa as hosts. Brazil now claims the spot given to the host, meaning South America could have six teams - one more than 2010.
Under that format, Europe is guaranteed 13 spots, Africa five, South America - in addition to Brazil qualifying automatically as host - four, Asia four, and CONCACAF three to account for 30 of the 32 spots.
In addition, South America, Asia, CONCACAF and Oceania were also given a half- berth, meaning one country from each region qualifies for a two-legged playoff series for an opportunity to advance as one of the final two qualifiers.
The most notable change is the playoff series will be decided by an open draw, not the old format of prearranged pairings. That draw will be held in July.
The only difference from 2010 will be Africa has one less spot, as it lost the place given to South Africa as hosts. Brazil now claims the spot given to the host, meaning South America could have six teams - one more than 2010.
Olympic team move up a gearin training
The UAE's U-23 Olympic Football Team has increased the pace of their preparations for their two London 2012 Olympic round one qualifiers against Sri Lanka, on March 8 and 11.
The team started training with only ten players as Al Jazira, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Emirates, Al Ahli and Al Shabab players were all away on AFC Champions League or GCC Club Championship duty.
However last night, Mahdi Ali, the team's senior coach, supervised a complete line-up after the players started to return from midweek continental and regional competition.
Omar Abdul Rahman, Al Ain, Hamdan Al Kamali and Adil Al Housani, both from Al Wahda and Mubarak Saeed, Emirates, were the last to join the training camp at Fairmont Bab Al Bahar Hotel in the capital.
Expenses paid
Both matches against Sri Lanka will be played at Bani Yas stadium in Al Shamkha area according to the agreement between the UAE FA and their Sri Lankan counterparts with the UAE FA paying for the full expenses of tickets and accommodation for the visitors.
"The Morale of the players is high and I am confident that they will go further in these qualificiations." Ali told Gulf News yesterday.
The same team has won the silver medal of football competition in the Asian Games in China in November last year.
Confident talk
Ali said: "We have no idea about the team we will play against but we have an idea about the Sri Lankan football in general by watching former teams from there. I am sure that my team will be able to win promotion to the second round."
"We are hopeful that this team can win promotion to the Olympic Games for the fist time in our history and they are really capable of doing that."
The team started training with only ten players as Al Jazira, Al Ain, Al Wahda, Emirates, Al Ahli and Al Shabab players were all away on AFC Champions League or GCC Club Championship duty.
However last night, Mahdi Ali, the team's senior coach, supervised a complete line-up after the players started to return from midweek continental and regional competition.
Omar Abdul Rahman, Al Ain, Hamdan Al Kamali and Adil Al Housani, both from Al Wahda and Mubarak Saeed, Emirates, were the last to join the training camp at Fairmont Bab Al Bahar Hotel in the capital.
Expenses paid
Both matches against Sri Lanka will be played at Bani Yas stadium in Al Shamkha area according to the agreement between the UAE FA and their Sri Lankan counterparts with the UAE FA paying for the full expenses of tickets and accommodation for the visitors.
"The Morale of the players is high and I am confident that they will go further in these qualificiations." Ali told Gulf News yesterday.
The same team has won the silver medal of football competition in the Asian Games in China in November last year.
Confident talk
Ali said: "We have no idea about the team we will play against but we have an idea about the Sri Lankan football in general by watching former teams from there. I am sure that my team will be able to win promotion to the second round."
"We are hopeful that this team can win promotion to the Olympic Games for the fist time in our history and they are really capable of doing that."
FIFA retains World Cup qualifying slots for 2014
FIFA decided Thursday that its six continents will keep the same number of qualifying places for the 2014 World Cup as they had in 2010.
However, an open draw will decide the playoff round matchups instead of the prearranged pairings that counted against North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) last time.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the executive committee rejected CONCACAF's request for a fourth guaranteed slot of the 31 available to join host Brazil.
"It's impossible to make always everybody happy. If we look at the sporting results of the World Cup in 2010 there was no reason to change anything," Blatter said.
Qualification for the 2010 World Cup pitted South America's fifth-placed team against CONCACAF's fourth-place side in a two-leg playoff to decide the last country booking their ticket to South Africa.
It meant eventual semifinalist Uruguay eliminated Costa Rica — an outcome CONCACAF leaders wanted to avoid repeating.
"CONCACAF was not so eager to play again in a playoff with (South America)," Blatter said. "That's why it has been decided there shall be a draw."
The playoffs will feature South America's fifth-placed team, CONCACAF's fourth-placed, Asia's fifth-placed and Oceania's qualification winner. For 2010, New Zealand eliminated Bahrain in a playoff.
Asian delegate Worawi Makudi of Thailand said his region had "gone along with the majority" to back the plan.
Africa will have five qualifiers advancing to Brazil, while four South American teams are guaranteed to qualify in addition to the host. Europe keeps its 13-team allocation. Africa had six teams in 2010 as South Africa qualified as the host.
The draw will be made in Brazil in July to determine the playoff pairings by confederation, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said.
Valcke said a host city was yet to be determined for the main qualification draw on July 30.
FIFA and the Brazilian organizing committee also do not know which city will host the opening match in June 2014, which was intended for Sao Paulo.
City officials and the Corinthians club hope its upgraded 65,000-capacity stadium will be ready on time and approved.
"The decision of the stadium is a sporting decision and not a political decision," Blatter said.
Also on Thursday:
— The Somalia football federation officially nominated Blatter as a candidate for the FIFA presidential election. The poll is scheduled June 1 when FIFA's 208 national members gather for their Congress in Zurich.
Blatter said he was not aware of any conversation among his executive committee colleagues this week to suggest any will stand in the way of his fourth four-year term.
— FIFA chose Hungarian capital Budapest to host the 2012 FIFA Congress and Mauritius for 2013.
— Franz Beckenbauer will head a Blatter-inspired "Task Force 2014" to suggest ways of making the next World Cup more exciting than the last. The German great, who is stepping down from FIFA's ruling panel in June, will lead the group's first meeting on March 29.
— FIFA referred a request by Kosovo for its national and club teams to play international matches to European authority UEFA. Blatter said a nation could not join the football family before it was recognized by the United Nations.
— Attending their first meetings of FIFA's high command were David Chung of Papua New Guinea, elected Oceania president in January, and Algeria's Mohamed Raouraoua who was elected by the African confederation last week. They replace Reynald Temarii of Tahiti and Nigerian Amos Adamu who were suspended by FIFA last November during bidding contests for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
However, an open draw will decide the playoff round matchups instead of the prearranged pairings that counted against North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) last time.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the executive committee rejected CONCACAF's request for a fourth guaranteed slot of the 31 available to join host Brazil.
"It's impossible to make always everybody happy. If we look at the sporting results of the World Cup in 2010 there was no reason to change anything," Blatter said.
Qualification for the 2010 World Cup pitted South America's fifth-placed team against CONCACAF's fourth-place side in a two-leg playoff to decide the last country booking their ticket to South Africa.
It meant eventual semifinalist Uruguay eliminated Costa Rica — an outcome CONCACAF leaders wanted to avoid repeating.
"CONCACAF was not so eager to play again in a playoff with (South America)," Blatter said. "That's why it has been decided there shall be a draw."
The playoffs will feature South America's fifth-placed team, CONCACAF's fourth-placed, Asia's fifth-placed and Oceania's qualification winner. For 2010, New Zealand eliminated Bahrain in a playoff.
Asian delegate Worawi Makudi of Thailand said his region had "gone along with the majority" to back the plan.
Africa will have five qualifiers advancing to Brazil, while four South American teams are guaranteed to qualify in addition to the host. Europe keeps its 13-team allocation. Africa had six teams in 2010 as South Africa qualified as the host.
The draw will be made in Brazil in July to determine the playoff pairings by confederation, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said.
Valcke said a host city was yet to be determined for the main qualification draw on July 30.
FIFA and the Brazilian organizing committee also do not know which city will host the opening match in June 2014, which was intended for Sao Paulo.
City officials and the Corinthians club hope its upgraded 65,000-capacity stadium will be ready on time and approved.
"The decision of the stadium is a sporting decision and not a political decision," Blatter said.
