FIFA statement on Football Association of Ireland (FAI) request
by danang on Nov.21, 2009, under Others
FIFA has today, 20 November 2009, replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to replay the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ play-off match held on 18 November 2009 between France and the Republic of Ireland in Paris.
In the reply, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed. As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final. (FIFA.com) Friday 20 November 2009
Lampard follows van Persie to see placenta therapist
by danang on Nov.21, 2009, under Premier League
Frank Lampard has become the latest Premier League player to visit the Serbian doctor Marijana Kovacevic as he tries to speed his recovery from the thigh tear suffered while on England duty.
The midfielder had initially been ruled out for around three weeks after sustaining the injury in Qatar but flew to Belgrade, accompanied by the Chelsea club doctor, Bryan English, on Thursday for treatment on the injury in the hope that the 31-year-old might yet be fit for the critical top of the table game with Arsenal at the Emirates on 29 November.
Kovacevic’s alternative techniques made waves this week when it was revealed that one of her treatments involved massaging fluid from a horse placenta into the injured area. Robin van Persie has been undergoing that therapy in Serbia after damaging his ankle ligaments during Holland’s 0-0 draw with Italy last Saturday, with the secretive Kovacevic having also treated Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta and the Liverpool trio of Yossi Benayoun, Glen Johnson and Albert Riera. All three of those players trained yesterday ahead of City’s visit to Anfield this afternoon. (continue reading…)
Henry : This is not the French way
by danang on Nov.20, 2009, under Others
France captain Thierry Henry has risked further wrath from Republic of Ireland after admitting it ‘was neccesary to exploit what was exploitable’ regarding his handball in their World Cup play-off.
The Irish have branded the striker a ‘cheat’ after he handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’ extra-time goal in Wednesday’s second leg, which gave Les Bleus a 2-1 aggregate win and a place in South Africa next summer.
Ireland’s Football Association has submitted a written request to FIFA asking for a replay following the highly controversial events in Paris, but a source at world football’s governing body has said there is ‘no way’ the plea will be answered.
Henry has already admitted to handling the ball and has now apologised, but the Barcelona star has also threatened to cause fresh outrage after confessing he needed to help his side respond to Robbie Keane’s first-half strike. (continue reading…)
Chelsea chase Kun Aguero
by danang on Nov.20, 2009, under Premier League
Chelsea’s metaphorical feet have gone all cold over the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, who may not be worth £40 million after all.
The Argentine hitman is one of world football’s hottest properties at the moment, but Blues owner Roman Abramovich is reluctant to splash out what would be a British transfer record.
With huge wage demands, Aguero could eventually cost Chelsea nearer £70m and Abramovich is yet to be convinced that that represents value for money. (Daily Star)
With the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini set to step up to the plate in January, who needs Aguero anyway? At least that’s the view of boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is confident the young pair can step up and do a job in the New Year.
Irish demand replay with France
by danang on Nov.20, 2009, under Others
DUBLIN (AP) - Ireland appealed to both France and FIFA on Thursday to replay their World Cup playoff after an obvious handball by Thierry Henry set up the deciding goal.
Ireland’s government and football association asked for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw in the second leg at Stade de France to be replayed. France advanced to next year’s World Cup in South Africa 2-1 on aggregate.
“We can confirm that we have received Ireland’s request for a replay match,” FIFA said in a statement, though it was unclear if the governing body of world football would seriously consider the request.
Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni called the prospect of a rematch “impossible,” and Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said he would raise the issue with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a meeting of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels.
“Fairness is part of the game,” said Cowen, who added he would “have a chat about it (with Sarkozy).”
Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said he doubted that FIFA would respond positively - unless the French football association voluntarily acceded to Ireland’s call for a rematch. (continue reading…)
Andy Cole : Rooney almost at Messi level
by danang on Nov.19, 2009, under Premier League
Manchester United legend Andy Cole is convinced Wayne Rooney is close to matching the very best in the world.
With eight goals in all competitions, Rooney, has been one of the few attacking highlights since the departures of Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but even he has managed only one goal in his last seven appearances.
But Cole told the Manchester Evening News: “Wayne Rooney is a great forward. He can play centre forward, right and left wing.
“He would probably play in net and do well - he actually plays in net a lot during training at Carrington. Rooney’s work ethic is faultless, he plays for the team and he’s got everything. When United look at young new players, they search for seven or eight key attributes. (continue reading…)
KEANE : Blatter and Platini delighted with the result
by danang on Nov.19, 2009, under Others
Robbie Keane has launched a scathing attack on football’s governing bodies after the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams were shattered in Paris.
The 29-year-old Tottenham striker’s anger at FIFA’s belated decision to seed the play-off draw, which put the Irish at a disadvantage, was compounded by the controversial extra-time goal which saw France eventually scrape through 2-1 on aggregate in Paris on Wednesday night.
Swedish referee Martin Hansson missed French captain Thierry Henry handling the ball before he crossed for William Gallas to finally end the Republic’s brave resistance at the Stade de France.
Keane said: “It’s an easy decision to do the seedings, isn’t it?
“They are all probably clapping hands, [UEFA President Michel] Platini sitting up there on the phone to [FIFA President] Sepp Blatter, probably texting each other, delighted with the result. (continue reading…)
Final four win through in Europe
by danang on Nov.19, 2009, under Others
The last remaining tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ from the European Zone were handed out on Wednesday as France, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece won their play-off ties against Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russia and Ukraine respectively.
Those four teams will join up with nine more sides from the Old Continent next summer, in the shape of qualifying group winners Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands.
Ukraine 0-1 Greece (first leg 0-0)
Goal: Dimitrios Salpingidis 31 (Greece)
The story of the game
‘King Otto’ struck again thanks to a 4-5-1 formation which featured a forward on either flank behind lone striker Angelos Charisteas. Otto Rehhagel’s men went ahead just beyond the half-hour and held on to stun their hosts, (continue reading…)
Ukraine, Russia, Egypt miss out on South Africa - FIFA World Cup 2010
by danang on Nov.19, 2009, under Others
Thierry Henry will not be granted the freedom of Ireland after his nefarious part in the goal that decided France’s play-off with Ireland. It surely sent the Emerald Isle into a fervent rage they may long hold against the Barcelona striker after a 1-1 draw in Paris.
With Robbie Keane scoring the goal that placed the tie level at the Stade De France, and Ireland missing chances through both Keane and Damien Duff, justice will not be seen to have been served to a France team that continued to struggle under embattled coach Raymond Domenech. Extra-time dawned, after Nicolas Anelka had failed to secure a penalty with what looked a clear dive.
In the 103rd minute, a Florient Malouda free-kick found Henry, clearly offside in the first place. He used two clear touches of his hand to control the ball and then pass across the goal for an embarassed-looking William Gallas to nod in. Ireland and manager Giovanni Trapattoni flew into a justified rage (continue reading…)



