Unanimous support for 6+5, FIFA Club World Cup hosts revealed

Unanimous support for 6+5, FIFA Club World Cup hosts revealed
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 27 May 2008
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Convening in Sydney yesterday and today, 26 and 27 May, ahead of the 58th FIFA Congress which will take centre stage in the Australian city, the FIFA Executive Committee expressed its unanimous support for the "6+5" objectives. This item is one of the main points on the agenda of the Congress delegates.

Another major decision taken by the Executive Committee was to award the organisation of the 2009 and 2010 editions of the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the following two events, in 2011 and 2012, to Japan, where it has been played since 2005 and will be again in December this year. Since its re-launch in 2005, the competition has grown significantly to become one of the major competitions of FIFA. The Executive Committee agreed that a share of the profits from this tournament would be reinvested in club football around the world.

The FIFA Executive Committee was updated on the status of preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, most notably with reports on the meeting of the Board of the Local Organising Committee in South Africa on 5 and 6 May as well as the recent xenophobic acts in South Africa. The executive reiterated its trust in the authorities to keep the security situation under control and asserted once again its full confidence in South Africa's organisation of the next World Cup. It took note that the Final Draw will be held in Cape Town.

Regarding member associations, the executive suspended the Iraqi Football Association (see separate media release published yesterday) and decided to present this case to the upcoming Congress unless the Iraqi government revokes its decision to dissolve the association by 29 May, midnight (Sydney time). It also ratified the recent decisions of the Emergency Committee to lift the suspensions of the member associations of Albania, Chad and Madagascar. It took note of the application for affiliation recently submitted by the Football Federation of Kosovo and agreed to put a normalisation committee in place at the El Salvador Football Association.

Furthermore, the executive approved the new World Anti-Doping Code, which will be submitted to the FIFA Congress for ratification. Version 3.0 of the code includes individual case management regarding sanctions, a principle that FIFA has always advocated. According to current WADA statistics, FIFA is the international sport federation that conducts the most doping control tests (around 25,000 per year) and has one of the lowest percentages of positive results. WADA President John Fahey and WADA General Secretary David Howman will attend the 2008 FIFA Congress.

The Executive Committee also agreed to suspend the decision to impose an upper altitude limit for matches in FIFA competitions - taken at its December meeting last year - until the full results of FIFA's ongoing study into football in extreme conditions (e.g. extremes of temperature, humidity, altitude) have been presented.

The Executive Committee will submit to the FIFA Congress a proposal to replace the Organising Committee of the FIFA Club World Cup with the Committee for Club Football, whose tasks will be to organise the FIFA Club World Cup and consider issues relating to the interests of club football worldwide.

The members of the Executive Committee received information on the meetings of the Internal Audit Committee and the Finance Committee, which were also held in Sydney earlier this week. The executive approved a proposal from the Finance Committee to donate USD 310,000 from FIFA's Humanitarian Support Fund to three countries recently affected by natural disasters (USD 200,000 to China, USD 100,000 to Myanmar and USD 10,000 USD to Chile).

Other decisions included:
- the Executive Committee designated Mexico as the host country for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2011 and Colombia for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2011;
- the Executive Committee confirmed that the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation would host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2010 provided that it submitted all outstanding mandatory bid documentation in the coming months;
- the Executive Committee decided that the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt in 2009 would be played from 25 September until 16 October;
- the Executive Committee agreed that an extra session reserved exclusively for medical matters would be added to the programme for the 2009 FIFA Congress in the Bahamas;
- the Executive Committee approved UEFA's request that the August dates reserved for friendly matches in the international match calendar in each year from 2009 to 2013 be moved forward by one week;
- the Executive Committee agreed that it would submit to the Congress for approval an amendment to the wording printed in the agenda of article 17, paragraph 1(d) of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes, whereby any player who assumes a new nationality shall be eligible to play for the new representative team only after having lived continuously for at least five (not two) years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of that association and that this restriction would be enforced immediately;
- regarding the agenda of the Congress, as the Bolivian Football Federation has withdrawn its request for a discussion about high altitude, this point will be taken out of the agenda.
FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter speaks at a FIFA Executive Committee press conference in Sydney
(Foto-net)
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FIFA President honours Manchester United

FIFA President honours Manchester United
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 10 March 2009
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FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will honour Manchester United's victory at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan with a presentation at Old Trafford ahead of the UEFA Champions League second-leg tie against Inter Milan on Wednesday 11 March.


The FIFA President will hand over the 'FIFA Club World Cup Champions Badge' to Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill, and defender Wes Brown, before watching the game between the reigning club champions of England and Italy.

The winning club may display the badge on their jerseys up until the final whistle of the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup. The badge features an image of the trophy and the text: FIFA World Champions 2008.

