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Thirteen centuries ago, Arabs invaded Spain, bringing civilization. Now, they could be invading again, bringing soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera has initiated “informal contacts” with Barcelona-based Mediapro to explore the possibility of acquiring Spanish soccer league TV rights from September 2015, according to local news website El Confidencial Digital.
This is big news for Spain, but has wider implications for other parts of the world. Some years ago, Al Jazeera made a series of aggressive moves in the news business, quickly building its global brand. Now Al Jazeera, which has plenty of money behind it, has shaken up French sports coverage, so established players are watching what happens next in Spain.
Incumbents fear that Al Jazeera will not follow market logic; in other words, it would be willing to take a loss to establish itself in the market.
“Al Jazeera has a longterm business model. It can’t possibly be breaking even on its soccer rights investment in France,” said Francois Godard, at Enders Analysis.
In France and Spain, “the fear for Canal Plus is that Al Jazeera will throw zillions at the next soccer rights auction, destroying the Canal Plus business model,” Godard added.
Al Jazeera could not be reached for clarification on any talks in Spain. But conversations, however informal, between Al Jazeera and Mediapro are likely, as the latter produces and arranges transmission of French soccer games for Al Jazeera Sports Media Network’s BeIN sports channels. These air on giant paybox Canal Plus, as part of its satellite offer.
If Al Jazeera does move into Spain, it looks set to shake up the sports rights market, which is dominated by Mediapro and pay-TV platform Canal Plus, majority owned by Madrid-based media conglom Prisa.
Mediapro owns rights to most Spanish clubs’ league games, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, paying close to €600 million ($770 million) a year. It almost certainly won’t be able to afford that much again when the rights expire in 2015.
El Confidencial suggested Mediapro might ally with BeIN from the 2015-16 season to produce the transmission of Spanish league soccer games, but not own the rights.
Alternatively, one analyst conjectured that Al Jazeera could pact with Prisa TV, which bought soccer pay-TV rights from Mediapro through 2015 for Canal Plus Spain. It could leverage the dominant distribution platform for soccer rather than create its own pay-TV channel.
Prisa has debts of $3.95 billion, and with subs at Canal Plus languishing at 1.72 million year-end 2012, Prisa took a $377.5 million impairment charge on the future prospects of its pay-TV business in its 2012 results. It could well be open to an approach from Al Jazeera.
Time will tell. Qatar will host the 2022 soccer FIFA World Cup.
In a show of just how far Qatar has already come as a soccer grandee, however, on Tuesday night, soccer stars David Beckham and Lionel Messi played in a crunch quarter final of the UEFA Champions League, pitching Paris Saint Germain against Barcelona.
Qatar owns Paris Saint Germain, France’s top-ranking club; its Qatar Foundation sponsors Barcelona. It received a one-hour post-match re-transmission on BeIN in France.
Al Jazeera Aims to Score with Soccer | Variety
Qatar-based Al Jazeera has initiated “informal contacts” with Barcelona-based Mediapro to explore the possibility of acquiring Spanish soccer league TV rights from September 2015, according to local news website El Confidencial Digital.
This is big news for Spain, but has wider implications for other parts of the world. Some years ago, Al Jazeera made a series of aggressive moves in the news business, quickly building its global brand. Now Al Jazeera, which has plenty of money behind it, has shaken up French sports coverage, so established players are watching what happens next in Spain.
Incumbents fear that Al Jazeera will not follow market logic; in other words, it would be willing to take a loss to establish itself in the market.
“Al Jazeera has a longterm business model. It can’t possibly be breaking even on its soccer rights investment in France,” said Francois Godard, at Enders Analysis.
In France and Spain, “the fear for Canal Plus is that Al Jazeera will throw zillions at the next soccer rights auction, destroying the Canal Plus business model,” Godard added.
Al Jazeera could not be reached for clarification on any talks in Spain. But conversations, however informal, between Al Jazeera and Mediapro are likely, as the latter produces and arranges transmission of French soccer games for Al Jazeera Sports Media Network’s BeIN sports channels. These air on giant paybox Canal Plus, as part of its satellite offer.
If Al Jazeera does move into Spain, it looks set to shake up the sports rights market, which is dominated by Mediapro and pay-TV platform Canal Plus, majority owned by Madrid-based media conglom Prisa.
Mediapro owns rights to most Spanish clubs’ league games, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, paying close to €600 million ($770 million) a year. It almost certainly won’t be able to afford that much again when the rights expire in 2015.
El Confidencial suggested Mediapro might ally with BeIN from the 2015-16 season to produce the transmission of Spanish league soccer games, but not own the rights.
Alternatively, one analyst conjectured that Al Jazeera could pact with Prisa TV, which bought soccer pay-TV rights from Mediapro through 2015 for Canal Plus Spain. It could leverage the dominant distribution platform for soccer rather than create its own pay-TV channel.
Prisa has debts of $3.95 billion, and with subs at Canal Plus languishing at 1.72 million year-end 2012, Prisa took a $377.5 million impairment charge on the future prospects of its pay-TV business in its 2012 results. It could well be open to an approach from Al Jazeera.
Time will tell. Qatar will host the 2022 soccer FIFA World Cup.
In a show of just how far Qatar has already come as a soccer grandee, however, on Tuesday night, soccer stars David Beckham and Lionel Messi played in a crunch quarter final of the UEFA Champions League, pitching Paris Saint Germain against Barcelona.
Qatar owns Paris Saint Germain, France’s top-ranking club; its Qatar Foundation sponsors Barcelona. It received a one-hour post-match re-transmission on BeIN in France.
Al Jazeera Aims to Score with Soccer | Variety
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2006/12/07
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The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday removed a popular Colombian soccer team from its list of alleged front companies for drug trafficking as Colombia continues to make strides in its fight against the illegal drug trade.
America, as the professional team from the city of Cali is known, was placed in 1995 on a list of companies and individuals thought to be linked to the drug trade, because at that time it was controlled by the leaders of the once-powerful Cali Cartel, Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela.
“Because that is no longer the case, the Treasury Department today is delisting America de Cali,” a statement from Treasury said.
Inclusion on the list–commonly referred to in Colombia as the “Clinton list”–for the past nearly 20 years meant U.S. citizens were prohibited from doing business with the team. Also, some $1 million in assets the team had in the U.S. were frozen. Those restrictions have now been lifted.
The de-listing couldn’t come at a better time for the red-uniformed America, which was relegated to Colombia’s B division in 2011 as financial troubles forced it to cut good players. The salaries of its current players reportedly average just a few thousand dollars a month.
The announcement out of Washington, which has been anticipated for weeks in Colombia, was cause for celebration in sweltering Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia after Bogota and Medellin. The soccer team and Colombia’s national sports institute Coldeportes scheduled a press conference for Wednesday, which was to be followed by luncheons and parties with live music and cold drinks.
Oreste Sangiovanni, the soccer team’s president, called Wednesday “a great day for America de Cali,” saying it represents a re-birth for the team that will put it back on track to financial stability and success on the field.
“After fulfilling all the U.S. government’s demands, America is off the Clinton list,” Mr. Sangiovanni told La FM radio station. The team, he said, “has been clean for a long while now … and with this [de-listing] we’re ready to return America to greatness, only this time with legal money.”
The de-listing is also good news for the country of Colombia, which for decades has been viewed as the world’s cocaine capital. In recent years Colombia has begun to get a handle on the illegal drug trade, with the help of billions of dollars in U.S. aid and anti-narcotics training. Authorities here have taken down once-powerful drug organizations and have notched record cocaine seizures and destruction of cocaine-processing labs.
For all that, however, Colombia remains the world’s top cocaine producer. The government is hoping a possible peace deal this year with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, could greatly reduce the drug trade, as the FARC is seen as the country’s most powerful drug-running group.
“As we continue our work with the Colombian government to combat the threat of narcotics trafficking, we will use our authorities to target those responsible for illicit behavior just as we will lift sanctions in cases where there has been a concrete change in behavior,” said U.S. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen.
U.S. Lifts Ban on Colombian Soccer Team - Washington Wire - WSJ
America, as the professional team from the city of Cali is known, was placed in 1995 on a list of companies and individuals thought to be linked to the drug trade, because at that time it was controlled by the leaders of the once-powerful Cali Cartel, Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela.
“Because that is no longer the case, the Treasury Department today is delisting America de Cali,” a statement from Treasury said.
Inclusion on the list–commonly referred to in Colombia as the “Clinton list”–for the past nearly 20 years meant U.S. citizens were prohibited from doing business with the team. Also, some $1 million in assets the team had in the U.S. were frozen. Those restrictions have now been lifted.
The de-listing couldn’t come at a better time for the red-uniformed America, which was relegated to Colombia’s B division in 2011 as financial troubles forced it to cut good players. The salaries of its current players reportedly average just a few thousand dollars a month.
The announcement out of Washington, which has been anticipated for weeks in Colombia, was cause for celebration in sweltering Cali, the third-largest city in Colombia after Bogota and Medellin. The soccer team and Colombia’s national sports institute Coldeportes scheduled a press conference for Wednesday, which was to be followed by luncheons and parties with live music and cold drinks.
Oreste Sangiovanni, the soccer team’s president, called Wednesday “a great day for America de Cali,” saying it represents a re-birth for the team that will put it back on track to financial stability and success on the field.
