The 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be the first to have use of the new technology that will primarily be used to avoid phantom goals. Both Cricket and Tennis are two sports that rely significantly on technology.

With regard to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar Blatter stated that  ”The 2022 World Cup will definitely take place in Qatar and with my full confidence. This has been firmly established by a democratic process.”

He also mentioned that he has no intention of stepping down as FIFA president anytime before 2015, the year he originally announced he would retire.

source: Independent.co.uk

FIFA will finally bring years of waiting to an end when they announce the Brazilian cities that will be hosting the matches for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. The long awaited announcement will also include the locations for the opening and final matches.

Lobbying for the opening game already began not long after Brazil was confirmed as the host country four years ago. While Sao Paulo is considered the favourite againast Fortaleza and Brasilia, there have been reports of delays in construction of the new Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo.

There have also been a number of concerns about the amount of travelling teams and supporters will be expected to do in order to reach the multiple venues spread across the 12 different cities in the fourth largest country in the world. In 1998 FIFA scrapped the concept that teams should be based on one venue for the group stage. However, based on the country’s size and limited public transportation FIFA may be forced to rethink the old concept.

Extreme weather experienced in the country from tropical to chilly conditions in the north and south respectively will also factor into FIFA’s match venue decisions.

The announcement is scheduled for Thursday 27th October.

source: supersport

If Sepp wasn’t suspiciously voted in for yet another term as president of FIFA, I’m sure he’d make an ideal candidate to play The Penguin in Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight franchise. After the daylight looting of South Africa during the FIFA World Cup last year have been added to his résumé, he could create his own super-villain alter ego. Maybe “RUMPELSTEALSTUFF” or the “TELE-TSOTSI”…we’ll keep at it. There seems to be a continuous flow of controversy and speculation surrounding this little Swiss wheeler ’n’ dealer, yet somehow he magically avoids any conviction, dispelling the allegations as mere rumors. Much like a movie mob boss really.

With presidency voting scandals to bribery allegations around the World Cup host selection (among a few red flags) it makes one wonder why things like the goal line technology issue is so abruptly discussed… guess you can’t bribe machines.

I would have liked to have listed a more detailed compendium of the alleged infringements of uncle Sepp, but it is a list far too long and complicated for me to even attempt to squeeze into a single post (for a comprehensive look into Sepp and Fifa’s controversial dealings, read “FOUL” by Andrew Jennings – interesting to say the least).

As long as we love watching the beautiful game, Sepp and men like him are always going to be a necessary evil. After all, the true Villains never leave the story for long.

Nic Hoekstra

@thekaptiv

pic: castlemaineindependent.org

Chelsea

French attacking midfielder Kakuta, 18, joined the Blues from Lens two years ago after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA.

FIFA’s dispute resolution chamber (DRC) have announced Chelsea will be banned from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows – effectively January 2011 will be the next time they can make a new signing unless they win an appeal.

A FIFA spokesman said: “This decision confirms our aim to ensure contractual stability. It is an important ruling for football in general.”

Chelsea have been ordered to pay £115,000 (130,000euros) training compensation to Lens, and are also liable for the £680,000 (780,000euros) compensation sum ordered against Kakuta himself, who is banned from playing any games for four months.

Kakuta, 18, joined Chelsea from Lens two years ago after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA asking for compensation and for sporting sanctions against the London side.

FIFA said in a statement: “The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.

“The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such breach.

“A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches is imposed on the player Gael Kakuta while the club FC Chelsea is banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.”

Chelsea have the right to appeal against the decision and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Given the severity of the punishment, it is almost certain the club will take that course of action.

Kakuta, a skilful left-winger, is viewed as Chelsea’s most promising young player. He ended his first season as top scorer in the youth side and was voted the Academy’s player of the year.

His second season was brought to an abrupt end in February by a double fracture of his ankle.

Source: teamtalk.com

Pic: skysports.com

Local based players will get the first chance to impress Bafana Bafana head coach Joel Santana in 2009 when the Brazilian names a squad comprises only Premier Soccer League players next week to play Zambia in the first friendly of the year at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium on January 27.

