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Soccer Capsules: Nice to meet you: Honduras vs. U.S. hardly a replay
Comments 0 | Recommend 0CHICAGO — There’s no Tim Howard, Landon Donovan or Carlos Bocanegra. Steve Cherundolo, Charlie Davies and Benny Feilhaber are back in Europe.
So much for Honduras being able to use its scouting reports from the last two games against the United States — even the one that’s only two weeks old.
Honduras and the Americans play for the third time in less than two months in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals Thursday night. Now most times, that would mean Honduras would know the U.S. lineup as well as its own. But the Americans have shuffled their personnel so much, it’s like the Hondurans get a new opponent each time.
"This is a very good national team," Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said Wednesday as his team practiced at Soldier Field. "The men that come in, even though they don’t have the experience, they’re very good players and they’ve all transformed into solid players.
"It doesn’t make it any easier for us," he added. "They’re players that want to fight hard to please their head coach."
Costa Rica and Mexico play in the second semifinal, with the winners meeting for the title Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
The Americans have been so busy this summer, just listening to their schedule is tiring. It started June 3 with a qualifier in Costa Rica, and continued three days later with the first game against Honduras — also at Soldier Field. Then came the Confederations Cup in South Africa, where the United States stunned the soccer world by upsetting top-ranked Spain on its way to the finals.
There was barely time to repack the suitcases before it was off to Seattle, where the United States opened defense of its Gold Cup title on July 4. Four games later — including a victory over Honduras in group play — the Americans are here, playing for a chance to get back to the final and win their third straight title in this tournament.
Because the schedule is such a grind, coach Bob Bradley did an almost complete overhaul of his roster for the Gold Cup. He let most of his top players return to their MLS teams or take time off ahead of the European season, and is instead using the tournament as a chance to look at his young players — some of whom just might find their way onto the roster if the United States makes it to the World Cup in South Africa next year.
The Americans will likely be without one of their few veterans, defender Jimmy Conrad, still recovering from a concussion sustained in Saturday’s quarterfinal victory over Panama. Michael Parkhurst, who had gone back to his Danish club after the first round, was recalled to help shore up the defense.
"It’s been exciting to be able to showcase my talent on this level and to play with this group of guys in front of the coaching staff that will be the coaching staff for the World Cup," said Stuart Holden, who made his U.S. debut with the senior national team in the Gold Cup opener, a 4-0 rout of Grenada.
"If we do win the tournament, then that means people have done well and it shows well on them," Holden added. "If I can be one of those guys that’s performed well consistently through the tournament and helped us win the Gold Cup, I think that puts me kind of in the forefront and forces the coaches to have a look at you going forward in the World Cup qualifications."
Holden has more than held his own. He’s got two goals in four games, including a goal in his international debut. But he’s not the only one who’s made an impression. Goalkeeper Troy Perkins has been solid throughout the tournament, allowing only one goal in three games. Kyle Beckerman scored the equalizer in the quarterfinals, and Kenny Cooper sealed the win with a penalty kick.
And throughout the tournament, the Americans have played with a confidence that belies their youth.
"They’re a young group, but they’re a group that has a lot of experience," said Brian Ching, who missed both World Cup qualifiers in June and the Confederations Cup with a strained hamstring and is one of the few regular starters on the Gold Cup roster. "We have a lot of guys that have been in big games before and understand the importance of tomorrow’s game."
That includes knowing those victories over Honduras on June 6 and in the first round of the Gold Cup mean nothing.
Honduras finished behind the United States in group play, and beat Canada to advance to the semifinals. Honduras is also third in World Cup qualifying in the North and Central America and the Caribbean region, with the top three teams advancing and No. 4 going to a playoff.
"Anytime you play a team more than once and you beat them the first time, it creates a little bit more hunger and a little bit more desire the next time they come out and face you," Ching said. "We expect the game to be a lot more physical, a lot more high intensity, and it’s going to be a good challenge. Honduras has been playing well the last few months.
"We’re kind of looking forward to the challenge."