“After fulfilling all the U.S. government’s demands, America is off the Clinton list,” Mr. Sangiovanni told La FM radio station. The team, he said, “has been clean for a long while now … and with this [de-listing] we’re ready to return America to greatness, only this time with legal money.”
The de-listing is also good news for the country of Colombia, which for decades has been viewed as the world’s cocaine capital. In recent years Colombia has begun to get a handle on the illegal drug trade, with the help of billions of dollars in U.S. aid and anti-narcotics training. Authorities here have taken down once-powerful drug organizations and have notched record cocaine seizures and destruction of cocaine-processing labs.
For all that, however, Colombia remains the world’s top cocaine producer. The government is hoping a possible peace deal this year with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, could greatly reduce the drug trade, as the FARC is seen as the country’s most powerful drug-running group.
“As we continue our work with the Colombian government to combat the threat of narcotics trafficking, we will use our authorities to target those responsible for illicit behavior just as we will lift sanctions in cases where there has been a concrete change in behavior,” said U.S. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen.
U.S. Lifts Ban on Colombian Soccer Team - Washington Wire - WSJ
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Players, former players, officials and members of the public were part of a daylong program in New York’s Times Square on Thursday as U.S. Soccer continued to commemorate its founding 100 years ago, on April 5, 1913, in Manhattan.
The event Thursday was held on Broadway between West 45th and 46th Streets and included the federation president, Sunil Gulati; the coach of the men’s national team, Jurgen Klinsmann; the former players Jimmy Conrad, Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos, Carli Lloyd, and Michelle Akers; the former coach of the women’s national team and national team player, April Heinrichs; and a member of the 1950 U.S. World Cup team and former coach at Penn State, Walt Bahr.
During the program, fans were able to take penalty kicks and play games on a small-sided field, chat with the players and officials who attended and take pictures with the 1991 and 1999 Women’s World Cup trophies.
The week’s festivities conclude on Friday with a news conference at City Hall, a lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building and a viewing party at Nevada Smiths as the U.S. women’s team plays at Germany.
U.S. Soccer at Crossroads ... of the World - NYTimes-com
The event Thursday was held on Broadway between West 45th and 46th Streets and included the federation president, Sunil Gulati; the coach of the men’s national team, Jurgen Klinsmann; the former players Jimmy Conrad, Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos, Carli Lloyd, and Michelle Akers; the former coach of the women’s national team and national team player, April Heinrichs; and a member of the 1950 U.S. World Cup team and former coach at Penn State, Walt Bahr.
During the program, fans were able to take penalty kicks and play games on a small-sided field, chat with the players and officials who attended and take pictures with the 1991 and 1999 Women’s World Cup trophies.
The week’s festivities conclude on Friday with a news conference at City Hall, a lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building and a viewing party at Nevada Smiths as the U.S. women’s team plays at Germany.
U.S. Soccer at Crossroads ... of the World - NYTimes-com
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Celebrating the United States Soccer Federation's 100th year anniversary, Jurgen Klinsmann and Sunil Gulati were two very active men in New York City, visiting several landmarks to mark the occasion.
The pair started early in the morning by making a visit to Mayor's office at City Hall to receive an official proclaimation of U.S. Soccer's 100 years of existence - the governing body got its start in New York City on April 5, 1913. An hour later, they went to the Empire State Building to participate in the building's prestigious lighting ceremony. Sandwiched in between both events was Klinsmann and Gulati's visit to Major League Soccer's headquarters where the two men answered questions for approximately 40 minutes about the U.S. men's team. Based on statements made, both men appeared adamant to manage expectations and point to areas where the U.S. has progressed over Klinsmann's two years as head coach.
Here are some highlights from the roundtable discussion:
U.S. men very committed to adopting attacking style
Klinsmann has been criticized for getting results in a similar manner to his precessor, Bob Bradley. The attacking style that the former Germany boss promised in his first press conference hasn't come to fruition yet but Klinsmann insists that it is still the goal for U.S. soccer.
"That's the style that we all agree is what we want to play," Klinsmann said. "Obviously, it depends on the opponent. If you are playing against an attack minded Mexican team then you get less possession than you want to."
He added, "I want us to be more proactive on the field to play high-pressure football and keep the ball. Some games it goes better and some games it doesn't."
Klinsmann pointed to the Costa Rica match as an example. He stated that if there weren't blizzard-like conditions in Denver, the U.S.'s strong play in the first half would have resulted in the team scoring two or three goals. One reporter pointed out that Klinsmann has used 25 lineups in his 25 games in charge and the U.S. coach admitted that the team hasn't had a full chance to develop a chemistry due to availability issues from injuries and clubs holding out players. He expects that the team's scoring will go up in the team's home qualifiers in June against Panama and Honduras.
Klinsmann and Gulati also pointed to Tab Ramos's work with the U-20 squad. Despite losing in the U-20 World Cup qualifying tournament final, Ramos was praised for having a team that focused on attacking and possesion. Klinsmann described Ramos' progress as a sign of the U.S. beginning to develop a more aggressive style of play. Which leads to the next point...
U.S. wants more diversity and to focus on Hispanic players
Over the past two years, the U.S. has become increasingly aggressive in attracting Hispanic players in the hope of finding guys who can implement Klinsmann's preferred possession style.
While the team hasn't outwardly stated that goal usually subtly hinting at that objective, on Friday Klinsmann and Gulati both admitted that the team wants to attract the best possible players to the team and are actively seeking Hispanic and African-American players for the roster.
"To the extent that we can reach out to the Hispanic community, to the African-American community and be more inclusive, that's a plus," Gulati stated at the roundtable discussion.
Klinsmann discussed how the team is very active in recruiting interested Latino players and making sure that they don't slip out of the U.S.'s grasp. He revealed how he is constantly in touch with potential future U.S. nationals and their current club coaches to check on their statuses and impart why they would be a good fit for the Stars and Stripes.
"We try to find all of the talents out there no matter what their backgrounds are," Klinsmann explained. "The more Latino players that we have, that can add a special quality to our program. No matter what age group, we will go after them"
"We are sending signals to a lot of people that we are open, we are following them no matter what background they are," he added.
Klinsmann doesn't have reservations about Donovan return
The U.S. boss pointed out that Landon Donovan has been available for less than a third of Klinsmann's matches but he is eager to see how the American star progresses on his match fitness. When healthy and motivated, Donovan is arguably the U.S.'s best playmaker even at age 31.
"I'm just observing where he's at and how he gets into his rhythm in games and judging his performance," Klinsmann said. "He does improve us on the field."
There will be lingering questions about team chemistry after Donovan's self-imposed sabbatical saw him miss key Hexagonal matches against Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico, but Klinsmann insisted that he doesn't expect there to be any negative feedback to the forward's return.
Bocanegra still in the mix
U.S. captain Bocanega's exclusion from the senior side was a bold decision from Klinsmann and the move paid off by the emergence of Matt Besler in the backline. Both newcomers Besler and Omar Gonzalez had breakout performances for the U.S. and paired with Geoff Cameron's strong play in the back, many have speculated if Bocanegra no longer has a place with the national team.
Klinsmann was quick to dismiss that view and was adamant that he appreciates Bocanegra's veteran presence on the team. Still, he admitted that spots at the center back position are on the line as the U.S. continues to fight for qualification to next year's World Cup.
Klinsmann stated: "You know what you have in Carlos and (Clarence) Goodson as those are guys who have been with the program for a long time. So you want to show them the respect that they deserve. You want to tell them honestly that you want to see competition. You want to see at the end of the day who is ready for a huge World Cup.
"As I've always said, we aren't closing the door on anyone," he continued. "The
The pair started early in the morning by making a visit to Mayor's office at City Hall to receive an official proclaimation of U.S. Soccer's 100 years of existence - the governing body got its start in New York City on April 5, 1913. An hour later, they went to the Empire State Building to participate in the building's prestigious lighting ceremony. Sandwiched in between both events was Klinsmann and Gulati's visit to Major League Soccer's headquarters where the two men answered questions for approximately 40 minutes about the U.S. men's team. Based on statements made, both men appeared adamant to manage expectations and point to areas where the U.S. has progressed over Klinsmann's two years as head coach.
Here are some highlights from the roundtable discussion:
U.S. men very committed to adopting attacking style
Klinsmann has been criticized for getting results in a similar manner to his precessor, Bob Bradley. The attacking style that the former Germany boss promised in his first press conference hasn't come to fruition yet but Klinsmann insists that it is still the goal for U.S. soccer.
"That's the style that we all agree is what we want to play," Klinsmann said. "Obviously, it depends on the opponent. If you are playing against an attack minded Mexican team then you get less possession than you want to."
He added, "I want us to be more proactive on the field to play high-pressure football and keep the ball. Some games it goes better and some games it doesn't."
Klinsmann pointed to the Costa Rica match as an example. He stated that if there weren't blizzard-like conditions in Denver, the U.S.'s strong play in the first half would have resulted in the team scoring two or three goals. One reporter pointed out that Klinsmann has used 25 lineups in his 25 games in charge and the U.S. coach admitted that the team hasn't had a full chance to develop a chemistry due to availability issues from injuries and clubs holding out players. He expects that the team's scoring will go up in the team's home qualifiers in June against Panama and Honduras.
Klinsmann and Gulati also pointed to Tab Ramos's work with the U-20 squad. Despite losing in the U-20 World Cup qualifying tournament final, Ramos was praised for having a team that focused on attacking and possesion. Klinsmann described Ramos' progress as a sign of the U.S. beginning to develop a more aggressive style of play. Which leads to the next point...
