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Weekly News 20 7 10
Weekly Soccer News, July 20, 2010
South Africans depressed over the end of World Cup
After the euphoria experienced on the eve of and during the World Cup, the people of South Africa are suffering from a nasty withdrawal syndrome. According to psychologists, they are affected by sadness, ill humour and feelings of emptiness.
"The World Cup gave us a fantastic feeling. We have to find a replacement for that, because after 31 days and so many matches, we became addicts. Many people are currently despondent, even depressed," said Helgo Shomer, a psychologist from Cape Town.
The South Africans say they miss blowing the vuvuzela, the smiles of foreign fans and watching games on TV. The rest of the world has found it slightly easier to digest the silencing of the vuvuzelas. Not even all South Africans are fond of them. For instance, West Ham's Benny McCarthy.
"Vuvuzela is a typical African instrument and I understand why people like them, but I hate them. When I play, I cannot hear myself think and I cannot communicate to my teammates. I hope they don't bring them to the English stadia," said the former South African international.
Sao Paulo in doubt for the 2014 World Cup
Brazil's industrial centre, Sao Paulo, may not be included among the host cities of 2014 World Cup, its mayor has been warned by the chairman of the Organizing Committee.
"If Sao Paulo desires to organize the inaugural match or any other match of the World Cup, their time is running out," said Ricardo Teixeira, who is also the national FA chairman.
The South American megalopolis faces financing problems regarding the renovation of its enormous infrastructure, including the huge Morumbi Stadium.
The other stadium whose renovation is in doubt due to financing difficulties is in Curitiba. Even more serious are the problems related to the airports, too antiquated and small for the projected influx of tourists during the World Cup.
"This is the biggest problem for Brazil, but (the airports) are a responsibility of the government," concluded Teixeira.
Nigerian FA officials in trouble over team's early exit
Nigeria's early elimination from the World Cup has inspired the authorities of the African country to suddenly uncover a corruption scandal involving three high FA officials.
The FA president Sani Lulu, the vice-president Amanze Uchgbulam and the Technical Committee director Taiwo Ogunjobi were initially only sacked from their positions, reportedly at the behest of the Nigerian government.
Quite curiously, just a couple of days later, the country's Anti corruption Commission (EFCC) announced the three would be investigated over irregularities in the use of the funds paid to the FA by FIFA for Nigeria's participation at the World Cup.
The local media speculate that the unlucky trio embezzled the eight million dollar prize dedicated to each of the 32 qualifying nations.
One wonders whether the alleged irregularities would have been uncovered at all, let alone precisely after the team's poor showing, if the Green Eagles had done a little better than being eliminated in the group stage by Argentina, South Korea and Greece.
Roy Hodgson hopes to convince Torres to stay
The new Liverpool coach has managed to persuade Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to remain at Anfield and has now turned his attention to Fernando Torres, for whom heavyweights like Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea are reportedly prepared to offer upwards of 50 million euros.
"Nobody in the club wants him to leave so I will do my best to convince him to stay," said the successor to Rafael Benitez.
The former Fulham manager described Fernando as a "magnificent striker", adding he trusts Torres "will not want to go anywhere" when he observes the progress made by the team under the new coach.
In the meantime, Liverpool reinforced their forward line with the Serb, Milan Jovanovic from Standard liege. Jovanovic (29) signed a three-year contract after scoring the winning goal against Germany in the World Cup group stage. The striker was close to signing for Atletico Madrid last January, but the negotiations collapsed over financial issues. His coach in the national team, Radomir Antic, is delighted with Jovanovic, comparing his dribbling skills with those of Cristiano Ronaldo. With Jovanovic, Standard won two back-to-back Belgian league titles, and the player was rewarded with the Player of the Year award in 2008.
Mourinho lays down his law in Madrid
"The Special One" presented his rules to Real Madrid's players during his first session at the club's training ground at Valdebebas. With a serious demeanor, Mourinho told the players what he expected of them during the forthcoming season. He will probably have to repeat it at least two more times, since very few players were present at the first sessions, and the rest will be returning from vacations in two groups.
The five basic rules explained to the footballers were the following.
* No training for those who come late
Practice starts at 9:30 and whoever is late even by one minute will not be allowed to join the group.
* The bus will not wait
Punctuality is required at all times. The team bus will always start when it's due, not waiting for anybody. Whoever comes late will miss the ride.
* Cell phones to be silenced on the bus
The players will be allowed to use the phones and MP3's during the ride on the bus, but the ring tones will have to be muted once the ride starts.
* Training sessions: intense 90 minutes
Mourinho explained to the players that each session lasts 90 minutes, but that the work is always intense. Exercising with the ball takes up the most of the practice.
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