As this friendly is a practice match, no caps will be awarded. But it is an important game for Santana as this will be the first opportunity for the coach to start fine tuning the squad ahead of the Confederations Cup in June where Bafana are in the group with European champions Spain, Asian kingpins Iraq, and Oceania champions New Zealand.

Santana will meet with his technical team on Thursday to prepare for the friendly and begin selecting players.

But this is an excellent opportunity for local players to impress against Zambia and catch the coach’s eye ahead of next month friendly against Chile for which caps will be awarded.” Bafana play Chile on February 17 in Polokwane on a Fifa sanctioned date.

Santana will use the core of PSL players he has used in recent matches such as Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, crafty winger Siphiwe Tshabalala, Thanda Royal Zulu striker Bernard Parker – if he has not been transferred to Red Star Belgrade – Golden Arrows class midfield anchor Kagisho Dikgacoi, Orlando Pirates midfield maestro Teko Modise, plus Mamelodi Sundowns players Siboniso Gaxa, Robyn Johannes, Surprise Moriri and Lerato Chabangu as the backbone of his squad.

Santana, who returned from a holiday in Brazil on Monday is not able to call up any of his overseas based players as the match fall outside a Fifa sanctioned date.

Said Sanyane: “This gives the coach the perfect opportunity to get an early look at what is available in the PSL and reward players who are shaping well this season.”

With the Confederations Cup around the corner and the 2010 World Cup just 18 months away, every friendly game Bafana play will be taken seriously.

Santana said after his side defeated Cameroon in the final friendly of 2008 in Rustenburg in November, that he had 80 percent of his squad in mind for the Confederations Cup.

But Santana stressed the door was not closed. Players like Ajax Cape Town striker Mabhuti Khenyeza, must be given a chance. Khenyeza, a former Bafana player, is due for another chance. He has been in outstanding scoring form for the league leaders.

His teammates Nazeer Allie and Brett Evans, are also in the frame.

Both full backs have also been on top form this season. Ajax’s two wingers, Franklyn Cale and Sameehg Doutie, must also be under consideration. Both have been outstanding for the Urban Warriors.

Although Sundowns are not doing well this season, goalkeeper Calvin Marlin is another who has rediscovered his best form and is ready to challenge Khune for the number one jersey.

Then there is Eleazar Rodgers, the talented Santos striker and his teammate Erwin Isaacs, who are knocking on the Bafana door, as is Pirates’ flying winger Dikgang Mabalane, plus Moroka Swallows’ hard working midfielder Lefa Tsutsulupa.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: skysports.com

The Portugal and Manchester United football star Christiano Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of 2008 on Monday.

Ronaldo, who is also holder of the prestigious Ballon d’Or for the European Footballer of the Year, beat off competition from 2007 winner Kaka (Brazil), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Fernando Torres (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).

“It’s an overwhelming moment in my career and I’d like to dedicate this award to my family, friends and colleagues,” he said.

“Winning the Champions League for me was the most memorable moment of 2008,” added Ronaldo, who scored in the final but missed a penalty in the penalty shootout against Chelsea.

Ronaldo went out of his way to heap praise on United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with whom relations became strained during last summer over whether he was going to leave the club for Real Madrid.

“It’s also true that the manager always has an important role to play,” said Ronaldo.

“It was a great season for me and for my club, and the coach was important for me because I learned a lot from him.

“His experience over so many years is of paramount importance – it’s a privilege to have such a great club manager.

“This is the climax of a fantastic era for me. I’m happy and proud about what has been done by my team and what we have won.

“I am lucky to be part of the history of a club like Manchester United.”

Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz, who was also with Ronaldo at Manchester United when he was assistant coach to Ferguson, said it was a logical decision.

“Quality and justice were behind this decision,” said Queiroz.

“This is a great achievement for a player as young (23) as he is and with his career before him.

“I congratulate Cristiano Ronaldo and hope that this award both stimulates and inspires his career.”

Ronaldo, scorer of 42 goals in all competitions in the 2007-8 season, was one of United’s architects behind the club’s English Premiership and Champions League double.

