Soccer Capsules: World Cup construction workers strike in SAfrica

JOHANNESBURG - South African construction workers went on an indefinite strike Wednesday at stadiums being built for the 2010 World Cup - a move that could derail Africa's historic first World Cup tournament.

Thousands of workers at stadiums across the country put down their tools after wage negotiations deadlocked earlier this week. Workers are demanding a 13 percent pay increase while employers are offering 10.4 percent.

The strike could delay completion of flagship projects such as the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg and stadiums in Cape Town and Durban. Other stadiums in smaller towns have also been affected.

The venues need to be completed by December to meet deadlines set by the game's ruling body FIFA before the tournament kicks off in June 2010.

Lesiba Seshoka of the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents construction workers, said 70,000 workers were involved in the strike, which would continue until employers met their demands.

He said the union was not worried about the completion of the stadiums - that was a concern of the tournament's local organizing committee.

"We are worried about our families getting food, not a rich man buying a ticket to watch a game," he said.

Joe Campanella, from the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, which represents construction companies, said only 11,000 workers took part in the strike.

He has said the deal offered by employers amounts to a 65 percent increase, including benefits.

However, the unions have complained that some workers are earning about $1.50 an hour and others $5 a week. Workers in South Africa are supposed to earn a minimum wage of about $200 a month.

The strike has been criticized for jeopardizing South Africa's chances of hosting a successful World Cup - a monthlong event avidly watched by hundreds of millions around the world.

But the Congress of South African Trade Unions, which represents the country's largest trade union federations, has come out in support of the construction workers and says the dispute is not targeted at the World Cup.

"COSATU, and the construction workers, are as passionate about the 2010 World Cup as anyone, and will do everything possible to ensure its success. But we will not tolerate the stadiums being built by workers who are underpaid or working in dangerous or unhealthy conditions," the organization said in a statement.

Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the local organizing committee, said the strike would soon be resolved and was confident the stadiums will be completed on schedule.

"The construction workers have been the lifeblood of the 2010 FIFA World Cup project. Their hard work has ensured that we are on track to meet our deadlines and that our stadiums will be among the best in the world next year," he said in a statement.

Patrick Geqeza, a shop steward at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, said he understood the importance of having the World Cup in South Africa and completing the stadiums in time.

"We feel bad about going on strike," he said, but added there was little alternative.

Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan joins Manchester United

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United continued to revamp its attacking options after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo by signing winger Gabriel Obertan on a four-year contract from French champion Bordeaux.

United manager Alex Ferguson had been watching the 20-year-old French winger's development for several years.

"We are delighted to get him now as he is an exciting prospect," Ferguson told the club's Web site. "We like to get young players and develop them, and we will see that in Gabriel over the next two years."

No further details were immediately given about the size of the transfer fee.

"I am very happy to join Manchester United," Obertan said. "This is a big opportunity for me to play at such a great club. I am very excited to be here and I look forward to proving what I can do."

Obertan, who has played for France's under 21 team, spent the second part of last season on loan to Lorient as he did not figure in Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc's plans.

A highly rated prospect noted for his tricky footwork and pace, Obertan broke into the Bordeaux team three seasons ago and impressed with some dazzling cameo appearances as a substitute.

Ferguson recently sold world player of the year Ronaldo to Real Madrid for 80 million pounds ($141 million) and as part of his rebuilding has signed two wingers: Obertan and Antonio Valencia from Wigan for 17 million pounds ($30 million).

In perhaps the most surprising transfer so far this summer, Ferguson also signed former Liverpool striker Michael Owen from Newcastle United on a free transfer.

Obertan has scored three league goals in 55 games for Bordeaux, and one goal in 15 appearances for Lorient, although he is considered more of a provider than a scorer and can play on either flank.

Fowler denies reports he will quit A-League

BRISBANE, Australia - Ex-Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler has denied British newspaper reports that he's planning to quit new A-League club North Queensland Fury and return to England.

A newspaper report said Fowler would join former Liverpool teammate John Barnes, who has become manager at League One club Tranmere Rovers.

