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FRANKFURT, GERMANY (AP) —Germany’s soccer federation president has called for a review of the vote that gave Qatar the 2022 World Cup to scrutinize corruption allegations.

Theo Zwanziger said the awarding of the tournament to Qatar raised “speculations and corruption allegations” and should be examined “more precisely.”

A picture taken on May 13, 201…
Getty Images - May 27, 5:57 am EDT

Zwanziger is running for a place in FIFA’s executive committee and said he would be willing to look into the matter.

He also said Wednesday’s election for FIFA president should be by secret ballot.

Agences de presses

Labels: German, Review, soccer, SportsTicker, urges

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 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: boost, group, Labor, Qatar, rights, SportsTicker, worker

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) - Newcastle edged 10-man Birmingham closer to the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over the League Cup winners on Saturday.

Birmingham’s troubles started in the 35th minute when Liam Ridgewell used his arm to clear the ball in a goalmouth melee, earning himself a red card and conceding a penalty that was converted by Shola Ameobi.

Steven Taylor then made it 2-0 seven minutes later, heading home from a corner curled over by Joey Barton.

Lee Bowyer pulled a goal back on the stroke of halftime with a deflected shot, but Birmingham failed to find an equalizer after the break.

Former England captain and coa…
Getty Images - Apr 22, 5:55 am EDT

However, the margin of victory would have been far greater had it not been for City keeper Ben Foster, who made stunning saves from Peter Lovenkrands, Nile Ranger and Kevin Nolan twice to keep his side in it to the whistle.

Victory took mid-table Newcastle to 44 points and left Birmingham on 39 - just 16th in the table.

The game kicked off with both sides knowing a win would effectively end their relegation fears, and equally aware that a draw would not be the worst result. And for much of the opening 45 minutes, the game reflected that.

There was little action of note as defenses dominated with Ameobi and Lovenkrands seeing little of the ball at one end and lone striker Cameron Jerome, his physical battle with Taylor aside, finding himself equally underemployed.

But the end-of-season feel evaporated in an explosive final 10 minutes of the half.

Newcastle launched a sustained assault with Stephen Carr clearing Ameobi’s header off the line and Foster pulling off a fine save to keep out Fabricio Coloccini’s follow-up. The Argentine reacted first to head over Foster, only for Carr to intervene once again.

However, as the ball fell toward Nolan, Ridgewell nudged it clear with his arm and referee Chris Foy pointed straight to the spot before producing a red card.

Ameobi waited patiently while Ridgewell made his feelings clear, and then calmly tucked the penalty into the bottom corner for his ninth goal of the season.

Foster made fine reaction saves to deny first Lovenkrands and then Nolan, but there was nothing he could do to keep out Taylor’s towering 43rd-minute header, which Sebastian Larsson could only help into his own net.

But Newcastle contrived to hand the visitors a lifeline on the stroke of halftime when Coloccini misjudged a long clearance to allow Cameron Jerome in.

The Argentine and Taylor got back well to halt the striker’s progress, but when he fed the ball to Bowyer, his shot ended up in the back of the net via a deflection off Coloccini.

Full-back Jose Enrique fizzed a 35-meter drive just wide of Foster’s right post within two minutes of the restart as the Magpies attempted to kill off the game, and Ameobi headed over seven minutes later when he might have done better.

Further chances fell to the home side, but Newcastle had already done enough to secure the points.

Agences de presses

Labels: 10man, Birmingham, Newcastle, SportsTicker

By ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (AP) - West Ham needed a late equalizer from Thomas Hitzlsperger to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn on Saturday, but the London club remains rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

West Ham manager Avram Grant a…
AP - May 1, 12:19 pm EDT

Jason Roberts put Blackburn ahead in the 12th minute, steering home Brett Emerton’s cross, and the visitors looked destined to leave with all three points in their own battle against the drop until Hitzlsperger rifled home a superb drive from the edge of the penalty area in the 78th minute.

Blackburn remains just above the relegation zone, but time is fast running out for the Hammers with two games left to play.

Agences de presses

Labels: Blackburn, Rovers, SportsTicker, United

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) - Ashley Young struck a fine equalizer in front of England coach Fabio Capello to give Aston Villa a 1-1 Premier League draw with relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

England winger Young beat Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi from 20 yards (meters) - his ninth goal of the season - to cancel out Wigan’s lead at Villa Park.

