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T&T back on the rise(FIFA.com) Thursday 28 August 2008
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Trinidad and Tobago are back on track after coming perilously close to tumbling out of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Losing the first leg of their pre-qualifying series to Bermuda on home soil, the Germany 2006 finalists were forced to contemplate a disastrous early exit.

However, goals from Darryl Roberts and Stern John in Prospect saw the Soca Warriors steady their ship and limp into the first group stage of qualifying from North, Central America and the Caribbean. A 3-1 win over Cuba in their first Group game now has the Caribbean side edging the USA for top spot on goal difference, while spurring a jump of ten places up the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Moving from 102nd to 92nd this month, the island side are finding a foothold even with their fair share of recent hardship. New coach Francisco ‘Pacho' Maturana, who took over from former boss Leo Beenhakker in February, has had to make do without the services of Sunderland ace Kenwyne Jones, who injured knee ligaments in a June friendly loss to England.

The Colombian boss has also been without Jones' Sunderland teammate and T&T's greatest-ever player, Dwight Yorke. After he fractured his cheekbone, the former Manchester United man's July pledge to return from international retirement and help the team in their qualifiers has proven a tough one to keep.

One of the men who has stepped into the void left by the dual injury blow is Keon Daniel, two-goal hero of T&T's recent 3-1 win over the Cubans in Havana. "We really wanted those three points against Cuba," said the United Petrotrin man and former U-20 international, recently linked with a move to England. "Now we just need to take heart from the progress we showed in that game and keep moving forward."

Guatemala test
Their next test will come against Guatemala in Port of Spain on 6 September. The Chapines are eight places behind T&T in the global standings (two behind them in the CONCACAF zone), and smarting from a slim 1-0 loss to the USA in their first group-stage qualifier.

Although the Central Americans will be out for blood against the Caribbean hopefuls, Cornell Glen - who also scored against the Cubans - is keen for the side to keep up the progress.

"The win over Cuba is the perfect start for us as we look ahead to our games with Guatemala and then the USA," the San Juan Jabloteh forward said. "Getting points on the road in our opener is a terrific boon for our confidence and we will just need to keep it up."

With sturdy recent performances in defence from Dennis Lawrence, Avery John and Clyde Leon, the Soca Warriors are firing on all cylinders even without their key injured pair. Maturana is hoping they can ride their current upswing in form further up the world ranking, and all the way to a second straight world finals in South Africa in 2010.

Other Sports / Cuban taekwondo athlete banned after kicking ref

« on: August 23, 2008, 10:32:23 AM »

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/taekwondo/news?slug=ap-tae-taekwondo-dispute&prov=ap&type=lgns

What about Track & Field / Rogge rips the wrong guy

« on: August 21, 2008, 12:56:39 PM »

Read

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/track_field/news?slug=dw-rogge082108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Other Sports / Where is the ATO a Hater Post

« on: August 19, 2008, 02:52:08 PM »

Is this fox news. We censoring people post now?

What about Track & Field / Ato a hater

« on: August 18, 2008, 06:15:41 PM »

I am ashame of the Ato comment on NBC. He was criticising Usain Bolt mocking the other runner. Be proud of the Carribbean achievements, not hating Mr. ATO

General Discussion / Publishers of The Guardian Newspapers Rates

« on: July 07, 2008, 06:29:05 AM »

From: Cynthia Moore <sales@ttol.co.tt>
Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:50:35 -0400
To: <fayeakirchner@yahoo.com>
Subject: FW: Rates and Sizes

Dear Advertiser

Discounts can be arranged according to size of advertisement and amount of insertions. Other sizes are also available.

Full page 33cm high x 7 cols (25.6cm) wide.

black /white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1369.83
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1836.45

full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1997.03
1 Saturday or Sunday US$2592.45

half page vertical 33cm high x 4 cols (14.5cm)

black/white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$782.76
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1049.40

full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1409.96
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1805.40

half page horizontal 20cm high x 7 cols 25.6cm wide

black/white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$830.20
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1113.00

full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1457.40
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1869.00

Quarter page 25cm high x 5 cols (14.5cm)

black/ white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$741.25
1 Saturday or Sunday US$993.75

Full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1368.45
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1749.75

Quarter page 20cm high x 4 cols (14.5cm)

black/ white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$474.40
1 Saturday or Sunday US$636.00

Full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1101.60
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1392.00

Strip 10cm high x 7 cols wide.

black/white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$415.10
1 Saturday or Sunday US$556.50

full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$1042.10
1 Saturday or Sunday US$1312.00

Strip 5cm high x 7 cols wide.

