Soccer Capsules: Blatter awaits re-election as head of reeling FIFA
ZURICH (AP) — Sepp Blatter acknowledged that corruption scandals have left FIFA "shaking on its foundations" on the eve of a presidential election that should give him another four-year term and a chance to restore order to soccer's reeling governing body.
It was a stunning turnaround for Blatter, who a day earlier denied that the bribery case that led to the suspension of his only challenger had caused even a hint of crisis within FIFA.
On Tuesday, two more top sponsors broke decorum of business-as-usual to express concern about the stains the scandals have left on the sport and, by extension, their global investment in soccer.
And IOC President Jacques Rogge compared FIFA's situation to the Olympic corruption crisis a dozen years ago leading to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. He urged soccer to adopt the same fundamental reforms that rescued the Olympic body.
"I am sure that FIFA also can emerge stronger," Rogge told the 208 delegations at the FIFA Congress that will have little option but to confirm the 75-year-old Swiss for a last term Wednesday.
England launched a lone quest to postpone the election but found little interest beyond Scotland — nowhere near the groundswell of more than 150 delegations needed to push through a motion.
"One is entitled to a minority view, even a singular view," said David Bernstein, chairman of the English Football Association.
Prince William, who is president of the FA, endorsed Bernstein's appeal. St. James's Palace said the prince "considers the transparency of the international governing body to be integral to the good governance of the game."
All of which provided further evidence for Blatter that he faces a myriad of problems.
"I thought we were in a world of fair play, respect and discipline, and unfortunately I have to see it no longer is the case," Blatter said. "There is danger."
The Congress began with a lavish ceremony for the delegates from around the globe, with a glitzy upbeat show headlined by a scantily dressed Grace Jones in stark counterpoint to the deep problems facing FIFA.
"I thought this was a party," Jones shouted when she failed to get those gathered on their feet with such numbers as "Pull up to the Bumper" and "Slave to the Rhythm."
Even though they were still in Zurich, Bin Hammam and FIFA Vice President Jack Warner were notable for their absence at the festivities. They have been suspended from all soccer activities until the conclusion of an investigation into allegations that Caribbean soccer leaders were paid $40,000 each to back Bin Hammam's presidential bid.
Blatter also had to deal with two more leading sponsors criticizing FIFA's inability to deal with pervasive corruption claims. Financial services giant Visa and airline Emirates joined fellow World Cup sponsors Coca-Cola and Adidas in voicing disappointment.
"The current situation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that FIFA take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised," Visa said in a statement.
The rebukes came from other quarters as well. Blatter and the delegates had to sit and listen to a public scolding by Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey.
"Take seriously the many criticisms voiced about corruption and a lack of transparency," she said. "Take the necessary measures to reform your governance."
Transparency International, a German-based anti-corruption watchdog, was equally critical.
"Free and fair elections cannot take place when there is a suspicion that voters may have been swayed," spokeswoman Sylvia Schenk said in a statement. "FIFA should be setting a better example to its billions of supporters and especially to young fans that look to the sport for inspiration and role models."
Some European Union parliamentarians also called for drastic reform.
The widespread dissatisfaction heightened the pressure on Blatter, who has downplayed the chaos in FIFA's ranks as late as Monday.
"Crisis? What is a crisis," Blatter said at a news conference late Monday. "Football is not in a crisis."
With no challenger left, a final term would give Blatter 17 years at the helm of FIFA. Combined with the 24 years Brazil's Joao Havelange was in charge, it would leave the fate of soccer over four decades in the hands of just two men.
Despite scandal, Blatter poised to extend reign
ZURICH (AP) — It comes as perhaps no surprise that Sepp Blatter, after decades as head of soccer's ruling body, has become immune to scandal.
This one, however, is the biggest in FIFA's 107-year history. Yet the 75-year-old Swiss plans to ride it out, as he has so many before, and win a fourth presidential term Wednesday.
"Crisis? What is a crisis?" he memorably asked Monday at a FIFA news conference where he attempted to weather the storm of recent bribery allegations. "We are not in a crisis. We are only in some difficulties."
But Blatter was clearly rattled. So often in control, displaying an enigmatic smile in the face of the toughest adversity, he lost his cool, scolding reporters not to treat his house "like a bazaar."
He moved to leave the platform, hesitated, then returned. Refused to answer, then came back to answer.
It was the exception to the rule that highlights what an operator, schmoozer and diplomat Blatter has been since he started working for FIFA in 1975.
Behind closed doors, he has proved a ferocious force that has kept him at the helm of FIFA for 13 years and extended the boundaries of the World Cup to include South Africa last year and Qatar in 2022.
Blatter has made sure FIFA is overseeing a $4.19 billion budget in a four-year World Cup span and, under him, the world's most popular sport has political clout on par with the International Olympic Committee.
And a decade after the Olympics went through a bribery scandal linked to the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, much the same is happening at FIFA.
And this is where his remaining challenge lies. Blatter's meeting with IOC President Jacques Rogge at the opening ceremony of the FIFA congress on Tuesday might have been a reminder of what is at stake: Handle the crisis well and you survive, as the IOC did. Let it get further out of hand, and there is no knowing what will happen.
On the eve of his expected coronation, the bribery scandal threatens to turn Blatter's legacy of a visionary who brought the World Cup for the first time to Africa with the successful staging of the 2010 World Cup into one of a lethargic leader who let the rot of corruption take over the world's premier game.
In his long career, Blatter has often survived adversity, even thrived on it.
He reached soccer's pinnacle with a late entry into the 1998 race for the presidency, much to the displeasure of then-UEFA chief Lennart Johansson.
At the time, the key factor was winning the endorsement of the English Football Association, which he did on his way to a stunning 110-80 victory. Accusations of backstabbing and bribery went flying. It is the same English federation that urged him Tuesday to postpone the election and has said it will not vote for him.
In 17 years leading to his election, Blatter had already learned to deal with shifting alliances, first as FIFA secretary general, then as CEO under Brazil's Joao Havelange.
