FIFA bans the Paradinha: a bit too late for this keeper

While FIFA is content to let the French Handball team get away with blatant robbery because the game can’t cope, so they say, with TV replays, the penalty manoeuvre known as the Paradinha or “little step” is apparently too much for the guardians of the game.

Just in case you don’t know, the Paradinha involves the penalty taker trying to fool the keeper with a false move. What a shame FIFA’s intervention was too late to prevent this keeper from falling over and breaking his arm after being beaten by what is now an illegal penalty kick.

Model predicts England World Cup victory in South Africa

No, I don’t mean Kate Moss has gone into the predictions game. This is another of those stat-crunching, data heavy, finger in the air exercises, this time from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Brazil friendly not about money

Kevin Kilbane is still optimistic about Ireland’s chances, whoever they end up facing after today’s play offs draw.

The draw takes place in Zurich at midday British time. Here the FIFA site talks us through some of the issues, including why “the ranking positions of the unseeded teams does not necessarily reflect their current form, as all four nations have claimed the runners-up spots in their groups with impressive and courageous qualifying campaigns.” And, in the Republic’s case, without losing a game, unlike, for example, Russia, Portugal, France or Greece.

Here’s an interesting book which anyone getting too over-excited about England’s prospects is advised to read.

And England’s forthcoming friendly against Brazil isn’t just about the cash, apparently. OK.

Capello against World Cup hype

Here is When Saturday Comes with a half decent analysis of why the Czech Republic failed to make the World Cup finals. The article includes an interesting fact about the 1976 European Championship winning team which took me by surprise and could explain the changing fortunes of the Czech and Slovak national sides.

Want to know some of the more obscure facts and figures from this week’s games? FIFA thinks you do.

One Republic of Ireland player is looking forward to the play offs with confidence. Stephen Hunt knows any team will run for cover once they see this picture.

And scepticism, not unrealistic hype, is the way forward for England as preparations get underway for next year. It’ll never last.

USA World Cup game threatened by political turmoil

The crucial World Cup qualifying match between the USA and Honduras may be moved as tension grows in the Central American country.

Ousted president Manuel Zelaya recently returned to Tegucigalpa but immediately took refuge in the Brazilian Embassy, says the New York Times.

His replacement, Roberto Micheletti, has closed all Honduran airports and introduced curfews and roadblocks.

FIFA’s first option would probably be another Central American state. There is also the possibility of moving the game to a city in the United States while still considering it a home game and gate for Honduras. They apparently enjoyed wide support in Chicago in June when the two sides met.

FIFA and the United States Soccer Federation are now monitoring the situation. The game is scheduled to take place on October 10th.

With two qualifying matches remaining, the USA leads the six-team North, Central America and Caribbean group on 16 points. Mexico are second on 15, followed by Honduras on 13.

Blatter takes aim at World Cup doom mongers

Sepp Blatter has called for the media to think positively about the World Cup in South Africa as yet another FIFA event is plagued by questions about security and crime in 2010.

According to worldfootballinsider.com a visibly irritated FIFA President was once again forced to answer questions on a topic he clearly has little time for.

“Please support us by saying let’s go there and trust the South Africans and South Africa,” he said.

“They are ready to organize the game and your security. But 100 percent security you will never find it anywhere in the world.”

Blatter cited the successful Confederations Cup and the country’s staging of rugby and cricket World Cups and other international events as evidence that South African law enforcement organisations can cope.

“There was not one single incident in security [at the Confederations Cup] and still questions are coming ‘what about security’.”

Security isn’t the real point, says worldfootballinsider.com. No-one doubts “there will be high-level security in and around the 10 stadia in nine host cities. The problem lies in ensuring the safety of the 450,000 visitors expected to attend matches.”

Blatter was speaking at the launch of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour. The solid-gold trophy will soon embark on its longest ever global tour, visiting 86 countries during a 225-day journey.

This excellent initiative is designed to “allow thousands of fans to enjoy a close-up view of football’s greatest prize.”

What a shame they ruined the idea by getting a well-known fizzy drink company involved.

Their spokesman said “Our programs to support the 2010 FIFA World Cup, such as the Trophy Tour, will leave a lifelong impression on consumers that helps to reinforce loyalty and preference for our business and our brands.”