East and West lock horns for hosting 2018 FIFA World Cup
Between East and West, a new cold war is brewing up, as the bidding battle to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup heats up.
Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA has hinted that the choice may come down to his two preferred bidders – England and Russia. By the day, the scenario of these two superpowers becoming the final two bidders is becoming more realistic.
FIFA is probably going to choose a European country this time around and Australia as a choice has already fallen by the wayside.
Odds for England currently stand at 11/10, to make them become the next successful host, making them the favorites. At 15/8 follows Russia, with Spain’s and Portugal’s chances being logged at 3/1 and Belgium and Holland at 12/1. At 14/1, the United States have a small chance.
Darren Haines, a spokesman for Paddy Power said, “Since 1994, FIFA have seemingly alternated between taking the World Cup into new territories like the USA and South Africa with more traditional football countries such as Germany and Brazil. Will they opt for the traditional market of England in 2018 or step into another frontier with Russian? The betting currently suggests football could finally be coming home. In addition, who will be captain of the 2018 team? Odds of 5/1 have been placed on Wayne Rooney, followed by 15/2 on Joe Hart”.
Rooney will shine in 2014 FIFA World Cup: Ferguson
The weight of expectation on Wayne Rooney at the 2010 FIFA World Cup was to blame for the striker’s below par performances, claims Sir Alex Ferguson. In four matches, the Manchester United star failed to score and looked a shadow of the player who shone for the Premier League side last season.
He believes the striker will impress at the next FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and he says that Rooney will emerge better and stronger for the experience. “I think there was such expectation on him. There was talk he was going to be the player of the tournament, Don’t forget, that was the prelude to the whole thing – he was going to be the star, he was going to outshine them all – (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo. So that level of expectation comes into it. And he’s not got great experience of [playing in] the World Cup really. You wait, in four years’ time you’ll see a different player,” said Ferguson.
By England’s poor form in South Africa, the Scot admitted that he was “baffled”. He added, “That is going to be one of the imponderables – what has really happened and why are they [England] not getting better form. I watched their games and I was baffled by what I saw. Expectation was a big thing. They qualified from a group which you’d have to say was a million to one they wouldn’t qualify from. So it was an easy passage into the finals. Maybe it would have been better if England had been in a tougher [qualifying] group. They’d have earned the right to be one of the favorites and it would have helped that they’d played good teams before they got there.”
Ferguson admitted the mentality of Joachim Low’s team and agreed with those who believe Germany are benefiting from a mid-season break. The Germans have struck of England and Argentina by scoring 4 goals against both the teams.
In last season’s UEFA Champions League, Manchester United was knocked out by a German team, Bayern Munich and the Scot said, “The history they’ve got (in Germany) is quite incredible. That organized mentality they have, the belief in themselves, it carries them a long way. None of the English teams has any experience of playing in a semi-final at a World Cup. The German mentality is ‘we are always in the semi-finals’. Plus the fact they get a month’s rest in January – it must help. All the England team are playing in (the Premier League) so they’re all affected [by the lack of a winter break].”
I wonder if there will be any early World Cup betting odds on this for 2014?
Torres – Hot favorite for the Football Clubs
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says, before committing his future to the club, he wants to know what is really happening at the club.
In recent weeks following Liverpool’s failure to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, Torres has been linked with a big-money move to the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona and Inter Milan. However, in order to find out exactly what is going on at Anfield, the player says that after the FIFA World Cup he will seek talks with the board and new Reds coach Roy Hodgson.
“When the World Cup finishes I will speak to the people at Liverpool and they will explain to me the real situation of how things are at present, the future of the club. I suppose that when the World Cup finishes I will speak to the people at Liverpool and they will explain to me the real situation of how things are at present, the future of the club. And I will talk to the new coach,” said Fernando Torres on Liverpool.
However, for the moment, Torres says he is not thinking beyond the FIFA World Cup. He added that, “There’s time for that (Liverpool), but I want to finish the World Cup, go on holiday, as I haven’t had a holiday for three years, rest and then there will be time to talk about all of that – the situation isn’t going to change whether we talk soon or later.”
“Honestly, teams won’t be able to do anything until the World Cup has finished. The players here prefer to wait – there is time,” said the former Atletico Madrid striker, who refused to rule out a move away from Anfield.
Spain’s win will be talked about for years to come: Torres
This Spain team will be talked about for years to come if they beat Germany tomorrow, believes Fernando Torres, although his presence is doubtful in the start of the match.
For all of Spain’s games bar the opener against Switzerland, Torres has been in the starting XI. following a knee operation in April, the 26-year-old, who arrived in South Africa short of fitness, but has yet to score or even look close to living up to his reputation.
The build-up to tomorrow’s semi-final in Durban, the Torres question has dominated Spanish thoughts, with many keen for Cesc Fabregas to start after La Roja played with much more conviction once the Arsenal midfielder replaced Torres in the quarter-final against Paraguay.
Fabregas will be fit to play, as he picked up a leg injury in training. Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement today, “The tests have ruled out any type of bone injury so the player could be available to play against Germany. He has not been ruled out for the game tomorrow.”