Even though the ongoing bribery scandal is bigger for FIFA itself, Blatter himself was in more trouble in 2002 when FIFA was on the verge of bankruptcy after the collapse of the ISL marketing company.
There was bitter infighting with secretary general Michel Zen-Ruffinen and several members of the executive committee. Blatter survived. Little wonder he has been called the Teflon man.
And a decade later, FIFA under Blatter made a $631 million profit in the four years leading to the World Cup in South Africa, registering $202 million of that in the last year alone.
How does he survive at the top? Many credit his mastery of every detail of FIFA's rules and machinery learned under his mentor, Havelange.
The Brazilian, an imposing figure, physically exuded power and had a bullying, brooding style. Blatter, a short, chubby man, has added charm and flattery, and proved just as effective in getting what he wants.
-- Raf Casert
Prince William backs FA's bid for FIFA poll delay
ZURICH (AP) — Prince William joined the chorus of criticism against FIFA on Tuesday by backing the English Football Association's calls for Sepp Blatter's re-election to be postponed.
The prince is president of the FA and endorsed Chairman David Bernstein's appeal for Wednesday's election to be delayed in the wake a bribery scandal that saw Blatter's only challenger Mohamed bin Hammam pull out of the race.
Bernstein called for a "reforming candidate" to be found, raising concerns about FIFA's lack of transparency and accountability.
"The Duke of Cambridge (William), as president, has been kept informed of the FA's proposals and is fully supportive of the chairman and the initiatives the FA has recommended," St. James's Palace said in a statement. "He considers the transparency of the international governing body to be integral to the good-governance of the game."
The FA on Tuesday became the first major national association to formerly oppose the election going ahead since a bribery scandal led to two senior FIFA executives being suspended — Bin Hammam and Vice President Jack Warner.
Bin Hammam pulled out the election before FIFA's ethics committee launched a full investigation into the Qatari head of Asian football.
But by the time FIFA's 208 associations gathered for dinner late Tuesday at the start of its Congress, the only confirmed backer of England's last-minute campaign to postpone the election was Scotland.
For the motion to succeed, it would require the backing of three quarters of congress.
"To get 150-odd votes clearly would be extremely difficult when we (started) from a standing start," said Bernstein, who announced two weeks ago that the FA would abstain in the election. "There was actually a matter of principle involved. Myself and the FA feel that the situation FIFA has got itself into is in many ways unacceptable.
"I would have thought if (Blatter) is going to continue he should want to continue having won a proper election with opposition and then go forward with a full mandate," Bernstein said. "Going forward in this situation if he does with a coronation rather than an election I don't think does anybody any good."
But FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer, who blew the whistle on alleged corruption by Warner and Bin Hammam, said the English move was "too little, too late."
"If they wanted other candidates they should have done things before the deadline," the American said. "The FA needs to learn to be ahead of the curve and not behind the game."
Blazer compiled the evidence that shows Caribbean football leaders were allegedly paid $40,000 each to back Bin Hammam's now-abandoned presidential bid during a visit to Warner's native Trinidad.
"(There is) a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organization, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation," Bernstein said. "Events of the last few days have reinforced our views."
FIFA is unpopular in England after its bid to host the 2018 World Cup attracted just two votes. Blatter spoke out against the English media when addressing his executive committee before the vote in December.
In backing Bernstein, Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan proposed that FIFA appoints a "wholly independent" ethics committee and formulate a plan for making "essential changes" to the organization.
The English and Scottish federations have powerful positions in world football, holding two of eight votes on the sport's rule-making body, The International Football Association Board. Only FIFA and the nations forming the United Kingdom sit on the body, much the annoyance of other football powers worldwide.
However, Bernstein didn't think the two nations risk losing their privileged roles by speaking out against Blatter.
"I know that sort of (IFAB) structure is of some concern to other nations in the world," Bernstein said. "It is a rather historically based structure. But I don't believe that because a party dealing with FIFA takes a stance on something it should lead to retribution."
-- Rob Harris
Warner calls on Caribbean to still back Blatter
ZURICH (AP) — Suspended FIFA vice president Jack Warner has called on Caribbean football officials to continue backing Sepp Blatter in Wednesday's presidential election.
Warner, who is banned from all football activities pending an investigation into bribery allegations, wrote a letter to members of the Caribbean Football Union on Tuesday, urging its members "to desist from initiating any protest" in Wednesday's election when Blatter will be the only remaining candidate.
But at the same time as Warner sought to galvanize his Caribbean colleagues, he was reported to FIFA's general secretary by executive committee member Chuck Blazer for breaching the terms of his ban — even before the letter was sent.
"I think he is violating the terms of his suspensions," Blazer told The Associated Press. "I have sent that on to Jerome Valcke. FIFA has the matter and is dealing with it."
Warner, president of the regional body CONCACAF and a vice president of FIFA, was suspended by an ethics committee after former CONCACAF ally Blazer reported him and Mohamed bin Hammam for offering bribes to delegates at a Caribbean football meeting to support the Qatari's bid to replace Blatter. Bin Hammam pulled out of the contest hours before being suspended pending a full probe.
Warner responded to his suspension by releasing potentially damaging evidence against FIFA and was quoted on Monday saying Blatter must be "stopped."
However, he told members of the Caribbean Football Union that his recent "battles" were personal and should not influence their vote.
"At our last meeting we agreed as a Union to support the incumbent Joseph Sepp Blatter in his quest to regain the Presidency," Warner wrote in a letter released by his office. "I wish to assure you nothing has changed — our mandate was set then and despite it all we must fulfill it.
"The battles I have fought over the last week are my burdens to bear; my shoulders are broad and skin is insulated to the verbal attacks I am subjected to daily. This is now my battle. I am humbled by all the support I continue to receive. Let us not be detracted for your duty is to football."
The English and Scottish Football Associations have called for the election to be postponed while FIFA investigates its worst corruption crisis for 107 years, but they have failed to gain further support from within the 208-member organization.
Warner urged "his brothers and sisters from the Caribbean Football Union to desist from initiating any protest action at tomorrow's FIFA Congress."
