Goal-line technology could be introduced in national leagues as early as next July, according to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.FIFA have thus far resisted calls for the introduction of the technology but several high-profile incidents, including Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in England’s defeat against Germany at the 2010 World Cup, have seemingly swayed football’s governing body.
Blatter has revealed that a decision will be made at the meeting of the International Football Association Board next March, with technology potentially in place by July.
“We will have on the next international board at the beginning of March next year a final decision on the goal-line technology,” Blatter told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.
“If it will prove to be accurate and to be affordable, then it is possible the international board will decide goal-line technology shall be introduced for the World Cup 2014.”
Nine companies are reportedly in talks with FIFA over supplying the equipment, with the governing body insisting that the technology should relay a final decision to the controlling referee within a second of a line-ball decision.
We all know that Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers of his generation – what we were reminded of last week though is what a graceless man he can be too.
I am biased against him though, but he doesn’t make it difficult to hate him, not that any United fans will care, nor should they.
Darren Ferguson was sacked at the end of last week, a decision not that surprising considering their results and poor league position – the club itself is in a very poor financial position, making the need to avoid relegation almost their last chance of salvation, and the need for loan signings all the greater.
Alex Ferguson though was known to be furious at the sacking, as is his right – he will rightly be protective of his family.
But this does not make what he did next defensible – in fact it was beyond the pale. He immediately recalled 2 United players on loan at Preston, and a third player receiving treatment for an injury back in Manchester has clearly been advised not to return.
Why he has done this is clear – revenge. But taking him and the clubs out of this, the people who suffer most out of all of this is the players themselves. They wanted to stay – they want to develop and want time on the pitch to help do this – but they are being used as pawns in a petty argument. And it hardly helps United to have these players back at United playing in the reserves. No doubt they will soon be loaned out somewhere else, but there’s no guarantee they will play.
Defenders of Ferguson will point out the loans only happened as a favour to his son, so once he is not there, the favour is no longer needed – but I hardly see this as an excuse as it makes a mockery of the whole system – the system is not there for old pals’ networks and favours.
On the surface Tony Pulis’s decision to then recall two of his players from Preston reeks of one of Ferguson’s bunch of acolytes doing as he was told. Ferguson was busy yesterday criticising Arsene Wenger for criticising the style of play of Stoke while Pulis was keen to point out United would have first refusal on Shawcross. It seems however that Pulis had talked of recalling the players two weeks previously in a press conference, so fair enough. Don’t expect any of these players to appear near a Premiership football pitch anytime soon though.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Ferguson protects his family – a Panorama programme questioning his agent son is the reason he still refuses to speak to the BBC. But perhaps for once he should put personal prejudices and nepotism to one side and do what’s best for his club and his players.
[divider]
Love fantasy football? Love live footy? You’ll love live fantasy football! Take part in the United v Liverpool match and play Picklive for FREE Go on, give it a go!
Petr Jiracek’s scored the only goal of a tense game in Wroclaw to send Poland crashing out of Euro 2012 and book Czech Republic a place in the last eight.
Poland came into the game knowing they had to win in order to stand a chance of making it into the quarter finals but proceeded to spurn a series of good chances before Wolfsburg midfielder Jiracek struck in the 19th minute to send the Czech’s through as Group A winners and set up a potential rematch of the Euro 96 final against Germany. A flurry of late pressure failed to bear fruit for Frank Smuda’s men with captain Jakub Blaszczykowski seeing his last gasp effort cleared off the line and leaves them still searching for their first win at a European Championships.
The co-hosts will be ruing their profligacy in front of goal despite their attacking quartet carving out a number of opportunities that were squandered by Robert Lewandowski. The Borussia Dortmund hit man sliced wide under pressure from Theodor Gebre Selassie after linking up with Blaszczykowski.
A free kick from Ludovic Obraniak then found it’s way Sebastian Boenisch but the full back fired narrowly wide of Petr Cech’s goal. The tide soon turned as the Czech’s as Vaclav Pilar started to pull the strings for Michal Bilek’s side took control as the first half ended with the news that the group landscape had shifted after Greece took the against Russia in Warsaw.
After the break it was the Czech’s who monopolised possession pinning Poland back into their own half for long periods as they searched for the goal that would send them into the knock-out phase. Pilar saw his scrambled effort cleared before Theodor Gebre Selassie headed narrowly over. Tomas Sivok was then denied by a superb point blank save from Przemyslaw Tyton as the Polish clung on for dear life.
On the rare moments they did break forward Poland failed to take advantage and when Rafal Murawski sacrificed possession the Czech’s broke to devastating effect. Milan Baros, who’d been invisible for much of the game, beat his man to play in Jiracek who stampeded into the penalty area, sidestepped Boenisch’s and rolled the ball beyond Tyton to stick a dagger straight through Polish hearts.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Still they battled on until the last and almost produced a stunning finale that would have denied the Czech’s a place in the last eight but Blaszczykowski’s lob over Cech was heroically cleared at the last second by Michal Kadlec to ensure safe passage for his country on a night of drama in Poland.
