Friday 3 December 2010

The Big Sleaze

And tonight Matthew: Blatter confirms Twitter's Russian prediction

“When you have the best technical bid, fantastic inspection visits, the best economic report, and, from what people told us, the best presentation, it's quite hard to stomach that all that seemed to count for absolutely nothing.” – Andy Anson, chief executive officer of England’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid.

Unless you’ve been trapped indoors due to the arctic conditions and had the double misfortune of a power cut to boot, it will not have escaped your attention England failed in their bid to host the 2018 World Cup yesterday.

Instead, the honour goes to Russia, a nation as corrupt and as scheming as the bigwigs who sit on FIFA's 22-man Executive Committee.

Far from sounding bitter, the simple truth is England’s bid was the best going. As FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been quoted in saying, England could host it tomorrow.

Every box was ticked as England’s bid resembled near perfection. Led by their Three Lions, PM David Cameron, Prince William and its most-tattooed footballer David Beckham, few could predict the thrashing England would go on to receive.

Even the one area flagged up as England’s Achilles heel, a lasting legacy, was covered by arguably the most impressive speech conducted by an Englishman since Winston Churchill’s WWII rallying cry.

Eddie Afekafe, a social inclusion manager with Manchester City, was the star of the show, explaining how football had given him the opportunity of escaping the clutches of Manchester’s gang culture.

He said: “Mr President, mine is just one story. A World Cup here could change the lives of millions of people like me.”

England were sent crashing out at the first round of voting with only two votes. To add insult to injury, one of them was cast by an Englishman - 2018 bid chairman Geoff Thompson who has a seat on the committee.

Effectively, England's outstanding bid attracted a miserly one vote from 21 going.

The professional manner in which England conducted their campaign and the round-the-clock efforts of bid president, David Dein, meant it deserved more, and casts serious aspersions over how the process is carried out.

Yes the best team does not always win in football. But more often then not, if they dominate a game and play as impressively as England did, they will score more than once.

This is why there is certain to be a thorough investigation in the coming months into how FIFA choses the host nation.

There are two reasons why England were so comprehensively beaten, and thoroughly overlooked by the committee members.

The first is so obvious I shall not delve too deeply into it. But a certain investigative TV programme, screened just three days before the announcement, may have something to do with it.

The BBC cannot be blamed. Can you imagine if they had waited until after the announcement then given the go-ahead?

Cynics and the world’s media will no doubt have pointed to sour grapes.

By the same token, there would have been a public outcry if such damning evidence had been held back.

But enough of that, as England’s bid was defeated by a landslide. It’s not as if it was lost by a small margin, the sort of defeat where you could then look for extenuating circumstances.

No, England’s bid was never going to win for reasons beyond its control, reasons that are so profound and, in truth, damning for the game.

FIFA are a licence to themselves, and are so corrupt they make Oliver Twist's Fagan look like Santa Clause.

They are accountable to no one, and this must change if nations such as England want to succeed in any future bid.

Throughout the process, England were led to believe they had an excellent bid and members promised them their vote.

With these assurances not fulfilled, one has to ask the question: what changed their minds?

Anson has called for extensive changes to the voting system
The bid's chief Andy Anson revealed today how Blatter had spoke of the 'evils of the media' in his final speech to the committee just before their vote.

Asked if he thought England should bid for future tournaments, Anson told a news conference in Zurich: “I would say right now don’t bother until you know that the process is going to change to allow bids like ours (a chance) to win.

On Blatter’s address, Anson added: “I think that was unhelpful - the last thing those guys hear before they go and tick the box is the evil of the media.

“There was a final sum-up before they voted and I think it was at the beginning of that. That's not helpful to our cause.”

FIFA should also be asked to defend why they chose to conduct two bids side by side.

This opens up the possibility of collusion, and Anson added: “Running two bids together was clearly a huge mistake.

“Everyone who had a vote and a bid clearly wanted to trade that vote for something that helped them get over the line in that campaign.

Australia had a very good bid and they got one vote, we had a very good bid and we got two, the USA had an unbelievably strong technical bid and got three.

“Six votes in the first round between those three, there's something not quite right.

“You have to open it up to all member associations and have transparency and open voting so everyone knows who voted for whom.”

Earlier this month, FIFA has been the subject of further corruption charges when the Sunday Times named and shamed six committee members who asked for money in exchange for votes.

Two were banned over these allegations, while the remaining four have been suspended pending investigation.

At the time, Blatter said: “No, I'm not pleased about that because this is not very fair, but now we have a result it gives us an opportunity to clean a little bit whatever has to be cleaned.”

It appears Blatter is waiting until the spring.

Another question mark hovering over FIFA is the Swiss controller's unrelenting crusade of taking football to the nether reaches of this world.

It has led Twitter user DavidBedwell to quip: “After Qatar wins the 2022 bid, 2026 is rumoured to be between Narnia, Mordor and Krypton.”

Indeed, before Russia 2018, the score was Western Europe 10-0 Eastern Europe in the hosting stakes.

So, a result for change, but we should not be too surprised.

This year, the tournament was hosted by South Africa – the first time the World Cup has travelled to the continent.

A change gonna come: Blatter sandwiched between Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad
bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.

It was also revealed yesterday that football will cross further frontiers when the World Cup travels to Qatar in 2022.

“Expect Amazing” their bid motto promised, and the World certainly was amazed as Blatter slowly pulled open the envelope.

Qatar will have their work cut out, however, in hosting the World Cup, and serious questions will need to be answered closer to the time.

Cynics may argue such was Blatter’s desire to continue his quest, he conducted a joint bid, thus giving Qatar the longest possible time to prepare.

The Emirate nation is half the size of Wales, and only has two cities.

It will need to build nine new stadiums, while England fans will be pleased to hear it is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages in public places.

