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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)—Mohamed bin Hammam should step down from the Asian Football Confederation over vote-buying allegations and FIFA’s entire executive committee must be replaced in the wake of former vice president Jack Warner’s decision to quit, a former Asian football executive said Tuesday.

Peter Velappan, the AFC’s general secretary from 1978-2007, said Tuesday that bin Hammam should leave the AFC for the sake of the organization.

“He should just resign because of the allegations,” Velappan said. “It would be good for football. This has been going on for so many years. He should follow Warner, strike a deal with FIFA and say goodbye.”

AFC President bin Hammam of Qatar and Warner were suspended by FIFA last month after bribery allegations during bin Hammam’s campaign to become FIFA president. Warner, of Trinidad and Tobago, resigned from FIFA on Monday, putting an end to his investigation by its ethics committee.

But Velappan said bin Hammam was just “the tip of the iceberg” and he said FIFA needed to be cleaned up from top to bottom starting with the 24-member executive committee. He said they all should go, including bin Hammam allies Vernon Manilal Fernando of Sri Lanka and Thailand’s Worawi Makudi, who has been accused of engaging in “improper and unethical” conduct in the 2018 bidding for the World Cup that was won by Russia.

“The whole of the FIFA development structure is rampant with corruption both at the FIFA level and at the confederation level,” Velappan said in a phone interview from Singapore. “It’s best to give football a break.”

Bin Hammam and two Caribbean Football Union employees are still provisionally barred from duty while facing accusations of paying bribes to up to 25 Caribbean voters during the Qatari’s failed campaign to unseat FIFA President Sepp Blatter. All have denied any wrongdoing.

In the wake of the vote buying allegations, bin Hammam withdrew from the FIFA presidential race last month leaving Blatter to run unopposed. He was elected to a fourth and final four-year term.

Bin Hammam and Warner have denied arranging bribes, and the Qatari challenger alleged that supporters of Blatter conspired to remove him from the election contest.

Bin Hammam has not commented since he was suspended, and a spokesman for the AFC could not be immediately reached for comment.

David Triesman, the head of England’s 2018 World Cup bid until last May last year, told British lawmakers last month that Makudi, Warner, Nicolas Leoz and Ricardo Teixeira and engaged in “improper and unethical” conduct during the World Cup bidding process. All four denied the allegations.

Labels: CALLS, Former, Hammam, official

* Widespread call in Britain for Blatter to quit

* FIFA in urgent need of reform, lawmakers and FA say

* Fans say situation is a farce

By Michael Holden

LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) - British politicians, media and fans united on Tuesday in calls for Sepp Blatter to be kicked out as FIFA president, saying his credibility was shot and he could not lead essential reform of the sport’s governing body.

Blatter, 75, is set to be re-elected unopposed as president on Wednesday, having brushed off allegations of corruption which has concerned some leading sponsors of the organisation he has run since 1998. [ID:nL3E7GV0LN]

His rejection of criticism and any suggestion of a crisis has prompted widespread anger and derision in Britain, where many people are still smarting from England’s humiliating failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

“Rotten does not even come close to describing FIFA — football’s governing body is mired in allegations of corruption, bribery and sleaze,” The Daily Mirror newspaper said in its editorial under the headline “Give the boot to Blatter”.

“If Blatter had an ounce of dignity he would have resigned months ago. Sadly, the beautiful game has been brought low by the ugly actions of its leaders.”

The mass-selling Sun tabloid described Blatter as “shifty, arrogant, evasive”.

“How shameful for world football that Sepp Blatter is likely to be re-elected unopposed as its head,” it said. “FIFA must be cleaned up. It cannot happen with him at its helm.”

The British media has long been hostile to FIFA and has particularly targeted the organisation since England’s campaign for the 2018 tournament attracted just two votes, despite the involvement of Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William.

Newspaper and TV reports have since claimed a number of senior FIFA officials had taken bribes in return for votes.

Two senior figures, the head of Asian soccer Mohamed bin Hammam and CONCACAF chief Jack Warner, have now been suspended over bribery allegations which they both deny.

