Football News - Radio, Prostitutes, Tickets

"Germany disqualified" claims radio station

South Koreans at first couldn't believe their ears when it was announced Thursday 27th June on South Korean radio station SBS Power FM that Germany had been disqualified from participating in the World Cup Final against Brazil due to one of the German team failing a dope test. But crowds of shoppers were suddenly in raptures when the message was broadcast to major department stores.
Radio announcer and television star Choi Hwa-Jung had made a mistake, however. While on the air she had received a text message on her mobile phone from a friend who had heard the erroneous news.
South Korean Internet sites also reported the incorrect news, but the public's joy turned to anger when the truth became known.
KOWOC, the Korean World Cup Organising Committee, released an official statement denying the allegation.

Last minute ticket chaos

Brazilian and German passport holders were given a last minute chance of buying tickets for the World Cup Final in Yokohama. Some Brazil fans slept in front of the ticketing office in Yurakucho in Tokyo to make sure of obtaining up to two tickets. However, by the time the centre opened at 8am, there were still only a thousand fans present - a far cry from certain all-ticket league matches in Britain in the past when many thousands would camp out all night.
Apparently, FIFA rules that 2,400 tickets be reserved for fans of the two finalists; a meagre total, given the 72,400 capacity of the Yokohama stadium. The Japan World Cup Organising Committee, JAWOC, made a statement that the capacity would be reduced by 4,000 due to security problems. VIPs and the media have also taken up many of the tickets, reducing yet further the number of tickets available to the average fan.
Brazilian fans who didn't manage to get tickets refused to leave the ticketing centre. Security officers had to block the entrance as three to four hundred fans resorted to repeated chanting of 'chiketto!' '[we want] tickets!' Some fans expressed anger with FIFA for the ticketing fiasco which has plagued this World Cup from the start.

Senegal team and Taiwanese prostitutes

There are only twenty-eight countries in the world that recognise Taiwan, rather than the People's Republic of China, as the true China. Senegal is one of those twenty-eight. The Taiwanese government, in a PR exercise, gave the Senegalese football team $100,000 to make a stopover in the island republic on their way home. Since then, there have been allegations that the team hired thirty-seven prostitutes to come to the hotel where they were staying.
The Taiwanese were also displeased by the Senegal team's refusal to play in an exhibition match.
Players claimed they had left their kit at the airport and therefore couldn't play in the game.
Senegalese ambassador Adama Sarr made inquiries into the call-girl allegations, but found that the reports were untrue.
The Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian is due to leave for Senegal after the World Cup on an African tour.

Germany v Brazil

Germany [and as West Germany] have played Brazil 19 times.
Brazil 12 wins
Germany 3 wins
4 draws

FIFA to investigate World Cup ticket scandal

FIFA is going to set up a committee to look into the problems with the ticketing during the Korea/Japan World Cup. The findings are to be produced within 6 weeks of the end of the tournament.
The Japanese and Korean organising committees, JAWOC and KOWOC, have blamed the Mexican company Byrom plc for the empty seats in the stadia, while there have been rumours that blame may also be laid at the door of the two host countries' organising committees.
The FIFA ticket website was overloaded as soon as it went live and in the end tickets only officially became available by telephone, which also overloaded the system almost immediately, such was the demand for tickets.
The establishment of the committee is unsurprising considering the outrageous way fans have been stranded outside stadia while there are empty seats inside.

FIFA Blames Korea and Japan for Ticket Mess; Byrom Exonerated?

Scotland's David Will, head of Fifa's ticketing sub-committee laid the blame for the thousands of empty seats at this year's World Cup firmly at the door of KOWOC and JAWOC. Will castigated the hosts' organizing committees for failing to meet an October 2001 deadline to provide seating inventories for the 20 stadiums. The information was finally forthcoming in March leaving Fifa designated ticket distributor Byrom plc to complete "six months' work in six weeksêwith a super-human effort," according to Will.
Seating inventories had to represent seat and row numbers, approach aisles, entry gates and the color-coded position of the entry gate in the stadium.
"Byrom has been subjected to an enormous amount of criticism, most recently and disappointingly from Japan. The truth is that it was Byrom who rescued the ticketing process from a crisis situation," Will added. JAWOC responded that it stood by its previous statement that 700 empty seats at the Japan v Turkey game were mistakenly labelled 'seat kills' by the British based company. Byrom has since admitted the mistake, which according to Will was the only error committed by the company in its dealings in Japan. "The final validation of the stadium inventory was carried out by JAWOC, and they failed to identify this error in the stadium seating plan. Responsibility for this unfortunate mistake has to be shared."
Will also felt that September 11 was partly to blame for low international sales of tickets.

Blatter the Luddite

In a slap in the face for rugby union, in which video replays help match officials, FIFA supremo Sepp Blatter has ruled out the use of technology as an aid to soccer referees in making decisions.
"In my opinion, as long as I am in charge I will make sure no technical help will be introduced," said Blatter.
One is left wondering why he has such an aversion to technology when it is obvious it would have helped clear up contentious refereeing decisions during the 2002 World Cup.
Do the conspiracy theorists have a case?