Also on Thursday:
— The Somalia football federation officially nominated Blatter as a candidate for the FIFA presidential election. The poll is scheduled June 1 when FIFA's 208 national members gather for their Congress in Zurich.
Blatter said he was not aware of any conversation among his executive committee colleagues this week to suggest any will stand in the way of his fourth four-year term.
— FIFA chose Hungarian capital Budapest to host the 2012 FIFA Congress and Mauritius for 2013.
— Franz Beckenbauer will head a Blatter-inspired "Task Force 2014" to suggest ways of making the next World Cup more exciting than the last. The German great, who is stepping down from FIFA's ruling panel in June, will lead the group's first meeting on March 29.
— FIFA referred a request by Kosovo for its national and club teams to play international matches to European authority UEFA. Blatter said a nation could not join the football family before it was recognized by the United Nations.
— Attending their first meetings of FIFA's high command were David Chung of Papua New Guinea, elected Oceania president in January, and Algeria's Mohamed Raouraoua who was elected by the African confederation last week. They replace Reynald Temarii of Tahiti and Nigerian Amos Adamu who were suspended by FIFA last November during bidding contests for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Brazil's GDP grows 7.5 percent in 2010
Brazil's
gross domestic product grew 7.5 percent in 2010 after a 0.2 percent slip the year before, the government said Thursday.
It was the highest growth rate since 1986, when the economy also grew by 7.5 percent.
The IBGE statistics bureau said that last year's expansion was due mainly to a 10.1 percent rise in industrial output.
The IBGE said GDP in the last quarter of 2010 was 0.7 higher than in the third quarter and 5 percent higher when compared to the same period one year earlier.
The growth led the government to order $30 billion in spending cuts last month to battle inflation.
The government said it will remove stimulus packages put in place two years ago to counteract the global financial crisis. Those included tax breaks on auto sales, subsidies and increased government spending.
On Wednesday, the central bank hiked a key interest rate to keep a lid on inflation, whose 12-month rate is hovering around 6 percent, well above the government's target of 4.5 percent.
The bank raised the benchmark Selic rate to 11.75 percent, up 50 basis points.
gross domestic product grew 7.5 percent in 2010 after a 0.2 percent slip the year before, the government said Thursday.
It was the highest growth rate since 1986, when the economy also grew by 7.5 percent.
The IBGE statistics bureau said that last year's expansion was due mainly to a 10.1 percent rise in industrial output.
The IBGE said GDP in the last quarter of 2010 was 0.7 higher than in the third quarter and 5 percent higher when compared to the same period one year earlier.
The growth led the government to order $30 billion in spending cuts last month to battle inflation.
The government said it will remove stimulus packages put in place two years ago to counteract the global financial crisis. Those included tax breaks on auto sales, subsidies and increased government spending.
On Wednesday, the central bank hiked a key interest rate to keep a lid on inflation, whose 12-month rate is hovering around 6 percent, well above the government's target of 4.5 percent.
The bank raised the benchmark Selic rate to 11.75 percent, up 50 basis points.
Ferguson charged by FA after criticizing referee
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by The Football Association on Thursday following his harsh criticism of a referee following a 2-1 loss at Chelsea.
Ferguson was furious that Martin Atkinson failed to eject David Luiz when the Chelsea defender fouled Wayne Rooney. Luiz already had received a yellow card during Tuesday's game.
Shortly afterward, Atkinson awarded a penalty kick when United defender Chris Smalling fouled Yuri Zhirkov. Frank Lampard then converted the penalty kick to put Chelsea ahead.
"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway — and we didn't get that," Ferguson said on United's in-house TV channel. "I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst."
Ferguson has until Tuesday to respond to a charge of "improper conduct relating to media comments."
If Ferguson is found guilty, it would trigger an additional two-match ban. Half of a four-match penalty for questioning referee Alan Wiley's fitness last season was suspended until the end of this season
Ferguson was furious that Martin Atkinson failed to eject David Luiz when the Chelsea defender fouled Wayne Rooney. Luiz already had received a yellow card during Tuesday's game.
Shortly afterward, Atkinson awarded a penalty kick when United defender Chris Smalling fouled Yuri Zhirkov. Frank Lampard then converted the penalty kick to put Chelsea ahead.
"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway — and we didn't get that," Ferguson said on United's in-house TV channel. "I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst."
Ferguson has until Tuesday to respond to a charge of "improper conduct relating to media comments."
If Ferguson is found guilty, it would trigger an additional two-match ban. Half of a four-match penalty for questioning referee Alan Wiley's fitness last season was suspended until the end of this season
Kolo Toure suspended after testing positive
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure was suspended Thursday after failing a doping test.
City issued a statement saying "the FA has informed Kolo Toure that an 'A-sample' provided by him has tested positive for a specified substance."
The club added that Toure has been suspended from all matches "pending the outcome of the legal process," and that it would not provide any further comment.
The World Anti-Doping Agency define a specified substance as one that is "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation," and its punishment for such a positive test ranges from a warning to a two-year ban.
The 29-year-old Toure joined City for 14million pounds from Arsenal in 2009. He was City's club captain under former manager Mark Hughes but was succeeded by Carlos Tevez for this season.
His brother Yaya Toure also plays for City.
City issued a statement saying "the FA has informed Kolo Toure that an 'A-sample' provided by him has tested positive for a specified substance."
The club added that Toure has been suspended from all matches "pending the outcome of the legal process," and that it would not provide any further comment.
The World Anti-Doping Agency define a specified substance as one that is "more susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation," and its punishment for such a positive test ranges from a warning to a two-year ban.
The 29-year-old Toure joined City for 14million pounds from Arsenal in 2009. He was City's club captain under former manager Mark Hughes but was succeeded by Carlos Tevez for this season.
His brother Yaya Toure also plays for City.
FIFA, European clubs to open peace talks
FIFA will meet European football clubs next week to begin solving their long-running dispute over top players' international workload.
The club vs. country divide has seen the European Club Association ask players to prioritize national leagues and the Champions League above FIFA's desire for stars to peak at the World Cup and take part in the Olympic Games.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Thursday talks to seek a balance will begin in Zurich on Tuesday.
Blatter said FIFA vice president Michel Platini — the head of Champions League organizer UEFA who is a close ally of ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge — also will attend.
The summit takes place one month after the 197-member ECA group revealed its frustration with FIFA's apparent stalling and called on football's governing body to be more democratic.
Clubs were upset that Blatter talked freely in public of a possible winter slot for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that would wreak havoc on the traditional European club season.
Describing European football as "the heart of the game," ECA members called on FIFA to consult them before loading the international calendar with more match dates that demand they release their employees to national teams, and often get them back injured.
Clubs want to cut the minimum three dates each year for international friendlies they regard as meaningless, disruptive for clubs and exhausting for players.
Blatter acknowledged on Thursday that the calendar was "a sports political matter."
He has previously called on 20-team European leagues — such as the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga — to be reduced to 18 and ease players' workload.
"If there is such a movement of the clubs to take over not only the international calendar, but also in all the organization of football, then where are the national teams?" he said after a meeting of FIFA's ruling executive committee.
"If you take away the importance of national teams then something is wrong."
Blatter said the debate that begins next Tuesday would soon be widened to include other continents' clubs.
The club vs. country divide has seen the European Club Association ask players to prioritize national leagues and the Champions League above FIFA's desire for stars to peak at the World Cup and take part in the Olympic Games.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Thursday talks to seek a balance will begin in Zurich on Tuesday.
Blatter said FIFA vice president Michel Platini — the head of Champions League organizer UEFA who is a close ally of ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge — also will attend.
The summit takes place one month after the 197-member ECA group revealed its frustration with FIFA's apparent stalling and called on football's governing body to be more democratic.
Clubs were upset that Blatter talked freely in public of a possible winter slot for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that would wreak havoc on the traditional European club season.
Describing European football as "the heart of the game," ECA members called on FIFA to consult them before loading the international calendar with more match dates that demand they release their employees to national teams, and often get them back injured.
Clubs want to cut the minimum three dates each year for international friendlies they regard as meaningless, disruptive for clubs and exhausting for players.
Blatter acknowledged on Thursday that the calendar was "a sports political matter."
He has previously called on 20-team European leagues — such as the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga — to be reduced to 18 and ease players' workload.
