Unlikely peace maker?

On the subject of the Israel-Palestine conflict, advice on the issue has come from an unlikely source. Joey Barton, last seen berating the “sad little men” running the FA after they refused to include the first game Marseille played after he moved to France on loan from QPR as part of his 12-match ban, has shared his thoughts on the current situation.

More surprisingly is the fact that he retweets some politically sensitive comments, name-checking the likes of Noam Chomsky, and questioning the western media’s conventional wisdom on the issue.

“Yes, one does find the Israelis’ position highly hypocritical…” he tweets

Political football

A proposal by Croatia coach Igor Stimac that acquitted generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac perform an honorary kick-off at the start of a World Cup qualifier between the two nations on March 22 in Zagreb has been greeted with fury by Serbian officials.

Short of the Pope kicking off an Old Firm game, it’s difficult to imagine a more incendiary gesture to mark the start of a football game.

Serbia coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, a Serb born in Croatia, said Monday his team would boycott the match if the two are allowed on the field.

”I believe that neither FIFA nor UEFA will allow that they take the starting kick-off,” Mihajlovic said. ”However, if that happens, we won’t play the match. That’s the only way they can defeat us.”

On Friday, the two generals were freed by the U.N. tribunal for the former Yugoslavia of charges of being responsible for war crimes against Serbs during a 1995 Croatian military offensive that resulted in hundreds of dead and hundreds of thousands expelled.

The decision to release the two – hailed in Croatia and denounced in Serbia – further strained relations between nations that fought a war in the 1990s.

Croatian football federation President Davor Suker, a former team-mate of Stimac, said the coach ”needs a spanking” for the proposal.

”We have to lessen the tensions and that’s how we have to behave,” Suker said. ”We have to show that we are a civilized state. We have to show respect toward Serbia.”

With diplomatic skills like that it’s a wonder that Stimac hasn’t been consulted for his thoughts on the current crisis in Gaza.

Teixeira influence continues to cast shadow over Brazil

World football has not heard the last of Ricardo Teixeira, the long-time Brazilian football supreme deposed early this year but still apparently pulling strings from his exile in Miami.

Teixeira fled Brazil under the increasing weight of investigations and allegations – all denied – into the commercial deals undertaken during his reign.

He had been president of the Brazilian football confederation for 23 years and an 18-year member of the FIFA’s all-powerful excutive committee.

Before his departure the 65-year-old former son-in-law of ex-world federation president Joao Havelange ensured that his own personal choice, Jose Maria Marin, took over as new president of the CBF and as chairman of the 2014 World Cup local organising committee.

Now it has been revealed that Teixeira accomplished another manoeuvre to secure the extension of his infuence within Brazilian football.

Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo has spoken out on a number of occasions in favour of a ‘democratisation’ of Brazilian sport out of concern at the lengthy tenures of power controlled by the likes of Havelange, Teixeira and Olympic committee president Carlos Arthur Nuzman.

In fact, two weeks before resigning in March Teixeira brought forward the next CBF presidential election from 2015 to April 2014, two months before the World Cup finals which Brazil will host. The change was pushed through by Teixeira, senior CBF vice-president Marin and their ally Marco Polo del Nero.

The latter is another CBF vice-president and the man who has taken over Teixeira’s seat on the FIFA exco; he is also considered the likely long-term next CBF president since Marin, at 80, is seen as only an interim appointment.

The move has been attacked by both media critics and by one of Teixeira’s most vocal  opponents Romario, the former World Cup winner turned Deputy.

Romario sees the manoeuvre as a means of ensuring that the ‘Teixeira gang’ would maintain their grip on power whatever the outcome of the World Cup, both on and/or off the pitch. Clearly, if Brazil’s national team fail to win a record-extending sixth Cup in front of their own fans the CBF command would face nationwide attack.

But, if Marin and Co had been re-elected in that April of 2014, they would be well placed to ride out the storm.

Via both his Twitter and Facebook accounts, Romario has urged Rebelo and state President Dilma Rousseff to intervene – and he has retracted earlier comments welcoming changes at the helm of the CBF.

Romario said: “I wish to withdraw, publicly, everything I said about the present management [of the CBF]. I thought that we had eradicated a cancer, but we have discovered two new ones. I believed that the CBF had changed but it has changed for worse. That is case for the Federal Police and the Government department.”

Earlier this month Romario demanded answers about the TAM affair when the airline quit as a sponsor of the CBF after revelations about a secret clause in the contract setting out the terms of payment to companies owned by a friend and business associate of Teixeira.

Catch-22 for Romario, over the election issue, is that Marin and Del Nero can tell Rebelo that, in bringing forward the next CBF presidential ballot, they are merely complying with his stated wish for greater democracy . . .