"Manchester United have won a multitude of honours during their illustrious history, but in Tokyo last December they added a new title, that of FIFA world club champions" said President Blatter. "This commemorative presentation recognises the achievement of Sir Alex Ferguson and his players and means that until late-December 2009, every time the team takes to the field, they will take that honour out with them on their shirts."

Manchester United now follow in the footsteps of previous winners who boast equally rich histories and traditions: AC Milan of Italy (2007) and Sport Club Internacional (2006), Sao Paulo FC (2005) and Corinthians (2000) all of Brazil.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manager of Manchester United said: "It was an enormous honour to become the first British club to win the FIFA Club World Cup and this is a badge we will wear with great pride. I hope we are in a position to defend the trophy in Abu Dhabi in December!"

In association football, some national and club sides include one or more stars as part of (or beside) the crest on their shirt to represent important trophies that the team has previously won.

In national team football, Brazil currently display five stars, one for each FIFA World Cup victory in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Italy did likewise in 1982 and today have four. All world champions have since followed suit.

Capello cites English example

Capello cites English example
(PA) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Fabio Capello has warned Italian football it must follow England's lead if it is ever to regain its status as the world's best. For the fifth season in a row, the Premier League will be represented in the UEFA Champions League final, as Manchester United look to defend their crown against Barcelona.

Another season looking on from the sidelines has prompted plenty of navel-gazing in Italy. The Azzurri may have been good enough to lift the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, but at club level the situation is markedly different.
Overall, the Premier League is decidedly more competitive than Serie A.
Fabio Capello

No Serie A outfit made it as far as the quarter-finals this term, with Roma, Juventus and champions Inter Milan all beaten by English opposition in the last 16. Capello feels there are lessons to be learned if Italy is to regain its previous dominance.

"Inter Milan had all the potential to reach the final - at the very least I had expected them to get to the semi-finals," the England coach told The Football Association's official website. "Unfortunately for them they met a great side like Manchester United, although in truth United at that time were not as strong as they are now.

"But overall, the Premier League is decidedly more competitive than Serie A because the Italian public does not easily accept the physical challenges. It is vitally important for the Italian league to go for less interruptions while allowing a more physical approach."

Dream final
As the man who masterminded AC Milan's famous victory over Barcelona in final of the 1993/94 Champions League, Capello has plenty of his own history in the competition, and he is hoping for a classic tonight. "You are talking about two teams loaded with top-class players, all of them capable of deciding the outcome with a single move," he said.

"United have progressed on their winning route, with a fantastic squad, surely the strongest squad in the world. In spite of the injuries, they have been able to proceed with continuity because they have so many options.
Surely they are the two most entertaining teams in the world, and let's hope that the final will be entertaining too.
Fabio Capello on the meeting between Barcelona and Manchester United

"(Barcelona manager) Pep Guardiola was clever to preserve a technical and tactical continuity with the passing game and sophisticated touches of Frank Rijkaard's team, but he's also realised that you cannot win without defending, and has done an excellent job.

"But United have one of the best defensive records in the Champions League. Surely they are the two most entertaining teams in the world, and let's hope that the final will be entertaining too."

Barça reign supreme

Barça reign supreme
(AFP) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Barcelona stunned holders Manchester United to win their third UEFA Champions League crown with a 2-0 victory in Rome on Wednesday.

Goals from shining stars Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave the Catalans a deserved victory and denied United from becoming the first team to retain the title since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1993.

It also gave the Spaniards a unique treble having already won their domestic league and Copa del Rey and meant they repeated a feat United achieved in 1999, which Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson had then claimed would never be matched. The victory crowned a marvellous debut season for Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who at 38 becomes the youngest coach to take European club football's greatest prize.
Finally I have won it! I have been waiting for so long for this moment! The last five minutes were the longest of my life.
Barcelona striker Thierry Henry



For Thierry Henry it ended years of frustration especially when his then team Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final. "Finally I have won it! I have been waiting for so long for this moment," said the France great, whose daughter celebrated her birthday as well on Wednesday. "The last five minutes were the longest of my life. Even if we were 2-0 up we were playing the best team in the world (referring to the FIFA Club World Cup title United won earlier this year)."

Ferguson accepted defeat with good grace. "We started the game brightly but the goal was a killer," said the 67-year-old Scot, who looked to have had a good omen when one of his horses Last Three Minutes won a race earlier on Wednesday. "However, they are a better team than us. We conceded two bad goals. Our defence has been good all season but those were two shoddy goals to lose."

United on early
Barça overcame early jitters to dominate large parts of the game as the English club never managed to get their usual high tempo style into gear. In a clash billed as the match of the century pitting the best two teams in the world - with each one boasting one of the best two players on the planet - only one played to their full potential.

