Tuesday 31 May 2011

FIFA criticism motivated by jealousy says Havelange (Reuters)

ZURICH, May 31 (Reuters) - Former FIFA president Joao Havelange said on Tuesday that criticism of the world soccer body was motivated by envy.

“Everyone is looking for mistakes because everyone wants to sit in that chair,” the 95-year-old Brazilian told reporters, referring to criticism of president Sepp Blatter who is set to be re-elected on Wednesday.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter arrives at the 61st FIFA Congress at the Zurich Hallenstadion in Oerlikon near Zurich on May 31, 2011. FIFA is expected to reelect Blatter who is unopposed, despite pressure from English football chiefs to scrap the presidential election. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI FIFA President Sepp Blatter ar…
Getty Images - May 31, 12:57 pm EDT

“You are talking about suffering but I want to talk about happiness,” he added after a special greeting from Blatter at the opening ceremony of the Congress.

Blatter asked delegates to welcome Havelange, who is now its honorary president and is still fit and healthy enough to travel to FIFA functions.

“FIFA has 208 member associations and it looks after every one of them,” Havelange said.

“The competitions are taking place as usual and there is development in every aspect of world football—financial, technical and in terms of discipline.”

Havelange, was president of FIFA from 1974 to 1998. Blatter worked as Havelange’s secretary general from 1981 until he succeeded him as president 13 years ago.

Havelange’s former son-in-law, Ricardo Teixeira, was among four FIFA executive committee members accused during a British parliamentary inquiry this month of asking for favours from England’s 2018 World Cup bid.

David Triesman, the former head of the bid, said that when he approached Teixeira, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) head replied: “What have you got for me.”

Teixeira has denied the claim and was cleared of any wrongdoing by FIFA after they received a report from the English FA.

(Editing by Alan Baldwin; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

Argentina soccer: Drug tests not needed in 1993 (AP)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Argentina’s soccer federation says it was not required to have drug testing for a 1993 World Cup playoff against Australia.

Former national coach Diego Maradona said last week in a TV interview that Argentine players were given “speedy coffee” to perform better, and that FIFA Vice President Julio Grondona did away with doping controls for the games.

FILE - This Nov. 4, 2008, file photo shows Diego Maradona, left, and Julio Grondona, the head of the Argentine Football Association, during a news conference at the Argentine Football Association in Buenos Aires. Maradona says Argentina players took banned drugs before a qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup. He accuses Grondona, of being in on the scheme. Maradona said Monday, May 23, 2011, on television that Grondona had to know all about it. Grondona had no immediate comment. FILE - This Nov. 4, 2008, file…
AP - May 23, 10:12 am EDT

Tuesday’s statement by the Argentine Football Association was its first in writing since Maradona’s remarks. The statement did not address the comment about stimulants.

The federation said doping tests at the time were required only for the World Cup itself. It said all Argentines involved followed the rules “to the letter of the law.”




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: gu-kcso-taganka

E-mail: cso.taganka@gmail.com

Goalkeeper Guaita signs new Valencia contract (AP)

VALENCIA, Spain (AP)—Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita has signed a three-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish club until 2015.

The 24-year-old Guaita never relinquished his starting position after getting the nod in November following injuries to Cesar Sanchez and Miguel Angel Moya.

Valencia's goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez (L) catches the ball next to teammate defender David Navarro (R) and Deportivo de la Coruna's Argentinian defender Diego Colotto (C) during the Spanish league football match Deportivo de La Coruna vs Valencia on May 21, 2011 at Municipal de Riazor Stadium in Coruna. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA Valencia's goalkeeper Cesa…
Getty Images - May 21, 4:40 pm EDT

Guaita came up through Valencia’s youth ranks and helped the club to a third-place finish in the league standings this season. He allowed 26 goals in 21 appearances.

Guaita’s spot as starting keeper is not definite, however, with Valencia having signed Brazil goalkeeper Diego Alves from Almeria. Moya is also signed through the 2012-13 season.

Guaita says, “I’ve got to keep working so I don’t lose my starting spot.”




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

Real-Barca rivalry 'forgotten' as world champions reunite (Reuters)

MADRID, May 31 (Reuters) - Real Madrid and Barcelona players joined up with their Spanish international colleagues on Tuesday, promising to put behind them the bitter feuding that marred their recent club clashes.

The world champions cross the Atlantic for friendlies in Boston against the United States on June 4 and in Puerta La Cruz against Venezuela three days later.

Real Madrid's former football striker Emilio Butragueno, center, shakes hand with Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club president Liu Yongzhuo, left, while Guangzhou Sports Bureau deputy director Kong Maosheng, right, look on during a Real Madrid China Tour press conference held in Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong province Thursday, May 26, 2011. Spanish League soccer team Real Madrid announced they will play two pre-season friendly matches against Tianjin Teda team and Guangzhou Evergrande team in China in August 2011. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT Real Madrid's former footb…
AP - May 26, 11:41 am EDT

“Instead of thinking about fights from these games we should think about what we have achieved together, something we have never achieved before, winning Euro 2008 and the World Cup,” Real defender Sergio Ramos told reporters.

Barca and Real played each other four times in 18 days in the league, the King’s Cup final and the Champions League semi-finals between April 16 and May 3, in an atmosphere that grew increasingly venomous on and off the pitch.

One of the most noted aspects of Spain’s recent successes has been the tight-knit nature of their squad, and there has been a lot of speculation as to whether the run of ‘Clasicos’ would disrupt the harmony in the camp. Real, who have five representatives in the Spain squad including captain Iker Casillas, won the King’s Cup, while Barca, who have six on duty, won La Liga and the Champions League.

“We have experienced some very important moments together to be able to overcome these types of problems,” Ramos added.

“It is clear to us and to them…they were only clashes and rivalry on the field of play. We have a good team spirit and we have to forget it all for the good of the national team.”

(Writing by Mark Elkington, editing by Ed Osmond. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , , , ,

Messi back home, sets sights on Copa America (AP)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Lionel Messi is back home and setting his sights on winning the Copa America for his native Argentina.

Messi arrived Tuesday in Buenos Aires and said the “most important thing now” was to win the continental championship, which begins July 1 with Argentina facing Bolivia. The final is July 24, with Argentina and Brazil the favorites.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 29: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona holds the UEFA Champions League Trophy during the celebrations after winning the UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester United at Camp Nou Stadium on May 29, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 29: Li…
Getty Images - May 29, 3:50 pm EDT

Messi was the man of the match in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Saturday in the Champions League final, but he has had limited success with the Argentine national team.

“The most important thing now is to get the Copa America,” Messi told reporters at Buenos Aires airport. “I’ve had the luck to win everything with Barcelona, win everything as an individual and my goal now is go win things for the Argentine national team.”

Argentina, then coached by Diego Maradona, was demolished 4-0 by Germany last year in the World Cup quarterfinals and Messi was no factor, often isolated in midfield without the ball.

