Soccer Capsules: FIFA inspectors visit White House
WASHINGTON (AP) — FIFA's World Cup inspectors have had breakfast at the White House, meeting with aides to President Barack Obama.
The six-man delegation from soccer's governing body met Wednesday with Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, an assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement.
FIFA's group was scheduled to visit Miami later Wednesday before completing its five-city U.S. tour Thursday in Texas.
FIFA's 24-man executive committee votes Dec. 2 on the 2018 and 2022 hosts.
Europe is expected to be awarded the 2018 tournament, with England, Russia, Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands competing. The U.S. is up against Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea for 2022.
Toronto FC, Chicago Fire tie 0-0
BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois (AP) — Toronto FC moved closer to a Major League Soccer playoff berth after earning a point from its scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire on Wednesday.
Toronto now has 28 points, four behind Seattle and San Jose — currently in the last two MLS Cup playoff positions. Chicago is 11th with 26 points.
Chicago's Sean Johnson made a pair of crucial saves in a 4-minute span in the second half, stopping midfielder Nick LaBrocca's curling shot from 20 yards (meters), and covering O'Brian White's point-blank chance.
Toronto keeper Stefan Frei twice stopped long shots by Nery Castillo, and grabbed a hard strike by Chicago midfielder Mike Banner in the 90th minute.
The first real scoring opportunity came in the third minute of the second half, when Chicago's Freddie Ljungberg fired wide right from 14 yards (meters).
Goalie Scurry retires, anchored '99 World Cup team
BOYDS, Md. (AP) — Longtime U.S. national team goalkeeper Briana Scurry is retiring from soccer.
Scurry made the announcement Wednesday. She spent this season on the roster of the Washington Freedom of Women's Professional Soccer, but she played in only one game because of lingering effects from a concussion.
The 39-year-old Scurry made 173 appearances for the U.S. team. She is most remembered the final save that clinched the penalty shootout against China in the 1999 World Cup final.
Scurry also was the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. teams that won gold at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics.
Commentary
No amount of success can excuse excess
PARIS (AP) — Now that Wayne Rooney and Karim Benzema are scoring goals again for their countries, can we forget, even forgive, allegations that the English and French forwards paid prostitutes for sex?
The answer, unequivocally, is of course not. No amount of on-field success should excuse, gloss over or make us blind to such off-field excesses.
Rooney's agent and the firm that handles his PR aren't commenting on the lurid claims from the woman who calls herself "Juicy Jeni." Quoted in the Sunday Mirror and News of the World tabloids, Jennifer Thompson says Rooney paid for "anything goes" sex sessions last year in a Manchester hotel.
If the goal-scorer and creator for England and Manchester United is embarrassed, bothered or even cares, he is doing a very good job of not showing it. He allowed himself only a quick smile and briefly clenched fists after scoring England's opening goal in a 3-1 defeat of Switzerland on Tuesday night. Otherwise he showed little emotion. He was a rock during the playing of England's national anthem, unblinking, his chin jutting out.
Benzema got France's opening goal in a 2-0 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina. Again, he also has seemed unfazed by allegations from self-described "escort girl" Zahia Dehar that he paid her once for sex, when she was underage.
Benzema's lawyer Sylvain Cormier denies that the Real Madrid player ever had relations with the woman.
"He has nothing to reproach himself for," he says.
Here's hoping that is true. Because this kind of dirt sticks. No amount of great goals will change that. Sports stars do survive scandals, but the admiration we had for them does not.
Look at Tiger Woods. Great golfer but, we now know, also a flawed man and a failure as a husband. He will most likely recover his game and win more trophies, but he will never recover all the esteem he once enjoyed. The sordid cascade of stories about his infidelities left an indelible stain than no amount of golf majors will erase.
The same will be true for Rooney if Thompson turns out to be telling the truth.
Like Woods, Rooney is entitled to privacy. It is a matter for them and them only if, as Thompson claims, he did cheat on his wife, Coleen, when she was pregnant last year with their first son, Kai.