black/white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$415.10
1 Saturday or Sunday US$556.50

full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$752.50
1 Saturday or Sunday US$942.20

15cm high x 3cols (10.8cm) wide

black/white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$266.85
1 Saturday or Sunday US$357.75

Full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$788.30
1 Saturday or Sunday US$995.40

10cm high x3 cols (10.8cm) wide

black/white
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$177.90
1 Saturday or Sunday US$238.50

full colour
1 weekday (Monday to Friday) US$734.60
1 Saturday or Sunday US$915.60

Regards
Cynthia Browne-Moore
Foreign Marketing Rep.
Trinidad Publishing & Trinidad Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Publishers of The Guardian Newspapers
Broadcasters of 4 Radio fequeqncies
22- 24 St.Vincent St.
Port of Spain
Trinidad, W.I.
Phone 1-868-623-8871/9 Ext. 3010
Fax 1-868-625-5702
e-mail: sales@ttol.co.tt
or cbrownemoore@Yahoo.com

www.guardian.co.tt
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Football / Swiss court: FIFA oversight fell short

« on: July 03, 2008, 01:36:11 PM »

By FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press Writer
Jul 2, 1:47 pm EDT

Buzz Up PrintZUG, Switzerland (AP)—A Swiss court ruled Wednesday that FIFA failed to properly oversee marketing payments worth hundreds of millions of dollars in a case that revealed how sports officials received large sums for arranging sponsorship and broadcast deals.

The three-judge panel said FIFA was aware of the financial difficulties of its now defunct marketing partner, ISL/ISMM, months before the company went bankrupt in 2001. FIFA did not carry out checks of the “special account” it had access to, the panel said.

Soccer’s governing body was ordered to pay about $116,000 in costs for lodging the criminal complaint that sparked the fraud inquiry.

FIFA’s claim that it was caught unaware by the sudden lack of funds in the account ISL/ISMM used to receive payments from rights sales was not credible because it had insight into the account at all times, the judges said.

FIFA said in a statement that it “has taken note of the verdict” but declined to comment further.

The finding was one of a series handed down in a decision involving six former executives of ISL/ISMM, FIFA’s marketing partner for almost two decades. The six were cleared of most of the fraud charges resulting from the company’s collapse. But the court found Jean-Marie Weber, a longtime friend of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, guilty of embezzlement.

The court said Weber transferred $52,000 to his personal account and that it considers his refusal to explain the payment as damaging to his case. Weber’s lawyer, Marc Engler, said his client likely would appeal the conviction on procedural grounds.

“Our client doesn’t have to prove his innocence by declaring the reason for the payment. He has to be assumed innocent,” Engler said.

The judges also found Hans-Juerg Schmid and Hans-Peter Weber—unrelated to Jean-Marie Weber—guilty of deviously obtaining false documents in multiple cases. The two men set up sham companies with the sole aim of diverting funds from the ailing ISMM parent company, which collapsed in May 2001 leaving debts estimated at $300 million.

Among those named in court documents as recipients of payments was the head of South America’s soccer federation, Nicolas Leoz, a 79-year-old lawyer from Paraguay. He was sent two payments in 2000 totaling $130,000, the documents said. Leoz has not been accused of acting illegally and has denied any connection with the marketing company.

The judges said there was no evidence the payments had been bribes, but that they were clearly linked to the sale of marketing and television rights for major sports events.

The six defendants are being awarded compensation ranging from $16,700 to $186,000, less court costs. Such compensation payments—often paid by the government or another party making accusations—frequently are ordered in Switzerland when defendants are acquitted.

Lead prosecutor Marc von Dach said he would consider appealing Wednesday’s verdict.

Prosecutors left open whether a second trial may be opened into whether any FIFA officials received illegal payments from ISL/ISMM.

Football / Trini vs Paraguay

« on: June 20, 2008, 04:19:28 PM »

Remember KTown and Fanfest.

Football / Is this Dutch team for real?

« on: June 13, 2008, 05:13:55 PM »

As a diehard dutch fan and adopted France fan, I found it hard to believe this dutch team is for real.

Football / Ends justify the means

« on: April 16, 2008, 08:10:58 AM »

Ends justify the means

Fazeer Mohammed

Wednesday, April 16th 2008

ON HIS FEET: FIFA vice-president Jack Warner addresses the audience at last week's Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation function at the Banquet Hall, Queen's Park Oval. -Photo: ROBERTO CODALLO

You're right on the ball, Jack. We are indeed a bunch of cowards, for if there was any real semblance of integrity in the media here, there would be no chance of you wielding so much influence over local football.

