Beckenbauer hits back at Blatter

In an interview with Switzerland's Blick newspaper on Sunday, Blatter suggested the vote for the host of the 2006 World Cup had not run smoothly and he suspected malpractice. Blatter suggested the vote had been fixed to favour Germany over his own preference of South Africa.

However, Beckenbauer, who was head of the organising committee for that tournament, was unhappy with the comments.

"I cannot understand the remarks and suggestions of Sepp Blatter," he told Bild.

Germany eventually won the right to host the tournament by 12 votes to 11, with New Zealand's representative of the Oceania confederation abstaining.

"When we talk about a World Cup being bought, I remember back to 2006 where, at the very last moment, somebody left the room and, instead of having a vote of 10-10, it finished 10-9 for Germany," said Blatter.

"I am pleased because I did not have to cast a deciding vote but for somebody to suddenly leave the room - maybe I was too kind or too naive at the time."

When asked if he presumed the vote had been fixed, Blatter said: "I don't presume anything, I am stating facts."

But those facts, according to Beckenbauer, are flawed.

"He has even got the result wrong," he said. "It was 12-11 and not 10-9. And what was decisive was that the eight Europeans all united behind us and voted for us."

The president of Germany's Football League, Dr Reinhard Rauball, has called for Blatter to step down as a result of the ISL bribery scandal which has recently come to light, but Blatter has ruled that out.

He said: "The truth is, Rauball called me last Friday and told me that I should resign. I told him that it is not as easy as he imagines. The fact is, I have been elected by the congress."

Roma confirm Bradley signing

Roma have signed American midfielder Michael Bradley from fellow Serie A club Chievo.

Reports in Italy suggest the US international has signed for a fee of 3.75 million euros.

Bradley, 24, has penned a contract that will keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until June 2016.

He has joined up with new Roma manager Zdenek Zeman and his side at their Brunico pre-season training camp.

The former Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder has also spent time on loan at Aston Villa.

Bradley's father, Bob Bradley, is the Egypt national team coach and former USA boss.

It has also been reported that Chievo youngster Adrian Stoian has moved the other way as part of the deal.

The Flying Donkeys have received 50 per cent of the Romanian's rights in exchange for 500,000 euros, which is believed to be a reduced price on account of the Bradley deal.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic's move to Paris Saint-Germain will not be completed

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's move to Paris Saint-Germain will not be completed on Monday, according to club sporting director Leonardo.

The AC Milan striker is in talks with the Ligue 1 giants over a possible move to the Parc des Princes this summer.

"We continue to hold talks with Zlatan," Leonardo told Gazzetta dello Sport. "The negotiations are going forward but I can assure you that today we have no meetings scheduled."

AC Milan have accepted PSG's reported offer of 65million euro (just over £51million) for Ibrahimovic and Brazil defender Thiago Silva.

Silva already completed his transfer to PSG at the weekend and the French giants expect to soon land Ibrahimovic.

The Sweden international was Serie A's top scorer last season, netting 28 goals as the Rossoneri finished runners-up to Juventus.

Reports in Italy claim PSG have offered Ibrahimovic a four-year deal that would see him earn nine million euro per season - the same figure he currently gets as the highest paid player at Milan.

However, the 30-year-old wants to sign a three-year deal worth 15million (£11.7million) euro per season.

Ibrahimovic is tied to the Rossoneri until June 2015.

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Arbeloa 'happy' for Modric link

Real Madrid players have revealed their admiration for Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Luka Modric amid reports that the Croatian is to join the club this summer.

Modric has been the subject of intense speculation over his future, with many expecting the 26-year-old to leave White Hart Lane this summer after four years at Spurs.

Even the London club's new head coach, Andre Villas-Boas, accepts that the player will leave if an acceptable deal is put on the table.

Chelsea and Manchester united are the two Premier League clubs most closely linked with a move for Modric, but La Liga champions Real Madrid appear to be leading the chase for the £30 million-rated midfielder.