Maradona has since been replaced by Sergio Batista as coach. Argentina has won the World Cup twice—1978 and 1986—but it has not won a major international tournament since claiming the Copa America in 1993 in Ecuador.




Agences de presses

Labels: , ,

Moggi recommended for 5-year sentence in scandal (AP)

NAPLES, Italy (AP)—Magistrates in Naples have recommended that former Juventus executive Luciano Moggi be sentenced to five years, eight months in prison for his role in the 2006 match-fixing scandal.

Moggi was the central figure in the scandal that resulted in Juventus being stripped of the 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B.

Magistrates made their recommendations on Tuesday for custodial sentences which included four years for former referee designator Paolo Bergamo, four years and six months for his colleague Pierluigi Pairetto, and three years for former ref Massimo De Santis.

Also implicated are Fiorentina owners Andrea and Diego Delle Valle, Lazio president Claudio Lotito and officials from Reggina, Messina and AC Milan.

Moggi denies all charges.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

Spain's internationals ready to forget clasicos (AP)

MADRID (AP)—Spain internationals from Barcelona and Real Madrid gathered Tuesday and vowed to put the bad blood from a series of ill-tempered matches behind them.

The World Cup winner plays the United States in a friendly on Saturday before traveling to Venezuela three days later for its first internationals since the four meetings in 18 days between bitter rivals Barcelona and Madrid over April and May.

Real Madrid's former football striker Emilio Butragueno, center, shakes hand with Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club president Liu Yongzhuo, left, while Guangzhou Sports Bureau deputy director Kong Maosheng, right, look on during a Real Madrid China Tour press conference held in Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong province Thursday, May 26, 2011. Spanish League soccer team Real Madrid announced they will play two pre-season friendly matches against Tianjin Teda team and Guangzhou Evergrande team in China in August 2011. (AP Photo) CHINA OUT Real Madrid's former footb…
AP - May 26, 11:41 am EDT

The two Spanish clubs have a combined 11 players in the squad, even though Barcelona regulars Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez will both miss this trip.

Madrid defender Sergio Ramos says “we have to forget this matter … it’s in the past and we have to worry about the national team now.”




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

Labor group: Qatar must boost WCup worker rights (PA SportsTicker)

By BRIAN MURPHY Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—The Gulf state of Qatar must do more to improve workers’ rights as it embarks on a massive building boom before hosting soccer’s 2022 World Cup, an international labor group said Tuesday.

But a report by the International Trade Union Confederation said there “is little sign” so far that Qatar’s leaders are willing to change rules to allow trade unions to address other issues that activists claim can leave workers open to exploitation.

United Arab Emirates' Al Ain midfielder Ahmed Al Shamisi (L) takes a free kick against South Korea's FC Seoul during AFC Champions League Group F football match in Seoul on May 4, 2011. FC Seoul won the match 3-0. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images) United Arab Emirates' Al A…
Getty Images - May 4, 9:16 am EDT

“Conditions for migrant workers in the Middle East are unacceptable,” said Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the Vienna-based union confederation. “The World Cup is a time when the eyes of the world will be on Qatar and the other nations in the region.”

Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers - mostly from South Asia - work in construction and other projects across the Gulf, but enjoy few rights and are often burdened by debts to labor recruitment agencies back home. Some governments, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have boosted efforts to improve work conditions in recent years.

The union group’s report, however, cited other long-standing complaints such as bans on trade unions, substandard “barrack-like housing” for laborers and sponsorship rules under which workers cannot easily change jobs or resign.

The report expressed concern that Asian workers and others could “fall victim to agencies seeking to make quick money from the World Cup recruitment boom.” The group said it would press FIFA, the sport’s governing body, to ensure that companies and World Cup suppliers are “actually respectful of workers’ rights.”

Qatar - with super wealth from oil and gas - plans tens of billions of dollars in transportation improvements and stadium construction for the tournament. The construction bonanza will add to a growth rate that is already among the fastest in the world.

The country’s ruling family, however, also is not accustomed to outside pressure for reforms and will likely face increased scrutiny linked to the World Cup.

Other places around the Gulf have come under similar calls to enhance labor rights.

In March, more than 130 international artists and writers vowed to boycott a branch of the Guggenheim Museum under construction in Abu Dhabi unless authorities do more to protect the rights of workers on the site. The petition cited an unsafe working environment, movement restrictions and withholding workers’ travel documents among the violations.

The Abu Dhabi-based authority in charge of the Guggenheim construction and other projects said Tuesday that it appointed the international auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to monitor “worker welfare.”

The statement said the oversight will include living conditions and whether any violations occur such as withholding workers’ personal documents or illegal recruitment fees. About 10,000 workers are assigned to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat island project, which includes the Guggenheim and planned branches of the Louvre museum and New York University. The work force is expected to rise to 20,000 by the end of next year.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , , , ,

England adds to Blatter's problems (AP)

ZURICH (AP)—England escalated the crisis at FIFA on Tuesday by calling for a postponement of the presidential election amid a burgeoning bribery scandal that led to the withdrawal of incumbent Sepp Blatter’s only challenger for the top job in football.

The English Football Association said the election lacks the credibility FIFA needs to counter the flood of ethics scandals rocking the sport’s global body.

The FA called for more time to allow “any alternative reforming candidate” to come forward to challenge Blatter, who has been president for 13 years and is seeking a final fourth-year term.

FIFA's vice president, Jack Warner, addresses the audience during the draw of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011, at the Nezahualcoyotl Concert Hall in Mexico City, on May 17 2011. Mexico will face South Korea during the opening game next June 18. (Photo by Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images) FIFA's vice president, Jac…
Getty Images - May 17, 5:11 pm EDT

On the eve of Wednesday’s scheduled election, Blatter also had to deal with leading sponsors criticizing FIFA’s inability to deal with pervasive corruption claims, and with his second-in-command under fire for saying Qatar had “bought” the 2022 World Cup.

England’s intervention took European football body UEFA by surprise, with its president Michel Platini saying the FA did not bring it up at a meeting on Monday.

“They did not ask” for support to postpone the election, Platini said. UEFA is expected to largely back Blatter in Wednesday’s election.

Any postponement of Wednesday’s election would need the backing of three-quarters of the 208 federations attending the Congress, which was scheduled to be opened by Blatter late Tuesday.

The English FA had already said it was abstaining before the allegations emerged that led to presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and fellow FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner being suspended.

The two were suspended by an ethics committee pending a full probe into allegations that Caribbean football leaders were paid $40,000 each to back bin Hammam’s presidential bid. Bin Hammam, the head of Asia’s regional body, withdrew his presidential candidacy before the ethics hearing.

Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, became the latest FIFA sponsor to express concern about the scandal, joining fellow World Cup sponsors Coca-Cola and Adidas.

“Emirates, like all football fans around the world, is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of this sport,” Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, said in a statement.

“We hope that these issues will be resolved as soon as possible and the outcome will be in the interest of the game and sport in general.”

Coca-Cola said in a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday that “the current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport,” adding “we have every expectation that FIFA will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner.”

