Soccer Capsules: FIFA delegation concludes tour in Houston
HOUSTON (AP) — FIFA's World Cup inspectors wrapped up a three-day, five-city visit in Houston on Thursday as they weigh potential venues for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
FIFA's 24-member executive committee will vote Dec. 2. Europe is expected to be awarded the 2018 tournament, with England, Russia, Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands competing. The U.S. is facing Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea for 2022.
The inspectors also visited New York, the White House, Miami and Dallas.
Sunil Gulati, head of the U.S. World Cup bid committee, was asked to compare this effort with Chicago's failed bid for the 2016 Olympics. Gulati says the process is different, and that this committee is putting together a proposal that he hopes FIFA will find "irresistible."
Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the head of the inspection delegation, said the group gathered all the necessary information to present a complete report to FIFA's executive committee. He said he was confident that the U.S. could fulfill all the necessary standards set by FIFA to host the World Cup.
"All the stadiums we have visited, with some very small adjustments, would be great World Cup venues. There is no doubt about that," Mayne-Nicholls said. "We have seen a number of excellent locations. All requirements and expectations should be met."
Gulati told Mayne-Nicholls that the next World Cup here would likely set records for attendance, ticket sales and international visitors. More than 3.6 million fans attended matches when the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, still a record.
Gulati doesn't see a negative in the fact that the U.S. is lobbying for its second World Cup in three decades, while Australia and Qatar are vying for their first.
"I don't think hosting a successful event and setting multiple records should be a disadvantage," Gulati said. "It will have been 28 years, if it's 2022. Clearly, that's an issue for some, going out to new and uncharted water, but we think there's some advantages.
"FIFA knows we can do this, we've done it well, and we can do it again."
The FIFA delegation visited the White House on Wednesday, and Mayne-Nicholls came away with confidence that the event would have the full backing of the American government.
"As you know, a World Cup only works if it becomes a fully national treasure," he said.
Gulati said the key ingredient to winning the bid process relied on more than just have stadiums ready to go.
"We have terrific infrastructure, but in the end, it's not about having the infrastructure and having top-level stadiums," Gulati said. "It's about convincing 24 (FIFA voters) that's in the best long-term interest of the sport to come to the United States, and that's what we've been doing for some period of time."
Brazil defeated Italy at the Rose Bowl in the 1994 final.
While the inspectors didn't visit California this time, Gulati wouldn't rule out the possibility of including stadiums there if the U.S. was awarded the World Cup in 2018 or '22. He also invited the chance of new stadiums being built there between now and then.
The delegation's visit to Reliant Stadium included a meeting with Bob McNair, the owner of the NFL's Houston Texans, who open their season there on Sunday.
For Thursday's occasion, the field was set up exactly as it was for the Major League Soccer All-Star game on July 28. MLS banners ringed the field, and "FIFA Delegation Tour" flashed on the lighted ribbon signs that encircle the stadium.
The venue has lured huge crowds for international matches in recent years, many of them involving teams from Mexico. The MLS All-Star game, featuring Manchester United, drew 70,728, the largest attendance for an MLS All-Star game since the first one in 1996 drew 78,416 to Giants Stadium.
McNair was encouraged by Thursday's meeting.
"They know the great success that we've had with soccer games in Reliant Stadium," McNair said. "That's very impressive. I hope Houston succeeds in attracting them."
Beckham could play in Galaxy's game on Saturday
LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Beckham is eligible to play in the Los Angeles Galaxy's home MLS game against Columbus on Saturday after being sidelined for almost six months with an Achilles' tendon injury.
Beckham tore his left tendon on March 14 while playing on loan with AC Milan, undergoing surgery two days later on an injury that prevented him from playing in the World Cup.
After leading Los Angeles to the MLS Cup final last November, Beckham hasn't played this season for the Galaxy, who still lead the Western Conference with 44 points and field U.S. internationals Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle.
"Not playing for six months is tough," Beckham said after a practice session at Carson. "It's the first time it's happened to me. I've had injuries, but nothing that's kept me out for so long. It did make me realize how much I love the game, and I'm not ready to finish."
The 35-year-old Beckham thinks he could play for "quite a few more years," growing excited about the Galaxy's playoff push and his still-faint possibility of returning to the English national team someday.
Beckham is less interested in playing again for a European club. After several years of nearly nonstop play, Beckham indicated he's likely to decline a loan to AC Milan or another team in favor of a more relaxing winter.
"I need that — my body needs that," Beckham said. "I've been hitting it quite hard for the last couple of years, and this injury is because of that, so I think now it's time maybe for me to look at myself and look at my fitness. ... Three months in the Seychelles would be lovely, but I've got three boys who go to school, so that can't happen."
Beckham hasn't exactly been inactive during his recovery. After traveling with the English national team in South Africa, Beckham returned to practice with the Galaxy on Aug. 10, gradually increasing his training regimen over the past four weeks.
He played 45 minutes in a practice match Wednesday, saying he felt exhausted early on before getting a second wind halfway through.
