FIFA

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All World Cup Teams Look the Same
 All World Cup Teams 
 Look the Same 
OPINION

All World Cup Teams Look the Same

Different styles have evaporated; everybody looks like Brazil

(Newser) - In World Cups of yore, each country had its own style, and each game was like a clash of cultures. The Italians had a punishing defense, and the English could be relied on to chuck bombs down the pitch. But tune into any game in South Africa, and you'll see...

FIFA to Brits: Uh, Sorry About That Goal
 FIFA to Brits: 
 Uh, Sorry 
 About That Goal 
WILL REVISIT REPLAY ISSUE

FIFA to Brits: Uh, Sorry About That Goal

Soccer's governing body considers replay after botched call

(Newser) - FIFA's president is apologizing to the Brits over Frank Lampard's disallowed goal, and just to show he's extra sorry, Sepp Blatter says he's open to revisiting the need for instant replay, reports the Telegraph. As recently as March, FIFA was smugly eschewing replay, but two high profile botched calls in...

World Cup Boots Dutch Beer Babes

FIFA cracks down on 'ambush marketing'

(Newser) - Dozens of Dutch football fans in miniskirts were escorted from a World Cup stadium and questioned for hours over what FIFA soccer officials say was an ambush marketing stunt. The 36 women wore orange dresses sold by Dutch beer maker Bavaria. The outfits had no branding on them apart from...

Annoying Horns Here to Stay
 Annoying Horns Here to Stay 
world cup

Annoying Horns Here to Stay

World Cup officials won't ban vuvuzela

(Newser) - World Cup fans and teams will have to learn to live with the blaring of plastic horns: Organizers have no plans to ban the vuvuzela, Reuters reports. Though the horns are tormenting players and spectators , a rep says, "Vuvuzelas are here to stay and will never be banned. People...

World Cup May Silence Annoying Horns

Organizers weigh ban on vuvuzelas

(Newser) - The nonstop drone of plastic horns has been the soundtrack of the World Cup so far, on and off the field, and they're so annoying that FIFA is considering a ban. It can't come soon enough for some. "We can't sleep at night because of the vuvuzelas." the...

Furious, Irish Beg France for Rematch Over Handball
Furious, Irish Beg France for Rematch Over Handball
HAND OF GOD II

Furious, Irish Beg France for Rematch Over Handball

President will even take matter up with Sarkozy

(Newser) - From the president on down, the Republic of Ireland is in a rage after the national soccer team was denied a spot in next year’s World Cup in a defeat by France—which got the winning goal as a direct benefit of an uncalled handball. Not only is the...

US Finally Buying Soccer's Pitch
 US Finally Buying 
 Soccer's Pitch 
ANALYSIS

US Finally Buying Soccer's Pitch

Viewership is soaring ahead of all-star game

(Newser) - After years of intermittent sniffling, Americans may finally be catching soccer fever, the Wall Street Journal reports: Some 4 million watched the US men’s team almost beat Brazil last month; some 2 million are likely to attend games featuring top European teams this summer; Seattle’s Major League Soccer...

S. African World Cup Laborers End Strike

Workers building new stadiums negotiate 12% pay raise

(Newser) - South African construction workers tasked with building facilities for the 2010 World Cup today called off their week-long strike after 15 hours, clearing a major obstacle in the country’s preparations to host to the world’s most watched sports competition, AFP reports. Construction firms agreed to give the roughly...

South Africa Proves World Cup Ready
 South Africa Proves 
 World Cup Ready 
analysis

South Africa Proves World Cup Ready

Critics hushed by successful Confederations Cup

(Newser) - With the just-completed Confederations Cup a success, South Africa has passed its dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup, Nicolas Brulliard writes for GlobalPost. The African nation faced more scrutiny than any previous host, but that now appears overblown. Enthusiastic fans turned up despite the winter chill, and the nation’...

Stunning US Soccer Upset Matches 'Miracle on Ice'

Underdog US team's surprise win over Spain is a victory to be savored

(Newser) - Last night's stunning soccer victory over Spain by the US team ranks up there with 1980's "Miracle on Ice" Olympic defeat of the Russians as one of the greatest upsets ever pulled off by Americans, George Vecsey writes in the New York Times. The Confederations Cup victory over the...

In Myanmar, Soccer Offers Relief

But is it just an opiate for the masses?

(Newser) - Myanmar has had something to cheer about lately, the Wall Street Journal reports. In a country where gatherings of more than five people are officially illegal and free speech is nonexistent, the Myanmar National League has been drawing huge crowds of screaming fans. Launched in May, it’s the country’...

Obama Backs US Bid to Host World Cup

(Newser) - President Obama is jumping into a new kind of global politics. An ardent advocate of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid, Obama is now pushing hard to bring the World Cup to America in 2018 or 2022, the New York Times reports. Obama recently wrote personally to the president of soccer’...

Forget Stocks: Invest in Soccer
 Forget Stocks: Invest in Soccer 

Forget Stocks: Invest in Soccer

Brazilian companies bank on young talent

(Newser) - The hottest new commodity in Brazil is its soccer stars, and investors are taking note. Companies like Traffic are buying up the contracts of the next wave of potential Ronaldinhos and then lending their acquisitions out to poor but visible Brazilian teams. When European leagues come knocking with huge offers,...

Solo Saga Quieted, Women's Soccer Eyes Beijing

After US goalie's outburst, team rethinks the need for unity

(Newser) - Hope Solo's infamous criticism of her coach got her booted from practice and competition at the end of last year's World Cup, and depression almost kept the 26-year-old from returning to soccer at all. But now the US team has a new coach, a rejuvenated Solo, and a fresh plan...

Brazil's Kaka Tops in Soccer
Brazil's Kaka Tops in Soccer

Brazil's Kaka Tops in Soccer

Brazilian beats out star players from Portugal and Argentina

(Newser) - Brazilian soccer sensation Kaka is FIFA's World Player of the Year, the eighth time since 1991 a Brazilian player has claimed the honor. The 25-year-old midfielder led AC Milan to the title in the Champions league this year with 10 goals, the BBC reports. "It's really special for me—...

Euro Soccer Bosses & Players Union Sign New Deal

Agreement covers issues including players' rights and transfers

(Newser) - European soccer's governing body UEFA and the players' union FIFPro signed an agreement Thursday covering areas such as contract transfers and players' rights of employment.  The deal should prevent another Bosman ruling, the landmark 1995 decision in which the European Court of Justice gave athletes more freedom to change...

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