Wigan Athletic's manager R…
AP - Apr 30, 12:11 pm EDT

The visitors scored after 10 minutes when Victor Moses burst forward from midfield and played in striker Charles N’Zogbia, who found the corner of the net with an angled shot.

The point left Wigan fourth from bottom, one point above the relegation zone, with two games to play. Blackpool, in 18th place, was playing later Saturday.

Villa is in 14th, seven points clear of the bottom three, and should be guaranteed top-division survival.

Wigan face bottom club West Ham United next weekend in a game that will have a major impact on both teams’ hopes of retaining their Premier League status.

“When you are in this position you cannot rely on anyone, just yourselves,” Wigan’s manager, Roberto Martinez, said. “The game against West Ham is a final in a league campaign.”

Villa’s former England striker Emile Heskey was fortunate not to be sent off after making contact with referee Mike Jones after 33 minutes. Heskey lost his composure after not winning a free kick and appeared to barge into the official, but he escaped with a yellow card and was substituted at half-time.

Both sides had chances to win it in the second half.

Hugo Rodallega’s shot in the 77th minute flashed just wide of Brad Friedel’s post, and then Al-Habsi blocked well from Darren Bent late on.

Agences de presses

Labels: Aston, SportsTicker, Villa, Wigan

MICK ROBERTS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will lead out his team at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Saturday despite being at the centre of a major storm.

Fabregas, 23, is alleged to have sworn at referee Lee Mason in the tunnel at half-time earlier this week when Arsenal were losing 1-0 to Everton at the Emirates.

Everton manager David Moyes who team later lost 2-1 made the allegations but there has been no question so far of any disciplinary action against Fabregas.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Fabregas to emerge from the allegations with his reputation unsullied.

Wenger believes his star player is being victimised because of his eminence within the Premier League.

Wenger said: “I have been long enough in the job to know that somebody picks on you for a while and you are in the heat of the moment.

“When Cesc is on the pitch, he tries to play football. I cannot say everyone who plays against him tries to do that.”

Huddersfield players also alleged that after the FA Cup match last weekend World Cup winner Fabregas refused to swap shirts with the League One club’s players.

Fabregas, who had come on as a substitute and scored the winner, based his decision on Huddersfield’s aggressive tactics against him.

Wenger said: “I hope he does not exchange shirts with people who try to kick him for 90 minutes. Cesc did not say anything to the referee against Everton, so the story is over.”

Arsenal have announced that goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is to undergo surgery in Germany on a damaged shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.

The Gunners will also be without the much-improved Samir Nasri who is out for two weeks with injury but Wenger’s problems are nothing compared with those of opponents Newcastle.

Manager Alan Pardew lost star striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool and then replacement Shola Ameobi cracked a cheekbone in the lifeless 1-0 defeat at Fulham in midweek where the lack of a goal-scorer was apparent.

Pardew hopes to have Cheik Tiote available for the visit of the Gunners after completing a three-match ban but loan signing Stephen Ireland will not be ready for at least another two weeks.

Leon Best and Nile Ranger will share the attacking burden against Arsenal but Pardew will be hoping for better from them than against Fulham.

Carroll’s close friend, Kevin Nolan believes Newcastle must move on from the shock of losing Carroll to Liverpool in a 35 million pounds deal.

Nolan said: “We are all sorry Andy has gone. We had hoped he would stay and help the club consolidate in the Premier League.

“These things happen in football, players come and go, and we are going to have to adjust.

“Andy is history now and for the sake of the club and the fans we have to move on and come to terms with his departure.”

Agences de presses

Labels: ArsenalNewcastle, Preview, SportsTicker, United

Adam Carroll-Smith STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Peter Crouch has promised to rediscover his scoring touch and pilot Tottenham into the Champions League for the second successive season, starting with Saturday’s home match against Bolton.

England striker Crouch scored only his second Premier League goal of the season with what proved to be the winner at Blackburn’s Ewood Park in midweek.

Crouch’s other goal was also against Blackburn in the corresponding fixture at White Hart Lane earlier in the season and his return to form could hardly be more timely.