U.S. wants more diversity and to focus on Hispanic players
Over the past two years, the U.S. has become increasingly aggressive in attracting Hispanic players in the hope of finding guys who can implement Klinsmann's preferred possession style.
While the team hasn't outwardly stated that goal usually subtly hinting at that objective, on Friday Klinsmann and Gulati both admitted that the team wants to attract the best possible players to the team and are actively seeking Hispanic and African-American players for the roster.
"To the extent that we can reach out to the Hispanic community, to the African-American community and be more inclusive, that's a plus," Gulati stated at the roundtable discussion.
Klinsmann discussed how the team is very active in recruiting interested Latino players and making sure that they don't slip out of the U.S.'s grasp. He revealed how he is constantly in touch with potential future U.S. nationals and their current club coaches to check on their statuses and impart why they would be a good fit for the Stars and Stripes.
"We try to find all of the talents out there no matter what their backgrounds are," Klinsmann explained. "The more Latino players that we have, that can add a special quality to our program. No matter what age group, we will go after them"
"We are sending signals to a lot of people that we are open, we are following them no matter what background they are," he added.
Klinsmann doesn't have reservations about Donovan return
The U.S. boss pointed out that Landon Donovan has been available for less than a third of Klinsmann's matches but he is eager to see how the American star progresses on his match fitness. When healthy and motivated, Donovan is arguably the U.S.'s best playmaker even at age 31.
"I'm just observing where he's at and how he gets into his rhythm in games and judging his performance," Klinsmann said. "He does improve us on the field."
There will be lingering questions about team chemistry after Donovan's self-imposed sabbatical saw him miss key Hexagonal matches against Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico, but Klinsmann insisted that he doesn't expect there to be any negative feedback to the forward's return.
Bocanegra still in the mix
U.S. captain Bocanega's exclusion from the senior side was a bold decision from Klinsmann and the move paid off by the emergence of Matt Besler in the backline. Both newcomers Besler and Omar Gonzalez had breakout performances for the U.S. and paired with Geoff Cameron's strong play in the back, many have speculated if Bocanegra no longer has a place with the national team.
Klinsmann was quick to dismiss that view and was adamant that he appreciates Bocanegra's veteran presence on the team. Still, he admitted that spots at the center back position are on the line as the U.S. continues to fight for qualification to next year's World Cup.
Klinsmann stated: "You know what you have in Carlos and (Clarence) Goodson as those are guys who have been with the program for a long time. So you want to show them the respect that they deserve. You want to tell them honestly that you want to see competition. You want to see at the end of the day who is ready for a huge World Cup.
"As I've always said, we aren't closing the door on anyone," he continued. "The
Join:
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Messages:
29893
If Saturday's La Liga match at home to Real Mallorca was a test to see if Barcelona could cope without Lionel Messi, they passed it with flying colours.
The World Player of the Year was ruled out with a damaged hamstring, the first league game he has missed through injury since the 2010-11 season, but Barca made light of his absence with a crushing 5-0 victory that maintained their 13-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid with eight games left.
The performance was all the more impressive given that coach Tito Vilanova rested several key players, including midfielder Sergio Busquets, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg at home to Paris St Germain.
Mallorca, who are bottom of the table, are battling to maintain their top-flight status but were swept aside by a masterly Barca performance with Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta in inspired form.
Fabregas, operating in Messi's roving forward role, scored his first hat-trick since returning to his boyhood club from Arsenal in 2011 and Alexis netted twice and set up two goals.
Alex Song, who has struggled to settle since joining from Arsenal, was solid in Busquets's holding midfield position, while centre back Marc Bartra played well enough to suggest he might be an effective replacement for the injured Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano alongside Gerard Pique.
"When you don't have a player like Messi available there's no doubt that you have a problem," assistant coach Jordi Roura told a post-match news conference.
"The squad once again showed their enormous quality," he added. "Everyone performed at a high level."
FALSE NINE
It is not clear whether Messi, who has scored 43 goals in La Liga and eight in the Champions League this season, will be back for Wednesday's game against PSG, when the teams will resume locked at 2-2.
If he fails to make it, Fabregas, who came through the club's youth ranks with Messi and has regularly played in the "false nine" position for Spain in recent years, looks to be a fine replacement.
"Cesc adapts perfectly to this 'false nine' position and he played an extraordinary match," Roura said.
"It's one more option that we have," he added. "But I would also like to single out Song's performance. In fact, in general everyone played very well."
With fierce competition for places, Fabregas has not been an automatic starter this season.
He said he did not think Saturday's performance was his best but noted that in football goals were all-important.
"I feel very comfortable playing as a false striker but the best player in the world plays there," he told reporters.
"I am still a midfielder," the 25-year-old added.
"We scored early, we were able to see some nice play and the fans had a good time. It's easy to play with Alexis, he's a player with a lot of qualities."
Barca pointed out before the Mallorca game that they had won 13 and drawn one of the La Liga, King's Cup and Champions League games Messi has not featured in over the past three seasons.
"There is life beyond Messi," they wrote on their website (FC Barcelona Web Oficial - Barça | FCBarcelona.es). "Maybe it's not as beautiful, but it exists."
Y! SPORTS
The World Player of the Year was ruled out with a damaged hamstring, the first league game he has missed through injury since the 2010-11 season, but Barca made light of his absence with a crushing 5-0 victory that maintained their 13-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid with eight games left.
The performance was all the more impressive given that coach Tito Vilanova rested several key players, including midfielder Sergio Busquets, ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg at home to Paris St Germain.
Mallorca, who are bottom of the table, are battling to maintain their top-flight status but were swept aside by a masterly Barca performance with Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta in inspired form.
Fabregas, operating in Messi's roving forward role, scored his first hat-trick since returning to his boyhood club from Arsenal in 2011 and Alexis netted twice and set up two goals.
Alex Song, who has struggled to settle since joining from Arsenal, was solid in Busquets's holding midfield position, while centre back Marc Bartra played well enough to suggest he might be an effective replacement for the injured Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano alongside Gerard Pique.
"When you don't have a player like Messi available there's no doubt that you have a problem," assistant coach Jordi Roura told a post-match news conference.
"The squad once again showed their enormous quality," he added. "Everyone performed at a high level."
FALSE NINE
It is not clear whether Messi, who has scored 43 goals in La Liga and eight in the Champions League this season, will be back for Wednesday's game against PSG, when the teams will resume locked at 2-2.
If he fails to make it, Fabregas, who came through the club's youth ranks with Messi and has regularly played in the "false nine" position for Spain in recent years, looks to be a fine replacement.
"Cesc adapts perfectly to this 'false nine' position and he played an extraordinary match," Roura said.
"It's one more option that we have," he added. "But I would also like to single out Song's performance. In fact, in general everyone played very well."
With fierce competition for places, Fabregas has not been an automatic starter this season.
He said he did not think Saturday's performance was his best but noted that in football goals were all-important.
"I feel very comfortable playing as a false striker but the best player in the world plays there," he told reporters.
"I am still a midfielder," the 25-year-old added.
"We scored early, we were able to see some nice play and the fans had a good time. It's easy to play with Alexis, he's a player with a lot of qualities."
Barca pointed out before the Mallorca game that they had won 13 and drawn one of the La Liga, King's Cup and Champions League games Messi has not featured in over the past three seasons.
"There is life beyond Messi," they wrote on their website (FC Barcelona Web Oficial - Barça | FCBarcelona.es). "Maybe it's not as beautiful, but it exists."
Y! SPORTS
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Australia captain Lucas Neill has no intention of quitting international football to make way for the new generation and says the onus is on younger Socceroos to force senior players out of the team.
The 35-year-old former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United central defender is a member of Australia's 'golden generation' and represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup.
Now considering his club options after concluding a one-season deal with Sydney FC, Neill said his focus was on giving himself the best preparation for what he hopes will be a third successive World Cup finals appearance in Brazil next year.
"Once you play for Australia, it's not a job, it's an honour," he told Fox Sports TV's Sunday Shootout. "No one is going to tell me I'm retiring from Australia. I'm playing for my country and I'll play for as long as I can.
"It's up to somebody else to come and say: 'Right, I'm better than you now. A better leader and a better defender'.
"And I'll step aside."
While Neill's desire to play for the national team has not waned, Australia have struggled to get to grips with a generational transition.
German coach Holger Osieck said before a key World Cup qualifier against Oman last month that the form of younger players was offering him more and more options.
However, the Socceroos needed a man-of-the-match performance from 33-year-old Tim Cahill to drag them back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
Neill, who missed the match through suspension, said it was up to the young players to prove their worth on the pitch.
"When I was a young guy ... I never got my chance handed to me," Neill said.
"I had to fight for everything ... prove myself, make news all over the world, in Europe, and really be consistently playing well for my club to even get a sniff in the squad.
"I think the onus is on the players themselves. Not whether they play or who they play with, a big club or small club, but if they get their chance, they're playing for Australia."
The draw with Oman means Australia need to win at least a point in their next qualifier, away to runaway Asian Group B leaders Japan on June 4, to keep their campaign on track.
Neill thinks the Socceroos will still qualify and that he will be leading them in Brazil, wherever he ends up playing his club football next year.
"I'm confident we'll make Brazil and next year is arguably the biggest of my career because I need to be at my best to make sure Australia has the best chance in Brazil," he added.