It also is ridiculous to claim that the state of Rooney's marriage is a matter of public interest because he is a public figure. Don't kid yourself: Tabloids publish such stories because they sell not because of any supposed crusade for the public good or morals.
Nor does it compute that Rooney is fair tabloid game and owes us all an explanation because he takes, via indirect routes, our money and our attention. Buying a Rooney shirt or one of the products that he endorses doesn't get you an invite into his marital bed.
But when sports stars and other public figures are caught paying for sex, they perpetuate the noxious notion that women are cheap and disposable commodities. For that, they must be called to account and shamed.
Practically everything about the way the tabloids package and peddle such stories is degrading: the sex described as "romps," the salacious and pathetic details, the manufactured quotes, the term "hooker," the video of the woman writhing and wriggling in a bikini, presumably for money, in a photospread that runs with the story to rachet up its titillation factor.
Six years ago, when similar claims were splashed across the newspapers, the then-teenaged Rooney confessed to visiting prostitutes, expressed deep regret and trotted out the excuse that "it was the sort of mistake you make when you are young and stupid," the BBC and others reported back then.
That explanation won't work now.
He turns 25 next month so he is no longer that young.
But if he hasn't learned from previous errors, then he is still stupid.
And no amount of goals could change that.
John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester@ap.org
Elsewhere
Houllier returns to England as Villa manager
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Aston Villa appointed Gerard Houllier as manager on Wednesday, bringing the Frenchman back to England's Premier League after a six-year absence.
Houllier, who managed Liverpool for six years until May 2004, left his post as technical director for the French Football Federation to replace Martin O'Neill, who quit last month.
"I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club," Houllier said. "It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF but I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.
"Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on."
Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner said the 63-year-old Houllier "stands out as a football man who understands the ethos of our club and shares our core values."
FFF president Fernand Duchaussoy told French radio station RTL on Wednesday that he had allowed Houllier to leave with regret.
"He's been a friend of mine for a long time, and is someone I admire a lot. It was a personal choice on the part of Gerard Houllier," Duchaussoy said. "He wanted to experience a new adventure in the field."
Houllier did not win anything in his first three years with Liverpool but broke that barren spell with the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in the 2000-01 season.
Liverpool also took the Community Shield and European Super Cup to win five titles in 2001.
He then added only the League Cup, in 2003, before Liverpool replaced him with Rafa Benitez — who also stayed six years before leaving at the end of last season.
Houllier took over at Lyon a year after leaving Liverpool and led it to the French league title in each of his two years in charge.
O'Neill resigned as manager of Villa five days before the start of the Premier League season, leaving reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald to take over on a caretaker basis.
MacDonald led Villa to two wins, two draws and a defeat in his five matches in charge, leaving Villa fourth in the Premier League but out of the Europa League.
He is expected to remain at the club, although Villa is yet to confirm this.
France coach Blanc hopes win can spur team
PARIS (AP) — France coach Laurent Blanc hopes the 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in a European Championship qualifier will prove a turning point for the heavily criticized team and help speed up the rebuilding process.
France was under severe pressure after a stunning 1-0 loss to Belarus last week that followed its disastrous World Cup campaign, but bounced back Tuesday with goals from Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema and Chelsea winger Florent Malouda.
"It can give some confidence to players who really need it," Blanc said Wednesday. "It doesn't mean that we have more certainties. We still lack experience.
"But it's with such results on the road that we are going to gain time (in rebuilding the team.) It could be the start of something good."
Albania tops Group D with four points. France is in third place with three, level on points with Bosnia.
Blanc said a new midfield formation helped stabilize the French team, after switching from a 4-4-2 system with two defensive midfielders against Belarus to a 4-3-3 formation with three ball winners who gave more protection to the defense.
"If you lose the midfield battle, chances are that you will lose the match too," Blanc said. "We can certainly play with a pair of forwards, but against solid teams we have to win the midfield battle and must therefore add muscle and density in midfield."