If Blatter was feeling the strain of the most damaging scandal in FIFA’s 107-year history, however, his words didn’t betray him.

“Crisis? What is a crisis? Football is not in a crisis,” Blatter said at a news conference Monday.

“We are not in a crisis, we are only in some difficulties and these difficulties will be solved—and they will be solved inside this family.”

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke admitted he wrote an email to Warner saying bin Hammam might have been thinking in his now-abandoned campaign that “you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC.”

Blatter turned down an opportunity to defend Valcke. When asked for a reaction, the president said: “I don’t answer this question,” before adding, “we will come back inside the FIFA on that.”

Qatar’s World Cup organizers “categorically” denied Valcke’s claim. Qatar 2022 said it was “urgently seeking clarification from FIFA about the statement from their general secretary. In the meantime, we are taking legal advice to consider our options.”

Valcke tried to clarify his remarks on Monday, saying he used the word “bought” in reference to Qatar’s “financial strength” which allows large sums to be spent on legitimate lobbying, and did not mean to suggest any bribery.

“I have at no time made, or was intending to make, any reference to any purchase of votes,” Valcke said in a statement.

Bin Hammam said he would appeal his suspension, saying “the way these proceedings have been conducted is absolutely not compliant with any principles of justice” and that they “had been defined from the very beginning.”

The 62-year-old Qatari, who is also suspended from his role as president of the Asian Football Confederation, published his submission to the ethics committee on his personal website.

In it, he acknowledges that he provided $360,000 for “travel and accommodations” of the 25 Caribbean Football Union members attending a May 10-11 extraordinary meeting in Warner’s native Trinidad.

Chuck Blazer, the American general secretary of CONCACAF and a longtime FIFA executive panel member, sparked the crisis by submitting a file of evidence.

In a statement issued early Tuesday, the AFC backed bin Hammam and confirmed that its most senior vice president, China’s Zhang Jilong, will be acting president of the confederation.

AP Sports Writers Graham Dunbar and Rob Harris and Michael Casey in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.




Agences de presses

Labels: , ,

English FA calls on FIFA to postpone election (AP)

ZURICH (AP)—The English Football Association has called on FIFA to postpone Wednesday’s presidential election in the wake of the bribery scandal that led to Sepp Blatter’s only challenger withdrawing.

The FA had already said it was abstaining before the allegations emerged that led to presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and fellow FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner being suspended.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures during a press conference on May 30, 2011 at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. The football's world governing body FIFA suspended on May 29, 2011 one-time presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and influential executive committee member Jack Warner while clearing FIFA president Sepp Blatter of corruption after hearings over bribery allegations. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI FIFA President Sepp Blatter ge…
Getty Images - May 31, 4:19 am EDT

Now, in a statement released Tuesday, the FA is calling for a delay to the election so a new “reforming candidate” might be found and an independent body appointed to supervise reforms of FIFA in the wake of the organization’s biggest crisis in its 107-year history.

“We call on FIFA and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives,” FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement. “First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for president.

“Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the FIFA decision-making processes for consideration by the full membership.”

The FA would need to find support from 75 percent of the 208 members of the congress to bring about a postponement of the election.

English soccer’s governing body had faced criticism for its decision to abstain in the election, but Bernstein feels vindicated given the latest crisis.

Caribbean soccer leaders are alleged to have been paid $40,000 each to back bin Hammam’s now-abandoned presidential bid during a visit to Warner’s native Trinidad.

“There were two main reasons for this decision (to abstain),” Bernstein said. “First, a concern, that a series of allegations relating to FIFA ExCo (executive committee) members made it difficult to support either candidate.

“Secondly, a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organization, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation. Events of the last few days have reinforced our views.”




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

FIFA sponsor Emirates 'disappointed' by crisis (AP)

ZURICH (AP)—Emirates has become the latest corporate sponsor of FIFA to express concern about the corruption scandal within world football’s governing body.

Spokesman Boutros Boutros says Emirates “like all football fans around the world, is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of this sport.”

Coca-Cola and Adidas have also voiced their concerns after FIFA executives Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner were suspended Sunday over bribery allegations in bin Hammam’s now-abandoned presidential bid.

Boutros says Emirates hopes “the outcome will be in the interest of the game and sport in general.”




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

Manchester United midfielder Scholes retires (Reuters)

* Scholes to take up coaching role at Old Trafford

* Ferguson hoped midfielder would play another season

Manchester United supporters welcome a bus carrying team players and officials at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on May 30 2011. Barcelona lit up Wembley with one of the great performances on May 28, mesmerising United with a bewitching display that left the English champions grasping at shadows en route to a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League final. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS Manchester United supporters w…
Getty Images - May 30, 10:04 am EDT

(adds details, quotes, byline)

By Sonia Oxley

MANCHESTER, England, May 31 (Reuters) - Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes retired on Tuesday, with the 36-year-old opting to stay at the Premier League champions in a coaching role rather than extend his playing days.

“This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing,” Scholes said on the club website (www.manutd.com).

“To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th (league) title is a great privilege.”

Scholes will take up a coaching role at the club he spent his entire career and he will make one final appearance in a United shirt for a testimonial in August.

The combative midfielder made 676 appearances for United, picking up 10 Premier League winners’ medals as well as helping his club to three FA Cups and two Champions League titles.

“I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour,” Scholes added.

Manager Alex Ferguson had spoken previously about hoping to persuade Scholes to follow in the footsteps of 37-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs in signing on for another year.

Instead, Scholes follows goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar into retirement and presents Ferguson with another big hole to fill.

“We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player,” Ferguson said.

“Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season.

“Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role.”

(Editing by John O’Brien; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Please double-click on the newslink:

for more soccer stories




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , , ,

English FA calls for delay in FIFA election (Reuters)

LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) - The English Football Association urged FIFA on Tuesday to postpone a presidential election planned for Wednesday because of a deepening corruption scandal.

The FA urged other nations to support its calls for a delay for a vote in which FIFA President Sepp Blatter is due to stand unopposed for reelection.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

AFC boss says FIFA no right to suspend bin Hammam (AP)

BEIJING (AP)—The acting boss of Asian football said FIFA had no right to suspend Mohamed bin Hammam from his role as head of the Asian Football Confederation, a Chinese newspaper reported Tuesday.

Zhang Jilong was installed as the AFC’s interim president while bin Hammam is suspended from all football duties pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations he offered bribes in return for votes in his now-abandoned bid for the FIFA presidency.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohamed bin Hammam arrives for an ethics hearing over alleged bribery during his campaign for the FIFA presidency, at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Sunday, May 29, 2011. Few hours before bin Hammam announced on his Internet homepage that he withdraws from FIFA's presidential election. (AP Photo/Keystone /Steffen Schmidt) - GERMANY OUT - AUSTRIA OUT - Asian Football Confederation (…
AP - May 29, 7:44 am EDT

“FIFA suspended bin Hammam but he is still the president of AFC,” Zhang was quoted to say by the China Daily, citing quotes from the Chinese news website Sina.com. “FIFA has no right to prevent him from acting his role in AFC.”