"If there is such a movement of the clubs to take over not only the international calendar, but also in all the organization of football, then where are the national teams?" he said after a meeting of FIFA's ruling executive committee.
"If you take away the importance of national teams then something is wrong."
Blatter said the debate that begins next Tuesday would soon be widened to include other continents' clubs.
Revolution ink trio of draft picks
The New England Revolution signed three of its 2011 draft selections, the Major League Soccer club announced on Thursday. Attacker Ryan Kinne, forward Alan Koger and midfielder Andrew Sousa were all inked by the Eastern Conference club..
"We believe we've added three players in Ryan, Alan and Andrew who will have promising careers," Revolution VP of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. "They put in a great effort during preseason to earn roster spots and all three are will provide us depth in the attack."
Kinne, 21, was a NSCAA All-American, Hermann Trophy semifinalist and Northeast Conference player of the year in both his junior and senior seasons at Monmouth.
Koger, 23, was an all-region selection following his senior season at William & Mary after scoring 10 goals in 22 matches.
Sousa, 21, scored seven goals and added six assists in three seasons at Providence after playing one season at Limestone College (S.C.).
"We believe we've added three players in Ryan, Alan and Andrew who will have promising careers," Revolution VP of Player Personnel Michael Burns said. "They put in a great effort during preseason to earn roster spots and all three are will provide us depth in the attack."
Kinne, 21, was a NSCAA All-American, Hermann Trophy semifinalist and Northeast Conference player of the year in both his junior and senior seasons at Monmouth.
Koger, 23, was an all-region selection following his senior season at William & Mary after scoring 10 goals in 22 matches.
Sousa, 21, scored seven goals and added six assists in three seasons at Providence after playing one season at Limestone College (S.C.).
Beckham returns to Galaxy in losing effort
Landon Donovan and David Beckham gave Los Angeles Galaxy fans plenty of reason to cheer, even though Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente defeated the Major League Soccer team 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie in an exhibition Wednesday night.
The Galaxy trailed 1-0 on a goal from Armando Pulido when Beckham sent a corner kick that was redirected by Omar Gonzalez past goalkeeper Adrian Zemeno in the 41st minute to tie the game. Donovan then gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead in the 75th when he converted a pass from Chris Birchall.
The Mexican club rallied in the 82nd minute when Miguel Lopez converted a penalty kick, and the game eventually went to a shootout.
The Galaxy trailed 1-0 on a goal from Armando Pulido when Beckham sent a corner kick that was redirected by Omar Gonzalez past goalkeeper Adrian Zemeno in the 41st minute to tie the game. Donovan then gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead in the 75th when he converted a pass from Chris Birchall.
The Mexican club rallied in the 82nd minute when Miguel Lopez converted a penalty kick, and the game eventually went to a shootout.
Mourinho believes Ronaldo injury could be serious
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is unsure whether the injury Cristiano Ronaldo sustained in Thursday night's 7-0 win over Malaga is serious.
Ronaldo scored in the 51st, 67th and 77th minutes, his fourth three-goal game this season to go along with one four-goal match. He limped off with a muscle problem after the final goal, going straight to the dressing room. Real Madrid finished a man short.
"I don't know. It seems like a serious injury. That's the negative note from the game," Mourinho said. "Especially as Ronaldo doesn't just do small things."
Mourinho soon followed up his initial words with more encouraging ones over his star player's health.
"If Cristiano has something it's something minor, it's no drama," Mourinho added.
Ronaldo said he didn't think he will play Sunday against Racing Santander but didn't believe it was serious.
The Portuguese forward, the 2008 FIFA player of the year, matched Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the league lead with 27 goals and has 37 in all competitions this season. Ronaldo had not scored since Feb. 6.
Barcelona (23-1-2) has 71 points followed by Real Madrid (20-2-4) with 64. Real Madrid is 21-0 at home this season in all competitions.
Karim Benzema scored twice, and Angel Di Maria and Marcelo had one goal each. Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini returned to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the first time since Mourinho replaced him after last season.
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/03/2894416/mourinho-believes-ronaldo-injury.html#ixzz1FbOjerah
Ronaldo scored in the 51st, 67th and 77th minutes, his fourth three-goal game this season to go along with one four-goal match. He limped off with a muscle problem after the final goal, going straight to the dressing room. Real Madrid finished a man short.
"I don't know. It seems like a serious injury. That's the negative note from the game," Mourinho said. "Especially as Ronaldo doesn't just do small things."
Mourinho soon followed up his initial words with more encouraging ones over his star player's health.
"If Cristiano has something it's something minor, it's no drama," Mourinho added.
Ronaldo said he didn't think he will play Sunday against Racing Santander but didn't believe it was serious.
The Portuguese forward, the 2008 FIFA player of the year, matched Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the league lead with 27 goals and has 37 in all competitions this season. Ronaldo had not scored since Feb. 6.
Barcelona (23-1-2) has 71 points followed by Real Madrid (20-2-4) with 64. Real Madrid is 21-0 at home this season in all competitions.
Karim Benzema scored twice, and Angel Di Maria and Marcelo had one goal each. Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini returned to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the first time since Mourinho replaced him after last season.
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/03/2894416/mourinho-believes-ronaldo-injury.html#ixzz1FbOjerah
Pele says Platini might seek FIFA presidency
UEFA President Michel Platini might run against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, Brazilian soccer great Pele said Thursday.
"Maybe Platini will run for that," Pele said at a breakfast organized by the American chamber of commerce in Singapore. "Platini is already president of UEFA. It's a good opportunity."
Platini and Mohamed Bin Hammam, a Qatari who leads the Asian Football Confederation, are considered the two strongest potential candidates to take on Blatter, who is seeking election to a fourth four-year term on June 1 as head of soccer's world governing body. Neither Platini nor Hammam have said they are seeking the post.
Pele said he didn't want to be FIFA president.
Blatter's leadership came under criticism after FIFA last year selected Russia to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar for 2022.
"They say there was a little controversy about buying votes, but I wasn't there," said the 70-year-old Pele, who serves on FIFA's Football Committee with other retired stars such as Frank Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton and George Weah.
"We won very clean for the World Cup in Brazil but this World Cup (selection) I think there was a big problem there."
Brazil will be hosting the 2014 World Cup, but Pele reiterated concerns that the building of the infrastructure for the tournament is behind schedule.
"We have a little problem with construction, communication, airports," Pele said. "We have some political problems, which makes it a little complicated to do construction. Even in Sao Paulo, they haven't started the stadium because they have a political problem. This is not good for us."
Pele was in Asia to promote the rebirth of the New York Cosmos, the team he played for in the 1970s. Pele is honorary president of the Cosmos, who plan to begin play in 2014.
"Maybe Platini will run for that," Pele said at a breakfast organized by the American chamber of commerce in Singapore. "Platini is already president of UEFA. It's a good opportunity."
Platini and Mohamed Bin Hammam, a Qatari who leads the Asian Football Confederation, are considered the two strongest potential candidates to take on Blatter, who is seeking election to a fourth four-year term on June 1 as head of soccer's world governing body. Neither Platini nor Hammam have said they are seeking the post.
Pele said he didn't want to be FIFA president.
Blatter's leadership came under criticism after FIFA last year selected Russia to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar for 2022.
"They say there was a little controversy about buying votes, but I wasn't there," said the 70-year-old Pele, who serves on FIFA's Football Committee with other retired stars such as Frank Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton and George Weah.
"We won very clean for the World Cup in Brazil but this World Cup (selection) I think there was a big problem there."
Brazil will be hosting the 2014 World Cup, but Pele reiterated concerns that the building of the infrastructure for the tournament is behind schedule.
"We have a little problem with construction, communication, airports," Pele said. "We have some political problems, which makes it a little complicated to do construction. Even in Sao Paulo, they haven't started the stadium because they have a political problem. This is not good for us."
Pele was in Asia to promote the rebirth of the New York Cosmos, the team he played for in the 1970s. Pele is honorary president of the Cosmos, who plan to begin play in 2014.
FIFA reports $631M profit during last 4 years
FIFA says it made a $631 million profit in the four years leading up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, registering $202 million of that in last year alone.