France played the two qualifiers with an under-strength team as it was hit by suspensions and injuries. Several players from the World Cup squad — including Nicolas Anelka, Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan — were dropped for the games because of their role in a walkout during a training session in South Africa, and Blanc made it clear he won't tolerate any disobedience.
"The criteria for call-ups are still individual skills, but players have to be aware that it won't be enough," Blanc said. "You have to display a (positive) mindset and fit in the mold. ... In a football team, nobody can do whatever he wants."
Blanc insisted on "putting individual talent at the service of the team," praising the "excellent ambiance" within the squad throughout the two qualifiers.
"The squad gave me satisfaction by its involvement and its behavior in the two matches. They deserve to be seen again."
France snapped a four-match losing streak with the victory in Sarajevo. It will next face Romania and Luxembourg in October.
-- Trung Latieule
Results darken Queiroz's future with Portugal
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz's job is in danger after his team took just one point from its first two 2012 European Championship qualifiers while he sits out a six-month suspension.
A Portuguese Football Federation board meeting Thursday is expected to discuss Queiroz's future amid growing demands for him to be replaced.
A 1-0 loss at Norway on Tuesday came after a 4-4 draw at home against lowly Cyprus last week and constituted Portugal's worst start to a qualifying campaign since 1996.
Queiroz is also set to miss Portugal's next two qualifiers in October after he was suspended for disrupting an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup.
The coach is fighting possible dismissal, denying wrongdoing and saying he will appeal the suspension.
Portugal's dull performance in Oslo suggested the players are feeling the strain of what daily sports paper O Jogo called a "soap opera" surrounding Queiroz's stewardship. "That's enough disasters!" the paper's front-page headline said Wednesday.
The team, missing injured Cristiano Ronaldo, looked unsettled and uncertain in both matches. With Deco and Simao Sabrosa both recently retired from international football, the Portuguese lacked an inspirational playmaker.
"I don't think things are going very well on or off the pitch," captain Ricardo Carvalho said after the Norway game where Queiroz's assistant Agostinho Oliveira was once again in charge.
Bruno Alves, Carvalho's partner in central defense, said, "We just want everything to be fine again, we just want someone to make a decision for everyone's sake."
The 57-year-old coach, Alex Ferguson's former assistant at Manchester United, is just over halfway through a four-year contract.
His appointment has long been contested. Portugal's qualification for the World Cup was a bumpy ride. Three 0-0 draws, including one at home against 10-man Albania, dropped the team to fifth in the group before it recovered to qualify through the playoffs.
In a disappointing campaign in South Africa, Portugal went out in the second round against eventual champion Spain, though it was ranked third in the world by FIFA.
Portugal's Sports Institute, which governs the National Anti-Doping Agency, ruled last week that Queiroz disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup and suspended him for six months.
The Portuguese Football Federation earlier this month suspended Queiroz for one month on a charge of misconduct related to the same incident in May. But it said that though he had used foul language with the inspectors he had not disrupted the test itself.
Queiroz has said he will appeal the six-month ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
However, it is unclear if the suspension would be lifted pending the outcome of his challenge.
-- Barry Hatton
Capello plans to retire after Euro 2012
LONDON (AP) — England coach Fabio Capello plans to retire after the 2012 European Championship when his contract expires.
The 64-year-old Italian, who took charge of England in 2008, kept his job after the World Cup despite the team being ousted in the second round by Germany in June.
Despite weeks of fierce criticism following the poor showing in South Africa, Capello has masterminded two victories at the start of Euro 2012 qualifying against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
But Capello said he has "absolutely" no plans to seek a new deal after Euro 2012.
"I will be too old," he said. "I want to live my life like a pensioner."
Before taking charge of England in January 2008, Capello led Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma to titles.
And while the Football Association has already announced that it wants an Englishman to succeed Capello, captain Steven Gerrard said last week that no homegrown coach currently can match up to the Italian.
"Who out there that is an English manager has the CV that Fabio Capello has got?" Gerrard asked.
Capello succeeded Englishman Steve McClaren, who lasted just 18 months in the job after the country failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Man City's Balotelli to undergo knee surgery
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli will be sidelined for up to six weeks after the club confirmed he will undergo knee surgery.
