Soccer Capsules: Menezes to start renovation work with Brazil against U.S.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Mano Menezes is intent on making a statement in his first match since replacing Dunga as coach after Brazil's embarrassing World Cup quarterfinal exit last month.
Menezes planned an attack-minded formation for Tuesday's exhibition against the United States, with Robinho, AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato and Neymar starting, a repudiation of Dunga's choices. He wants players who are fast and agile from midfield forward.
He talked about "renovations" the day he was appointed — the job starts here.
"It's important to make clear to us and to all that Brazilian soccer always had this kind of talent. We're not inventing anything new," Menezes said through a translator on Monday.
He's acutely aware that winning is a must at all times.
"The results, I'm aware, it's always important," Menezes said. "With no results, projects cannot survive, and you can generate more doubts than certainties. And I know that I want to work here with certainties."
After replacing the fired Dunga following the 2-1 loss to the Netherlands, Menezes selected just four of the Brazilians who were on the roster in South Africa: defenders Daniel Alves and Thiago Silva, midfielder Ramires and forward Robinho.
Hoping to restore "Jogo Bonito" — the Beautiful Game — and jettison Dunga's defensive approach, Menezes chose 11 with no national team experience.
Brazilian great Pele was expected to attend Tuesday's match and see a new-look Selecao squad meet an established-looking American team that set U.S. television ratings records during the World Cup.
While the Selecao is missing Maicon, Lucio and Julio Cesar, its includes Pato, Santos scoring sensation Neymar, Santos midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva, Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva and Real Madrid defender Marcelo.
"It's a new start for everyone," Lucas said. "I think after the World Cup, of course the pressure will be higher, especially now that the next World Cup will be in Brazil. So the people are really excited — and waiting for the national team to win the World Cup."
Ganso said Brazil's young group might be better in some aspects than the veterans.
"In technical quality, possibly even higher than the previous one," he said through an interpreter.
Brazil has won 14 of 15 meetings and outscored the U.S. 29-10. The lone American victory was 1-0 in 1998 at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Los Angeles, when Preki Radosavljevic scored in the 65th minute and goalkeeper Kasey Keller had 10 saves.
Last year, the U.S. took a two-goal halftime lead in the final of the Confederations Cup as Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan scored, but Brazil rallied for a 3-2 victory on two goals by Luis Fabiano and one by Lucio.
"The opportunity to play against Brazil at any point is special," Donovan said. "I think people are savvy enough to know the difference between playing in a World Cup game and playing in (Tuesday's) game. That being said, we're at a point now where we expect to compete with these teams in a real way and not a shot in the dark, hope we can beat Brazil."
Bradley to resume conversations with USSF
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Coach Bob Bradley will resume conversations with the U.S. Soccer Federation about his future following Tuesday night's exhibition against Brazil.
Bradley led the Americans to the second round of the World Cup, where they were eliminated in a 2-1 overtime loss to Ghana. His contract expires in December.
He said Monday he has had preliminary conversations with the USSF leadership, led by president Sunil Gulati and secretary general Dan Flynn.
"I think some general starting points were laid out and I think it was agreed at that time that with this game coming up so quickly that it just made sense to use the starting points," he said Monday. "Both sides, you know, could think a little it about what was laid on the table and then we could pick up following the game."
British media speculated Monday that Bradley would be considered for the Aston Villa job that opened when Martin O'Neill quit Monday, five days ahead of the club's opener.
"I've said over and over as well that (I'm) always excited about new and different challenges," Bradley said. "Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do. At the same time I also consider it a challenge when you finish one cycle and begin the process of working on another one."
Bradley said he never made direct contract with Fulham about its job, another one British media had speculated he would be considered for. Mark Hughes was hired after Roy Hodgson quit the Cottagers to become Liverpool's manager.
"People spoke to Fulham on my behalf," Bradley said. "I did not actually speak to anyone at Fulham."
If Bradley isn't retained, attention could turn to Juergen Klinsmann, who held discussions with Gulati about the U.S. job four years ago. Klinsmann withdrew after he wasn't guaranteed access to top players for both the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America in 2007. He agreed in January 2008 to become coach of Bayern Munich the following summer, but was fired in April 2009 with the club in third place in the Bundesliga following its quarterfinal elimination from the Champions League.
Klinsmann and his family then returned to their home in southern California.
Goalkeeper Brad Guzan, the backup to Brad Friedel on Aston Villa, said O'Neill's decision was a surprise. Guzan thinks Bradley is up to managing in the Premier League.
"He's obviously a good manager," Guzan said. "When you're at that level and you've put in good performances, it's going to go noticed by big clubs all around the world. And so for him, obviously I'm sure he's honored by being put in the mix."
-- Ronald Blum
Notebook: Feilhaber hopes to move on from Aarhus
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — American midfielder Benny Feilhaber hopes to move on from Denmark's AGF Aarhus before the European transfer window closes Aug. 31.