When questioned about Modric's potential arrival while on a pre-season tour of Indonesia, Marca reported Real right-back Alvaro Arbeloa as saying: "Modric is a great player. I'm happy he could join Real Madrid. We have many good midfielders, so they have to compete for a spot."

Arbeloa's fellow Real defender, Pepe, simply added:  "I know he's a good player."

Real's players talking up a potential new signing is similar to what several Barcelona players did last summer when they repeatedly spoke of how well Cesc Fabregas would fit in if he returned to his boyhood club, something which caused ire among Arsenal fans and inside the club.

In the end, the deal was completed, though relations between the two clubs have suffered as a result.

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Ajax plan raid on young Barcelona stars

Barcelona defender Marc Muniesa has been recommended to Ajax by Johan Cruyff, with the Dutch club also eyeing up moves for several of Barca's other young stars.

The man who enjoys legendary status at both clubs for his achievements with them as player and manager has advised Ajax's new sporting director Marc Overmars to sign versatile B team defender Muniesa, according to Spanish sports daily Marca.

The 20-year-old has only made four appearances for the first team since making his first in 2009, although he was named as an unused substitute for the Champions League final that year.

Overmars, who also played for both Ajax and Barca, is also weighing up making offers for attacking trio Isaac Cuenca, Cristian Tello and Gerard Deulofeu.

One of the first jobs of new Barcelona head coach Tito Vilanova is to decide which of the young prospects in the B team and on the fringes of the first-team squad he is to accommodate in the senior side.

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Rodgers: Borini can be Liverpool favorite

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says new signing Fabio Borini will be a great asset for the club in the future.

After the Italy international signed a long-term deal to move from Roma to Anfield, Rodgers said Borini's versatility would make him a fans' favorite.

"I was very keen to bring him here. Fabio fits the model of what we're trying to do in building not only for now, but also for the future," he told Liverpool's website.

"He's a big talent, 21 years of age, he scores goals, and his passion, focus and concentration is a very important part of his game - and a big part of what you want from a player."

Borini previously worked with Rodgers in Chelsea's youth set-up and more recently when he was on loan at Swansea City in 2011.

"He is arguably the best physical player I've worked with"
- Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers added: "[Chelsea] took him in from Bologna when he was 16 and he progressed incredibly well as a young player to go on to play for the first team at Chelsea.

"It didn't work out in terms of he couldn't agree a contract, but before he left I took him on loan to Swansea and he made a big, big impression there and really helped us in our promotion charge that season.

"He left and went away (to Roma) and in the last season he's done incredibly well.

"I think the supporters will love him. As I said, he's a goalscorer, but he's a multifunctional player who can play in a number of positions - and someone I believe has got great growth."

Borini, 21, made four first-team appearances for Chelsea, before firing six goals in 12 appearances at Swansea.

Rodgers said: "He is arguably the best physical player I've worked with in terms of his pace, power and fitness.

"Mentally, he's very strong. We've got a player who is on the up and someone who I think Liverpool will benefit from."

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England rise in FIFA rankings

England have climbed up to fourth in the latest edition of the FIFA rankings with five-time world champions Brazil dropping out of the top ten for the first time.

Roy Hodgson's men, who progressed through to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals before losing to Italy on penalties, are up two places.

Italy meanwhile remain behind the Three Lions despite reaching the final, climbing six places into sixth.

Brazil drop six places to 11th, meaning they are out of the top ten for the first time since the rankings were created in 1993.

Their fall down the rankings is because they have played significantly fewer competitive matches than other leading nations in 2012.

This is down to the fact they are hosting the 2014 World Cup and therefore do not have to play qualifying games.

Reigning world and European champions Spain remain in first place, with Euro 2012 semi-finalists Germany climbing above Uruguay into second.

Unchanged

Portugal, another one of the semi-finalists in Poland and Ukraine, move five places into fifth with Argentina unchanged in seventh.