The figures FIFA released Thursday for the four-year financial cycle showed income of $4.19 billion from broadcast and commercial deals, with 87 percent tied directly to its marquee event.
Its spending from 2007-10 was $3.56 billion.
The 2010 World Cup helped raise FIFA's reserves to $1.28 billion.
FIFA already has completed most deals for the 2014 World Cup after signing nearly all broadcasters and sponsors to two-tournament packages.
The figures FIFA released Thursday for the four-year financial cycle showed income of $4.19 billion from broadcast and commercial deals, with 87 percent tied directly to its marquee event.
Its spending from 2007-10 was $3.56 billion.
The 2010 World Cup helped raise FIFA's reserves to $1.28 billion.
FIFA already has completed most deals for the 2014 World Cup after signing nearly all broadcasters and sponsors to two-tournament packages.
Ronaldinho and Robinho off Brazil roster
Ronaldinho and Robinho have been left off Brazil's 24-man roster for a March 27 exhibition against Scotland in London.
Defender Lucio, right back Maicon and midfielder Elano were selected Thursday for the first time since the World Cup, and forward Neymar was picked after missing last month's game at France. Midfielder Lucas was chosen after starring along with Neymar at the South American under-20 championship.
Ronaldinho was not picked despite good performances with Flamengo after transferring from AC Milan.
"Ronaldinho has been making progress with Flamengo and if he continues doing that he will naturally be a part of the national team again," coach Mano Menezes said.
The coach also said Robinho likely will be back in coming matches.
"He has been playing a lot recently, but if everything goes well I will be able to count on him for the Copa America," Menezes said.
Newcomers included Sao Paulo's Lucas, Cruzeiro midfielder Henrique and Valencia forward Jonas.
Lucio, Maicon and Elano had not been summoned since Brazil was eliminated by the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in South Africa.
Brazil will host the Netherlands on June 4 in preparation for defending its Copa America title, then will play Romania on June 7 in Sao Paulo in a farewell match for recently retired forward Ronaldo.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan, Italy), Vitor (Gremio)
Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), David Luiz (Chelsea, England), Luisao (Benfica, Portugal), Lucio (Inter Milan, Italy), Maicon (Inter Milan, Italy), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain), Thiago Silva (AC Milan, Italy)
Midfielders: Elano (Santos), Elias (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool, England), Ramires (Chelsea, England), Renato Augusto (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Sandro (Tottenham, England)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan, Italy), Jonas (Valencia, Spain), Neymar (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal, Spain)
Defender Lucio, right back Maicon and midfielder Elano were selected Thursday for the first time since the World Cup, and forward Neymar was picked after missing last month's game at France. Midfielder Lucas was chosen after starring along with Neymar at the South American under-20 championship.
Ronaldinho was not picked despite good performances with Flamengo after transferring from AC Milan.
"Ronaldinho has been making progress with Flamengo and if he continues doing that he will naturally be a part of the national team again," coach Mano Menezes said.
The coach also said Robinho likely will be back in coming matches.
"He has been playing a lot recently, but if everything goes well I will be able to count on him for the Copa America," Menezes said.
Newcomers included Sao Paulo's Lucas, Cruzeiro midfielder Henrique and Valencia forward Jonas.
Lucio, Maicon and Elano had not been summoned since Brazil was eliminated by the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals in South Africa.
Brazil will host the Netherlands on June 4 in preparation for defending its Copa America title, then will play Romania on June 7 in Sao Paulo in a farewell match for recently retired forward Ronaldo.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan, Italy), Vitor (Gremio)
Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), David Luiz (Chelsea, England), Luisao (Benfica, Portugal), Lucio (Inter Milan, Italy), Maicon (Inter Milan, Italy), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain), Thiago Silva (AC Milan, Italy)
Midfielders: Elano (Santos), Elias (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool, England), Ramires (Chelsea, England), Renato Augusto (Bayern Leverkusen, Germany), Sandro (Tottenham, England)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan, Italy), Jonas (Valencia, Spain), Neymar (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal, Spain)
FIFA pledges action on match-fixing threat
FIFA is promising new rules to help stop national team games being fixed for betting scams.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter pledged tighter monitoring of referees' assignments as investigations continue into two suspect exhibition games played in Turkey.
Blatter says regulations are needed to stop international matches "which are mostly ... organized only for betting reasons."
FIFA says exhibition game organizers will need to submit referees' names for approval two months before kickoff. FIFA and its confederations will have veto power to refuse the assignment.
FIFA is investigating matches played Feb. 9 when Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia tied 2-2 with Bulgaria. Every goal came from penalty kicks awarded by low-ranked Hungarian officials
FIFA President Sepp Blatter pledged tighter monitoring of referees' assignments as investigations continue into two suspect exhibition games played in Turkey.
Blatter says regulations are needed to stop international matches "which are mostly ... organized only for betting reasons."
FIFA says exhibition game organizers will need to submit referees' names for approval two months before kickoff. FIFA and its confederations will have veto power to refuse the assignment.
FIFA is investigating matches played Feb. 9 when Latvia beat Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia tied 2-2 with Bulgaria. Every goal came from penalty kicks awarded by low-ranked Hungarian officials
FIFA to fund more goal-line technology trials
FIFA will fund additional goal-line technology trials after 10 systems failed to meet the conditions set by soccer's governing body.
The trials were ordered by FIFA President Sepp Blatter after he reversed his opposition to high-tech aids for referees following complaints about mistakes at last year's World Cup.
The systems tested at FIFA's headquarters last month—including the Adidas-owned Cairos microchip ball—were judged to be not quick or accurate enough.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said Thursday the organization remains committed to finding the right goal-line device.
The sport's rule-making body, the International Football Association Board, will review the 10 results at its annual meeting on Saturday in Wales.
"The decision is: Do we extend the tests which we at FIFA are ready to do and ready to pay for?" Valcke said in Zurich. "Maybe (we will) do the next tests in England and in a stadium. If something is working then why not? Blatter was clear to the executive committee by saying if there is a system that's working we have to accept it."
Under conditions set by IFAB in October, any technological device would have to determine whether a goal had been scored within one second and be 100 percent accurate.
The most high-profile blunder at last year's World Cup in South Africa came when England was denied a goal against Germany. Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line and would have tied the second-round game at 2. England went on to lose 4-1.
Hawk-Eye's camera-based system, which is successfully deployed in tennis, did not participate in the tests last month at FIFA House in Zurich because six cameras must be deployed in a stadium environment. Hawk-Eye, however, has been assured that it can participate in future tests if they are pursued by IFAB on Saturday.
The rule-making body includes four representatives of FIFA and one each from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Six votes are necessary for approval.
The Welsh and Northern Irish backed Blatter last year by voting to keep technology out of the game.
The trials were ordered by FIFA President Sepp Blatter after he reversed his opposition to high-tech aids for referees following complaints about mistakes at last year's World Cup.
The systems tested at FIFA's headquarters last month—including the Adidas-owned Cairos microchip ball—were judged to be not quick or accurate enough.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said Thursday the organization remains committed to finding the right goal-line device.
The sport's rule-making body, the International Football Association Board, will review the 10 results at its annual meeting on Saturday in Wales.
"The decision is: Do we extend the tests which we at FIFA are ready to do and ready to pay for?" Valcke said in Zurich. "Maybe (we will) do the next tests in England and in a stadium. If something is working then why not? Blatter was clear to the executive committee by saying if there is a system that's working we have to accept it."
Under conditions set by IFAB in October, any technological device would have to determine whether a goal had been scored within one second and be 100 percent accurate.
The most high-profile blunder at last year's World Cup in South Africa came when England was denied a goal against Germany. Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line and would have tied the second-round game at 2. England went on to lose 4-1.
Hawk-Eye's camera-based system, which is successfully deployed in tennis, did not participate in the tests last month at FIFA House in Zurich because six cameras must be deployed in a stadium environment. Hawk-Eye, however, has been assured that it can participate in future tests if they are pursued by IFAB on Saturday.
The rule-making body includes four representatives of FIFA and one each from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Six votes are necessary for approval.
The Welsh and Northern Irish backed Blatter last year by voting to keep technology out of the game.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Africa's 2014 World Cup future to be decided by Fifa
Football's world governing body Fifa is meeting to decide how many places each continent receives at the next World Cup in 2014.
