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June 20 (Reuters) - Reuters and Action Images, in conjunction with the News Media Coalition trade association, are currently in discussions with the English football leagues and their data management company, Football DataCo (FDC) over the terms and conditions of journalist/photographer access to matches during the 2011/12 season.

Reuters remains committed to providing its subscribers with the best possible coverage, however, we believe that the agreement under which we have been asked to operate is at odds with the right of the public to access information wherever and whenever it chooses.

In addition, the current End User Licence procedure, under which all media wishing to make use of league content for online or mobile purposes need to procure a licence from FDC, is also under discussion. We are unable, at this point, to confirm whether or not this procedure will be in place for the new season.

Our views and those of the NMC have been communicated to the relevant league representatives and we are awaiting their response. We will ensure that our subscribers are kept advised of any news or developments. (Editing by Ossian Shine)

Labels: advisory, ADVISORYClient, coverage, English, Regarding, Reuters, soccer

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.”

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.

Labels: German, Review, soccer, SportsTicker, urges

* Calls for review in light of corruption scandal

* FIFA should act against “cancerous tumour”

* Blatter re-election should not be delayed

(Adds details, background)

BERLIN, June 1 (Reuters) - The head of Germany’s soccer federation on Wednesday called for soccer’s governing body FIFA to re-examine the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, following a corruption scandal.

“There is a considerable degree of suspicion that one cannot simply sweep aside, and I must expect that awarding this World Cup under these conditions needs to be examined anew,” Theo Zwanziger told German television, referring to Qatar.

“I first would like to comment on how that should be done when I know more about the facts. Like I said, I’m an outsider and was not a member of the executive,” he said.

The game’s reputation has come intense scrutiny after a spate of corruption allegations, the suspension of two senior FIFA officials and suggestions Qatar bought the 2022 World Cup, accusations the Gulf state has strenuously denied.

“If FIFA behaves the way people expect, that is by clearly taking action against this cancerous tumour of bribery, then there is no need for these concerns,” Zwanziger said, referring to fears sponsors could start pulling out.

“None of us could have imagined such a scandal. There is no end to the suspicions falling on members the FIFA executive,” he said.

“The task now is to shed light in a determined fashion, punish the guilty and develop mechanisms that prevent something like this from ever happening again,” Zwanziger added.

He rejected a call by the English soccer federation FA to delay the re-election of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, as this would leave the body without a leader to take charge and finally get to the bottom of the allegations.

Zwanziger however said he was pushing for a secret ballot, so any critics could submit a protest vote without fear of any reprisals. (Reporting by Christiaan Hetzner; Editing by Jon Boyle)

Labels: German, Qatar, Reuters, reviewed, soccer, wants, World

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.

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.”

Labels: Argentina, needed, soccer, Tests

TOKYO (AP)—The cancellation of soccer games in Japan has been extended into early April because of the devastation from the earthquake, tsunami and radiation leaks.

Japansese soccer authorities already had decided that the nation’s two top leagues would not play for the rest of March. Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that clubs from those leagues met Tuesday in Tokyo and decided to call of games for April 2 and 3.

Kashima Antlers President Shigeru Ibata was quoted as saying after the meeting that “there’s no telling when we can restart the league again.” He added: “The situation is getting worse by the day.”

Top-tier clubs Vegalta Sendai and Montedio Yamagata, plus Mito Hollyhock of J-League 2 all sustained serious damage.

Labels: April, cancellations, early, extended, Japan, soccer

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)—The head of Asia’s soccer federation says he’ll wait until Friday before saying if he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

Mohamed bin Hammam is president of the Asian Football Confederation. His decision is to be announced at a news conference at the federation’s Malaysian headquarters.

The 61-year-old Qatari has served on FIFA’s executive committee since 1996. Blatter has been FIFA president since 1998 and is up for re-election June 1 for a fourth four-year term.

Hammam declined to discuss his possible challenge when he met with reporters Wednesday.

Labels: announce, Asian, Chief, election, plans, soccer

LONDON (AP)—For The Daily Telegraph of London, the announcement from England cricketer Steven Davies that he is gay was worthy of its front page, alongside Libya’s struggle to be rid of Moammar Gadhafi and a story about how parents should treat fevers in children.

How sad.

Two decades into the 21st century, the day when a top athlete’s sexuality is not news at all still seems so distant. It cannot come fast enough.

It reflects poorly on professional sports that the number of openly gay athletes can generally be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Gareth Thomas in rugby. The Welshman’s coming out in 2009 made him such a trailblazer that actor Mickey Rourke is talking about making a movie of his life.

In cricket, Davies is England’s first professional player to publicly announce he is gay. The wicketkeeper says he was inspired him by Thomas’ example, who “showed me it can be done.”

Davies says “there was no one to look up to” before Thomas.

And at the top of soccer?

No one. Just silence that grows more deafening with each athlete from another sport who speaks up.

Statistically, logically, naturally, there must be gay players at Manchester United, Barcelona or other big clubs. But they, their friends and families are keeping that secret for whatever reason. Like Davies before he found the courage to tell his England teammates, perhaps they dread the moment when dressing room talk turns to the subject of girlfriends.

Maybe they don’t want to be subjected to the intolerant chants that fans directed last March against Thomas. Or, like Thomas, perhaps they don’t want to be known as a gay soccer player and fear that if they come out, people will see no further than their sexuality and not see a soccer player who just happens to be gay.

Perhaps, like international rugby referee Nigel Owens or two-time Grand Slam tournament winner Amelie Mauresmo, they would prove that being openly gay is not a career-killer. Owens has said that talking about being gay was liberating, “my refereeing improved because I was happy and my career took off.”

Whatever the reason, soccer leaders should feel ashamed that gay players haven’t been made to feel comfortable enough to speak freely.

The boss of world soccer, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in December saw fit to make light of the lack of gay rights in Qatar. With a smile, Blatter said gay fans “should refrain from any sexual activities” while in the Gulf kingdom that will host the 2022 World Cup.

Blatter later apologized. But it is no laughing matter that gay soccer players find it even harder to come out than gay politicians. It is not funny that a respected figure like Marcello Lippi, Italy’s World Cup-winning coach, felt it was acceptable to say in 2009 that gay soccer players should stay in the closet, that a gay soccer couple would create scandal in Italy and that he has never come across a gay player in four decades in the sport.

By speaking out, Davies makes such intolerance seem still more unacceptable.

“It is putting a lot more pressure on other sports, with football being the main one,” says Gary Nunn, a spokesman for British gay rights campaign group Stonewall.

“We definitely need more role models in football,” he adds. “We’re OK with our gay cricketers and gay rugby players, but with football, it’s quite concerning.”

Davies says deciding to speak about his sexuality was even more nerve-racking than facing Brett Lee, which is saying something given that the Australian bowler has fired down balls at nearly 100 mph (160 kph). The more gay athletes follow the path laid by Thomas and Davies, the closer sports get to a day when this no longer has to be on front pages.

“We want to get to the stage where this doesn’t become news,” says Nunn, “where it becomes totally matter of fact.”

John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org

Labels: players, please, soccer, stand