The 25-year-old player signed with Aarhus before the 2008-09 season following stints with Hamburg (2005-07) and Derby (2007-08).
"I've got another year in Aarhus. The intent is there to sell me. They want to try to get some money for me," Feilhaber said Monday, a day before the U.S. played Brazil in the teams' first post-World Cup exhibition.
"For me, as well, I'd like to go somewhere so I could play on a first-division team. Obviously, we were relegated last season," Feilhaber said. "All in all, me and the team both want to try to get something done, but as of now there hasn't been any official offer yet. There's been interest from teams and I've just really got to wait it out, I guess, and see if something is going to happen toward the end of the month."
Feilhaber is aware of several possible destinations.
"I've heard there's a team in Spain and maybe a couple teams in Germany, maybe even a team in Denmark," he said. "I could potentially stay in Denmark. But I'm not 100 percent sure on any of those. Those are all really rumors to me."
NO BELGIAN WAFFLE: Sacha Kljestan had quickly settled in at Anderlecht, becoming a regular starter for the Belgian club.
Selected for the preliminary 30-man World Cup roster, Kljestan was cut when coach Bob Bradley trimmed it to the final 23. Two days before the U.S. played its World Cup opener against England, Kljestan transferred from Major League Soccer's Chivas USA to Anderlecht.
He scored in his European Champions League debut, a seventh-minute goal that started Anderlecht to a 3-1 win over Wales' The New Saints in the first leg of the third qualifying round on July 27. Anderlecht plays Serbia's Partizan Belgrade in the playoff round of qualifying, going on the road for the first leg Aug. 18 and finishing at home six days later. The winner advances to the lucrative group phase.
"It was a good start not only for me personally, but for the team, as well," Kljestan said. "It was of great importance to me personally just because I had been at Chivas and I think it was time to move on. I was excited that a club like Anderlecht came forward and wanted to sign me and really put a lot into signing me. I think we're both very happy it happened.
"I just want to grow as a player, obviously, and explore Europe, just kind of further my life over there. You get kind of used to doing the same thing every day, especially living in California for a long time. I got a little bored. I'm ready to become a better player, be a bigger part of the national team. Obviously, the big goal is making the next World Cup team."
Kljestan already is looking ahead to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, to be played from June 5-25. The U.S. won the 2007 Gold Cup with its top players, but missing most regulars was routed 5-0 by Mexico in the 2009 final.
"I think we still underachieved a little bit at the World Cup, and we could have done better," Kljestan said. "Being ready for the Gold Cup, it's just going to be important for guys to be healthy next summer and ready to defend our title — four years ago, the important one, which gets you into Confederations Cup."
POWER TO THE PEOPLE: New Brazil coach Mano Menezes vows to run a more open team than his predecessor, Dunga.
"It's a special moment for our country, the first time hosting the World Cup since 1950," he said through a translator. "There is national need for more proximity to the team."
FOR KICKS: Brazil and the U.S. both will wear home jerseys — yellow for the Selecao, and white for the Americans. ... The referee will be Silviu Petrescu of Canada. ... The field at the New Meadowlands will be about 70 yards wide, about 5 yards narrower than FIFA's preference for international matches. A grass surface was installed last week over the artificial turf.
-- Ronald Blum
Mexico Soccer
Internacional and Guadalajara prepare for final
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Resurgent Internacional will be the favorite when it takes on Guadalajara of Mexico in the two-legged final of the Copa Libertadores.
The Brazilian club used the two-month break for the World Cup between the competition's quarters and semifinals to change its manager and has since won four league games from five as well as beating compatriot Sao Paulo on away goals to reach the Copa Libertadores final, which starts on Wednesday.
After guiding the Brazilian side to the semis, Jorge Fossati was dismissed because of mediocre results in its domestic league.
His replacement, Celso Roth, used the time during the World Cup to reinforce his squad with new signings Renan in goal, midfielder Tinga and striker Rafael Sobis.
"Internacional will be a very difficult team to beat," Roth said. "We might lose a game here or there because nobody is invincible, but it will be very difficult."
Guadalajara, known as Chivas, is also a different proposition from earlier rounds.
Five of the Chivas first team — goalkeeper Luis Michel, defender Jonny Magallon and forwards Alberto Medina, Adolfo Bautista and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez — were called up to Mexico's pre-World Cup training camp and missed the round of 16 and quarterfinals.
All but striker Hernandez — who has since joined Manchester United — returned for the semifinal win against Universidad.
"It should be a great final," Chivas coach Jose Luis Real said. "I think the two teams have shown themselves to be the best. We have had to play with young players and missed others through injury, but we've shown our qualities to reach the final."
The Mexican club is only in this year's Libertadores by default after being forced to pull out of the 2009 tournament because of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico.
Opposition clubs refused to travel to Mexico at the height of the disease and Libertadores organizer CONMEBOL — the governing body of South American football — failed to find a solution.