The Netherlands, Croatia and Denmark make up the top ten but have all seen their rankings slip thanks to their group stage exit at the Euros.

Among the other home nations Northern Ireland were the only country to move up, climbing one place to 102nd.

Chris Coleman's Wales remain in 38th while Scotland fall eight places down to 49th.

The Republic of Ireland, who lost all three of their group matches at Euro 2012, fall to 26th from 18th.

Van Basten to stay with club

Marco van Basten has ruled out a return to managing the Netherlands after Bert van Marwijk stepped down following a terrible Euro 2012.

Former Netherlands coach won't return to replace Van Marwijk. The Dutch were among the favorites for glory but made a mockery of their pre-tournament billing by being dumped out of the competition at the group stage without a single point.

Van Marwijk paid the price for their failure and now the race is on for Dutch football chiefs to find a replacement before they kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this autumn.

Van Basten, who guided Dutch to the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the European Championship two years later in his four-year spell, has only just returned to the game after leaving Ajax in 2009.

The legendary striker announced he would return to football by succeeding Ron Jans as coach of Eredivisie side Heerenveen this summer and will not walk out on them after only a few weeks in charge.

"I am now in Heerenveen and I am very satisfied," he told AD Sportwereld. "Who should it be? Also I have not thought about that.

"I have my thing here in Heerenveen. For the rest I will not interfere anymore. "

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FA - Goal-line technology given go-ahead

International football's FA board (IFAB) has unanimously approved the use of goal-line technology after months of exhaustive tests were carried out on two systems - Hawk-Eye and GoalRef.

The Premier League reacted to the historic decision in Zurich by vowing to implement the technology "as soon as practically possible''. However, the introduction will not be immediate because each system will have to be licensed, installed and tested in each venue to ensure it is functioning properly.

"The Premier League has been a long term advocate of goal-line technology,'' read a statement from the organisation. "We welcome today's decision by IFAB and will engage in discussions with both Hawkeye and GoalRef in the near future with a view to introducing goal-line technology as soon as is practically possible .'"

The technology could be ready to go in the English top-flight as soon as the new year and FA general secretary Alex Horne said it could also be used for the latter stages of the FA Cup, as one of the goal-line technology systems is already installed at Wembley Stadium.

"It is perfectly possible to introduce it halfway through the season," Horne said. "We have already got Hawk-Eye at Wembley, it needs to be calibrated and make sure it's working properly and licensed so we are nearly there and we could turn Hawk-Eye on quite quickly.

"The FA Cup would be our decision and we could say for the semi-finals and finals of the FA Cup we could turn it on, I don't think that is a very controversial decision."

Meanwhile, FIFA intends to put Hawk-Eye and GoalRef to the test at the Club World Cup in Tokyo in 2013, with a view to using it at next year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said world football's governing body would pay for the systems - around £160,000 per Stadium - and leave them in place in the stadiums used during all three tournaments.

Momentum towards goal-line technology has increased since Frank Lampard was denied an equaliser for England against Germany in the 2010 World Cup when the ball hit the bar and bounced over the line but no goal was given.

That incident caused the FIFA president Sepp Blatter to publicly back technology for the first time, and the issue hit the headlines again when Ukraine were denied a goal when the ball crossed the line against England in Euro 2012.

Blatter said: "For me as FIFA president it became evident the moment what happened in South Africa in 2010. I have to say 'thank you Lampard'. I was completely down in South Africa when I saw that it really shocked me, it took me a day to react. It happened again in Ukraine, and Ukraine can still not believe it now.''

There will be no move towards bringing in other technology, such as video replays to judge offsides for example, said IFAB in a statement.

"This approval is subject to a final installation test at each stadium before the systems can be used in 'real' football matches,'' said the statement. "The IFAB was keen to stress that technology will only be utilised for the goal-line and for no other areas of the game.''

Tests on the Hawk-Eye and GoalRef systems were carried out by the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology, with the results evaluated by IFAB members at a meeting earlier this month.