Mexico's Martinez will miss Gold Cup semifinal
CHICAGO — Mexico’s Israel Martinez is out for today’s Gold Cup semifinal against Costa Rica.
The midfielder hurt his left knee when he was running during a training session this week. Martinez, who played in two games, is the only player who won’t be available, coach Javier Aguirre says.
This is El Tri’s second straight appearance in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals. It is Costa Rica’s first trip to the semis since 2003.
World Football Challenge
Club America beats AC Milan
ATLANTA — Oguchi Onyewu likes his new surroundings, even in defeat.
Onyewu, who earlier this month became the first American-born player to sign a contract with AC Milan, made his debut for AC Milan to begin the second half Wednesday night. While he was on the losing side in Club America’s 2-1 victory in the World Football Challenge, the defender was looking at the positive side.
"We have a long time before the season starts," Onyewu said. "This preparation will only help me and the team get better. I feel good, my teammates make me feel comfortable, and I am happy to be on the field."
Daniel Marquez headed in the winning goal to help Club America take its second straight victory in the tournament.
Just one day after practicing for the first time with his new teammates, Onyewu had been on the field only 10 minutes when Salvador Cabanas’ pass looped over his head and Enrique Esqueda used a high kick to beat goalkeeper Marco Storari’s late dive to the left.
AC Milan’s Filippo Inzaghi scored on a breakaway 66 minutes into the exhibition match, running past Club America defenders Guillermo Cerda and Ademar Rodriguez to beat goalkeeper Armando Navarrete’s late dive to the left.
Marquez made it 2-1 in the 84th minute.
How did Onyewu feel he performed?
"I don’t ever grade myself publicly, but I think we fought well and fought hard and we didn’t capitalize on some chances," he said. "But the fact we created a lot of chances will be good in the long run."
Many of the 53,600 fans at the Georgia Dome cheered Onyewu in his debut with AC Milan. After getting a welcome hug from midfielder Clarence Seedorf, Onyewu was announced to replace defender Alessandro Nesta.
"He introduced himself with a lot of personality," Seerdorf said of his new teammate." He’s still trying to fit in, but he’s going to be an important player for us."
Onyewu, 27, whose parents emigrated to the United States from Nigeria, left to play professionally in Europe seven years ago.
He signed a three-year deal with Milan earlier this month, but the Italian club had been tracking Onyewu since he emerged with Belgium’s Standard Liege in 2004. Despite an unsuccessful 11-game stint with Newcastle, where he often failed to keep up with the fast pace in the English Premier League, Onyewu returned to Belgium for the 2007-2008 season and helped Standard Liege win consecutive Belgian league titles.
For the United States, Onyewu started all three games at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and showed his talent in the Americans’ CONCACAF Gold Cup championships in 2005 and ‘07.
He most recently helped the United States to the Confederations Cup final, where it lost 3-2 to Brazil.
Onyewu admitted to having a language barrier with Milan, something that needs to be conquered quickly.
"Obviously I just started training yesterday, we can’t communicate as well as I would like to on the field," he said. "It’s not that much of an issue, it’s still football. We use sign language and other stuff. But I do need to pick up the language as quick as possible to minimize all the other minor areas I need to improve on."
Club America beat Inter Milan 5-4 on penalty kicks Sunday in Stanford, Calif. The Mexico-based club took eight shots, four on goal. Cabanas and Juan Carlos Silva each had three attempts for Club America.
Ronaldinho, Seedorf and Gianmarco Zigoni each had three shots for AC Milan.
-- George Henry
U.S. Women's Soccer
Nairn’s goal lifts US women over Canada
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Christine Nairn’s first international goal in the dying minutes Wednesday night gave the U.S. women a 1-0 victory over Canada and a three-game sweep of their friendly series.
Nairn scored in the 89th minute after a perfect cross from Angela Hucles deep on the right wing. Abby Wambach tapped the ball to Lauren Cheney, whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Erin McLeod.
But the ball deflected off Nairn as she charged toward the net and went into the goal.