Torres said, “No player is assured of a place in the starting XI. A player has to give 100 per cent in his fight for a place in the team. But, if he isn’t given the nod by the boss, then he has to cheer on the side from the sidelines. If I score against Germany and it takes us to the final that would be unbelievable. I hope history can be repeated but above all, that the team wins. We have done well in our last games against them but this German team is much better than the previous sides we have faced. They have proved to be one of the favorites in this tournament without a doubt.”
In 1950, Spain makes a final group of four, although they have never reached even the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup. Torres insisted that it was important the team did not believe their job is already done.
Torres said, “I don’t just settle for being in the semi-finals, I want more. Of course, it’s a success for us as this is the first time our nation has achieved this but we are aware that we may never get this chance again. We have the right to dream and to play a wonderful game against Germany. We want to make sure that people will still be talking about this Spain team in two years’ time or even longer.”
I don’t mind if Germany is favorites: Fabregas
When Spain takes on Joachim Low’s side in the FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, Cesc Fabregas does not anticipate a repeat of the mind games that dominated the build-up to the Germany-Argentina clash. The two countries who met in the final of UEFA EURO 2008 when Fernando Torres‘ goal earned victory for Spain and the Arsenal midfielder insists there is a “good relationship” between the two countries.
Germany demolished England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0 and they are favorites to win their last-four clash, although Fabregas is unconcerned about it.
Spain midfielder said, “We have watched all of Germany’s games. When you are here, you don’t stop watching football and we know every team. They are a very strong side, probably the strongest side in the tournament at the moment. As a team they are very quick on the counter-attack but defend very well. I like [Bastian] Schweinsteiger. He is playing really well. He is having a great World Cup. You never expect Argentina to lose 4-0 but in football today anyone can beat you”.
He added, “I don’t mind if Germany is favorites. If they want to be favorites, we will accept that. We just want to play the game, we want to be a strong team, we want to beat them, and we want to reach the final. We are proud of what we have achieved so far but we want to go all the way. We are very excited about the semi-final. It is the first time in our history we have reached the World Cup semi-final so we will try to do well in it. We have watched all of Germany’s games. . . . They are a very strong side, probably the strongest side in the tournament at the moment”.
In the tournament, David Villa will be looking to add to his five goals, including Spain’s late winner in their quarterfinal success over Paraguay. Claims from some pundits that Villa is currently the best striker in the world, Fabregas has no thoughts one way or the other.
He said, “I don’t care if he is the best or not. All that matters is he is playing really well and he is scoring goals and that is what we want. If they want to say he is the best, then he is the best. If not, we don’t care because we know he is good for us.”
Spain will face stiff resistance from Germany, who has been in prime form, defeating top teams to reach the semifinals. It will not be easy job for the Spanish boys, they have to given in their best and toil hard to edge past the Germans. This will be one hell of a game and will also make for interesting soccer bet.
Ballack – Confident of Germany’s Victory
In Saturday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal, injured Germany captain Michael Ballack has predicted that his side will beat Argentina 3-1, after watching the team train here on Friday. The 33-year-old midfielder told German daily that he could offer little advice to the young side, which has produced some electrifying football. Ballack, Germany’s star midfielder was ruled out because of an injured ankle during FA Cup Finals in May.
On Friday, Ballack came to Green Point Stadium to watch the side train on the eve of their quarterfinal showdown. The Germany squad has an average age of just under 25 and they are considered as one of the most youngest team in 2010 FIFA World Cup. Ballack was quite impressed with the practice session.
“I have no advice to give the team; everything is going really well, what they have achieved so far is fantastic. Under these conditions, we have our chances against Argentina and I predict a 3-1 victory”, said Ballack.
With a 4-0 win over Australia in the group stages, Joachim Low’s Germany has caught the eye at South Africa 2010. In last Sunday’s Round of 16 match, they hammered Fabio Capello’s England 4-1. At the end of last season, Ballack was released by Chelsea and he has rejoined one of his former clubs Bayer Leverkusen. To visit his compatriots, he has flown to South Africa.
In next Wednesday’s semi-final in Durban, if Germany beat Argentina, they will face Spain or Paraguay and Ballack will remain with them at their hotel on the outskirts of Pretoria. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma and she is expected to attend Saturday’s quarterfinal during the course of her visit.
FIFA likely to suspend Nigeria
Nigeria is facing possible suspension from FIFA. The country’s football team will be banned from competing internationally for two years, announced by the President Goodluck Jonathan, following their poor World Cup performance.
Jonathan’s decree includes the appointment an interim board and Nigerian Football Federation being dissolved. From involvement with the running of national federations, FIFA’s rules specifically prohibit governments and it has the power to suspend any federation where there is evidence of such interference.
“The worst sanction available is that a national association can be expelled but this is not related to either of the two cases. In terms of Nigeria, we have received official information from their government. We are looking at both cases. FIFA has a very clear position on political interference but it is premature to speak further about either case”, said FIFA communications director Nicolas Maingot.
Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro said: “President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order. This directive became necessary following Nigeria’s poor performance in the ongoing World Cup.”
With Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) chairman Otunba Yisa Olatunde Basorun claiming it would not help the team, the decision was also under fire internally.
“We should go by asking the old players to leave, and probably bring in new players and play friendly matches so that we can groom the younger players, [The president's] decision is in haste, and I don’t think it is better for our football”, he said.
“The Nigerian people want reforms carried out in the national football team following a string of poor performances by the Super Eagles in the past years. So it is only natural that the government acts according to the will of the people,” he said. [It] is a welcome development.” former NFF chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima told the BBC.
Sneijder: No rift with Persie
Netherlands teammate Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder are under limelight because of news that broke out regarding the rift between them, although Sneijder has dismissed it.
When the Arsenal striker was substituted against Slovakia, he told Coach Bert van Marwijk that it should have been the Inter Milan midfielder making way and this is believed to have complicated the relationship and was further strained between Sneijder and Van Persie.
At Van Marwijk, Van Persie did indulge in an angry outburst but subsequently claimed he said “nothing bad to the coach, nothing that could harm the squad.”
Ahead of Friday’s World Cup quarter-final meeting with Brazil, it is a version of events that Sneijder has accepted, and the playmaker has attempted to paint a picture of harmony in a Dutch side that has form for disagreements at major tournaments.
“Robin assured me that he had not said those words and I have no reason to doubt him, I don’t have a problem with him and I never have done. He was disappointed to come off, that one can understand and it really is not a serious matter. We will be united as never before against Brazil. We have already drawn a line under the last 16 match and we will be 120% raring to go against Brazil “, said Sneijder.
When defeating Slovakia 2-1 in the second round, Netherlands were somewhat unimpressive and Van Persie’s rant at Van Marwijk put the side under further scrutiny. The coach called Van Persie and Sneijder in for clear-the-air talk and he suggests that tension in the camp should be dropped.
“The meeting was to draw a line under the story and so we could now focus on the Brazil match. Robin played well against Slovakia, and was involved in the first goal. I was satisfied with his contribution but I needed to send on a fresh player who could continue to harry our opponents”, said Van Marwijk.
FIFA’s warning for France Government
Warnings to the French government has been reiterated by the FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Jerome Valcke, the secretary general, that it must tread very carefully in its dealings with the French Football Federation (FFF).
Nicolas Sarkozy, French president, has indicated his government will investigate the national team’s humiliating performance in South Africa. If Sarkozy meddles in the running of the national soccer federation, Blatter said that raised the risk of the team being suspended from global tournaments. The French team have had some trouble with the Coach, Raymond Domenech, when star player, Nicholas Anelka was suspended from the French team and was sent back home. The result was a revolt from the team and France’s dismal performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In case of political interference, the FFF “can really rely on FIFA, even if it is at the presidential level.”France made an affaire d’etat of football, but football remains in the hands of the federation”, said Blatter.
With the running of national federations, FIFA’s rules specifically prohibit governments from involvement and it has the power to suspend any federation where there is evidence of such interference.
The resignation of Jean-Pierre Escalettes as FFF president is regretted by Blatter. He also said that France’s status in world football would not prevent FIFA stepping in. “Definitely, I can tell you that political interference will be dealt with by FIFA notwithstanding what kind of interference and what is the size of the country.”
Federations have been punished before by FIFA. Greece was suspended for several days in 2006, when they were European champions. In 2008, Iraq served a suspension. Recently, for the 2010 World Cup, Ethiopia was kicked out of their qualifying group.
An Apology from FIFA President, Blatter
Over Frank Lampard’s “goal” for England against Germany, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologized and said FIFA “will naturally take on board the discussion on technology and will have the first opportunity to discuss this in July at the business meeting of the International FA Board”.
Claiming that human error was part of the game, Blatter had previously been staunchly against the use of technology and earlier this year FIFA ended all discussions over the use of technology at a board meeting. The controversy over Lampard’s “goal” has forced Blatter into a corner.
Blatter told a media, “It is obvious that after the experience so far in this World Cup it would be nonsense to not reopen the file of technology at the business meeting of the International FA Board in July. Personally I deplore it when you see evident referee mistakes but it’s not the end of a competition or the end of football, this can happen. The only thing I can do is yesterday I have spoken to the two federations [England and Mexico] directly concerned by referee’s mistakes. I have expressed to them apologies and I understand they are not happy and that people are criticising. We will naturally take on board the discussion on technology and have first opportunity in July at the business meeting.
IFAB would only look again at goal-line technology, the FIFA president added and not video replays.
Blatter said: “The only principle we are going to bring back for discussion is goal-line technology. Football is a game that never stops and the moment there was a discussion if the ball was in or out, or there was a goal-scoring opportunity, do we give a possibility to a team to call for replays once or twice like in tennis? For situations like the Mexico game, you don’t need technology.”
Blatter added that, a new drive to improve refereeing standards at the top level later this year would be launched by FIFA.
He said, “We will come out with a new model in November on how to improve high level referees,” he added.”We will start with a new concept of how to improve match control. I cannot disclose more of what we are doing but something has to be changed.”