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Weekly News 1 6 11
Weekly Soccer News, June 1, 2011
Blatter puts on brave face
Sepp Blatter, FIFA president, referred to the corruption allegations sweeping through FIFA as "a little difficulty" on Monday, but there was a sombre mood as the international governing body met for congress on Wednesday morning.
Blatter is now expected to be returned unopposed for a fourth term as FIFA president in the wake of the suspension of his only rival – AFC chief Mohamed Bin Hammam – and CONCACAF president Jack Warner in the World Cup cash-for-votes scandal.
There has also been little support behind the English FA's proposal to postpone the election of the new FIFA president, with many detractors believing the national body in England is acting vengefully after losing the vote to host the 2018 World Cup.
Blatter has remained defiant throughout, maintaining that the fall-out from such serious allegations of foul play does not constitute a crisis despite the grave concerns of sponsors and fans.
Scholes signs off
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has confirmed his retirement, aged 36.
Despite the offer of a one-year contract extension by the Premier League champions and being encouraged to continue playing by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Scholes has instead elected to join the club's coaching staff full-time.
The former England midfielder helped United to their 19th top-flight domestic title this season, his 10th of a glittering 676-appearance career for the Red Devils.
Scholes said: "To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th title is a great privilege."
Meanwhile, Ferguson paid tribute to Scholes by calling him "a truly unbelievable player".
Conte comes home
Former Juventus and Italy star Antonio Conte has described his appointment as coach at the Stadio Olimpico as a "homecoming".
Conte has agreed a two-year contract to replace Luigi Delneri after winning promotion to Serie A with Siena this season.
The midfielder joined Juve from Lecce in 1991 and spent 13 years with the club, winning five Serie A titles as well as the 1993 UEFA Cup and the 1996 Champions League.
"I should point out that arriving at a big club like Juve brings great satisfaction. I bring the principles of play, the ideas that have accompanied me on my journey," Conte said on his unveiling.
"The main objective is to return to being contenders, in keeping with the history of Juve. We will do everything to take the club back to those levels."
Monaco relegated after 34 seasons
Former Champions League finalists Monaco have dropped out of the French top flight after 34 consecutive seasons in Ligue 1.
A 2-0 home defeat by Lyon on Sunday night consigned the seven-time champions to second-tier football for the first time since 1977.
A host of players including Park Chu-Young, Stéphane Ruffier and Daniel Niculae are expected to leave the club in the wake of their first relegation for a generation, while the immediate future of manager Laurent Banide is also uncertain.
Allardyce confirms West Ham move
Former Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce will swap the north of England for its capital after confirming his appointment of managerless West Ham United.
"It's always difficult dealing with the aftermath of relegation but I want to get West Ham back into the Premier League as quickly as possible," Allardyce told The Sun.
West Ham sacked Avram Grant last month after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a game to spare.
Allardyce, who has previously been interviewed for the England manager's job, has been out of work since being ousted by Blackburn in December.
Compiled by Marc Fox
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