BRIBERY PROBE

Both the English and the Scottish Football Associations have called for the FIFA presidential election to be postponed, and with the issue dominating the news agenda, the issue has attracted increasing political attention. [ID:nLDE74U0Y5]

Britain’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it backed the FA, calling for a full probe of the bribery claims.

“FIFA has to undergo massive reform and become much more transparent and accountable,” a spokeswoman said.

Ivan Lewis, the spokesman on sport for the opposition Labour Party, said Blatter’s credibility had “gone”.

“Football does not belong to a small elite. It belongs to the millions of fans from remotest Africa, to the beaches of Brazil, the great cities of Madrid, Paris and London, and they deserve better leadership than this,” he told Sky News.

British parliamentarian Damian Collins, who is involved with “ChangeFifa”, a recently launched international parliamentary coalition, told Reuters that governments, football associations and FIFA sponsors needed to unite to force change.

“This is a real crisis and I don’t think Sepp Blatter addressed that at all in his remarks yesterday,” he said.

Meanwhile, ordinary fans expressed disillusionment.

“If this wasn’t so serious it would be something out of Gilbert and Sullivan. It’s a farce,” Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, told Reuters.

“I don’t think you’ll find a single football fan in this country who believes that everything at FIFA in terms of both the World Cup bid and other things is clean and above board.

“Things cannot go on. It’s self-evident I think that this organisation cannot continue in its present state.”

(Additional reporting by Avril Ormsby and Adrian Croft)

Labels: Blatter, CALLS, English, Reuters, Smarting

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.

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.”

Labels: CALLS, election, English, postpone

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.

Labels: CALLS, delay, election, English, Reuters

After abject performances in recent weeks, and a penalty shoot-out FA Cup exit at the hands of Everton on Saturday, club captain Terry echoed the fighting talk of manager Carlo Ancelotti before the match, and is hopeful that re-capturing the winning feeling could spark a fresh run of form.

The 30-year-old told Sky Sports: “It’s a good lift, obviously winning does that, you can see the buzz in the dressing room but it’s important now we continue this run again this could be the start of it as I said yesterday.

“The manager said we’re still not dead, there are still an awful lot of points to play for and we will keep fighting.”

Terry and his defensive comrades had little to do in a game which Chelsea eased through and the skipper was pleased with how his side executed their plans for the fixture, showering particular praise on the Blues strike force.

Quizzed on his views of the performance, Terry said: “Exactly what we asked for yesterday, I thought we set out our game plan very well, the two up top worked very well and with the pace of the two guys up-front it caused difficulties all night for them.”

Chelsea’s front pairing on the night saw Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka lead the line, with the Frenchman grabbing the headlines while the Spaniard came close to breaking his duck on several occasions.

Anelka put Chelsea in-front on 17 minutes and the Blues never looked in threat of losing their lead, only capable of extending it. The Frenchman obliged early in the second period when rounding off a sweet Chelsea move with a crisp drive across the helpless Copenhagen 'keeper.

Commenting on Anelka, Terry added: “Fantastic, it’s difficult for the strikers at the minute because there’s so much competition, but credit to themselves, Didier when he came on as well caused a lot of trouble, they seem to be clicking and working well.

“And obviously it’s always going to take a couple of weeks for the guys to settle in, hopefully this is the start of very good partnerships.”


Labels: build, CALLS, champions, Chelsea, Copenhagen, Goalcom, league, Terry, victory

Labels: Bahrain, CALLS, Grand, Prince, Times

Tottenham Hotspur icon Glenn Hoddle has tipped his beloved club to overcome AC Milan in the Champions League providing they can go against their natural grain of attacking football to concentrate on the defensive side in the San Siro.

• Redknapp vows to attack
• Milan v Tottenham preview

Harry Redknapp has suggested they will attack, but Hoddle, a former England and Spurs manager, told ESPNsoccernet: "I know Harry Redknapp wants to attack and that is the natural instincts of the team, but I would say they need Sandro and Wilson Palacios in the centre of midfield shielding the defence."