Y! SPORTS
The 35-year-old former Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United central defender is a member of Australia's 'golden generation' and represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup.
Now considering his club options after concluding a one-season deal with Sydney FC, Neill said his focus was on giving himself the best preparation for what he hopes will be a third successive World Cup finals appearance in Brazil next year.
"Once you play for Australia, it's not a job, it's an honour," he told Fox Sports TV's Sunday Shootout. "No one is going to tell me I'm retiring from Australia. I'm playing for my country and I'll play for as long as I can.
"It's up to somebody else to come and say: 'Right, I'm better than you now. A better leader and a better defender'.
"And I'll step aside."
While Neill's desire to play for the national team has not waned, Australia have struggled to get to grips with a generational transition.
German coach Holger Osieck said before a key World Cup qualifier against Oman last month that the form of younger players was offering him more and more options.
However, the Socceroos needed a man-of-the-match performance from 33-year-old Tim Cahill to drag them back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
Neill, who missed the match through suspension, said it was up to the young players to prove their worth on the pitch.
"When I was a young guy ... I never got my chance handed to me," Neill said.
"I had to fight for everything ... prove myself, make news all over the world, in Europe, and really be consistently playing well for my club to even get a sniff in the squad.
"I think the onus is on the players themselves. Not whether they play or who they play with, a big club or small club, but if they get their chance, they're playing for Australia."
The draw with Oman means Australia need to win at least a point in their next qualifier, away to runaway Asian Group B leaders Japan on June 4, to keep their campaign on track.
Neill thinks the Socceroos will still qualify and that he will be leading them in Brazil, wherever he ends up playing his club football next year.
"I'm confident we'll make Brazil and next year is arguably the biggest of my career because I need to be at my best to make sure Australia has the best chance in Brazil," he added.
Y! SPORTS
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Maybe Yankee Stadium doesn't house the star power it once did, but fear not: Soccer stars can pick up the slack. The stadium said on Monday that it will host two major soccer games this summer, including with last year's Champions League winners Chelsea facing defending Premier League champs Manchester City on May 25. Spain's national team, which has won three straight major tournaments, will face Ireland on June 11 in an international friendly.
—Kevin Clark
Rutgers Digging Deeper
Rutgers said Monday it has commissioned an independent investigation into its men's basketball program and its handling of claims of abusive behavior by former coach Mike Rice.
The investigation comes a week after video footage released by ESPN showed Rice grabbing, shoving and kicking players and using profane and homophobic language.
The school also said Monday that Mark Hershhorn, chair of its board of governors' athletics committee, was among the officials who reviewed the footage in December. Hershhorn didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Last week, athletic director Tim Pernetti and university interim counsel John Wolf resigned for their roles in allowing Rice to keep his job after watching the footage last year.
Rutgers president Robert Barchi, speaking Monday at a meeting on the school's Newark campus, also said practice videos across all school sports will be reviewed to see if any other coach engaged in abusive behavior.
King Gets Nod for Hall
Knicks great Bernard King will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, the Hall announced Monday.
Some will see his induction as long overdue, as King—who averaged 22.5 points per game over a 14-year career—was one of the greatest scorers to wear a Knicks uniform. This year marked the sixth time the ex-forward had been up for nomination.
Rick Pitino, who coached the Knicks from 1987 to 1989 and led Louisville into Monday night's championship game, also will be inducted in September 2013.
Yankee Stadium to Host Some High-Profile Soccer - WSJ-com
—Kevin Clark
Rutgers Digging Deeper
Rutgers said Monday it has commissioned an independent investigation into its men's basketball program and its handling of claims of abusive behavior by former coach Mike Rice.
The investigation comes a week after video footage released by ESPN showed Rice grabbing, shoving and kicking players and using profane and homophobic language.
The school also said Monday that Mark Hershhorn, chair of its board of governors' athletics committee, was among the officials who reviewed the footage in December. Hershhorn didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Last week, athletic director Tim Pernetti and university interim counsel John Wolf resigned for their roles in allowing Rice to keep his job after watching the footage last year.
Rutgers president Robert Barchi, speaking Monday at a meeting on the school's Newark campus, also said practice videos across all school sports will be reviewed to see if any other coach engaged in abusive behavior.
King Gets Nod for Hall
Knicks great Bernard King will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, the Hall announced Monday.
Some will see his induction as long overdue, as King—who averaged 22.5 points per game over a 14-year career—was one of the greatest scorers to wear a Knicks uniform. This year marked the sixth time the ex-forward had been up for nomination.
Rick Pitino, who coached the Knicks from 1987 to 1989 and led Louisville into Monday night's championship game, also will be inducted in September 2013.
Yankee Stadium to Host Some High-Profile Soccer - WSJ-com
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Legacy is a tricky word. At its root, what it's about is reputation. It's often spoken how aging players, towards the end of their careers, are trying to carve out a legacy - to leave something behind, for which they'll be remembered.
Abby Wambach, the American player who was the 2012 FIFA women's player of the year, is at such a point.
Last week, the 32-year-old made a very public case for ensuring natural grass fields are a requirement at all women's World Cups. Of course, this was directed very squarely at Canada's 2015 World Cup - of which none of the fields will have grass. The shrewd competitor she is, Wambach evoked all sorts of emotions by directly comparing the competition to the men's game, and rightly pointing out that there is an inequality there.
FIFA requires a grass surface for all senior men's World Cup games. On the youth and women's levels, it allows games to be played on turf. Or, what many players consider, an inferior playing surface and one that has been known to play havoc on the health of veterans.
The problem is, as it is with most legacies, they're less about leaving something behind for the next generation and more about ensuring that the player sees themselves remembered in a favourable light
Shrewd Wambach
As one of the most senior players, likely playing in her last World Cup, on a quickly aging team, Wambach is doing what she has always done -- trying to tip the odds in her favour, and give her squad another chance at hardware.
Most in Canada will remember how she managed to get into the head of Norwegian referee Christina Pedersen during the Olympic semifinal. For those who have blocked out the memory, with Canada leading and time winding down, Wambach essentially bullied an inexperienced ref into making a poor decision, which led directly to the tying goal.
And you know what, all the power to her. It's that cutthroat attitude that has made her and the U.S. women's team the best for a generation. However, that kind of gamesmanship shouldn't be allowed to cloud the issue now.
Next week, FIFA will be in Canada to begin its assessment of the 2015 facilities. This will no doubt stir up a fresh round of criticism about the use of turf. During that time, it would benefit some of those critics to look beyond the simple storyline of inequality and delve a little more deeply into what this World Cup will actually mean to the game in Canada.
You see, long before the Canadian Soccer Association even tabled a bid to host in 2015, there were plans being put in place for a legacy beyond the World Cup. Not for the benefit of aging players, of course, but for the next generation of players in Canada.
Canadian infrastructure
As part of their bid to host the World Cup, the CSA realized this was an opportunity to help rebuild major gaps in the Canadian soccer infrastructure - namely grass and turf pitches across the country. With the assistance of federal, provincial and municipal funding, the organization made it part of its bid to FIFA that facilities would be built across Canada, for not just budding professionals, but young players everywhere here.
What most do not know is that while there are few professional natural grass fields in Canada, Toronto remains the only city with professional standard training facilities within close proximity of the main fixture site.
That often can contribute to the decision of where World Cup qualifying games get played, as well as where international events are held. Vancouver and Montreal are in the process of building similar setups, but outside of that, there isn't a wealth of professional-supported environments for young players to cut their teeth. Or, in the case of hosting international games, for visiting countries to get in pre-game preparations on FIFA standard facilities.
It is expected that by 2015, there will be a number of revamped or newly built sites in each of the hosting cities, to help support the World Cup. After the banners are torn down and the flags packed away, the facilities will then be made available for community use.
Money hard to come by
As Wambach suggests, the CSA could spend the $250,000 it costs for a 10-day temporary inlay of grass. Spread out over six facilities, that adds up to a whopping $4.5 million for one month of play. In a country where soccer money is hard to come by, that kind of temporary solution hardly seems worth it.
And at the root of this, it bares remembering that Abby Wambach is an athlete, not an activist. Her charges of inequality while just, ring hollow coming from the player who has always been great at finding that extra competitive edge.
There will absolutely be legacy left following the 2015 World Cup, and it's one that will see a brighter future for young Canadian players.
American Abby Wambach's World Cup gripe off base | Soccer | CBC Sports
Abby Wambach, the American player who was the 2012 FIFA women's player of the year, is at such a point.
Last week, the 32-year-old made a very public case for ensuring natural grass fields are a requirement at all women's World Cups. Of course, this was directed very squarely at Canada's 2015 World Cup - of which none of the fields will have grass. The shrewd competitor she is, Wambach evoked all sorts of emotions by directly comparing the competition to the men's game, and rightly pointing out that there is an inequality there.
FIFA requires a grass surface for all senior men's World Cup games. On the youth and women's levels, it allows games to be played on turf. Or, what many players consider, an inferior playing surface and one that has been known to play havoc on the health of veterans.
The problem is, as it is with most legacies, they're less about leaving something behind for the next generation and more about ensuring that the player sees themselves remembered in a favourable light
Shrewd Wambach
As one of the most senior players, likely playing in her last World Cup, on a quickly aging team, Wambach is doing what she has always done -- trying to tip the odds in her favour, and give her squad another chance at hardware.