Perhaps the biggest stumbling block to Qatar 2022 is the searing heat that will meet the teams in June and July.

Playing in temperatures of 50C is not going to be viable, so expect the first World Cup to be held either in the spring or the autumn (either that or those air conditioning machines are going to have to put on one hell of a show).

So, in conclusion: why can’t us Brits be magnanimous in defeat? (‘Congratulations Russia and Qatar, your bids were worthy and we look forward to gracing your countries as and when.’)

The reality is, when you are defeated by a better team, you hold your hands up.

But when you feel you are robbed, just as Germany did in 1966 with Geoff Hurst’s phantom goal, and as Frank Lampard did 44 years later when his effort was half a meter over the line, you feel a sense of injustice.

There is sure to be an inquest into how FIFA select their host nations, and stand by for further programmes in the not too distant future.

I hope the fallout does stimulate enough debate for FIFA to reconsider how they conduct future World Cup bids, rather than fuel the fire of discontent that is apparent between England and football's chief governing body.

My hunch is that it won’t.

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NB Spare a thought for the Aussies, their bid to host the 2022 World Cup only received one vote. Will Adelaide bring them any joy in the coming days? Don’t count on it…

Friday 19 November 2010

Giving something back. The nicer side of football

Flying the flag: Essien was in Ghana supporting his foundation
Overpaid, poor role models, on field prima donnas, disenfranchised from reality. These are only a few of the slurs aimed at the modern-day footballer.

The off-the-field antics of the likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and even youngster Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere in recent weeks have only fuelled the fire of ill-feeling towards this particular group.

Believe it or not, although there are some bad eggs who continuously profess to have turned a corner (Joey Barton perhaps?) there those who go the extra mile to give something back.

Only this week Michael Essien returned to his hometown in Ghana, Awutu, to help promote his charity, the Michael Essien Foundation.

To date, it has helped fund a water bore hole in the centre of the town, as well as new public toilets.
“It is so good to be home and be able to give something back to my community,” said Essien.

“It is great to be here, where I used to play football, and the amount of people here is really special, it makes me really proud.”

The Ghana international is not alone by any means. Football fans across the land may have been surprised to learn Craig Bellamy opened a school in Sierra Leone earlier this year.

Although the cynics may see these as well-timed PR stunts, the Essien visit coinciding nicely with a three-game ban following a nasty two-footed lunge last week, while the Craig Bellamy Foundation set up to placate those who feel the Welsh international is little more than an angry thug, the pair are demonstrating a more generous and compassionate side to their feisty characters.

But there is plenty that goes on out of the public eye.

“Lots of players are setting up foundations,” said former Liverpool defender Phil Babb, speaking at The Sue Ryder International Cup, a charity event hoping to raise money for its international work.

“There are so many things going on behind the scenes. People don’t always see what’s happening – players are constantly out there giving something back.”

Babb was joined by fellow ex-pros Bob Bolder, Steve Lomas, Kerry Dixon and Steve Claridge in a legends team which faced the tournament’s winners.
Football friends: Getting up close and personal with the legends
Claridge and Dixon regularly feature in tournaments, while Lomas helps out at Children’s Hospice Haven House back in his native Northern Ireland.

Lomas said: “There are a lot of wonderful people involved there.

“Ray Winstone’s a patron and they give valuable support to the families.”

Babb said he and his teammates realise just how privileged they are and he remains grateful for the impact football has had on his life.

The former Republic of Ireland international has played for various Liverpool legends teams over the past seven years, while the club regularly host a Football Aid event.

Indeed, Liverpool as a club, and city, have a rich history of charitable work.

Both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have raised money for LUPUS UK, while vice-captain Jamie Carragher has set up his own charity, the 23 Foundation, which hopes to give children on Merseyside a better life.

Across Stanley Park, Everton skipper Phil Neville and his wife Julie are patrons of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Charity.

Their daughter Isabella was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was just 18 months old and they were told she may never walk.

Despite this setback the couple, in particular Julie, have embarked on a vigorous fund-raising campaign which has seen a celebrity auction, a reception for the appeal at No10 with the Prime Minister, a series of fundraising races and two concerts.

To date, the charity has raised over £20 million.

In June this year, celebrities and some of the biggest names in football joined forces for Soccer Aid, a match held at Old Trafford to raise money to benefit UNICEF projects around the world.

While all of the above barely scratches the surface of charitable work carried out by current and former pros, it remains to be seen whether the football community can shackle the tarnished image created by many of the game’s less than responsible characters.

As long as the fund raising continues, be it in the public eye or behind the scenes, I doubt the game’s true legends will care.

Friday 12 November 2010

Bolt from the Blue

Monday, Tuesday, Happy Days: Ray enjoying a joke with Ancelotti and Terry

Yesterday evening, Chelsea Football Club announced the shock departure of Ray Wilkins as their assistant manager.

Ray was one minute putting the ground-work in at their Surrey training base in a reserve-team game with Bayern Munich, and the next being told his services were no longer required.

Senior members of the backroom staff are rightly stunned by the decision to part company with such a popular character and this is a travesty not just for Chelsea, but for the football community.

In an age where loyalty is seemingly on the wane in the game, Ray was a breath of fresh air at a club that defines everything bad about the modern game: 1. foreign ownership and 2. debts only manageable by securing ludicrous loans and qualifying for the Champions League season-in season-out.

Ray has been associated with his boyhood club on and off for 37 years and, despite Chelsea’s flirtation with countless foreign managers, he has provided a solid English pillar.

Leader of the pack: A youthful Wilkins was handed the captaincy at just 18
He made 179 appearances for Chelsea, joining them as an apprentice in 1973, and filled in as caretaker manager twice, before assuming his role as assistant manager in 2009.

To sever ties with him is saddening, while the timing sickening.

Why wait 12 games into a season before rendering his services redundant? Surly it would have been preferable for an amicable parting of the ways in the summer.

