FIFA fined World Cup champion Spain 10,000 Swiss francs ($9,600) and the runner-up Netherlands 15,000 Swiss francs ($14,400) for the poor conduct of their players in the most ill-tempered final inthe history of the World Cup. The Dutch received eight yellow cards and defender John Heitinga was sent off, while Spain had five players booked.The […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Full steam ahead in Brazil
[WORLD CUP 2014]There’s been lots of talk about how Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup have fallen behind schedule, but Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silvainsisted that FIFA will be “surprised” about the work underway when it turns its attention to the tournament in the fall. FIFA Secretary General JeromeValcke‘s remarks in May critical of […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
FIFA Ballon d'Or to be unique trophy
[AWARDS] The FIFA World Player of the Year award and the Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball) award will be merged into one award — to be called the FIFA Ballond’Or — beginning with the 2010 award. France Football magazine has awarded the Ballon d’Or since 1956. It was for many years known as the European Player […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Use replays now to stop goalkeeper cheating in the shootout
By Paul Gardner The latest U-turn performed by Sepp Blatter on the matter of goal line technology will surprise no one. Blatter has been leaning this way and that foryears now, saying no, maybe, no again, yes, but … and so on. Two highly visible refereeing screw-ups in South Africa have put Blatter on the […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Blatter: FIFA to revisit goal-line technology
[REFEREE WATCH] FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he apologized to England and Mexico for blown calls and said FIFA will reconsider usinggoal-line technology after this World Cup. “I deplore the obvious refereeing mistakes we have seen,” said Blatter, who has a record of strongly resisting the use of video replays or other “technology”to aid referees. […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“I think it [the disallowed goal] had an effect but we cannot use that as an excuse with being beaten 4-1. That would have been a big goal for us. It’s all ifs and buts. Germany are a fantasticteam and they deserved their win.” — England captain Steven Gerrard, refusing to blame his team’s 4-1 […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
FIFA isn't deaf to complaints about Jabulani
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said Saturday that the issue of adidas’ Jabulani match ball and complaints about the ball being unpredictable will beaddressed after the tournament. “We’re not deaf,” Valcke said. “FIFA is not unreceptive about what has been said about the ball. This is a very different ballperhaps.” Players and coaches, mostly from […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Thank you, Koman Coulibaly
[MY VIEW] There is a positive to Koman Coulibaly‘s blown call that cost the USA a win over Slovenia. He accomplishedwhat no one else could in more than 100 years. He made Americans care passionately about soccer. Talk shows throughout the day and evening led with the Coulibaly’s call that negated Maurice Edu‘s call — […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
COLUMN: FIFA needs more eyes on the prize
[MY VIEW] A week before the start of the world’s greatest sporting spectacle, which the grand lords at FIFA have again decreed will not be fouled by videoreplay or additional officials, two other major sports – at least in North America – give perspective on the current stage of technology’s role. In Game 3 of […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Will Obama go to Zurich in December?
[MY VIEW] A personal appeal by President Nicolas Sarkozy to the UEFA executive committee on Friday tipped the balance infavor of France, which won the right to host Euro 2016 in a 7-6 vote over Turkey. It raises the question, will President Barack Obama go to Zurich in earlyDecember in support of the USA’s bid […]