***Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread***
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Why not? There was nothing that suggested the Scouse and O'Neils side would've finished above Spurs.
Spurs have a quality side, with quality players, and a manager that goes without saying. I think they'll do well in Europe.
This fucker here is a problem.
Only an idiot would think that this is not a good thing. The Nigerian government pays 100% of the expenses of the Nigerian FA. Why should it not have any say in the running of that organisation. Fifa has gone too far. How come European bureaucrats have more say in the running of Nigerian football than the government which pays for it. Only a fool who does not understand the mentality of African football players would think that the government coming donw on them is a bad thing. Fifa cannot order the Nigerian government to have football. It does not pay a for single team or player in Nigeria. In the end, the sensible steps the Nigerian government has taken will meet popular support and Fifa will not be able to do shit. The NFF can appeal to Fifa all they want, but if they have been stealing money, they need to go to jail.
Bravo Goodluck Jonathan.
No games today, let's reflect on the story so far
Why not? There was nothing that suggested the Scouse and O'Neils side would've finished above Spurs.
Spurs have a quality side, with quality players, and a manager that goes without saying. I think they'll do well in Europe.
This fucker here is a problem.
shoulda had him and walcott runnin down the wings
shoulda had him and walcott runnin down the wings
I think hes Welsh
Why not? There was nothing that suggested the Scouse and O'Neils side would've finished above Spurs.
Spurs have a quality side, with quality players, and a manager that goes without saying. I think they'll do well in Europe.
This fucker here is a problem.
I think before the start of last season, most people predicted that Liverpool would keep 4th and that maybe City would challenge given all of their new additions. Villa/Spurs I dont think were favorites for that last CL spot. I don't think many anticipated that Gomes would have such a great season or that Liverpool would implode like they did. Plus Pavlyuchenko really came on in the second half of the season for Spurs and they got huge results in the critical part of the season : home v. Chelsea and Arsenal. As a Chelsea supporter, I don't like spurs but I would rather see Spurs do well as another London Club than Liverpool or City.
Why not? There was nothing that suggested the Scouse and O'Neils side would've finished above Spurs.
Spurs have a quality side, with quality players, and a manager that goes without saying. I think they'll do well in Europe.
This fucker here is a problem.
Also you'll better watch out for this guy as well........
All I know is my damn clock is back 
Such blatant political interference isn't allowed in FIFA and will result in a ban from competition, possibly even for longer than the date that he supposedly suspended the team for. Sani Abacha got Nigeria kicked out of the CAF for a few years for banning them to compete in SA, because of his beef with Mandela.
This is nothing more than a cheap attempt at gaining political points from an avenue that all 150 million Nigerians care about regardless of region, ethnicity etc,
Instead of posting nonsensical spam on a porn board, actually visit, Nigerian football forums and you will see everyone recognizes it as such there as well.
Let's assume this is legit for a second and take the decision at face value. It's laughable to even begin to consider that barring Nigeria from competing in the African Nations Cup, or in qualifying will improve the level of national team football, almost as laughable as your 'football knowledge' that is lifted right from the pages of wikipedia, but thats a different story
The journalist for my local newspaper covering the world cup seem to be doing a better job reporting south Africa's crime report than the actual tournament. is this the same for the rest of you guys where you live?
All I know is my damn clock is back
Cant wait to get my Emirates Cup tickets next week
Wigan seal Boselli deal
Mauro Boselli was the overall season golden boot winner in Argentina with 22 goals
Wigan have confirmed the signing of striker Mauro Boselli from Estudiantes for an undisclosed fee.
Boselli, 25, has agreed a four-year contract at the DW Stadium after scoring 32 goals in 52 appearances for the Argentinean club.
Roberto Martinez told the official Wigan website: "Mauro is a goalscorer who lives to put the ball in the back of the net and he is somebody we have been looking at for a long time.
"At 25 years old, he is at a perfect moment in his career to come and play in the Premier League, and he has all the right qualities to make his mark at this level.
"He is a clever player, a natural finisher who can cause havoc in the penalty area, and he gives the team some great new options with the variety of roles he can play. We want him to reach his full potential here and bring plenty of smiles to the Latics fans."
Martinez added: "These deals with clubs on the other side of the world are very difficult to complete and it has taken many hours of to-ing and fro-ing until everything was settled."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=803861&sec=transfers&cc=5901
Mauro Boselli was the overall season golden boot winner in Argentina with 22 goals
Wigan have confirmed the signing of striker Mauro Boselli from Estudiantes for an undisclosed fee.
