Countries
Thu, August 9th 2007
In a BBC interview, Fifa vice-president has declared his dislike of England and how he will fight to derail England’s World Cup 2018 bid.
“There are moves to give it to England. I must fight that.
“It will be Italy, Spain, or even France who will get the World Cup if it goes to Europe.”
With no disrespect to Italy, Spain or France, but all three of those countries have hosted the World Cup since England, and must be less deserving than other European nations to hold the championships.
Warner goes on to claim that the Concacef should host the tournament, despite one his arguments against England being:
“England invented the sport but has never had made any impact on world football.”
From: BBC
Rangers are set to sign French striker Daniel Cousin for $1.5 million. Cousin is so unpopular with his current club Lens’ fans that he now only plays in away games.
The first signs that he might get the move he craves came when Lens agreed he would no longer have to play in their home matches.
Cousin has been given a torrid time by Lens fans and insists fears over his own safety sparked an unusual request to be used in away games only.
From: The Daily Record
Thu, August 2nd 2007
Fifa has warned the Scottish FA that its plan to use video evidence to hand out retrospective yellow cards for diving would contravene the rules.
If that wasn’t bad enough…
Fifa suggests that it would first have to propose a rule change to the International FA Board, but that does not meet until March.
March! That’s 8 months time. Surely a Fifa committee can meet more frequently than this - what do they do for the rest of the year?
From: BBC - Fifa could thwart SFA video plan
When asked if he [Van Persie] would be prepared to revert from attractive football to play for a side who won 1-0 every week and earned more trophies, Van Persie replied: “Small chance. The way I see it, I would never give that up. There are only a few teams in Europe who play the way Arsenal play. I will always play for a team where I earn less money but play fantastic football rather than a team where you can earn lots of money and win every week…
“I don’t like to run after people all game long; I like that they run after me.”
Without meaning to slander a whole nation, there’s something very Dutch about that statement. Style counting more than substance.
It’s one thing to say he is prepared to be paid less money to play in the style he wants, but when the amount of money he is earning is so much greater than the fans that are paying his wages who are wanting to win trophies, it sticks in the throat a bit.
From: The Guardian
Mon, November 6th 2006
Italians and French dominate best eleven
Barcelona and Brazil’s Ronaldinho has been named the world’s top player for the second time in succession in FIFPro’s poll of over 40,000 players worldwide.
Tue, October 31st 2006
Barcelona 2 - Chelsea 2
After Didier Drogba’s injury time equaliser you could be forgiven for thinking Mourinho’s Chelsea had beaten Barcelona, such was the the psychological blow that the Spanish club’s players seemed to receive.
Wed, October 18th 2006
Following wins over Latvia and Spain, Northern Ireland have soared to 45th, breaking into the top 50 for the first time in over 10 years. They are are now four places above the Republic of Ireland, who have fallen six places to 49th following five defeats in seven matches under Steve Staunton, including a 5-2 rout by Cyprus.
Under Sanchez, Northern Ireland have risen from 124th place
From: The Guardian
See also: FIFA Rankings
Thu, October 12th 2006
New coach's honeymoon period over
A sample of the media criticism levelled at the England team and management after their dismal 2-nil defeat to Croatia.
Wed, October 11th 2006
With Jamie Carragher and Scott Parker included in tonight’s England team, the much advertised five man midfield now contains their 2 full-backs, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville.
Surely that makes it a 5 man defence, rather than a 5 man midfield.
Mon, October 9th 2006
Venables to push for his favoured 5 man midfield
Newspapers having been reporting with increasing frequency that England are to start playing a 3-5-2 formation for their Euro qualifier against Croatia. England’s players don’t seem to want it, and coach McClaren seems happier with a 4-4-2. Is Terry Venables finally getting his way?