"I'm ready, to be honest," Beckham said. "I've been working hard with the rehab, and I'm trying to get the strength back in my legs. ... I think I can play some part of the game (Saturday). Obviously, with not playing for six months, it has to be a careful few minutes at a time. If I can play 10, 15, 20 minutes, hopefully I can do that."
Arena is more cautious, noting Beckham still is a week shy of the expected six-month recovery time from such a serious injury. The Galaxy's braintrust hasn't decided whether Beckham will play against Columbus.
"I think he's ahead of schedule," Arena said. "Our original goal was to get him back on the field Oct. 1. We think that could be moved up. The decision-making has to be based on getting David on the field when he's ready to play and not susceptible to an injury, and it also has to be in the best interest of our team, but it's getting close. ... He is a guy that likes to defy the odds."
Beckham has seven goals and 15 assists in 41 career regular-season games with Los Angeles. He played just 11 games for the Galaxy last year after spending the first half of the season with AC Milan.
While focused on Los Angeles' remaining season, Beckham hasn't written off the possibility of playing again for his country. England manager Fabio Capello was widely criticized last month for saying Beckham was too old to play for the national team again, forcing Capello to backpedal.
Beckham has closely followed England's performances in victories over Switzerland and Bulgaria in Euro 2012 qualifiers. He's also on good terms with Capello, speaking to the manager by phone shortly before the English team assembled to prepare for the qualifiers.
"I've always had a good relationship with Fabio, and that's not changed," Beckham said. "He's England manager, and he has to look to the future, look to some great, talented young players coming through. These players need to be given the chance, and they will be. But obviously the manager is aware that there needs to be some old heads in there, and some experience.
"If I'm part of that, then great, but like I said, my main objective right now is to get myself fit and playing again."
-- Greg Beacham
Real Salt Lake goes top of MLS standings
SEATTLE (AP) — A scoreless draw at Seattle on Thursday was enough for reigning MLS champions Real Salt Lake to move top of this season's standings.
The point moved the Utah club above the Los Angeles Galaxy on goal difference atop the Western Conference standings, and likewise equal on points but with a better goal difference than Eastern Conference leader Columbus. However, it has played one more game than both the Galaxy and the Crew.
Real Salt Lake kept a clean sheet despite being without regular goalkeeper Nick Rimando (Achilles' tendon) but his replacement Kyle Reynish had little to do, making only two saves.
Real has not conceded in four games, extending it flawless record to 452 minutes. It is unbeaten in seven games.
At the other end, veteran Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller saved a Robbie Findley penalty in the 32nd minute.
Mexico Soccer
Former El Tri coach hired by Costa Rica
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica hired Ricardo La Volpe as its national coach Thursday, giving the job to an Argentine who coached Mexico at the 2006 World Cup.
Now his job will be getting Costa Rica to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
"This will not depend on just one person," La Volpe said at a news conference. "For my part, I can tell fans my job will be focused on qualifying and surprising some people in 2014."
Costa Rica played in the World Cup in 1990, 2002 and 2006 and has been a force in Central American soccer. It failed, however, to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa and has fired two full-time coaches in the last year — Rodrigo Kenton and Rene Simoes. The team has been led recently by interim coach Ronald Gonzalez.
La Volpe coached Mexico to the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup, where the team lost to Argentina. La Volpe said he expected to begin coaching Costa Rica in November to prepare the team for next year's Copa Centroamericana, the regional championship.
La Volpe is an outspoken coach who ruffled feathers when he was in Mexico. He met with Costa Rican officials several weeks ago but reportedly balked at signing after disagreeing on compensation if he were fired. His salary is reported at $50,000 a month.
He declined to confirm his salary, but suggested his presence would attract sponsors to the national team.
"I start in two months, so the federation has that time to line up sponsors," La Volpe said, adding that he had "the credentials" to attract sponsorship income.
"We'll have to work a lot and see if we have the raw material here for our first challenge," he said, referring to the Central Amerian championship.
Costa Rica was only 20 seconds from qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. The team led the United States 2-1 in an October qualifier, a score that would have been enough to advance, but the Americans scored in stoppage time to salvage a draw.
The draw gave Honduras the third automatic qualifying spot. Costa Rica subsequently lost a two-game playoff against Uruguay for the final spot in the 32-team World Cup.
Costa Rica had been first in its qualifying group early on, but straight losses to Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador sent them tumbling and cost Kenton his job. Simoes was called in to coach the final matches against Trinidad, the U.S. and Uruguay.
-- Marianela Jimenez
Copa America draw set for Nov. 11 in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The draw for next year's Copa America, the South American national championship, will be held on Nov. 11 in La Plata, Argentina.
The governing body of South American football made the announcement Thursday on its website. The matches will be played at seven sites in Argentina: La Plata, Cordoba, Santa Fe, Mendoza, San Juan, Jujuy and Salta.
The 10 South American members are playing — Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela — plus Mexico and Japan as guest nations.