Boselli, 25, has agreed a four-year contract at the DW Stadium after scoring 32 goals in 52 appearances for the Argentinean club.
Roberto Martinez told the official Wigan website: "Mauro is a goalscorer who lives to put the ball in the back of the net and he is somebody we have been looking at for a long time.
"At 25 years old, he is at a perfect moment in his career to come and play in the Premier League, and he has all the right qualities to make his mark at this level.
"He is a clever player, a natural finisher who can cause havoc in the penalty area, and he gives the team some great new options with the variety of roles he can play. We want him to reach his full potential here and bring plenty of smiles to the Latics fans."
Martinez added: "These deals with clubs on the other side of the world are very difficult to complete and it has taken many hours of to-ing and fro-ing until everything was settled."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=803861&sec=transfers&cc=5901
Mexico coach Aguirre steps down
MEXICO CITY -- Javier Aguirre has quit as Mexico coach, three days after the national team was knocked out of the World Cup in a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the round of 16.
It marked the fifth straight time that Mexico has been eliminated in the second round of the World Cup.
Aguirre said on Wednesday that he was "the person responsible" for the loss.
Mexico has only twice reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup -- in 1970 and 1986, when it hosted the event.
Aguirre made the announcement at a packed news conference in Mexico City. The Mexico-born Aguirre was appointed 15 months ago for a second stint as Mexico coach. He also coached the team in the 2002 World Cup, but was replaced after Mexico was eliminated by the United States.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...s/aguirre-resigns-mexico-coach?cc=5901&ver=us
MEXICO CITY -- Javier Aguirre has quit as Mexico coach, three days after the national team was knocked out of the World Cup in a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the round of 16.
It marked the fifth straight time that Mexico has been eliminated in the second round of the World Cup.
Aguirre said on Wednesday that he was "the person responsible" for the loss.
Mexico has only twice reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup -- in 1970 and 1986, when it hosted the event.
Aguirre made the announcement at a packed news conference in Mexico City. The Mexico-born Aguirre was appointed 15 months ago for a second stint as Mexico coach. He also coached the team in the 2002 World Cup, but was replaced after Mexico was eliminated by the United States.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...s/aguirre-resigns-mexico-coach?cc=5901&ver=us
Fan who entered England dressing room freed
A football fan who told England's misfiring World Cup team they were a disgrace to the nation has paid a US$100 ($118) fine for entering their locker room without authorisation, a court heard Wednesday.
Pavlos Joseph, from London, had insisted he was only looking for the toilet when he stumbled into the room at Cape Town's Green Point stadium on June 18 in the aftermath of England's lacklustre 0-0 draw with Algeria.
But his lawyer told a hearing of a special World Cup court on Tuesday that the 32-year-old had decided to plead guilty and had been fined 750 rand ($118).
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"The admission of guilt fine in the amount of 750 rand was paid by the accused yesterday on a charge of contravening section six, subsection one, of the FIFA Act... namely being in a designated area without being in possession of an accreditation pass," Joseph's lawyer Craig Webster told the court.
Mthunzi Mhaga, a spokesman for the prosecuting authority, said that the admission of guilt meant he had been formally convicted.
"He has a conviction in respect of the charge that he was facing," said Mhaga.
A British tabloid newspaper journalist, Simon Wright, has also been charged with harbouring Joseph in the aftermath of the intrusion.
Wright, who works for the Sunday Mirror, made a brief appearance before the same court but his case was adjourned until July 7 and his lawyer said he had yet to be handed a detailed list of the charges.
"We haven't been placed in possesssion of a formal charge sheet yet," said William Booth.
"We do not have the exact details pertaining to the charges. For that purpose, the matter needs to be postponed."
In an interview with the newspaper after the match, Joseph insisted he had wandered by chance into the dressing room as he was looking for the bathroom.
He said he had told former England captain David Beckham, now a member of coach Fabio Capello's backroom staff, the team's performance had been a "disgrace" before being told to leave by an official.
"I looked David straight in the eye and said, 'David, we've spent a lot of money getting here. This is a disgrace. What are you going to do about it?'," he told the paper.
Beckham brushed off the incident, saying it had been "blown out of proportion".