The 28-year veteran of FIFA's executive committee added: "I know many of you are hurting and it is only human nature that you would want to demonstrate your anger but despite all we must not fuel a fire set by others to incinerate all that we strive for."
Warner said people in the Caribbean have a "tattooed with stories of struggle, but we have always risen."
"Daily we are subjected to attacks of division," the Trinidad-native wrote. "Do not lose faith, for in life good will always prevail; there is no better education than adversity and when this is over we will rise from the ashes and like the phoenix of legend, we will soar once more."
-- Graham Dunbar and Rob Harris
Acting CONCACAF chief tries to fire Blazer
ZURICH (AP) — CONCACAF reacted swiftly after its acting president tried to fire whistleblower Chuck Blazer just hours before FIFA's presidential election, telling the interim chief he did not have the authority to make such a move.
According to CONCACAF rules, the executive committee has jurisdiction over Blazer, general secretary of the federation that represents North and Central America and the Caribbean. Not only has the executive committee taken no action, but a majority of committee members told Lisle Austin he lacked the authority to fire Blazer, according to a statement posted on the CONCACAF website Tuesday night.
"This attempted action was taken without any authority," the statement said. "Chuck Blazer continues as CONCACAF general secretary and with the full authority of his office."
FIFA has been shaken to its very core following Blazer's accusations that longtime CONCACAF president Jack Warner and Mohamed bin Hammam tried to buy votes for Wednesday's presidential election. According to Blazer, Warner and bin Hammam offered Caribbean soccer leaders $40,000 each in exchange for their votes.
Bin Hammam had been the only challenger to Sepp Blatter, who is seeking his fourth four-year term. Bin Hammam withdrew early Sunday before an ethics committee found there was enough evidence against the Qatari and Warner to suspend them both while a full investigation is done. If found guilty, they could be expelled from FIFA and banned from all soccer activity.
Austin, who is acting CONCACAF president while Warner is suspended, tried to fire Blazer for "a gross misconduct of duty and of judgment" for his role in the FIFA scandal. In a letter written on CONCACAF stationery and sent to Blazer's hotel in Zurich, Austin said the American had "grossly insulted and defamed" all of CONCACAF's Caribbean members by saying each was under investigation for bribery.
Austin also said Blazer did not have the authority to hire John P. Collins, a former federal prosecutor who investigated the bribery allegations. Collins represents CONCACAF, and also is a member of FIFA's legal committee.
"It is apparent that you are no longer fit to act as Secretary General of CONCACAF and to represent its members," Austin wrote.
The chaos surrounding CONCACAF is yet more drama in a crisis that Blatter has already said has left FIFA "shaking on its foundations." Four major sponsors have expressed disappointment and concern that FIFA has been unable to deal with pervasive corruption claims, and England has urged that the election be postponed.
-- Rob Harris
Visa joins calls for FIFA to 'resolve concerns'
ZURICH (AP) — Visa and Emirates on Tuesday became the latest leading corporate backers of FIFA to express concern about the corruption scandal within world football's governing body.
They joined fellow World Cup sponsors Coca-Cola and Adidas in voicing disappointment about the crisis that has seen FIFA executives Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner suspended.
"The current situation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that FIFA take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised," credit card company Visa said in a statement.
It is rare for sponsors of major international sports bodies to raise concerns about how they are being run, but Visa's statement followed one from Emirates earlier on Tuesday.
"Emirates, like all football fans around the world, is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of this sport," Boutros Boutros, senior vice president for corporate communications at the Dubai-based airline, said in a statement.
"We hope that these issues will be resolved as soon as possible and the outcome will be in the interest of the game and sport in general."
An ethics panel ruled Sunday that it was launching a full investigation into claims that bin Hammam, the Asian Football Confederation president, and Warner, the CONCACAF president, offered $40,000 bribes to Caribbean football leaders ahead of the FIFA presidential election.
Bin Hammam withdrew his candidacy to challenge FIFA President Sepp Blatter in Wednesday's election hours before being suspended on Sunday.
Softdrink giant Coca-Cola has said "the current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport."
Sportswear manufacturer Adidas hit out at the "negative tenor" of the current situation, adding that it "is neither good for the sport of football nor for FIFA as an institution and its partners."
-- Rob Harris
AFC boss says FIFA no right to suspend bin Hammam
BEIJING (AP) — The acting leader of Asian football said FIFA had no right to suspend Mohamed bin Hammam from his role as head of the Asian Football Confederation, a Chinese newspaper reported Tuesday.
China's Zhang Jilong was installed as the AFC's interim president while bin Hammam is suspended from all football duties pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations he offered bribes in return for votes in his now-abandoned bid for the FIFA presidency.
"FIFA suspended bin Hammam but he is still the president of AFC," Zhang was quoted as saying by the China Daily, citing quotes from the Chinese news website Sina.com. "FIFA has no right to prevent him from acting his role in AFC."
The quote was removed from Sina.com's news article later Tuesday.
Despite Zhang's remarks, the AFC confirmed in a statement that he would act as its president during bin Hammam's suspension.
Zhang, 59, is the AFC's most senior vice president. He ran for a seat on FIFA's executive committee earlier this year, but lost out in a vote at January's AFC congress in Doha. He also served on the 2008 Beijing Olympics organizing committee.
Chinese media have in the past given him the names of "Hand of God" and "Brother Dragon" for allegedly convincing FIFA to change its rules for the 2002 World Cup qualifiers for the Asian zone, effectively putting China in an easier qualifying group.
In a report on the state-run China Youth Daily website from 2007, Zhang is quoted as saying that his lobbying meant China did not have to play Asian group powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia. China went on to qualify for the 2002 tournament — its only World Cup appearance to date.
"You could say the Chinese team had good luck, but I think this is the victory of football diplomacy," the report quoted Zhang as saying. "FIFA did not expect the AFC to be opinionated."
Meanwhile, FIFA's 208 member nations are due to vote on the presidency on Wednesday, even though incumbent Sepp Blatter is now the only candidate.