Don't get me wrong (although I suppose you have already). Doing whatever it takes to give us that extra edge or entrance through the back door onto the global stage reflects a willingness to advance the cause of Trinidad and Tobago. Still the manner in which you go about things-condemning everyone left, right and centre one minute, only to embrace them all again in another poignant "yesterday was yesterday, today is today" moment-should not be tolerated in a country that seeks to operate on the basis of accountability, transparency, structure and process.

Problem is, we're not one of those countries, never mind all the tripe about aspiring to Developed Country status by 2020. No sir, this place is all about the classic crabs-in-a-barrel mentality, where anything and everything goes and by whatever means you get to the top of the pile, well, good for you brudder man.

Like the FIFA Ethics Committee, our Integrity Commission is an elaborate, expensive joke, a weapon deployed to persecute political and other opponents. Just as the victory in the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka would appear to be a justification for the decision not to select a specialist spinner in the eyes of many, most of us are firmly in the business of the ends justifying the means.

So all the shenanigans and erratic behaviour by all concerned are forgotten, or at least temporarily overlooked, whenever we achieve something. It must really be tough being such a powerful and influential football and political person. People who wouldn't usually give you an extra dollar for the more expensive doubles because of your party affiliation will nevertheless swallow their pride (and the kutchela) just for you to smile upon them favourably in your capacity as one of the undisputed jefes of world football.

You really believe that the great England are coming all the way here to play little old us on June 1 because they appreciate how significant an occasion the centenary of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation is? I suppose your status as boss of CONCACAF and the fact that the English are bidding to host the 2018 World Cup finals has nothing to do with it. But, as we say, what wrong with that?

And, as you know only too well, some of those trailing in your considerable wake hoping desperately to collect a few grains of channa include practitioners in that ever-growing, seething mass of personalities that constitutes the local media. A free trip here or there, an expensive bottle of grog or even some cold macaroni pie wrapped in aluminium foil and some of us are solidly on the side of whoever is making the offerings.

That's why you could ramajay as you did last Friday night at the Queen's Park Oval, hitting more sixes than the two teams managed in the two One-Day Internationals combined, in lambasting the media for not showing solidarity to TTFF media officer Shaun Fuentes, tearing into Jamal Shabazz for the women's team's failure to reach the last four of the CONCACAF tournament in Mexico and giving Zoran Vranes advance warning that he will also get his share if the Under-20s disappoint as hosts of their CONCACAF qualifiers.

There is no-one that I know of in the local media, yours truly included, who will take a stand on principle in the face of the childish antics of a Gary Hunt, a Patrick Manning, a Basdeo Panday or even (and these names are in ascending order), a you.

Principle before a story, or better yet, the favour of a sawatee? Nah man. That cannot happen. Certainly not here.

When Express sportswriter David Brewster was denied a media pass for Leslie Stewart's successful world title fight against Marvin Johnson in May, 1987 (the now deceased journalist had raised legitimate questions about the officials for that fight), I don't recall any other branch of the venerable media saying publicly that this was utter nonsense, far less refusing to cover the event.

About a month ago in London, a media relations functionary for some brand or the other was cut down to size for daring to suggest that their spokesperson, new English rugby sensation Danny Cipriani (a fella with Trini roots by the way), would not be taking questions on anything other than his involvement with the programme being launched.

Compare that with Dwight Yorke, amid frenzied speculation about him being on the verge of joining Manchester United, not being questioned about it by our obedient crop on the say-so of some English organiser of an obscure exhibition tournament for has-beens and never-wases in July, 1998. That is, until some nowherian got up and asked what doltishness is this?

Whether it was 21 years ago, ten years ago or just the other day, the principle of non-engagement remains the same because, at the end of the day, who is really interested in integrity, consistency and accountability anyway? It only succeeds in getting your name off the invitation list for the big drink-up at the end of the year.

So Jack, you just keep on keeping on and say it as it is, or at least as you see it, and leave us cowards to wait for the next channa to drop.

fazeer2001@hotmail.com

Football / Warner: Haiti a model to follow

« on: February 16, 2008, 08:06:11 AM »

Warner: Haiti a model to follow Trinidad Guardian

BRIDGETOWN—Concacaf boss Jack Warner has touted Haiti as a model of development for all Caribbean teams to follow.

The French country, unsettled by civil unrest and conflict, defied the odds to win the Digicel Caribbean Cup last year, beating powerhouses T&T 2-1 in the final last year.

“I think Haiti is the most advanced country in football in the Caribbean today. And when you consider the limited resources which they have and what they have been able to achieve, what they have done is even more commendable,” Warner said recently.

“That is why it puts a lie to what we like to complain about in the Caribbean. We complain we don’t have balls, we don’t have equipment … we don’t have all kinds of things.