Hoddle said a goalscoring defeat can be enough to aid Tottenham progress: "A 2-1 defeat would be fine, in fact it would be the platform to give them a chance at White Hart Lane - an away goal would be great, even in defeat."

A spate of injuries and illness have meant that Spurs will likely be without Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in the San Siro, while doubts remain about the full fitness of Rafael van der Vaart.

"I would have said go for it if they had all their best players, but it is a real shame that they haven't, so they have to be realistic, a bit more pragmatic even though it isn't their natural game," Hoddle said. "They have to tighten up in defence and need two holding players, in my opinion, to give them that added protection.

"Spurs do have strength in depth, and this will be a big test of that strength of their squad, but for me, they would need their best team out there to have any hope of taking on AC Milan in the San Siro in terms of going for the win. They still have a great chance in the second leg; they showed Inter what can be done at the Lane, and AC Milan will face a big task if Spurs come away from the San Siro with something to cling to.

"Losing creative players like they have done for the first leg means they have to go against their instincts, but it could be a blessing in disguise.

"If it isn't a massive divide, then AC Milan will be surprised by the atmosphere generated at the Lane, and they will be in for a very difficult night."

Hoddle hopes that Milan are not too far ahead after Tuesday night so that Spurs, with Modric and Bale in tandem, can qualify for the quarter-finals in their first season in the Champions League.

Labels: CALLS, conservatism, Hoddle, Spurs

PARIS (AP)—Former France coach Raymond Domenech has broken his silence over the World Cup debacle, labeling the players “stupid brats” for going on strike at a training session to make “a laughing stock” of their country.

Domenech’s bitter six-year tenure as France coach ended after last year’s World Cup in South Africa and he had previously declined to comment on the incident.

He now says in an interview to be published Wednesday in L’Express magazine that the players were to blame for ridiculing a once-proud national team that won the 1998 World Cup and European Championship in 2000.

“They knew perfectly well what they were doing. They even closed the bus curtains to hide from the cameras,” Domenech said in extracts on the magazine’s website. “Looking back, I see them above all as a bunch of irresponsible, stupid brats.”

The squad shocked the nation and provoked the ire of politicians and fans by refusing to train after Nicolas Anelka had been sent home for insulting Domenech during halftime of France’s second group game against Mexico.

Anelka was subsequently suspended for 18 matches by the French football federation. Former captain Patrice Evra (five games), Franck Ribery (three games) and Jeremy Toulalan (one game) were also banned for their part in the boycott.

On the day of the strike, hundreds of locals from the town of Knysna gave the French players a rousing reception when they stepped off the team bus. After quickly shaking hands and signing autographs, they all returned to their bus.

“At that point, I’m telling myself that they’ve gone mad and they don’t realize (what they are doing),” Domenech said. “Now I know I was wrong.”

Evra also clashed with fitness coach Robert Duverne, forcing Domenech to intervene before the situation escalated.

While Knysna locals looked on in confusion, French fans back home watched the scenes unfold live on television.

Further adding further to the drama, Domenech then unfolded a sheet of paper and slowly mumbled a speech written collectively by the players explaining their reasons for striking.

“We’d been there for more than an hour. Somebody had to take responsibility and stop this masquerade,” Domenech said. “We were the laughing stock of the world. I said, ‘Stop this, I can’t take any more of it!”’

Domenech, however, accepts he made mistakes at the World Cup.

“I messed up. I didn’t chose the right players or find the right words,” he said. “I don’t accept criticism from politicians, nor from former players who have turned to journalism, but that doesn’t stop me making my own assessment.”

Domenech, who was replaced by Laurent Blanc after the tournament, had often been derided throughout his time in charge.

Having led France to the World Cup final in 2006, he struggled when playmaker Zinedine Zidane retired and midfielder Patrick Vieira was out injured. France went out of both the 2008 European Championship and 2010 World Cup without winning a game.

Fans were angered when the French federation voted to keep him on in a secret ballot after Euro 2008.

“I’m not the moron that’s been described,” Domenech said.

Domenech has been coaching a children’s football team in western Paris, but has not decided where his future lies.