Corinthians are hopeful they will complete the signing of Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez on Monday.The Brazilian club expected to wrap up a deal for the Argentine striker on Sunday, but they have not yet heard from City about the new proposal which was tabled before the weekend.
Corinthians and City will conduct negotiations by phone on Monday hoping to settle their differences as the transfer must be concluded before Wednesday, when the Brazilian transfer window closes.
“Today (Sunday), there was nothing. It has to be tomorrow (Monday), right? There is no other way,” Corinthians director of football Edu Gaspar told Globoesporte.
“I hope it will all be solved on Monday and we can complete the signing and announce it.”
Tevez is free from international duties after Argentina were eliminated from Copa America, but Gaspar does not think it will play any role in the negotiations.
“I do not believe it will change anything. But since he is already available, maybe it will facilitate his trip to the country. We will see. Tomorrow (Monday) is the day,” he added.
The striker, who wants to quit Man City as he wishes to be closer to his family, will reportedly cost Corinthians, where he played from 2004 to 2006, a fee of 40 million pounds.
Although it may not seem strange to us now, but seeing Manchester’s top two clubs battle it out at the top of the Premier League hasn’t been a regular occurrence. Obviously, money has played a massive part; Manchester City’s billionaire owner has bank-rolled them straight into title-winning contention. But more than just another team entering this season’s enthralling hunt for glory, are we now seeing a shift in power? Is Manchester becoming the new London?
Manchester United have dominated large proportions of Premier League years. But discounting Blackburn Rovers’ year of glory, their only rivals have normally been from the capital. Despite going without a trophy since 2005, Arsenal always have been, and, always will be, a threat. Chelsea are the current champions – that says enough about their quality. But as United managed to carry on their unbeaten record with a draw against another rival from London; Tottenham, their real concern is the team who reside right across the city.
Whether or not you agree with the way they have muscled themselves into contention is another matter. The fact remains Man City are in with a real chance of winning the Premier League, and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will know that better than anyone. The 69-year-old Scot tries his best to talk down his ‘noisy neighbours’ but as it stands, the team sitting second in the league are the closet challengers to United reclaiming the Premier League.
So what does that say about the rest? We’ve all been impressed by Spurs this season, but realistically the chances of them actually winning the league are slim to none. Arsenal still look lightweight, whereas Chelsea don’t look half the side they were last season.
Manchester is the place to be. United welcome City to Old Trafford next month and it could be a decisive game in the race for the title. Many have the opinion that City will fail because they lack experience. As a club, yes, maybe. But individually, most of the players have been there, won the trophy and got the t-shirt.
They certainly have enough to win the league, and once they win one, it could start a spell of dominance for the Eastlands club. As long as Sir Alex is in charge, United won’t let their rivals run away with the league year after year, but other than the Red Devils, does anybody else have enough?
If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich refuses to pump the club with money as he has previously done, they can’t expect t keep up with City or United for much longer. Arsene Wenger’s policies mean Arsenal are unlikely to invest when they probably need to, and you have to wonder how long Spurs can keep hold of the likes of Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
This is by no means a certainty, but the signs are there. Since its existence, Manchester has been the Premier League trophy’s home for 11 years and counting. London has been a second home, but it could be a while before we see the coveted honour return to the capital. Manchester has the money, and could have power for years to come.
[divider]
Love fantasy football? Love live footy? You’ll love live fantasy football! Take part in the Leeds v Arsenal match and play Picklive for FREE Go on, give it a go!
The clamour for Di Matteo to be installed as the permanent successor to AVB is longer than the Kings Rd and while Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola believes that Bobby should have been given the job, regardless of the outcome in Munich, the club has been tight-lipped with Bruce Buck saying that he is one of many options being considered for the role. For the neutral it is hard to comprehend that a man who delivered both the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of a few months hasn’t already been installed as manager – but this isn’t any other job.
What Di Matteo has achieved during his reign is extraordinary; however the Italian must be aware of the initial job brief at Chelsea when he was appointed with Andre Villas-Boas. The Blues board was seeking change at the football club by phasing out the old and in with the new, as well as providing an expansive football on the pitch that is easy on the eye. Di Matteo’s success during his spell in charge was to simply go back to the Chelsea of old and rely on the tried and tested philosophies and methods on the pitch. It duly delivered, but it mustn’t detract from the fact that a change is needed and new players to replace the old guard need to be blooded in. Does Di Matteo have the ability to do that? That is the question the board will be asking.
It is a tough call for the Chelsea board and any decision to take Di Matteo out of the equation now is a tough one. Ruud Gullit said prior to the final that it may be easier for Abramovich if the Blues were to lose in Munich, in terms of bringing a new man in, but victory has inadvertently changed things. The Russian has never been one to shirk big decisions and he arguably has one of the toughest calls of his time, but is Di Matteo really experienced enough for the big job that is needed at Chelsea? Winning the Champions League was a fantastic achievement, but on closer examination the Blues were hardly a dominating force throughout. As Gary Neville pointed out that in footballing terms against Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern they were given a lesson, but it was their heart, determination and hard work that saw them cross the line and get the respective job done. It wasn’t champagne football, but simply percentages and Abramovich has to wonder whether Di Matteo can deliver the former, as well as be successful?