Most in Canada will remember how she managed to get into the head of Norwegian referee Christina Pedersen during the Olympic semifinal. For those who have blocked out the memory, with Canada leading and time winding down, Wambach essentially bullied an inexperienced ref into making a poor decision, which led directly to the tying goal.
And you know what, all the power to her. It's that cutthroat attitude that has made her and the U.S. women's team the best for a generation. However, that kind of gamesmanship shouldn't be allowed to cloud the issue now.
Next week, FIFA will be in Canada to begin its assessment of the 2015 facilities. This will no doubt stir up a fresh round of criticism about the use of turf. During that time, it would benefit some of those critics to look beyond the simple storyline of inequality and delve a little more deeply into what this World Cup will actually mean to the game in Canada.
You see, long before the Canadian Soccer Association even tabled a bid to host in 2015, there were plans being put in place for a legacy beyond the World Cup. Not for the benefit of aging players, of course, but for the next generation of players in Canada.
Canadian infrastructure
As part of their bid to host the World Cup, the CSA realized this was an opportunity to help rebuild major gaps in the Canadian soccer infrastructure - namely grass and turf pitches across the country. With the assistance of federal, provincial and municipal funding, the organization made it part of its bid to FIFA that facilities would be built across Canada, for not just budding professionals, but young players everywhere here.
What most do not know is that while there are few professional natural grass fields in Canada, Toronto remains the only city with professional standard training facilities within close proximity of the main fixture site.
That often can contribute to the decision of where World Cup qualifying games get played, as well as where international events are held. Vancouver and Montreal are in the process of building similar setups, but outside of that, there isn't a wealth of professional-supported environments for young players to cut their teeth. Or, in the case of hosting international games, for visiting countries to get in pre-game preparations on FIFA standard facilities.
It is expected that by 2015, there will be a number of revamped or newly built sites in each of the hosting cities, to help support the World Cup. After the banners are torn down and the flags packed away, the facilities will then be made available for community use.
Money hard to come by
As Wambach suggests, the CSA could spend the $250,000 it costs for a 10-day temporary inlay of grass. Spread out over six facilities, that adds up to a whopping $4.5 million for one month of play. In a country where soccer money is hard to come by, that kind of temporary solution hardly seems worth it.
And at the root of this, it bares remembering that Abby Wambach is an athlete, not an activist. Her charges of inequality while just, ring hollow coming from the player who has always been great at finding that extra competitive edge.
There will absolutely be legacy left following the 2015 World Cup, and it's one that will see a brighter future for young Canadian players.
American Abby Wambach's World Cup gripe off base | Soccer | CBC Sports
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England's Football Assn. will not order teams to observe a moment of silence in memory of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher before English Premier League, Football League, or FA Cup games this weekend.
And that has proven unpopular with many club owners. Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan, for example, has called for a minute's silence at London's Wembley Stadium ahead of his team's FA Cup semifinal Saturday against Millwall to remember Thatcher, who died Monday at 87.
"We owe Mrs. Thatcher a minute's silence," Whelan told The Guardian newspaper. "It is not my decision, it is for the FA to decide. But I would be in favor of wearing an armband out of respect to Mrs. Thatcher. We have to say thank you very much for the services the former PM has given us."
There was no official recognition of Thatcher's passing before Monday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford, something Whelan said was "very disrespectful" on the part of the home team, Manchester United.
Thatcher is somewhat of a controversial figure in British soccer. As several soccer officials noted, she had no love for the game and presided over the British government during a time when hooliganism across the UK was rife.
But some of Thatcher's tough policies also strengthened the British economy, which every soccer club has benefited from.
"We have got to appreciate that Margaret Thatcher was a world leader who did so much for this country,” Reading owner John Madejski said. “So much that she deserves a minute's silence. Football was in a bad way when she was prime minister. We all saw changes in her time and they should pay tribute to that."
Whelan said politics has nothing to do with his disappointment over the FA's decision.
"The politicians, you get them on the left or on the right. [But] when they are PM, they are PM. They are acting for the country," he said. "Whoever it is, whatever political views they have, I would always support the PM. To have no recognition of Mrs. Thatcher is not right."
No county cricket teams have announced plans to mark Thatcher's death when their season begins this week but the England and Wales Cricket Board has advised them to fly flags at half staff on the day of her funeral next week.
British soccer at odds over Margaret Thatcher tribute - latimes-com
And that has proven unpopular with many club owners. Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan, for example, has called for a minute's silence at London's Wembley Stadium ahead of his team's FA Cup semifinal Saturday against Millwall to remember Thatcher, who died Monday at 87.
"We owe Mrs. Thatcher a minute's silence," Whelan told The Guardian newspaper. "It is not my decision, it is for the FA to decide. But I would be in favor of wearing an armband out of respect to Mrs. Thatcher. We have to say thank you very much for the services the former PM has given us."
There was no official recognition of Thatcher's passing before Monday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford, something Whelan said was "very disrespectful" on the part of the home team, Manchester United.
Thatcher is somewhat of a controversial figure in British soccer. As several soccer officials noted, she had no love for the game and presided over the British government during a time when hooliganism across the UK was rife.
But some of Thatcher's tough policies also strengthened the British economy, which every soccer club has benefited from.
"We have got to appreciate that Margaret Thatcher was a world leader who did so much for this country,” Reading owner John Madejski said. “So much that she deserves a minute's silence. Football was in a bad way when she was prime minister. We all saw changes in her time and they should pay tribute to that."
Whelan said politics has nothing to do with his disappointment over the FA's decision.
"The politicians, you get them on the left or on the right. [But] when they are PM, they are PM. They are acting for the country," he said. "Whoever it is, whatever political views they have, I would always support the PM. To have no recognition of Mrs. Thatcher is not right."
No county cricket teams have announced plans to mark Thatcher's death when their season begins this week but the England and Wales Cricket Board has advised them to fly flags at half staff on the day of her funeral next week.
British soccer at odds over Margaret Thatcher tribute - latimes-com
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Regina police are looking for a 26-year-old soccer player accused of punching a referee at an indoor game Wednesday night. According to police, the 45-year-old ref was knocked unconscious during a World Class Players Cup match at the Credit Union Eventplex. People at the match, between Sudan and Poland, said it was a player with the Sudan team who threw the punch.
"Preliminary investigation indicates the victim had been struck in the jaw, causing him to fall, unconscious, to the ground," the Regina Police Service said in a press release.
Hussam Ibrahim, who's from Sudan and was watching the game, which Poland won 4-1, said emotions were running high.
"Things got out of hand, people started fouling and tackling each other," Ibrahim said.
The referees handed out two red cards to Sudan and two red cards to Poland.
According to a statement from the WCP, there was a brief scuffle on the field when those red cards were issued and the situation flared up when another red card was issued a few minutes later.
"All hell broke loose," when the ref went to deliver a third red card, Ibrahim said.
"I didn't see a punch, but he touched his [the ref's] face," Ibrahim said. "By no means am I justifying it, no touching should ever happen ... but from a fan's point of view, the ref overreacted."
The referee refused an ambulance but was advised to seek medical follow-up, police said. Police were on the scene and searched the locker room and other areas of the building, but couldn't find the suspect.
According to the WCP, after the incident between the player and the referee, the game was declared ended and everyone left the field.
The organizers then called the police.
"The WCP Cup Organizing Committee takes the position that the striking by a player of an official is outside of the scope of the game and as such, the local authorities were contacted," the committee said in a news release.
Police haven't released the suspect's name, but said it's believed he's from Alberta.
The incident has attracted attention on various social media platforms, including Facebook where Anthony Banerjee posted a video to his account that provided a sense of the heated atmosphere of the soccer match. The video shows another part of the game, not connected to the alleged punch, where players were involved in a scuffle on the field.
Regina police seek soccer player after ref punched - Saskatchewan - CBC News
"Preliminary investigation indicates the victim had been struck in the jaw, causing him to fall, unconscious, to the ground," the Regina Police Service said in a press release.
Hussam Ibrahim, who's from Sudan and was watching the game, which Poland won 4-1, said emotions were running high.
"Things got out of hand, people started fouling and tackling each other," Ibrahim said.
The referees handed out two red cards to Sudan and two red cards to Poland.
According to a statement from the WCP, there was a brief scuffle on the field when those red cards were issued and the situation flared up when another red card was issued a few minutes later.
"All hell broke loose," when the ref went to deliver a third red card, Ibrahim said.
"I didn't see a punch, but he touched his [the ref's] face," Ibrahim said. "By no means am I justifying it, no touching should ever happen ... but from a fan's point of view, the ref overreacted."
The referee refused an ambulance but was advised to seek medical follow-up, police said. Police were on the scene and searched the locker room and other areas of the building, but couldn't find the suspect.
According to the WCP, after the incident between the player and the referee, the game was declared ended and everyone left the field.
The organizers then called the police.
"The WCP Cup Organizing Committee takes the position that the striking by a player of an official is outside of the scope of the game and as such, the local authorities were contacted," the committee said in a news release.
Police haven't released the suspect's name, but said it's believed he's from Alberta.
The incident has attracted attention on various social media platforms, including Facebook where Anthony Banerjee posted a video to his account that provided a sense of the heated atmosphere of the soccer match. The video shows another part of the game, not connected to the alleged punch, where players were involved in a scuffle on the field.
