Warner backs Australia’s football World Cup bid

November 18, 2009

Influential FIFA heavyweight Jack Warner has thrown his support behind Australia hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, saying the country has an “excellent chance”.

Warner, who has publicly criticised England?s World Cup bid in recent weeks, dismissed concerns that Australia being too far away would work against it.

“Australia being allegedly ‘far away’ is a bit of a ridiculous statement,” the FIFA executive committee member said in comments posted on the Football Federation Australia website.

“God created the world round for a reason: distance is relative to where you stand.

“And the Australian continent is nearer to two-thirds of the world’s population than most other places. So what’s the fuss?”

Australia is one of nine bidders for 2018, and one of 11 in the race for 2022, with the decision on both made in December 2010.

Warner said that he had visited Australia on many occasions.

“Australia created the best ever Olympics and demonstrated an ability to host and manage some of the biggest sporting events in the world with class, expertise and with a dedication to excellence,” he said.

“If there is a country that truly deserves to host the FIFA World Cup, then it is the island continent of Australia”.

He also pointed to Australia?s two consecutive FIFA World Cup appearances. “Just look how Australia has fared in football over the years, and now, even your neighbours, New Zealand, have qualified. What a fantastic achievement,” he said.

“If you ask me, Australia has an excellent chance of succeeding with its bid.”

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy has said previously that the country’s prime objective was 2018, with 2022 a possible second prize.

South Africa is hosting next year’s World Cup with Brazil staging the 2014 event.

SYDNEY (AFP)

Tags: AFP, australia website, bidders, class expertise, continent of australia, executive committee member, fifa executive committee, fifa world cup, football federation australia, football world cup, frank lowy, jack warner, neighbours, Olympics, ridiculous statement, sporting events, two thirds

Karimi keeps Iran´s World Cup dream alive

June 10, 2009

TEHRAN (AFP) – Midfield star Ali Karimi scored the only goal as Iran defeated the United Arab Emirates 1-0 on Wednesday to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Iran remain in fourth place in Asian qualifying Group B with 10 points from seven matches, one behind North Korea and Saudi Arabia.

South Korea, with 15 points, have already made sure of their place in the finals in South Africa next year.

The second automatic qualifying spot will be decided next Wednesday when Iran travel to South Korea while the Saudis welcome North Korea to Riyadh.

The team who finishes third will have to face the third-placed team in Group A, either Bahrain or Uzbekistan, with the eventual winner going on to face New Zealand for a spot in the 2010 finals.

In a tense, must-win game for Iran, the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium was two-thirds empty with heavy rain making passing difficult.

Karimi struck the crucial goal on 52 minutes after drifting past two UAE defenders before unleashing a fierce drive.

Iran have now beaten UAE 10 times in 13 matches with three games drawn.

The Iranians are trying to reach a fourth World Cup having qualified for the 1978, 1998 and 2006 finals.

Tags: ali karimi, azadi stadium, bahrain, heavy rain, Iran, iran travel, iranians, midfield star, New Zealand, North Korea, qualifying group, Riyadh, saudi arabia, saudis, South Africa, south korea, Tehran, tense, three games, two thirds, united arab emirates, uzbekistan, World Cup, world cup dream

Southgate is the man to take ´Boro back up, says chairman

May 27, 2009

MIDDLESBROUGH (AFP) – Gareth Southgate will remain as manager of Middlesbrough and try and guide them to an immediate return to the Premier League the club chairman Steve Gibson told the BBC on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old former England international has been in charge since June 2006 but having taken them to 13th in his first campaign he failed to keep them up this term as they joined fellow North east club Newcastle in being relegated.

However, Gibson, who has bankrolled the club for well over a decade insisted that Southgate – capped 57 times by England but who will probably be best remembered for failing to convert a penalty in the Euro ‘96 semi-final defeat to Germany – was the right man for the onerous task of lifting them out of the Championship.

“Gareth has convinced me he knows what it takes to get us back up,” Gibson told BBC Radio after meeting with Southgate.

“He is a man I know and admire and we will work together to get this club back to the Premier League.”

Gibson, who has seen his side lift the League Cup and reach the UEFA Cup final when Steve McClaren was in charge, said that there should be no witch hunt of Southgate.

“We will not have a scapegoat at this football club, it will not be Gareth Southgate,” added Gibson.

“He is a good man, an intelligent man capable of being a top, top manager.

“What we need is the support of the fans and the town, and let’s work together to get the club back in the Premier League.

“You may disagree with my decision and I respect that, but I have to make the decision and I am convinced that Gareth is the right man for the job.”

Gibson also rejected claims that the club was in a parlous state financially and was in no danger of going into administration, insisting that the 90million pounds debt had been reduced by two thirds.

He was also at pains to deny he was pleased they had fallen into the Championship so it would mean he could cut costs with several of their higher paid stars set to move on such as Turkish international Tuncay Sanli.

“We hate the Championship, we don’t want to be here,” he said.

“We are a Premier League club, we are a Premier League town with Premier League supporters.

“At the moment, I am a Championship chairman – I want to be a Premier League chairman. It’s daft to suggest anything else.

“It’s just daft. There is no evidence to support that theory whatsoever.”

Tags: bbc, club chairman, decade, England, england international, English Premier League, football club, Gareth, gareth southgate, Germany, good man, intelligent man, middlesbrough, NEWCASTLE, onerous task, parlous state, premier league, right man, scapegoat, steve gibson, Steve McClaren, tuncay, two thirds, uefa, UEFA Cup, witch hunt

Blatter fears Premier League ´damage´

March 6, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes the dominance of the Premier League’s big four – Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal – is proving unhealthy for competition.

Since the formation of the Premier League in 1992, there have only been four different winners and Blatter is concerned that the priority of most teams is merely to avoid costly relegation.

"In a competition where two-thirds or three-quarters of the participants in the league play not to be first, but not to be relegated, there is something wrong," Blatter told the BBC.

The FIFA chief added that the global power and appeal of the English Premier League is damaging the sport worldwide.

"I have my concerns because the Premier League is the strongest in the world definitely," he said.

"It is taking over in such a manner that the other leagues have difficulties to match it."

Written by: AFP