Michael Garcia, the man FIFA hired to investigate the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, quit his post on Wednesday, citing FIFA’s “lack of leadership,”saying he cannot change the culture of soccer’s world governing body. Michel Platini, the President of UEFA, soccer’s European confederation, later described Garcia’sresignation as a “new failure” for […]
Section 2 Around the Net
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Xavi: I Want to be Like Pep
In an interview with Spanish paper El Pais, Barcelona midfielder Xavi reveals that he wants to follow in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola and coach the club that nurtured hisdevelopment as a player someday. Guardiola, now coach of Bayern Munich, famously led Barca to three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League wins in […]
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Report: Odegaard to Sign for Bayern Munich
Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard turned 16 on Wednesday, and reports in Germany claim that the Stromsgodset teenager will officially sign for Bayern Munich later in the day. However, abevy of top European clubs are said to be interested in the youngster, who has held trials at Real Madrid, Liverpool and Ajax, among others. In October, […]
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Report: Falcao Wants to Stay, United Unsure
In an interview with the Guardian, Radamel Falcao says he wants to stay at Manchester United, but a permanent move depends on how much he plays and if the club’s board wants tokeep him. Falcao, 28, is on a season-long loan from AS Monaco, which United paid a hefty $20 million for, but injuries and […]
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Real Coasts into Club World Cup Final
Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco bagged the goals as Real Madrid coasted into Saturday’s Club World Cup final with a 4-0 win against Concacaf champ Cruz Azul onTuesday in the semifinal in Marrakech. “Only a match away from a new opportunity,” a satisfied Carlo Ancelotti said after the game. “We’ll be ready […]
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Mourinho Hails Fabregas as Blues Cruise into Semis
Jose Mourinho singled out Cesc Fabregas for praise following the Spanish midfielder’s man-of-the-match performance in Chelsea’s 3-1 win in Tuesday’s League Cupquarterfinal against Derby County at Pride Park. Fabregas created the Blues’ first and third goals, scored by Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle, respectively, while Felipe Luisnetted his first Chelsea goal from a free-kick, in-between. […]
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Howard Amends Book Following Friedel Dispute
USA No. 1 Tim Howard accepts that Brad Friedel did not try to block his move to Manchester United in 2003, after having made that very claim in his autobiography, The Keeper,which was published last week. Upon hearing about the allegation, Friedel told ESPN that the Everton goalkeeper’s claim was “complete garbage” and demanded an […]
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Saints Lose Fifth Straight
Southampton lost its fifth-straight game in all competitions on Tuesday as League One side Sheffied United beat the fifth-place Premier League club, 1-0, at Bramall Lane. Afterthe game, Saints coach Ronald Koeman refused to shake hands with his opposite number, Nigel Clough, whom he accused of having a lack of respect for his team. “I […]
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Ander Herrera: I Have Never Fixed Games
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera insists that he has never been involved in game-fixing after he and 40 other players, coaches and directors were named in an investigation inSpain. “I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results,” Herrera wrote on his Facebook account. “If I am ever called […]
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Roma Fury at Fine, Garcia Ban
AS Roma on Monday was fined 20,000 euros ($25,000) and its coach Rudi Garcia was banned for two games for a scuffle involving a steward following Sunday’s 1-0 win at Genoa, while thehome team received a 30,000-euro ($37,500) fine for the actions of its fans, which threw objects at the Roma players from the stands. […]