League News
West Ham's Grant under pressure as Chelsea visits
LONDON (AP) — Chelsea's chase for a fourth straight win at the start of its Premier League title defense could spell big trouble for former Blues manager Avram Grant.
Grant led Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final but is already under pressure at West Ham after his new team lost its first three Premier League matches to fall to the bottom of the standings.
Grant comes up against his former club in one of Saturday's eight Premier League matches and, with Chelsea having scored 14 goals in its opening three wins, things don't look like improving any time soon for the Israeli.
West Ham hired Grant after firing former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola after the team only narrowly avoided relegation last season.
Grant won acclaim for coaxing improved performances from relegation-bound Portsmouth last season and taking the heavily indebted club to the FA Cup final, but seems to be finding things just as hard at West Ham.
"It's not easy to keep the morale up — especially after last season — but I don't like talking about last year because we do not need to be reminded about it," Grant said. "It's not easy but I've told the players from the beginning that I want to see their character both when they win and when they lose.
"It's only the beginning of the season and if we win two games we will be as good as any other team."
But West Ham may have to wait for the first of those wins.
Its problems start up front with strikers Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne failing to score so far. The Hammers' only Premier League goal came from a penalty by Mark Noble against Bolton three weeks ago.
The Hammers' problems up front could mean a debut for Victor Obinna, who is on loan this season from Inter Milan.
"We just need a little time for the players to come together," Obinna said. "We need to work with each other and understand our strengths. Why can't we do something against Chelsea?
"I would like to be involved against Chelsea if the manager decides. I believe it is going to be one of the toughest games we have played this season."
Grant said that West Ham's struggles are down to a tough run of opening fixtures. West Ham lost 3-0 at Aston Villa, 3-1 to visiting Bolton and 3-0 at Manchester United, which is at Everton on Saturday.
"Chelsea is a tough fixture and I can't ever remember a team at our level having such tough fixtures at the beginning of the season," Grant said.
Wayne Rooney also comes up against his former club when United plays Everton.
The striker has been on the front pages of Britain's newspapers rather than the back following allegations about his private life, but Rooney scored for England in midweek and is setting up goals regularly.
Everton beat United 3-1 in the corresponding fixture last season but has taken just one point from three matches.
"We're at home and we need a win no matter what," Everton defender Tony Hibbert said. "We've had a few good results at home against Man United so I think the lads are looking forward to it.
"I think we're playing brilliantly, we really are. We're getting a grip of the game and passing the ball really well. We're just lacking a little bit in the final third, but maybe that's a bit of luck and maybe that will come on Saturday."
Also Saturday, Arsenal hosts Bolton, Fulham hosts Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City hosts Blackburn, Newcastle hosts Blackpool, West Bromwich Albion hosts Tottenham, and Wigan hosts Sunderland.
On Sunday, Liverpool is at Birmingham. Gerard Houllier takes charge of Aston Villa for the first time on Monday with a match at Stoke.
League Championship leader Queens Park Rangers hosts Middlesbrough on Saturday, when second-place Cardiff hosts Hull, and third-place Ipswich is at Portsmouth.
-- Stuart Condie
Real Madrid hosts Osasuna in Spanish league
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid hopes to put a disappointing start to its Spanish league campaign behind it with a home match against Osasuna on Saturday.
Madrid is already trailing rival Barcelona after drawing its first match of the season at Mallorca, and coach Jose Mourinho's task has not been made easier by an injury which has sidelined star playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo for three weeks.
Despite not being able to participate, Ronaldo is confident Madrid will overcome its sluggish start.
"The goal is always the same, to win," said Ronaldo. "We have a very good team and I am sure that if we work hard and have a little luck that we will win a title or two this year. We are not going to finish behind Barcelona."
The Portugal international said his recovery from an ankle injury was going well. "I almost feel 100 percent," he said.
Mourinho will measure his tactics against those of Osasuna coach Jose Antonio Camacho, who had two brief spells in charge of Madrid.
The coach excluded journalists from Thursday's training session, in which Ezequiel Garay, Raul Albiol, Fernando Gago and Kaka joined Ronaldo on the sidelines.
Defending champion Barcelona, which beat Racing Santander in its opening match, looks to have an easier match against newly promoted Hercules on Saturday, with coach Pep Guardiola able to rely on a full-strength squad at the Camp Nou.
However, Guardiola has analyzed past statistics and warned his players the match could be "a high risk encounter."
Under Guardiola, Barcelona has never lost when playing immediately after international matches, but the team has drawn six out of nine games.
Barca's second-choice goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto also warned that Hercules will be motivated and looking forward to its first match against the champions.
"They have signed a lot of players and I have no doubt that it'll be a difficult game," he said.
Esteban Vigo, Hercules' coach, said he hoped his squad could give Barcelona a good match. "We are playing probably the best team in the world and that should act as an incentive for us," said Vigo.
Also on Saturday, Valencia hosts Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid travels to face stiff competition against visiting Athletic Bilbao.