Eventually, Chivas and fellow Mexican side San Luis were given byes to this year's last 16 — the same stage they had reached before the withdrawals in 2009.
The awkward decision made the group stage confusing with the six best-placed runners-up joining the eight group winners — plus Chivas and San Luis — in the last 16.
Guadalajara has the chance to become the first Mexican club to win the tournament since Mexico accepted the invitation to join in 1998. Cruz Azul, the only other Mexican finalist, lost to Boca Juniors in 2001.
The first leg of the final is being played in a week set aside by FIFA for international matches, meaning Guadalajara and Internacional players will not be available for their countries' friendlies.
In another quirk, win or lose Internacional is already guaranteed a spot in the Club World Cup to be played in December against the other continental champions. Mexican clubs are part of the North and Central American region and can't represent South America.
Internacional is aiming for a second title after lifting the trophy in 2006. Internacional went on to win the Club World Cup that year, beating Barcelona 1-0 in the final.
The Copa Libertadores started with 40 teams from 11 nations in January. The new champion will be crowned on August 18 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
-- Mark Walsh
League News
World Cup flops Italy, France begin to rebuild
LONDON (AP) — A month after Spain beat the Netherlands to win the World Cup final, international soccer returns to the spotlight this week.
World Cup flops Italy, France and England will try to begin repairing their tarnished reputations, while Sergio Batista will be auditioning to replace Diego Maradona as Argentina's coach. The United States plays 2014 World Cup host Brazil on Tuesday in New Jersey.
Qualification for regional championships is now the priority. Even Spain coach Vicente del Bosque hopes Wednesday's exhibition game in Mexico isn't a celebratory affair but a chance for the world champions to shift their focus to their European title defense.
For that reason, despite the looming start of the Spanish season, Del Bosque had no qualms about calling up seven Barcelona players who helped Spain clinch its first World Cup title.
"We are pretty considerate and sensitive to clubs' demands," Del Bosque said, "but I don't think these are sufficient motives for us not to maintain continuity after the World Cup."
Many European rivals, however, will be only too happy to consign the 2010 tournament to history.
No country rivaled France for such a disastrous showing. All 23 members from its World Cup team have been dropped for Wednesday's game at Norway — collective punishment for the training strike in South Africa.
Laurent Blanc, who replaced Raymond Domenech as coach after France crashed out in the first round without a victory, has summoned 13 players who have yet to play for the national team.
"We absolutely need to win this game," Blanc said. "This is a good opportunity for all the players I called up to show they have qualities and that they can be a factor in the future."
Like France, 2006 champion Italy exited the World Cup at the group stage without winning. Cesare Prandelli has replaced Marcello Lippi as coach and called up Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano, both overlooked for the World Cup. Prandelli has urged his players "to take risks to overcome our fears" at Tuesday's exhibition game against Ivory Coast in London
England plays the next day in London. England at least won a game in South Africa and reached the second round. But its ouster was harsh — a 4-1 loss to Germany. As a result, coach Fabio Capello is taking only 10 players from that squad for the exhibition game against Hungary at Wembley.
"You always have to improve," Capello said. "I am here because I can do something for this team. I have the right experience to improve things."
Capello was considered lucky to hold his job after the World Cup. Maradona wasn't so charmed despite steering Argentina to the quarterfinals before a 4-0 loss to the Germans.
Maradona would have been handed a new four-year deal had he not insisted on his entire staff also remaining. Batista, the national youth coach, has the game against Ireland and another against Spain on Sept. 7 to convince officials that he should get the job full time.
"It is good to copy Spain's system," Batista said. "I like Barcelona's game and it's what I want more than anything else for Argentine football, but the main priority will be to play as a team."
Germany faces Denmark and coach Joachim Loew is taking only seven players from the World Cup team that reached the semifinals.
On Wednesday, the Netherlands plays Ukraine and Uruguay takes on Angola in Lisbon. South Africa will be playing its first match since hosting the World Cup when it meets Ghana, a quarterfinalist at the World Cup.
-- Rob Harris
Elsewhere
Debate with racial overtones: Who plays for Italy?
ROME (AP) — The selection of a Brazilian-born player for Italy's national soccer team is fueling a debate with racial and xenophobic overtones.
A lawmaker with the Northern League government party, known for its anti-immigrant rhetoric, says Italy should promote homegrown talent rather than making room for "leftovers" from other nations.
Amauri, a Brazilian native getting his first chance to line up for the country where he has spent most of his career, says he will play "against prejudice."
"I wanted Italy," Amauri said from the Azzurri's training ground in Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "I'm happy and proud."
Amauri's call-up for Tuesday's exhibition game against the Ivory Coast in London is part of an effort by new coach Cesare Prandelli to inject fresh blood into a team that made an embarrassing World Cup exit.
The 30-year-old Amauri is a late bloomer who has never played for his country of birth or Italy. He gained Italian citizenship in April by way of marriage and had hoped to be picked for the World Cup, but he was in poor form last season and left off the team.