Tottenham go into the Bolton match in fifth place and with the top four automatically qualifying for Europe, Harry Redknapp badly needs a consistent goal-scorer.

Crouch said: “I was due a goal and it was all the better because it won us the match. I know people have been criticising me for not getting more and I admit I should have done.

“But I have played my part in a lot of the goals we have scored this season and I have done my bit for the team.

“We are at the stage of the season where we need to pick up points and get among the Champions League places. Every point is precious.

“We are still in this year’s competition, of course, and next up is AC Milan but we cannot get ahead of ourselves and our focus is now on beating Bolton.

“Bolton are a tough side to beat and they will make life awkward for us on Saturday. The manager will be anxious for us to use our home advantage.”

Redknapp has his problems with Michael Dawson suspended and William Gallas playing on despite a hip injury for the benefit of the team.Redknapp named perennially injured Jonathan Woodgate on the bench for the first time in 16 months and may have to again this weekend.

Bolton had been going through a difficult spell until Daniel Sturridge came on as a substitute and scored the 93rd minute winner at home to Wolverhampton in midweek.

Sturridge, on loan until the end of the season, appears to have been the victim of the Fernando Torres signing at Chelsea and has moved north again to gather experience.

Sturridge became an instant hero for the Reebok crowd with his debut goal and has promised many more to come before his time is up.

The 21-year-old striker said: “My first goal will not be my last, I can assure fans of that. I am here to score goals and I will give everything for the cause while I am here.

“The manager told me before the match to be ready to come on and light the place up and afterwards he said I had done that.

“Bolton are up to eighth now and I think from what I saw against Wolves we can go even higher.

“There is a lot of competition for places at Chelsea and it is even tougher now Torres has arrived. Coming to Bolton has given me the chances to get some games in and show what I can do.”

Agences de presses

Labels: Bolton, Hotspur, Preview, SportsTicker, WanderersTottenham

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal could move to within a point of the Premier League summit with a win over Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Just a week after beating Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League, the Gunners play host to a club whose direct style is the antithesis of the Catalan giants’ passing game.

There is little love lost between Arsenal and Stoke, and an already strained relationship was further tested when Gunners manager Arsene Wenger compared the Potters’ tactics to that of a rugby game earlier this season.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has constantly defended his team’s approach to matches, and would be justified if he pointed to a disciplinary record that is significantly better than Arsenal’s so far this season.

However, it would be an injustice to talk about Stoke’s style as they continue to exceed expectations in their third season in the top flight. Currently tenth in the league, a weakened Potters line-up also reached their second FA Cup quarter-final in two years with a 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.

“We worked very hard all over the pitch,” Pulis said after the cup win. “Without the players’ commitment and attitude, irrespective of what the manager does, you’re not going to win.

“If you look at that (the Stoke team selection), I think it showed respect for the FA Cup and respect for Brighton.

“We were able to do it because we have got a good period where we play Arsenal on Wednesday and then West Brom on the following Monday - there is a good break between the games, and that is very important.”

In contrast, Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient on Sunday means that they can add an FA Cup replay to a hectic schedule of five games in 14 days, including the League Cup final against Birmingham and the return trip to Barcelona in the Champions League \2013 a fixture list which justifies Wenger’s decision to rest a number of key players for the weekend’s cup tie.

Despite the fixture pileup, Arsenal midfielder Alex Song is confident the Gunners can go on and win trophies this season, but has stressed how vital it is to pick up maximum points against Stoke.

“We have a very good team and always work very hard in training because this year is very important for us,” said the Cameroon international. “We want to do very well because everyone has been waiting for this moment for a long time.

“We are in a strong position because we are in four competitions and that is very good for us.

“We need just to take game by game. The next step is Wednesday against Stoke which is very important. It is important just to take the next step. If we win this game we are a point behind Manchester United.”

The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri all may return to the Arsenal starting line-up on Wednesday, although Johan Djourou is a doubt with a back injury and Abou Diaby remains unavailable through suspension.