It was not a perfectly scripted year for Ronaldo, however, as Portugal crashed out 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-final of Euro 2008 in June.

Ronaldo becomes the second Portuguese player to win the FIFA accolade after Luis Figo in 2001, and the first one playing for a British club.

He reaped 935 points in the vote in which the coaches and captains of 155 national teams took part. Messi finished second (678 points) and was trailed by Torres (203), Kaka (183) and Xavi (155).

Brazilian midfielder Marta was unveiled as FIFA World Women’s Footballer of the year for 2008, for the third year running.

Marta delivered an outstanding performance at the women’s Olympic football tournament in Beijing 2008, and equalled the record set by Birgit Prinz by claiming her third consecutive title.

For the women’s vote, 139 coaches and captains cast their vote and Marta won comfortably (1,002 points) ahead of Germany’s Prinz (328), Brazil’s Cristiane (275), Germany’s Nadine Angerer (198) and England’s Kelly Smith (150).

WORLD FOOTBALLERS OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Manchester UnitedM
2007: Kaka (BRA) AC Milan
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (ITA) Real Madrid
2005: Ronaldinho (BRA) Barcelona
2004: Ronaldinho (BRA) Barcelona
2003: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Real Madrid
2002: Ronaldo (BRA) Real Madrid
2001: Luis Figo (POR) Real Madrid
2000: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Juventus
1999: Rivaldo (BRA) Barcelona
1998: Zinedine Zidane (FRA) Juventus
1997: Ronaldo (BRA) Inter Milan)
1996: Ronaldo (BRA) Barcelona
1995: George Weah (LBR) AC Milan
1994: Romario (BRA) Barcelona
1993: Roberto Baggio (ITA) Juventus
1992: Marco van Basten (NED) AC Milan
1991: Lothar Matthaus (GER) Bayern Munich

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

The football legend David Beckham is set to make his debut for AC Milan on Tuesday against German side Hamburg.

“Speaking on Monday from Dubai, where the squad is at a training camp, Ancelotti said: “there has been a lot of curiosity surrounding David Beckham.

“And I can calmly say that he is available and that he can therefore play.”

Ancelotti added: “The past few days he (Beckham) has been working hard and I’ve noticed his commitment to showing that he wants to play for the team.”

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States but has joined AC Milan on a short-term loan as he bids to extend his England career.

LA Galaxy resume competition in March.

AC Milan’s first official match of 2009 is Sunday’s Serie A league encounter against AS Roma.

However Ancelotti has indicated that Beckham, who plays as a creative midfielder, faces stiff competition from the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Beckham admitted he is thrilled to be playing with Milan and added, in an interview with Sky Sports, he is waiting patiently for the nod from Ancelotti.

“When I will play? I am always ready but it’s up to the coach to decide. Physically I know I have to work hard to reach 100 percent, I want to play well instead of just play,” he said.

He added: “I love my team Los Angeles Galaxy but for me this is a great experience. Not everyone has managed to play in what everyone considers the best club in the world.

“I feel lucky to have this extraordinary chance. I don’t like to think about the past, I have made all my choices with care, including the one to go to America.

“I lived a great period there but now I am here, it’s extraordinary and now I just want to concentrate on this.

“The training (sessions) these days have been tough but I like working hard. I am learning about Italian football and my team mates are exceptional.”“

Source: supersport.co.za

Cristiano Ronaldo shrugged off the frustration of picking up an injury against Sunderland by collecting the Ballon d’Or on Sunday.

The Portuguese winger romped to the award last week, seeing off his peers to grab the most prestigious individual honor in football.

Upon collecting the trophy, Ronny told French TV station TF1: “I’m very happy. I’ve always dreamed about winning it. I’m very moved and I’d like to take this opportunity to dedicate this trophy to my family, they’ve helped me get here.

“I thank my mother, my father… my close friends. I had a whole list of people I wanted to thank but it’s difficult, I can’t remember as it’s too emotional. The trophy is splendid, marvellous, very beautiful. I’ve waited for this.”

Flanked by Sir Alex Ferguson at a glitzy ceremony in Paris, Ronaldo was keen to pay tribute to those who had helped him win the award.