“We in the Caribbean are a bunch of complainers, we complain for any and everything but Haiti has shown that you can achieve almost everything with nothing and this is what I believe makes Haiti so attractive to me and many of my other colleagues.”

It was the first time Haiti, one of the most impoverish Caribbean countries, had won the regional tournament in only the second time contesting the final, in the competition’s 18-year history.

The victory qualified them for the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States where they finished bottom of Group A after draws with Guadeloupe and Costa Rica and a defeat in their final match to Canada. (CMC)

Football / $12.2-M PROFIT

« on: February 12, 2008, 09:16:15 AM »

WHAT'S THE PROFIT FROM TT VS GUADELOUPE GAMES AFTER JACK CUT

$12.2-M PROFIT
JFF nets big bucks from Costa Rica friendly, but .
Howard Walker, Observer staff reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

MCKNIGHT. we have a budget of almost $400m a year, so this is a very small step in the right direction
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced that they made a projected $12.2m surplus from Jamaica's International Friendly game against Costa Rica last Wednesday.

But that figure is still short of what is needed to properly sustain the football programme, said Leighton McKnight, chairman of the finance committee.

"We still have quite a bit of work to do. When you look at our operating cost you are looking at a minimum of $30m a month and if you make $12m you are just about one-third of where you want to be," McKnight told the Observer yesterday.

"Based all the other factors in, the fact that, at one stage we weren't sure we could host the match, we are satisfied with the outcome and that's the reason why we want to thank everybody," he added.

"It is a very expensive programme and we will only grow from strength to strength. But it is a positive result.

"To finance the programme going forward we have a budget of almost $400m a year, so this is a very small step in the right direction," he reiterated.

In a release yesterday, the JFF said the preliminary income inclusive of ticket sales, sponsorship and broadcast rights was $30m, while awaiting returns from three ticket outlets, as well as the returns from corporate sales.

According to the release, the preliminary net expenses from the event totalled $17.8m, including:

. Expenses directly relating to the Reggae Boyz - $6.9 million. Included in this are air tickets $2.4m, hotel accommodation and meals $2.3m, incentives/fees $2.2m.

. Expenses directly related to the Costa Rica team - $6.5m. This includes air tickets, match fees and hotel accommodation and meals.

. Other match related expenses - $4.4m. Included in this are expenses related to the match officials, security and gate operations, ticket sales, entertainment, printing of tickets, hospitality, advertising and promotions and stadium rental fees.

The JFF projects a net surplus of $12.2m to include game sponsorship from Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB).
"This will no doubt start the chipping away at our recently announced 2008-2010 budget of $1.3 billion and current liabilities inherited from the previous administration of $105m," the release stated.

As it relates to the European-based players, the JFF said it was grateful for the sacrifice the players made to travel across the Atlantic for the game in economy class.

"Most of the clubs in the UK are very reluctant in releasing players for these friendly games when it is announced that the players are booked to travel economy class, and especially since they have to report for games with their clubs within 24 hours of returning to the UK.

"These economy tickets cost an average of $220,000. Checks with the airlines for the cost of business class tickets for our next game against Trinidad and Tobago reveals an average price of $520,000 each and the federation is doing all within its powers to secure an airline deal that can reduce this very prohibitive cost," concluded the JFF release.

Football / All out Blitz on Jackula

« on: February 12, 2008, 08:47:53 AM »

In the next couple months, everyone go to a football game with banner depicting Jackula explots. I'm in NYC and if any nyc socawarrior want to go to a red bull game with banners I'm for it.

http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/schedule/season.jsp?team=t107

Football / Germany's Fanz to coach Cuba free of charge

« on: February 04, 2008, 03:28:11 PM »

Germany's Fanz to coach Cuba free of charge

HAVANA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Cuba will not pay their new soccer coach, Reinhold Fanz of Germany, as he takes on the daunting task of leading them to the 2010 World Cup finals.

The Cuban Soccer Association said on Monday Fanz was loaned by German lower-league side Bonner SC. Cuba will only cover his living and travel expenses.

Fanz, 54, will start training Cuba in March. The former Fortuna Dusseldorf player has had spells coaching Bundesliga clubs Hannover 96 and Eintracht Frankfurt, but has never before coached a national team.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cuba is 71 in the FIFA rankings and has not reached the World Cup finals since 1938, when it was ousted 8-0 by Sweden in the quarterfinals.

"Nothing is impossible," Cuban Soccer Association president Luis Hernandez said of the team's prospects at a news conference, as they defeated Haiti 4-0 in a friendly match.