Many fans hailed Joseph on internet forums, reflecting the widespread disenchantment with the team who were knocked out of the tournament last Sunday after a record 4-1 defeat to Germany.
But the England management were furious that Joseph had not been apprehended at the time and it later emerged that the British princes William and Harry had been in the same room only minutes earlier.
South Africa's national police commissioner Bheki Cele has said the episode was part of a deliberate plot to expose security mistakes by his force.
Announcing Wright's arrest on Tuesday, Cele accused the journalist of having put Joseph up in a hotel under a false name after the intrusion.
"The police strongly believe that the motive was to put the World Cup security in a bad light and possibly to profit from this act," he told reporters.
The Sunday Mirror has insisted Wright did nothing wrong and any suggestion he had been involved with Joseph prior to the episode was "entirely false".
Wright's attorney told the court on Wednesday that Cele's comments had prejudiced his client's case.
"The national commissioner has made some comments which have obviously been reported throughout the world and they impact on my client's future as a journalist of many years. We'll be addressing those issues," Booth said.
http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-201...nd-dressing-room-intrusion-20100701-zn3v.html
A football fan who told England's misfiring World Cup team they were a disgrace to the nation has paid a US$100 ($118) fine for entering their locker room without authorisation, a court heard Wednesday.
Pavlos Joseph, from London, had insisted he was only looking for the toilet when he stumbled into the room at Cape Town's Green Point stadium on June 18 in the aftermath of England's lacklustre 0-0 draw with Algeria.
But his lawyer told a hearing of a special World Cup court on Tuesday that the 32-year-old had decided to plead guilty and had been fined 750 rand ($118).
Advertisement: Story continues below
"The admission of guilt fine in the amount of 750 rand was paid by the accused yesterday on a charge of contravening section six, subsection one, of the FIFA Act... namely being in a designated area without being in possession of an accreditation pass," Joseph's lawyer Craig Webster told the court.
Mthunzi Mhaga, a spokesman for the prosecuting authority, said that the admission of guilt meant he had been formally convicted.
"He has a conviction in respect of the charge that he was facing," said Mhaga.
A British tabloid newspaper journalist, Simon Wright, has also been charged with harbouring Joseph in the aftermath of the intrusion.
Wright, who works for the Sunday Mirror, made a brief appearance before the same court but his case was adjourned until July 7 and his lawyer said he had yet to be handed a detailed list of the charges.
"We haven't been placed in possesssion of a formal charge sheet yet," said William Booth.
"We do not have the exact details pertaining to the charges. For that purpose, the matter needs to be postponed."
In an interview with the newspaper after the match, Joseph insisted he had wandered by chance into the dressing room as he was looking for the bathroom.
He said he had told former England captain David Beckham, now a member of coach Fabio Capello's backroom staff, the team's performance had been a "disgrace" before being told to leave by an official.
"I looked David straight in the eye and said, 'David, we've spent a lot of money getting here. This is a disgrace. What are you going to do about it?'," he told the paper.
Beckham brushed off the incident, saying it had been "blown out of proportion".
Many fans hailed Joseph on internet forums, reflecting the widespread disenchantment with the team who were knocked out of the tournament last Sunday after a record 4-1 defeat to Germany.
But the England management were furious that Joseph had not been apprehended at the time and it later emerged that the British princes William and Harry had been in the same room only minutes earlier.
South Africa's national police commissioner Bheki Cele has said the episode was part of a deliberate plot to expose security mistakes by his force.
Announcing Wright's arrest on Tuesday, Cele accused the journalist of having put Joseph up in a hotel under a false name after the intrusion.
"The police strongly believe that the motive was to put the World Cup security in a bad light and possibly to profit from this act," he told reporters.
The Sunday Mirror has insisted Wright did nothing wrong and any suggestion he had been involved with Joseph prior to the episode was "entirely false".
Wright's attorney told the court on Wednesday that Cele's comments had prejudiced his client's case.
"The national commissioner has made some comments which have obviously been reported throughout the world and they impact on my client's future as a journalist of many years. We'll be addressing those issues," Booth said.
http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-201...nd-dressing-room-intrusion-20100701-zn3v.html
Nigerian team suspended for poor play
ABUJA, Nigeria -- The president of Nigeria has suspended the national soccer team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.
Ima Niboro, a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, made the announcement Wednesday, saying the ban would enable the country to reorganize its football administration.