The press have come to the conclusion there must have been a falling out with the manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

Such a scenario would make sense. In his latest book, The Beautiful Game of an Ordinary Genius released in August, Ancelotti was full of praise for his assistant.

“One of the reasons I fit into the locker room was thanks to the fundamental role played by Ray Wilkins, my number two and my friend,” it reads.

“It's one thing to translate words – plenty of people can do that – but translating feelings is the gift of only a select few.

“Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins.

“Without him, we couldn't have won a thing.”

The book also states what a great bloke John Terry is.

The fact Ray is held in such high esteem by the same man who was part of consultation process to oust him is telling; so I wouldn’t get too ahead of yourself John.

So all points to a very bitter, and recent falling out.

But I believe in an all-too-sinister alternative.

Today the game is run as a business; a cut-throat industry ran as meticulously off it as on it.

If an owner pours billions into a club and is dissatisfied with even the most minute of irritants, the axe is wielded, with timing and the individual concerned barely taken into consideration.

Quite how Ray fell victim to Roman Abramovich's regime is left open to speculation.

But from the outside looking in, the way this ‘blue-blood’ has been treated is despicable, and both Ancelotti and Abramovich should hang their heads in shame at this apparent coups d'état.

Anyone who has met Ray will tell you how likeable he is and, from a football fan’s perspective, he is a rare gem.

Ray spotted collecting his Barclays Merit Award for services to CFC
He is not of the Mick McCarthy or Ian Holloway school of comedy, nor part of the cryptic crew of Messrs Cantona, Ferguson or Benítez.

But his charm offensive is unique and likeable.

His tone of voice and charisma in discussing a John Terry elbow or a Didier Drogba dive is as eloquent as if he were giving a treatise on a Monet, or a Mozart violin concerto, all while sitting back to a glass of burgundy.

Quite what his views on French impressionist painting and Classical music is anyone’s guess.

But his passion for Chelsea is insatiable and was evident not least when he acted as a judge in Sky One’s Football Icon, a nationwide talent search for the next Frank Lampard.

Ray had no obligation to get involved in such a charade, but never-the-less offered four-decades worth of experience to these kids as if they were his own.

Perhaps this paternal instinct, evident when he skippered a youthful Chelsea team to promotion in 1977 and his work under two managers for the England Under-21s, is wasted on prima donnas such as Drogba and better suited to a youth set-up.

There is no doubting should he pursue this career path next there will be no shortage of admirers.

But the way he has been treated this week by Chelsea is despicable, and should be a wake-up call for football – loyalty is not something that can be bought, nor taken for granted.

With Chelsea looking down on the Football League, flying high in Europe and with an FA Cup to defend, don’t be surprised if Karma makes a timely appearance when the pots are handed out in May.

Thursday 28 October 2010

Henson Circus Set To Continue At Sarries

Strictly professional: Henson with his new Saracens team-mates


Gavin Henson revealed this week he hopes to play rugby for Wales again after signing a deal with Saracens until the end of the season.

The exiled Henson raised a few eyebrows when he was chosen to launch the new Wales kit last month, but this move is the first step towards international redemption.

And after signing for the Sarries, Henson hopes to grace the Millennium Stadium sooner, rather than later.

“I know I still have so much to give to rugby, and I can’t wait to get back on the field, playing for Saracens and hopefully for Wales,” he said.

“Now it’s time to start working hard, getting back to match fitness as soon as possible and then to let my rugby do all the talking.”

Henson has been in self-imposed exile from rugby for 19 months, and after suffering a turbulent year off the field, the rugby world was beginning to wonder whether he had fallen out of love with the game.

But Henson dispelled any such fears, adding: “I am genuinely delighted to get this opportunity to play for Saracens.

“They have created a special vibe at the club and just being around them has rekindled my enthusiasm for the sport.”

Time will tell whether Henson has rekindled his love-affair with rugby, as to date he has seemingly courted more publicity off the field than on it.

He is not alone, however, as a number of sports stars have looked to make a name for themselves away from the day job.

Danny Cipriani
Not dissimilar to Henson, Cipriani has made more headlines off the field than on it in his short career. Set to make his England debut against Scotland on 8 March 2008, Kelly Brook’s former hubby was removed from the starting fifteen after been snapped leaving a nightclub a few days before. Currently waiting for his visa to join the Melbourne Rebels, Cipriani allegedly spent the summer ‘maintaining his fitness levels’ at Tottenham, QPR and at Lindsay Lohan’s.

Anna Kournikova
Probably the biggest pin-up of a generation, Kournikova broke onto the scene as an innocent 15-year old at the 1996 U.S. Open. Her singles career never took off, however, with a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon a year later the furthest she progressed in a major. The Russian has earned millions off the court, appearing in numerous FHM and Maxim shoots, and was the face of the highly successful ‘only the ball should bounce’ billboard campaign for Berlei's shock-absorber sports bras. She has dated pop star Enrique Iglesias since 2001 and appeared in his music video ‘Escape’.

Ana Ivanovic
Like Kournikova, Ivanovic is fast becoming more of a pin-up than a tennis sensation, also appearing in FHM. Despite winning the 2008 French Open, she has disappointed in all majors since and after defeat in the first round of Wimbledon this year, fell to 64th in the world rankings.

Jenson Button pre-2009
The current Formula One World Drivers’ Champion did not always have it his own way on the track. After a staggering 113 races, Button won his first Grand Prix in Hungary in 2006. In this period, Button did have the consolation of having a series of stunning spouses. During a five-year romance, Button was engaged to actress and singer Louise Griffiths. He has also dated Rose McGowan and model Florence Brudenell-Bruce. It has taken nine years, but Button has finally managed to successfully juggle life in the fast lane with his love-life, currently back with the dazzling Jessica Michibata after a short break.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr
Mayweather is an undoubted force in the ring, but labelling him a ‘great’ will have to wait until his protracted fight with Manny Pacquiao is sorted out. The five-division world champion has courted publicity elsewhere, and his self-proclaimed money tag has seen him dabble in wrestling, appearing in WWE's No Way Out in February, 2008. Like Henson, he has also appeared in a reality-series dance show, lasting four rounds in America’s Dancing with the Stars in 2007.

