Football News - Brazil, Serie A & Keane
25/8/02
Brazil Loses In First Match Since World Cup
World champions Brazil came down to earth in their first game since lifting
the World Cup in Yokohama. In coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's last match in
charge, Brazil lost 1-0 to Paraguay in Fortaleza in the north east of Brazil,
in a game marked by numerous substitutions and a carnival atmosphere. Ronaldo
lasted only half an hour before going off clearly not fit.In other international friendlies, Italy lost again to lower-ranked opposition going down to Slovenia in Trieste in a match marred by crowd disturbances among the visiting supporters.
World Cup finalists Germany salvaged a 2-2 draw away to Bulgaria, France were held 1-1 in Tunisia, Scotland lost 1-0 at home to Denmark while Irland beat Finland 3-0 in Helsinki and Holland won 1-0 against Norway in Oslo.
Lennon Quits International Football After Sectarian Death Threats
It was another Lennon who imagined a heaven without religion, but Celtic and Northern Ireland's Neil Lennon, who is a Catholic, was forced to retire from international football after receiving death threats from Protestant extremists before his country's friendly international against Cyprus in Belfast.
Serie A Start Delayed
The start of Italy's first and second division soccer leagues has been delayed two weeks in a dispute over TV rights.Serie A and Serie B will now kick off on September 15 as currently eight Serie A and three Serie B clubs have yet to finalize broadcast arrangements with pay-per-view stations Stream and Telepiu - the others clubs are Serie A's Atalanta, Chievo, Coma, Empoli, Modena, Perugia and Piacenza, and Serie B's Venezia, Verona and Vicenza.
The clubs are seeking around US$9.84 million for the rights to coverage of their home games while the broadcasters have offered a little over US$4 million. In Italy clubs make individual deals with TV companies for rights whereas in other countries such as England a collective package is negotiated.
The Italian state broadcaster RAI has also failed to reach a financial agreement with the Italian League for a free-to-air highlights program. The League is holding out for US$87.4 million - the same as last season - whereas RAI are looking at halving that figure for Italy's most popular sports program.
Ronaldo To Stay With Inter For Now
Ronaldo's wish to leave Inter Milan and join Real Madrid appears to have fallen through.The two clubs could not reach agreement on a fee or which players would leave Real for Inter as part of the cash-plus-players deal.
European champions, Real were prepared to pay US$12 million plus two players valued at US$30 million for the Brazilian striker, whereas Inter wanted more than US$60 million. Although Ronaldo's wife Milene Domingues, who plays semi-professionally for nearby Monza, is happy for her husband to stay in Italy, it seems Inter fans have had enough. Anti-Ronaldo banners have been unfurled in the San Siro and chants of 'Ronaldo bastardo' heard on the terraces.
The player faces a difficult season as he seeks to win over his manager and disgruntled Inter fans who feel betrayed by the player's actions in seeking a transfer.