Hawk-Eye, developed by a British company, is based on cameras, while GoalRef, a Danish-German development, uses magnetic fields.

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Park set for QPR switch - report

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung is set to complete a £5 million switch to Queens Park Rangers reports suggest, although figures vary.

Park, 31, played a reduced role for Manchester United last season, but has been an influential figure in the club's recent history, often being called upon on the biggest occasions.

Formerly captain of South Korea, Park joined the Red Devils for £4 million in 2005 from PSV Eindhoven and has gone on to make 205 first-team appearances for the Old Trafford side.

QPR have announced that a press conference for local and international media will take place on Monday, with chairman Tony Fernandes, vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and manager Mark Hughes all set to attend. The announcement will reportedly "put the QPR brand on a global scale".

The press conference could be related to the club's ongoing look for a new stadium, although reports on Friday morning also suggested that the club were closing in on a South Korean signing.

"The announcement will put the QPR brand on a global scale and is further demonstration of the board's continuing efforts to move the club forward and become established in the Premier League," the release to the media said.

"QPR chairman Tony Fernandes, vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, manager Mark Hughes and CEO Philip Beard will all be in attendance. Please note, the club is in no position to make any further comment on the announcement of this press conference."

Should he sign, Park would become the fifth player to arrive at Loftus Road this summer - following the captures of Robert Green, Andy Johnson, Ryan Nelsen and the permanent signing of midfielder Samba Diakite.

Chairman Fernandes is also heavily involved in the club's search for a new stadium, updating the fans on progress via Twitter early on Friday.

"Excellent stadium meeting," Fernandes said. "Looks great. Going to make big announcement. Hopefully see Amit [Bhatia] in a few hours to brief him. Wow.

"Stadium will be in west London. Will not lose overall atmosphere. Lots to do and many pitfalls but great first step."

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AC Milan open talks with ex-Barcelona coach Guardiola

From tribalfootball.com – News Update from Seri A

AC Milan are being linked with former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

AS says the Rossoneri recently held talks with Guardiola’s own entourage to try to work out a way that the two parties could work together in the future.

Guardiola is currently taking a sabbatical from the game, after four years in charge of Barcelona, in which time he won 14 major trophies

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Update Euro 2012 - 'We have made history for Spanish football' - Del Bosque

La Roja became the first team to retain the European Championship and in so doing set a new record by winning three consecutive major tournaments.

And Del Bosque feels that his side's achievements will be remembered for a long time, but admitted they came up against tricky opposition, despite the one-sided score line.

"We had the ball possession and the pressure, and this success of Spanish football is something historical," he stated at a post-match press conference.

"We are talking about a great generation of players. They know how to play because they have come from a country where they learn how to play.

"In football we have done a great job. We have great lads who play abroad and this was impossible before. This is a great era for our football."

Reflecting on the match, Del Bosque went on to say that his side's second goal was critical as it damaged the Italians' morale, but admitted Cesare Prandelli's side suffered from bad luck.

"I would like to that everybody loses sometimes, and the Italians have played a great tournament, and they had the bad luck of the injury to [Thiago] Motta, and that's where it ended unfortunately.

"This match was great, [my players] controlled the game. After we scored the first goal, the Italians were more dangerous, but we reacted well.
"They have given a huge effort. Our first goal damaged them, then the second was definitive. We had a lot of respect for Italy. They have been a tough rival, but we went ahead, maturing in the game."

The Spain coach's tactics had come in for criticism throughout the tournament but he stuck to his guns by choosing not to field a recognized striker, instead selecting Cesc Fabregas as a false nine and he was adamant it was the right decision.
"I did what I thought was best, and nothing else. I dedicate it [the win] to Spanish football and my family, especially. This is for everyone.

"We just played our own game, and there were no external influences. We were faithful to what we've down in the past few years."

Spain won the tournament without their all-time record scorer David Villa and talismanic defender Carles Puyol but Del Bosque insisted they will be present to join in the celebrations.

