David Beckham says he will continue to shuttle between Europe
and the United States.
The former England captain has promised to return to Los Angeles
Galaxy after the World Cup in South Africa, after spending just
under six months on loan with Milan.
Becks did the same thing earlier this year, but when he returned
from Italy he was greeted by disgruntled fans who had not forgiven
him his excursion to Milan.
This time, Beckham launched a conciliatory message to Galaxy fans
even before embarking for Europe.
"I never thought of going back to Europe permanently. I still have job to do in the MSL and at Galaxy," said the former Manchester United and Real Madrid right midfielder.
Still, Becks needs another spell in Italy in order to convince Fabio Capello of his continued relevance to the England national team.
The legendary French footballer Eric Cantona has made bitter comments regarding the current France coach Raymond Domenech and striker
Thierry Henry over the infamous "Hand of God II" in Paris
against Ireland.
"I think Domenech is the worst French national team coach ever
since Louis XVI. If they asked me, our coach would be Laurent Blanc. I believe he could repeat the League with Bordeaux and then win the World Cup. And I'm not the only one thinking this."
"King" Cantona did not spare Henry over his handball which
led to William Gallas' equalizer against the Irish.
"It was not his handling the ball which shocked me the most.
Worse than that was the fact that after the game, on TV, he approached an Irish player and consoled him, even though he himself had scr*wed
him just a couple of minutes earlier. If I had been that Irish player, Henry would not have lasted three seconds," said the famously outspoken Cantona.
Etihad Stadium, ManchesterImagine Aaron Lennon saying that he is an Arsenal fan or Wayne Rooney that his heart beats for Manchester City.
The controversial African-Italian forward Mario Balotelli shocked
many people in Italy with a similarly controversial statement last weekend.
The Italy U-21 international, Balotelli admitted to the kids to whom he was giving autographs that he was a milanista (an AC Milan supporter), adding that he is indeed an international player at
the moment, but not necessarily for much longer.
Milan's vice-president Adriano Gallani did not hide his joy at hearing the youngster's words.
"It is nice to know that Balotelli is our fan. I was also glad
to hear that Edin Dzeko (of German champs Wolfsburg) was too. We should try and sign players like that, that would make me very happy.
The Bosnian forward will almost certainly be a Milan player next summer, and who knows, perhaps even Balotelli.
The pride of Tatarstan, Rubin Kazan, have proved they were no fluke when they won last year's Russian championship, or when they defeated Barcelona at the Camp Nou in this season's Champions League.
In the penultimate round of the 2009 season Rubin drew 0-0 at home
to Zenit, which turned out to be enough to clinch the championship because their only rival, Spartak Moscow, suffered a 2-3 home defeat
to their local rivals CSKA Moscow. Spartak could have prolonged the uncertainty if they had won the Moscow derby, but the U-21 international goalkeeper Alan Dzagoyev averted that possibility by conceding a weird goal. With two minutes to go, the Czech forward Tomas Necid launched a 20-meter strike and the ball slipped through Dzagoyev hands over the line.
This has been only the second national title for Rubin, who continue
to challenge the supremacy of the Moscow giants Spartak, CSKA and
Lokomotiv.
No less than 57 million euros will be spent by the World Cup organizing
committee in South Africa, said the country's minister of police
Nathi Mithethwa.
The South-African security plan plan includes 41,000 police officers,
31,000 of whom will be on active duty and 10,000 in reserve in case of emergencies.
The local police will be aided by inspectors to accompany each of the 32 qualifying teams.
"Each national team will arrive with two police experts for
fan-related issues. These people will be closely related with our
officers and help them," confirmed Mithethwa.
South Africa is a country whose violent crime rate makes Washington DC look safe and security during the month-long event next summer will indeed be a daunting task.
More World Cup News
Last summer's Chinese experience proved positive for the Italian FA. After Lazio and Inter played a well-attended and publicized Italian Supercup game in Beijing's Olympic Stadium last August, the FA has accepted the Chinese offer to stage the next three editions
of the competition at the same venue.
"We have an agreement in principle and we hope there will be no obstacle for playing three more games at the Bird's Nest in Beijing," said FA chairman Maurizio Beretta.
Incidentally, on the previous occasion Cup Winners Lazio defeated League Champions Inter 2-1.
The Italian Supercup had already been organized abroad, specifically
in New York, Washington and Tripoli, Libya.