The quote had been removed from Sina.com’s news article by Tuesday afternoon.

Despite Zhang’s remarks, the AFC confirmed in a statement early Tuesday that he would act as its president during bin Hammam’s suspension.

Zhang, 59, is the AFC’s most senior vice president. He ran for a seat on FIFA’s executive committee earlier this year, but lost out in a vote at January’s AFC congress in Doha. He also served on the 2008 Beijing Olympics organizing committee.

FIFA’s 208 member nations are due to vote on the presidency on Wednesday, even though incumbent Sepp Blatter is the only candidate.

FIFA vice president Michel Platini had raised the prospect of a walkout by Asian members in protest at bin Hammam’s treatment, although the Qatari is far from universally popular within Asian football, only being re-elected to the AFC’s top job by the slimmest possible margin earlier this year.




Agences de presses

Labels: , ,

FIFA needs major surgery, says ethics delegate (Reuters)

MELBOURNE, May 31 (Reuters) - FIFA needs “complete structural” reform as the current set-up is based on political motives, according to Australian Les Murray, who sits on the global soccer governing body’s 13-man ethics committee.

Murray, a broadcaster and prominent soccer pundit in Australia, attended the weekend meeting at which vice-president Jack Warner and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam were suspended over bribery allegations.

(FILES) A file photo taken on May 17 2011 shows FIFA Vice President Jack Warner addressing the audience during the draw of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 at the Nezahualcoyotl Concert Hall in Mexico City. FIFA suspended on May 29, 2011 Trinidad and Tobago deputy Warner but cleared President Sepp Blatter of corruption on a dramatic day for football's world governing body, (Photo by Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images) (FILES) A file photo taken on …
Getty Images - May 30, 4:44 pm EDT

“I think the reform has to be very deep… there probably has to be complete structural and also constitutional reform,” he told local media on Tuesday.

“The structure of the organisation at the moment is too political. Decisions are based on political motives, and that’s not healthy for any organisation. That simply has to change.”

Trinidadian Warner and Bin Hammam were suspended over an allegation that the Qatari had paid Caribbean delegates bribes for their votes in Wednesday’s presidential election.

Bin Hammam withdrew from the presidential race on Sunday, leaving the way clear for incumbent Sepp Blatter to be re-elected unopposed for a fourth term as head of the organisation.

Blatter, however, has also been under fire over allegations the World Cup bidding process for the 2022 tournament was tainted by corruption, but the 75-year-old Swiss was cleared by the ethics committee.

Blatter denied FIFA was in crisis at a media conference on Monday, while nominating himself as the man to restore credibility to the battered organisation.

“The platform he is going to run or announce on Wednesday will tell us what his programme is, but whether it’s Sepp Blatter or somebody else, I hope the president of FIFA understands the massive image problem that FIFA has and has to go about pro-actively fixing it,” Murray added. (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Please double-click on:

for more soccer stories




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , , ,

Barcelona's Puyol to undergo operation (AP)

MADRID (AP)—Champions League winner Barcelona says team captain Carles Puyol will undergo surgery on June 1 to treat a left knee injury that has troubled him over recent months.

The club said Monday that Puyol would be operated on in the city’s Quiron Clinic “to resolve trouble he has been having in the left knee.”

The Champions League trophy is displayed after FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona city, Sunday, May 29, 2011. The Champions League trophy is…
AP - May 29, 4:41 pm EDT

Puyol, a key member of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, was unable to start in Barcelona’s 3-1 Champions League final victory Saturday against Manchester United, but was brought on as a substitute in the final moments by coach Pep Guardiola.

He will miss Spain’s upcoming friendlies against the United States and Venezuela.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

Man United midfielder Paul Scholes retires (AP)

MANCHESTER, England (AP)—Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes announced his retirement from soccer on Tuesday, ending the glittering and trophy-laden career of a player widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted of his generation.

The 36-year-old Scholes made 676 appearances for United after making his debut for the club in 1994 and was the midfield heartbeat of a team that has dominated English soccer for the past two decades.

“To have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honor,” said Scholes, who famously eschewed the glamorous lifestyle of many modern day soccer players and rarely gave interviews.

Manchester United supporters welcome a bus carrying team players and officials at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on May 30 2011. Barcelona lit up Wembley with one of the great performances on May 28, mesmerising United with a bewitching display that left the English champions grasping at shadows en route to a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League final. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS Manchester United supporters w…
Getty Images - May 30, 10:04 am EDT

“This was not a decision that I have taken lightly, but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing.”

Scholes won 10 Premier League titles with United but was no longer a regular choice in the first team by the end of the recently completed season, leading to growing speculation about his playing future. His last appearance for the northwest power was as a late substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.

Earlier in the month, he had helped United claim a record 19th English title, overhauling Liverpool as the country’s most successful league team. He made 66 appearances for England before retiring from international soccer in 2004 to concentrate on his club career.

Scholes said he will take up a coaching role at United, starting next season.

“What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven’t said before,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player.

“Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season. Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role.”

Starting out as a deep-lying forward, Scholes eventually dropped back into central midfield where his touch, technique and vision could be more effectively utilized. He never lost his eye for the goal, though, and turned his late runs into the penalty box into an art form.

Scholes had a particularly fierce shot and was always dangerous from outside the box.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi recently said Scholes was “the best central midfielder that I have seen—the most complete.”

He added: “He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.”

The only part of Scholes’ game that let him down was his tackling, which was often late and clumsy. He missed the dramatic win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final because of suspension, but started in 2008 when United beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow to claim its third European Cup.

“It is very sad day for Manchester United fans around the world,” said United chief executive David Gill. “We all know that Paul was one of the players that came through the ranks of the academy system in the 1990s and has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt.”

After Gary Neville, Scholes is the second member of the batch of young talent to burst into United’s first team during the early 1990s to retire this season.

“Paul Scholes- The Best! Great Player, Person, Friend,” Neville posted on Twitter.

United defender Rio Ferdinand said on Twitter that Scholes was “the BEST player of his generation.”

Scholes retired from the England national team at age 29. Current England coach Fabio Capello tried to tempt him back just a few weeks before last year’s World Cup in South Africa but Scholes declined, saying he hadn’t been given enough time to make the decision.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

Acting CONCACAF head asks Blazer to explain role (AP)

ZURICH (AP)—CONCACAF’s acting president has asked Chuck Blazer to explain why he turned over evidence that sparked one of the worst corruption scandals in FIFA’s 107-year history.

Lisle Austin also wants CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America and the Caribbean, to cease dealings with John P. Collins, the former federal prosecutor who investigated Blazer’s allegations of wrongdoing.

FIFA official Chuck Blazer leaves the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Sunday, May 29, 2011, after a first ethics hearing over alleged bribery during the campaign for the FIFA presidency. (AP Photo/Keystone/Steffen Schmidt)- GERMANY OUT - AUSTRIA OUT - FIFA official Chuck Blazer lea…
AP - May 29, 7:59 am EDT

Jack Warner, longtime CONCACAF president and a FIFA vice president, and Mohamed bin Hammam were suspended Sunday over allegations they tried to bribe Caribbean football leaders for their votes in this week’s FIFA presidential election.