On Sunday, Sevilla hopes to bounce back from its Champions League exit at the hands of Braga when it takes on Deportivo La Coruna at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
Ivorian international midfielder Didier Zokora said Sevilla was now determined to finish among the top three in the Spanish league. "Sevilla is a great team and should be playing Champions League every season, not just Europa League," Zokora said.
Also on Sunday, it's: Zaragoza vs. Malaga; Sporting Gijon vs. Mallorca; Getafe vs. Levante; Villarreal vs. Espanyol; and Almeria vs. Real Sociedad.
-- Harold Heckle
Ibrahimovic aiming high with AC Milan
MILAN (AP) — AC Milan's new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic has wasted little time in making his intentions clear for the his first season with the Italian club.
The former Inter Milan and Juventus striker joined Milan from Barcelona in one of the offseason's most highly publicized transfers and is likely to make his first appearance on Saturday at Cesena.
"I've come to Milan to win many trophies and the Champions League is our target for the season. However, the Champions League is determined by small details and luck," Ibrahimovic said. "I've seen teams win it that you would never have thought could."
Milan beat Lecce 4-0 on the opening weekend with a brace from Alexandre Pato and a goal apiece from Thiago Silva and Filippo Inzaghi.
Ibrahimovic will link up with Brazilian trio Ronaldinho, Pato and fellow new signing Robinho in attack, but the Swede holds no fear that their playing together will unbalance the team.
"Attack is always the best form of defense. That is my philosophy," he said. "I've been used to pressure since I was a boy, but this time it will different. With Milan and everything the club expects, it is something else."
Milan, defending Serie A champion Inter and AS Roma all play on Saturday to give them an extra day to prepare for the first round of Champions League matches in midweek.
Inter played out a disappointing 0-0 draw at Bologna on the season's opening day, and Rafa Benitez's team now travels to an Udinese side which lost 1-0 to Genoa in its first game.
Last season's runner-up Roma will also try to bounce back from its lackluster start to the season, away to Cagliari.
Roma drew 0-0 draw at home to Cesena and is without defender John Arne Riise, who sustained a concussion after colliding with Norway teammate Espen Ruud during training and is expected to be out of action for 20 days.
Juventus will host Sampdoria with the pressure already on new coach Luigi Delneri following a 1-0 defeat to Bari in the opening round.
Alberto Aquilani is set to make his debut for Juventus after he joined on loan from Liverpool.
"I am ready, I feel well and I am delighted that the fans were pleased with my signing," Aquilani said. "I am here to stay, even if I only arrived in Turin on loan."
Also this weekend, it is; Brescia vs. Palermo, Catania vs. Parma, Genoa vs. Chievo Verona, Lazio vs. Bologna, Lecce vs. Fiorentina and Napoli vs. Bari.
-- Jeremy Inson
Bayern plays Werder in Bundesliga
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Werder Bremen travels to title holder Bayern Munich without both its regular central defenders as the Bundesliga season resumes with a showdown between two Champions League sides.
The absence of Per Merstesacker and Naldo could force Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf to use new signing Mikael Silvestre in a central role in Saturday's game. Silvestre was one of several players signed by Bundesliga clubs just before the transfer window closed ahead of the international break.
Mauro Camoranesi could make his debut for Stuttgart, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Jose Manuel Jurado could start for Schalke and Brazilian midfielder Wesley, who is seen as replacement for Mesut Oezil, could come into Bremen's starting 11.
Bremen has gotten off to a mixed start and its shaky defense conceded six goals in the first two games.
"It's a very unsatisfactory situation that we now lose another defensive pillar in Mertesacker in addition to Naldo," Schaaf said.
Mertesacker has a fractured left-eye socket. He was hurt in Germany's 6-1 win over Azerbaijan on Tuesday in Euro 2012 qualifying. Naldo is nursing a knee injury and has not played this season.
The injuries to Mertesacker and Naldo have overshadowed the absence of striker Claudio Pizarro, who is out with a hamstring injury.
Bayern will be seeking to recover from a surprising 2-0 loss at promoted Kaiserslautern before the break.
The defending Bundesliga champion is the only club that has not brought in any new players. Winger Arjen Robben is out for months with a torn hamstring but coach Louis van Gaal has decided not to disturb the chemistry of his team by signing new players.
Schalke's coach Felix Magath went on a frenzied shopping spree, especially when last season's runner-up lost its first two games.
Huntelaar is coming off five goals in two games for the Netherlands against San Marino and Finland in Euro 2012 qualifying and will be hoping to bolster Schalke's attack, where another newcomer, former Real Madrid star Raul, has been ineffective in the first two games.
"Raul brings a lot of experience and we know each other very well from our common time at Real," Huntelaar said. I think we fit well together."
Magath upset fans with several player departures and signings, including former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder, another arrival from Real.
Metzelder was picked by Magath as the biggest culprit in Schalke's consecutive losses at the start of the season.
"Every player goes through such a phase and has to overcome it," Magath said of Metzelder.