"I've seen Puyol and Villa and told them to go out and celebrate, they are part of this. They have been very important."

Spain get their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup underway with a trip to Georgia on September 11.

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Echoes of 2006: Another Germany-Italy semifinal

KRAKOW, Poland (AP) -- It seems like 2006 all over again.

Just like in the World Cup semifinals six years ago, Germany is the favorite entering Thursday's European Championship game against a surprising Italy squad that is building momentum and maintaining focus despite a match-fixing scandal.

Both teams like to attack constantly, setting up a tantalizing matchup in Warsaw.

''At this point, the squads that win are the ones that advance their defensive lines and that have the courage to attack,'' Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. ''Some of these guys are just starting to realize the extraordinary things they're capable of.''

Adding to the luster is that Italy-Germany matches have often produced the extraordinary - and Italy has always come out on top at major tournaments.

The 4-3 Italy win in the 1970 semifinals in Mexico City is still remembered as one of the greatest World Cup matches, and Italy's 2-0 victory in extra time six years ago in Germany is also part of Azzurri lore.

Veteran Germany forward Miroslav Klose, who just concluded his first season with the Italian club Lazio, attributed his country's troubles in the series to tenseness before big matches.

''The Italians are more easygoing about things,'' Klose said. ''It could be a small advantage for them ahead of such a match.''

In 2006, Italy was also involved in a match-fixing scandal much like the betting problems affecting the squad today. Beating host Germany in the cauldron that is the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund seemed like an impossible task.

''We've improved enormously since 2006,'' said Lukas Podolski, another veteran Germany striker. ''We have a completely different philosophy and a different team. The Italians know this, too.''

Like most modern squads, Germany now attacks in every way, either through 22-year-old winger Thomas Mueller, who led the 2010 World Cup with five goals, counterpart Podolski, playmaker Mesut Oezil or center forwards Mario Gomez and Klose.

Gomez is tied for the tournament lead with three goals.

Of the four semifinalists, Germany is the only squad with a perfect record, having cruised through a group featuring the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark, then easily pushing aside Greece 4-2 in the quarterfinals.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has used both Gomez and Klose as his lone striker, relying on Gomez in the group stage but then going with Klose against Greece. In that match, he changed his entire forward line, with Marco Reus and Andre Schuerrle playing for Mueller and Podolski on the flanks.

''Italy is a completely different caliber than Greece,'' Loew said. ''We may make one or two changes.''

The Azzurri are coming off a draining shootout victory over England and have two fewer days than Germany to prepare for the semifinal.

''We don't have many days to get our energy back,'' Prandelli said. ''It's going to take a lot to beat them, but if we prepare for the match well there are no unbeatable squads.''

Prandelli also has changed his lineup over the last couple matches, with Mario Balotelli and Antonio Di Natale alternating alongside Antonio Cassano in attack.

Di Natale came off the bench and scored Italy's first goal of the tournament against Spain. He started the final group game against Ireland, while Balotelli played all 120 minutes against England and Di Natale never left the bench.

Whoever plays, expect the type of attacking soccer Italy displayed against England, when the Azzurri produced 35 attempts on goal to England's nine, and 20 shots on target to the Three Lions' miserable four.

However, Italy failed to score against England, with Balotelli in particular unable to take advantage of numerous chances.

''We've got to play our match and we've got to take risks, otherwise we're going to allow a goal sooner or later,'' Prandelli said. ''I would prefer allowing a goal in a counterattack than waiting and suffering for 20 minutes.''

Italy's top defender Giorgio Chiellini and key midfielder Daniele De Rossi are battling injuries. The Azzurri also have a problem at right back, with Ignazio Abate struggling with a muscle problem.

''They did not look to me like they were running out of power,'' Loew said. ''Four days should be enough rest for any professional.''

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AP Sports Writer Nesha Starcevic in Gdansk contributed to this report.

David Beckham left off Great Britain Olympic team

Yahoo Sport! David Beckham’s dream of playing in the Olympic Games has been crushed after Great Britain team manager Stuart Pearce performed a dramatic late U-turn.