City said the 20-year-old signing from Inter Milan had flown back to Milan for treatment, and will miss crucial Premier League games against Arsenal and Chelsea as well as a Europa League group match against Juventus.
Balotelli tore his lateral meniscus on his debut for City, only six days after his 22.5 million pounds ($35 million) move from Inter.
The Italy international came on as a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal in the Europa League tie against Timisoara on Aug. 19, but limped off in injury time.
Balotelli has had an eventful time since arriving in England. On Aug. 28, Greater Manchester Police confirmed the striker emerged unscathed from a car crash when his Audi A8 collided with another vehicle.
City manager Roberto Mancini is estimated to have spent 115 million pounds ($178 million) in the offseason, bringing the likes of Balotelli, Yaya Toure and David Silva to the club, which finished fifth in the Premier League last season and missed out on Champions League qualification.
Mancini's team has made a mixed start to the season, beating Liverpool 3-0 at home but losing 1-0 away at Sunderland in its last match.
Scots apologize for jeers for Liechtenstein anthem
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — The head of Scotland's Football Association apologized Wednesday after fans jeered the pre-match playing of Liechtenstein's national anthem — because it has the same tune as that of fierce rival England's.
Acting SFA chief executive George Peat said that the fans' behavior ahead of Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Liechtenstein in a European Championship qualifier had tarnished the country's reputation.
"I was embarrassed and extremely disappointed by the disgraceful behavior of some of our supporters," Peat said. "The Scotland fans have worked hard to earn their reputation throughout the world as fun-loving and respectful followers of football.
"I apologize unreservedly to our visitors for the crass reaction to their anthem, just as I did in private last night to the Liechtenstein delegation."
Mario Frick gave Liechtenstein a shock lead at the start of the second half, but Kenny Miller equalized in the 63rd minute and Stephen McManus headed in the winning goal in the seventh minute of injury time.
Tevez hints at international retirement
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina striker Carlos Tevez may consider retiring from international play before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil because of the physical toll on his body.
The 26-year-old Tevez said he has been worn down by the exhausting nature of the game and all the league and national team matches. He has played for Boca Juniors, Corinthians, West Ham, Manchester United — and now Manchester City.
"I'm tired. I'm 26 — I'm old," Tevez said after scoring Tuesday in Argentina's 4-1 victory over World Cup winner Spain.
Tevez didn't suggest he would retire immediately from international play, which is good news for Argentina as it prepares to host next year's Copa America — the continental championship.
"I'm still into it; to play, to be there," he said. "But I don't know if I will make it until 2014. I don't know. In reality, I think it will be tough."
"To be on the national team you have to be 100 percent and play with all you have. I'm not blaming anyone. It's my issue. It's a physical question. You can't play on the national team at 60 percent."
Bulgaria team director follows coach in quitting
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Nasko Sirakov has quit as Bulgaria's national team director, one day after the coach resigned following the side's loss to Montenegro for its second straight defeat in European Championship qualifying.
Sirakov stepped down Wednesday. Coach Stanimir Stoilov resigned shortly after Bulgaria lost 1-0 at home to Montenegro on Tuesday to sit last in Group G following its opening 4-0 loss at England last week.
Sirakov told BTA news agency that the two defeats are "a tragedy for our football and for our national team."
Stoilov says Stiliyan Petrov, who became captain when Dimitar Berbatov quit international football, is also considering retiring.
Stoilov says "I hope he'll change his mind and I also want Berbatov to return."
Rooney's wife receives apology over sex scandal
LONDON (AP) — The parents of the woman at the center of a sex scandal involving Wayne Rooney have apologized to the England striker's wife.
Several tabloid newspapers claimed Sunday that Rooney cheated repeatedly on his pregnant wife Coleen last year with a 21-year-old prostitute identified as Jenny Thompson. The allegations have produced several days of front-page coverage in the tabloids.