By Keir Radnedge

Brazil keeper on trial for murder

The trial of Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno Fernandes, charged with orchestrating the kidnapping and murder of an ex-girlfriend, has opened in the town of Contagem.

Bruno, who was captain of the Flamengo team that won the Brazilian championship in 2009, is accused of ordering the kidnapping his former girlfriend, model Eliza Samudio, before killing her, cutting her up and feeding her remains to dogs.

The deceased had earlier been involved in an ugly custody battle with Bruno, which resulted in him being convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to 4 and a 1/2 years in jail.

Bruno now faces a second trial on charges he ordered his ex-girlfriend’s death.

The lawyer representing the player said he remained confident that his client would walk out a free man.

”Bruno is tired of being in prison,” lawyer Rui Pimenta told O Globo. ”He is ready to walk out and go eat some rare barbecue.”

The defence’s argument is that there can be no murder charges because Samudio is, in fact, alive. Pimenta says he will produce proof that Samudio is living in Eastern Europe.

All of which bodes for an captivating, albeit supremely depressing trial.

World Soccer Daily: 10 stories you need to read, 19th November, 2012

Real Slim not shady

Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, has taken control of struggling Spanish club Real Oviedo.

Slim, estimated to be worth $69 billion – give or take a few billion - agreed to invest €2 million for a majority stake in the third division club, which had been facing bankruptcy before a fundraising effort from fans generated more than €1.5 million in the space of two weeks. For a man of his means, €2 million is just loose change.

Oviedo confirmed on Saturday that Slim had decided to become the new majority shareholder because of the club’s “history in Spanish professional football and above all for the extraordinary support of its fans”.

The club added: “This challenge and ambition is strictly a sports investment and one that looks to benefit the club and its fans. [The investment] will try to support Oviedo’s players so they can reach their goals and the club can reach the division that corresponds to its history and values.”

The club statement added that Slim plans to use the club “to create synergies and exchanges between Spanish, Mexican and Latin American football”.

Arturo Elias Ayub, director of strategic alliances at Slim’s Carso and Telmex groups, said that interest in Oviedo had been sparked by the fans’ efforts to save their club.

“We have been following the movement (to save) Oviedo, which I would say has been global, and we thought it would be interesting to join in,” he told AS.

Which should act as an inspiration to supporters of imperilled clubs.

Death threat

Police are investigating allegations of death threats being made to Sunderland midfielder James McClean.

The Derry-born was criticised for not wearing a poppy – the symbol commemorating British war dead – on his shirt during Sunderland’s 2-1 defeat to Everton last weekend.

Booed by a number of Sunderland fans when he came on as a substitute in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Fulham, McClean has also been subjected to death threats via social media.

Cody Lachey, a 29-year-old bouncer from Manchester who claims to have served in the army posted bullets on the player’s Twitter page and wrote to Sinn Fein newspaper An Phoblacht, saying “he deserves to be shot dead and + body dragged past the cenotaph.”

Which, even by the neanderthal standards of people who talk the language of the death threat, seems a little extreme for something that isn’t even a crime.

“I wanted him dead,” said Lachey, as reported by the Derry Journal. “But there’s no threat from me to James McClean now, although I can’t be held responsible for what other people may do.”

“I think he’s [McClean] a f***ing disgrace. I know I’ll end up in trouble and maybe in prison over this but I’m willing to go to court, that’s how strongly I feel.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill said his player would not be put off by the booing.

“James will deal with it”. ONeill said. “It’s a free choice. James has lived with a lot of things, and he’s getting death threats now, which doesn’t help.”

Quote of the day

“We are not a team yet. We have to change something, and I will do. The attitude of the players will change. I am very annoyed. We’ve just lost two games at home and this is not possible for a team that wants to win the title. I’m not afraid to say we’re in crisis. We have to get out of it quickly.” 

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti is unhappy with his players after seeing his PSG suffer a 2-1 home defeat to 9-man Rennes.

Eye of the storm

Remarkable footage has emerged of a tornado ripping off roof and destroying the Estadio Dr. Francisco Vieira, home to Portuguese minnows Silves.

Eight people were hurt and hundreds left homeless when the tornado hit the Algarve coast.

Of course, anyone who had the misfortune to have watched football at Sunderland’s former ground, Roker Park, will dismiss this as a light squall.

Goal of the day

Stunning shot on the turn by Bologna’s Alberto Gilardino against Palermo.

Miss of the day

Diego Milito somehow missed this sitter from close range against Cagliari.

Shevvy cuts to the chase

Former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has turned down an offer to manage the national team.

“I believe that today leading the national team of Ukraine is a somewhat premature step for me,” Shevchenko, the leading scorer for his country with 48 goals in 111 appearances, said in a statement published on the Ukrainian Football Federation’s web site.

“I hope the leadership of the Football Federation will understand my decision,” he added.