Mike Tyson
Where do you start? Since becoming the youngest boxer to win the WBC title at the age of 20 and the first to simultaneously hold all WBA, WBC and IBF titles, Tyson’s private life could be held accountable for regularly stalling one of the greatest heavy-weight boxers of all time. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of sexually assaulting Desiree Washington, and served three years in prison. He re-gained a portion of the heavyweight title in 1996, but lost it to Evander Holyfield later that year by an 11th round TKO. In their 1997 rematch, Tyson’s troubled past reared its ugly head once more when he was disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear. Tyson declared bankruptcy in 2003, despite receiving around $300 million during his career. In May 2009, Tyson's 4-year-old daughter tragically died after becoming tangled in an exercise treadmill’s cord.

Friday 22 October 2010

Player Power on the Wayne

Roo-turn: Rooney has signed a multi-million pound deal to stay at Old Trafford

So, the inevitable has happened. Wayne Rooney has thrown his toys out the pram and today managed to secure a new five-year deal at Old Trafford.


But, despite the recent circus surrounding Rooney, are the events of the past week in fact a victory for football, rather than a smash-and-grab job from Wazza?

Ian Holloway expressed his concern in a manner only he knows how on Thursday, but his emotional rant did highlight an increasing concern in the modern game: player power.

“If Alex Ferguson is being bullied by his player and his agent, how wrong is the game?” he said.

“Some say it’s unfair on the player – rubbish! He’s had his wages every week guaranteed come rain or shine, whether he’s injured or not.

“They bought him, they work with him – he belongs to them.”

But as Rooney looks set to stay at United for the foreseeable future, perhaps Ollie’s concerns are not as widespread as he would have us to believe.

The conclusion of this week’s events proves Sir Alex is still the master, that he and he alone decides the comings and goings through the proverbial door at Old Trafford.

Although this is arguably the most high-profile case of a manager biting back in recent times, there have been examples of players publically expressing a desire to leave, only to find the door slammed in their faces, and a large slice of humble pie to accompany their new contract.

In July 2005, weeks after captaining the side to Champions League glory, Steven Gerrard submitted a transfer request at Anfield.

But, in a similar twist to close-friend Rooney, Stevie G performed a miraculous u-turn and opted to stay with his beloved Reds.

The same could be said of Cesc Fabregas this summer.

After winning the World Cup, the Arsenal skipper made it clear he wanted to rejoin his compatriots at Barcelona.

But Fabregas’ expected move to the Nou Camp will have to wait for now, as Arsène Wenger, like Fergie, has shown who is boss and managed to persuade his want-away star to stay.

“I convinced him to stay. I am confident we will keep him for a few more years,” said the Frenchman, after rejecting two bids for his star man in the summer.

Dismissing the theory there is a gentleman’s agreement in place for his captain to return to his home city next year, Wenger said: “He deeply loves this club – if he did not love the club, he would have gone.

“You have to remember that Barcelona has an attraction because he grew up there, but I believe he wants to win with this club.”

Arsenal fans may well cite Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid as an example of player power eventually coming to the fore to secure a desired transfer.

But in the time after Sir Alex managed to convince Ronaldo to stay in the summer of 2006, United won a further three league titles, a League Cup and a Champions League, before Ronaldo tottered off to the Bernabeu with the club’s best wishes.

If Cesc delivers the goods in the next couple of seasons, ending Arsenal’s six-year wait for a trophy, then he too may well leave with a pat on the back.

Rooney’s high opinion of himself to the extent where he feels he can pull a stunt like he has is surprising only for the timing.

He has so far failed to replicate the stunning form of last term, but one player who is currently scaling the heights is Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and, refreshingly, he remains grounded.

The Welshman hit a stunning hat-trick this week in The San Siro against Inter Milan, but refreshingly remains grounded on his future.

“I don't see a team in my mind that is not Spurs," said the former Southampton man.

“I don't have another club in my mind in Italy, Spain nor England. I am fine here at Tottenham.”

This must be music to the ears of the White Hart Lane faithful, and proves loyalty can prevail in an era of mercenary footballers.

Roongate is over, for now, but when football scholars many years from now look back on this protracted saga, they may well pinpoint this as a crucial victory for football. Let’s all raise a glass to Sir Alex.

Monday 18 October 2010

Arsenal on cloud nine

UEFA Womens Champions League – Round of 32

Arsenal 9
Yankey 19, E. White 23, Little 26, 42, Davison 51, Nobbs 55, Sampanidis og 79, Carter 84, Ludlow 90

ŽFK Mašinac 0
(Arsenal win 12-1 on aggregate)


Davison jumps for joy, while her team-mates mob Ellen White
Laura Harvey praised her strongest ever Arsenal squad as they eased to a 9-0, 12-1 aggregate win over ŽFK Mašinac and into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Despite playing in their off-season, Rachel Yankey, Ellen White and a Kim Little double put the hosts four up by half time to put the tie well beyond the Serbs.

Not content with this, the home side scored five more in the second period, with Gemma Davison, Jordan Nobbs and an own goal from Hristina Sampanidis making it seven.

Two late efforts from Danielle Carter and Jayne Ludlow sealed the rout, and Arsenal now face Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano in the next round.

For manager Harvey, it was a pleasing day at the office.

She said: “Not conceding’s always good, but as we were four up at half time, it was nice to enjoy ourselves in the second half.

“It’s been tough recently, not playing consistently, then having to play a Champions League game.

