Soccer: Italy 1-1 Netherlands: Improved Oranje earn point in Bergamo - Italy

The Netherlands kept their chances of progressing in the Nations League alive with a well-earned point against Italy in Bergamo.

Frank de Boer is still searching for his first win after four games as manager, but his team looked far more assured and incisive than they did in the goalless draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

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Italy 1-1 Netherlands: Improved Oranje earn point in Bergamo - DutchNews.nl

FIFA: Sepp Blatter announces resignation as FIFA president

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has said that he is to step down just four days after being re-elected to a fifth term at the helm of football’s world governing body, which is embroiled in a corruption scandal.

The 79-year-old made the announcement during a hastily convened press conference in Zurich, saying that although he had decided to stand again because he was convinced it was the best option for football, he added that his mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world.

Blatter said this why he would call an extraordinary congress to be held as soon as possible, for a new president to be elected to succeed him.

Switzerland’s attorney general said that Blatter is not currently under investigation by its office.

Read more: Sepp Blatter announces resignation as FIFA president | euronews, world news

Fifa Scandal or Politics on Steroids ?: Why is the US policing a global game ?

The BBC asked in one of their recent programs - "America does not even like football, or so many people think. Why is it leading the charge against alleged Fifa corruption?"

Good question.

At dawn, Swiss police rounded up seven Fifa officials at the behest of US authorities who have conducted a massive investigation into corruption at football's governing body.
So how did a country where football is more niche than entrenched come to police the world's beautiful game?

"Too many countries are cowed by Fifa," said Alexandra Wrage, a former Fifa anti-bribery adviser who resigned in protest from the organization.

"As with international bribery more generally, the US Department of Justice has said they'll step up to investigate corruption if others won't," she said.

It is not clear what specific event - if any - prompted the US investigation. Some have pointed to the United States' failed bid in late 2010 to host the the 2022 World Cup, and suspicions that bribes were paid to encourage votes for Qatar.

Note EU-Digest:The US involvement in Fifa is questionable and looks much more like politics gone on steroids. Everyone is aware bribery in sports has been going on for years now, not only in the FIFA globally, but also in just about every sector of US sports.  Another possible point of this US contention could be that Russia will be hosting the next World Cup in 2018!  The country submitted its candidacy in early 2009 and was selected by the FIFA Executive Committee in Zurich on December 2, 2010, beating out England and joint bids from Portugal/Spain and Belgium/Netherlands. 

Who knows, the US might be wanting to turn this decision for Russia to host the 2018 world cup around by proving bribery charges favored the selection of Russia and in that way indirectly also punish Russia for the Ukraine crises.

Another aspect, and maybe the most important one, is that the commercial benefits of hosting a World cup and all the perks that come with it involves major corporate involvement and profits. 

This complicates matters even more, since corporate money these days,  more often than not,  usually controls political action.   

EU-Digest 

FIFA: US officials blast FIFA 'World Cup of Fraud' - by Don Emmert

US officials on Wednesday said FIFA executives arrested earlier in Switzerland had corrupted global football as US and Swiss authorities launched separate and vast inquiries into the sport’s world governing body.

Seven of the most powerful figures in global football faced extradition to the United States on corruption charges after their arrest on Wednesday in Switzerland, where authorities also announced a criminal investigation into the awarding of the next two World Cups, in Russia and Qatar respectively.

"The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States," Attorney General Loretta Lynch told a press conference in New York on Wednesday.
"It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks," she said, flanked by top FBI and US tax agency representatives.

Reacting to the move by US prosecutors, FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said he was determined to “root out any wrongdoing in football” and that the investigations would help reinforce measures that had already been taken internally. “We will ensure that those who engage in [misconduct] are put out of the game,” Blatter said in a statement.

Read more: france 24 - US officials blast FIFA 'World Cup of Fraud' - France 24

World Cup Soccer: Anti-FIFA mood deepens in Brazil as World Cup starts

 Yes to the World Cup, no to FIFA - that sums up the frosty relationship between Brazil and football’s world governing body. But it hasn’t dampened most Brazilians’ enthusiasm for the mega event.

