England game “only on Internet” (BBC Sport). This is an outrageous decision, but that’s not half of the story. See Rio Ferdinand’s comments for proof that footballers should keep out of adult discussions.
Honduras will be the “happiest country on the continent” if qualification for the World Cup finals is secured. And if they can only persuade the world to stop harping on about the recent coup. Still, at least the curfew imposed by the new junta might be suspended when the qualifiers take place this month (The New York Times).
Lucio is out of Brazil’s squad for the forthcoming not very crucial World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela. (ESPN)
Capello refuses to tinker, says Sky Sports. Here’s who The Don has chosen for the equally uncrucial qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus. Watch out for the gloriously understated reference to Ben Foster’s season so far.
And a knee injury has crocked the season of a player who would probably have been the linchpin of New Zealand’s dismal first group stage exit (The Roar). Shane Stefanutto apparently “crashed to the turf and immediately clutched at his right knee following an innocuous first half challenge”. A career in the Premiership beckons once he recovers.
02/10/2009
US Coach snubs World Cup striker call
Final 2010 World Cup qualifying games
Bob Bradley has announced the 22-player US squad for the final 2010 World Cup qualifying games – and he’s probably hoping one notable absentee won’t make a difference.
The race for South Africa
The US face Honduras on 10th October and Costa Rica in Washington four days later knowing that a win in either game should virtually guarantee a place in the finals.
So why isn’t free-scoring FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham in the squad? That’s the question posed by the Los Angeles Times.
US squad includes LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan
Cunningham scored his 16th goal of the season against D.C. United on Wednesday, taking him one ahead of Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids. LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan is five behind Cunningham. Casey and Donovan made the squad; Cunningham did not.
“No one is suggesting that Cunningham, 33, replace either in the American squad, but if Bradley could call up the powerful but ponderous Kenny Cooper, why not give a nod of recognition to Cunningham, who has speed to match that of Charlie Davies and is obviously red hot at the moment?”
According to former coach Bruce Arena, Cunningham may simply not be up to the job.
The paper quotes Arena as saying “There's a difference between playing club soccer and playing international soccer. I'm not sure this, right now, is the time.”
We’ll soon find out whether Bradley is right or not. He seems to have managed reasonably well without Cunningham so far. The FC Dallas man doesn’t appear to have played a single minute of the qualification campaign to date.
The US squad includes Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey.
Bob Bradley has announced the 22-player US squad for the final 2010 World Cup qualifying games – and he’s probably hoping one notable absentee won’t make a difference.
The race for South Africa
The US face Honduras on 10th October and Costa Rica in Washington four days later knowing that a win in either game should virtually guarantee a place in the finals.
So why isn’t free-scoring FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham in the squad? That’s the question posed by the Los Angeles Times.
US squad includes LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan
Cunningham scored his 16th goal of the season against D.C. United on Wednesday, taking him one ahead of Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids. LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan is five behind Cunningham. Casey and Donovan made the squad; Cunningham did not.
“No one is suggesting that Cunningham, 33, replace either in the American squad, but if Bradley could call up the powerful but ponderous Kenny Cooper, why not give a nod of recognition to Cunningham, who has speed to match that of Charlie Davies and is obviously red hot at the moment?”
According to former coach Bruce Arena, Cunningham may simply not be up to the job.
The paper quotes Arena as saying “There's a difference between playing club soccer and playing international soccer. I'm not sure this, right now, is the time.”
We’ll soon find out whether Bradley is right or not. He seems to have managed reasonably well without Cunningham so far. The FC Dallas man doesn’t appear to have played a single minute of the qualification campaign to date.
The US squad includes Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey.
Evictions in South Africa ahead of World Cup
Anyone who has read anything on this site will agree I’m not one to automatically think the worst of post-apartheid South Africa. Far from it. However, a new report has made me question my optimism in the run up to the 2010 World Cup.
Poor targeted by evictions in World Cup city
According to campaign group Democracy Now “While Durban completes the finishing touches on its new stadium, thousands of the city’s poor who live in sprawling informal settlements are threatened with eviction by the ruling African National Congress or ANC’s slum clearance policies.”