Also called up was Mario Balotelli, a talented 19-year-old of Ghanian descent who has been subjected to racial taunts from fans at games in Italy the past two seasons.
"I will play against prejudice," Amauri said. "Mario and I will do everything we can to make these people change their minds."
If Balotelli's case highlights the racism in Italian stadiums, Amauri's call-up underlines the issue of naturalization of foreign-born players.
At the World Cup in South Africa, some players among the 32 teams did not compete for their countries of birth. FIFA rules stipulate that players with dual nationalities are free to switch sides at any age, as long as they haven't appeared in an official game.
The debate is especially sensitive in Italy, where mass immigration is a relatively new phenomenon and where tensions occasionally flare between Italians and a growing immigrant community. While Italy's long coastline attracts large numbers of immigrants every year, mostly from North Africa, many try to move on to other European nations, or are repatriated.
"Talent and Naturalized Players: A message for the Future," was the headline of a front-page editorial this weekend in La Repubblica, welcoming Prandelli's choices.
The newspaper said Prandelli had launched "a political signal, rather than a technical one: The new Italy is open to (naturalized players), and hopefully, like Germany, to the sons of immigrants."
After Italy's World Cup flop, many Italian commentators praised the German squad — featuring a Brazilian-born player and one of Turkish descent — as a model.
Not all agree.
"The real representatives of this country aren't its foreigners," Northern League lawmaker Davide Cavallotto said. "What Brazil refused, we took," he said, calling Amauri a "leftover."
Cavallotto reportedly urged the Italian soccer federation to start promoting homegrown talent, as it did in the past with players like Roberto Baggio and Francesco Totti.
The Northern League is not new to such provocative comments. During the World Cup, the party's radio station drew rebuke when it rooted for Paraguay in Italy's opening game and party officials said Italy players were overpaid.
Daniele De Rossi, Italy's captain for Tuesday's game, said the decision to call up players does not rest with the League.
Speaking to reporters Monday, he noted that Mauro Camoranesi, an Argentine-born midfielder, had been part of Italy's squad for years, including when the Azzurri won the 2006 World Cup.
"As far as I and my teammates are concerned, whoever comes into this group will be well received," De Rossi said.
For his part, Prandelli is holding firm.
"There will always be controversy," he said. "I'm going ahead because I think it's the right path."
-- Alessandra Rizzo
Capello unsure how to improve England players
WATFORD, England (AP) — After blaming England's early World Cup exit on his players' lack of confidence, Fabio Capello shrugged his shoulders and conceded he didn't know how to restore their mettle.
Then, the Italian tried to prove that his reputation within football hasn't been tarnished by England's second-round humiliation by revealing that three clubs had tried to poach him since the tournament.
"They were from important clubs," Capello said Monday. "But I don't want to speak about them because I respect the managers who are working there now."
The 64-year-old Capello had half-expected to be fired after England lost 4-1 to Germany in South Africa, but instead the Football Association backed him to lead the team into qualifying for the 2012 European Championship.
"I'm here because the FA said I had to carry on with this job," Capello said. "When you lose something you want immediately to do something better."
However, the dilemma of how to transform underachieving players into title winners remains a mystery to Capello.
The former Real Madrid coach continues to make excuses for England's poor showing at his first tournament — insisting the team could have beaten Germany had Frank Lampard's legitimate second goal not been disallowed in Bloemfontein and damaged his players' mental strength.
"The mind of the players is key to everything," Capello said. "I don't know what we have to do to improve the minds of the players. At this moment I do not know. We did not play with confidence, we played with fear."
Capello is already warning his players that they will likely be booed during Wednesday's friendly against Hungary even though only 10 players from the World Cup squad have been retained.
"The first XI will be players who were at the World Cup," he said. "This is sure because, like me, they have to take the booing. I expect boos. Why not? We win together, we lose together. Always, I respect the crowd but I am the boss. They have to boo me like the players."
Capello has called up three players for the first time: Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere, 18, and Kieran Gibbs, 20, who are set to appear in the second half, as well as 29-year-old Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, who is in line to start. Goalkeeper Joe Hart will be handed his first international start having not played at the World Cup.
"We have to monitor these young players and check their personalities," Capello said. "The England shirt is different. It is different playing at Wembley compared to other stadiums. The pressure is really high. I want to know the reaction of all the players.
"These players that I have chosen are really good. They are young. I monitored them last year. Gibbs and Wilshere are the younger ones. They have done very well in preseason. The quality of these players is really high. It is interesting for me to get to know these players. Zamora is not young but he is a good player."
Capello's plans to rebuild the team will go ahead without goalkeeper Paul Robinson and defender Wes Brown, who marked their international recalls by announcing Sunday that they were quitting the team.