Metzelder is expected to be in the team when Schalke kicks off the third round on Friday in Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim is resembling its glory days of two years ago and is atop of the standings after a perfect start with two wins.
Another team to lose both opening games is Stuttgart, which hopes former Italy and Juventus midfielder Camoranesi will trigger a turnaround in fortunes when the team visits Freiburg on Saturday.
Kaiserslautern shares top spot with Hoffenheim and on Sunday visits Mainz, another team with a perfect start.
Hamburger SV, the only big name among the leaders, hosts promoted Nuremberg on Saturday. Surprise package Hannover, another side with two wins, hosts Bayer Leverkusen, which is coming off a 6-3 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach at home.
Moenchengladbach hosts Eintracht Frankfurt, which is still without a point, Also Saturday, Borussia Dortmund plays Wolfsburg.
On Sunday, Cologne will be hoping for its first points at home against promoted St. Pauli.
-- Nesha Starcevic
Toulouse looks to stay perfect in French league
PARIS (AP) — Toulouse is looking to extend its perfect record in the French league with a fifth straight win when it hosts Saint-Etienne on Saturday.
Toulouse tops the standings with 12 points from the four opening matches, four clear of second-place Rennes, and looks headed for a much better finish than last season's disappointing 14th place.
"We're riding the momentum, we're showing an excellent mindset," Toulouse coach Alain Casanova said. "It feels great to rack up those wins after the tough season we went through."
The club has the league's best attack so far with eight goals scored despite the departure of France international Andre-Pierre Gignac to Marseille in the offseason.
Toulouse does not have the means to compete financially with the big clubs and has therefore built its success on a bold youth development policy.
Defender Cheikh M'Bengue and midfielders Etienne Capoue and Franck Tabanou are members of the France under-21 squad and have already been scouted by English clubs such as Tottenham and West Ham.
To fill the void left by Gignac up front, Toulouse signed Yannis Tafer on loan from Lyon and Federico Santander from Paraguayan club Guarani.
Both are just 19 years old. Tafer won the under-19 European Championship this summer with France while Santander played in last year's under-20 World Cup with Paraguay.
Toulouse made another smart deal by getting defender Adrian Gunino on loan from Argentine club Boca Juniors. Gunino is a Uruguay under-21 international.
Meanwhile, defending champion Marseille hopes to make up ground in the standings when it faces Monaco on Sunday.
Marseille has only four points, the same as Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille.
"It does not really reassure me to see that the big teams are in the same situation," Marseille coach Didier Deschamps said. "Toulouse has 12 points and Rennes eight. It's already a lot and it will take us quite a few matches to catch them."
Marseille will miss midfielder Edouard Cisse and winger Andre Ayew, who are both suspended. It will also play without forward Loic Remy, who picked up a groin injury in France's 1-0 loss to Belarus last week.
Monaco has six points and is one of six teams still undefeated after four rounds.
The key for Marseille's porous defense will be to contain Monaco's attack. Monaco signed Romania forward Daniel Niculae from Auxerre this summer and took Gabon forward Pierre Aubameyang on loan from AC Milan. Niculae and Aubameyang have scored two goals each.
Lille will be chasing its first win of the season at Lens on Saturday in what is known in France as the derby of the north. Lens and Lille are both located in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
Lille had the most prolific attack last season but it is now struggling to score goals, finding the net only twice in four matches.
"After four rounds, we still haven't had a taste of victory," Lille skipper Rio Mavuba said. "The more time goes by, and the more the need for a win will become imperative. This derby can kickstart our season."
This match could be a golden opportunity for Lille since Lens currently has the worst defense in the league.
"We will have to take three points as quickly as possible," Lille midfielder Florent Balmont said. "A victory would do us some good both for our confidence and in the standings."
Also on Saturday it's: Auxerre vs. Caen, Lyon vs. Valenciennes, Montpellier vs. Nancy, Paris Saint-Germain vs. Arles-Avignon, and Rennes vs. Sochaux.
On Sunday it's: Brest vs. Lorient, and Nice vs. Bordeaux.
-- Trung Latieule
Debrecen players lose appeals in match-fixing case
GENEVA (AP) — UEFA has dismissed appeals by two players from Hungarian champion Debrecen against their suspensions in connection with attempts to fix a Champions League match.
UEFA said Thursday that goalkeeper Vukasin Poleksic remains banned through June 2012 and defender Norbert Meszaros through December 2011 "for breaching principles of integrity, loyalty and sportsmanship" by not reporting offers from fixers.
"The decision of the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body of June 24 is upheld," Europe's football authority said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Poleksic, a Montenegro international, and Meszaros can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The case is the first that UEFA has prosecuted in connection with attempts to fix a group-stage game in the Champions League, world football's most popular and lucrative club competition.
Poleksic and Meszaros were found guilty of failing to say that fixers approached them before Debrecen's home match against Fiorentina last Oct. 20.
The Italian side scored four first-half goals and won 4-3. Neither player was accused of actively manipulating the match.