Stoke are likely to start on-loan striker John Carew, but winger Matthew Etherington faces a late fitness test on a back problem and Mama Sidibe is unavailable due to recurrence of an Achilles injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Agences de presses

Labels: CityArsenal, preview, SportsTicker, Stoke

Toad migration closes Freiburg stadium exit road - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports YAHOO.Sports.ultPageInfo = {"ult" : true, "spaceid" : 95862813}; HomeNFLMLBNBANHLNCAAF NCAA Football NCAA Football Recruiting NCAA Football Video Rivals.com Home NCAAB NCAA Men's Basketball NCAA Women's Basketball NCAA Basketball Recruiting NCAA Basketball Video Rivals.com Home NASCARGolfUFCBoxingSoccerAction Sports GrindTV Home Skate Surf Snow Wake BMX Motocross More Tennis High School Aussie Football (AU) Horse Racing CFL IRL Cricket (IN) MLS Cycling NCAA Baseball Formula One(UK) Olympics Rugby(UK) WNBA Winter Sports All Sports VideoBlogs College Broadcast NewsPhotos My Sports News Expert Analysis Scoop Du Jour Most Emailed Transactions The Post GameShopFantasy World Soccer HomeWorld CupEnglandItalyGermanySpainNetherlandsFranceMLSPhotosBlogPlay Footyville Sports Search Trending Now: Albert PujolsMiguel CabreraDale Earnhardt Jr.Michael VickRichard Seymour Toad migration closes Freiburg stadium exit road 1 hour, 46 minutes ago

BERLIN (AP) —The migration of hundreds of toads to a nearby lake is forcing Freiburg to close an exit road from its stadium after a Bundesliga game against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

The club said Friday that Waldsee Street, which runs west of the Badenova stadium on the edge of the Black Forest, would remain closed after the final whistle, meaning fans will have to make alternative plans to get home.

A team statement said that “as an environmentally committed club SC Freiburg is taking the migration to the forest lake into account, and asks supporters for understanding.”

Updated 1 hour, 46 minutes ago Email Print Buzz up! digg add to facebook del.icio.us Twitter World Soccer Brazil's Pele fears World Cup embarrassmentFC Dallas signs 16-year-old goalkeeperGiggs signs 1-year contract extension at UnitedArsenal faces London derby in 5th round of FA CupSpoof 'Wally' photo embarrasses Greek club ArisAdelaide into 2nd round with 1-0 win over PhoenixFIFA, UEFA lose legal challenge over TV coverageLiverpool ties, Ajax wins in Europa League Little Crawley looks for huge upset at Man UnitedToad migration closes Freiburg stadium exit roadProtests in Yemen prompt soccer postponementPlayers told 'most' Romanian clubs can't pay wagesMalaga's Baptista out 4-6 weeks with knee injuryGodoy Cruz defeat Liga de Quito 2-1Liverpool draws, Ajax wins in Europa LeagueSparta draws 0-0 with Liverpool in Europa League There are no comments yet Select another sort option Show: Newest FirstOldest FirstHighest RatedMost Replied Post Comment Sign in to post a comment, or Sign up for a free account. 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Agences de presses

Labels: closes, Freiburg, migration, SportsTicker, stadium

By NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Daniel Sturridge was on target again as Bolton strengthened their position in the top half of the table with a 2-0 win over Everton.

The on-loan Chelsea striker netted his third goal in three games midway through the second half to kill off the visitors’ resistance at the Reebok Stadium.

The Toffees were already chasing the game after conceding an unlucky tenth-minute opener when Gary Cahill’s header took a telling deflection off Everton defender Johnny Heitinga.

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Labels: Bolton, Everton, SportsTicker, Wanderers

By DANIEL CUTTS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Niko Kranjcar’s superb late strike enabled Tottenham to beat Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and take Harry Redknapp’s team into fourth place in the Premier League table.

Spurs went three points above Chelsea and if they win their match in hand can go into third place ahead of Manchester City.

Tottenham’s third win in succession came after a sloppy and disappointing first half at the end of which they were fortunate to be level.

Sunderland took an early lead but failed to hold on and slumped to their third defeat in a row without surrendering seventh spot in the table.

The Black Cats looked to be well on their way to a morale-boosting home win after taking the lead in the eleventh minute.

The Spurs defence was exposed while William Gallas was off the pitch changing his boots allowing Asamoah Gyan to stride through and beat Heurelho Gomes with a powerful low shot.

That goal woke up Tottenham and there was a new urgency about them which resulted in the equaliser in the 44th minute.