“But we’re pleased with how the players we’ve brought in are playing, and they’ve added an extra quality.

“This is the most competition we’ve had for a while, our bench is the strongest it’s ever been.

“It’s difficult to put your finger on a starting XI and this keeps the performances high.

“It’ll be tough against the Spanish as they’re in season, so I’m going out there to see them next week.”

The home side dominated throughout, playing an attacking brand of football which no doubt pleased the on-looking England coach Hope Powell.

Yankey was enjoying a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges, and had a couple of half chances before opening the scoring.

After a quarter of an hour, the England international sprayed a super 40-yard ball out left to Davison, who cut inside to return the ball to Yankey, but her powerful left-footed drive was well saved by Allysa Clark.

Moments later, Little showed decent trickery on the left of the area, before finding Yankey, who was once again foiled by Clark.

Despite her heroics, Clark was powerless to stop the breakthrough and, 19 minutes in, Ellen White’s right-wing cross found Yankey, who netted at the second attempt.

The hosts were finding their rhythm, and four minutes later doubled their advantage.

Ellen White played a neat one-two with Little on the edge of the box, before firing past a helpless Clark ten yards out; her defence failing her once more.

With the tie all but over, Arsenal’s approach was anything but relaxed as they continued to pass the ball with flair and purpose, and this brought about their third of the afternoon just before the half-hour.

Little powers through for her first of the day
Following a passage of neat passing, Little picked up the ball from just inside the opposition’s half and after a mazy run, she finished emphatically into the left-hand corner.

Three minutes before the break, Davison found Little inside the six-yard box and she powered home her second.

On 51 minutes, the hosts had their fifth when a short corner found Davison on the edge of the box, and after hurdling a challenge, she curled a delightful effort into the top right-hand corner.

Four minutes later, substitute Nobbs got in on the act, rifling home from the right side of the penalty area after the ball ricochet off a ZFK defender.

To further add to coach Perica Petrovic’s woe, his side had to play the final 18 minutes with ten players, Ivana Kostic seeing red for a second yellow after a cynical lunge on live-wire sub Carter.

With just over ten minutes remaining, the ladies got number seven when Little’s menacing ball from the right was turned into her own goal by Sampanidis, while Carter bundled home a eighth six minutes from time.

An injury-time ninth came when Yvonne Tracy squared for Ludlow to tap home the easiest goal of the afternoon to end a miserable day for the visitors.

“We want to offer our congratulations to Arsenal. At this moment we are not at their level,” said Petrovic.

“Our team is very young, and they need to work hard to reach the standards Arsenal are playing.

“In the first leg, we matched them physically, but today we never reached the same standards.

“We hope we will be able to play at their level as we are the best team in Serbia, but it may take two or three years before we are there.”


Arsenal: Byrne, Houghton, F. White (Tracy 56), Flaherty, Fahey, Davison, Ludlow, Grant (Nobbis 45), Yankey (Beattie 68), Little, E. White.
Subs not used: Spencer, Carter, Bruton, Fay.

ŽFK Mašinac: Clark, Kostic, Sampanidis (Smiljkovic 89), Dimitrijevic, Nikolic, Vujosevic (Trisic 45), Pavicevic (Ristic 63), Stojanovic, Lilic, Krstic, Radojicic.
Subs not used: Marinkovic, Stankovic.

Referee: Marina Mamayeva
Attendance: 325
Star player: Gemma Davison, Arsenal left-winger

Friday 24 September 2010

Commonwealth Games Farce

All eyes will be on India in the coming weeks

This week revealed some shocking images from India as it prepares to host the nineteenth Commonwealth Games.

New Delhi plays host from the 3rd–14th October, and India 2010 has been billed as a celebration of diverse culture, traditions and heritage.

But this week’s news highlighted the difficulties facing the Indian Organising Committee as it builds up to the opening ceremony, with the footbridge collapse on Tuesday triggering a whole host of revelations.

Sky revealed a hole in the ceiling of the weightlifting hall which eventually gave way, while various media outlets have exposed the filthy state of the accommodation provided for the athletes.

Images of stained wash basins, urine-splattered bathroom floors and paw marks from wild dogs who roam around Delhi’s streets all came to light on Thursday – just hours before the first lot of English athletes were due to fly out.

Wales, having previously set a deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, seem to have been convinced by India’s efforts, and will send out their athletes tomorrow, but others are less than impressed.

Despite Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh taking control of the dire situation, the federal government have ordered the Organising Committee to hand over management of the village, the Scotland team are delaying their first party of 41.

Now William Hill is offering 5-1 odds the games will fail to go ahead as scheduled, and 2-1 that either England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will pull out.

Big names of the athletics world have already said they will not compete, further casting doubt over the credibility of this year’s games.

Great Britain’s quadruple Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy withdrew in July, admittedly sighting a clash with the European Championships which carry Olympic qualification points.

However, Sir Chris is not the only Brit to have snubbed the games.

He has been joined by 400m’s reigning Commonwealth and Olympic Champion Christine Ohuruogu and triple jump’s World Champion and reigning Commonwealth Games Champion Phillips Idowu in the last week.


Not to mention Jamaica’s 100m sprint-sensation Usain Bolt, above, and fellow countryman and defending 100m champion Asafa Powell.

Both speed daemons have sighted niggling injuries and a preference to get into shape ahead of next year’s World Championships in South Korea as their reasons for withdrawing.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Minister for Sport Mark Arbib claimed more could follow world discus champion Dani Samuels’ tearful withdrawal over health and security worries, while Canadian officials have described the Indian officials as ‘incompromisable’.

All in all, it has probably been the worst build-up to a games in recent history, if not of all time.

But how has it been allowed to get to this calamitous stage?

Seven years ago, The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), chose India as its nation to host the quadrennial event.

Few could blame them.

India, the second most populous country with over 1.18 billion people, has a wealth of commercial and cultural heritage.