The woman's parents, Hamish and Dana Thompson, issued a statement Wednesday saying they "would never condone what has or may have happened."
The Thompsons say they "would like to offer our most sincere apologies to Coleen Rooney and her family."
Rooney scored England's opening goal in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Switzerland in European Championship qualifying.
Spain's media disregards heavy loss to Argentina
MADRID (AP) — Spain's 4-1 loss to Argentina in a friendly, its first defeat since winning the World Cup in July, has been largely disregarded by the country's media.
Newspaper Marca said Wednesday that the result was not entirely accurate because "for Spain it was a friendly" whereas for Argentina it was "a final."
AS newspaper said Spain "gifted prestige" to Argentina with its worst loss in a decade on Tuesday, the same day the team won the Prince of Asturias prize for sports in Spain.
El Pais said the European champions had come "back to earth," with most media criticizing the team's poor start and goalkeeper Pepe Reina's performance.
Spain defender Carlos Marchena also had his record unbeaten streak in internationals snapped at 57 games.
Real Madrid's earnings up 8.6 percent
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid says its earnings have increased 8.6 percent year-on-year, seemingly dispelling fears that the Spanish powerhouse would suffer financial woes after having spent heavily to buy players and still not won major silverware.
The club says on its website Wednesday that its gross revenue increased from €407.3 million ($517 million) in the previous season to €442.3 million ($561.6 million) in 2009-10.
Madrid drew criticism last year for its heaving spending and was one of the main reasons why UEFA's Professional Football Strategy Council introduced "financial fair play" regulations stating European clubs should break even from 2012 or face being barred from the Champions League.
Madrid, now coached by Jose Mourinho, had spent record sums to acquire Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso.
Brazil coach will not rule out Ronaldo comeback
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil coach Mano Menezes believes Ronaldo is capable of playing at a high level again despite his recent struggles.
The coach told Terra website that 33-year-old Ronaldo "can overcome all expectations" and "has proven many times" that he can surpass challenges.
Ronaldo has suffered three serious knee injuries in his career but recovered every time. He made a successful comeback with Brazil's Corinthians last year, but hasn't been fit this season and has talked about possibly retiring soon.
Menezes says Ronaldo may have one last "card up his sleeve."
A three-time FIFA player of the year, Ronaldo helped Brazil win the 1994 and 2002 World Cups.
Batista gets Argentina job until end of year
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Interim Argentina coach Sergio Batista will keep the job until the end of the year, a reward for Tuesday's 4-1 victory over World Cup champion Spain.
Batista replaced Diego Maradona and opened with a 1-0 win over Ireland last month. He will remain foe an exhibition against Japan and two against Brazil.
Luis Segura, a high-ranking member of the Argentine Football Association, confirmed after Tuesday's victory that Batista will stay on in the job. He said other candidates will be evaluated at year's end.
Others thought to be in the running are Alejandro Sabella of Estudiantes, Miguel Angel Russo of Racing Club and Carlos Bianchi, who is without a club.
French amateur soccer club accused of homophobia
PARIS (AP) — A French amateur soccer club has refused to register a homosexual player, leading a gay soccer organization to ask the French Football Federation to impose sanctions.
The organization, Paris Foot Gay, said Wednesday that club FC Chooz should be punished "to help the football world to realize that homophobia is as bad as racism and anti-Semitism."
Yoann Lemaire has played at Chooz for 14 years, but the club says it won't register him again to avoid any "trouble" with his teammates. French junior sports minister Rama Yade also called for action to be taken against the club.
Last year, a soccer team of Muslim players was banned from the French amateur league after refusing to play a match against the gay team.
Mertesacker to miss Bayern game due to eye injury
BREMEN, Germany (AP) — Werder Bremen central defender Per Mertesacker has an eye injury and is out of the Bundesliga game at Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Mertesacker broke a bone in his left eye socket and received a facial wound after colliding with another player in Germany's 6-1 win over Azerbaijan in qualifying for the European Championship on Tuesday.
Bremen says central defender Naldo, who has been out for several weeks with a knee injury, will also miss the match in Munich.