Cuba is as good as Trinidad and Tobago, which qualified for the last World Cup, Hernandez said.

"This has to be our opportunity," he said.

Fanz will take the Cuban team to train in Germany and Austria later this spring.

Past Cuban coaches included a North Korean, a Hungarian and a Peruvian. (Reporting by Esteban Israel, editing by Alan Elsner)

Updated on Monday, Feb 4, 2008 3:17 pm, EST

Football / UEFA to discuss expanded European finals

« on: January 11, 2008, 06:57:14 PM »

BERNE, Switzerland, Jan 10 (Reuters) - European soccer's governing body UEFA is to consider a report into the possible expansion of the European Championship finals at its Congress in Croatia later this month.

UEFA said on Thursday that it would present the report to delegates from the continent's national associations during the Jan. 31 meeting in Zagreb.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said a final vote on the matter would be taken by the organisation's executive committee at a later date.

The report, which has been prepared by an external consultancy firm, has investigated the effects of increasing the size of the final competition from its current number of 16 teams.

Gaillard said various models had been considered up to a maximum of 24 teams.

'They have looked at different numbers and the overall effect of making such changes, including the possible effect on the qualifying round,' Gaillard said.

'By expanding the number of teams in the final competition you could actually make the qualifying tournament less interesting so all these factors have to be taken into account.'

Any expansion to the tournament could also reduce the chances of smaller nations hosting the event due to the need for more stadiums, hotels and training facilities.

UEFA have already said that any changes to the tournament's format will not be made until the 2016 competition at the earliest.

Switzerland and Austria will co-host Euro 2008 in June while the 2012 edition will be held jointly by Poland and Ukraine.

Football / Euro 2008 Bound

« on: December 10, 2007, 11:31:08 AM »

Does anyone on soca warriors website work with companies that are sponsing the Euro? list below

- Carlsberg
- Coca-Cola
- Hyundai & KIA
- JVC
- MasterCard
- McDonalds

EURO Sponsors:
– Adidas
– Continental
– Castrol
– Canon

I need two tickets for:
France vs Holland
France vs Italy

Football / JFF targets $1b budget for World

« on: November 23, 2007, 07:21:20 AM »

JFF targets $1b budget for World Cup

By Howard Walker Observer Writer walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, November 23, 2007

A $1 billion budget is expected by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to sustain the national programme over the next few years, culminating with the expected qualification of the Reggae Boyz for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Leighton McKnight, chairman of the Finance Committee, made the announcement during a press briefing to outline the current financial position of the JFF at their headquarters in New Kingston yesterday.

JFF Finance Committee chairman Leighton McKnight (centre) gives a breakdown of the federation's financial status at a press briefing yesterday. Looking on are president Captain Horace Burrell (right) and treasurer Gary Sinclair. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

Said McKnight: "In the last few years our operating expenses have never been under $300m and to qualify for the World Cup will take substantially more than that.

"In reality, we're looking close to a billion-dollar budget. It's all good and well to say we're talented, but without the proper preparation, the team is not going to make it."

He added: "There are a lot of financial challenges and we're going to need everybody's help. South Africa is very dear to Jamaica. I'm not sure everybody is aware that we were the first country to apply sanctions against apartheid and they really think a lot of Jamaica and want to see us in South Africa.

"It will cost quite a bit of money.
We have to be innovative. It can't be done by the JFF alone, or the government alone; all the stakeholders will have to come on board. We're putting together a detailed budget for the entire programme.

"We're not perfect; we're going to need ideas, suggestions, financial help. It's going to take quite a bit of money and I don't want to frighten you with the numbers. The Canadian budget is just under a billion Jamaican dollars," revealed McKnight, who is also a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The JFF was not in a position to reveal too much on the Guatemala game played Wednesday night because they are still collating information on ticket sales and bills.

But they revealed that they made a preliminary profit of over $300,000 from the El Salvador game and have paid off the former technical director Velibor "Bora" Milutinovic's salary of $29 million.

The preliminary returns for the El Salvador match showed that the JFF raked in $11.3m in revenue with $7.7m being ticket sales and Digicel's sponsorship of US$24,000 per game, while expenses were $10.9m.

"There is a paradigm shift in staging the matches because the players' expenses for El Salvador and Jamaica is a little over $8m," said McKnight.

The breakdown is as follows:
The airfare for the El Salvador team, US$27,000 (J$1.9m).
The match fee, US$15,000 (J$1.065m); hotel fee, US$11,000 (J$781,000).

The El Salvador team alone would cost just under J$4m.
For the Jamaican team:

Incentive for players, US$23,700 (J$1.6m); hotel, US$21,000 (J$1.5m)
Airfare of just over $2m to bring down the players from all over Europe.