"The decisions to retire are individual decisions, which I respect," Capello said. "Robinson said he prefers to stay at home. I spoke with Brown. I told him that I did not pick him in the squad for South Africa because he did not play in the two months before.
"I picked him in this squad because he had played all the games in preseason. He said, 'Thank you for everything but I prefer to stay at home and not play with the national team.'"
England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign begins in September with matches against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
"I will have to change something," Capello said. "I have some new ideas. You have to wait."
-- Rob Harris
Benzema hopes for 'brand new start' with France
CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) — After missing the World Cup following a disappointing season at Real Madrid and being questioned by police in a prostitution probe, Karim Benzema is hoping his recall to the France squad will herald "a brand new start" on the pitch.
The 22-year-old Benzema is widely considered one of the most talented strikers in the world, but was dropped by former France coach Raymond Domenech last season and was then questioned by police along with Franck Ribery over allegations they solicited an underage prostitute.
However, new coach Laurent Blanc showed his faith in the player by calling him up for Wednesday's friendly against Norway, and Benzema said he is intent on proving the coach right.
"For me this is a brand new start," Benzema said at France's training camp. "I really appreciate Laurent Blanc's philosophy. He loves beautiful football and so do I. And I'm also determined to work hard constantly."
Benzema looked relaxed and comfortable when meeting with reporters, but refused to answer questions about the ongoing police investigation.
"If you ask me questions about football, I will answer," Benzema told a journalist who wanted to know if the striker was worried about his meeting with the press. "For other matters, ask somebody else."
Benzema joined Madrid from Lyon for €35 million ($44.4 million) last year, but scored just eight league goals and failed to impress Domenech, who left him off the World Cup squad despite having used the striker in 27 games since first calling him up in 2007.
France went on to have a disastrous World Cup campaign, failing to win a game and embarrassing the country after the players decided to go on strike in protest of striker Nicolas Anelka being sent home for insulting Domenech.
The striker said he has learned from his struggles, and said fans will see a more mature Benzema on the pitch this season.
"I'm a completely different player," Benzema said. "I've grown up and I will try to be myself on the pitch, I will stop trying to complicate things."
Blanc kept a watchful eye on Benzema as he talked to journalists, and then praised the striker for being able to stay focused despite his recent difficulties
"He gave the right answers," Blanc with a smile before leaving the room.
Blanc decided to drop all World Cup players for the Norway friendly as collective punishment for their actions in South Africa, and Benzema knows he has to impress the coach in order to stay in the team when his teammates return.
"When you receive a call for the national squad, you need to perform well even when you're playing friendlies," Benzema said. "You constantly need to be at the top."
The striker also said he will be more comfortable this year in the Spanish capital, and looks forward to playing under new coach Jose Mourinho.
"I've learned to speak Spanish and my whole family will be there with me," Benzema said. "I struggled last year, I can't hide it. But I have the feeling I'm starting my first season there. Mourinho is a great coach, all he wants is hard work and to win matches."
-- Samuel Petrequin
Deco looking forward to new challenge in Brazil
SAO PAULO (AP) — Former Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Deco is looking forward to a new challenge on his return to Brazilian football after more than a decade in Europe.
The Brazil-born playmaker, who began his career at Corinthians, has left Chelsea to sign a two-year contract with Brazilian league-leader Fluminense, saying he is fulfilling a longtime dream after 13 years with some of Europe's top clubs and the Portuguese national team.
Deco still had a year left on his contract with Chelsea but said he wasn't happy anymore and needed something else to keep him motivated as he approaches the end of his career. He said Fluminense will likely be his last club.
"It's a challenge to play in Brazil and I love challenges. I didn't have that with Chelsea anymore," he said on Monday as he was officially introduced to fans and the media. "I will try to enjoy it as much as I can because in (Europe) I wasn't happy as a player anymore."
Deco played only two matches with Corinthians before moving to Benfica and eventually FC Porto in Portugal. He then played for Barcelona and ultimately Chelsea. Deco won the Champions League with Porto and Barcelona and the Premier League with Chelsea, among other titles.
He was virtually unknown when he left Brazil, making his name mostly after joining Porto. In Europe, he said he feels he has already accomplished everything he could.
"The only thing missing was to return to Brazil and now that has been accomplished," Deco said.
The playmaker said he will be making less money in Brazil than he would if he had stayed with Chelsea. Still, Brazilian media said he will receive nearly $5 million a year at Fluminense to become the second-highest paid player in Brazilian football behind Corinthians' Ronaldo, who reportedly earns almost $11 million a year.
Some of the other players with high salaries for Brazilian standards include Ronaldo's teammate Roberto Carlos and Brazil striker Robinho, who is set to return to Manchester City after his loan with Santos just ended.
"I'm not back for the money, I'm back for the challenge," Deco said. "I don't have to prove anything else to anybody, only to myself."
The 32-year-old midfielder hasn't played in an official match since ending his career with Portugal at the World Cup in South Africa and is not expected to be fit again until later this month.