According to Hungarian state news wire MTI, Poleksic stated in his appeal that he rejected the bribe attempt and that it was proven that no match-fixing had taken place.
For his part, Meszaros sought to prove at Wednesday's appeal hearing that he had no contact with people attempting to influence the match's outcome.
In a statement posted by Debrecen on its website Thursday, the club said it was not affected by the case and the players would decide whether to appeal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Debrecen said three of its players — Tibor Dombi, Zoltan Kiss and Djorje Pantic — testified in their teammates' hearing.
"After this, (UEFA) made its regrettable decision based on the testimony of a single witness," Debrecen said.
In May, Debrecen said eight players were initially interviewed by UEFA investigators who visited Hungary asking about an alleged fix.
The 27-year-old Poleksic was then suspended by UEFA for two years and fined €10,000 ($12,700). He has helped Debrecen win the Hungarian championship in both his seasons with the club.
Meszaros, who is 30, was banned for 18 months and fined €7,000 ($8,900).
Their bans will likely be extended globally by FIFA.
Debrecen reached the group stage of the Champions League for the first time last season and earned more than €10 million ($12.7 million) in prize money from UEFA. It lost all six matches it played against Fiorentina, Liverpool and Lyon.
In this season's competition, Debrecen was eliminated by Swiss champion FC Basel in the third qualifying round. It has since reached the group stage of the Europa League and begins play next week.
Last year, UEFA found Macedonian club Pobeda guilty of fixing a Champions League qualifying match in 2004. It excluded the club from European competitions for eight years and banned the former club president for life from involvement in football.
-- Graham Dunbar
Elsewhere
FIFA to study scrapping extra time at World Cup
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA president Sepp Blatter wants the governing body of football to consider scrapping extra time at the 2014 World Cup to encourage attacking ambition after seeing too much defensive tactics in South Africa.
Blatter said Thursday that he wants to stop teams from being defensive when they are even after 90 minutes in a knockout match "in an attempt to avoid conceding a goal at all costs."
"To prevent this, we could go directly to a penalty shootout at full time, or reintroduce the golden goal rule," Blatter said in an interview published on FIFA's website.
The golden goal rule applied at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, in which the first goal of extra time decides the game.
Blatter also is unhappy with some teams' negative approach in their first group matches at the recent World Cup.
"We witnessed some teams that went out to avoid defeat, that were playing for a draw from the outset," Blatter said. "We have to try to find a way to encourage free-flowing football in tournaments like the World Cup, with teams playing to win."
FIFA's Football and Technical & Development committees will study the issues when they both meet on Oct. 18. The panels will report to FIFA's executive committee, which meets Oct. 28-29 in Zurich.
The football committee is chaired by Franz Beckenbauer, who captained and coached West Germany to World Cup titles and now sits on FIFA's 24-man executive committee. Other members include playing greats Pele, Bobby Charlton and Roger Milla.
The technical panel is chaired by Oceania confederation president Reynald Temarii, a former professional player in France. It includes Carlos Bilardo, who coached Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, and former players Romario of Brazil and Jomo Sono of South Africa.
The 2014 World Cup tournament will be played in Brazil.
At its meeting next month, FIFA's executive is also expected to decide on the voting procedure it will use when electing the 2018 and 2022 World Cup host nations on Dec. 2.
Blatter has given a strong hint that 2018 will be awarded to one of the four European bids which are competing with the United States.
"The way it looks now, the Europeans can more than hope for the 2018 World Cup," Blatter was quoted as saying in an interview for German weekly Sport-Bild. "It's not being questioned internationally, also not in the FIFA executive committee."
Europe has long been favored for 2018 because the two previous tournaments will have been played elsewhere. It has England, Russia and joint bids from the Netherlands-Belgium and Spain-Portugal in the race.
The other countries bidding for the 2022 World Cup are Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea.
-- Graham Dunbar
French federation upholds Evra's 5-match ban
PARIS (AP) — The French football federation upheld its decision on Thursday to suspend defender Patrice Evra from the national team for five matches.
Evra appeared before the federation's appeals commission for nearly three hours in asking its members to overturn the ban he received for his role in the French players' training strike at the World Cup. The team was eliminated in the first round of the tournament without winning a match.
The French federation confirmed the ban in a statement without elaborating.
This decision means the Manchester United defender, who has already missed two internationals, won't be able to play again for France until February's friendly against Brazil.
Evra can appeal to the French Olympic Committee. Legal action against the federation would then be his final option.
In South Africa, the players boycotted a training session two days before their final game to protest against the decision to send Nicolas Anelka home following his altercation with then-coach Raymond Domenech.
Evra later said his role was exaggerated, but he was also seen arguing with fitness coach Robert Duverne during the strike.
Evra was France captain at the tournament except for being left on the bench for the final match, a loss to South Africa.
Last month, the federation also suspended Anelka for 18 games, Franck Ribery for three and Jeremy Toulalan for one match. None of those players lodged an appeal.