FIFA vice president Michel Platini has raised the prospect of a walkout by Asian members in protest at bin Hammam's treatment, although the Qatari is far from universally popular within Asian football, only being re-elected to the AFC's top job by the slimmest possible margin earlier this year.
Swiss president urges FIFA to fight corruption
ZURICH (AP) — Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey has challenged FIFA to fight corruption and be more transparent, as football's governing body deals with a bribery scandal.
Addressing FIFA President Sepp Blatter and 208 national delegations, Calmy-Rey urged them to "take seriously the many criticisms voiced about corruption."
Calmy-Rey spoke at the opening of FIFA's Congress which is set to re-elect Blatter on Wednesday. His rival Mohamed bin Hammam withdrew from the contest before FIFA suspended him for allegedly bribing voters.
Calmy-Rey says FIFA "is important to Switzerland" but should reform its governance.
Switzerland's government is reviewing laws which currently give international sports bodies special exemptions from some business laws.
FIFA says bin Hammam must wait for bribery appeal
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says Mohamed bin Hammam must wait for a full legal explanation of his provisional suspension on bribery allegations before being allowed to appeal, meaning he will likely miss the annual congress starting Wednesday.
The Asian Football Confederation president wants his appeal heard Tuesday, 48 hours after FIFA's ethics committee suspended him for alleged bribery in his now-abandoned campaign to become president of the sport's world governing body.
FIFA's congress begins business, including the election where President Sepp Blatter is the only candidate on Wednesday.
FIFA says bin Hammam "needs to receive the fully motivated" ethics decision before challenging his suspension.
UAE wants FIFA residency rules relaxed
ZURICH (AP) — The United Arab Emirates is asking FIFA to ease residency requirements for foreign players to boost its chances of competing with stronger Asian nations and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
According to an amendment presented Tuesday, the country is proposing that foreign-born players over the age of 18 can switch countries after living there for three years, rather than the current five. It also proposes a new clause stipulating that players under 18 can adopt a country's national team after living there for five years.
The proposal is likely to have the support of other Middle Eastern countries that have struggled to qualify for the World Cup, but could be opposed by nations like Japan that have no need for foreign-born players.
U.S. Soccer
Tough task ahead for top-ranked U.S. women
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (AP) — Top of the world — and underdogs, to boot.
The U.S. women are accustomed to being No. 1. Despite that lofty ranking and gold medals from the last two Olympics, the Americans won't be the favorite when the Women's World Cup kicks off June 26. Germany, which has won the last two world titles and will be hosting the three-week event, is the odds-on choice.
And Brazil — led by Marta, the world's best player — will be just as strong a contender.
That merely ramps up the U.S. team's eagerness to get going — and winning.
"If we are at our best, there is not a team in the world that can beat us, and we believe that," said star forward Abby Wambach, who will be playing on her third World Cup squad. "Germany feels that way, too.
"Everyone has the final game on our minds, and winning it. But we can't skip any steps to get there."
Those steps include a difficult opening group of Sweden, Colombia and North Korea, which the Americans face June 28 in their opener.
"It's more true now than ever that any team can beat any other team," Wambach added. "You can see that in the Mexico game and against England. They proved that."
Did they ever — at the Americans' expense.
Qualifying for the World Cup has always been a foregone conclusion for the United States, which won the inaugural tournament in 1991 and won again in memorably historic fashion as host in 1999. But a stunning defeat against Mexico — a nation that had a 0-24-1 record against the Americans before a 2-1 win in Cancun last November — sent Pia Sundhage's team into a home-and-home series with Italy just to get into the tournament.
The Americans survived that and seemed back on track this year with impressive wins at events in China and Portugal.
Then came a 2-1 defeat at England, a match in which the English, another opponent the Americans normally dominate, generally controlled play.
"That's a sign of how strong the sport has become," said U.S. captain Christie Rampone, a newcomer on the iconic 1999 team and now, at 35, heading into her fourth World Cup. "International teams have more money invested and more of a commitment to women's soccer. The speed of play, the technical side of the game, it all has improved and so has the competition level.
"There's not a team out there you can overlook. The game is more demanding. You have to make decisions quicker and read the game faster because of the speed everyone is playing at. If you are not locked in and focused, whoever you are playing, you almost have to be thinking three steps ahead, when before you could get away with one or two."
The next step for the Americans is Sunday's farewell match with Mexico at Red Bull Arena. The team is practicing this week in New Jersey with an eye more on fine-tuning and staying healthy than any sort of vengeance.
Besides, Rampone says, the players know better than to concentrate on anything but getting ready for the World Cup. From defenders Rampone and Heather Mitts to Wambach up front to midfielders Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Heather O'Reilly, there are enough veterans around to keep everyone, particularly the dozen World Cup rookies, headed in the right direction: toward Germany.
"We've faced a lot of adversity, and we've had experience dealing with all kinds of things," Rampone said, "with losses or how to fix playing a bad half. Once we get to Germany and we have fresh legs and minds, I think we'll be able to just play soccer."
-- Barry Wilner
Klopas says he's prepared to coach Fire
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Fire executive Frank Klopas says the knowledge he gained while scouting and signing current players will help him in his transition to interim coach.
The 44-year-old Fire technical director took over after the team announced the dismissal of second-year coach Carlos de los Cobos on Monday. Klopas supervised his first practice on Tuesday.
Chicago is 1-4-6 this season. Its last Major League Soccer victory came on March 26, a 3-2 decision over Kansas City.
Klopas says, "I feel comfortable because I believe in the group we have." He will continue to supervise the team's soccer operations. Klopas says de los Cobos was fired on Sunday and the players learned on Monday.
Elsewhere
Bin Hammam apart, Euro season ends well for Asia
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A season that should have been celebrated across Asia for the accelerated development of its players in the big European leagues has ended instead with the continent's top football administrator provisionally suspended amid bribery allegations and with the sport's world governing body in turmoil.