Stadium cost, $872,000; sound, $400,000; workers, $400,000.
As for salaries owing to Milutinovic, president Captain Horace Burrell said he was happy to announce that the JFF have fulfilled their financial obligation to him.

Said Burrell: "When the board decided to terminate Bora's contract, we checked with the labour laws and based on legal advice, he was paid one month's salary.

"In addition, the JFF had a huge amount which he was not paid and having received this money from the government, we took care of all Mr Bora's outstanding payment. I'm happy to report that we have," he stressed.

According to JFF treasurer Gary Sinclair, the $35m that the government handed over on Sunday has already been utilised.

"Most of that is already gone. We owed the former TD US$453,000 that translate to J$29.5m which has been wired to Mr Milutinovic. We then had to spend another US$12,500 on our women's teams for camp and travelling expenses," he said.

Football / Rene returns

« on: November 23, 2007, 07:19:23 AM »

Rene returns

BY SEAN A WILLIAMS Assistant Sports Editor williamss@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, November 23, 2007

FROM all indications, Brazilian coach Professor Rene Simoes will return to lead Jamaica's charge to the World Cup Finals in South Africa in 2010.

SIMOES... guided Jamaica to 1998 World Cup Finals
Even before Captain Horace Burrell retook the reins of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) just over two weeks ago, he had indicated that Simoes was his target man to succeed the sacked Serb-born Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic.

A report which appeared on the Brazilian sports website Lancenet.com.br yesterday, quoted the charismatic Brazilian confirming his return.

"Jamaica is not from the Arab world where one could make a lot of money. However, I love the people and that is why I will return," the report quoted Simoes as saying.

Burrell and JFF general secretary Horace Reid were en route to South Africa for the preliminary draw for the World Cup qualifying series yesterday and could not be reached for comment.
When contacted last evening, first vice-president Dale Spencer declined to comment, and referred this reporter to Burrell.

But since the news of Simoes' possible return started to circulate locally, the JFF has never denied that they were going after their man - the mustachioed Brazilian who led Jamaica to a historic qualification to the 1998 World Cup Finals in France.
With negotiations well advanced, it seemed only a matter of time before Simoes would be back with his old team of Burrell and Reid.

The delay in formally announcing Simoes as the new TD was seemingly due to the fact that he had a contractual arrangement with Serie B Brazilian outfit Coritiba, who earned promotion to Serie A and will play their final game of the season against Santa Cruz tomorrow.
A victory would seal the second division title for them.
The website report stated that "technical director Rene Simoes will return to Jamaica in 2008".

That report also stated that he had received other offers, but opted for Jamaica because of "the good relationship that exists between himself and that country".

With Jamaica's football ranked at an undesirable 103 (the lowest ever), the inactivity of the senior team and general feeling of disenchantment of the football constituency brought on by the Crenston Boxhill administration, the return of Burrell at the helm of the JFF has sparked a revival in the nation's football.

And certainly, the acquisition of the affable Simoes will add spark to the flagging 'Back to Africa' campaign, which has been reignited with two friendly internationals in four days this week where 'strong' Boyz teams defeated El Salvador 3-0 on Sunday and Guatemala 2-0 on Wednesday before massive crowds inside 'The Office'.

Former Reggae Boy and World Cup veteran Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore acted in an interim capacity for both games and is the man who is largely expected to be Simoes' assistant when that time comes.

The 54-year-old Brazilian, who captured the imagination of the Jamaican people with his 'down-to-earth' demeanour and 'Jesus Saves' T-shirts, has coached extensively before and after boarding the 'Road to France' train. Immediately before joining Jamaica he was in charge of Brazil's Under-20 men's team and Al Rayyan FC of Qatar.

Other teams managed:

1994-2000 - Jamaica
2001-2002 - Trinidad
2003 - Honduras
2004 - Brazil Women's
(Olympics silver medal)
2004-2005 - Vitoria FC
(Cup of Portugal)
2006 - Iran Under-23
(Asian Games bronze)
2007 - Coritiba

Football / Valderrama ejected for taunting

« on: November 06, 2007, 01:14:42 PM »

Thu Nov 1, 4:27 PM ET

BOGOTA, Colombia - Colombian soccer star Carlos Valderrama was known for his voluminous hair as well as his deft passing. Add inflamatory taunts to the list.

As the assistant coach of Atletico Junior, Valderrama was ejected from a Colombian league match Wednesday after waving cash in the face of a referee for calling a penalty that helped end his team's hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

The incident, condemned Thursday by Colombia's soccer federation, touched off riots that injured 10 fans and resulted in the arrests of at least a dozen more in Junior's stadium in the Caribbean city of Barranquilla.