The 18-year-old Nairn, 18, from Penn State, became the youngest U.S. player to score since Heather O’Reilly against Italy in 2002 at the age of 17. Nairn had replaced Carli Lloyd in the 81st minute.
Before a crowd of 4,041 at Blackbaud Stadium, the Americans beat Canada for the third time in two months, with the United States outscoring the Canadians 6-0. The U.S. women have not lost to the Canadians since 2001 and are 40-3-4 all-time in the series.
The Canadians had their best scoring chance early in the second half after a turnover. Christine Sinclair, still seeking her 100th international goal, took a loose ball and passed to Jonelle Filigno just outside the penalty area. Filigno’s hard shot sailed high.
Sinclair came close to getting No. 100 later in the half, taking a pass from Diana Matheson behind the American defense. Sinclair’s shot from just inside the 18-yard box was stopped with a dive by goalkeeper Hope Solo, who had charged off her line.
World Cup
Report: Brazil needs $40B for WCup infrastructure
SAO PAULO — Cities in Brazil could spend more than $40 billion on infrastructure alone, according to a report Wednesday.
The 12 cities hosting matches in 2014 have projected spending a total of $41.7 billion, Globo’s G1 Web site said.
The total includes costs for new stadiums and improvements in transportation, public safety, health systems and several other areas, G1 said after analyzing the projects of each city. The money for the projects is expected to come from both the public and private sectors.
Nearly half of the total investments are expected to take place in Sao Paulo, South America’s biggest city, which plans to spend $19.1 billion.
Brasilia, the nation’s capital city, said it plans to spend only $315 million, mostly on the renovation of Mane Garrincha Stadium.
This month, the mayors for the host cities said they need to start infrastructure work as soon as possible in order to have everything ready in time for the tournament.
Other cities hosting matches are Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Salvador, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Manaus and Cuiaba.
Column: Extra Time: Eriksson makes wrong turn to Notts County
LONDON — Wrong Magpies, Sven!
It's Newcastle that's looking for a new manager, not League Two strugglers Notts County.
It looks like the lure of a wealthy Middle Eastern business consortium buying England's oldest football club three tiers below the Premier League has clouded his judgment as well as theirs.
While Newcastle is still searching for a high-profile manager to guide the team back to the Premier League, Sven Goran Eriksson has shown up at Notts County — a club which is about as far away from winning English football's top prize as the Faeroe Islands are from lifting the World Cup.
These Magpies haven't won anything of note since the century before last — the 1894 FA Cup — and last season finished so low it went close to dropping out of the Football League.
Somehow Sven-Goran Eriksson, Notts County director of football, doesn't have the same ring as coach of Lazio, Benfica, Sampdoria, Fiorentina, England, Manchester City and Mexico — some of his more high-profile jobs.
So why has he turned up at Notts County, one of English football's saddest clubs?
He says it's not the money and that may well be true after the handsome earnings and payoffs he got in Italy, England and Mexico. Although he has signed a five-year contract, he hasn't revealed how much new club owners Munto Finance are paying him — the papers say 2 million pounds ($3.28 million; €2.30 million) a year — and how much severance pay he might receive if it all goes wrong.
Now, the man who coached the likes of Pavel Nedved, David Beckham and Michael Owen before up to 70,000 fans in Rome and London will now monitor journeymen League Two players before 5,000 spectators at Meadow Lane.
What's the point?
"I'm not here for the money. I'm here for the challenge," he said Wednesday at a news conference. "I'm not here for the weather, or if the city is nice or not. If that was the case, then I could have gone to Italy."
Now Neal Bishop, Matthew Harnshaw, Craig Westcarr and the rest of County's modest squad will enjoy the thrill of having Eriksson watching them. The fans are hoping that Eriksson will transform their team the same way Brian Clough turned neighbor Nottingham Forest from a lowly second-tier club into an English champion and two-time European Cup winner in the late 1970s.
Although Eriksson's arrival now has County fans dreaming of emulating Forest, that's probably all it will be. A dream.