"I don't know where it has come from," Fowler was quoted saying Wednesday by the Australian Associated Press. "It looks like somebody's put two and two together and come up with six.

"I've got a two-year contract with North Queensland Fury and I'm a man of my word. I'll play it out."

Fowler said his wife and four children had recently relocated to Townsville, in northern Queensland state, and had no plans to leave.

The 34-year-old Fowler was the marquee signing for Fury, one of two new Queensland clubs joining an expanded 10-team A-League.

He has been sidelined with hip and groin complaints, raising questions about his fitness and desire to play in Australia, but is aiming for a club debut in a friendly against English Premier League team Wolverhampton next week.

Fury coach Ian Ferguson said it would be a breach of FIFA regulations if another club approached the under-contract Fowler.

"Robbie's happy here and he wants to play football for the Fury," Ferguson said. "There's no doubt he's the sort of player other clubs would be interested in, but John Barnes would have had to come through the Fury if he was interested in Robbie and that hasn't happened."

Fury plays its first A-League match against Sydney on Aug. 8.

Fowler scored 183 goals in 369 appearances for Liverpool in his two stints at the club and was nicknamed 'God' by the supporters.

Sevilla signs Zokora from Tottenham

SEVILLE, Spain - Sevilla has signed Didier Zokora from Tottenham.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast midfielder agreed to a four-year contract with the Spanish league club, which did not disclose the cost of his transfer.

"Zokora was our principal objective for the season," sporting director Ramon Monchi said on Sevilla's Web site. "Let's hope that is worth the trouble, because we believed the player was worth it."

Zokora played at St. Etienne before moving to White Hart Lane in July 2006, where he went on to make 134 appearances for the English club.

Australia's Gold Coast beats Fulham 2-1

GOLD COAST, Australia - Australian club Gold Coast United scored twice in the last 10 minutes to beat English Premier League club Fulham 2-1 in a football friendly on Wednesday.

Skipper Danny Murphy opened the scoring for Fulham in the 16th minute with a curling free kick from 25 meters.

Fulham's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had little difficulty handling some long-range shots before he was replaced by Pascal Zuberbuhler after half time.

Gold Coast, which will join the expanded Australian A-League in August, got its first goal in the 80th minute from Brazilian forward Milson.

New Zealand international striker Shane Smeltz scored the winner when he connected with a corner in the 86th.

Both clubs are in pre-season preparations. Fulham will play Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory in later matches on its Australian tour.

Southampton saved by Swiss takeover

LONDON - English third tier club Southampton has been rescued by a Swiss businessman.

Markus Liebherr, 61, acquired the League One outfit Wednesday for an undisclosed amount.

Southampton was relegated after its holding company went into financial administration before the end of last season. It has been heavily in debt since building a new stadium, St. Mary's, eight years ago.

The south coast club's only major triumph was a famous 1976 FA Cup final triumph over Manchester United when it was a second-tier club.

ESPN to show Premier League soccer in Ireland

LONDON - ESPN has acquired the rights to televise Premier League soccer in Ireland.

The broadcaster, owned by The Walt Disney Co., will show the 46 matches next season that were previously held by Setanta Sports.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said Wednesday: "They have a formidable worldwide reputation and we have great confidence in their ability to provide football fans with first rate coverage and programming."

Further Irish rights for next season are up for grabs in the coming weeks. The auction process to show matches from 2010 to 2013 will take place later this year.

Setanta has continued to broadcast other sporting events in Ireland since its British channels closed last month after filing for bankruptcy protection.

Title celebration turns violent in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile - Celebrations by Universidad de Chile fans after the team's triumph in Chile's apertura football tournament turned violent on Tuesday night, leaving at least two people wounded and 245 detained, police said Wednesday.

Universidad clinched the title on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Union Espanola thanks to a header from Uruguayan striker Juan Manuel Olivera.

After the match thousands of fans took to the streets in noisy celebrations in Santiago and other cities.

The celebrations turned violent in some places and lasted until dawn. Police Col. Pedro Fernandez said at least two people were wounded, including a man who was stabbed in the neck and chest and who remains in serious condition.

Fernandez said 245 people were detained and that four shops had been looted in Santiago.