Two Referees Eyed

Fifa is considering experimenting with two referees in future tournaments following the controversy of the standard of officiating at the World Cup. The experiments will take place outside the top levels of the game and would involve one referee in each half. Gerard Aigner, UEFA's chief executive said: 'Before we start to talk about cameras, slow motion replays or stopping the game, we should first exploit human resources.'

Belgium Top Fair Play League

It seems a certainty that Belgium will lift the fair play award at the 2002 World Cup. The award takes in to account the number of yellow and red cards a team receives and behaviour both on and off the pitch. Belgium is narrowly ahead of Sweden and Japan. The prize includes a trophy, medals, a diploma and US$50,000 to purchase soccer equipment for the winning nations youth development programme.

More Awards for Hiddink

The awards continue to accumulate for South Korea's coach Guus Hiddink and his team after their successful advance to the semi-finals. The players have already been exempted from national service and now the whole squad and the manager will receive the 'Blue Dragon' the country's highest sports award. Dutchman Hiddink has also been granted honourary citizenship of Seoul, several cities will erect Hiddink statues and he will also receive free flights on Korean Air for four years, free accommodation on Jeju Island and several streets and stadiums are likely to be named after him. "Thank You Hiddink" tours have even begun from South Korea enabling curious and grateful visitors to visit Hiddink's hometown, Varsseveld in Holland and nearby Doetinchem, where he first played football. Hiddink is the first foreigner to be awarded the Cheongryong or Blue Dragon medal.

Ticket To Ride

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a keen soccer fan, will hitch a lift on Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's official plane from the G8 Summit in Calgary to Tokyo to enable him to watch the World Cup final in Yokohama. Schroeder and four of his staff will become the first foreign dignitaries to fly on Japan's official government plane.

Maradona Arrives

Argentine legend Diego Maradona arrived in Japan on 28 June for a weeklong stay to watch the World Cup final and take part in other events. Japan initially refused Maradona's request for a visa due to his previous convictions for drug use but reversed their decision after the Argentine government stated it would send Maradona as a tourism and sports envoy. Maradona took a swipe at his hosts on his arrival: "I am in a calm state of mind because I have not killed any one. I feel fine," he said.

Portuguese Coach Sacked

Antonio Oliveira was sacked as the coach of Portugal following his team's failure to make the second round from Group D following embarrassing losses to the USA and South Korea. Oliveira's contract was due to run until the 2004 European championships to be staged in Portugal but was fired by the Portuguese FA. Oliveira had previously offered to resign following his team's flop.

Ahn Says 'No' to Return to Perugia

Ahn Jung Hwan has apparently refused to return to Italian Serie A side Perugia after the club reversed its earlier decision and decided to purchase the Korean striker's contract from K.League side Busan I.cons. After Ahn had scored the deciding goal in South Korea's 2-1 defeat of Italy in the second round, Perugia chairman Luciano Gaucci was quoted in Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying 'I am not going to pay the salary of a guy who has been the ruin of Italian soccer.' Ahn's management group, ePlayers, stated that the player was no longer interested in a return to the club 'which attacked his character instead of congratulating him for his goal.' Perugia are also reportedly interested in signing Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto after his good performances for the national team, though they will face competition from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven and Fulham in England.

Tsunacho To Keep its Gold Bar for Now

Fears that the municipality of Tsunacho on Awaji Island in western Japan would have to sell its ®100 million yen (US$840,000) gold bar to finance its hosting of England's World Cup squad appear to have eased. The town of 17,000 inhabitants purchased the solid gold ingot with money provided to Japanese localities by Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita in 1989 but the rising security costs of the England's team stay on the island prompted concerns that the gold would have to be sold to balance the books. However an increasing number of visitors to see the gold bar and catch a glimpse of David Beckham and the rest of the England team has persuaded the town council to meet the extra costs through funds set aside for development instead. Local restaurants also saw a rise in demand during the World Cup with an okonomiyaki pancake decorated in the style of the English flag proving a particular favourite.
Officials hope bronze statues of Michael Owen, David Beckham and coach Sven Goran Erikkson will draw visitors and the town gained the approval of the English FA to rename the pitch where England trained 'England soccer pitch'. Signed England shirts will be on permanent display in the nearby clubhouse and a local road will become England Avenue as the Tsuna hopes to cash in on its England connection.

Izumo Loves Ireland

The town of Izumo in Shimane Prefecture, which played host to the Irish team is to invite Irish coaches to hold soccer seminars for local children after the success of a clinic conducted by the Irish team and to name the last week of May 'Irish Week' in honour of the Ireland squad's stay in the town. The city authorities estimated the World Cup generated US$8m in economic activity with US$2.8m as a direct result of accommodating the popular Irish players. The Izumo Camp Organizing Committee predicted a US$59,000 profit from the tournament and would set aside around US$17,000 to promote future cultural and soccer exchanges between Izumo and Ireland.

