Top News

Soccer News

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-13 07:52

Corruption

FIFA seeks evidence in fresh corruption scandal

FIFA on Wednesday asked England's Football Association (FA) and a newspaper to provide evidence of fresh allegations of corruption at the top of world football, saying they were of "extreme concern".

The move followed widespread media reports in Britain on Wednesday which branded officials "sleazeballs" and "rotten to the core" a day after more claims were made against six decision-makers on FIFA's executive committee.

The secretary general of world soccer's governing body, Jerome Valcke, sent a letter to the FA asking for a report from former England 2018 chairman Lord David Triesman.

In testimony to a parliamentary hearing in London revealed on Tuesday, Triesman named four FIFA executive committee members who had requested cash and a knighthood in exchange for their votes in the 2018 World Cup ballot.

"In his letter to The FA, the FIFA Secretary General expresses the extreme concern of FIFA and the FIFA President (Sepp Blatter) at the latest allegations questioning the integrity of some FIFA Executive Committee members in connection with the bidding procedure for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups," a FIFA statement said.

Valcke asked for any documentary evidence "to be in a position to examine the situation thoroughly and with clear-sightedness".

He also called on the Sunday Times newspaper to submit any other evidence it had, especially on "a whistleblower who had worked with the Qatar bid".

Scottish premier league

Fan tries to attack Celtic boss Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon found himself at the center of yet more unwanted attention as a fan tried to attack him during the Scottish Premier League match away to Hearts on Wednesday.

Gary Hooper had just put Celtic two goals in front at Tynecastle ground when a fan jumped out of the Hearts section of the main stand and headed for Lennon, on the touchline.

But stewards intervened and the supporter was eventually taken away by police in a match Celtic, second behind leaders and arch Glasgow rival Rangers, needed to win to keep the title race alive with one more game of the season remaining.

It got the win it needed, but it was the incident that involved Lennon that dominated people's minds afterwards.

Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby said the attack was a dark day for Scottish soccer.

"What happened to Neil is an absolute disgrace and I've never seen anything like it. Neil was surprised and shocked because obviously he's had death threats," the former Swedish international said."Obviously he's a bit shaken but OK. It's a dark day for Scottish football."

Italian Cup

Inter beats Roma to set up Palermo final

Inter Milan joined Palermo in the Italian Cup final after seeing off Roma 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw at the San Siro on Wednesday.

Inter's top scorer, Samuel Eto'o, bagged the opening goal of the night, taking his tally for the season in all competitions to 34, before Marco Borriello equalised for the visitors.

Palermo had booked its place in the May 29 final with a 4-3 aggregate success against AC Milan.

And it was a double celebration for Inter as captain Javier Zanetti played his 1,000th match as a professional.

In an uneventful first period, Roma had the better chances.

Borriello fired over from inside the box after a slip from Maicon had let him in.

And then Danielle De Rossi met a Simone Perrotta cross on the turn but couldn't bend the ball inside the post.

On 19 minutes, De Rossi set his sights again and sent a rocket from outside the area just past the corner of the bar and upright.

There was a visible change of momentum in the second half as Inter hit back.

French Ligue 1

Puel under pressure as Auxerre ends Lyon's hopes

Claude Puel's long-term position as Lyon coach looked increasingly untenable on Wednesday as it slumped to its worst defeat since 2006 with a 4-0 drubbing by Auxerre to end its outside hope of winning the title and extend a three-year trophy drought.

The title now rests between leader Lille and defending champion Marseille, which trails by four points with three matches remaining after easing to a 3-0 home win over struggling Brest.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps was delighted his side had reacted in the best possible manner after its 3-2 defeat by Lyon on Sunday as it took the three points with goals by Loic Remy, Jordan Ayew and veteran Gabriel Heinze.

"I am very happy with our performance and the result," said Deschamps. "We are not forbidden from dreaming, but we should be realistic, our hopes are tiny of winning the title. Lille have the odds more in their favor."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 05/13/2011 page24)