Six African nations took part in the 2010 tournament, because South Africa were the hosts.
The continent will almost certainly be cut back to five representatives for the next finals in Brazil.
There is a chance the figure could drop further, with other regions pressing hard for more places.
Africa's performance in 2010, where of the continent's contenders only Ghana made it out of the knock-out stages, will count against it.
Political pressures and lobbying in the expected tussle between incumbent Fifa president Sepp Blatter and his likely challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam will also have an impact.
Bin Hammam has been pushing for an increased representation from his Asian Confederation - which had four places plus a play-off against Oceania for South Africa.
Concacaf, the North and Central American and Caribbean region, is also pressing especially hard for more places than the current three plus a play-off spot.
South America is likely to get an extra berth because Brazil are the hosts.
Fifa is set to announce the decision at a news conference on Thursday, following a two-day meeting in Zurich.
Fifa is also going to announce Canada as the hosts of the 2015 Women's World Cup - they are the only contenders after Zimbabwe pulled out of the running.
In addition, Ghana will find out whether it will host the U17 World Cup in 2013 and the U17 women's competition in 2014 while Tunisia has bid for the U17 World Cup in 2015 and the U20 event in 2015.
Six African nations took part in the 2010 tournament, because South Africa were the hosts.
The continent will almost certainly be cut back to five representatives for the next finals in Brazil.
There is a chance the figure could drop further, with other regions pressing hard for more places.
Africa's performance in 2010, where of the continent's contenders only Ghana made it out of the knock-out stages, will count against it.
Political pressures and lobbying in the expected tussle between incumbent Fifa president Sepp Blatter and his likely challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam will also have an impact.
Bin Hammam has been pushing for an increased representation from his Asian Confederation - which had four places plus a play-off against Oceania for South Africa.
Concacaf, the North and Central American and Caribbean region, is also pressing especially hard for more places than the current three plus a play-off spot.
South America is likely to get an extra berth because Brazil are the hosts.
Fifa is set to announce the decision at a news conference on Thursday, following a two-day meeting in Zurich.
Fifa is also going to announce Canada as the hosts of the 2015 Women's World Cup - they are the only contenders after Zimbabwe pulled out of the running.
In addition, Ghana will find out whether it will host the U17 World Cup in 2013 and the U17 women's competition in 2014 while Tunisia has bid for the U17 World Cup in 2015 and the U20 event in 2015.
Asia sets dates for 2014 World Cup qualifying draw
The Asian Football Confederation says it will hold a draw for its first round of 2014 World Cup qualifying matches on March 30.
Asia has scheduled match dates in June and July to play preliminary rounds likely involving only lower-ranked countries.
The winners will join higher-ranked teams such as Australia, South Korea and Japan which can expect byes to the main qualifying draw conducted by FIFA in Brazil on July 30.
The AFC says FIFA will draw 20 countries into five four-team groups.
A further group stage will decide which countries play in Brazil.
FIFA's executive committee is meeting Thursday to negotiate how many qualification places each confederation gets.
Asia currently has four guaranteed, plus a playoff spot.
Asia has scheduled match dates in June and July to play preliminary rounds likely involving only lower-ranked countries.
The winners will join higher-ranked teams such as Australia, South Korea and Japan which can expect byes to the main qualifying draw conducted by FIFA in Brazil on July 30.
The AFC says FIFA will draw 20 countries into five four-team groups.
A further group stage will decide which countries play in Brazil.
FIFA's executive committee is meeting Thursday to negotiate how many qualification places each confederation gets.
Asia currently has four guaranteed, plus a playoff spot.
Alexis Sánchez ‘The Next Big Thing’
Alexis Sánchez’s star is shining, but not only in his native Chile. The Italian and Spanish media are now jumping on the bandwagon.
On Saturday Sánchez scored four goals in his team 7-0 win over Palermo in Italy’s Serie A (the top soccer league in Italy). His performance created a storm and rumors as to which team will stump up the alleged US$40 million asking price for the striker. Sánchez currently plays for Udinese, a mid-table, unfashionable team based in the northern town Udine.
Soccer teams in Europe are only allowed to buy players during the off-season, and then again in the month of January. It was thought he would move in the last transfer window, but he ultimately stayed with his current team after his suitors were unwilling to pay such a high fee.
That looks highly unlikely to happen this summer. Reports suggest “The Boy Wonder” is being tracked by a host of big teams, including Inter and Juventus (in Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Chelsea and Manchester United (England).
Newspapers in Italy seem convinced a bidding war will take place for Sánchez’s services, with suggestions the fee could go as high as US$55 million. La Gazzetta dello Sport described his performance on Saturday as “magic at full volume.” One Catalan daily sports paper dedicated its whole front page to the player weighing up the possibility of Barcelona beating the competition to the player’s signature under a headline proclaiming him “The Next Big Thing”.
Ivan Zamorano, one of Chile’s most famous former players, said Sánchez was on course to eclipse his exploits and those of Marcelo Salas (Chile’s top scorer in international matches)
“I think he is not only on pace to match what we did, but will overcome me and Marcelo. He is still young and has a huge global reach. I think he will stay with Udinese for six months. Nothing more,” Zamorano said.
Jorge Vargas, another former player, said the challenge facing Sánchez is clear. “To be compared to the “Za-Sa” duo (Zamorano and Salas), he will need to win titles and to break the record of goals scored for Chile.”
That record currently stands at 37 goals, which took Salas 70 matches to reach. So far Sánchez has scored 12 in 33 matches for Chile.
“He has the mentality of being the best in the world. I remember I had to face him in recent South American qualifiers; he is very difficult to mark because he moves a lot and is always running,” said his teammate at Udinese, Colombian Pablo Armero.
Udinese stands to profit massively from any sale of their prized asset, having bought the player for US$1.5 million. Udinese’s sporting director Fabrizio Larini said, "We don't set the figure, the market does. The value of the player is liable to vary. Inter tried (to buy Sánchez) in January just as the other teams did.”
On Saturday Sánchez scored four goals in his team 7-0 win over Palermo in Italy’s Serie A (the top soccer league in Italy). His performance created a storm and rumors as to which team will stump up the alleged US$40 million asking price for the striker. Sánchez currently plays for Udinese, a mid-table, unfashionable team based in the northern town Udine.
Soccer teams in Europe are only allowed to buy players during the off-season, and then again in the month of January. It was thought he would move in the last transfer window, but he ultimately stayed with his current team after his suitors were unwilling to pay such a high fee.
That looks highly unlikely to happen this summer. Reports suggest “The Boy Wonder” is being tracked by a host of big teams, including Inter and Juventus (in Italy), Barcelona (Spain), and Chelsea and Manchester United (England).
Newspapers in Italy seem convinced a bidding war will take place for Sánchez’s services, with suggestions the fee could go as high as US$55 million. La Gazzetta dello Sport described his performance on Saturday as “magic at full volume.” One Catalan daily sports paper dedicated its whole front page to the player weighing up the possibility of Barcelona beating the competition to the player’s signature under a headline proclaiming him “The Next Big Thing”.
Ivan Zamorano, one of Chile’s most famous former players, said Sánchez was on course to eclipse his exploits and those of Marcelo Salas (Chile’s top scorer in international matches)
“I think he is not only on pace to match what we did, but will overcome me and Marcelo. He is still young and has a huge global reach. I think he will stay with Udinese for six months. Nothing more,” Zamorano said.
Jorge Vargas, another former player, said the challenge facing Sánchez is clear. “To be compared to the “Za-Sa” duo (Zamorano and Salas), he will need to win titles and to break the record of goals scored for Chile.”
That record currently stands at 37 goals, which took Salas 70 matches to reach. So far Sánchez has scored 12 in 33 matches for Chile.
“He has the mentality of being the best in the world. I remember I had to face him in recent South American qualifiers; he is very difficult to mark because he moves a lot and is always running,” said his teammate at Udinese, Colombian Pablo Armero.
Udinese stands to profit massively from any sale of their prized asset, having bought the player for US$1.5 million. Udinese’s sporting director Fabrizio Larini said, "We don't set the figure, the market does. The value of the player is liable to vary. Inter tried (to buy Sánchez) in January just as the other teams did.”