Regina police seek soccer player after ref punched - Saskatchewan - CBC News
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Bet365's fantastic Euro Soccer accumulator offer includes the top domestic leagues in Europe along with the group and knockout stages of the Champions League. So you can now earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns if you place accumulators on the Premier League, Serie A, Primera Liga, Bundesliga 1 or Champions League. Place a pre-match accumulator with bet365 of 3 or more selections combining teams in any of the above competitions, and if successful the relevant bonus will be added to your returns.
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Open an account with bet365 today and claim your 100% Initial Bonus.
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Vuvuzelas might be on the way out during soccer games in South Africa, where Premier Soccer League officials are considering a ban on the plastic horns, but not for the reason one might think.
The vuvuzela gained international attention during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the blare of the horn was a constant drone during play. As irritating as many found the sound, the fact that the horns have been used as weapons is now of concern to soccer officials.
Vuvuzelas were among objects thrown at Orlando Pirates Coach Roger de Sa after a recent game in which fans were unhappy with the home team's draw against AmaZulu.
In another incident, a fan ran onto the pitch during a match between the Lamontville Golden Arrows and the Kaizer Chiefs, the country's popular team, and tried to strike a referee with a horn over a red card he had issued.
"Our rules ban all dangerous weapons from matches," Derek Blanckensee, general manager of the PSL, told Reuters. "If the vuvuzela is to become a dangerous weapon, then we will look into this."
South Africa soccer officials consider vuvuzela ban - latimes-com
The vuvuzela gained international attention during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the blare of the horn was a constant drone during play. As irritating as many found the sound, the fact that the horns have been used as weapons is now of concern to soccer officials.
Vuvuzelas were among objects thrown at Orlando Pirates Coach Roger de Sa after a recent game in which fans were unhappy with the home team's draw against AmaZulu.
In another incident, a fan ran onto the pitch during a match between the Lamontville Golden Arrows and the Kaizer Chiefs, the country's popular team, and tried to strike a referee with a horn over a red card he had issued.
"Our rules ban all dangerous weapons from matches," Derek Blanckensee, general manager of the PSL, told Reuters. "If the vuvuzela is to become a dangerous weapon, then we will look into this."
South Africa soccer officials consider vuvuzela ban - latimes-com
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Two soccer fans were shot dead on their way to a match at the Arena Castelao World Cup stadium in the northeastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza on Sunday, media reported.
The national Globo network's website (globo-com - Absolutamente tudo sobre notícias, esportes e entretenimento) cited police sources in their report that the two young men, fans of visiting team Ceara, were shot in the head from a passing vehicle allegedly carrying two Fortaleza supporters.
The Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper (Folha de S.Paulo - Jornal on-line com notcias, fotos e vdeos) said Ceara fans started a fight by throwing stones at Fortaleza supporters, which sparked the shooting.
They said an unidentified man had been arrested in connection with the incident which occurred about five kilometres from the Arena Castelao and police carried out severe security checks at vantage points close to the stadium.
Ceara beat bitter rivals Fortaleza 1-0 in their Cearense state championship match in the Atlantic coast city, where the stadium had its first test for Confederations Cup.
The Confederations Cup, to be played by eight nations from June 15-30, is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup finals a year later in Brazil.
Folha quoted World Cup local organising committee official Tiago Paes as saying the incident was not directly related to Sunday's match, which went smoothly with a crowd of about 15,000.
"There is a lot of training work by the military police, civil police and even the army. We don't have such concerns for the Confederations Cup," Paes said.
Y! SPORTS
The national Globo network's website (globo-com - Absolutamente tudo sobre notícias, esportes e entretenimento) cited police sources in their report that the two young men, fans of visiting team Ceara, were shot in the head from a passing vehicle allegedly carrying two Fortaleza supporters.
The Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper (Folha de S.Paulo - Jornal on-line com notcias, fotos e vdeos) said Ceara fans started a fight by throwing stones at Fortaleza supporters, which sparked the shooting.
They said an unidentified man had been arrested in connection with the incident which occurred about five kilometres from the Arena Castelao and police carried out severe security checks at vantage points close to the stadium.
Ceara beat bitter rivals Fortaleza 1-0 in their Cearense state championship match in the Atlantic coast city, where the stadium had its first test for Confederations Cup.
The Confederations Cup, to be played by eight nations from June 15-30, is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup finals a year later in Brazil.
Folha quoted World Cup local organising committee official Tiago Paes as saying the incident was not directly related to Sunday's match, which went smoothly with a crowd of about 15,000.
"There is a lot of training work by the military police, civil police and even the army. We don't have such concerns for the Confederations Cup," Paes said.
Y! SPORTS
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Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona has paid a visit to retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Official Cuban media have published a photograph of a smiling Maradona shaking hands with Castro, who is wearing a sporty blue jacket.
Communist Party newspaper Granma said Monday that it was an "animated and fruitful exchange between two old friends."
The two have known each other since Maradona first visited the island in 1986.
The soccer great also lived for several years in Cuba, where he came in 2000 for treatment for substance abuse.
Read more: Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona visits 'old friend' Fidel Castro in Havana | Fox News
Official Cuban media have published a photograph of a smiling Maradona shaking hands with Castro, who is wearing a sporty blue jacket.
Communist Party newspaper Granma said Monday that it was an "animated and fruitful exchange between two old friends."
The two have known each other since Maradona first visited the island in 1986.
The soccer great also lived for several years in Cuba, where he came in 2000 for treatment for substance abuse.
Read more: Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona visits 'old friend' Fidel Castro in Havana | Fox News
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If you go into any MLS stadium before kickoff, you might see stadium video screens playing a public service announcement. A who's who of MLS stars - Thierry Henry, Dwayne De Rosario, Robbie Keane - pop up to tell fans, "Don't cross the line." That is to say, refrain from abusing or excluding anyone because of their "age, race, gender, sexuality, or ability." It's a good policy, requiring your fans to adhere to the bare minimum of human decency, but one the league and its players failing to meet.
On Sunday night, Alan Gordon, a player who plays for the San Jose Earthquakes - the league's reigning Supporters' Shield winners - and as recently as October was playing for the U.S. national team in a World Cup qualifier, aimed a homophobic slur at Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson. Gordon issued the now standard apology a few hours after the game.
"I sincerely apologize for what I said in our game tonight," read a statement on the Earthquakes' official site. "Although I said it in the heat of the moment, that language has no place in our game. That is not my character, but there is still no excuse for saying what I said. I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility for my actions."
It would be an unfortunate incident if it hadn't happened before. But it has. Houston's Colin Clark was fined and suspended last March for directing the same slur at a ball boy. Seattle defender Marc Burch was fined and suspended for using the same slur in November. And if one is an example and two is a coincidence, three occurrences is a worrying trend from a league and community usually regarded as one of the most accepting in sports.
Advocates for gay rights say the league has made positive steps, but it's not enough, not yet.
"I think the league is doing a much better job this season than last by getting out their 'Don't Cross the Line' message out, featuring it very prominently in broadcasts and stadiums this year," said Chris Billig, founder of gay4soccer, in an email to Goal.com. "With no out players and incidents like this, I do think that more should be done on the issue of eliminating homophobia and welcoming of LGBT players, fans, and staff, much like the NHL and NHLPA did last week with their formal partnership with the You Can Play Project."
Gordon will get his fine and his three-match suspension, and in a few weeks there will be a story about how he talked with a gay person or a gay rights group and is a better, more understanding human being, because that's what happens now when a player hurls a slur. Apologize, accept your punishment, have a learning experience, and don't do it again. It's better than nothing, surely, but it's not exactly working.
Part of the problem is the example set by the league's own actions. The Philadelphia Union count restaurant Chick-Fil-A, whose charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, and whose owners actively fund political campaigns and groups fighting against equality, among their sponsors. The pair run a promotion every match to identify a "Chick-Fil-A family of the game," even though Chick-Fil-A's definition of a family would exclude families that don't look the way Chick-Fil-A's owners think a family should look.
The Union, under criticism, issued a statement in which the club claimed "Philadelphia Union does not support the views expressed by certain individuals within the Chick-Fil-A organization."
Perhaps not, but it will gladly accept their money and promote their brand, a brand whose largesse is used to deny rights and dignity to people MLS insists should not be excluded. At what point do good intentions and slick promotional videos become cynical PR moves? Based on the league's actions, are "don't cross the line" videos and equality nights about making people feel safe to express themselves and support their teams, or are they "dollar dog night" by another name?
"I do think a partnership like the one with Chick-Fil-A does raise some fans' eyebrows when seen on the same messaging boards as 'Don't Cross the Line,'" explained Billig. "It's nice to have sponsors for the sport we love, but Chick-Fil-A was at the center of a firestorm over anti-gay donations last year and was a pretty poor marketing decision on the part of the Union that runs counter to their general support of LGBT issues."
Major League Soccer did not respond when asked for comment via email.
MLS, caving to widespread public pressure, canceled a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America last year, based on the organization's newly reaffirmed policy to exclude openly homosexual members. The message the league is sending seems to be that homophobia is wrong and will not be tolerated by any group associated with the league, unless you have enough money to convince it otherwise.
And when a number of MLS teams have hospitality or promotional or dance teams made up exclusively of attractive young women in their twenties, does that not set a precedent? Is it so far-fetched to imagine a child will come into an MLS stadium and see that gender divide, and conclude that in the real world men play soccer or work getting by on their skill, while women look pretty and use their looks to sell things? Attitudes like that reinforce restrictive, outdated gender roles and are what lead to situations where women earn more college degrees than men but are just three percent of Fortune 500 CEOs and earn 77 cents for every dollar a man does.