It has as diverse a culture as you can imagine, founding four of the world’s major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism – while Judaism, Christianity and Islam joined during the first millennium CE.


Add to this one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal (pictured), and fellow UNESCO World Heritage Site The Mahabodhi Temple, and none can argue India lays host to some of the world’s finest beauty spots.

Responsible for the direction and control of the games, the federation’s 71 nations all gave consent to India; therefore it is difficult to pass the buck.

However, once India was chosen, in the same way as when London was awarded the 2012 Olympics in 2005, the CGF passed all responsibility to the Indian Organising Committee.

The latter must take responsibility for this farce, but it does cast serious aspersions over the handing-over process.

With just nine days remaining, the fact they find themselves in this precarious position is laughable, and surely the CGF are ultimately responsible and must re-asses the handover process and their responsibility during the build up to the games.

It also begs the question: are the withdrawals solely due to the horrendous conditions at the time of writing, or because the Commonwealth Games are becoming devalued?

The irony is that in dismantling the British Empire, Britain was supposed to relinquish control over its former colonies.

It is now thirteen years since the handover of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, thus giving independence to most of the Empire’s former territories, and yet the way Britain has reacted to India’s preparations does smack a little of a parent telling their child “I told you so”.

Perhaps justifiably so, as there can be no excuses for the state of the village.

But you can be sure that if was the World Championships at stake, there would not be this spate of withdrawals from the top athletes.

The star withdrawals, and the shambles in which preparations have been allowed to develop thus far, do lend to the idea the games are in decline and one lasting remnant from the Empire.

Australia's retired marathon runner Steve Moneghetti said that Indian organizers ‘have got two days to do what's probably going to take about two weeks’.

I for one hope they get it right as, at its best, India is a spectacular setting and a fitting venue for any games.

One which, potentially, could capture the hearts of even the most cynical of critics.

Friday 10 September 2010

Why Henson would be better off foxtrotting his way over to Adams Park

Welsh Dragon: Henson dancing to his own tune at the Millennium Stadium

This week saw the BBC reveal their line up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Among the names set to light up our Saturday evenings is Gavin Henson, Welsh rugby’s former darling who helped his nation to two Grand Slams in 2005 and 2008.

For non-rugby enthusiasts, Henson’s involvement in the dance competition will add a rare panache to a show which usually showcases former sports stars, rather than current ones.

But Henson is the poster boy of Welsh rugby – what David Beckham is to English football if you will – and, however much Becks is perceived to be a prima donna, you will not see him tiptoeing around a ballroom dancefloor anytime soon.

And nor should Henson.

Henson has come to prominence playing rugby, and playing it rather well. There are few who can combine the flair, elegance and brutality on the field as the boy from Bridgend.

Despite his club side Ospreys winning the Magners League in his absence last term, Henson's talents have been missed by both club and country since his self-imposed exile from the game some 18 months ago.

In many ways, there are similarities between Henson and Beckham. Both enjoy the spotlight, the fast cars, the good looks, and the celebrity partner (although Henson has recently split from his fiancée Charlotte Church).

There is, however, one major difference between the two.

Beckham has excelled in his sport and, despite earning millions in non-sporting endorsements, has never forgotten what put him on the map: playing football.

Golden Balls still harbours a burning desire to represent his country in the autumn of his stellar career, and revealed this week he is chomping at the bit to be involved in the LA Galaxy’s fixture with Columbus Crew this Sunday after a six-month absence to an Achilles injury.

Henson, by stark contrast, appears happy to dip in and out of the sport which gave him his name, and this disrespect for the most unforgiving of sports, at least physically, will surely come back to haunt him.

Those close to the mercurial Welshman have no doubts he still harbours hopes of donning the famous red jersey again, and representing his nation in a World Cup.

After tasting Grand Slam success twice, he has yet to appear in a World Cup after being omitted from Gareth Jenkins’ squad that performed so dismally in France in 2007.

This glaring omission from his playing CV still haunts Henson, and he still hopes to address this as New Zealand 2011 approaches.

Just how he expects to do so when he is messing around on a television show is anybody’s guess, especially when he is approaching the peek of his career.

Henson may well go on to reproduce his top form for both club and country, and point to the fact he had this break from the game. But how many have followed a similar decision?

Strictly is only on for four months, while rugby is Henson’s bread and butter.

To even be considered for Wales in 2011, he must be playing regularly for a club, which brings us nicely onto this week’s rumours that Wasps are set to sign him in January.

The move would make perfect sense. Shaun Edwards is the current head coach of the London outfit, while also juggling this role with his part-time position as the Welsh defensive coach.

Edwards knows Henson inside out, and also has a direct link to the national team and Warren Gatland should Henson turn out eye-catching displays at Adams Park.

For Henson to figure for his country in a World Cup though, he must look to eradicate this playboy image – one that has seen him appear on The Jonathan Ross Show, banned from numerous Cardiff night spots, engaged to a celebrity, and appear on the said talent show.

There is no doubting Henson has talent, I just hope he decides it is best utilised on a rugby field, rather than in a ballroom.

Thursday 9 September 2010

EFC Injury Jinx Strikes Again





    Going in for the kill: Ex-Liverpool player Neil Warnock's reckless lunge



Apparently Tottenham are suffering an injury crisis at the minute.

Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe were today ruled out for six weeks with respective knee and ankle injuries.

Their absence leaves Tottenham in a bit of a fix and comes at the worst possible time, according to the Daily Mail (it must be true).

The gremlins at the Mail also revealed in their injury-blow-themed back page that Manchester City's latest big-money acquisition Mario Balotelli will be facing, you guessed it, six weeks out after undergoing knee surgery in Italy.

Cry me a river...

Evertonians would have chocked on their cornflakes to learn their star protégé, Jack Rodwell, will face up to THREE MONTHS on the sidelines.