The bushy-haired Valderrama lost his temper after referee Oscar Julian Ruiz called a penalty against Junior in the final minutes of the first half, in which Junior was leading America of Cali 1-0.

After Jorge Rojas converted the kick for America, Valderrama rushed from the sideline and began shouting obscenities at Ruiz, eventually pulling from his pocket a 50,000 peso ($25) bill he used to taunt the referee for allegedly taking bribes from the visiting squad.

An irate Valderrama, who captained Colombia at three World Cups during its heyday last decade, was escorted off the field by a dozen riot police while Junior's fans attacked America's supporters with sticks and other debris.

America went on to win 3-1, ending Junior's chances of qualifying for the league's eight-team playoffs.

Valderrama was unrepentant following the match, calling Ruiz a "thief" and saying he stole the match from Junior.

Ruiz, the only Colombian referee used in the 2006 World Cup, was shocked by Valderrama's actions.

"Carlos is my idol, but his behavior really surprised me," Ruiz said.

Football / CFU sponsorship

« on: August 16, 2007, 07:59:23 PM »

Why WarriorNation sponsor the CFU tournament. If every member put 50US we can get ad time.

Football / Brazil vs Mexico

« on: August 10, 2007, 11:13:10 AM »

Ticket go on sale this morning. The game in boston on the 12 sept

Football / Champions League qualifying draw

« on: August 03, 2007, 07:47:16 AM »

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=449071&cc=5901

Football / Blatter: Regional rotation no longer crucial for World Cup

« on: June 24, 2007, 09:04:24 PM »

Blatter: Regional rotation no longer crucial for World Cup

By NANCY ARMOUR, AP National Writer
June 24, 2007

CHICAGO (AP) -- The World Cup's growth in popularity could cost the United States.

FIFA's executive committee still hasn't decided if it will stay with regional rotation of World Cup sites past 2014. The North and Central American and Caribbean region is due to get the World Cup in 2018 under the current system, and the United States plans to bid.

But the World Cup has become such a big event worldwide -- in fan interest, television ratings and ticket sales -- that it no longer matters where it's played, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Sunday.

"Now the executive committee is confronted with the question, What will happen next?" Blatter said, speaking before the Gold Cup final. "If we go on with the rotation as it is, then the next one should go to the CONCACAF. On the other hand, you have people asking that every third time, the World Cup should come back to Europe. Why?

"We have realized it's not important where the World Cup is played concerning the impact of the World Cup," he said. "The product nowadays, for emotion, for passion, for bringing people together is such ... that it is not so important where you play."

The World Cup will be played in South Africa in 2010. Brazil is the sole candidate to host in 2014, and FIFA's executive committee is scheduled to vote in November.

Blatter also said that while South Africa needs to improve its transportation system, he is confident the country can put on a successful World Cup. He toured stadium sites and met with officials from the government and local organizing committee during a visit there last week.

Security won't be an issue, either, Blatter promised.

"In all big cities, there is a problem of security and there is a lot of crime. But when you know where the danger is, you can take the adequate measures," he said. There is unity now in this country behind this competition. Let's trust South Africa and the African continent they will be able to receive all the visitors with open arms and open hearts."

Blatter also defended FIFA's ban on high-altitude games, which has caused a furor in several South American countries. FIFA last month banned international tournaments and World Cup qualifying matches at any stadium above 8,200 feet. That rules out games in the capitals of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and the stadiums of leading teams in Peru, Chile and Mexico.

The problem isn't the altitude, but the lack of time players have to adjust to it, Blatter said. The South America region continues to play its World Cup qualifiers on back-to-back days, playing games Saturday and Sunday, and Tuesday and Wednesday.

"There is no possibility for acclimatization," Blatter said. "If you don't have time for this acclimatization, then your health can suffer.

"We have never said you can't play," he added. "This is only for the qualifications for the World Cup. Club competitions, national competitions, they can play wherever they want to play."

CONCACAF president Jack Warner acknowledged there have been some problems with refereeing at the Gold Cup, but said none were deliberate. He also refused to single out any referees who had problems.

The United States advanced to Sunday's final after the Canadians had a goal waved off in the final minute of stoppage time on a disputed offsides call.

"Referees are human beings like anyone else. They can make mistakes at any level and I admit some mistakes have been made," Warner said. "But at no point and time has it been fixed for any country. It would be an absurd thing to do."

Updated on Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 3:48 pm EDT

JACKASS WARNER SAYS THE REFEREES ARE HUMAN. WOULD HE GO TO A DOCTOR HOW MAKE THREE MISDIAGNOSES EVERY WEEK?