Niboro said that all funding for the World Cup squad, including the hiring of Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, would be investigated.
Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup with just one point, which came in a 2-2 draw with South Korea in its final game. Nigeria lost to Argentina 1-0 in its Group B opener and fell to Greece 2-1 in a game turned by the first-half expulsion of midfielder Sani Kaita.
The Super Eagles haven't won a World Cup match since 1998, going out with two losses and a draw in 2002 and failing to qualify for Germany 2006.
The Nigerian Football Federation's executive committee had earlier tendered an apology to the government and "all football loving Nigerians" for the early exit.
Nigeria risks being banned by FIFA, soccer's governing body, from all international soccer because of the political interference.
"At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter," FIFA said in a statement. "However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known."
Nigeria's next scheduled international match is a qualifier for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, at home against Madagascar in early September.
FIFA rules demand that national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world soccer. National and club teams, plus referees, would be barred from participating in international matches and soccer officials are prevented from attending meetings.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had already expressed concern over the French government's investigation into France's surprising first-round exit from the World Cup.
"Definitely I can tell you that political interference will be dealt with by FIFA notwithstanding what kind of interference and what is the size of the country," Blatter said Tuesday in remarks about France.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...o-years-poor-showing-world-cup?cc=5901&ver=us
ABUJA, Nigeria -- The president of Nigeria has suspended the national soccer team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.
Ima Niboro, a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, made the announcement Wednesday, saying the ban would enable the country to reorganize its football administration.
Niboro said that all funding for the World Cup squad, including the hiring of Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, would be investigated.
Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup with just one point, which came in a 2-2 draw with South Korea in its final game. Nigeria lost to Argentina 1-0 in its Group B opener and fell to Greece 2-1 in a game turned by the first-half expulsion of midfielder Sani Kaita.
The Super Eagles haven't won a World Cup match since 1998, going out with two losses and a draw in 2002 and failing to qualify for Germany 2006.
The Nigerian Football Federation's executive committee had earlier tendered an apology to the government and "all football loving Nigerians" for the early exit.
Nigeria risks being banned by FIFA, soccer's governing body, from all international soccer because of the political interference.
"At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter," FIFA said in a statement. "However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known."
Nigeria's next scheduled international match is a qualifier for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, at home against Madagascar in early September.
FIFA rules demand that national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world soccer. National and club teams, plus referees, would be barred from participating in international matches and soccer officials are prevented from attending meetings.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had already expressed concern over the French government's investigation into France's surprising first-round exit from the World Cup.
"Definitely I can tell you that political interference will be dealt with by FIFA notwithstanding what kind of interference and what is the size of the country," Blatter said Tuesday in remarks about France.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...o-years-poor-showing-world-cup?cc=5901&ver=us
French pols dish in closed-door talk
PARIS -- Lawmakers taking part in a closed-door hearing about France's World Cup fiasco said Wednesday that coach Raymond Domenech refused to take any responsibility for his team's misbehavior and offered no real explanation for their debacle.
Lawmakers said Domenech, who is retiring, tried to pin blame on the media during the parliamentary hearing. Prominent lawmaker Jean-Francois Cope said his testimony "wasn't very dignified."
Many had kinder words for French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who plans to resign this week, and who also testified at the hearing held by the National Assembly's commission on culture and education.
The hearing went ahead despite a warning from FIFA about French government meddling in soccer affairs. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the country's national team risks suspension from global soccer if President Nicolas Sarkozy or political leaders interfere in the running of the federation.
Lawmakers retorted that it wasn't Blatter's place to tell them how to do their jobs.
"It isn't FIFA's role to threaten French lawmakers, we're in a democracy and parliamentarians have the right to hear anyone they want," said lawmaker Eric Ciotti.
"This isn't just about football, it's about France; it's our honor that's at stake," added lawmaker Jacques Remiller.
Remiller said the whole hearing was "disappointing and not convincing at all."
"There will have to be more resignations at the federation, because the problems are deeply, deeply rooted," he said.
The France team, which won the 1998 World Cup and was runner-up four years ago, lost twice and drew once to finish last in its group. Even worse, players went on strike at training after forward Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting Domenech.
Then Domenech added yet more dismay by refusing to shake hands with rival coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after France's 2-1 loss to host South Africa.