And not just threatened, it seems. “On Saturday, an armed gang of some 40 men attacked an informal settlement on Durban’s Kennedy Road killing at least two people and destroying 30 shacks.”
The report includes brief interviews with campaigners speaking out against the anti-poor policies in post-apartheid South Africa. One is now apparently in hiding.
It alleges that members of the Durban Shack Dweller’s Movement, which demands the right to fair housing in the city, were holding a youth camp when they were attacked by local ANC members.
The report in full
South Africa's Poor Targeted By Evictions
A response from Durban
I asked one of my contacts in South Africa if these stories are true and what impact they are likely to have on next year’s tournament.
Karen Lotter of Vuvuzela South Africa [www.vuvuzelasouthafrica.co.za] says migrants from the countryside and the rural areas have moved to the cities in vast numbers looking for jobs and economic opportunities. Many of them live in shacks that are erected from corrugated iron, wood and plastic. This presents a major challenge but it is one the local council is rising to.
“The eThekwini Municipality (Durban) has built the most houses of any municipality in the country - TT has an integrated and coordinated slum clearance programme. The few people who are eventually forcibly removed have been asked and warned again and again. They usually occupy land that belongs to private citizens or to the municipality. And they don't just get removed - they get allocated alternative housing - real housing with water and electricity and sewage - not shacks that are unsanitary and a fire-hazard.”
Karen says she doesn’t know what really happened at Kennedy Settlement, but “Anyone who claims that the poor are being targeted by the ANC is making mischief. It seems most of the reports are from Abahlali baseMjondolo [http://abahlali.org/taxonomy/term/1525], the shack dwellers' movement. They are very well organised and love to stir up a froth - they have plenty of resources, as you can see. According to the police eight of the perpetrators have been arrested.”
She also doubts whether this is the work of an armed ANC gang and maintains it has nothing to do with the municipality or the government. “They have enough clout to move in in broad daylight with security forces and remove people who are illegally on land. They don't attack a youth camp at night with a wide array of weapons - including a sword!”
“South Africa is a democratic country and we celebrate freedom of speech,” added Karen, who is sympathetic to the aims of organisations which champion the cause of the poor.
“Abahlali baseMjondolo is a network of passionate activists who sometimes get a bit carried away, but the poor most certainly need someone to speak up for them as authorities do overstep the boundaries at times and in ABM they have a loud (sometimes shrill) voice.”
That said, Karen is adamant this story is “a storm in a teacup. It has nothing to do with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”
And she is unimpressed by the people behind the story.
“As for Democracy Now's headline - that is just one big time tabloid distorted exaggeration- they should hang their heads in shame.”
Poor targeted by evictions in World Cup city
According to campaign group Democracy Now “While Durban completes the finishing touches on its new stadium, thousands of the city’s poor who live in sprawling informal settlements are threatened with eviction by the ruling African National Congress or ANC’s slum clearance policies.”
And not just threatened, it seems. “On Saturday, an armed gang of some 40 men attacked an informal settlement on Durban’s Kennedy Road killing at least two people and destroying 30 shacks.”
The report includes brief interviews with campaigners speaking out against the anti-poor policies in post-apartheid South Africa. One is now apparently in hiding.
It alleges that members of the Durban Shack Dweller’s Movement, which demands the right to fair housing in the city, were holding a youth camp when they were attacked by local ANC members.
The report in full
South Africa's Poor Targeted By Evictions
A response from Durban
I asked one of my contacts in South Africa if these stories are true and what impact they are likely to have on next year’s tournament.
Karen Lotter of Vuvuzela South Africa [www.vuvuzelasouthafrica.co.za] says migrants from the countryside and the rural areas have moved to the cities in vast numbers looking for jobs and economic opportunities. Many of them live in shacks that are erected from corrugated iron, wood and plastic. This presents a major challenge but it is one the local council is rising to.
“The eThekwini Municipality (Durban) has built the most houses of any municipality in the country - TT has an integrated and coordinated slum clearance programme. The few people who are eventually forcibly removed have been asked and warned again and again. They usually occupy land that belongs to private citizens or to the municipality. And they don't just get removed - they get allocated alternative housing - real housing with water and electricity and sewage - not shacks that are unsanitary and a fire-hazard.”