Tofting Arrested

Fiery Danish and Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stig Tofting was arrested and charged with the assault of two restaurant employees in Copenhagen on June 22 after a dispute over singing by several members of the Danish squad drowning their sorrows after their exit from the World Cup in a 3-0 defeat to England. Tofting faces 18 months in jail if convicted.

Fence Building

The perimeter fence at Yokohama's International Stadium, the venue of the June 30 World Cup final between Germany and Brazil, has been raised to deter gatecrashers. The eastern section of the wire fence, which was erected before the tournament began, has been raised an additional 60 centimeters to three meters tall.
"It is a measure to prevent a recurrence of trespassing," said Hitoshi Kobayashi, a JAWOC security official.

Top 10

The ten players nominated by Fifa's technical committee for Fifa's Golden Ball award for the best player at the 2002 World Cup to be chosen by votes from the media are:
Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho (Brazil); Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack (Germany); El Hadji Diouf (Senegal); Fernando Hierro (Spain); Hasan Sas (Turkey); Hong Myung Bo (South Korea).
Brazil's Romario and Ronaldo won the award in 1994 and 1998 respectively.

Japan Shuns Big Screens

Whereas an estimated 7 million fans saw South Korea's semi-final clash with Germany on open-air big screens in Korea, the Japanese Organizing Committee (JAWOC) has mostly prohibited public airing of World Cup matches on large outdoor video screens due to earlier fears of public disorder and hooliganism which eventually proved unfounded. A huge screen erected in a soccer park in Yokohama will not broadcast the final as it is now to late to retract the decision not to show the game. Ticket less foreign fans have faced a hard time catching matches in Japan as sports bars have been overcrowded and one in Sendai even posted a 'Japanese only' sign, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported.

North Korea Revels in US Defeat

The North Korean state broadcasting company aired segments of the USA's quarterfinal defeat to Germany at the end of a day of celebrations commemorating the end of the Korean War on June 25. The country's foreign news service accuses the US of planning a new war on the Korean peninsula.

Disorder in Germany

Sporadic incidents of riots and public disorder were reported in Germany after the national team defeated South Korea in the semi-finals. Over 30 people were arrested and 9 police officers injured after violent incidents in Mannheim, Essen and Saarbrucken were sparked by drunken fans and right-wing hooligans.

Blessed Are the Cheese-Makers

The Turkish squad consumed over 1 ton of specially airlifted feta and cheddar cheese during its successful World Cup campaign earning the team the nickname of the 'Cheese Monsters' with the local press. No doubt the whole nation was 'cheesed off' at Turkey's semi-final exit to Brazil 1-0 in Saitama, Japan.

Tough Schedule Results in More Injuries

A Fifa study shows an increase in injuries without physical contact at this year's World Cup compared to the tournament four years ago in France. Fifa's chief medical officer, Jiri Dvorak said the figure had jumped from 14% to 38%. The Korea/Japan World Cup was brought forward to avoid the Asian monsoon meaning busy European-based players had less time to recuperate from injury and the just completed season's strains.
'It is my opinion that players play far too many matches in one year,' Dvorak said, 'If there is not enough time to rehabilitate the body from heavy physical involvement, there can be a cumulative effect of small injuries leading to a major one.' Fifa President Sepp Blatter has called for the top European leagues to be reduced to 16 teams and UEFA is looking again at the group stages of the Champions League. However it is hard to see the financial pressures from TV and sponsors allowing for any major changes in the growing fixture list.

The "Other Final" - Bhutan 4 Montserrat 0

The two worst teams in the world met hours before Brazil took on Germany to decide the world's top team. Bottom of the pile Monserrat played Bhutan, one place above them in the rankings, in Thimpu, the Bhutanese capital. att: 10,000

Beckham, Owen, and Eriksson in Bronze

In an attempt at boosting local tourism, the small town of Tsunacho on Awajishima Island in western Japan has decided to commission bronze statues of England captain David Beckham, forward Michael Owen, and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. The completed statues will then be placed on the town's soon-to-be-renamed England Road, according to a report in the Asahi Shinbun. Tsunacho played host to the England team during the recent World Cup.
On June 21st, more than 400 of the townÇs 17,000 residents piled into a local hall to watch the England-Brazil match on a large-screen television. After Brazil's come-from-behind victory, despair was palpable; the townspeople, however, spontaneously broke into chants of "Thank You, Beckham!" and "Thank You, Owen!" Following the departure of Ïthe most popular team in the tournament bar none, town officials decided to make the statues and rename the training ground England Soccer Field. Talks with the England Football Association are under way.
In other news, town Mayor Wasaburo Kashiwagi has nixed the proposal to sell in order to offset the extra expense of paying for added security for the England teamôa one hundred million yen (US $786,000) bar of gold the town bought during the bubble economy of the 1980s. The new statues and training ground will join the infamous gold bar at the top of any list of must-see attractions in Tsunacho.

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