Read more: Anti-FIFA mood deepens in Brazil as World Cup starts | Americas | DW.DE | 12.06.2014

Soccer Championship - Brazil: Official FIFA World Cup™ site with latest info

It is hard enough losing in the Final of a FIFA World Cup™, but it seems to be a particularly cruel twist of fate to kick off your next final tournament bid against the team that denied you the coveted Trophy says Dutch Coach van Gaal. What's more, whoever qualifies from Group B – a section with a heavy South Africa 2010 flavour – could find themselves facing host nation Brazil in the Round of 16. Here is how the four head coaches involved see the task ahead:

You can’t really do anything about it, but it's fair to say that it's not a good draw for us. We will play Spain, the reigning world champions; Australia, who we have never beaten; and Chile. But I’ve already played against Spain before, in my first spell as Netherlands coach. We played them in Seville and won, so why shouldn’t we beat them again? (Smiles) But well, Holland are ninth in the FIFA Ranking and Spain are first, so who do you think are favourites? Of course, it’ll be a replay of the 2010 Final. Chile will be difficult, they’ve got players like Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal… they’re a very tough team to beat. I saw them play against Colombia when they went 3-0 up and they showed that they are a good team.  If we qualify we could end up meeting Brazil, the tournament favourites, [in the Round of 16] which makes the task even more difficult. So, it's not the best of draws from a Dutch perspective: I would have preferred Group H. We do not have a lot of time to prepare either after arriving in Brazil, so it's also a bad draw in that respect. 

Read more: Official FIFA World Cup™ Tickets - Apply for tickets - FIFA.com:

Soccer: FIFA Approves Goal Line Technology For International Tournaments

World soccer fans around the globe received great news on Thursday when FIFA announced it had approved the use of goal-line technology for future tournaments.

Too many times over the last few years, teams have been negatively affected by referees making the wrong decisions when there is a question of whether the ball crossed the goal line or not.

Hopefully UEFA will also get on board soon so the Champions League and European Championship competitions can use this wonderful accurate technology.

Read more: FIFA Approves Goal Line Technology For International Tournaments | Bleacher Report

UEFA Euro 2012: Instant Replay Is Not A Luxury Anymore It's A Necessity

With England at a one goal advantage and the Ukraine needing a win to remain alive in Euro 2012 tournament play, the Ukraine found themselves with an opportunity to equalize in the 62nd minute. At 61:40, an attempted score appeared to fully cross the goal line before being kicked out by English defender John Terry.

Had goal opportunities been subject to instant replay review, there is little doubt video evidence would have overturned this call. Nonetheless, the goal line official positioned several yards from the near post ruled the ball never fully crossed the goal line, preserving England's 1-0 lead.

Conversely, the sideline assistant referee failed to call a proper offside against Ukraine several seconds earlier, raising the total to two missed calls on the attack, one adversely affecting either squad.

As for UEFA, FIFA and other sports governing bodies looking to get the call right, perhaps England-Ukraine is yet another nail in the proverbial coffin in keeping overt video technology out of the world's game.

In 2010, it was opted to fix the problem by adding a fourth and fifth referee. Obviously the results show this has not worked.

In all fairness UEFA and FIFA not only should, but must follow baseball, basketball, American football and hockey in authorizing certain plays, such as scoring chances, to undergo instant replay analysis and review. It is not only a more modern but also more accurate way to referee a game.

EU-Digest

International Soccer: Netherlands leads FIFA Top 10 shake-up

 The Netherlands regains the No. 2 spot in the FIFA men's world soccer rankings while Brazil and Argentina make moves up the Top 10.

Spain remains No. 1, a position it's held all but one month since the Spaniards won the World Cup in the summer of 2010. Spain has led the FIFA rankings for 19 of the last 20 months.