Lawmakers said Domenech blamed L'Equipe newspaper, which printed details of Anelka's expletive-laden tirade, for the disarray. Domenech also said the paper misquoted the comments.
"All Domenech says is, 'It's the press, it's the press,' " complained lawmaker Bernard Debre.
Domenech entered and left the hearing through a side door, carefully avoiding reporters.
Domenech told lawmakers he refused to shake hands with the South Africa coach because Parreira reportedly made disparaging comments about the French team to reporters, Cope said.
"You can find that a convincing argument, or not," he said, clearly indicating he didn't.
Cope added that lawmakers were planning to offer a series of measures to "modernize the governance of the French federation."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...mond-domenech-deflecting-blame?cc=5901&ver=us
PARIS -- Lawmakers taking part in a closed-door hearing about France's World Cup fiasco said Wednesday that coach Raymond Domenech refused to take any responsibility for his team's misbehavior and offered no real explanation for their debacle.
Lawmakers said Domenech, who is retiring, tried to pin blame on the media during the parliamentary hearing. Prominent lawmaker Jean-Francois Cope said his testimony "wasn't very dignified."
Many had kinder words for French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who plans to resign this week, and who also testified at the hearing held by the National Assembly's commission on culture and education.
The hearing went ahead despite a warning from FIFA about French government meddling in soccer affairs. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the country's national team risks suspension from global soccer if President Nicolas Sarkozy or political leaders interfere in the running of the federation.
Lawmakers retorted that it wasn't Blatter's place to tell them how to do their jobs.
"It isn't FIFA's role to threaten French lawmakers, we're in a democracy and parliamentarians have the right to hear anyone they want," said lawmaker Eric Ciotti.
"This isn't just about football, it's about France; it's our honor that's at stake," added lawmaker Jacques Remiller.
Remiller said the whole hearing was "disappointing and not convincing at all."
"There will have to be more resignations at the federation, because the problems are deeply, deeply rooted," he said.
The France team, which won the 1998 World Cup and was runner-up four years ago, lost twice and drew once to finish last in its group. Even worse, players went on strike at training after forward Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting Domenech.
Then Domenech added yet more dismay by refusing to shake hands with rival coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after France's 2-1 loss to host South Africa.
Lawmakers said Domenech blamed L'Equipe newspaper, which printed details of Anelka's expletive-laden tirade, for the disarray. Domenech also said the paper misquoted the comments.
"All Domenech says is, 'It's the press, it's the press,' " complained lawmaker Bernard Debre.
Domenech entered and left the hearing through a side door, carefully avoiding reporters.
Domenech told lawmakers he refused to shake hands with the South Africa coach because Parreira reportedly made disparaging comments about the French team to reporters, Cope said.
"You can find that a convincing argument, or not," he said, clearly indicating he didn't.
Cope added that lawmakers were planning to offer a series of measures to "modernize the governance of the French federation."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...mond-domenech-deflecting-blame?cc=5901&ver=us
Did the ivory coast really struggle. They played in the group of death, any other group and they advance.
Im still undecided on this one. They didn't even try to get more than the point against Portugal. The most frustrating thing was watching them not even try to take a corner in the dying seconds of the game. However, had portugal not exploded against N Korea, Ivory Coast could have very well made it out of the group.
Mexico coach Aguirre steps down
MEXICO CITY -- Javier Aguirre has quit as Mexico coach, three days after the national team was knocked out of the World Cup in a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the round of 16.
It marked the fifth straight time that Mexico has been eliminated in the second round of the World Cup.
Aguirre said on Wednesday that he was "the person responsible" for the loss.
Mexico has only twice reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup -- in 1970 and 1986, when it hosted the event.
Aguirre made the announcement at a packed news conference in Mexico City. The Mexico-born Aguirre was appointed 15 months ago for a second stint as Mexico coach. He also coached the team in the 2002 World Cup, but was replaced after Mexico was eliminated by the United States.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...s/aguirre-resigns-mexico-coach?cc=5901&ver=us
he'll be back
It is not political interference; it is a sovereign government administering a sport it sponsors and operates under its name and flag. Fifa is trying to behave like a multinational corporation, regulating the disparate nationa FA, without the government of the country having any say in the matters. That is bullshit. The Nigerian government funds the NFF; The NFF then pays various fees to Fifa, which enrich Fifa, and then Fifa turns around and wants to appropriate the NFF from the government. That is bullshit.