The most famous Asian football figures on and off the field both had weekends to forget in Europe but unlike Mohamed Bin Hammam, the suspended president of the Asian Football Confederation, Park Ji-sung can at least a successful season to look back on for Manchester United.
In Zurich, Bin Hammam withdrew from the race for the top job in FIFA, hours before he was provisionally suspended by the governing body's ethics committee for alleged corruption. That came a day after South Korea's Park missed the chance to become the first Asian player to lift the top prize in European club football as his English club was defeated 3-1 by Barcelona at Wembley Stadium in London.
The defeat ended a largely impressive season for a number of Asian players working in Europe's biggest competitions. Park may have failed to collect the continental silverware but he played a key role in helping Manchester United to a record 19th English title — his fourth since moving to Old Trafford in 2005.
Perhaps of even more significance in an Asian player development sense has been the success of Ali Al Habsi in the English Premier League. Not only is he a goalkeeper, he comes from Oman and is a rare representative in Western Europe from the western side of Asia.
Al Habsi spent the season on loan from Bolton Wanderers to fellow Premier League club Wigan Athletic. His deeds in goal helped Wigan avoid relegation to the second tier and earned him the club's Player of the Year award.
According to reports in England, he is being chased by former European champion Aston Villa. Al Habsi is uncertain of his future but is sure that he doesn't want to return to Bolton and play understudy to established goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
"I'm not going back to being second choice 'keeper after the season I've just had at Wigan," Al Habsi said. "I won't go back to sitting on the bench, it's not fair. I fought hard to get here; it's time to play week after week."
An established figure at Bolton is Lee Chung-yong, though the South Korean had a mixed season in England. The winger impressed while the club was riding high in the first half of the season, but looked tired after returning from the Asian Cup in January and Bolton slipped down the standings.
The Asian Cup cost South Korea's Cha Du-ri a starting place with Glasgow giant Celtic, although national and club teammate Ki Sung-yong returned from Doha to help the club win the Scottish FA Cup.
The Qatar tournament also deprived Shinji Kagawa of a fairy-tale first season in Germany. The midfielder was little known outside Japan when he made the move from Cerezo Osaka to Borussia Dortmund in July 2010 but then proceeded to become one of the hottest newcomers in the league.
Just 21 when he made his debut in the Bundesliga, Kagawa starred as his new club stormed to the top of the Bundesliga with eight goals from midfield in the first half of the season.
Kagawa wasn't selected for the 2010 World Cup but soon became a regular feature in the Japan national team. A broken bone in his foot during the Asian Cup ruled him out for the rest of the season. Despite the absence of its new star, Dortmund kept its place at the top of the standings to win the title.
Kagawa, who is expected to be offered an improved and extended contract by the club, is looking forward to playing in next season's Champions League.
"It will be interesting to see how well I can do and I am really looking forward to the challenge," Kagawa said. "It is going to be a tough season but I want to play a full year."
With Kagawa on the sidelines, much of Japan's football focus switched to the wing-backs from the national team — Atsuto Uchida of FC Schalke 04 in Germany and Yuto Nagatomo, who joined Italian giant Inter in January on loan.
The two even met in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League in April clashes that enthralled Japan, at the time devoid of domestic football in the wake of the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Surprisingly, Uchida and his German club defeated the defending champion 8-3 on aggregate to book a semifinal against Park Ji-sung and Manchester United. No Japanese player had ever appeared at that stage of the competition, but his run ended there with Schalke soundly beaten in the semis.
Nagatomo, 24, is expected to join Inter on a permanent deal this summer and is looking forward to progressing in his career.
"I want to continue going forward to improve," he said. "These six months at Inter have helped me a lot; one year in this team is like 10 in another club. My personal goal for next season is to become the best fullback in the world."
Iran captain Javad Nekounam once again impressed in Spain at Osasuna along with compatriot Masoud Shojaei, despite the club flirting with relegation until late in the season.
In France, South Korean striker Park Chu-young scored 12 goals but could not prevent AS Monaco from being relegated from Ligue One.
Park is set to leave for a top French team or the English Premier League and there is sure to be much more transfer activity involving Asian players over the summer including the possible departure of Japanese star Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow to a club in England, Germany, Italy or Spain.
-- John Duerden
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes retires
LONDON (AP) — Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, ending the trophy-laden career of a famously low-key player widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted of his generation.
The 36-year-old Scholes made 676 appearances for United after making his debut for the club in 1994 and was the midfield heartbeat of a team that has dominated English football for the past two decades.
Spain midfielder Xavi dubbed Scholes "the best central midfielder that I have seen," while France great Zinedine Zidane once branded him "almost untouchable."
"I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honor," said Scholes, who eschewed the celebrity lifestyle of many modern-day footballers and rarely gave interviews.
"This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing."
Scholes won 10 Premier League titles — and 24 trophies in total — with United, scoring 150 goals, but was no longer a regular choice in the first team by the end of the recently completed season, leading to growing speculation about his playing future. His last appearance for the northwest power was as a late substitute in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.
A fortnight earlier, he had helped United claim a record 19th English title, overhauling Liverpool as the country's most successful league team. He made 66 appearances for England before retiring from international football in 2004 to concentrate on his club career.
A one-club man, Scholes said he will stay at United by taking up a coaching role starting next season.
"What more can I say about Paul Scholes that I haven't said before," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player.
"Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season. Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role."
Starting out as a deep-lying forward, Scholes eventually dropped back into central midfield where his touch, technique and vision could be more effectively utilized. He never lost his eye for goal, though, and turned his late runs into the penalty box into an art form.
Scholes had a particularly fierce shot and was always dangerous from outside the box.
"He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn't give possession away," Xavi said. "If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more."
The only part of Scholes' armory that let him down was his tackling, which was often late and clumsy. He missed the dramatic win over Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final through suspension but started in 2008 when United beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow to claim its third European Cup.
"It is very sad day for Manchester United fans around the world," said United chief executive David Gill. "We all know that Paul was one of the players that came through the ranks of the academy system in the 1990s and has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the United shirt."