Since guiding Lazio to a long-awaited Serie A title and a victory over Manchester United in the European Super Cup, Eriksson has been a flop.
Hired by England to win the World Cup for the first since 1966, the Swede failed to get the team further than the quarterfinals and he also hit the headlines for having affairs with a TV presenter and a Football Association secretary.
After a promising start, he also failed to deliver success at Manchester City, the team ending one season with an 8-1 loss to Middlesbrough. He moved on to coach Mexico in April but left two years early with the team struggling to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
Now he's at Notts County and the cynics might say that, after his recent record as a coach, the Swede has now found his true level.
There is a strong danger, however, that his arrival at Meadow Lane could be a major embarrassment for both sides.
For County, the hiring of such a big name looks like a desperate attempt by an anonymous, success-starved club to make a few headlines.
By dropping to near the foot of the pyramid of English football, Eriksson could say that the only way is up. But year after year of failure suggests that Eriksson has lost it as a coach and, if he fails at Notts County, he has very little left.
Apart from another payoff.
Robert Millward writes for The Associated Press
Eriksson returns to England with Notts County
LONDON — Sven-Goran Eriksson says he's in for the biggest challenge of his life at Notts County, but insisted Wednesday he will take the fourth-tier team back to the Premier League.
The 61-year-old Swede said he turned down jobs across Europe to take the position as director of football in a five-year deal with County, which dubs itself the oldest league club in the world but hasn't been in the top flight since 1992 and finished 19th in League Two last season.
"I think it's the biggest football challenge of my life, trying to take Notts County back to the Premier League, but that's the target," Eriksson said at his first news conference with the club.
After spending two decades coaching top clubs around Europe — along with England and Mexico — Eriksson's latest job has been met with widespread surprise in Britain, and a large dose of scorn in the press.
Eriksson himself admitted that when he was first informed of County's initial interest, his response was: "Mmm, I'm not sure about that."
But Eriksson's mind was turned after hearing about the club's ambitious plans after being bought up by Munto Finance, a Middle Eastern business consortium.
"After listening to the other people and seeing the project they have, I became interested quickly," he said. "I always said I wanted to come back to the Premier League. I chose a little bit of a difficult way to do it I think. It will take a few years, but I think we will do it."
Eriksson will oversee player transfers, the youth academy, and building overseas links.
"It's going to be different for sure, but I'm looking forward to it," Eriksson said. "I have discussed players with him (manager Ian McParland). Obviously I don't know the players. I don't know League Two at all.
Eriksson, who has also been made a shareholder, insisted he wasn't at County for the financial rewards.
"If it was for the money, I could have easily gone elsewhere," he said. "I'm not here for the money. I'm here for the challenge. I'm not here for the weather, or if the city is nice or not. If that was the case then I could have gone to Italy.
"I started as a player at this level and here I am again."
County hopes Eriksson's profile will help to attract players that can help the club climb the English football ladder.
"We can't pay Premier League salaries to players in League Two — we all know that and we have to be sensible," he said. "Internationally I know a lot of agents, players and they have already started calling from half of Europe today. I already had to switch the phone off."
While less of a success at international level, Eriksson has won plenty at the clubs he has coached.
Eriksson won six trophies with Lazio between 1997 and 2000, including Serie A, the European Cup Winner's Cup and two Italian cups. He led Sweden's IFK Goteborg to the UEFA Cup in 1982.
He also won domestic cups with Benfica, AS Roma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria.
Eriksson didn't get the chance to produce Manchester City's first major trophy since 1976, since he was fired after only taking charge of the 2007-08 season.
Eriksson — England's first foreign manager — departed after the 2006 World Cup, where he led the team to the quarterfinals, as he did at the 2002 edition and the 2004 European Championship.
Despite having a better win record than any of his predecessors, Eriksson riled many England fans for using a defensive approach and failing to win a major title.
At the helm of Mexico for less than a year, Eriksson won only four of nine qualifiers, and all at home. In 13 matches overall, he won six and drew one.
The pressure to deliver will be less at County. Their only major success was winning the FA Cup in 1894.