Shevchenko, 36, who played for Milan and Chelsea as well as Dynamo Kiev, retired after his country’s exit from the Euro 2012 tournament which they co-hosted in June.

He was offered the national coaching job a week ago. The post became vacant when Oleg Blokhin, the previous coach, accepted an offer from Dynamo Kiev.

Snoop Around

Rod Stewart could soon face competition for his place as Celtic’s leading celebrity supporter. US rapper Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion) was so impressed with the Scottish champions victory over Barcelona that he has decided that he wants to invest in them.

“I got a lot of interest in soccer,” Snoop told the Daily Record. “It’s not a new thing for hip-hop stars to invest in sports teams, but it is a new thing for hip-hop stars to invest in soccer teams.

“I didn’t catch the whole Barcelona game, but I watched the highlights. I know Barcelona are a big deal, and it shows Celtic are a big deal as well.

“I see how passionate Celtic fans are about their team, and I could see myself making an investment if any of the board wanted to sell.

“I haven’t really thought how much. I don’t need to run a soccer club but enough of a percentage to get me on the board so I can be heard.

“I want to bring a bit of Snoop to things.”

The rapper then added that one of the first things he would do as a member of the Celtic board would be to sign his friend David Beckham “for a season.”

Trouble in paradise

As German football continues to enjoy increased attendances, greater financial prosperity and enhanced global appeal, figures released by the local police show that it also faces a growing hooligan problem.

The police report said the 2011-12 season had the highest number of criminal proceedings in 12 years, almost double the amount of injured fans and a more than 20 percent rise in police work hours compared to the previous season.

Moreover, there appears no sign that the problem has peaked, with the number of violent incidents appearing to be increasing exponentially.

A total of 8,143 criminal proceedings against individuals were launched during the last season compared to 5,818 the previous one while the number of injuries almost doubled from 843 in 2010-11 to 1,142.

“There is nothing to indicate that there is a turning point and a decrease of violence-ready potential within fan groups from Bundesliga to the regional division clubs,” the report of the police’s central information point for the deployment in sport (ZIS) said.

“For criminal proceedings, injuries and work hours these are the highest figures in 12 years. On top of that criminal proceedings were up 70 percent, work hours up 40 percent and injuries up 120 percent from the 12-year average.”

The German football league (DFL) came up with its “secure stadium experience” concept recommending tougher entry checks but the proposals were immediately rejected by  some fan clubs last month, who said fans were not consulted in the process. Cue a DFL U-turn and a promise to seek fan input before re-submitting a proposal next month.

Finally…

Former Manchester United player Kenny Morgans has died at the age of 73.

The Welshman, a survivor of the Munich air disaster of 1958, died in hospital over the weekend after becoming ill on Saturday.

Morgans made his debut for United at the age of 18 and travelled to Belgrade for the ill-fated European Cup trip two months later.

He was found among the wreckage of the aircraft by two journalists, five hours after the official search had been called off.

Morgan recovered from his injuries and went on to resume his playing career, although he left Old Trafford in 1961 and spend the remainder of his career in Wales with Swansea City and later Newport County.

Mourinho Confirm Relationships With Madrid

Jose Mourinho sagt, dass mit dem seine Beziehung Verein in Ordnung. Split Mou Club Gerüchten mit nach Madrid 11 Punkte Beamten hinter Tabellenführer sowie ihre Rivalen FC Barcelona geschoben.

Spielzeiten der neue 13 La Liga hat rolling in dieser Saison Tabellenführer Bord zurückgeblieben Madrid. Aber sagte Mourinho is sei kein Problem Offiziellen zwischen ihm und heute.

"Ich bin immer noch hier, wie üblich funktioniert. Unnötig Fragen zu, mit dem meine Beziehung Verein in Ordnung ist. Meine Beziehung abhängig ist mit den Spielern Stimmung" Mou sagte halb im Scherz.

Mou bat Reporter, nicht zu Fragen, um nicht mehr mit dem tun Verein, denn kein Problem is gibt. Nach Mou, ist mit dem seine Beziehung etwas Verein, das nicht zu den Medien sollte.

Mou kennen wahre Position als die Mitarbeiter von Real Madrid. Und wenn ein Problem mit den is Menschen, die ihn angeheuert, lieber Mou direkt mit dem Problem hinter dem Bildschirm umzugehen. (Ball / HSW)

Rebirth of the Copa: guide to Copa America 2011

Let’s go round again! After a spell of neglect, the Copa America was brought back in 1987 and has since been staged in all of South America’s 10 footballing nations – in the case of Paraguay, Colombia and Venezuela, for the first time. Now a new circuit begins in Argentina, where the ball started rolling again and, indeed, where the first Copa was staged way back in 1916.

Much has changed in the 24 years since the tournament’s resurrection. The previous year Argentina had won the World Cup with a team in which more than half the starting line-up were based at home. Brazil took a squad in which the number of players with European clubs was limited to two veterans.