FIFA approves Corinthians stadium for World Cup
FIFA has approved a plan by the Corinthians soccer club that will allow its new stadium to host matches during the 2014 World Cup.
Although in a statement on its website Tuesday, FIFA didn't indicate if the Corinthians stadium would definitely host the opening match.
The sport's governing body originally wanted to stage the World Cup opener at Sao Paulo, but those plans were shelved when the Morumbi stadium was rejected as a venue because of a lack of financial guarantees.
The proposal by Corinthians to construct a new stadium gained momentum last month when Sao Paulo city officials announced that Brazil's federal government approved tax incentives for its creation.
Those tax incentives are meant to help Corinthians upgrade its planned seating capacity from 48,000 to 65,000, enough to make it a viable World Cup venue.
Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, had been without a stadium project since Morumbi was dropped, a decision which has also been reaffirmed by FIFA.
Last week, a report from a government watchdog group said Brazil needs to improve the pace of upgrades to airports, infrastructure and stadiums before the 2014 World Cup.
The Brazilian Audit Court criticized officials for missing deadlines, not controlling costs and a lack of transparency in their work. The Audit Court is responsible for overseeing how the Brazilian government spends public money.
The report says 2011 is a key year to start major projects so they can be completed before the World Cup. But it found widespread problems in most of the 12 host cities.
There are issues with urban transportation improvements in some host cities and doubts whether the crown jewel of Brazilian soccer — Maracana Stadium in Rio — will be ready as scheduled, the report said.
The warning came just days after soccer great Pele and former FIFA President Joao Havelange expressed concerns about the pace of preparations for soccer's biggest tournament.
Pele said Brazil was facing a "big risk of being embarrassed" because of delays in stadium construction and the renovation of the nation's overcrowded and saturated airports.
Although in a statement on its website Tuesday, FIFA didn't indicate if the Corinthians stadium would definitely host the opening match.
The sport's governing body originally wanted to stage the World Cup opener at Sao Paulo, but those plans were shelved when the Morumbi stadium was rejected as a venue because of a lack of financial guarantees.
The proposal by Corinthians to construct a new stadium gained momentum last month when Sao Paulo city officials announced that Brazil's federal government approved tax incentives for its creation.
Those tax incentives are meant to help Corinthians upgrade its planned seating capacity from 48,000 to 65,000, enough to make it a viable World Cup venue.
Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, had been without a stadium project since Morumbi was dropped, a decision which has also been reaffirmed by FIFA.
Last week, a report from a government watchdog group said Brazil needs to improve the pace of upgrades to airports, infrastructure and stadiums before the 2014 World Cup.
The Brazilian Audit Court criticized officials for missing deadlines, not controlling costs and a lack of transparency in their work. The Audit Court is responsible for overseeing how the Brazilian government spends public money.
The report says 2011 is a key year to start major projects so they can be completed before the World Cup. But it found widespread problems in most of the 12 host cities.
There are issues with urban transportation improvements in some host cities and doubts whether the crown jewel of Brazilian soccer — Maracana Stadium in Rio — will be ready as scheduled, the report said.
The warning came just days after soccer great Pele and former FIFA President Joao Havelange expressed concerns about the pace of preparations for soccer's biggest tournament.
Pele said Brazil was facing a "big risk of being embarrassed" because of delays in stadium construction and the renovation of the nation's overcrowded and saturated airports.
Ronaldo to Play Farewell Brazil Match in June
Ronaldo will play a farewell match with Brazil in June to mark the end of a career in which he won two World Cup winners medals, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday.
The three-times World Player of the Year, who retired two weeks ago at 34, will take part in the friendly against Romania at Sao Paulo's Pacaembu stadium on June 7, the CBF said.
Ronaldo has not played for Brazil since the quarter-final defeat by France at the 2006 World Cup.
"Ronaldo deserves a farewell match, and the Brazilian fans deserve to see him for the last time, wearing the Brazil shirt in a stadium in this country," CBF president Ricardo Teixeira said.
"I'm sure it will be worthy of ...this great player."
Brazil will also play Netherlands in a friendly three days before the Romania game.
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments with a total of 15 -- four in 1998, eight in 2002 and three in 2006 -- and was voted FIFA's World Player of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002.
He won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, although he did not play in the former campaign when he was a 17-year-old, and helped Brazil reach the final in 1998.
The former Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Corinthians player also won two Copa America titles in 1997 and 1999, despite suffering three serious knee injuries in his career.
The three-times World Player of the Year, who retired two weeks ago at 34, will take part in the friendly against Romania at Sao Paulo's Pacaembu stadium on June 7, the CBF said.
Ronaldo has not played for Brazil since the quarter-final defeat by France at the 2006 World Cup.
"Ronaldo deserves a farewell match, and the Brazilian fans deserve to see him for the last time, wearing the Brazil shirt in a stadium in this country," CBF president Ricardo Teixeira said.
"I'm sure it will be worthy of ...this great player."
Brazil will also play Netherlands in a friendly three days before the Romania game.
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments with a total of 15 -- four in 1998, eight in 2002 and three in 2006 -- and was voted FIFA's World Player of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002.
He won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, although he did not play in the former campaign when he was a 17-year-old, and helped Brazil reach the final in 1998.
The former Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Corinthians player also won two Copa America titles in 1997 and 1999, despite suffering three serious knee injuries in his career.
Tough Times for Professional Soccer in Australia
It has been a tough few months for Australian soccer. The national team failed to make it past the first round at the 2010 World Cup, its bid to host the 2022 tournament ended in humiliation and the country’s top players are heading overseas, leaving behind an A-League struggling with falling attendance and financial problems.
It may sound apocalyptic, but people involved in the game are confident that the future is bright, if lessons are learned. Those may lie not in Europe but the United States, a nation that, like Australia, failed in its attempt to hold the 2022 Cup but has succeeded in establishing a soccer league as an integral part of the competitive sports landscape.
Australia can’t yet make that claim. Three years after the A-League was born in 2005, to replace the failing National Soccer League, the league’s average attendance stood at a healthy 14,600 a match. By the end of the regular 2010-11 season in February, the figure had fallen by more than 6,000, to fewer than 8,500 fans a game. The nadir was reached in the same month, when 1,003 attended North Queensland Fury’s match with the league leaders, Brisbane Roar.
Fury has lost so much money that this week it was dropped for the 2011-12 season. The club’s position was “too big of a financial risk” for it to continue, Football Federation Australia said in a statement.
Sydney Rovers won’t be joining the league, either, as the new franchise has been unable to provide the necessary financial guarantees. The A-League was expected to feature 12 teams next season, but instead is set to have just 10.
It evokes memories of a similar stage of development in the United States when the M.L.S. contracted from 12 to 10 clubs in 2001, five years after its establishment. With 2010 average attendance well over 16,000, the M.L.S. will expand to 18 teams for the 2011 season and hopes to have 20 the following year, including three Canadian teams. The lessons of American success are not lost on Craig Foster, a former player for Australia’s national team and the chief soccer analyst for the Australian broadcaster SBS.
“It wasn’t until there was a significant core of administrators in the United States who understood and were passionate about the game that America really started to take great strides,” said Foster. “It is a critical time right now. There is an incredible hunger for the game in Australia. The question is capitalizing on it.”
That task lies with Ben Buckley, the chief of F.F.A., who admitted that the group had taken its eye off the A-league during the bid for the 2022 Cup, when $45 million was spent in return for one vote, the lowest of the five candidates. (Qatar won the rights to play host to the 2022 Cup.) Buckley’s background is in Australian Rules Football, known as A.F.L., a rival sport of soccer.
“There is a misconception in Australia that because the former National Soccer League was poorly run there were no competent football administrators,” said Foster. “So the balance has swung from one extreme with people with great passion but little administrative competence to the other. You can only strategize for that if you know the game.”
If administrators don’t have that international experience, an increasing number of players do. Out of the top players for Australia at the 2010 World Cup, only Jason Culina played for an A-League club. With the A-League salary cap of 2.35 million Australian dollars for the full roster, one marquee player aside, East Asia provides an increasingly attractive alternative to Europe for players from Australia. (The Australian dollar is at parity with the U.S. dollar.)