Yes, in recent years, FIFA has enacted many controversial and power grabbing measures. In recent years, Fifa has been at war with Platini and Eufa over a range of issues, such a Fifa trying to reduce the number of league games in Europe and increase its tournaments, and thus increase the money it makes from the various leagues. The Europeans told Blatter to fuck offf.
For years, countries have run football as they pleased. Years ago, it was the practise that if a team failed at some high level tournament, the government would fire the coach, and in the case of Mobutu in 1974, impose additional penalties on the team itself. That was the kind of power countries had.
When the first World Cup happened, members of Fifa such as France, England etc, refused to attend it in Uruguay. Currently, the neighbours of Israel refuse to play it. North Korea and South Korea sometimes have to play in China, all against the wishes of Fifa which would have every country play any country in any venue it scheduled. However, Fifa does sometimes bow political reality.
So please do not tell bullshit about what Nigeria cannot do. If CAF stood by Nigeria and told Fifa to fuck off, Fifa would fuck off. In fact, If Egypt, South Africa and Cameroon threw their weight behind Nigeria, there is zero Fifa could do.
In 1985, Margaret Thatcher suspended English teams from participation in continental tournaments following the Heysel Stafium disaster.
I do not give a fuck what they say on Nigerian forums. This issue is not about Nigeria, but about the sovereign government to punish a non-performing FA, to investigate possible corruption aand to pontentially fire a coach who has failed. This is the right of any country, including Nigeria.
I support Jonathan for what he did. The Nigerian players were scandalous. They simply did not try and enough is enough. They took the matter of their participation casually, and retribution is definitely in order in this case. You may disagree with me, but even in your arrogance, you cannot dispute the judgement of JJ Okocha which I agree with 100% and have been advocating since after the first 45 minutes of seeing Nigeria against Argentina...
Napoli target Fulham and USA international Clint Dempsey
Italian club Napoli, who have qualified for this seasons Europa League, are interested in signing Fulham and United States attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey during the summer transfer window, as their search for attacking options continues, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino.
Dempsey hit the headlines against Napoli’s rivals Juventus in March of this year when he sensationally chipped Antonio Chimenti to end Juve’s Europa League campaign, as they crashed out to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Fellow United States international and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore is also on Naploi’s radar, with the American’s loan deal at Hull City ending in June and his future at the Spanish club in doubt.
Both Altidore and Dempsey featured for the United States in this summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa, with Dempsey scoring an equaliser against England in the opening game before crashing out in the knockout stages to Ghana after extra-time.
Dempsey signed an extension to his Fulham contract last summer, and is contracted to the club until 2013, so the Cottagers are in a strong position to fight off any advances made by the Italian club.
However, uncertainty regarding the possible resignation of Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to allow for a move to Liverpool could see Dempsey push for a move away from Craven Cottage.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896...et-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey
Italian club Napoli, who have qualified for this seasons Europa League, are interested in signing Fulham and United States attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey during the summer transfer window, as their search for attacking options continues, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino.
Dempsey hit the headlines against Napoli’s rivals Juventus in March of this year when he sensationally chipped Antonio Chimenti to end Juve’s Europa League campaign, as they crashed out to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Fellow United States international and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore is also on Naploi’s radar, with the American’s loan deal at Hull City ending in June and his future at the Spanish club in doubt.
Both Altidore and Dempsey featured for the United States in this summer’s World Cup tournament in South Africa, with Dempsey scoring an equaliser against England in the opening game before crashing out in the knockout stages to Ghana after extra-time.
Dempsey signed an extension to his Fulham contract last summer, and is contracted to the club until 2013, so the Cottagers are in a strong position to fight off any advances made by the Italian club.
However, uncertainty regarding the possible resignation of Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to allow for a move to Liverpool could see Dempsey push for a move away from Craven Cottage.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896...et-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey
Liverpool confirm Hodgson appointment
Liverpool have confirmed that Roy Hodgson is their new manager after agreeing a compensation deal with Fulham.
Hodgson, 62, has signed a three-year contract at Anfield and will be officially unveiled to the media at a press conference on Thursday, having overseen the first day of pre-season training at Melwood.
The former Inter Milan and Switzerland boss had been heavily linked with the post since Rafael Benitez left the club for Inter last month and Liverpool finally got their man after agreeing a deal with the Cottagers for Hodgson to be released.