Di Matteo would certainly be the safer and in many ways the easier option, but will the Chelsea side evolve under his stewardship, given his reliance on experience? I for one have my doubts, given that Bobby would start the new season with much the same instruction that Villas-Boas was given in order to reshape the football club. That would mean phasing out the old guard – the very people who brought him his current success. Regardless of Champions League success, Chelsea needs to move forward in their development as a football club, if they are to enjoy the types of nights like they had on Saturday on a regular basis.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has flown back to England to get treatment on an ankle injury, whilst his team-mates continue their pre-season tour in the USA.
The Ecuadorian picked up a knock on his ankle in his nation’s first fixture in the Copa America against Paraguay, and will play no part in the fixtures in the United States.
Sir Alex Ferguson is taking no chances given the fact that the winger spent time on the sidelines with an injury on the same ankle last season.
“Antonio has gone straight back to Manchester. He got an injury playing in the first game for Ecuador so he is back in Manchester,” the Scot stated after his side’s 4-1 win over New England Revolution in Boston.
“It is nothing serious but he wasn’t going to be taking part in the rest of Copa America, so there is no point in him coming out here if he is injured. We have the facilities back at Carrington. That is the best place for him,” he concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The former Wigan man now faces a race to be fit in time for the Premier League champions’ 2011/12 opener against West Brom on August 13th.
The recriminations following Sam Allardyce’s bizarre sacking at Ewood Park continued in earnest this week, as rookie coach Steve Kean was handed the responsibility of guiding the Blackburn ship for the rest of the season. Club captain, Chris Samba, has since announced his desire to leave the Lancashire club, although Kean has maintained that this request is a long standing one and has nothing to do with his recent appointment.
Even so, Blackburn fans will view the appointment as being a major, unnecessary risk despite Kean’s behind the scenes experience both in England and abroad.
Tony Pulis should have no such worries about his job security, having done an excellent job in the top flight over the last two and a half seasons. His attentions have moved from pure Premier League survival to attaining a top-half finish, the Stoke squad at his disposal now has some serious quality.
Ewood Park remains a real fortress for Blackburn, and Kean’s success with the club will depend on maintaining this status. Their inability to put a limited West Ham side away during last weekend’s snow affected fixture was hardly a promising start, however I can see the new Blackburn boss getting his first win here this weekend. Whether this will placate player concerns about his suitability remains to be seen.
Joey Barton has always been known for his outspoken nature, and he did not hold back when discussing his thoughts on Southampton manager Mark Hughes.The Welshman was appointed by the coastal club last week as a replacement for Mauricio Pellegrino.The decision was met with optimism by the majority of the fans, who had to witness the team win just five of their 30 Premier League games under their former boss.Barton, though, is not as convinced and whileÂspeaking on talkSPORT, the midfielder told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show that he is surprised by Southampton’s choice.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/twitter-report-1.mp4The former Manchester City player worked under Hughes at Queens Park Rangers and has maintained a professional dislike for the coach.While on the radio, Barton described the Southampton boss as a “really poor manager” and that he had “no people skills”.
Hughes got off to a positive start at the weekend, though, as he helped guide the Saints into the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a win over Wigan Athletic.
In the Premier League, though, it is a different story as the club are two points from safety with eight games left to play.
Manchester City (4-4-1-1): Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Milner, Fernando, Lampard, Nasri, Silva, Aguero
The biggest blow for Manuel Pellegrini will be the double suspension to his holding midfielders Fernandinho as well as Yaya Toure – Frank Lampard and Fernando are most likely to be named as their replacements. Edin Dzeko, Aleksandar Kolarov, and David Silva are all still doubts, but the Manchester City boss may be forced to risk their main playmaker Silva to stand behind lone striker Sergio Aguero. Stevan Jovetic, having scored at the weekend, is also in contention to play, but Pellegrini may have to sacrifice him in hopes of reinforcing his midfield.
Bayern Munich have a rather long list of injury concerns, but because Pep Guardiola’s side has already guaranteed their qualification into the next round, he is adequately covered by giving some of his backup players a chance to feature. David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm, Tom Starke, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara, and Jose Reina are all out of the match with Jerome Boateng a huge doubt after only returning back from a knock. Despite the lengthy injury list, wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are fit to play and will surely be threat along the flanks whilst Thomas Muller is tipped to lead the lines supported by the likes of both Mario Gotze and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
What the fans are saying…
Remember this?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
//www.youtube.com/embed/TNXgwDdY-tU
Manchester City and Bayern Munich always seem to meet each other in the group stages of the Champions League with the Bundesliga side coming out on top in their previous visit to the Etihad. Bayern proved 3-1 winners when the pair met back in 2013 as this is a must win match for City.