"This job is something a little bit new for me but why not try it?" Eriksson said. "I'm still hungry, I still love it."
-- Rob Harris
Gerrard said he punched man in self defense
LIVERPOOL, England — England midfielder Steven Gerrard admitted to police that he punched a man in a bar room, according to testimony presented in court Wednesday.
The transcript from the Liverpool captain's police interview was read at his trial on affray charges after a bartender told the jury that the footballer was in a "huff" before launching uppercuts at businessman Marcus McGee.
Gerrard was with friends at a bar in Southport in the early hours of Dec. 29 last year, hours after scoring twice in Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Newcastle.
Gerrard told police he had bottles of Budweiser beer and a shot of spirits, and rated his level of intoxication as seven out of 10 when he confronted McGee in a row over the music being play in the Lounge Inn.
The 34-year-old McGee said Gerrard had tried to grab a music card from him after being refused control of the CD player.
"I was having a good night but I was gutted and just wanted to straighten it out with him," Gerrard said.
Gerrard admitted throwing three punches but that only one connected with McGee. He said he only swung at McGee because he thought he was about to be attacked himself.
"He stood up quite aggressively out of his stool and I thought to myself 'I am not going to be able to sort this out in the way I wanted,'" Gerrard said. "I thought he was going to give me a smack. He was shouting back and I didn't know what he was saying but he started arguing and I thought he was going to hit me so that's why I threw a punch."
Bartender Nathaniel Lockie told the jury that Gerrard was in a "huff" at the time.
"Gerrard grabbed the back of his jumper and pulled it over his head, pulled him down and started uppercutting him," Lockie said. "While that happened I ran round to the other side of the bar trying to help and he (Gerrard) was dragged off into the restaurant."
McGee, who lost a front tooth crown in the alleged attack, told Liverpool Crown Court that Gerrard was "bad tempered, so straight away I was acting proportionate to how his attitude was."
"I remember a barrage of punches coming in at my face but I didn't know who has done what," McGee said. "Having watched the CCTV it was obvious Steven Gerrard hits me a couple of times, maybe three times but I couldn't honestly say on the night. ... I didn't throw any punches, I wasn't acting aggressively, I didn't hit anyone at all."
Gerrard, who denies the affray charges, is expected to give evidence in the court on Thursday. Five other men pleaded guilty and another admitted a lesser charge of threatening behavior. The trial is expected to last several days.
Liverpool draws 1-1 with Thailand in friendly
BANGKOK, Thailand — Liverpool lost central defender Martin Skrtel to an apparent serious hamstring injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Thailand in a preseason friendly.
The Slovak international came on as a halftime substitute but only lasted 10 minutes before grabbing the top of his right hamstring and walking gingerly off the field.
Fringe first-teamer Nabil El Zhar came off soon after with a medial ligament injury in his right knee after attempting a bicycle kick.
Midfielder Xabi Alonso, subject to intense transfer speculation about a move to Real Madrid, did not make an appearance.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, acting as captain in the absence of Steven Gerrard, who was facing court on affray charges in England, said the players want the transfer saga involving Alonso sorted out soon.
"The feeling within the squad is he's a top player and you don't want to be losing your best players," Carragher said. "Hopefully something is sorted out as quickly as possible. You've got to do what's in the best interests of the club."
Star striker Fernando Torres made his first appearance of the preseason, coming on for the latter stages of the second half.
Liverpool's starting team contained five regular first-team players: Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger.
The opening goal came in the sixth minute as Carragher played a long ball into the path of Babel, who outpaced the defense, controlled the ball and slotted past the goalkeeper.
Liverpool looked rusty, struggling to combine effectively in the attacking half. Babel volleyed another long pass wide and had another effort stopped by the goalkeeper.
Thailand's equalizer came in the 72nd minute as substitute Sutee Suksomkit played a neat one-two and calmly placed his shot past onrushing substitute goalkeeper Peter Gulasci.