It's no wonder MLS players haven't bought into the league's message. Their bosses don't seem to care much. You can't call someone a slur, that's bad for business. Here's your fine and your suspension, and once you're back, you think about Major League Soccer's image and its bottom line before you open your mouth again.
Earlier this year, a former MLS star came out as gay and retired from the sport at the age of 25. There are players in the league who would use Robbie Rogers' sexuality, a defining part of his personal identity
On Sunday night, Alan Gordon, a player who plays for the San Jose Earthquakes - the league's reigning Supporters' Shield winners - and as recently as October was playing for the U.S. national team in a World Cup qualifier, aimed a homophobic slur at Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson. Gordon issued the now standard apology a few hours after the game.
"I sincerely apologize for what I said in our game tonight," read a statement on the Earthquakes' official site. "Although I said it in the heat of the moment, that language has no place in our game. That is not my character, but there is still no excuse for saying what I said. I made a mistake and I accept full responsibility for my actions."
It would be an unfortunate incident if it hadn't happened before. But it has. Houston's Colin Clark was fined and suspended last March for directing the same slur at a ball boy. Seattle defender Marc Burch was fined and suspended for using the same slur in November. And if one is an example and two is a coincidence, three occurrences is a worrying trend from a league and community usually regarded as one of the most accepting in sports.
Advocates for gay rights say the league has made positive steps, but it's not enough, not yet.
"I think the league is doing a much better job this season than last by getting out their 'Don't Cross the Line' message out, featuring it very prominently in broadcasts and stadiums this year," said Chris Billig, founder of gay4soccer, in an email to Goal.com. "With no out players and incidents like this, I do think that more should be done on the issue of eliminating homophobia and welcoming of LGBT players, fans, and staff, much like the NHL and NHLPA did last week with their formal partnership with the You Can Play Project."
Gordon will get his fine and his three-match suspension, and in a few weeks there will be a story about how he talked with a gay person or a gay rights group and is a better, more understanding human being, because that's what happens now when a player hurls a slur. Apologize, accept your punishment, have a learning experience, and don't do it again. It's better than nothing, surely, but it's not exactly working.
Part of the problem is the example set by the league's own actions. The Philadelphia Union count restaurant Chick-Fil-A, whose charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, and whose owners actively fund political campaigns and groups fighting against equality, among their sponsors. The pair run a promotion every match to identify a "Chick-Fil-A family of the game," even though Chick-Fil-A's definition of a family would exclude families that don't look the way Chick-Fil-A's owners think a family should look.
The Union, under criticism, issued a statement in which the club claimed "Philadelphia Union does not support the views expressed by certain individuals within the Chick-Fil-A organization."
Perhaps not, but it will gladly accept their money and promote their brand, a brand whose largesse is used to deny rights and dignity to people MLS insists should not be excluded. At what point do good intentions and slick promotional videos become cynical PR moves? Based on the league's actions, are "don't cross the line" videos and equality nights about making people feel safe to express themselves and support their teams, or are they "dollar dog night" by another name?
"I do think a partnership like the one with Chick-Fil-A does raise some fans' eyebrows when seen on the same messaging boards as 'Don't Cross the Line,'" explained Billig. "It's nice to have sponsors for the sport we love, but Chick-Fil-A was at the center of a firestorm over anti-gay donations last year and was a pretty poor marketing decision on the part of the Union that runs counter to their general support of LGBT issues."
Major League Soccer did not respond when asked for comment via email.
MLS, caving to widespread public pressure, canceled a partnership with the Boy Scouts of America last year, based on the organization's newly reaffirmed policy to exclude openly homosexual members. The message the league is sending seems to be that homophobia is wrong and will not be tolerated by any group associated with the league, unless you have enough money to convince it otherwise.
And when a number of MLS teams have hospitality or promotional or dance teams made up exclusively of attractive young women in their twenties, does that not set a precedent? Is it so far-fetched to imagine a child will come into an MLS stadium and see that gender divide, and conclude that in the real world men play soccer or work getting by on their skill, while women look pretty and use their looks to sell things? Attitudes like that reinforce restrictive, outdated gender roles and are what lead to situations where women earn more college degrees than men but are just three percent of Fortune 500 CEOs and earn 77 cents for every dollar a man does.
It's no wonder MLS players haven't bought into the league's message. Their bosses don't seem to care much. You can't call someone a slur, that's bad for business. Here's your fine and your suspension, and once you're back, you think about Major League Soccer's image and its bottom line before you open your mouth again.
Earlier this year, a former MLS star came out as gay and retired from the sport at the age of 25. There are players in the league who would use Robbie Rogers' sexuality, a defining part of his personal identity
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2006/12/07
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29893
THE mother of a girl who died from injuries sustained during an indoor soccer game at a school in Adelaide's east says her daughter had a smile that could light up a room.
Suchita Pappas, 17, died when she tripped and fell, making heavy contact with a wall at the special-needs Kensington Centre last Thursday.
Suchita's mother Anne Pappas told adelaidenow her daughter - the youngest of seven - would be remembered as an angel.
"She had this amazing smile that nobody ever forgot, she would just walk in (to a room) beaming away," she said.
"It's affected so many people and shocked so many people."
Suchita was adopted from Pune, India, by Ms Pappas and her husband Tony about 10 years ago.
Ms Pappas said Suchita had taken up jazz, tap, modern and hip-hop dancing at the Jazz Company, despite not having particularly good balance when she first started.
"She idolised her big sister and her big sister is now a dance teacher. Whatever her sister did she thought was cool.
"It was a family joke that every dance looked like Bollywood dancing."
Suchita's funeral will take place at St David's Catholic Church at Tea Tree Gully tomorrow.
Ms Pappas said her daughter's organs would be donated to help save the lives of six other people.
"Even in death she is helping people because that's in her nature and we really felt that we needed to get something positive out of this.
"It's a lovely thought that parts of Suchita will help other people live on."
An Education Department spokesman said it would investigate the incident internally and had informed police and SafeWork SA.
Read more: Girl dies after falling against wall during indoor soccer game at Kensington Centre | News-com.au
Suchita Pappas, 17, died when she tripped and fell, making heavy contact with a wall at the special-needs Kensington Centre last Thursday.
Suchita's mother Anne Pappas told adelaidenow her daughter - the youngest of seven - would be remembered as an angel.
"She had this amazing smile that nobody ever forgot, she would just walk in (to a room) beaming away," she said.
"It's affected so many people and shocked so many people."
Suchita was adopted from Pune, India, by Ms Pappas and her husband Tony about 10 years ago.
Ms Pappas said Suchita had taken up jazz, tap, modern and hip-hop dancing at the Jazz Company, despite not having particularly good balance when she first started.
"She idolised her big sister and her big sister is now a dance teacher. Whatever her sister did she thought was cool.
"It was a family joke that every dance looked like Bollywood dancing."
Suchita's funeral will take place at St David's Catholic Church at Tea Tree Gully tomorrow.
Ms Pappas said her daughter's organs would be donated to help save the lives of six other people.
"Even in death she is helping people because that's in her nature and we really felt that we needed to get something positive out of this.
"It's a lovely thought that parts of Suchita will help other people live on."
An Education Department spokesman said it would investigate the incident internally and had informed police and SafeWork SA.
Read more: Girl dies after falling against wall during indoor soccer game at Kensington Centre | News-com.au
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2006/12/07
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Sponsorship of sports by gambling operators seems sort of proper after all a lot of betting goes on all over the world on every sporting event imaginable. The Premier League of football in the United Kingdom is a tournament that is watched by millions of punters so it is no wonder that many of the twenty teams competing are sponsored in some way by betting firms.
One of the most prominent casino companies is Genting Casinos which is the official main sponsor of the Aston Villa football club for the second year now. The Genting Casino shirt sponsorship provides fans with access to a closer relationship with the team, Genting Casinos provides chance to win a range of exciting experiences such as, A trip to Bodymoor Heath training ground or a meeting with first team squad players as well as hospitality tickets to home games and signed shirts and footballs.
Among other Premier League sponsors from the gambling industry is Bet365 a United Kingdom based leading online gambling group with over seven million customers in two hundred countries. The Group employs over 2,100 people and is the largest private employer in the city of Stoke-on-Trent. This privately owned firm sponsors the Stoke City Football club.
There are other online betting firms that are sponsoring teams such as the Wigan Athletic by 12Bet “Such deals as ours with Wigan Athletic are an effective way to introduce a betting brand into new markets,” Rory Anderson, CEO of 12BET, was quoted as saying, “We want to build the brand in the European market and the other benefit is the exposure 12BET will receive in key Asian markets.” 188bet is the most active of the official betting partners with agreements with five top-flight clubs including Chelsea and Liverpool. The most lucrative of these deals is the one struck between current champions Manchester United and Betfair estimated to be valued at £4.5m over three seasons.
New Online Betting Brands Sponsoring Football
One of the most prominent casino companies is Genting Casinos which is the official main sponsor of the Aston Villa football club for the second year now. The Genting Casino shirt sponsorship provides fans with access to a closer relationship with the team, Genting Casinos provides chance to win a range of exciting experiences such as, A trip to Bodymoor Heath training ground or a meeting with first team squad players as well as hospitality tickets to home games and signed shirts and footballs.