England defender Michael Dawson was unmarked when he headed goalwards and the presence of Gallas near the line forced goalkeeper Craig Gordon to allow the effort to go through his legs.

There was not much in the second half to excite home fans and the winner came in the 57th minute from Kranjcar for the second successive week.

Last week the Croatia international’s left foot strike earned a last-minute win over Bolton. His goal this time was not dissimilar and just as effective.

Sunderland defender John Mensah cleared a cross from Sandro to him and the midfield player volleyed the ball home from the edge of the area.

Sunderland did step up their play after Kranjcar’s goal but Gomes was not threatened although he and striker Roman Pavlyuchenko were booked for time-wasting.

Tottenham manager Redknapp was delighted by the result and the way his side had stormed back after such a sloppy start.

“We just did not get going for the first half an hour. It was just one mistake after another and it took a goal to wake us up,” said Redknapp. “I don’t know why we were like that because we have been playing so well lately.

“But once we got level I always we would go on and win.

“Niko is making a habit of scoring brilliant goals. His goal last week was absolutely fantastic and this was right up there with one.”

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce felt his side had wasted good possession and not made the most of their flying start.

“We were on top for the first half, got a goal and looked well set,” said Bruce. “But they got a goal just before the break against the run of play and that set us back.

“In the second half we were never the same force but even so it took an exceptional goal to beat us.

“I just felt that we did not kill them off when we had the chance. One goal is never enough to see off a team of Tottenham’s quality.”

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Labels: fires, Kranjcar, SportsTicker, Tottenham, winner

NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - West Ham United have all the incentive they could ever want to beat Birmingham City at Upton Park on Sunday.

Victory would lift the Hammers above the Blues and out of the relegation zone \2013 and would exact some measure of revenge on their Midlands rivals for the League Cup semi-final defeat last week.

West Ham were just 11 minutes away from a place in their first Wembley final since 1981 before Birmingham hit back to level the tie on aggregate and then won it with an extra-time goal from Craig Gardner.

And let’s not forget that West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold used to occupy the same positions at St Andrew’s before selling up to Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, with whom they have had a less than amicable relationship.

All those factors, however, are mere sideshows compared to the all-consuming quest for Premier League survival \2013 something that West Ham feel is well within their reach following Wednesday night’s 3-1 win at Blackpool.

Robbie Keane, who was snapped up on loan from Tottenham on transfer deadline day, marked his debut with a goal and Victor Obinna scored twice to follow-up his hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at the weekend.

West Ham are looking to become only the second team since the Premier League was formed in 1992 to avoid being relegated after being bottom of the table at Christmas.

“It would be a massive achievement for us,” captain Scott Parker told West Ham TV. “I think we’re good enough to stay in this league but we need to prove that and win games.

“It would be massive for everyone in there because it has been difficult at times this year, on and off the field. Sometimes it’s not been easy.

“We’ve made things difficult ourselves but all we can do is stay together and try to win football matches.

“We’d defy history if we could stay up so it would be great.”

The league table would make for even grimmer reading for Birmingham had they not battled back from two goals down to snatch a point when these two teams met in November.

“We know they’re a great side, they’ve got quality players who maybe have not been playing to their maximum so far,” first-team coach Peter Grant told Sky Sports News. “They’ve added to that with the likes of Robbie Keane who I had the joy to work with up at Celtic, so they’ve got top, top quality players and we’re going to have to be at our best to get a result, that’s for sure.”

Birmingham twice fought back from a goal down to earn a valuable point with a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Wednesday, but they have won only once in their last nine league games.

Alex McLeish’s side are still waiting for a visa for their new signing, Obafemi Martins, the Nigeria striker who has joined on loan from Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan until the end of the season.

“We want him back as soon as possible,” McLeish said. “We will try and get him back for the West Ham game and will take it to the wire.

“If he is back on Saturday, we will include him in the squad. We just need to get the red tape sorted.”

Striker Cameron Jerome and midfielder Barry Ferguson are both doubtful for Blues with ankle injuries. Roger Johnson will have a late fitness test on a calf problem and Curtis Davies is standing by to make his debut should the central defender be ruled out.

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Labels: Birmingham, CityWest, preview, SportsTicker, United