“I’m very touched,” he said. “But I’d like to thank my fellow professionals especially my team-mates without whom I wouldn’t have been able to win the Ballon d’Or.

“It’s also thanks to them that I have this award. I was 18 when I came to Manchester. I always had great hopes of becoming a great footballer, in Europe and the world and that’s what I’ve always tried to do – to improve year by year. It’s not been easy but I don’t regret anything that I’ve done to get here.”

Post written for Soccer Pitch by Jaco van Dyk

After watching Kaka for so long I decided that it was time to delve deeper into the story of the world’s current greatest player. I started finding stories on Kaka and slowly taking them in. What I found was nothing short of appropriate.

I was first told of Kaka by a Brazilian exchange student in 2002, the year of the Korea/Japan world cup. He went on to tell me that the next big thing would be the oddly named Sao Paolo star. I remember thinking that someone named Kaka is the next thing I need to keep an eye out for. That year the world cup was staged and the fresh faced Brazilian aged 20 collected his first piece of history, a world cup winner’s medal.

In this day and age you will struggle to find someone as complete on the football field as Ricky, the amazing thing is that he has adversity on top of adversity to overcome and has beaten odds most people would not. Before the age of 19 he was not known beyond his club. Fate as it seems scripted what happened next as he exploded on to the scene from the bench in the final of the 2001 Copa Rio for Sao Paulo scoring 2 brilliant goals. This however was his first game in over a year.

In the year 2000 Kaka smashed his head at the bottom of pool and Doctors informed him that he was extremely lucky as he was very close to being paralyzed. What happened from there could probably define the Superstar. Kaka rehabilitated and in the process told himself he would come back an even better player, studying footage and making himself a better player mentally. “It helped shape me, principally as a person, but as a player too. I learned that you have to be determined to give your best everyday, because the next day you might not be able to.” His attitude personified.

The fact that he did comeback a better player is inspiring. Football requires constant practice, improvement in match situations and Lots of on the field play, how then was this youngster confined to a year without the game able to comeback and begin his sparkling journey to the top of world football? I thought for ages and definitively came to the conclusion that football is so great because its not about ability or mentality alone, its about combining both to perform at your optimum level. Kaka might have always had the ability but when his life changed and his mentality shifted it was the starting point for his greatness.

As a young player Kaka’s ability was spotted early, he was however 2 years behind where he should have been in size due to a growth problem. Kaka was placed on a special diet form the age of 14 and told to work twice as hard in the gym, something he always did. His coaches have nothing but praise for his hard work. Despite his lack of physicality Kaka always held his own and had to develop his intelligence when he was thrown into age groups even above that of his own, A shrewd bit of coaching the first man to spot his talent Milton Cruz the famous Brazilian talent finder.

Kaka struggled in his own way and life was relatively easy going for him as a kid, he had no rags to riches tale and was nick named “Playboy” in training as he came from a relatively wealthy family. The nickname faded into obscurity when he started hosting any and all of his team mates in what many of them will refer to as their second homes. An open family they were always willing to help the underprivileged team mates who quite simply had nowhere else to go.

In 2003 Silvio Berlusconi paid the amazingly low fee of 5 million pounds to bring Kaka to Italy. 5 years have passed and you have to smile at what he has delivered. Milan love him, Brazil loves him and most importantly Football loves Kaka.

Fernando Gago

Real Madrid

22

Having watched Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid this weekend, there was one young player (among many in both sides!) that stood out to me. That would be Gago! The youngster was an absolute beast and nothing short.

Gago patrolled the field as if he were possessed, it seemed he was always on hand to receive the ball and then stroke it to a team mate with ease. He was the complete opposite when Real were being attacked though. The timing, speed and sheer power he put into his tackles was phenomenal! I found myself trying to gauge the reactions from Atletico. You are 2-0 down in a derby that was supposed to be “Atleticos big chance” and here you have a young man stopping you before you have a chance to look up past the ball! Unbelievable stuff! Good on you young man!

Getting a lead is one thing, keeping it another. Gago is proving his class week in and out!