Among other Premier League sponsors from the gambling industry is Bet365 a United Kingdom based leading online gambling group with over seven million customers in two hundred countries. The Group employs over 2,100 people and is the largest private employer in the city of Stoke-on-Trent. This privately owned firm sponsors the Stoke City Football club.
There are other online betting firms that are sponsoring teams such as the Wigan Athletic by 12Bet “Such deals as ours with Wigan Athletic are an effective way to introduce a betting brand into new markets,” Rory Anderson, CEO of 12BET, was quoted as saying, “We want to build the brand in the European market and the other benefit is the exposure 12BET will receive in key Asian markets.” 188bet is the most active of the official betting partners with agreements with five top-flight clubs including Chelsea and Liverpool. The most lucrative of these deals is the one struck between current champions Manchester United and Betfair estimated to be valued at £4.5m over three seasons.
New Online Betting Brands Sponsoring Football
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2006/12/07
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With the English Premier League heading into the final stretch, Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Independent looks at which sides will be locking in a place for Europe come season's end.
CHELSEA
Exhaustion and rotation
Thursday's game at Craven Cottage was Chelsea's 60th of a draining season. They will probably play twice a week every week until the league ends on 19 May, a workload unmatched by anyone else in England. But Rafael Benitez is a master at managing rotation so that his players are always at 100 per cent.
Attacking quality
Chelsea have the best set of creative players in the division, and in the midfielder Juan Mata a player who is a strong candidate for footballer of the year, with 30 assists and 18 goals this season. Alongside Eden Hazard, himself finding excellent form, Benitez's 4-2-3-1 system provides the perfect platform.
Tough run-in
With Liverpool and Manchester United away and Spurs and Everton at home, Chelsea's run-in is the hardest, meaning they will still have to be at their very best to qualify for the Champions League.
Remaining league fixtures: Monday (NZT) Liverpool (a); 28 Apr Swansea (h); 5 May Man United (a); 8 May Tottenham (h); 11 May A Villa (a); 19 May Everton (h)
PREDICTION 4th
ARSENAL
Momentum
Arsenal are not playing excellently but they are grinding out results, winning eight and losing just one of their last 11 in the league. In the recent wins against Swansea, West Bromwich and Norwich, the team showed the character Arsne Wenger always talks about. The last few years might have robbed Arsenal of their spark but this is a team that keeps going.
Lack of midfield balance
While Arsenal have central midfield options that Spurs or Everton could only dream of, Wenger has not quite found the right combination yet. Santi Cazorla has been moved wide to accommodate Jack Wilshere in the hole, but their most decisive player, Tomas Rosicky, needs to be fitted in too. The result is that Arsenal, slightly muddled in the middle, can take a while to break teams down.
Winnable games
Only Manchester United should trouble Arsenal their other games are against sides for whom they should have too much quality.
Remaining fixtures: Sunday (NZT) Fulham (a); 28 Apr Manchester United (h); 4 May QPR (a); 14 May Wigan (h); 19 May Newcastle United (a)
PREDICTION: 3rd
TOTTENHAM
Running out of legs
Andre Villas-Boas was always stretching his squad by taking the Europa League seriously, and midfield pair Mousa Dembl and Scott Parker have looked exhausted for a while. Spurs have been rather out-run in their last three games, 2-2 draws against Basel twice and then Everton. They will need to find a new level from somewhere.
Gareth Bale
Spurs position owes much to Bale's run of 10 goals in eight matches in January, February and March, during which time he was routinely deciding games by himself. But he went over on his ankle two weeks ago and Spurs have suddenly lost much of their pace, power, imagination and skill. They need Bale back at his best very soon.
Chelsea and City to come
Tottenham still have two of the leagues form teams to play in Manchester City and Chelsea and they need enough points to keep them in the race.
Remaining fixtures: Monday (NZT) Manchester City (h); 27 Apr Wigan (a); 4 May Southampton (h); 8 May Chelsea (a); 12 May Stoke (a); 19 May Sunderland (h)
PREDICTION 5th
EVERTON
Well-balanced side
David Moyes currently enjoys the best range of attacking options he has ever had at Everton the strength of Victor Anichebe, the skill of Steven Pienaar, the force of Marouane Fellaini and the brilliance of Kevin Mirallas. On top of the usual discipline and work-rate, Everton boast a broad set of complementary styles.
Don't win enough games
Everton have only won 14 league games this season, three fewer than Arsenal and Spurs, four fewer than Chelsea, six behind Manchester City and 12 behind United. Realistically they need to win their last five to finish fourth and, based on the season so far, they are unlikely to do so.
Nerve
Everton are always competitive but they do not always bend the biggest games in the league and in the cups to their will like the top teams, raising questions over their run-in resilience.
Remaining fixtures: Sunday (NZT) Sunderland (a); 27 Apr Fulham (h); 5 May Liverpool (a); 12 May West Ham United (h); 19 May Chelsea (a).
PREDICTION 6th
Soccer: EPL battle for Europe heats up - Sport - NZ Herald News
CHELSEA
Exhaustion and rotation
Thursday's game at Craven Cottage was Chelsea's 60th of a draining season. They will probably play twice a week every week until the league ends on 19 May, a workload unmatched by anyone else in England. But Rafael Benitez is a master at managing rotation so that his players are always at 100 per cent.
Attacking quality
Chelsea have the best set of creative players in the division, and in the midfielder Juan Mata a player who is a strong candidate for footballer of the year, with 30 assists and 18 goals this season. Alongside Eden Hazard, himself finding excellent form, Benitez's 4-2-3-1 system provides the perfect platform.
Tough run-in
With Liverpool and Manchester United away and Spurs and Everton at home, Chelsea's run-in is the hardest, meaning they will still have to be at their very best to qualify for the Champions League.
Remaining league fixtures: Monday (NZT) Liverpool (a); 28 Apr Swansea (h); 5 May Man United (a); 8 May Tottenham (h); 11 May A Villa (a); 19 May Everton (h)
PREDICTION 4th
ARSENAL
Momentum
Arsenal are not playing excellently but they are grinding out results, winning eight and losing just one of their last 11 in the league. In the recent wins against Swansea, West Bromwich and Norwich, the team showed the character Arsne Wenger always talks about. The last few years might have robbed Arsenal of their spark but this is a team that keeps going.
Lack of midfield balance
While Arsenal have central midfield options that Spurs or Everton could only dream of, Wenger has not quite found the right combination yet. Santi Cazorla has been moved wide to accommodate Jack Wilshere in the hole, but their most decisive player, Tomas Rosicky, needs to be fitted in too. The result is that Arsenal, slightly muddled in the middle, can take a while to break teams down.
Winnable games
Only Manchester United should trouble Arsenal their other games are against sides for whom they should have too much quality.
Remaining fixtures: Sunday (NZT) Fulham (a); 28 Apr Manchester United (h); 4 May QPR (a); 14 May Wigan (h); 19 May Newcastle United (a)
PREDICTION: 3rd
TOTTENHAM
Running out of legs
Andre Villas-Boas was always stretching his squad by taking the Europa League seriously, and midfield pair Mousa Dembl and Scott Parker have looked exhausted for a while. Spurs have been rather out-run in their last three games, 2-2 draws against Basel twice and then Everton. They will need to find a new level from somewhere.
Gareth Bale
Spurs position owes much to Bale's run of 10 goals in eight matches in January, February and March, during which time he was routinely deciding games by himself. But he went over on his ankle two weeks ago and Spurs have suddenly lost much of their pace, power, imagination and skill. They need Bale back at his best very soon.
Chelsea and City to come
Tottenham still have two of the leagues form teams to play in Manchester City and Chelsea and they need enough points to keep them in the race.
Remaining fixtures: Monday (NZT) Manchester City (h); 27 Apr Wigan (a); 4 May Southampton (h); 8 May Chelsea (a); 12 May Stoke (a); 19 May Sunderland (h)
PREDICTION 5th
EVERTON
Well-balanced side
David Moyes currently enjoys the best range of attacking options he has ever had at Everton the strength of Victor Anichebe, the skill of Steven Pienaar, the force of Marouane Fellaini and the brilliance of Kevin Mirallas. On top of the usual discipline and work-rate, Everton boast a broad set of complementary styles.
Don't win enough games
Everton have only won 14 league games this season, three fewer than Arsenal and Spurs, four fewer than Chelsea, six behind Manchester City and 12 behind United. Realistically they need to win their last five to finish fourth and, based on the season so far, they are unlikely to do so.
Nerve
Everton are always competitive but they do not always bend the biggest games in the league and in the cups to their will like the top teams, raising questions over their run-in resilience.
Remaining fixtures: Sunday (NZT) Sunderland (a); 27 Apr Fulham (h); 5 May Liverpool (a); 12 May West Ham United (h); 19 May Chelsea (a).
PREDICTION 6th
Soccer: EPL battle for Europe heats up - Sport - NZ Herald News
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Manne wrote:
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The match will be part of Canada's preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in July. Costa Rica plays Honduras in World Cup qualifying barely a week after playing Canada.
"This match, which will serve as great preparation for the men's national team in the lead up to this summer's Gold Cup, is the result of the strong relationships the Association has been able to build with other CONCACAF nations," Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliami said.
The last time the two teams met, in the 2009 Gold Cup, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Canada has a 4-7-7 record against Costa Rica.
Canada will open the Gold Cup against Martinique July 7 in Pasadena, Calif.