In indication of how much the latest match fixing and gambling scandals are impacted his team preparations for the Euros, Italian national boss Cesare Prandelli says that the Azzurri would quit Euro 2012 if they were asked to do so for the good of the game,
“If they tell us that it is in the best interest of football for Italy to not go to the European Championship then that won’t be a problem,” Prandelli told Rai Sport.
“It would not be a problem for me. There are things which I deem to be more important. Read more... (342 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)
Brendan Rodgers has admitted the chance to manage a footballing “dynasty” like Liverpool was something that he could not turn down.
Speaking to the South Wales Evening Post ahead of his introductory press conference today Rodgers had this to say about taking over at Liverpool:
“For me, the only way I was going to leave Swansea was for a big club, and I mean a big club.
“It was an extremely, extremely difficult decision because my plan was always to stay here at Swansea for a number of years. Read more... (465 words, 1 image, estimated 1:52 mins reading time)
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Brendan Rodgers Introduced As New Liverpool Manager
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The U.S Men’s National team came crashing back to earth last night, losing 4-1 to Brazil. The US came into the game full of confidence after beating Scotland 5-1 last week, but they soon realized that Brazil is a big step up in class from the Scots.
Brazil quickly jumped into a two-goal lead as Neymar showed why he is rated as one of the top three players in the world. First he converted a penalty after a handball from Oguchi Onyewu and then it was from his corner kick that Thiago Silva headed in for his first international goal in the 26th. Read more... (549 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)
According to various media outlets in England, Brendan Rodgers will be named the new manager of Liverpool FC later this week after agreeing a three-year deal today.
Rodgers originally ruled himself out of the running a fortnight ago, as he did not want to be part of the interview circus. But it appears that after several long conversations with Roberto Martinez that FSG decided that Rogers was the man to lead Liverpool forward and not Martinez.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins had fought hard to hang on to Rodgers, but could not stand in his way. Liverpool are expected to pay Swansea between £4m and £5m in compensation for releasing Rodgers early from his contract. Read more... (300 words, 1 image, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)
Mario Balotelli says that he will QUIT Euro 2012 if he suffers any racist abuse.
The Manchester City striker has been targeted by bigots previously during his career, and says he will turn his back on the upcoming tournament if he experiences any such abuse during it.
Ukrainian and Polish fans are notorious for their racist chants, and Balotelli says he will not tolerate it while on duty with Italy at this summer’s finals.
“Let’s see what happens at the Euros,” he said. “I hope it will pass without a problem. I really couldn’t deal with that. Read more... (323 words, 1 image, estimated 1:18 mins reading time)
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Balotelli Says He Will Walk Out Of Euros If He Gets Racially Abused By Fans
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The three-day weekend was a good one for both D.C. United and Sporting KC, and it pushed both teams higher in the polls heading into the international break. Who says the West is the best? Agree or disagree with us? Let us know in the comments below.
1: Real Salt Lake
No Kyle Beckerman, no Nick Rimando, no Javier Morales, no Chris Wingert, no problem. They left it late — very, very late — against FC Dallas, but got the full three points they wanted. It’s the best start in team history, the best record in the league and a deserved No. 1 in our rankings. Read more... (1392 words, 1 image, estimated 5:34 mins reading time)
Pretty shocking comments on Tuesday from Italian Premier Mario Monti who suggested that Italian soccer be suspended for two to three years after the latest match-fixing scandal.
Dawn raids on Monday resulted in 14 arrests, including Lazio captain Stefano Mauri, to bring the total number of suspects arrested in the match-fixing inquiry to about 50 since last year. Many more have been placed under investigation.
“Football should be stopped for two to three years,” Monti said on Tuesday in a powerful message to Italy’s soccer authorities on the need to clean up the game. “It is not a proposal by the government but a question I am asking as someone who was passionate when football was still football.” Read more... (452 words, 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
The coaches have submitted their final 23-man squads for next month’s European Championship. Here is a look at each of the sixteen squads.
Czech Republic squad
Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea FC), Jaroslav Drobný (Hamburger SV) , Jan Laštuvka (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk).
Defenders: Theodor Gebre Selassie (FC Slovan Liberec), Roman Hubník (Hertha BSC Berlin), Michal Kadlec (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), David Limberský (FC Viktoria Plzen), Tomáš Sivok (Besiktas JK), Marek Suchý (FC Spartak Moskva).
Midfielders: Vladimír Darida (FC Viktoria Plzen), Tomáš Hübschman (FC Shakhtar Donetsk), Petr Jirácek (VfL Wolfsburg), Daniel Kolár (FC Viktoria Plzen), Milan Petržela (FC Viktoria Plzen), Václav Pilar (VfL Wolfsburg), Jaroslav Plašil (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), František Rajtoral (FC Viktoria Plzen), Tomáš Rosický (Arsenal FC). Read more... (1781 words, 1 image, estimated 7:07 mins reading time)
Saer Sène and A.J. Soares scored two minutes apart early in the second half to briefly put the New England Revolution on level terms, but substitute Maicon Santos responded for D.C. United with the game-winning goal in the 61st minute as the Revs suffered a 3-2 loss on Saturday night at RFK Stadium.
Brandon McDonald and Dejan Jakovic converted a pair of set-piece goals to give United (8-4-3, 27 pts.) a 2-0 halftime lead, but Sène and Soares struck in the 48th and 50th minutes as the Revs (4-7-1, 13 pts.) evened the score in short order. It took D.C. just 11 minutes to respond, however, as Santos scored four minutes after coming off the bench to secure all three points. Read more... (711 words, 1 image, estimated 2:51 mins reading time)
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New England Comes Up Short Again Against DC United
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The Roy Hodgson era as England manager has not exactly gotten of to the smoothest of stats. From his late appointment, to the abbreviated training camp ahead of the Norway game, Hodgson seems to be playing catch-up.
And his job has not been made an easier with the news that Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has been ruled out the Euros due to a torn stomach muscle picked up in Saturday’s friendly.
Barry’s injury is a big blow to Hodgson, as his other defensive midfielder player, Scott Parker has been battling an achilles problem for over a month, and he looked well short of match fitness against Norway. Read more... (280 words, 1 image, estimated 1:07 mins reading time)
In indication of how much the latest match fixing and gambling scandals are impacted his team preparations for the Euros, Italian national boss Cesare Prandelli says that the Azzurri would quit Euro 2012 if they were asked to do so for the good of the game,