Bin Hammam, a Qatari who leads Asia’s football confederation, had been Sepp Blatter’s only challenger in Wednesday’s election.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

Platini: Asian members could walk out of FIFA vote (AP)

ZURICH (AP)—FIFA Vice President Michel Platini has raised the prospect of a walkout by Asian members in Wednesday’s presidential vote.

Incumbent Sepp Blatter is the only candidate in the election after Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed bin Hammam withdrew his candidacy before being suspended by FIFA over bribery allegations.

Platini, the president of UEFA, reminded members of European football’s governing body at a meeting in Zurich Monday of Asia’s protest at a 1999 congress over World Cup places.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter listens to a reporter's questions during a press conference in Tokyo Monday, May 23, 2011. Blatter says it's safe to hold the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Japan as scheduled from Dec. 8-18 despite concerns about high radiation levels following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. FIFA President Sepp Blatter li…
AP - May 23, 7:04 am EDT

“In ’99 Asia left, I don’t know if they will do that again. I think the election will go ahead but I don’t know,” Platini said.

Blatter is unconcerned about the 46 Asian members disrupting the meeting on Wednesday when world football’s 208 countries are due to vote.

“I have already faced that once and the Congress went on,” Blatter said. “They will be there I am sure.”

On Monday, the AFC canceled its caucus meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning without explanation. It is the only one of FIFA’s six confederations to skip the traditional pre-congress gathering.

Yousuf Al Serkal, an AFC vice president and close ally of bin Hammam said the Qatari had been “mistreated.”

“Bin Hammam is the right person who should have been elected to the presidency of FIFA from the point of view of change,” Al Serkal told The Associated Press. “Blatter has had his chance, it’s more than enough. There should have been changes for the benefit of football.

“Bin Hammam could have been the best to serve world football at this time. The way he was treated I think it was unfair. All the allegations were just from a report.”

A FIFA ethics panel said Sunday that there was sufficient evidence to further investigate allegations that bin Hammam as well as CONCACAF President Jack Warner offered $40,000 bribes to delegates at a Caribbean football association meeting earlier this month ahead of the election.

In a statement issued early Tuesday morning, the AFC backed bin Hammam and confirmed that its most senior vice president, China’s Zhang Jilong, will be acting president of the confederation.

“We, the members of the AFC Executive Committee, express our deepest concern at the latest developments within FIFA and that involves the AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam,” the statement said. “We will be following the investigation as it takes its course. We hope the outcome of the investigation will be in the best interests of football in Asia and beyond.”

AP Sports Writers Michael Casey in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and John Pye in Brisbane, Australia contributed to this report.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , ,

Bin Hammam to appeal suspension in bribery scandal (AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—FIFA executive Mohamed bin Hammam plans to appeal against his suspension over bribery allegations, claiming Monday that he was being “punished before I am found guilty.”

A FIFA ethics committee on Sunday provisionally suspended bin Hammam and FIFA vice president Jack Warner pending a full inquiry into allegations Caribbean football leaders were paid $40,000 each to back the Qatari’s now-abandoned bid for the FIFA presidency.

In a statement released Monday, bin Hammam said he has lodged a request with FIFA to file his appeal by Tuesday so that he could be reinstated ahead of the June 1 congress where FIFA executives will vote for a president.

United Arab Emirates' Al Ain midfielder Ahmed Al Shamisi (L) takes a free kick against South Korea's FC Seoul during AFC Champions League Group F football match in Seoul on May 4, 2011. FC Seoul won the match 3-0. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images) United Arab Emirates' Al A…
Getty Images - May 4, 9:16 am EDT

The 62-year-old bin Hammam had been incumbent Sepp Blatter’s only challenger but the Qatari withdrew from the race on Sunday hours before the ethics committee issued its ruling.

“The way these proceedings have been conducted is absolutely not compliant with any principles of justice. I am punished before I am found guilty,” bin Hammam said in his statement Monday.

“I get the impression that the outcome of these proceedings had been defined from the very beginning as it has been made evident at the press conference on Sunday evening at which FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke showed his bias very clearly. This is not acceptable as the FIFA Ethics Committee is supposed to be a fully independent body.”

Valcke said in a statement that “it is fully incorrect—and quite disappointing—to say that I have an influence on the FIFA Ethics Committee and its proceedings.”

In a statement issued early Tuesday morning, the AFC confirmed that its most senior vice president, China’s Zhang Jilong, will be acting president of the confederation, according to its statutes, during bin Hammam’s provisional suspension.

“We, the members of the AFC Executive Committee, express our deepest concern at the latest developments within FIFA and that involves the AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam,” the statement said. “We will be following the investigation as it takes its course. We hope the outcome of the investigation will be in the best interests of football in Asia and beyond.”

Bin Hammam’s complaints about the process were echoed across the Middle East, where he has some of his strongest support. Football federations and sports columnists decried the ruling, complaining it was unfair and appeared to be orchestrated by Blatter to ensure he remained in office.

Newspapers in Egypt were especially critical of the 75-year-old Blatter, who is seeking a fourth term as leader of world football’s governing body.

The Al-Dustour daily said bin Hammam had “surrendered to the tyranny of Blatter.” Al-Gomhuria called the Swiss president a “sly fox who cannot be easily hunted” and compared him to the country’s longtime president, Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted from office earlier this year.

AFC vice president Yousuf al-Serkal, an ally of bin Hammam from neighboring United Arab Emirates, said he didn’t believe the charges and considered them part of a bid to remove bin Hammam from the presidential race.

“I think bin Hammam has been mistreated,” al-Serkal said. “Bin Hammam is the right person who should have been elected to the presidency of FIFA from the point of view of change.

“The way he was treated, I think it was unfair. All the allegations were just from a report. There were no evidence as such. I feel sorry for the person I have known for long time as a decent person.”

Al-Serkal and others around the region also complained that bin Hammam’s rights were violated because he was suspended before any ruling had been issued on the bribery allegations.

After a day-long hearing Sunday, the FIFA ethics panel said there was sufficient evidence to further investigate allegations that bin Hammam and Warner, the CONCACAF President, offered the bribes to more than two dozen delegates at a Caribbean football association meeting on May 10-11 in Trinidad.

The payments were allegedly made to secure votes for bin Hammam in his campaign to unseat Blatter. If found guilty, bin Hammam and Warner could be expelled from FIFA and banned for life from all football activity.

“We believe it is a very disappointing decision by the ethics committee because so far they don’t have solid evidence against bin Hammam,” said Munem Fakhoury, a former member of Jordan’s national team who is also a top football executive in the country.

“Bin Hammam is a very professional individual with an excellent record and what is happening today is truly unfair for him and for the world of football.”