The Netherlands slipped to No. 3 last month but used a 3-2 win over Top-10 team England to repass Germany for the second spot.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2012/03/07/Netherlands-leads-FIFA-Top-10-shake-up/UPI-19781331121885/#ixzz1olrOWPaE

For more: Netherlands leads FIFA Top 10 shake-up - UPI.com

Soccer: Netherlands to keep producing top players

Dutch specialists believed that the Netherlands will keep producing top soccer players in the foreseeable future, based on the country's efficient youth training system.

Just one year ago the Netherlands advanced to the FIFA World Cup final in South Africa. Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie are the names of the current stars of the national team. They are the successors of stars from the past football legends like Johan Cruijff, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Dennis Bergkamp.


For more: Netherlands to keep producing top players - People's Daily Online

Soccer Women's World Championship: Bronze for Sweden.

Sweden beat France yesterday with 2-1 and secured bronze in the Women´s World Cup in Germany. The great hero in the Swedish team was Marie Hammarström who made Sweden´s second goal eight minutes before the final whistle. She scored when Sweden was pushed back by the French team.

For more: Bronze for Sweden in Women´s World Cup - Stockholm News

Germany: Womans World Cup Soccer: Japan beats USA 5-3 after penalty shootout and great comeback play

Japan defeated the United States 5-3 after a 3-1 penalty shootout in the final of Sunday's FIFA Women's World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany.

The teams played to a draw 2-2 after 120 minutes of regulation time and extra time. It was a fantastic, fair and exiting game, which saw Japan holding their own and coming back from nearly certain defeat twice, through perseverance and beautiful play.

EU-Digest

Soccer EURO Cup: Hungary 0 vs Netherlands 4

Van Marwijk said that his team looked like FC Barcelona. “I think only few teams are capable of this play. We really humiliated Hungary, despite this being their crucial home match.” Rafael van der Vaart agreed with the coach. “We really outplayed them, they did not know what to do and ended up playing rough.”

Rafael van der Vaart scored the opener in the eighth minute after a Wesley Sneijder assist and in the 45th minute the Dutch Barcelona-player Ibrahim Afellay doubled the score. Despite the absence of the injured captain Mark van Bommel the Netherlands dominated on the midfield with Sneijder, Van der Vaart and Afellay playing a spectacular passing game.

Hungary’s only weapon, PSV’s left winger Balázs Dzsudzsák was taken care of by Ajax’ right back Gregory van der Wiel, who also gave the assist for Afellay’s goal and in the second half assisted on Robin van Persie’s 4-0 (63’). The Arsenal striker could have scored 3-0 as well, but he left the honor to Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt in the 54th minute.

For more: Hungary vs Netherlands Report :: Live Soccer TV

Sports/Soccer: Who will win the FIFA Ballon d'Or Award? - by John F. Molinaro

Nobody can say with any degree of certainty who will win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award as the soccer world's player of the year in 2010.

But one thing we do know for sure is that the honour will go to an FC Barcelona player. That's because the three finalists — Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta — all earn their living with the same Spanish Catalan club. Messi is from Argentina and Xavi and Andres Iniesta both from Spain.

For more: Who will win the FIFA Ballon d'Or?

Soccer: Moncton bids on 2015 Women's World Cup games

Moncton in New Brunswick Canada will vie to become one of six host cities as Canada bids to host FIFA's Women's World Cup in 2015.


Moncton council voted on Monday night to become one of the Canadian host cities for the 2015 Women's World Cup, but not all councillors agree with the decision. Mayor George LeBlanc said the city had events, such as the international soccer tournament, in mind when the stadium was constructed.

"We have a fantastic facility here in Moncton, and this is an opportunity and I think it would be a shame to miss it," LeBlanc said.