After Gary Neville, Scholes is the second member of the batch of young talent to burst into United's first team during the early 1990s, which also included David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, to retire this season.
"I was fortunate to play alongside him for many years," Beckham wrote on his Facebook page. "He was not only one of England's best ever players, he was a dedicated professional. We knew him as the 'silent assassin' as he was quiet but boy could he make himself heard through his tackles on the training pitch. I'm still carrying a few bruises. What a great career and a Man United legend."
United defender Rio Ferdinand used his Twitter account to describe Scholes as "the BEST player of his generation."
"Paul Scholes aka Sat Nav went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game(changed his game while still at top of the game)," Ferdinand wrote.
Scholes was 29 when he retired from England duty. Current England coach Fabio Capello tried to tempt him back just a few weeks before last year's World Cup in South Africa but Scholes declined, saying he hadn't been given enough time to make the decision.
-- Steve Douglas
Brazil president meets officials of World Cup cities
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil's Sports Minister said Tuesday that leaders at all levels of his country's government are working together to speed up preparations for the 2014 World Cup.
Mayors, state officials and federal ministers met with President Dilma Rousseff to discuss how major works for the Cup were progressing.
"We examined the projects for stadiums, airports and ports, and we discussed the main obstacles to the preparations for the Cup," said Sports Minister Orlando Silva. "We concluded that it will be necessary to accelerate the preparation for the 2014 World Cup."
Despite concerns from many corners over the pace of Brazil's work for soccer's marquee event, FIFA officials said last week that preparations were mostly on track, but "concerns remain with regard to airport operations and capacities, as well as transport infrastructure."
Renovating Brazil's overcrowded airports and improving urban mobility have been among the biggest challenges for local organizers ahead of the Cup.
"It is crucial that any venues which host the World Cup have adequate infrastructure to be able to cater for the tens of thousands of spectators and allow them to move around the city for a particular match," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said in last week's statement. "If this is not the case, we cannot stage matches in those cities."
Silva said Tuesday that Rousseff decided that expansion in at least three of Brazil's airports will be open to private investment, which officials hope will increase efficiency in the works. Airports in Sao Paulo, Campinas, which is near Sao Paulo, and also that in Brasilia will be open to private investment.
He said the government is also considering opening investment for works at Rio de Janeiro's international airport, and also that in Belo Horizonte.
Silva said work at 10 of the 12 stadiums that are expected to host matches is proceeding as planned.
Construction began this week on a new stadium for the Sao Paulo soccer club Corinthians, which may host the opening match of the World Cup.
Corinthians president Andres Sanches said in a statement that work on the 65,000-seat stadium began Monday in Sao Paulo. The new stadium is expected to be completed six months before the Cup begins.
-- Marco Sibaja
Argentina soccer: Drug tests not needed in 1993
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina's soccer federation says it was not required to have drug testing for a 1993 World Cup playoff against Australia.
Former national coach Diego Maradona said last week in a TV interview that Argentine players were given "speedy coffee" to perform better, and that FIFA Vice President Julio Grondona did away with doping controls for the games.
Tuesday's statement by the Argentine Football Association was its first in writing since Maradona's remarks. The statement — titled "The honor of everyone is saved" — did not address the comment about stimulants or mention Maradona.
The federation said doping tests at the time were required only for the World Cup itself. It said all Argentines involved followed the rules "to the letter of the law."
Maradona and Grondona have been feuding since last year's World Cup, when Grondona declined to renew Maradona's coaching contract. Grondona hired Maradona despite his lack of coaching experience.
Grondona acknowledged last week there were no doping controls, partly to protect some players.
"A small personal controversy has been generated in recent days, when an ex-player believed that with his inexact words and bad intentions he could damage — or attempt to damage — the dramatic qualification against Australia," he said.
Grondona said last week there was an agreement with Australia to prevent drug testing. However, Ian Holmes, who was the Australia federation chief in 1993, has said there was no such agreement.
Argentina played to a 1-1 tie in the first match in Sydney, then won 1-0 in Buenos Aires to advance to the tournament.
At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Maradona was suspended for testing positive for stimulants after a first-round game against Nigeria. FIFA subsequently suspended him for 15 months.
Grondona is in Zurich for Wednesday's FIFA presidential election, which has been overshadowed by bribery allegations against two executive committee members — Jack Warner and Mohamed bin Hammam.
The 79-year-old Grondona has been an executive committee member since 1988 and is listed as a senior vice president. He is the only one of eight FIFA vice presidents to carry that title. Grondona is also the chairman of FIFA's finance committee, of which Warner and bin Hamman are members.
-- Vicente L. Panetta
Conte named new Juventus coach
TURIN, Italy (AP) — Former Juventus captain Antonio Conte says he's fulfilling a dream by becoming the coach. Conte was appointed as the new coach after agreeing to a two-year deal with the two-time European Champion on Tuesday.
"It feels like I'm coming home as I have always dreamed of coaching this team," Conte said. "We have a good base to build on in the squad. We didn't challenge for the title last season and that has left some of the players a little deluded. We need the right type of motivation for next season because we have a very good squad."
Juventus has already been active in the transfer market and brought in World Cup-winning midfielder Andrea Pirlo from AC Milan.
Even though Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has promised a sizable transfer budget, the likelihood is that Conte will continue to rely on veterans Alessandro Del Piero and Gianlugi Buffon to lead the side.
"Del Piero and Buffon are still very useful for the team," Conte did. "They are proven winners and have a great work ethic.
"We will have to have a proper look at our transfer targets and find players that fit into how I want the team to play."
Conte joins Juventus from Siena, which he guided to promotion to Serie A this season. It was the second time he led a team into the topflight, after Bari was promoted in 2009.
He replaces Luigi Delneri, who failed to take Juventus into Europe with a seventh-place finish in the league.
It completed an underwhelming season in which Juventus was eliminated from the Europa League at the group stage despite drawing all six of its games.
"We want to be winning and we want to get back to doing so under Antonio Conte," Agnelli said. "He is the first piece of the jigsaw that will get us back to winning ways."