Led by high-profile coach Muricy Ramalho, Fluminense is one of the top teams in Brazil. The Rio de Janeiro club hasn't lost in 10 matches and leads the Brazilian league with 29 points from 13 matches, one point ahead of second-place Corinthians.
Deco will be joining a team which already had former Brazil striker Fred, veteran strikers Emerson and Washington, Argentine midfielder Dario Conca and former Chelsea right back Belletti.
Fluminense won the national league in 1984 and its most significant recent title was the 2007 Brazilian Cup. It was runner-up to Ecuador's Liga de Quito in the 2008 Copa Libertadores final.
-- Tales Azzoni
Liverpool ownership mired in uncertainty
LONDON (AP) — The battle for control of Liverpool remains shrouded in confusion, leaving the 18-time English champions still trying to find a buyer to end the team's financial troubles as the new season begins.
American co-owners Tom Hicks of Dallas and George Gillett Jr. have been searching for investors throughout their three-year reign, but in April they accepted the need to sell amid mounting cash constraints.
A global cast of investors and frontmen have come forward claiming to be the solution to Liverpool's woes, but the American owners have yet to find an acceptable buyer after rejecting a then-$993 million bid from Dubai International Capital in 2008.
One potential savior is a group headed by Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang, which possibly has the backing of China Investment Corp. — the country's sovereign wealth fund.
CIC, one of the world's biggest investment funds, was launched in September 2007 with $200 billion in capital — far exceeding the wealth of any other football team.
Huang's public relations representatives said they wouldn't be confirming or denying the claims, although the internet edition of the Financial Times cited an unnamed CIC spokeswoman as saying it wasn't aware of a plan to buy Liverpool.
Adding to the chaos at Anfield are claims by former Syrian club footballer Yahya Kirdi that his consortium of investors from the Middle East and Canada is close to completing a takeover.
Kirdi said he has been negotiating with Hicks and Gillett directly since last year, before Barclays Capital bank was engaged in April to find a buyer, and his camp claims to just have one remaining issue to resolve to sign off on a takeover. Some British newspapers, however, have cast doubt on the credibility of the bid.
Last year, Gillett sold the Montreal Canadiens, the Gillett Entertainment Group and the Bell Centre back to the Molson family for $580 million. Hicks' baseball team, the Texas Rangers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May and was being bought Thursday by team president Nolan Ryan and sports attorney Chuck Greenberg at auction for $590 million.
-- Rob Harris
Bayern won't release Ribery for France hearing
BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich won't release winger Franck Ribery for an upcoming hearing by the French soccer federation on the national team's World Cup debacle.
The club complained Monday that it "had to learn from the media" of plans by the federation to summon Ribery and others to Paris for a hearing Aug. 17.
The German champion said that FIFA rules oblige it only to release players for competitive matches on the international soccer calendar.
Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge informed French federation president Fernand Duchaussoy of the decision in writing, Bayern said in a statement.
"It cannot be the case that the French federation arbitrarily hauls Franck Ribery out of his commitments at Bayern Munich," Rummenigge said. "The club's preparations for the new Bundesliga season now have priority over the French federation's processing of the World Cup."
The club said Ribery would be playing a German Cup match against Germania Windeck on Aug. 16 and would start preparing the following day for the season's first Bundesliga match, against 2009 champion Wolfsburg on Aug. 20.
The French federation opened a disciplinary case last Friday against Ribery and four others who went on strike at the World Cup — Nicolas Anelka, Eric Abidal, Jeremy Toulalan and captain Patrice Evra.
-- Geir Moulson
O'Neill resigns unexpectedly as Aston Villa coach
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Martin O'Neill has resigned as manager of Aston Villa, just five days before the start of the Premier League season.
Villa said on its website Monday that O'Neill resigned "with immediate effect" but did not give a reason for the decision.
O'Neill says in the statement that "I have enjoyed my time at Aston Villa immensely. It's obviously a wrench to be leaving such a magnificent club."
The club says reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald will take over until a permanent replacement is found. Villa plays West Ham at home Saturday in its Premier League opener.
United States coach Bob Bradley has already been linked with the job after his representatives last month discussed him potentially taking the Fulham job, which went to Mark Hughes.
"I've said over and over as well that (I'm) always excited about new and different challenges," Bradley said Monday. "Certainly coaching in Europe at some point is something that I would love to do. ... People spoke to Fulham on my behalf. I did not actually speak to anyone at Fulham."
Although Villa gave no reason for the sudden departure, O'Neill has been frustrated in recent weeks by the potential sale of key players James Milner and Ashley Young — having lost midfielder Gareth Barry the previous year and not signing a similar high-profile replacement.
Villa finished sixth last season for the third year in a row, and O'Neill has been widely credited for making the club a solid contender for the European spots since replacing David O'Leary in 2006 after a year's break from the game.