The England Under 21 star has suffered ankle ligament damage after an ex-Liverpool player, Stephen Warnock, hacked him needlessly in the centre circle during Aston Villa's game with Everton last week.

Anyone who saw Dawson's horrific fall last Friday will tell you the defender is lucky not to be facing at least six months out, rather than the six-week prognosis, while City will hardly notice Balotelli's absence.

For Spurs and City, these 'injury blows' should not derail their plans for success both domestically and abroad.

Rodwell's injury, however, is the latest in a long line of lengthy lay-offs to have affected the club since Yakubu was cruelly ruled out for 10 months in November 2008.

Show me an injury crisis, and I'll show you an injury crisis.

Everton's treatment room:

Yakubu, ruptured Achilles (November 2008-September 2009, 10 months)
Mikel Arteta, ruptured cruciate knee ligament (February 2009-January 2010, 11 months)
Victor Anichebe, damaged knee cartilage (February 2009-January 2010, 11 months)
Phil Jagielka, ruptured cruciate knee ligament (April 2009-February 2010, 10 months)
Phil Neville, posterior ligament damage (September 2009-December 2009, 3 months)
Steven Pienaar, knee (September 2009-November 2009, 2 months)
Marouane Fellaini, ankle ligament damage (February 2010-August 2010, 6 months)
Dan Gosling, ruptured cruciate knee ligament (March 2010-present)

Tuesday 10 August 2010

2010/11 Season: Les Be Avinu!




A new season also means a new sticker album. "Got. Got. Need..."

This time of year sees the hacks give their low-down on the campaign ahead. Almost every paper will have their guide to the season and fill it with a fact file on each club.

There'll be sections such as what the club needs, who they've bought and sold, and then the prediction.

Each year, the journos try to outdo each other. Yes, you'll have the perennial clubs mooted for the title, and no doubt there'll be numerous combinations in which the top clubs will be placed.

There'll be predictions that throw impartial views on deaf ears, as football writers look to outdo each other and be as controversial as possible.

Sam Wallace, of Sunday Supplement and Independent fame, last weekend took the Liverpool circus full circle when quizzed on his surprise package of the year. He argued with Roy Hodgson at the helm, and by securing the short-term futures of Messrs Torres and Gerrard, the Anfield club will 'surprise' us all.

I do like Wallace, but what rhubarb! How can a club of Liverpool's history, fan base and status in the English game be labelled a surprise package when they finished in second place the season before last and have won five European Cups?

More staggering still, is how quickly the Reds can go from a crisis club to a surprise package in the space of a summer; all because journalists consistently have to churn out original material.

Come the business end of the season, the usual suspects will be in the mix - but I see there being a twist.

Thanks to the World Cup (oh how shoddy it all was and how good it is to have the bread and butter of the domestic game back), I see the title race going down to the wire - with four or five teams contesting first place.

Chelsea have contrived to lose four out of their five friendlies, and it will take time for Carlo Ancelotti's charges and the remaining top sides to find their rhythm early on with so many big players only having had around 10 days of pre-season following an extended summer break.

I see Tottenham joining Arsenal, Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City all in the mix for the race to the summit, as the 'sky four' is well and truly dismantled. Don't be surprised to see Everton knocking around the top in February (injuries permitting), but their title push will almost certainly fade due to the sparseness of David Moyes' squad.

And the rest?

Aston Villa will unquestionably be weakened by the departure of Martin O'Neill and the impending exit of James Milner. O'Neill, depending on what source you read, had grown disillusioned with life at Villa Park, with the cash generated from Milner's potential move to City not being re-invested in the squad. Don't be surprised if they experience teething problems under the new regime and have an indifferent season.

Their city rivals Birmingham punched well above their weight last term, and manager Alex McLeish will do well to replicate their ninth-placed finish.

At risk of sloppy journalism, McLeish's men join a band of teams who, in all honestly, could finish anywhere from ninth place to seventeenth or below.

Blackburn, Bolton, West Ham, Stoke, Sunderland, and Wigan could all conceivably be sucked into a relegation battle at some stage. Conversely, a good run of form at any point could see them comfortably in mid table and have their fans dreaming (hopelessly) of a European tour.

On the subject of European tours, and Fulham had the season of their lives last time out, and every superlative under the sun has been used to describe the job Woy performed at Craven Cottage as they marched their way to the Europa League final.

Without the European 'distraction', Mark Hughes could well oversee a successful domestic performance, and who knows, with the same group of players, Hughes could mastermind an extended run in the domestic cup competitions.

Special mention must go to Mick McCarthy at Wolves, who against the odds is constructing a competitive side at Molineux, and expect them to comfortably avoid the drop and build on their 15th-placed finish.

We also see the return of the Toon Army, and the bellies who proudly adorn the sub-zero temperatures while supping on Newcastle Brown Ale. They have a new number nine, and it will be intriguing to see how Andy Carroll deals with the added responsibility. I expect Chris Hughton's side to consolidate, then kick on next year.

West Brom? Sorry Adrian, but I'll be willing to put my mortgage (if I had one) on your side returning to the Championship as you stay true to yo-yoing form.

There'll be much song and dance about Blackpool's return to the top flight after a 39-year absence, not least thanks to Ian 'Olly' Holloway's insightful, post-match analysis.

The seaside town will almost certainly become the Away Day of the season, with travelling fans desperate to make the trip to Bloomfield Road and the added tomfoolery on the Pleasure Beach and piers.

However, it will - regrettably - be a one-year stay in England's premier competition. Holloway has struggled to improve his squad in the close season, with reports suggesting League One's Huddersfield were able to outbid him for the services of Marlon Harewood.

Blackpool may even inherit the unwanted tag of 'worst ever Premier League team' from Derby (although the latter's points haul of just 11 from the 2007/08 season will be hard to beat).