Conte has twice been linked to the Juventus coaching post, but lost out to Claudio Ranieri in 2009 and Ciro Ferrara in 2010.
He played for Juventus from 1991 until he retired in 2004 and scored 44 goals in 419 games. He was part of the team that won the 1996 Champions League, the 1993 UEFA Cup and also helped the club to five Serie A titles.
Conte was also in the Italy squad that reached the final of the 1994 World Cup and scored one of his two international goals on the way to Italy finishing the 2000 European Championships second.
"The main objective for me is to put the team in a position to challenge for trophies," Conte said. "Our history demands we do so. We need the right attitude and approach to work and then we can return to where we should be."
PSG seals deal with Qatari investors
PARIS (AP) — Qatar Sports Investments acquired a 70 percent ownership stake in Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Paris city hall made the announcement in a statement.
PSG said its American owner, Colony Capital, will keep 30 percent of the shares. Financial terms of the deal were not announced.
QSI was set up in 2005 by Qatari prince Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The fund's previous investments include a golf club and health spa in Doha.
PSG, which will play in next season's Europa League, added "this new partnership is aimed at guaranteeing the development and the growth of the PSG on a long-term basis."
PSG has struggled in recent years because of poor results and hooliganism but managed to win the French Cup last year and placed fourth in the French league this season.
The deal marks the latest in a series of investments by oil-rich Gulf investors into European football clubs.
A Dubai business group last month said it agreed to pay at least $100 million for Spanish club Getafe. The investors, who were not backed by the emirate's government, plan to add the words "Team Dubai" to the club's shirts, stadium and other merchandise.
Another member of the Qatari ruling family bought Spanish club Malaga last year. The family has also been rumored to be interested in Manchester United, but the English Premier League club's owners aren't willing to sell.
In 2008, Sheik Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, took over that team's rival, Manchester City.
Tiny Qatar ranks as one of the world's richest countries per capita. It is the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas — a major source of the OPEC member's wealth.
-- Samuel Petrequin
Tevez returns to squad for Copa America
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez has received his first call up to the national team in six months after being named in Argentina's 26-man preliminary squad for the Copa America, the South American championship.
Tevez was joined up front on Tuesday my Barcelona star Lionel Messi and will play in front of a defense anchored by 37-year-old Javier Zanetti of Inter Milan.
The squad will be reduced to 22 players by the time tournament host Argentina opens the event on July 1 against Bolivia. Argentina and Brazil are the favorites, and Argentina is looking to win its first major title since taking the same event in 1993.
Tevez has been excluded from the squad since he dropped out of a friendly match in November against Brazil at Qatar. The withdrawal seemed to anger new coach Sergio Batista, who had just taken over from Diego Maradona.
Batista acknowledged last week for the first time that he had personal issues with Tevez, who was the English Premier League's joint top-scorer.
Maradona roundly criticized Batista for the omission of Tevez who, despite his talent, has not teamed well with Messi on the national side.
Joining Tevez and Messi in the forwards are Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid, Ezequiel Lavezzi of Napoli and Diego Milito of Inter Milan.
Argentina begins training for the Copa America on June 8.
Hamburg signs England prospect Michael Mancienne
HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Hamburger SV has signed England youth team international Michael Mancienne from Chelsea for a fee of around €2 million ($2.9 million).
The Bundesliga club said on its website Tuesday that the 23-year-old defender signed a four-year contract after undergoing a medical.
Mancienne, who has played for England from under-16 to under-21 levels, was on loan at Chelsea's Premier League rival Wolverhampton Wanderers for the last three seasons.
"Hamburg is a big club, rich in tradition, with fantastic fans. It's a great challenge for me, to be able to play for this club," Mancienne said.
Hamburg's new sporting director Frank Arnesen negotiated the transfer with his former club over the weekend.
"I know Michael from my time at Chelsea, have followed his development for years and know about his huge potential," Arnesen said.
Arnesen took over at Hamburg after informing Chelsea he would not be renewing his contract with the English club.
After completing the formalities, Mancienne rejoined the England under-21 side in preparation for the European Championship in Denmark in June.
Messi back home, sets sights on Copa America
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi is back home and looking to win the Copa America for Argentina. Fresh off his Champions League final victory, Messi arrived in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. His Argentine team and Brazil are favored in the continental championship that begins July 1 with Argentina facing Bolivia. The final is July 24.
"I've had the luck to win everything with Barcelona, win everything as an individual, and my goal now is go win things for the Argentine national team," Messi said at the airport in Buenos Aires.
Messi was the man of the match in Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Saturday. He has, however, had limited success with his national team.
Argentina, then coached by Diego Maradona, was routed 4-0 by Germany last year in the World Cup quarterfinals. Messi was no factor, often isolated in midfield without the ball.
Maradona has since been replaced by Sergio Batista as coach. Argentina has won the World Cup twice — 1978 and 1986 — but it has not won a major international tournament since taking the Copa America in 1993 in Ecuador.
Sweden's Ibrahimovic doubtful for Euro qualifiers
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is doubtful for the European Championship qualifiers against Moldova and Finland because of a foot injury.
The AC Milan player has been bothered by a tendon problem in his right foot since the last rounds of the Italian league season. Ibrahimovic told reporters Tuesday that "people probably haven't taken this injury seriously enough. I have been playing on painkillers before, but I'd rather not do it.
"But we have to be smart, it's better if I'm not fit that someone who can give 100 percent plays."
He said he hopes coach Erik Hamren can "wait to decide whether I play until an hour before kickoff" in the away match against Moldova on Friday.
Sweden then plays Finland at home in Stockholm on June 7.
Moggi recommended for five-year sentence in scandal
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Magistrates in Naples have recommended that former Juventus executive Luciano Moggi be sentenced to five years, eight months in prison for his role in the 2006 match-fixing scandal.
Moggi was the central figure in the scandal that resulted in Juventus being stripped of the 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B.
Magistrates made their recommendations on Tuesday for custodial sentences which included four years for former referee designator Paolo Bergamo, four years and six months for his colleague Pierluigi Pairetto, and three years for former ref Massimo De Santis.