International defender Sasa Ognenovski left Adelaide United in 2009 to join South Korea’s Seongnam, a team he captained to the 2010 Asian Champions League title. In the 2011 Korean season, he will be joined by three more former A-Leaguers. “Some players have left, and it needs sponsors to come in so the salary cap can be raised and clubs can keep their best players,” said Ognenovski.
It may sound apocalyptic, but people involved in the game are confident that the future is bright, if lessons are learned. Those may lie not in Europe but the United States, a nation that, like Australia, failed in its attempt to hold the 2022 Cup but has succeeded in establishing a soccer league as an integral part of the competitive sports landscape.
Australia can’t yet make that claim. Three years after the A-League was born in 2005, to replace the failing National Soccer League, the league’s average attendance stood at a healthy 14,600 a match. By the end of the regular 2010-11 season in February, the figure had fallen by more than 6,000, to fewer than 8,500 fans a game. The nadir was reached in the same month, when 1,003 attended North Queensland Fury’s match with the league leaders, Brisbane Roar.
Fury has lost so much money that this week it was dropped for the 2011-12 season. The club’s position was “too big of a financial risk” for it to continue, Football Federation Australia said in a statement.
Sydney Rovers won’t be joining the league, either, as the new franchise has been unable to provide the necessary financial guarantees. The A-League was expected to feature 12 teams next season, but instead is set to have just 10.
It evokes memories of a similar stage of development in the United States when the M.L.S. contracted from 12 to 10 clubs in 2001, five years after its establishment. With 2010 average attendance well over 16,000, the M.L.S. will expand to 18 teams for the 2011 season and hopes to have 20 the following year, including three Canadian teams. The lessons of American success are not lost on Craig Foster, a former player for Australia’s national team and the chief soccer analyst for the Australian broadcaster SBS.
“It wasn’t until there was a significant core of administrators in the United States who understood and were passionate about the game that America really started to take great strides,” said Foster. “It is a critical time right now. There is an incredible hunger for the game in Australia. The question is capitalizing on it.”
That task lies with Ben Buckley, the chief of F.F.A., who admitted that the group had taken its eye off the A-league during the bid for the 2022 Cup, when $45 million was spent in return for one vote, the lowest of the five candidates. (Qatar won the rights to play host to the 2022 Cup.) Buckley’s background is in Australian Rules Football, known as A.F.L., a rival sport of soccer.
“There is a misconception in Australia that because the former National Soccer League was poorly run there were no competent football administrators,” said Foster. “So the balance has swung from one extreme with people with great passion but little administrative competence to the other. You can only strategize for that if you know the game.”
If administrators don’t have that international experience, an increasing number of players do. Out of the top players for Australia at the 2010 World Cup, only Jason Culina played for an A-League club. With the A-League salary cap of 2.35 million Australian dollars for the full roster, one marquee player aside, East Asia provides an increasingly attractive alternative to Europe for players from Australia. (The Australian dollar is at parity with the U.S. dollar.)
International defender Sasa Ognenovski left Adelaide United in 2009 to join South Korea’s Seongnam, a team he captained to the 2010 Asian Champions League title. In the 2011 Korean season, he will be joined by three more former A-Leaguers. “Some players have left, and it needs sponsors to come in so the salary cap can be raised and clubs can keep their best players,” said Ognenovski.
FIFA set for key World Cup meeting
FIFA's executive committee are meeting in Zurich for a two-day meeting that will see the distribution of the 32 places for the 2014 World Cup decided.
The process is likely to be overshadowed however by political wranglings - specifically over whether current FIFA president Sepp Blatter is to face a challenge to his position from Asian federation supremo Mohammed Bin Hammam in May.
That situation could influence the outcome of bargaining over the World Cup slots - especially as FIFA powerbroker Jack Warner, the head of the CONCACAF federation of countries from north and central America and the Caribbean, is demanding an extra spot for his member states.
That would take them up to four guaranteed slots. Currently CONCACAF have three places plus a possibility of a fourth via a play-off against a South American country.
Chuck Blazer, the USA's FIFA executive member and secretary general of CONCACAF, said the confederation's 40 national associations - one fifth of FIFA's total - deserved more representation in the World Cup.
Blazer said: "From both a sporting and political perspective we believe we warrant the extra half-place.
"Politically, we have the number of countries to warrant it and our countries' performances in the World Cup have demonstrated that we deserve it."
The 2014 hosts Brazil will have an automatic slot, so South America should be happy with the 4.5 berths it had in 2010.
Asia also have 4.5 slots currently - the fifth team plays off against the leading country from the Oceania federation.
Europe's 13 places are unlikely to be challenged, especially with three of 2010 semi-finalists coming from that continent, but Africa's five slots could be vulnerable with only Ghana making any sort of showing at last year's finals.
The process is likely to be overshadowed however by political wranglings - specifically over whether current FIFA president Sepp Blatter is to face a challenge to his position from Asian federation supremo Mohammed Bin Hammam in May.
That situation could influence the outcome of bargaining over the World Cup slots - especially as FIFA powerbroker Jack Warner, the head of the CONCACAF federation of countries from north and central America and the Caribbean, is demanding an extra spot for his member states.
That would take them up to four guaranteed slots. Currently CONCACAF have three places plus a possibility of a fourth via a play-off against a South American country.
Chuck Blazer, the USA's FIFA executive member and secretary general of CONCACAF, said the confederation's 40 national associations - one fifth of FIFA's total - deserved more representation in the World Cup.
Blazer said: "From both a sporting and political perspective we believe we warrant the extra half-place.
"Politically, we have the number of countries to warrant it and our countries' performances in the World Cup have demonstrated that we deserve it."
The 2014 hosts Brazil will have an automatic slot, so South America should be happy with the 4.5 berths it had in 2010.
Asia also have 4.5 slots currently - the fifth team plays off against the leading country from the Oceania federation.
Europe's 13 places are unlikely to be challenged, especially with three of 2010 semi-finalists coming from that continent, but Africa's five slots could be vulnerable with only Ghana making any sort of showing at last year's finals.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
FIFA warns of World Cup e-mail fraud scams
FIFA is warning that a long-established e-mail fraud scam now claims to be connected to the World Cups being organized in Russia and Qatar.
FIFA says it has been alerted to e-mails inviting people to submit tenders for World Cup contracts or claim competition prizes.
Recipients are asked to provide personal information or advance payments to the fraudsters.
The scam is known as a "419," named for a section of the Nigerian legal code it violates.
FIFA says the e-mails have no authorization from it, the 2018 World Cup being hosted by Russia or the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
FIFA says it has been alerted to e-mails inviting people to submit tenders for World Cup contracts or claim competition prizes.
Recipients are asked to provide personal information or advance payments to the fraudsters.
The scam is known as a "419," named for a section of the Nigerian legal code it violates.
FIFA says the e-mails have no authorization from it, the 2018 World Cup being hosted by Russia or the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Egyptian football reduces wages
The cash-strapped Egyptian Football Association is reducing the salaries of all of its employees and considering a salary cap for players.
EFA says on Tuesday it will pay employees a maximum of 15 thousand pounds ($24,500) and a minimum of 1,500 pounds.
The association says it will also consult with clubs about implementing a salary cap for players to eliminate what it calls an "exaggeration" in player wages.
EFA says on Tuesday it will pay employees a maximum of 15 thousand pounds ($24,500) and a minimum of 1,500 pounds.
The association says it will also consult with clubs about implementing a salary cap for players to eliminate what it calls an "exaggeration" in player wages.
Sale of Euro 2012 tickets opens online
Almost 600,000 football fans from 161 countries have registered to buy tickets for the 2012 European Championship on the first day of sales on the Internet.
Juliusz Gluski, a spokesman for the Polish tournament organizers, said Tuesday the sale was launched at 1500 GMT on the UEFA.com website and will continue through March 31.
Fans have the same chance of getting tickets regardless of when they register.
Gluski said about 85 percent of the 1.4 million tickets to the tournament in Poland and Ukraine will be made available to fans worldwide. The rest will go to special guests, sponsors and UEFA and local football authorities.
The high demand Tuesday meant the ticket portal couldn't handle all the traffic, often greeting visitors with a message to try again at a later time.
Juliusz Gluski, a spokesman for the Polish tournament organizers, said Tuesday the sale was launched at 1500 GMT on the UEFA.com website and will continue through March 31.