“I still need to sweep away certain memories … It’s like love: you need to forget a woman so that you can love another one,” he said. “I’ve been offered things for the theater, for the cinema. Nothing on television, no.

“Honestly, can you imagine me in a reality TV show?”

Labels: brats, CALLS, Domenech, players, striking, stupid

Captain Alastair Kellock lamented Scotland's costly losses of possession in the RBS 6 Nations opener against France - and head coach Andy Robinson warned Wales are as capable as Les Bleus of exploiting such lapses.

For the 11th time in 12 Six Nations tournaments Scotland suffered defeat on the opening weekend as defending Grand Slam champions France earned a 34-21 victory at the Stade de France last night.

Kellock scored his maiden Scotland try, but it was ultimately in vain as he suffered a first Test defeat as captain.

The Glasgow Warriors second row, who led Scotland to a 2-0 series success in Argentina last June, believes the tone of the match was set when Maxime Medard scored a third-minute try after France had seized possession in midfield.

Kellock said: "I was very pleased with the way we'd started. We'd gone out with the intention of attacking, straight from the kick-off we did reasonably well and then we were turned over out wide.

"It was probably the story of the game; when they did turn us over they were incredibly clinical.

"It's disappointing, but something we've got to deal with."

Scotland, whose solitary win on the tournament's opening weekend came in 2006 against France, must address it quickly as on Saturday Wales visit Murrayfield intent on ending an eight-match winless streak.

Robinson knows Wales, like France, have runners capable of capitalising on loose play.

The head coach said: "The Welsh are very good off counter attack and they score a lot of tries off counter attack, so if we give them that amount of ball, we'll be put under pressure.

"I think it's going to be a cracking game."

Scotland's bid for a first Six Nations win in Paris - they had two previous wins in 42 years, the most recent coming as part of the Five Nations Championship-winning campaign in 1999 - was made difficult from the start and the visitors were always chasing.

Following Medard's opener, Francois Trinh-Duc added a drop goal to establish a 10-0 lead.

Kellock burrowed over for his first Scotland try, but France hit back and the Scotland scrum disintegrated, with referee Wayne Barnes awarding a penalty try.

Tighthead prop Euan Murray appeared culpable and observers were left to wonder if the British and Irish Lion's lack of action was to blame.

Murray, who was substituted for Moray Low with 10 minutes remaining, moved from Northampton to Newcastle last month and had played twice for the Falcons prior to the Six Nations.

A factor in Saints' decision to allow Murray to move on was his refusal to play on Sundays for religious reasons and he will miss the matches with Ireland and England and may yet be replaced in next weekend's clash with Wales.

Kellock was unhappy with his side's performance in the scrum.

"It's not acceptable," said the skipper.

"If we're going to win games in this Six Nations, which we intend to do, we need to have a stable platform for our backs to attack off, so we have to sort it out."

Tries from Kelly Brown and Sean Lamont showed Scotland can still be a force to be reckoned with in the Six Nations and despite the loss of scrum-half Rory Lawson through injury at half-time they continued to attack their hosts.

However, each time Scotland - with second row Richie Gray outstanding throughout - responded, France stepped up a gear.

A sublime through-the-legs pass by Trinh-Duc set up Imanol Harinordoquy to race under the posts, while Damien Traille touched down after a jinking run by Medard.

France's fourth try earned them a 31-14 lead with 11 minutes remaining - effectively sealing the win.

Lamont then scored, but Dimitri Yachvili stroked over a late penalty to ensure victory.

France, confidence restored following the 59-16 November mauling to Australia, next go to Dublin to play Ireland, aware there is room for improvement.

Captain Thierry Dusautoir said: "There was very good team spirit. Of course there were some mistakes and some things we need to work on.

"We lost a few balls after making breakthroughs but the Scots also had a great game.

"It was a good start; we know what we need to work on for the next game."

Coach Marc Lievremont is likely to have to tinker with his back division once more, with centre Maxime Mermoz set to miss the Ireland match with a shoulder problem.

Labels: CALLS, KELLOCK, POSSESSION, Sportinglifecom