Also implicated are Fiorentina owners Andrea and Diego Delle Valle, Lazio president Claudio Lotito and officials from Reggina, Messina and AC Milan.
Moggi denies all charges.
Eintracht Frankfurt presents Armin Veh as coach
BERLIN (AP) — Eintracht Frankfurt has presented Armin Veh as coach to try to lead the club to an immediate Bundesliga return. Frankfurt presented the 50-year-old former Hamburg coach on Tuesday, two weeks after Christoph Daum left the club following relegation on the final day of the season.
The club's new sporting director, Bruno Huebner, says former Hamburger SV coach Veh "corresponds exactly to our requirements ... he has much experience and calm, and can work well under pressure."
Veh, who was fired by Hamburg with eight games of the season remaining, had previous spells in charge of Wolfsburg and Stuttgart, which he led to the Bundesliga title in 2007.
Veh said: "I'm looking forward to the interesting work with Eintracht. This club simply belongs back in the Bundesliga."
Poland's government OKs Euro 2012 safety measures
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland's government has approved strict measures and fines to ensure stadium security during next year's European Championship.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday his Cabinet had adopted a new law allowing for stadium bans and summary trials of hooligans during Euro 2012.
It allows for stiff penalties of up to $1,100 for the possession of knives or dangerous tools in stadiums, for attacking security forces, and for covering one's face during matches.
The law will allow local governors to terminate an ongoing sports event in case of violence. It is a response to repeated cases of stadium violence and needs approval from the parliament and from President Bronislaw Komorowski.
Poland and Ukraine are co-hosting Euro 2012.
Germany hopeful of Khedira comeback
BERLIN (AP) — Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira could make his comeback from injury in Germany's 2012 European Championship qualifier in Austria on Friday.
Germany assistant coach Hansi Flick says on Tuesday "everything is going to plan" and that "his muscle injury has healed."
Khedira has not played since tearing a thigh muscle in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 20. Flick says "we're confident he'll play on Friday, but we'll take absolutely no risk if he's not fully fit."
Germany is without midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, defender Per Mertesacker and striker Miroslav Klose as it aims to make it six wins from six in Group A. If Khedira does not recover in time, Simon Rolfes will partner Toni Kroos in midfield.
Goalkeeper Guaita signs new Valencia contract
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita has signed a three-year contract extension that ties him to the Spanish club until 2015. The 24-year-old Guaita never relinquished his starting position after getting the nod in November following injuries to Cesar Sanchez and Miguel Angel Moya.
Guaita came up through Valencia's youth ranks and helped the club to a third-place finish in the league standings this season. He allowed 26 goals in 21 appearances.
Guaita's spot as starting keeper is not definite, however, with Valencia having signed Brazil goalkeeper Diego Alves from Almeria. Moya is also signed through the 2012-13 season.
Guaita says, "I've got to keep working so I don't lose my starting spot."
Once rivals, Spain players now teammates again
MADRID (AP) — Rival players from Barcelona and Real Madrid have gathered with the Spain squad and vowed to put the bad blood from a series of testy matches behind them.
The World Cup winner faces the United States in an exhibition Saturday before traveling to Venezuela three days later for its first games since the four meetings in 18 days between bitter rivals Barcelona and Madrid in April and May.
The teams accused each other of poor sportsmanship after the bruising, draining series of games, as Madrid won the Copa del Rey and Barcelona won their Champions League semifinal.
The two Spanish clubs have a combined 11 players on the squad, even though Barcelona regulars Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez will both miss this trip.
Italy's Balotelli to miss Estonia game with injury
MILAN (AP) — Italy striker Mario Balotelli will miss the European Championship qualifier against Estonia on Friday after injuring his right knee in training.
The Italian federation said on its website Tuesday that the Manchester City striker had to be helped off the field after getting hurt during a practice match against Italy's under-18 team.
Balotelli battled injuries for much of the season, but returned for City's FA Cup final win over Stoke City and was honored as man of the match.
Italy is atop Euro 2012 qualifying Group C, five points ahead of Slovenia and Serbia. Cesare Prandelli's team also has an exhibition against Ireland in Liege on June 7.
Augsburg signs striker Sascha Moelders
AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Promoted Bundesliga side Augsburg has signed striker Sascha Moelders from second-division team FSV Frankfurt. Augsburg said Tuesday that the 26-year-old has signed a two-year contract.
Moelders told the club's website that "I'm delighted my transfer to Augsburg worked out and I want to do my bit so we get to grips with survival in the Bundesliga."
Augsburg General Manager Andreas Rettig said Moelders "fit exactly with our requirements."
Moelders scored 18 goals for FSV Frankfurt in 47 games. He previously scored 42 in 52 games during a two-year spell at Rot-Weiss Essen.
Barcelona's Puyol to undergo operation
MADRID (AP) — Champions League winner Barcelona says team captain Carles Puyol will undergo surgery on June 1 to treat a left knee injury that has troubled him over recent months.
The club said Monday that Puyol would be operated on in the city's Quiron Clinic "to resolve trouble he has been having in the left knee."
Puyol, a key member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, was unable to start in Barcelona's 3-1 Champions League final victory Saturday against Manchester United, but was brought on as a substitute in the final moments by coach Pep Guardiola. He will miss Spain's upcoming friendlies against the United States and Venezuela.
Gay Turkish referee seeks compensation
ISTANBUL (AP) — A former referee is seeking compensation from the Turkey Football Federation for allegedly outing him and dismissing him for being gay. The Anatolia news agency says referee Halil Ibrahim Dincbag told an Istanbul court on Tuesday that he was unable to find work after documents showing he was exempted from military service because of his homosexuality were leaked to the media two years ago.
Dincbag is seeking 110,000 Turkish lira ($69,000) in compensation from the federation which sacked him two years ago. He also accuses the federation of leaking the documents to the media. Human rights groups are closely following his case as a test of improvements to gay rights in Turkey.