Liverpool changed 10 players at the break, with new signing Glen Johnson coming on and playing in an unfamiliar left-back position, while Javier Mascherano and Andriy Voronin were among those also given a run in the second period.
FIFA fines Ivory Coast after 22 fans die at venue
ZURICH — FIFA fined Ivory Coast's football federation on Wednesday after 22 people died in a stampede at a World Cup qualifying match in March.
The global governing body imposed a fine of 50,000 Swiss francs ($46,800; €33,000) along with restrictions on the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan when it next hosts a World Cup qualifier.
The fans died and more than 130 were injured at the overcrowded stadium before Ivory Coast played Malawi on March 29.
Ivory Coast will next play Burkina Faso on Sept. 5 with attendance limited to 20,000 in the 34,600-capacity Felix Houphouet-Boigny venue.
"In the event of any similar incidents, FIFA would have no choice but to impose more severe sanctions on the Ivorian Football Association," FIFA said in a statement.
FIFA investigators spoke with Ivorian police, football and government officials but the disciplinary ruling did not blame anyone.
The arena was packed with spectators drawn to see Chelsea striker Didier Drogba return from England to play for Ivory Coast.
The crush set off a panic 40 minutes before kickoff. Witnesses said fans rushed toward the field, causing a wall to come down and setting off a stampede.
Other eyewitnesses reported that panic spread after police fired tear gas, while some said security officers encouraged overcrowding by taking money from fans without tickets to let them enter.
The match went ahead as scheduled as the first to be played in the final phase of combined qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast won 5-0 with Drogba scoring twice.
FIFA has also ordered that traffic barriers must be erected one kilometer (0.62 mile) from the stadium and checkpoints at least 100 meters (yards) from the stadium to control the flow of spectators.
"The total capacity of the stadium will only be allowed in subsequent matches if the above-mentioned measures are applied for each match," the ruling said.
Since the tragedy, FIFA has increased referees' powers to delay kickoff times at international matches.
"All future matches will not be allowed to kick off until the designated FIFA security officer is satisfied with all aspects of stadium safety and security," it said Wednesday.
FIFA said it has donated 100,000 Swiss francs ($93,600; €66,000) to support families of the victims.
The Ivory Coast government has opened its own investigation into the tragedy.
Romanian ex-footballer tries to clear reputation
BUCHAREST, Romania — Former Romanian footballer Gheorghe 'Gica' Popescu said Wednesday he will try to clear his reputation, after allegations that he was a spy for the Securitate secret police were dismissed by the council that holds communist-era files.
The Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives said Tuesday there is no evidence in the files that Popescu did anything in the communist era that violated human rights. The council cleared him of collaborating with the feared Securitate.
"The accusations damaged my reputation," Popescu said. "Newspapers abroad published stories that I was a spy. I cannot allow people to believe that the former Barcelona captain was a spy."
Popescu, who played for Barcelona between 1995-97, said he will organize a news conference in the Spanish city next week, to present his position and try to clear his name.
The former footballer threatened to sue the two newspapers that accused him of collaboration with the Securitate.
"The only way to get justice is in court", he said.
"You've accused me, you've condemned me and you shot me," Popescu told journalists. "I have made mistakes (...) but please do not accuse me of something I have not done. I did not collaborate with the Securitate."
Popescu said the accusations made him more upset than the national team's defeat against Sweden in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals.
"It is hard and frustrating to prove something is not true," he said.
Last month, two newspapers alleged that notes in his file showed that Popescu was a Securitate informer. The secret police of late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had an estimated 750,000 informants in a country of 23 million.
Popescu, 41, denied allegations but later conceded he signed a document promising to "defend the national interests" during the communist era and wrote four notes providing information about teammates.
He now says he does not remember signing the notes, although they appear under his name.
Popescu said his file is largely made up of reports written by two Securitate agents who were keeping an eye on the footballers when they went abroad. He said the handwriting of one of the agents is similar to his, and implied that the agent could have written the notes and signed them in his name.
Popescu also played for Tottenham, PSV Eindhoven and Galatasaray and was the Romanian footballer of the year six times. He played 115 games for Romania, scoring 16 goals, before retiring in 2003.