Sports columnist Gamal Holail, writing in the Egyptian newspaper Al-Gomhuria, felt bin Hammam was a victim of Blatter’s effort to sideline any challengers.

“Blatter wants to defame the reputations of the honest people like Bin Hammam,” Holail wrote, “so he can remain sitting on the presidential chair for life and rule the empire of the international football until death. But his dented reputation has revealed his false essence and it is time for him to leave.”

Said al-Mlaiki, sports analyst and reporter in Iraq, said he felt most Arabs would see the allegation as part of a Blatter smear campaign—which could backfire on him in the Middle East.

“I think that Blatter has committed a mistake by targeting bin Hammam in such way because he will lose the support of some Arabic and Islamic football federations,” he said. “The timing of the actions against bin Hammam ahead of the FIFA elections arouses questions and suspicions.”

But there was at least one football federation that welcomed the investigation and would accept whatever ruling FIFA makes.

“I wish this didn’t happen but also I am happy because there is accountability for all those who might breach the law,” said Taj El-Deen Fares, the deputy head of the Syrian Football Federation. “I am afraid of the repercussions of this issue on the fame of the international federation and its unity.”

Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo, Roufan Nahhas and Sameer N. Yacoub in Jordan and Albert Aji in Damascus contributed to this report.

Follow Michael Casey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mcasey1




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

FIFA scandal deepens, Blatter denies crisis talk (Reuters)

* Blatter rejects crisis talk

* FIFA moves to neutralise leaked email

* Qatar denies wrongdoing over 2022 World Cup bid

By Mike Collett

ZURICH, May 30 (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter, facing a deepening corruption scandal including accusations that Qatar bought the right to stage the 2022 World Cup, denied there was a crisis and described the problems as local difficulties on Monday.

A picture taken on May 13, 2011 shows French former football World Cup Winner Lilian Thuram addressing high school students in Schoelcher, on the French Carribean island of La Martinique. Lilian Thuram accused staff in an upmarket Belgian restaurant of racial discrimination during a visit to Brussels, a Belgian newspaper reported on May 27, 2011. Thuram, his country's most capped footballer who also played for top clubs Barcelona and Juventus, told Le Soir a staff member in the restaurant, La Paix, told Thuram the toilets were A picture taken on May 13, 201…
Getty Images - May 27, 5:57 am EDT

Blatter began a week in which he should be re-elected as president for a fourth term in combative mood, berating media for their lack of manners and giving Qatar his public backing.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke earlier issued a statement denying he meant to suggest anything corrupt about the Qatar bid for 2022.

While all the talk outside FIFA House has been of a drip-feed of corruption allegations creating the worst crisis the game has faced, Blatter said his organisation was merely experiencing local difficulties they could solve internally.

It did not feel that way earlier in the day when CONCACAF president Jack Warner made public an email in which Valcke wondered if Mohamed bin Hammam, who planned to stand against Blatter, thought he could buy the presidency as Qatar “bought” the World Cup.

Qatar issued a flat denial of any wrongdoing and Valcke later said he only meant that the Gulf state’s financial muscle meant they were able to mount an effective lobbying campaign.

Qatar received further support from Blatter at his dramatic evening news conference, with the president saying FIFA had received no evidence that there were issues with the process to choose the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Blatter, the 75-year-old Swiss who has run soccer’s world governing body since 1998 and seen it grow wealthy on the sale of TV rights and sponsorship, will run unopposed in Wednesday’s election following Bin Hammam’s withdrawal on Sunday.

That came hours before the Qatari was suspended along with Warner over an allegation that Bin Hammam paid Caribbean delegates $40,000 to vote for him instead of Blatter.

Blatter said he regretted the recent “damaging” allegations but said the problems could be solved in-house.

“Football is not in a crisis,” said Blatter. “Football is in some difficulties and they will be solved inside our family.”

FIFA sponsors also reacted to the controversy.

“Adidas has a very long and successful partnership with FIFA, which we are also looking forward to continue,” an Adidas spokesman said.

“Having said that, the negative tonality of the public debate surrounding FIFA is neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners.”

Turning to other allegations, Blatter said there was no case to answer against four FIFA executive committee members accused of corruption during a British parliamentary hearing this month.

Blatter also said there had been no evidence from the Sunday Times newspaper over a claim that Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma had been paid to vote for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.

Last November, executive committee members Reynald Temarii and Amos Adamu were banned for agreeing to sell their votes to undercover newspaper reporters, the first in what turned out to be a wave of allegations.

Blatter, cleared by a FIFA ethics committee on Sunday, distanced himself from his executive committee, whose members are elected by their respective confederations rather than from within FIFA itself.

FORMER CHALLENGES

Blatter has faced down challenges to his position before, notably in 2002 when secretary general Michel Zen-Ruffinen claimed his 1998 election victory was based on bribery and corruption.

Blatter subsequently won re-election and Zen-Ruffinen was soon out of a job.

Five years later, he was elected unopposed for a third term.

While the last six months have been the most turbulent of his reign, he is on course to get the fourth term he said during the campaign would be his last.

The recent problems stem from last year’s World Cup votes, when Russia saw off opposition from England and joint-bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Spain-Portugal for 2018 and Qatar got the 2022 nod over Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Bin Hammam, who is appealing against the decision to suspend him, dismissed the allegation that he had handed over money in exchange for votes.

“You would have to ask Jerome Valcke what he was thinking,” he told the BBC. “If I was paying money from Qatar you would also have to ask the 13 people who voted for Qatar.”

Questioned by reporters on Sunday, Valcke agreed that FIFA was facing “a watershed moment”, drawing comparisons with the International Olympic Committee’s crisis when IOC delegates were found guilty of taking bribes for votes to award the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City.

British sports minister Hugh Robertson said FIFA should bow to growing international pressure and bring about internal reform.

“Even if you consider that FIFA lives in an ivory tower you could not help but notice the clamour around the world for change at the moment,” he said.

(Writing by Kevin Fylan in London, editing by Ed Osmond; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , , ,

Italy coach says Estonia qualifier still important (AP)

MILAN (AP)—Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes the 2012 European Championship qualifier against Estonia on Friday is still important despite his team being five points clear of its nearest group rival.

Italy has won four of five qualifiers and drawn the other match to lead Group C. Slovenia and Serbia are joint second after having both played a game more.

Italy's national football team coach Cesare Prandelli smiles during a press conference prior a training session of his team at the Italian Football Federation technical center of Coverciano near Florence on May 30, 2011. Italy will face Estonia on June 3 in Modena for a Euro 2012 qualification match. AFP PHOTO /GIUSEPPE CACACE Italy's national football …
Getty Images - May 30, 11:04 am EDT

“It is the most difficult match I have had since taking over,” Prandelli said Monday. “It is a decisive game against Estonia. I want a squad that will give their all because this game is fundamental (to qualifying), and traditionally we haven’t always played our best in June and September.”

Prandelli has selected a 25-man squad for fitness testing ahead of the match and the friendly on Tuesday against Ireland in Liege.

Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano return to the squad after ending the season on high notes. Balotelli won the FA Cup with Manchester City, while Cassano was part of the squad that won AC Milan’s first Serie A title since 2004.

“They haven’t played much, though oddly enough that means they are likely to do better in the physical tests than the others,” Prandelli said. “I said the same thing to Balotelli as I’ve just said to you. He seemed to understand and he isn’t happy with his season, despite finishing with a win in a final.

“Cassano must knuckle down to work in Milan and find his place in the team. Those who don’t play much, generally, lose their form.”

One player not back in the squad is Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who violated Prandelli’s code of conduct by ending the season serving a three-match ban for hitting an opponent.

He also missed the wins over Slovenia and Ukraine in March as he was banned by UEFA for three games for elbowing Shakhtar Donetsk captain Dario Srna in the face during a Champions League match.

When he replaced Marcello Lippi after Italy’s first-round elimination from the World Cup, Prandelli instituted new rules whereby national team players are expected to meet high behavioral standards even with their clubs.

“De Rossi isn’t out of the squad for technical reasons and I am very sorry about that,” Prandelli said. “He needs to find his form and consistency that he appears to have lost over the last few months.

“I haven’t closed the door on him, but certain things on the pitch aren’t acceptable and I have said that from the start.”

Italy’s next qualifier is at the Faeroe Islands on Sept. 2.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , , ,

New CONCACAF chief turns on Blazer in FIFA row (Reuters)

By Simon Evans

MIAMI, May 30 (Reuters) - The soccer controversy that led to the banning of two leading FIFA officials has taken another twist with CONCACAF’s new interim president taking aim at his general secretary Chuck Blazer.

Barbadian Lisle Austin, appointed interim president on Monday in place of suspended Trinidadian Jack Warner, moved quickly by issuing Blazer with a demand to explain himself and to stop working with the U.S. lawyers who presented evidence against Warner.

It was Blazer’s report to FIFA’s Ethics Committee, which included allegations of bribery against Warner and Asian soccer chief Mohammed Bin Hammam of Qatar, that led to this week’s explosion of accusations and counter-accusations at world football’s governing body in Zurich.

In a letter to Blazer seen by Reuters, Austin gave the American 48 hours to explain by what authority he appointed Chicago-based lawyers Collins and Collins to conduct investigations into the members of CONCACAF, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.

The letter also asks Blazer to produce minutes or documentation to show the decision was taken by the confederation’s executive committee and to stop Collins and Collins from “conducting any business” including legal advice or representation for CONCACAF.

Lawyer John Collins has had a long-standing relationship with CONCACAF and with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Blazer was not immediately available for comment but the letter indicates the new post-Warner CONCACAF is unlikely to make a harmonious start.

On Sunday FIFA’s Ethics Committee suspended Warner and Bin Hammam pending full investigations of the charges made by Blazer.

A report by FIFA executive committee member Blazer said there had been possible violations of the FIFA ethics code in a meeting between Caribbean officials, Warner and Bin Hammam in Port of Spain this month.

Bin Hammam, who has now withdrawn his bid to take on incumbent Sepp Blatter in this week’s FIFA presidential election, and Warner denied any wrongdoing.

On Monday FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke produced an email from the president of the Puerto Rico Football Association who stated he had been offered a $40,000 inducement, which he accepted, reported and was sending to soccer’s governing body.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

Monday 30 May 2011

Schmeichel talks up Fernandez impact for CL final (AP)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel expects Mexican striker Javier Fernandez to have a major impact in the Champions League final against Barcelona.

Schmeichel says United has learned from its 2-0 defeat to the Spanish side in the 2009 final and will be much improved in Saturday’s showpiece in London.

Lazio's midfielder Hernanes is pictured in action in April 2011. Lazio gave their hopes of playing in next season's Champions League a boost by thumping Genoa 4-2 in Rome. Lazio's midfielder Hernane…
AFP - May 14, 6:12 pm EDT

Schmeichel, speaking to The Associated Press, compares Fernandez to former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

He says the Mexican “is an amazing player with an amazing talent and he must have an amazing mind as well.”




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Jeoriania

E-mail: rusmail20@mail.ru

Sunday 29 May 2011

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Smeltblumeton

E-mail: friend-vahan@yandex.ru

Saturday 28 May 2011

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Jaereu

E-mail: zararex0@gmail.com

Friday 27 May 2011

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: DHidayelili

E-mail: dedovac@yahoo.co.uk

Thursday 26 May 2011

Updates for WordPress, Chrome and More!

 
AddThis
 

Updates to WordPress, Chrome and More!

Here in AddThis Land, April showers bring May updates! From browser extensions to WordPress plugins, we’re making sure you get the latest and greatest version of AddThis.
  • AddThis for Wordpress:   AddThis for WordPress    is better than ever. We added the ability to personalize the tweets shared from your site, given you more fine grained control in choosing which pages AddThis appears on, updated analytics dashboard and also included more filters!

  • AddThis for Chrome: AddThis for Chrome now supports the right-click context menu form of sharing. So if you are on a page you want to share, just right-click and AddThis appears in the menu! We also made some modifications to the settings page.

  • AddThis for Joomla: AddThis for Joomla is now updated to support the Joomla 1.6 plugin. We’ve also integrated options for the AddThis share counter.

  • AddThis Status Page: Want to check out the status of any of the above features? Check out the AddThis status page at status.addthis.com. This page is meant to keep track of all AddThis issues or outages, so you are never in the dark about anything that may be affecting your sharing or analytics.


Want to Work on AddThis?

We’re hiring! AddThis is a part of Clearspring Technologies. We are a rapidly growing company with offices in the DC Metro area, NYC, Chicago, Detroit and LA. We’re looking for people who can make things happen and have fun doing it. Please check out our careers page for a list of openings, some of which include:

  • Javascript/UI Developer
  • Account Executive - Sales
  • Sr. Java Software Engineer


Copyright 2006-2011 AddThis.com
Clearspring Technologies   8000 Westpark Dr. Suite 625   McLean, VA 22102


This email was sent to csconstantine@gmail.com


You are receiving this email because you are registered with Clearspring Technologies to receive this mailing. To opt out, click here: preferences
 

Wednesday 25 May 2011

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: without prescription Kamagra

E-mail: qc1@ultradrugbuy.com

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Savannah10

E-mail: am.a.teur.r.e.wie.v@gmail.com

Tuesday 24 May 2011

[NEMDIL DZ JOURNAL] RE

Awarded 1,000,000.00 Pounds the MBP send:
Names...
Country...
Tel...

--
Posted By Nemdil DZ Journal to NEMDIL DZ JOURNAL at 5/24/2011 10:43:00 PM

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Goccuffcryhob

E-mail: destsockabos.e@gmail.com

Join Me at Multiply

Check out my Multiply site

I set up a Multiply site with my pictures, videos and blog and I want
to add you as my friend so you can see it. First, you need to join
Multiply! Once you join, you can also create your own site and share
anything you want, with anyone you want.