"It definitely was a bit of a surprise," said Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who is in the United States ahead of a friendly with Brazil. "I spoke to some of the guys on the team, and from what they said, he left training this morning and obviously made an announcement this afternoon.
"I'm not sure (why). We've got to find a way to move forward and get ready for the start of the season."
Maicon to stay at Inter Milan
MILAN (AP) — Maicon is staying at Inter Milan despite reported interest from Real Madrid, the Serie A club's president said Monday.
Massimo Moratti said he had pulled the Brazilian right-back off the transfer market.
"He's staying at Inter," Moratti was quoted as saying on Inter's website.
Moratti revealed there had been talks with other clubs about Maicon, but that he considers him "so good that, perhaps, I can allow myself not to sell him."
The president said that there had been no significant developments in his club's talks with Manchester City over the transfer of 19-year-old striker Mario Balotelli, and also ruled out the purchase of Argentina international Javier Mascherano from Liverpool at the rumored fee of about €30 million.
"With these figures it's not possible," Moratti said, especially "since we didn't sell anybody."
Last season, Maicon helped Inter win a treble of Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup titles under coach Jose Mourinho. The Brazilian was linked with a move to Real Madrid after Mourinho took over at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But Moratti said Maicon's personality and the fact he had showed he felt bonded to Inter had played a part in the club's decision not to sell him — even in case of a €30 million offer coming from Madrid.
"I have taken the player off any transfer-market negotiation," Moratti insisted.
FIFA evaluates Belgian-Dutch World Cup bid
BRUSSELS (AP) — FIFA began a four-day visit Monday to Belgium and the Netherlands, with Belgian tennis star Justine Henin supporting the joint bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
The five-member inspection team met Monday with Belgian sports and government officials in Brussels. They will visit Antwerp on Tuesday and then head to the Netherlands.
The group is led by Chilean soccer federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls. It already has toured three other countries bidding for the World Cup — Japan, South Korea and Australia.
The United States, Russia, Britain and Qatar are the others in the running, along with a joint bid by Spain and Portugal. They will be visited later by inspectors.
In Belgium, Henin met with the FIFA delegation to promote the bid, along with former Belgian soccer stars Jean-Marie Pfaff and Paul van Himst.
Netherlands and Belgium co-hosted the 2000 European Championship, and Henin said the countries "have a lot of experience now."
The bid drew domestic criticism this month, with politicians and media questioning whether soccer's governing body should be granted tax-free status during the World Cup and be allowed to impose marketing restrictions around stadiums.
-- Robert Millward
Margairaz gets first Switzerland call since 2008
BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Switzerland midfielder Xavier Margairaz has received his first call-up to the national team in more than two years for Wednesday's friendly against Austria.
Margairaz was sidelined by a serious knee injury soon after making his 16th international appearance in a 2-1 defeat by England at Wembley in Feb. 2008.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld selected the 26-year-old Zurich player Sunday after Parma midfielder Blerim Dzemaili withdrew citing a foot injury.
Since announcing a 19-man squad last week, Hitzfeld has also called up Sampdoria's Marco Padalino and Mario Eggimann of Hannover to replace injured pair Tranquillo Barnetta of Bayer Leverkusen and Fulham's Philippe Senderos.
Switzerland travels to play Austria in Klagenfurt.
What if Messi lifts the World Cup in Brazil?
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Mano Menezes rolled his eyes.
At the end of a news conference Monday ahead of his first match as Brazil's coach, Menezes was asked what if — horror of horrors, Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium on July 13, 2014.
Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, is hosting soccer's showcase for the first time since 1950. Argentina, its biggest rival, is a two-time world champion.
"We all know the friendly attitude between Brazil and Argentina when it comes to soccer," Menezes said through a translator. "And there is only one way to stop him, which is with great soccer. So, that's what we're going to do."
Brazil plays the U.S. in an exhibition Tuesday night.
Reports: Former Togo defender Tchangai dies
LOME, Togo (AP) — Togolese media are reporting that former Togo defender Massamasso Tchangai has died after suffering cardiac arrest following a brief illness.
State television and newspapers Liberte and State Magazine reported that Tchangai died Sunday on his 32nd birthday after being taken to a hospital earlier last week. Details about his illness were not immediately available.
Tchangai helped Togo qualify for the 2006 World Cup and played in the tournament in Germany. The defender signed with Italian club Udinese in 1998 but played just one game before being sent on loan to Slovenian club Gorica.
He also had stints with Dutch club De Graafschap and Italian lower-tier team Benevento Calcio. Tchangai spent 2009 in China, playing for Shenzhen.
Steaua Bucharest coach leaves in contract dispute
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Steaua Bucharest owner Gigi Becali says Victor Piturca has quit the club without signing a contract to be coach.
Becali says Piturca left Sunday after the pair disagreed over contract conditions. Piturca, a former Romania coach, started working as Steaua's coach but never signed a contract.
He confirmed his departure from Steaua on Monday, saying he could not work with Becali and did not want to be "humiliated."