4 players fined, banned for betting scam
LONDON — Four players were fined and suspended Wednesday for betting on their own team's game in a suspected match-fixing scheme in English football's League Two.
The Football Association took the action against Accrington's James Harris, David Mannix and Robert Williams and Bury's Andrew Mangan, a former Accrington midfielder.
All four were found guilty of betting on the Accrington-Bury game on May 3, which Bury won 2-0.
The FA's disciplinary commission said three of the four players had bet on Accrington to lose.
"The regulatory commission have serious concerns that the outcome of the match may have been fixed although none of the players were charged with these offenses," panel chairman Nicholas Stewart said in a statement.
The FA opened an investigation after bookmakers reported unusual betting patterns ahead of the match.
Midfielder Harris was given the biggest fine of 5,000 pounds ($8,200; €5,750) and suspended for a year. He was also fined 500 pounds ($820; €575) for placing a bet while he was a Chester player.
Mannix was fined 4,000 pounds ($6,560; €4,600) and banned for 10 months, while Williams was fined 3,500 pounds ($5,740; €4,025) and suspended eight months, and Mangan fined 2,000 pounds ($3,280; €2,300) and suspended five months.
Under FA rules, players, managers and coaching staff are prohibited from betting on any match or competition in which they are participating.
"These players were all in blatant breach of the rules," the FA said. "Three of the players, (Mannix, Harris and Williams) were Accrington players at the time and actually bet on the opposing team, Bury, to win, actions which would shock any fair minded football fan. Harris even played for Accrington in that match."
"Mangan did at least bet on his own club (Bury) to win but was nevertheless in serious breach of this important rule."
Ronaldo to play himself in Iranian movie
SAO PAULO — Ronaldo is set to play himself in an Iranian movie about a Palestine girl who was killed before realizing her dream of meeting him.
Ronaldo has reached a deal to be part of the movie and will start filming as early as September in Lebanon, according to officials at the Brazil-Iran chamber of commerce, which is helping produce the movie.
Still without a title, the movie is based on the true story of Alneyrab, a 13-year-old girl who dreamed of meeting the soccer star when he visited the Middle East on a humanitarian mission in 2005. She was only able to watch her idol pass through along with his entourage, and later was killed in a conflict in the region.
Ronaldo's agent, Fabiano Farah, confirmed to Globo's Web site that Ronaldo has signed a pre-contract for the movie.
The 32-year-old Ronaldo, who is thriving with Corinthians in his comeback from the third serious knee injury of his career, will appear in some scenes that take place in the girl's dreams, said Farrokh Faradji Chadan, president of the Brazil-Iran chamber of commerce.
He is expected to spend only a few days in Lebanon shooting the movie. Chadan would not disclose how much Ronaldo will be paid for what he called a "humanitarian" production.
Chadan said the deal to have Ronaldo participate in the movie — which is expected to be finished next year — was reached in June.
Ronaldo has been a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Program since 2000 and made a trip to Israel and the West Bank in 2005 as part of his campaign against poverty around the world. He was playing for Real Madrid at the time.
Ronaldo signed with four-time Brazilian champion Corinthians in December 2008 despite doubts he would ever recover from the knee injury sustained with AC Milan in February of that year.
After more than a year on the sidelines, Ronaldo returned to action in March and has already helped Corinthians win two titles in Brazil — the traditional Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian Cup. He has scored six goals in his last four matches.
Ronaldo was a member of Brazil's team that won its fourth World Cup title in 1994 in the United States, and was the team's top player when it clinched the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
Ronaldo, the career World Cup scoring leader with 15 goals, has also played for Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Inter Milan.
-- Tales Azzoni
Palmeiras signs former Sao Paulo coach Ramalho
SAO PAULO — Palmeiras has reached a deal to hire former Sao Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho until the end of 2010.
Ramalho, who led Sao Paulo to three consecutive Brazilian league titles before being fired last month, will replace Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who also was recently fired.
