MLS labor dispute goes global

SI.com

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl reports on the escalation of the labor dispute between MLS and MLSPU, the players' union. FIFPro, the international soccer union, asked FIFA to step into the dispute but the international governing body told SI.com that it won't interfere in what it considers a "domestic issue" being ... Read the whole story

The Iraqi soccer 'parable'

New York Times

Rod Nordland and Sa'ad Al-Izzi explain why FIFA has suspended Iraq's national team and recount the fascinating and troubling history of the Iraqi national team, which "has certainly endured hardship. Saddam Hussein had players beaten after losses. And the war that deposed him forced them into exile, after extremists started ... Read the whole story

Fire ownership wrong about Hamlett

Soccer By Ives

Ives Galarcep writes that the Chicago Fire ditching Coach Denis Hamlett "is a mistake, but it has been clear for some time that Fire ownership didn't like Hamlett and wanted a fresh start with a new coach. With the club likely to endure a rebuilding season in 2010, the Fire ... Read the whole story

Hamlett's team was poor at home

ESPN Chicago

Charlie Corr quotes Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch's endorsement of Chicago coach Denis Hamlett:, "I think he's done a great job leading this team ... they should give him a new contract." On Tuesday, the Fire announced Hamlett's departure. Although Hamlett guided Chicago to the conference final in both his seasons, ... Read the whole story

Beckham won't relax like his teammates

Reuters

David Beckham, who's off to go on loan to AC Milan after losing MLS Cup, said, "The rest of the guys will go off and have a few months to relax, I go straight into the European season." Beckham, who took pain-killing injections to play in the Galaxy's loss to ... Read the whole story

The Kaiser is shocked

ESPNsoccernet

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer says that the wide variety of soccer bets offered by bookmakers makes game-fixing more prevalent: "I thought it was always win, lose or draw. I didn't realize how many kind of bets you can place. You can even bet on who gets the first grey ... Read the whole story

Ref won't sue Ferguson

BBC

English Premier League referee Alan Wiley says he will not file a lawsuit against Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson, who accused Wiley of not being "fit" after a 2-2 Man U tie with Sunderland in October. (Ferguson was suspended for two games and fined $33,000 by the FA). "Although I ... Read the whole story

Portsmouth fires Paul Hart

Reuters

Last-place Portsmouth fired Paul Hart, making him the first English Premier League managerial casualty of the 2009-10 season. Hart helped Pompey avoid relegation after taking over on an interim basis last season and then signed a two-year contract. But Portsmouth lost its first seven games -- the worst start by ... Read the whole story

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