Hodgson impressed at Fulham last season - guiding the Cottagers to the Europa League final - and was voted Manager of the Year by the League Managers' Association for his efforts.
"This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club," Hodgson told Liverpool's official website.
"I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."
Hodgson is likely to be joined at Anfield by his trusted assistant Mike Kelly, although Sammy Lee - brought in by Benitez because of his coaching credentials and links to the club's successful past - is expected to be given a role somewhere in the new set-up.
In a bid to stave off any future interest from England, it is reported that there has been no get-out clause included in Hodgson's contract should the national team job become available.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=804564&sec=england&cc=5901&campaign=rss&source=soccernet
Liverpool have confirmed that Roy Hodgson is their new manager after agreeing a compensation deal with Fulham.
Hodgson, 62, has signed a three-year contract at Anfield and will be officially unveiled to the media at a press conference on Thursday, having overseen the first day of pre-season training at Melwood.
The former Inter Milan and Switzerland boss had been heavily linked with the post since Rafael Benitez left the club for Inter last month and Liverpool finally got their man after agreeing a deal with the Cottagers for Hodgson to be released.
Hodgson impressed at Fulham last season - guiding the Cottagers to the Europa League final - and was voted Manager of the Year by the League Managers' Association for his efforts.
"This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club," Hodgson told Liverpool's official website.
"I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."
Hodgson is likely to be joined at Anfield by his trusted assistant Mike Kelly, although Sammy Lee - brought in by Benitez because of his coaching credentials and links to the club's successful past - is expected to be given a role somewhere in the new set-up.
In a bid to stave off any future interest from England, it is reported that there has been no get-out clause included in Hodgson's contract should the national team job become available.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=804564&sec=england&cc=5901&campaign=rss&source=soccernet
Fulham eye Eriksson, Hughes and Curbishley
Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Alan Curbishley are on the Fulham shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson.
But they are not alone, as Soccernet has been informed that the decision on Hodgson's successor has not been taken as Fulham are waiting for Liverpool to announce the appointment.
Compensation of £2.5 million has been agreed between Liverpool and Fulham and the Cottagers were expecting Hodgson to inform them that he has signed for Liverpool on Wednesday night, in advance of his unveiling at Anfield on Thursday.
An insider involved in the managerial comings and goings at Craven Cottage told Soccernet: "Roy has not resigned, yet, as of this evening [Wednesday], although it could happen tonight or tomorrow morning as Liverpool's first day back for training is Thursday.
"Everyone in the media has assumed it would have been announced by now, and I am sure it's not far away. There has been speculation that Roy might have been interested in the England job, and of course he might well have been, but it looks like the FA are keeping Fabio Capello in any case.
"Compensation has been agreed but out of respect to Roy the process has not began to replace him. The chairman will have a major input into who he will want as manager, and it is fair to assume that Sven, Mark Hughes, and Curbishley will be under consideration.
"But there are one or two other names who have come to our attention and they will also be considered."
It is understood that the three leading contenders have all let it be known that they will take the Fulham job if it is offered to them.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=804506&sec=england&cc=5901
Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Alan Curbishley are on the Fulham shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson.
But they are not alone, as Soccernet has been informed that the decision on Hodgson's successor has not been taken as Fulham are waiting for Liverpool to announce the appointment.
Compensation of £2.5 million has been agreed between Liverpool and Fulham and the Cottagers were expecting Hodgson to inform them that he has signed for Liverpool on Wednesday night, in advance of his unveiling at Anfield on Thursday.
An insider involved in the managerial comings and goings at Craven Cottage told Soccernet: "Roy has not resigned, yet, as of this evening [Wednesday], although it could happen tonight or tomorrow morning as Liverpool's first day back for training is Thursday.
"Everyone in the media has assumed it would have been announced by now, and I am sure it's not far away. There has been speculation that Roy might have been interested in the England job, and of course he might well have been, but it looks like the FA are keeping Fabio Capello in any case.
"Compensation has been agreed but out of respect to Roy the process has not began to replace him. The chairman will have a major input into who he will want as manager, and it is fair to assume that Sven, Mark Hughes, and Curbishley will be under consideration.
"But there are one or two other names who have come to our attention and they will also be considered."
It is understood that the three leading contenders have all let it be known that they will take the Fulham job if it is offered to them.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=804506&sec=england&cc=5901
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