Football News: Weekly Football News Roundup

6/26/08

The Germans defend Luca Toni: It's the Italians' fault!

Luca Toni spent the whole European Championship without netting a goal, but his German fans know that it was down to the Italian team's negative tactics.
"What did the Italians do to Toni? He doesn't score, he suffers and complains. Luckily, he shaved that dreadful moustache," wrote Bild in defence of the Bundesliga's top scorer. "Here at Bayern he receives accurate passes from Ribery and Klose, while for his country he has to retreat in order to receive the ball, which come to him high and wide," added the top-selling daily.
Munich Abendzeitung laid the blame on coach Roberto Donadoni. "Teams like Italy that sit and wait for penalties are few and far between."
Frankfurter Allgemeine revealed an exchange of text messages between Toni and Klose. The Italian complained to his pal about his "best friend" having betrayed him. Klose asked if he could be of any help. Toni replied, "I mean the ball. It's my best friend and now we are not at the best of terms."

Spain and Portugal agree on joint bid for the 2018 World Cup

It is common knowledge that the 2014 World Cup will be played in Brazil, but where will it go next? The bids for the following tournament are being prepared and an irresistible bid is being made by neighbours Spain and Portugal. "If Spain hands its bid for the 2018 World Cup, it will be in alliance with Portugal," said the Spanish FA president, Ángel María Villar.
Speaking for Antena 1, the Spanish soccer leader called the idea on the joint bid "brilliant," praising Portugal as a "excellent partner, who fulfils all the conditions for a joint act."
The elaboration of the "brilliant" idea is to follow, because it will have to be approved by both countries' governments.

Joao Havelange clams two World Cups were fixed

Former FIFA president, Brazilian Joao Havelange, sensationally told the Brazilian media that the 1966 and 1974 World Cups, won by hosts England and West Germany, were fixed. Havelange, who took up office only in 1974, said the referees directly influenced the outcomes of the two tournaments. "In three games Brazil played in 1966, seven out of nine referees and linesmen were British, and two Germans, all part of the effort to help England and Germany reach the finals, as the English Sir Stanley Rous (then FIFA's president) wanted. "The same thing happened 1974 in Germany. Our game against Holland was refereed by a German (Tschentscher) and we lost, while Germany won the Cup (against Holland). Although we had the best team in the world, the same that won the 1970 Cup in Mexico, it was planned beforehand that the home countries should win the titles.

Rummenigge furious at Real Madrid: Let United tell them 'no'!

Bayern's Executive Committee chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge rose against Real Madrid for their unlawful interference with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rummenigge, who is also the chairman of the European Clubs Association, an organization that replaced the infamous elitist G-14, wholeheartedly supports Manchester United in their conflict with Real, who brainwashed Ronaldo into pushing for a transfer to Santiago Bernabeu.
"The regulations are clear and Manchester United have a clear contract with the player for the next four years. Apart from this, I know Alex Ferguson very well and I know that his refusal is to be taken seriously," said the German.
"The player and Real Madrid can reach any sort of agreement, but it's United who have the last word and if they refuse the offer, there is nothing left to discuss."
Madrid's president Ramón Calderón indicated that he would be ready to play 85-90 million euros for the Portuguese wizard, while Real's coach Bernd Schuster said that even one hundred million euros would not be too much for such a classy footballer.

Marcello Lippi: I am very, very happy

The new-old Italian national team coach, Marcello Lippi, has declared himself overjoyed with his return to the position he abandoned in July 2006.
"I am very, very, very happy. And very motivated. See you next week," said Lippi to Gazzetta dello Sport.
These were his first words after being re-named coach two years after winning the ultimate prize in soccer – the World Cup. Ever since, he has been unemployed. The Italian football federation (FIGC) announced they would make an official presentation next week.

Beckenbauer slams Podolski: Why don't you play so well at Bayern?

Lukas Podolski, the in-form German striker, has continued to baffle his employers at Bayern, where the international delivers only occasionally. One of those who would like to see the brighter side of Podolski a bit more often is Bayern Munich's president, Franz Beckenbauer.
"Whenever I hear Podolski complaining about the lack of opportunities and trust by the coaching staff, say that nobody is stopping him from doing just as well here as he does for the national team. With such a form he would certainly be in the starting eleven," wrote Beckenbauer in his column in Bild.
"When playing for Bayern, he is frequently inert, while at the Euros his body language says 'pass me the ball, here I am.' Podolski and Schweinsteiger have played so well as we have not seen them play at club level since 2006," concluded the Kaiser.
"Poldi", a naturalized Pole, came to Bayern two years ago and has yet to win a starting place, unlike in the national team, where he has been a regular since 2004.

Compiled by Ozren Podnar