Palmeiras and Ramalho had failed to reach a financial agreement earlier this month, but restarted negotiations last week and closed the deal Tuesday night after Ramalho met with Palmeiras president Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo.
Belluzzo, a renowned economist who worked for the Brazilian government in the late 1980s, announced Ramalho's signing on Twitter. Financial details were not released, but local media said Ramalho will earn a monthly salary of about $200,000.
Sao Paulo fired Ramalho on June 20 after the club failed to reach the Copa Libertadores semifinals following a home loss to fellow Brazilian club Cruzeiro. Former AS Monaco coach Ricardo Gomes took over Ramalho's job.
Luxemburgo, a former coach at Real Madrid, was fired by Palmeiras after its elimination by Uruguay's Nacional in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, Latin America's most important club competition.
Luxemburgo, who is now coaching Santos, said he was fired because he publicly criticized the transfer negotiations of Palmeiras striker Keirrison to Barcelona.
Palmeiras was being coached on a temporary basis by Jorginho, a former player who led the team to one draw and four straight victories in the Brazilian league, leaving the team alongside Atletico Mineiro in equal first place in the standings with 25 points.
Many fans had been in favor of keeping Jorginho and against hiring the coach from such a fierce rival. Jorginho will remain as an assistant to Ramalho.
Palmeiras plays at Goias on Wednesday, but Ramalho won't debut until after the team's match against Corinthians on Sunday.
Palmeiras is a four-time national champion but hasn't won the Brazilian league since 1994. The club won the Brazilian Cup in 1998 and the Copa Libertadores in 1999.
-- Tales Azzoni
Eidur Gudjohnsen unsure over Barcelona future
LONDON — Eidur Gudjohnsen doesn't know if he will start the season as a Barcelona player.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder has been linked with a return to the Premier League, where he spent eight years with Chelsea and Bolton.
"I can't confirm whether I'm staying or leaving. I think it's a matter of time and only time will tell what will happen," Gudjohnsen said Wednesday. "My future is a little bit uncertain. For the moment, I'm a Barcelona player. But we all know in football that everything can change very quickly."
The Iceland international, who has a season remaining on his contract, has had a mixed spell since signing three years ago for the current Spanish and European champions.
"I'm only thinking about getting myself fit for the new season, whether that be with Barcelona or another club. We will see," he said.
Gudjohnsen will have the perfect chance to impress other clubs when he plays in the Wembley Cup. The competition begins Friday with Barcelona taking on Tottenham and then meeting Egyptian side Al Ahly on Sunday.
John Obi Mikel agrees new 5-year Chelsea deal
LONDON — Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract at Chelsea through till 2014.
The 22-year-old Mikel agreed the deal Wednesday, one day after teammate Florent Malouda also signed a new contract.
Mikel said: "It was easy to commit to because I am happy here and when the opportunity came it was good to sign after speaking to the club."
Mikel expects the team will have a bright future under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.
He said: "I think we have a good working relationship already."
Mikel moved to Chelsea in 2006 despite Manchester United's attempts to buy him.
Borowski to leave Bayern and return to Bremen
FRANKFURT — Midfielder Tim Borowski is leaving Bayern Munich after one season to return to Werder Bremen.
The 29-year-old Borowski joined Bayern last year on a free transfer but failed to secure a regular place in the starting team.
Werder, which won the German Cup last season but finished 10th in the Bundesliga, is looking to bolster its squad while new Bayern coach Louis van Gaal wants to reduce his number of players.
The two clubs announced the move Wednesday, without giving details.
Borowski bid farewell to his Bayern teammates at a training camp in southern Germany before returning to Bremen, where he will get a three-year contract.
Norway midfielder Riise signs for Fulham
LONDON — Fulham has signed Norway international Bjorn Helge Riise on a three-year contract from Lillestrom.
The 26-year-old midfielder said on the club's Web site Wednesday that his move to the Premier League club was a dream come true, after watching his brother John Arne play seven seasons for Liverpool.
The fee was not disclosed. John Arne Riise now plays for AS Roma in Serie A.
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