Evra didn't speak to reporters after the hearing, but his lawyer said the player told commission members he had taken on the captaincy with "transparency and honesty."
"Patrice explained he always tried to soften things between the federation and the players during the World Cup," lawyer Jean-Yves Foucard said. "He was a go-between and I think the commission members understood he didn't fail as a captain."
Evra has been viewed as being the main leader behind the mutiny. Foucard said his client had already paid for his actions when France coach Laurent Blanc suspended all the World Cup players for his first match in charge, a loss to Norway in an August friendly.
"All the players admitted they made a mistake with this strike and they have been sanctioned," Foucard said. "But Patrice should not be punished for having failed as a captain."
-- Samuel Petrequin
Portugal fires soccer coach Carlos Queiroz
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal fired national soccer coach Carlos Queiroz on Thursday because of the team's poor play and his six-month suspension before the World Cup for disrupting a doping test.
Queiroz had two years left on his contract and his dismissal was expected. The country's soccer federation said in a statement it made the move "given recent events and after analyzing the national coach's current situation."
The federation will begin looking for a successor, although it offered no clues about candidates. Neither federation officials nor Queiroz was immediately available.
Queiroz has denied wrongdoing regarding his suspension and is appealing the ban. The coach has said he was angry because the unannounced early-morning tests disturbed the players. Queiroz acknowledges using inappropriate language.
In a disappointing showing at the World Cup in South Africa, third-ranked Portugal went out in the second round against eventual champion Spain.
Portugal has just one point from its first two 2012 European Championship qualifiers. A 1-0 loss at Norway on Tuesday came after a 4-4 draw at home against lowly Cyprus last week, constituting Portugal's worst start to a qualifying campaign since 1996.
The team, missing injured Cristiano Ronaldo, looked unsettled and uncertain in both games. With Deco and Simao Sabrosa both recently retired from international soccer, the team lacks an inspirational playmaker.
The 57-year-old Queiroz began coaching Portugal in 2008 and leaves with 15 wins, eight draws and three losses.
Previously, he was Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United for five years. In his three-decade coaching career, he also worked in Major League Soccer, Japan and United Arab Emirates.
-- Barry Hatton
Robinho confident 4-man attacking system will work
MILAN (AP) — New AC Milan signing Robinho isn't worried about finding a spot in the team's lineup, saying the club is capable of accommodating a four-man attack.
Robinho joined Milan for €15 million ($19 million) from Manchester City just before the transfer deadline closed. But since then, questions have been raised as to how he will fit into an attacking lineup that contains Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"We can play whichever formation we want," Robinho said. "If I have to drop back to allow Ibra (Ibrahimovic) to score, then so be it. It doesn't matter who scores, what is important is that Milan scores."
The 26-year-old Robinho joined Manchester City in 2008, but failed to settle in northwest England. Halfway through last season he joined Santos on loan in his native Brazil to ensure his place in the 2010 World Cup squad and made no secret of his desire to leave Eastlands Stadium.
"In the summer I had contact with a number of clubs, but nothing concrete," he said. "I've always wanted to play at Milan as it is one of the biggest teams in Europe and all the Brazilians who have played there have great things to say."
Ibrahimovic also joined Milan on transfer deadline day. The Swede signed a one-year contract on loan from Barcelona, with the option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
Before his one year spell at Camp Nou, the Swede was with Juventus for four years and Inter Milan for three.
"After four years finally I am here with Milan," Ibrahimovic said. "This is the best shirt I will ever play in. As far as I am concerned Milan is stronger than Inter, because mine and Robinho's arrival has made the team complete and we are the favorites for the league and Champions League.
"I've already won many championships, but I return to Italy with the hunger to win more than in the past," he said. "More than against Barcelona I want to score against Inter."
Both players are set to make their Milan debuts away to Cesena on Saturday, before the club's Champions League opener on Wednesday at home against Auxerre.
Fanis Gekas retires from Greece national team
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek striker Fanis Gekas ended his international career Thursday, becoming the third player to quit the national team since Fernando Santos was appointed coach.
It is the latest headache for Santos following the recent international retirements of Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Gekas' Eintracht Frankfurt teammate, striker Ioannis Amanatidis. The team was knocked out in the World Cup group stage under former coach Otto Rehhagel.
The 30-year-old Gekas scored 20 goals in 52 matches for Greece since making his debut in 2005.
"After much thought I decided to quit the national team because of some special circumstances created in it. The competent officials have been informed of my decision," Gekas wrote on his blog. "I want to wish the best of luck to the national team and my teammates and thank everyone whom I worked with."
Greece has two points from two games in European Championship qualifying. Georgia, Israel, Croatia, Latvia and Malta are also in Group F.
Greece's Football Association had no immediate comment, but the government condemned the recent walkouts.
"Participation in the national team is a great honor for a Greek athlete. It is not a club to come and go at will," General Secretary for Sport Sport Bitsaxis said in a statement.