For more: CBC News - New Brunswick - Moncton bids on 2015 Women's World Cup games

The Canadian Press: European champion Spain regains first place in FIFA's monthly world rankings

AP

Spain regained first place from Brazil in FIFA's monthly world rankings Friday. The European champions regained the top spot they lost to the South Americans in July after friendly wins over fellow World Cup qualifier Argentina and Austria. Brazil beat England 1-0 and Oman 2-0 in the past week but was still overtaken because older ranking points lost value and its wins came against lower-ranked opposition. The Netherlands and Italy stayed third and fourth, while the biggest mover in the top 10 was Portugal, which rose five places to fifth by twice beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup.

ESPN: Soccer: Italy vs Netherlands - 0-0

For the complte report from ESPN Soccernet click on this link

Giampaolo Pazzini was denied a late winner by the referee as Italy and Holland fought out a stalemate in Pescara. Substitute Pazzini was judged to have used his arm to bundle the ball home with seven minutes remaining, while at the other end Gianluigi Buffon made a fine save from Rafael van der Vaart to mark his 100th cap with a clean sheet. When play resumed, the Dutch dominated possession but were unable to turn that into goals. The Dutch suffered a setback when Arsenal striker Robin van Persie limped off and was replaced by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt had the first opportunity of the game in the 20th minute with his right-footed strike from the edge of the area going wide of the far post. Italy goalkeeper Buffon, who celebrated a century of appearances for the Azzurri tonight, made a stunning save to deflect Van der Vaart's free-kick that had taken a deflection off Palladino's head.

Telegraph: Soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka head shortlist for Fifa World Player of the Year award

For the complete report from the Telegraph click on this link

Soccer - Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka head shortlist for Fifa World Player of the Year award

The 23-man roll was drawn up by FIFA’s Football Committee and will be voted on by the captains and head coaches of the world’s national teams, with the winner to be announced on Dec 21. The Fifa short list includes: M Ballack (Germany), G Buffon (Italy), I Casillas (Spain), C Ronaldo (Portugal), Diego (Brazil), D Drogba (Ivory Coast), M Essien (Ghana), S Eto’o (Cameroon), S Gerrard (England), T Henry (France), Z Ibrahimovic (Sweden), A Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), F Lampard (England), L Fabiano (Brazil), L Messi (Argentina), C Puyol (Spain), F Ribery (France), W Rooney (England), J Terry (England), F Torres (Spain), D Villa (Spain), Xavi (Spain).

The Netional: Soccer - Abu Dhabi to host Club World Cup

For the complete report from The National click on this link

Soccer - Abu Dhabi to host Club World Cup

The Club World Cup, which brings together the best football teams in the world, will take place in the capital a year from today. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa), football’s world governing body, announced yesterday that the 10-day tournament would take place starting on Dec 10, 2009. The Club World Cup brings together the winners of each Fifa region’s respective cup competitions, from the Champions League in Europe to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions’ Cup in North and Central America. Among the teams competing in this year’s Club World Cup are Manchester United, the English and European champions, Pachuca, the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup winners, and Gamba Osaka, the Asian champions. Adelaide United, of Australia, and Waitakere United, of New Zealand, will play in tomorrow’s curtain-raiser. The line-up for the tournament is completed by Liga de Quito, of Ecuador, and Al Ahly, of Egypt.

Telegraph: Soccer Europe- Fifa Congress backs president Sepp Blatter over '6+5' foreign quota proposal - Football News - by Vicky Hodges

For the complete report from the Telegraph click on this link

Soccer - Fifa Congress backs president Sepp Blatter over '6+5' foreign quota proposal - Football News - by Vicky Hodges

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is confident Europe will support his foreign quota proposal which could be in place by the 2012/13 season.The European Commission earlier rejected Blatter's controversial plan which is aimed at protecting the identity of national teams, warning it would contravene EU labour rules. Blatter's proposal was supported by 155 delegates, with five against and 40 abstaining and despite the EU's ruling is ready to push on with his proposal.

While the '6+5' proposal dominated Fifa's annual congress, they also formally accepted the revised World Anti-Doping Agency drug code. In the past, Fifa had resisted WADA's blanket two-year ban for first-time doping offences, saying that the length of any suspension should take into account individual cases, and that team sports were different from individual events.