Champions? Well, I won't be stepping into Alan Hansen's shoes just yet (when has he got it right anyway??). What I will say is we are in for a roller-coaster ride that will be difficult to predict with so many teams battling until the death for the Premier League crown. Over to you, White Hart Lane. Lights, camera, action.

Tuesday 29 June 2010

Blow whistle on ‘Golden Generation’

End of the world: England's players after conceding the fourth goal

Pain, anguish, despair, regret. Just a few of the emotions that should have been etched across the faces of our fallen ‘heroes’ as they left the Free State Stadium on Sunday evening.

Instead, following the humiliating 4-1 reverse to arch-rivals Germany, Ledley King and Ashley Cole’s ill-advised reaction was caught on camera as they shared a joke leaving the team plane at Pilanesburg – only hours after the defeat.

Gazza’s tears of Italia ’90 both during and after the semi-final exit at the hands of Germany made him an icon to many, and demonstrated his commitment to the England cause.

Conversely, just what King and Cole found so hilarious is anyone’s guess, especially to those who forked out upwards of £7,000 to see them perform so dismally at this year’s tournament in South Africa.

Yes it was probably an opportunist snap in an otherwise sombre post-match retreat to the team hotel, but these over-paid shysters have some of the best advisers around them. With their experience (Cole has already played in three World Cups at the age of 29), they should have known better.

This episode is a mere drop in the ocean involving a group of players who by now have tested fans’ tolerance levels to the limit, and it is now time for a radical overhaul on the pitch. Immediately.

Based on their endeavours at club level, England’s current crop of under-performers have been dubbed the Golden Generation. Years down the line they may well keep this title, but mainly thanks to their bank balances.

There are calls for Fabio Capello, England’s under-pressure Italian manager, to be relieved of his duties following England’s worst-ever performance in a World Cup match and for the FA to appoint an Englishman. But Capello is not the problem, nor his nationality.
Since Italia ’90, twenty years of underperforming at major tournaments has yielded just one semi-final and three quarter-final appearances.
In recent times we have seen a vast array of characters and styles take to the England hot seat, most of them English.

Glenn Hoddle’s creative playing style was reflected in his teams, while Kevin Keegan ultimately got found out at international level for his perceived tactical naivety.

Then there was Sven who, despite relative success on the pitch, struggled off it. Scandals in his private life and the WAGS who reigned supreme in Baden Baden, England’s base for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, finally led to his downfall.

Steve McClaren’s attempt to be ‘one of the lads’ resulted in his failed campaign to qualify for Euro 2008 and the infamous ‘Wally with the brolly’ snide from the Daily Mail.

Capello has recently been criticised for his overly-strict stance in South Africa, but this approach was universally praised when he first took to the helm.

Additionally, he would have learned a great deal from this tournament ahead of qualification for Euro 2012. There was evidence towards the end of England’s doomed campaign he was adjusting his management style and showing greater leniency; affording the players the odd beer.

What this current group of players needs is a disciplined leader, and Capello must stay to oversee the short-term dismantling and renaissance of England’s national team.

Failing to progress from the group stages at Euros ’92 and 2000 - not to mention the no-show at USA '94 - are the results of an epidemic that lies at the hands of the FA and not over whether an Englishman should take over the reigns of what has been in recent times a poisoned chalice.
One of the more striking statistics from Sunday’s exit was our opponents had four players in their starting line up who guided Germany to victory in last summer’s European Under-21 Football Championship final over England. From our starting XI only James Milner, Aston Villa’s midfield powerhouse, has graduated.
Certainly food for thought for Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s Director of Football Development. But while questions remain over the infrastructure at grass-roots level, it is not all doom and gloom for England as we look to replace our failed generation of ‘stars’.
As mentioned, Stuart Pearce’s Under-21s finished runners-up to Germany last year, while England’s Under-17s went one better; becoming European champions for the first time when they defeated Spain 2-1 in Liechtenstein last month.
It is always difficult to predict who will make the grade from such an age group. A crumb of comfort, however, lies in the class of 1993; before this year the last England team to win an international trophy. There were some familiar faces – proving the cream can rise to the top.
Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Paul Scholes, Robbie Fowler and Nicky Butt all went onto become household names and can look back on distinguished careers. Ipswich Town's latest prodigy, Connor Wickham, should take note.
The Victory Shield, an Under-16s tournament played out by the home nations, has also borne fruit for England. Despite it consisting of only four teams, England have won the last four and seven of the past nine tournaments; the other two shared with Scotland and Wales respectively.
This suggests domestic dominance and, coupled with the showing in the European Under-17 tournament, reveals talent is creeping through.
Patience from the top managers in the Premier League is essential for the sake of the national team as it looks to rebuild ahead of Brazil 2014.

Poland and Ukraine 2012 may well come too soon for a good number of our hot prospects, but with a qualifying group consisting of Wales, Switzerland, Montenegro and Bulgaria, there should be plenty of opportunity for Capello to experiment.

Club managers must look to blood these youngsters through, and not continue to splash out on foreign recruits.

But with such high stakes involving title chases, European qualification and relegation scraps, time will tell whether they can risk such a philosophy.
In a fortnight’s time, Capello may well be given the golden handshake, reported to be in the region of £12million. But this is not necessarily the change England needs.
It is a vast overhaul in the current crop of players, and a cull in a generation that have missed the cut, and failed to live up to their billing.
England team in Brazil 2014:
Joe Hart (Manchester City, 27), Glen Johnson (Liverpool, 29), Jack Rodwell (Everton, 23), Chris Smalling (Manchester Utd, 24), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal, 24), Jack Wilshire (Arsenal, 22), James Milner (Manchester City, 28), Tom Huddlestone (Manchester Utd, 27), Adam Johnson (Manchester City, 26), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd, 28), Andy Carroll (Newcastle Utd, 25)