Beckham was considered a certainty to play in his home city of London after being confirmed for Team GB’s 35-man preliminary squad last month but was axed from the final group of players, announced on Thursday morning.

“Everyone knows how much playing for my country has always meant to me,” Beckham said. “So I would have been honored to be part of this unique Team GB squad. Naturally I am very disappointed, but there will be no bigger supporter of the team than me. And like everyone, I will be hoping they can win the gold.”

Even members of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games were stunned by Beckham’s omission and will have to drastically rethink their plans, as he was expected to have a dual role as both player and Olympic ambassador. Officials hoped David Beckham would be an ambassador and player for the London Games. (Reuters)

Yahoo! Sports revealed earlier this year that Beckham’s selection was not as automatic as many suspected, with Pearce determined to field as strong a lineup as possible in the Olympic tournament.

Beckham’s struggles early in the season with the Los Angeles Galaxy initially put his place in peril, though a recent resurgence in both his own form and that of the Major League Soccer club appeared to have made him a lock for a place.

As recently as last week Games officials were preparing for Beckham to be involved on the playing side, with Pearce having given no indication to even those in his inner circle that the 37-year-old midfielder would be excluded.

The primary reason Beckham was left out likely centered around young defender Micah Richards of Manchester City, a personal favorite of Pearce, who coached him during his own stint in charge at City.

Richards was surprisingly snubbed by Roy Hodgson, the new coach of the England senior team, when he picked his squad for the ongoing European championships. Protocol dictates that players used during Euro 2012 will not play in the Olympics, in order to give them sufficient rest before the start of the new club season.

With Richards not taking part in matches against Poland and Ukraine, his sudden availability was tantalizing for Pearce, who understands the need to bolster his defensive line if Great Britain is to stand a chance of progressing deep into the tournament.

“As soon as Micah became effectively available it was going to create a problem,” said a source close to Pearce. “But honestly, no one expected Beckham to be the one to miss out.”

The manner in which Beckham’s place was taken away is certain to draw a level of criticism that Pearce has disrespected him. And while Olympic chiefs vowed to keep the decision-making process solely in Pearce’s hands, his choice is expected to provide a significant blow to the already-slow sales of Games soccer tickets.

Beckham played a crucial role in the Olympic bidding process in 2005, when London was awarded the Games ahead of Paris on a dramatic night in Singapore. He will still be part of the Opening Ceremony at Stratford’s Olympic Stadium, but will not get the chance to lead a young GB side in what would have been one of the more emotional experiences of his career.

Olympic soccer rules allow for squads of players aged 23 or under, with three overage players permitted. Richards, 24, and Welsh pair Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy were Pearce’s special picks.

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Bielsa quits Athletic - reports

Reports in Spain suggest that Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa has resigned after the club failed to support him over an altercation with construction staff.

Bielsa returned for pre-season training ahead of the 2012-13 season to find the club's Lezama training centre resembling a construction site and was involved in a furious row with construction staff.

"The condition of Lezama is an insult to the players and I am responsible for them," Bielsa explained. "I was indignant because that was not recognized and began to say offensive things. I don't respect him because he did a bad job."

Athletic, though, were quick to issue a statement and distance themselves from the Argentine manager's statement, insisting works had been conducted in a satisfactory manner.

"Athletic Bilbao do not share the personal and subjective opinion expressed by Marcelo Bielsa in [Thursday's] press conference with regards to the construction work, the extent to which the contract has been honored and the professionalism of the people involved," a club statement read.

"We would like to state that the works contract has been fulfilled correctly up until the current date, so we would like to publicly apologize for any damage that the comments made by an employee of this club may have caused to the construction company and its workers."

Bielsa led Athletic to the Europa League final in his first season at the San Mames in 2011-12, winning plaudits for his side's performances along the way. Now, though, he looks set to depart after just one season at the Basque outfit.

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