Since then, of course, the floodgates have opened. Club football in South America has become an export industry, with talent whisked across the Atlantic at an ever-earlier age.

Given this scenario, and bearing in mind the chasm which has opened up between club football in Europe and South America, the performances of Brazil and Argentina’s national teams have held up remarkably well. Last year’s World Cup offered powerful evidence of the continent’s strength in depth. All five of the South American teams were competitive and only Chile – who were eliminated by Brazil – failed to make the quarter-finals. Uruguay, who were South America’s fifth-best team in qualification, finished fourth in South Africa.

It would be inappropriate, however, to credit the rebirth of the Copa America for the strong showing of the continent’s national sides. Far more important in this regard has been the introduction of the marathon format of World Cup qualification, where all 10 teams play each other home and away in a giant league. With this system in place the South American national teams have, for the first time, enjoyed the type of calendar that the Europeans take for granted: regular competitive games with guaranteed income, allowing top-class coaches to be hired, giving the teams continuity and the chance to develop in terms of tactics and confidence.

This change has been directly behind the remarkable rise of Ecuador, who went from whipping boys to the world’s last 16 in under 20 years, and the equally extraordinary progress of Venezuela, who for the first time will go into the next set of World Cup qualifiers with a realistic chance of getting through.

The introduction of the marathon World Cup qualification format in 1996 inevitably had a detrimental effect on the Copa America. At the time, the tournament was being played every two years and found its relevance greatly reduced by the sheer weight of competitive fixtures. In 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2004 the Copa featured many understrength, experimental teams.

The role and timing of the tournament in the international calendar had to be re-thought and, starting with the last Copa in 2007, it would appear that the right answers have been found. Now staged every four years, the Copa America has been placed in a coherent and interesting slot.

International football turns in a four-year cycle. For South American teams the first year – the one following
a World Cup – is for appointing new coaches and making some money with lucrative friendlies. At the end of that year, the Copa America announces the return to competitive action. Coaches will then hope to emerge from the Copa with a battle-hardened team that is ready to face the gruelling challenges of the World Cup qualifiers which get under way soon afterwards.

Indeed, the coaches of nearly all the South American teams this year have been stressing that their priority is building for a place in 2014 and that the Copa is a test on the way, rather than an end in itself. Of course, once the action kicks off and the adrenalin kicks in, all involved will be dreaming of doing a lap of honour with the trophy on July 24.

But there is another point to the Copa America, beyond that of being a glorified World Cup warm-up. The Copa offers an excellent opportunity for investment in stadiums and sporting infrastructure. And, in South America, that frequently presents a chance to counteract a historic imbalance.

Investing in provinces
Many of the countries in the continent are extremely centralised – the legacy of a colonial economic past whereby raw materials were exported and manufactured products brought in. Typically, the port where this trade took place grew into a giant capital city, which lorded it over an underdeveloped hinterland.

As football is the game of the city, this domination is reflected in the way that the major teams tend to be clustered together in the capital. One of the prime aims of recent Copas has been to decentralise the football of the host country by investing in the provinces.

All of this applies strongly to Argentina, where the national title has rarely left greater Buenos Aires. Estudiantes of La Plata have established themselves as a major force, but La Plata is just an hour’s drive from the capital. Elsewhere, the pair of clubs from Rosario, Central and Newell’s Old Boys, each have a handful of titles, but that is it.

On the seven occasions that Argentina staged the Copa between 1916 and 1959, everything took place in greater Buenos Aires. The 1987 tournament was a little more ambitious – there was a group each for Rosario and Cordoba – but in 2011 the Copa America will be a genuinely national affair.

La Plata will stage more games than any other venue, a decision clearly inspired by the construction in 2003 of a new stadium which, with the recent addition of a roof, is one of the most impressive new grounds on the continent – although the condition of the pitch is a cause for concern.

Rosario misses out this time, with the city, presumably, having to be content with staging the Argentina-Brazil World Cup qualifier in 2009. Instead, nearby Santa Fe is being used, and the centre of the country is represented by Cordoba, where the stadium was built for the 1978 World Cup and now bears the name of the star of that tournament, Mario Kempes.

Another venue built for 1978 is in Mendoza, over in the wine growing region near the border with Chile. Nearby San Juan is another host city, with the only stadium constructed especially for the tournament.

And there are two venues up in the north, in the foothills of the Andes, near the frontier with Bolivia. One is Salta, whose compact stadium was built for the 2001 World Youth Cup, the other is Jujuy, a city with the nickname of “the little silver cup”.

A rather large silver trophy will be presented to the winning captain in River Plate’s Monumental stadium on July 24 in the only game taking place in Buenos Aires – and it is surely fitting that the showpiece occasion will be staged in the city where the first Copa America was contested 95 years ago.