Football News - Fiorentina, Sanga & Best
AC Fiorentina
"Arrivaderci" it is to AC Fiorentina, as financial difficulties have forced the club to fold. A new club will take its place in Serie C1 or C2 this coming season. Italian Football League President Adriano Galliani announced: 'The old Fiorentina doesn't exist anymore and it is vital that a new club is born to represent Florence.' The Viola, who twice won the Italian championship and were competing in the Champions League only three seasons ago, went under with debts of over US$22 million. All the clubs assets are now up for sale and two of the playing staff Angelo di Livio and Alessandro Pierini could be heading for London with Premiership sides Fulham and West Ham.Ronaldo to Madrid?
Brazilian striker Ronaldo, whose 8 goals paced Brazil to World Cup victory
could be heading back to Spain. The 25 year-old player has not returned
for pre-season training with Inter Milan and has told the Serie A club of
his desire to move on. Ronaldo's agent has been in preliminary talks with
European champions Real Madrid which could see Ronaldo moving to the Bernabeu
for around US$47 million.
Australia Bids For 2014 World Cup
Soccer Australia tabled a bid to host the 2014 World Cup to coincide with a visit last week by FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Blatter warned that any bid would have to be supported by the federal government and cash-strapped Soccer Australia would need to have its financial affairs in order. Australia is expected to face a stiff challenge from China to host the 2014 event.Ahn Jung-hwan Saga
The long-running contract dispute involving Korean striker Ahn Jung-hwan and his Italian club Perugia could be nearing a settlement. The player has agreed to return to Italy on condition he is transferred to another European club. Complicated legal wrangling between the player, his agent ePlayers and the Serie A club could lead to Ahn joining English Premiership side Chelsea.European Big Leagues Get Under Way
European football got under way in France and Scotland over the weekend with the English Premiership due to kick off August 17 and Italy's Serie A planned to begin August 31, though the start in Italy may be delayed as several clubs chase TV deals to keep them afloat for next season.In Scotland title favourites Celtic got off to a winning start beating Dunfermline 2-1 whereas Glasgow rivals Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw away to Kilmarnock.
In France, Olympique Marseille lost 0-2 at home to Nantes and Paris St. Germain struggled to beat Auxerre 1-0.
League football is already well under way in Russia, Sweden, Poland, Croatia and Hungary.