Football / FIFA made to pay in World Cup sponsorship row

« on: June 21, 2007, 06:09:42 PM »

FIFA made to pay in World Cup sponsorship row

June 21, 2007
By Martyn Ziegler Special to PA SportsTicker

FIFA has agreed to pay $90 million compensation to sponsor MasterCard for misleading the credit-card giant in negotiations for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups on Thursday.

The huge settlement brings an end to legal action in the United States and Switzerland, and MasterCard's rivals, VISA, will sponsor the next two final tournaments.

A U.S. court judge said last year that FIFA executives had "lied repeatedly" in negotiations with MasterCard, and in response the game's world governing body sacked four officials. Marketing chief Jerome Valcke has since been reinstated.

"The two parties have reached agreement resolving the contract dispute related to MasterCard's first right to acquire the sponsorship for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups," FIFA said in a statement.

"As a result of the agreement, MasterCard will discontinue its sponsorship of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, with FIFA agreeing to compensate MasterCard for that discontinuation.

"Both parties also agreed to terminate legal proceedings in the U.S. and Switzerland."

MasterCard said in a statement that $87.5 million would be paid by FIFA in the second quarter of this year and $2.5 million in the third quarter.

The firm won a federal court decision against FIFA in December, but an appeal court last month ordered a review of that ruling.

The December court ruling stated "FIFA's negotiators lied repeatedly to MasterCard, including when they assured MasterCard that ... FIFA would not sign a deal for the post-2006 sponsorship rights with anyone else unless it could not reach agreement with MasterCard."

It said the negotiators provided VISA with blow-by-blow updates of the MasterCard negotiations.

The court heard FIFA executives were determined to give the contract to VISA, rather than its current sponsor MasterCard, when both were offering similar amounts of money.

There were also indications of an attempted cover-up with a "mysterious gap" in an audio tape recording of a FIFA executive committee meeting which dealt with the sponsorship decision.

The ruling also suggested someone at FIFA changed the date on contracts given to VISA to make it look as though it had been signed several days earlier.

FIFA lied hmm. I guess Jack had a workshop, to train FIFA heads on lying.

Football / Two players from Cuban Gold Cup team missing

« on: June 17, 2007, 06:20:41 PM »

Updated: June 14, 2007
Two players from Cuban Gold Cup team missingAssociated Press

HOUSTON -- Two players on Cuba's national soccer team didn't show up for a tournament in Houston and team officials worried the two had defected.

The Cubans lost in Houston Wednesday night in the first round of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament and were eliminated. After the 5-0 loss to Honduras, Cuban coach Raul Gonzalez declined to say whether Osvaldo Alonso and Lester More defected.

More apparently went missing at a previous stop in East Rutherford, N.J.; Alonso didn't return from a group shopping trip before the game in Houston.

"I'm a football man, not a politician. I will not answer that question,'' Gonzalez told reporters.

"They went for the gold. I hope they don't end up with thorns. The ones who take another road take it because they want to take it.''

Zac Emmons, Gold Cup spokesman, said the team planned to fly back to Cuba on Thursday morning. Gonzalez and Alonso had checked out of their hotel on Thursday morning.

CONCACAF, the governing body of soccer, issued a statement before the game saying it would not comment on rumors of a Cuban defection.

No one answered at the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, D.C. A call to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which would handle defections, was not immediately returned.

Cuban athletes have defected from the communist country while in international competitions outside Cuba. In 2005, forward Maykel Galindo defected during a Gold Cup tournament in Seattle.

Cuba is a powerhouse in international baseball and at least 20 players have defected since 1991. Some have had great success in the major leagues.

In October 2002, Jose Contreras, a pitcher, defected while playing for his national team during a tournament in Mexico. He signed with the New York Yankees two months later. Contreras played for the Cuban team that won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.

Livan Hernandez, another pitcher, defected in September 1995. His half-brother, Orlando, was detained by Cuban security officials in July 1996 and banned from playing for his country three months later. Orlando Hernandez, a member of the gold-medal winning team at the 1992 Olympics, defected late in 1997.

Livan Hernandez signed with the Florida Marlins in 1996 and Florida won the World Series the next year, with Hernandez named Most Valuable Player. Orlando Hernandez signed with the Yankees in 1998 and New York won the World Series in each of his first three seasons.

Orlando Hernandez signed with the Chicago White Sox before the 2005 season, joining Contreras on the pitching staff. Contreras won Game 1 of the 2005 World Series and Hernandez pitched a scoreless inning in Game 3, helping Chicago sweep the Houston Astros.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

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