Fans have the same chance of getting tickets regardless of when they register.
Gluski said about 85 percent of the 1.4 million tickets to the tournament in Poland and Ukraine will be made available to fans worldwide. The rest will go to special guests, sponsors and UEFA and local football authorities.
The high demand Tuesday meant the ticket portal couldn't handle all the traffic, often greeting visitors with a message to try again at a later time.
Coach flees Libya for Spain but hopes to return
Relieved to have escaped the chaos gripping Libya, Pablo Prieto hopes to one day return and finish his work as coach of the country's national indoor soccer team.
Prieto is from Spain and was in charge of the team when growing protests forced him to flee after 14 months in the North African country.
Despite the fear Prieto felt in the days before his charter flight left, he wants to return and complete his contract — which runs until Dec. 31 — if things eventually settle down.
With or without Moammar Gadhafi in charge.
"I'd have no problem with that. They treated me well. The working conditions were very good and so I wouldn't have a problem," Prieto told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday. "It's an uncomfortable situation so for the moment I don't think about it."
Libya is Africa's top-ranked team and the North African champion in futsal, as indoor soccer is called. The country is 21st in the world rankings for the five-a-side game played on parquet.
Government opponents and forces loyal to the government are battling over control of the country as the international community condemns Gadhafi's refusal to relinquish power after 41 years. About 75,000 people have fled the country.
During the turmoil, Prieto's telephone line didn't work and the Internet connection was slow, but he was able to gather news from friends and family in Spain. Prieto said his guarded home shielded him from the street fighting, until he had to make a trip to the Spanish embassy.
"There we saw images that I'll never forget as long as I live: burned out buildings and cars on the street, everything destroyed, in rubble," Prieto said of his drive along Avenue Sharia Omar. "The situation fed fear, more anxiety. On the afternoon of the 22nd I was scared — scared we wouldn't get out of the country, scared of the gun shots I heard at night."
Prieto said chaos at the airport didn't ease his fears — "the airport was completely collapsed, there were thousands and thousands of people" — but eventually he and his assistant, Luis Castellano, managed to get seats on a charter flight organized by Spanish oil company Repsol. He was back in Spain by Friday.
"I was lucky to get out so quick," Prieto said.
Prieto said he is in contact with his Libyan translator, Isa Ibrahim, who describes daily scenes over the phone as "very bad, each day is worse than the next. It's extremely chaotic right now, a critical moment."
Prieto never had the chance to meet Gadhafi, but was hired in December 2009 by his nephew Saadi Abdesalam Saadi, the head of Libya's futsal program.
"His treatment was exquisite. He was very professional, someone dedicated 24 hours a day to indoor football so we had every necessary means available to work with," Prieto said. "He was very demanding and a very noble person."
He did meet the son of Gadhafi, but it was only a handshake at a match attended by the Libyan Olympic Committee leader.
Prieto lived in a suburban neighborhood of Tripoli with good security and European neighbors that never felt the brunt of the uprising. One night, he and Castellano were forced indoors at a local restaurant after word got out that crowds were near, but nothing happened.
Prieto called his working conditions "model" with his team made up of Spanish staff and one Brazilian, in addition to Ibrahim and a Portuguese translator.
Finding talent was the biggest challenge without a national league from which to pluck players, but Prieto identified prospects through exhibition tournaments. There had been improvement by the time he left as the team played more than 80 matches in 2010 after managing less than 40 before he his arrival.
But on a trip to Rome last month, he started noticing headlines about unrest in Libya.
"I said to one of my colleagues 'What's going on?' But he just said 'Pablo, relax, absolutely nothing's going to happen. Don't worry about it,'" Prieto said.
He returned to Tripoli on Feb. 17 and was back at the Al Riya-Riya sports center training with the team when directives came down to cancel practice the next day and stay home. Those directives never changed.
Inside the dressing room, politics were not a regular topic but Prieto felt most of the entourage must have been Gadhafi sympathizers. He wasn't sure about Ibrahim.
"He never identified where his allegiances were. Our entourage was loyal to the leader, I suppose," Prieto said. "The players never really came out on what was happening. (The coaching staff) didn't talk politics. The players neither, I guess."
Prieto, who previously coached Spanish teams in his native Ferrol and in Seville, fears that all the hard work to improve the Libyan team will go to waste.
"We got the team up to a certain world standard. We're happy with what we did," Prieto said. "Now, it doesn't look good."
Prieto is from Spain and was in charge of the team when growing protests forced him to flee after 14 months in the North African country.
Despite the fear Prieto felt in the days before his charter flight left, he wants to return and complete his contract — which runs until Dec. 31 — if things eventually settle down.
With or without Moammar Gadhafi in charge.
"I'd have no problem with that. They treated me well. The working conditions were very good and so I wouldn't have a problem," Prieto told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday. "It's an uncomfortable situation so for the moment I don't think about it."
Libya is Africa's top-ranked team and the North African champion in futsal, as indoor soccer is called. The country is 21st in the world rankings for the five-a-side game played on parquet.
Government opponents and forces loyal to the government are battling over control of the country as the international community condemns Gadhafi's refusal to relinquish power after 41 years. About 75,000 people have fled the country.
During the turmoil, Prieto's telephone line didn't work and the Internet connection was slow, but he was able to gather news from friends and family in Spain. Prieto said his guarded home shielded him from the street fighting, until he had to make a trip to the Spanish embassy.
"There we saw images that I'll never forget as long as I live: burned out buildings and cars on the street, everything destroyed, in rubble," Prieto said of his drive along Avenue Sharia Omar. "The situation fed fear, more anxiety. On the afternoon of the 22nd I was scared — scared we wouldn't get out of the country, scared of the gun shots I heard at night."
Prieto said chaos at the airport didn't ease his fears — "the airport was completely collapsed, there were thousands and thousands of people" — but eventually he and his assistant, Luis Castellano, managed to get seats on a charter flight organized by Spanish oil company Repsol. He was back in Spain by Friday.
"I was lucky to get out so quick," Prieto said.
Prieto said he is in contact with his Libyan translator, Isa Ibrahim, who describes daily scenes over the phone as "very bad, each day is worse than the next. It's extremely chaotic right now, a critical moment."
Prieto never had the chance to meet Gadhafi, but was hired in December 2009 by his nephew Saadi Abdesalam Saadi, the head of Libya's futsal program.
"His treatment was exquisite. He was very professional, someone dedicated 24 hours a day to indoor football so we had every necessary means available to work with," Prieto said. "He was very demanding and a very noble person."
He did meet the son of Gadhafi, but it was only a handshake at a match attended by the Libyan Olympic Committee leader.
Prieto lived in a suburban neighborhood of Tripoli with good security and European neighbors that never felt the brunt of the uprising. One night, he and Castellano were forced indoors at a local restaurant after word got out that crowds were near, but nothing happened.
Prieto called his working conditions "model" with his team made up of Spanish staff and one Brazilian, in addition to Ibrahim and a Portuguese translator.
Finding talent was the biggest challenge without a national league from which to pluck players, but Prieto identified prospects through exhibition tournaments. There had been improvement by the time he left as the team played more than 80 matches in 2010 after managing less than 40 before he his arrival.
But on a trip to Rome last month, he started noticing headlines about unrest in Libya.
"I said to one of my colleagues 'What's going on?' But he just said 'Pablo, relax, absolutely nothing's going to happen. Don't worry about it,'" Prieto said.
He returned to Tripoli on Feb. 17 and was back at the Al Riya-Riya sports center training with the team when directives came down to cancel practice the next day and stay home. Those directives never changed.
Inside the dressing room, politics were not a regular topic but Prieto felt most of the entourage must have been Gadhafi sympathizers. He wasn't sure about Ibrahim.
"He never identified where his allegiances were. Our entourage was loyal to the leader, I suppose," Prieto said. "The players never really came out on what was happening. (The coaching staff) didn't talk politics. The players neither, I guess."
Prieto, who previously coached Spanish teams in his native Ferrol and in Seville, fears that all the hard work to improve the Libyan team will go to waste.
"We got the team up to a certain world standard. We're happy with what we did," Prieto said. "Now, it doesn't look good."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)