Karen says she doesn’t know what really happened at Kennedy Settlement, but “Anyone who claims that the poor are being targeted by the ANC is making mischief. It seems most of the reports are from Abahlali baseMjondolo [http://abahlali.org/taxonomy/term/1525], the shack dwellers' movement. They are very well organised and love to stir up a froth - they have plenty of resources, as you can see. According to the police eight of the perpetrators have been arrested.”
She also doubts whether this is the work of an armed ANC gang and maintains it has nothing to do with the municipality or the government. “They have enough clout to move in in broad daylight with security forces and remove people who are illegally on land. They don't attack a youth camp at night with a wide array of weapons - including a sword!”
“South Africa is a democratic country and we celebrate freedom of speech,” added Karen, who is sympathetic to the aims of organisations which champion the cause of the poor.
“Abahlali baseMjondolo is a network of passionate activists who sometimes get a bit carried away, but the poor most certainly need someone to speak up for them as authorities do overstep the boundaries at times and in ABM they have a loud (sometimes shrill) voice.”
That said, Karen is adamant this story is “a storm in a teacup. It has nothing to do with the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”
And she is unimpressed by the people behind the story.
“As for Democracy Now's headline - that is just one big time tabloid distorted exaggeration- they should hang their heads in shame.”
01/10/2009
World Cup 2010 stadiums update
More positive signs about World Cup preparations are emerging from South Africa as the draw for the finals approaches – and here are some pictures from Durban to give you a good idea of progress so far.
News conference at Soccer City stadium
A report in today’s Daily Telegraph quotes a senior official of the local organising committee as saying “A vast majority of the stadiums are either complete or nearly complete.”
Derek Blanckensee added “Everything is on track. There are one or two minor problems, but there were no alarm bells or anything major to worry about.”
Blanckensee was speaking after an inspection tour of five newly built stadiums and the upgraded Soccer City.
Pictures from The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
This stadium is generating a great deal of excitement in Durban. Karen Lotter of Vuvuzela South Africa has very kindly sent these pictures. Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ethekwinigirl/sets/72157622456992344/
News conference at Soccer City stadium
A report in today’s Daily Telegraph quotes a senior official of the local organising committee as saying “A vast majority of the stadiums are either complete or nearly complete.”
Derek Blanckensee added “Everything is on track. There are one or two minor problems, but there were no alarm bells or anything major to worry about.”
Blanckensee was speaking after an inspection tour of five newly built stadiums and the upgraded Soccer City.
Pictures from The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban
This stadium is generating a great deal of excitement in Durban. Karen Lotter of Vuvuzela South Africa has very kindly sent these pictures. Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ethekwinigirl/sets/72157622456992344/
30/09/2009
Maradona in talks with God
Argentina coach Diego Maradona is hoping heavenly intervention can save his team’s faltering World Cup qualifying campaign.
1986 quarter-final against England
Of course we’ve been here before with Maradona, something the legendary No.10 admits.
“The Beard (God) saved me many times, I hope he saves me this time too,” he said in a not very subtle reference to his notorious 'Hand of God' goal during Argentina's 1986 victory over England.
Bobby Robson put Maradona straight
It was Bobby Robson who memorably dismissed the so-called celestial interference in earthly matters.
“It wasn’t the Hand of God,” said the then England manager after the match, “it was the hand of a rascal”. Genius.
Argentina face Peru and Uruguay in their final qualifiers next month. Expect a giant hand to sweep the ball into the opposition’s net if Maradona’s team struggle at any time during these games. Or not.
1986 quarter-final against England
Of course we’ve been here before with Maradona, something the legendary No.10 admits.
“The Beard (God) saved me many times, I hope he saves me this time too,” he said in a not very subtle reference to his notorious 'Hand of God' goal during Argentina's 1986 victory over England.
Bobby Robson put Maradona straight
It was Bobby Robson who memorably dismissed the so-called celestial interference in earthly matters.
“It wasn’t the Hand of God,” said the then England manager after the match, “it was the hand of a rascal”. Genius.
Argentina face Peru and Uruguay in their final qualifiers next month. Expect a giant hand to sweep the ball into the opposition’s net if Maradona’s team struggle at any time during these games. Or not.
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