"It is contrary to sporting values for a Greek international, who has been honored by his country, to make statements with particular thoughtlessness and resign from the national team."
John Toshack resigns as Wales coach
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — John Toshack resigned as Wales coach on Thursday following a loss to Montenegro in the team's opening 2012 European Championship qualifier.
The 61-year-old Toshack is quitting for the second time, having walked out after one match in 1994 — a 3-1 loss to Norway — after being hired on part-time basis.
Toshack returned to the job in 2004, succeeding Mark Hughes. He had a contract until 2012.
Despite the 1-0 loss to Montenegro, Toshack said he had been prepared to stay in charge until after next month's qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria.
"I thought after three matches of this group we would review everything," Toshack said. "Even after the disappointment of the game in Montenegro that was still the way I felt, but we have come to the agreement that this might be better for everyone concerned."
The former Liverpool striker began his coaching career at Swansea and has moved on to coach in Portugal, Spain, Turkey, France and Italy. He served two stints at Real Madrid, winning the league title in 1990.
Wales last reached the finals of a major tournament in 1958, when it qualified for the World Cup.
"Wales are still very much in this group, and now the decision has been made hopefully they'll be able to get some positive results in the next two games," Toshack said.
Toshack had overseen 21 wins in 53 internationals in his second stint in charge.
Arsenal winger Walcott ruled out for 4-6 weeks
LONDON (AP) — Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is set to be out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.
Walcott turned his right ankle in the buildup to Wayne Rooney's opening goal for England in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday and was carried off the field on a stretcher.
"The tackle looked quite bad," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Thursday. "When you see how it turned his ankle I thought it would be three or four days or it would be four to six weeks. Unfortunately it will be four to six weeks. We had some good news about the scan because at some stage we were scared it could be worse.
"But overall it is a question of patience and rehabilitation."
Arsenal is also without Netherlands striker Robin van Persie until at least mid-October because of a left ankle injury sustained against Blackburn last month.
"The damage was bigger than expected and he will be four to six weeks," Wenger said.
Both players will be missing for Arsenal's opening Champions League group stage matches, and their countries' European Championship qualifiers next month.
West Ham midfielder Parker signs new contract
LONDON (AP) — West Ham midfielder Scott Parker signed a new contract Thursday, committing him to the east London club until at least the end of the 2013-14 season.
The 29-year-old Parker was linked with clubs including Tottenham during the summer break but may now end his Premier League career with the Hammers.
Parker's contract runs until June 2014 but has an option for another year.
"With the transfer window there is all this big hype," Parker said. "There are obviously times when it is stressful but from the outset I always knew this was where I was going to be."
West Ham co chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold long maintained that Parker was not for sale.
"The owners came out and spoke last season and I am more than happy," Parker said.
The England international joined West Ham from Newcastle for 7 million pounds (then $13.9 million) in June 2007 and was the club's player of the year when it narrowly avoided relegation at the end of last season.
Tottenham, England striker Defoe out for 6 weeks
LONDON (AP) — Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has been ruled out for at least six weeks with an ankle injury.
Defoe hurt his right ankle during England's 3-1 victory over Switzerland on Tuesday.
Tottenham will now have to cope without Defoe for their opening Champions League group stage matches, and he will also miss England's European Championship qualifier against Montenegro next month.
"Even if it's a bad sprain, you're still talking about six weeks or so (out) because it's a nasty one," Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said.
Defoe was on crutches wearing a protective boot on his right foot at Tottenham's training ground on Thursday.
Defoe is the second Tottenham player to be injured on England duty in the last week. Center back Michael Dawson is out for eight weeks after injuring his left knee in England's 4-0 win over Bulgaria on Friday.
Ronaldo scores for Corinthians to end drought
SAO PAULO (AP) — Ronaldo ended a four-month scoring drought by converting a penalty kick in Corinthians' 1-1 draw with Atletico Paranaense in the Brazilian league.
The goal late Wednesday at the Arena da Baixada stadium in Curitiba was Ronaldo's first since May 9, when he also scored from the penalty spot against the same team at Pacaembu stadium. It was his eighth goal this year.
The 33-year-old Ronaldo, a three-time FIFA player of the year, is struggling to stay fit and has been playing sparingly with Corinthians this season.
He was substituted at halftime on Wednesday and is likely to be rested against Gremio on Saturday in Sao Paulo.
Corinthians is second in the 20-team league standings, three points behind Fluminense but with a game in hand.
Balotelli undergoes knee surgery in Italy
PAVIA, Italy (AP) — Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has undergone successful surgery on a right knee injury that is expected to keep him out for about six weeks.
The 20-year-old striker waved to reporters from his window at the San Matteo hospital in Pavia, Italy, on Thursday, shirtless but wearing a shower cap.
Earlier, surgeons took 20 minutes to remove part of the lateral meniscus on his right knee, which he tore in a Europa League match against FC Timisoara last month.
Balotelli scored the winner in that game, his debut for City after he joined for 22.5 million pounds ($35 million) from Inter Milan.