Steaua's owner is renowned for his hands-on approach with the club. In 2007 he forced Gheorghe Hagi to resign after publicly deriding the former star player's abilities and claiming the right to interfere in naming the lineup.
Since then, Steaua had a succession of coaches but none has stayed long-term.
About 250 PSG fans to be banned from stadiums
PARIS (AP) — Police say about 250 Paris Saint-Germain fans will receive stadium bans after being arrested ahead of the club's first game of the season.
Four of them will face trial after being accused of taking part in the crowd trouble that occurred a few hours before PSG's 3-1 win over Saint-Etienne on Saturday.
PSG hooligans threw flares outside the Parc des Princes stadium before the game to protest against a decision that prevented them from gathering in their normal part of the stands.
Police said Monday that 248 fans were arrested, including two Saint-Etienne supporters.
In February, a 38-year-old PSG fan suffered serious head injuries during street clashes among PSG fans at a league match against Marseille and later died after falling into a coma.
Germany newcomer Reus out of Denmark match
BERLIN (AP) — Midfielder Marco Reus has pulled out of Germany's friendly against Denmark this week with a cold.
Borussia Moenchengladbach's Reus was one of two newcomers picked by coach Joachim Loew in his squad for the match on Wednesday — a game for which he is resting most of his World Cup players.
The German federation said Reus informed Loew of his withdrawal on Monday. Hamburg midfielder Piotr Trochowski had already pulled out with an Achilles tendon injury.
However, Loew will not call up any replacements and will travel to Copenhagen with a 16-man squad.
New Zealand to host Honduras in friendly match
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Football New Zealand says it will host Honduras and Paraguay in friendly internationals in October.
The venue for the Honduras match has yet to be decided but the Oct. 12 match against Paraguay will be played in Wellington, chief executive Michael Glading says in a statement Tuesday.
"We now have two World Cup sides of obvious quality coming to New Zealand with stars from the best leagues in the world."
New Zealand held Paraguay to a draw in the group stage in South Africa during an unbeaten run at the World Cup. Despite that unbeaten record, New Zealand failed to progress to knockout stage with three draws.
Cahill, Milligan out of Australia's squad
SYDNEY (AP) — Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has not traveled to Ljubljana to join the Australian squad for Wednesday's international friendly against Slovenia.
Cahill and Japan-based defender Mark Milligan cited injuries for withdrawing from the match, interim Socceroos coach Han Berger said in a statement.
Berger said he'd decided not to call any additional players into the 18-man squad.
Seasoned forwards Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy were earlier excused from the original squad for Australia's first match since its first-round exit at the World Cup last month so that they could spend additional time with their clubs.
Germany's Wolfgang Sidka to be Iraq's soccer coach
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi sports officials say Germany's Wolfgang Sidka has completed a deal to coach the country's national soccer team.
The Iraqi Olympic committee says Sidka signed a $500,000, one-year contract Monday. The deal was first announced in July. Committee spokesman Mouanis Abdullah says Sidka will hold his first training session next month.
Iraq is the defending Asia Cup champion, but has struggled on and off the field recently. A dispute over who should run the soccer federation led to a missed deadline to elect new leaders. FIFA gave Iraqi officials an extra year in office to prepare for elections.
Denmark striker Tomasson quits national team
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark striker forward Jon Dahl Tomasson says he is retiring from the national team.
Tomasson says he has ended "an important chapter in my life."
The 33-year-old Feyenoord striker joined the squad 13 years ago, and played 112 times and 52 scored goals. Ahead of the World Cup, Danish media criticized him for not having scored for the national side in more than two years.
In South Africa, he scored against Japan in the 3-1 loss. The Danes were ousted from the tournament while Japan advanced.
German club Karlsruhe signs American keeper Robles
KARLSRUHE, Germany (AP) — German second-division club Karlsruhe has signed American goalkeeper Luis Robles on a two-year contract.
Karlsruhe said late Sunday that Robles, who was at Kaiserslautern last season, had joined but gave no further details of the transfer.
The 26-year-old Robles has played 21 matches in Germany's second division. He said he developed a good impression of Karlsruhe after spending a few days training with the club.
Stuttgart signs French midfielder Johan Audel
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Stuttgart has signed French midfielder Johan Audel from Valenciennes on a four-year contract.
The Bundesliga club said the 26-year-old Audel signed after undergoing a medical on Monday. It gave no details of the contract. Audel scored 23 goals for Valenciennes in three seasons.
The signing comes after Germany midfielder Sami Khedira left Stuttgart for Real Madrid last month.
Madrid defender Pepe doubtful for season opener
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid defender Pepe could miss the start of the Spanish league season with a leg injury.
Madrid says the Portugal centerback will be out three weeks after injuring a muscle in his left leg during a 3-2 preseason win against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.
Madrid opens its league campaign against Mallorca on Aug. 29.