Here's the link:
http://multiply.com/si/rHDhXU3tMrocUqRxBZdtXQ

Bonjour a vous,
Je m'excuse pour cette intrusion, je me nomme RAM Andrea née le 24
Février 1968. J'ai dû vous contacter de la sorte parce que je souhaite
faire une chose très importante. Cela vous semblera un peu suspect
bien vrai que vous ne me connaissez pas et que je ne vous connais pas.
Je souffre d'un cancer du cerveau qui est en phase terminale, mon
médecin traitant vient de m'informer que mes jours sont comptés du
fait de mon état de santé dégradé. J'ai cette maladie depuis plus de
2ans. Je suis veuve et je n'ai pas eu d'enfant.
J'aimerais bien faire don de mes biens. Je ne sais pas dans quel
domaine d'activité vous exercez mais je souhaiterais vous aider à
aider les autres. Je possède la somme de € 2.025.000 (deux millions
vingt cinq mille euros) Je vous prie d'accepter cette somme car elle
pourrait bien vous êtes très utile et cela sans rien demander en
retour. Veuillez me contacter dès que possible si vous êtes d'accord
pour mon offre directement par mon mail qui est: ramandrea@live.fr
car c'est ce mail que je consulte le plus souvent.
Je souffre énormément et j'ai très peur, je n'arrive presque pas à
dormir la nuit comme la journée car je ne veux pas mourir sans avoir
fait don de tout cet argent sinon je pense que cela serait un gâchis.
Que la Paix et la miséricorde de Dieu soient avec vous.

E-MAIL: ramandrea@live.fr

Mme RAM Andrea

Thanks,
RAM

Stop e-mails, view our privacy policy, or report abuse:
http://multiply.com/bl/rHDhXU3tMrocUqRxBZdtXQ
We haven't added your email address to any lists, nor will we share it
with anyone at any time.
Copyright 2011 Multiply
6001 Park of Commerce Blvd, Boca Raton, FL

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Dorkertalmott

E-mail: turk.ish.za.shekan@gmail.com

Monday 23 May 2011

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: brifesibreVom

E-mail: ningouser@gmail.com

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Caroline

E-mail: adrienbrielleq@live.fr

Blatter pledges to restore FIFA's image (AP)

ZURICH (AP)—Sepp Blatter said rebuilding FIFA’s image would be his top priority if he is re-elected as president next week after a series of corruption allegations leveled at soccer’s ruling body.

Blatter told reporters of his firsthand experience of attempted bribery when he received a cash-filled envelope while FIFA secretary general before becoming president 13 years ago. He said he handed over the money to a FIFA colleague and it was returned to the unnamed bribe-giver.

He promised to tackle allegations of past corruption and strengthen FIFA’s panels that investigate alleged wrongdoing.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter listens to a reporter's questions during a press conference in Tokyo Monday, May 23, 2011. Blatter says it's safe to hold the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Japan as scheduled from Dec. 8-18 despite concerns about high radiation levels following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. FIFA President Sepp Blatter li…
AP - May 23, 7:04 am EDT

“We shall find a solution how to handle the past … in order that we can stop forever in the future all these damaging things about corruption,” Blatter said.

“We have to make sure that in the next term of office immediately starting after the election that we rebuild the image of FIFA,” said the 75-year-old Swiss, who joined soccer’s governing body in 1975.

Blatter pledged “there will be facts” revealed in his zero-tolerance project being presented to the FIFA Congress on June 1, immediately before his election contest against former ally Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar.

Their campaign has been clouded by fresh allegations of World Cup bid corruption.

Bin Hammam’s native Qatar has been accused in England of bribing two FIFA executive committee members to help secure 2022 hosting rights.

Blatter, who wants the case resolved before election day, said it hurt him that people believed FIFA was corrupt.

His first presidential election in 1998 prompted allegations of vote-buying by his supporters in Paris, and some high-ranking colleagues have been linked to corruption scandals on his watch.

Senior FIFA officials have been accused of taking kickbacks from television rights deals, profiting from World Cup tickets sales and pocketing or seeking bribes to vote for World Cup hosts.

Though retrospective disciplinary action is unlikely, Blatter said he wants to improve FIFA’s ability to investigate internal affairs.

“For the future we must have, I would say, a stronger organization,” he said at a briefing at FIFA headquarters.

Responsibility for choosing leaders of FIFA’s ethics, disciplinary and appeal committees could be given to members at Congress, Blatter suggested. Currently, power to appoint the investigative positions lies with FIFA’s 24-member executive committee, which has been severely discredited.

Blatter acknowledged that some people “do not deserve to be … in the government of FIFA.”

He distanced himself from the continental bodies who elect their delegates to the ruling panel he chairs.

“They have their own agenda. I have no influence and I cannot take any responsibility,” said Blatter, lamenting that he erred in “trusting people too fast.”

Blatter said he was only once offered a bribe, during his 1981-98 stint serving as chief administrator to then-president Joao Havelange.

“In this envelope there was an amount of money. I couldn’t refuse because he put it in my pocket,” said Blatter, declining to identify who made the offer. “I came home here to FIFA and gave it to the finance director and he put this money on the account of the Swiss Bank Corporation.”

The cash, which Blatter has said amounted to 50,000 Swiss francs, was later withdrawn by the bribe-giver.




Agences de presses

Labels: , , , ,

Sunday 22 May 2011

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: diftuvisz

E-mail: kr.i.er.g.i.r.o.l.q.ul@gmail.com

[Constantine Sidi nemdil] New User Registration

New user registration on your site Constantine Sidi nemdil:

Username: Noitiargo

E-mail: Rubjebuinge@fullen.in

Friday 20 May 2011

xFruits - yahoo football - 1 new item

football - Yahoo! News Search Results

football - Yahoo! News Search Results

Football Association's decision to abstain from voting in Fifa...  

2011-05-19 16:43

FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement: "The FA board has today agreed to abstain in the vote for the presidency of Fifa.

"There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of the FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate.

"The FA values its relationships with its international football partners extremely highly. We are determined to play an active and influential role through our representation within both Uefa and Fifa.

"We will continue to work hard to bring about any changes we think would benefit all of international football."

Bernstein met both Bin Hammam and Blatter last month and the Fifa president said he believed his message had convinced the FA chairman – but admitted the rest of the board may have other ideas.

"I explained to Mr Bernstein the part the FA has played in the world of football, especially in the development of modern football and the laws of the game," added Blatter.

"This is also about the privileges of the four British associations given in 1946 – four individual votes, one vice-president, half the international FA board.

"They have a lot of prerogatives and rights but with these come responsibility.

"He asked me what Fifa could do for England. I said, 'I will turn around the question and ask what can you do for football'.

"You do a lot for the development of football and especially with the wonderful, effective and efficient Premier League they should ask what can they do for Fifa?

"I am sure he got the message, he understood exactly what I said, he is on the right way but I am not sure if the whole board is on the same way."

Chat about this story w/ Talkita
Top

web counter

WWW.CSCONSTANTINE.COM