And Ferguson may be questioning his team selection having left both Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez on the United bench as Ryan Giggs played off lone striker Cristiano Ronaldo with Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung confined to disciplined roles on the flanks.

Both sides made a nervy start with Barça goalkeeper Victor Valdes and United's Park - the first ever Asian player to play in a Champions League final - playing passes straight into touch. But United settled quickest and Ronaldo had a purple patch in which he terrorised the Spaniards for 10 minutes. He hit a 25-yard free-kick that Valdes couldn't hold and former United defender Gerard Pique had to dive in to deflect Park's follow-up away for a corner.

Ronaldo then lashed a fierce long-range drive wide and later, after controlling the ball on his chest, he hit a left-foot volley that sailed agonisingly inches past the post.

The reigning champions were enjoying all the ball and chances but out of the blue Barcelona took the lead. Andres Iniesta played in Eto'o who beat Nemanja Vidic inside the box and although Michael Carrick slid in to try to block his shot, he succeeded only in helping it past Edwin van der Sar. That goal settled Barça into their usual stride and they started to weave the pretty patterns that have been mesmerising opponents all season, carrying them to the remarkable feat of scoring more than 150 goals.

Catalans roar
As the half wore on United gradually lost their shape and rhythm with Sir Alex Ferguson responding late on by pushing Rooney up alongside Ronaldo and Giggs out to the left. Ronaldo at times looked like he wanted to take on Barça on his own and on 20 minutes he tried a shot for the second time when a pass out wide looked the better option.

Xavi then tried his luck from a free-kick which, like Giggs's earlier, was just too high. But by now Barcelona had wrested control of the game and were keeping the ball with alarming ease.

Ferguson wasted no time in switching tactics, bringing on Tevez for Anderson at the break and reverting to a more regular 4-4-2, the Argentine playing alongside Ronaldo and Giggs dropping back into a deeper role. But Barça were first to strike on the counter as Thierry Henry cut in from the flank and left Ferdinand on the seat of his pants before shooting weakly at Van der Sar on 48 minutes.

The Spaniards were totally in the ascendancy and Xavi fired a free kick off the post on 53 minutes with the United keeper beaten as Barça threatened to run riot. The reigning champions steadied the ship and Ferguson signalled his intent when he threw Berbatov on for Park with a quarter of the match remaining.

But just as the tide seemed to be turning, Barça extended their lead from the most unlikely source as Xavi picked out Messi at the back post on the edge of the six-yard box, the Argentine wizard's looping header arcing into the top corner on 70 minutes. Push as United might in the final minutes, though, they lacked their usual sparkle and Valdes's goal was rarely threatened.

Fergie: The best team won

Fergie: The best team won
(PA) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his Manchester United lost to the better side as Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League final 2-0 in Rome, but vowed to come back even stronger.

United were bright in the initial exchanges but after Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring on ten minutes, there was only one team in the game as Barcelona over-ran their opponents in midfield. Lionel Messi made it 2-0 after 70 minutes and the Red Devils could muster nothing in response.

"In fairness we were beaten by the best team. We weren't at our best," Ferguson said. "The first goal was a killer, it was a bad start to the game. If you give them the ball they will keep it all night. But the best part of the game is that in adversity you always move forward quicker. We're all disappointed, but we're a young team."

Ferguson added a second striker at half-time, with Carlos Tevez replacing the ineffective Anderson. "I brought on Tevez simply because I took the gamble of playing two through (the middle)," the Scot said, reflecting on the change. "Ryan Giggs, in the first half, provided something and some parts of his game were good but what we needed was someone to be there all the time. But they (Barcelona) defended quite well. We had plenty of time and we had some half-chances which we maybe should have done better with."
In fairness we were beaten by the best team. We weren't at our best. We're all disappointed, but we're a young team.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson after losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final

Barça forward Thierry Henry celebrated his side's triumph by insisting that victory, rather than the considerable style in which it was achieved, was most important. "You always remember winners, that's the difference. You can play good football, pass the ball well but unless you win silverware sometimes it doesn't count," he said.

The Frenchman, who admitted his disappointment at his failure to take the same trophy during his time with Arsenal, also hailed his side's unique treble following their domestic league and cup triumphs. "I struggle to describe what we have achieved this year. No team has ever done this treble in Spain. It is something amazing," he said. "Apart from the way we play it is also down to the way we fought all season. Look at tonight - in the first ten minutes we were kind of lucky and playing against a United side who are difficult to beat. But we fight and we never give up."

On Arsenal, who lost to Barça in the 2006 final, Henry added: "I will always have disappointments from Arsenal because they are in my heart and in my blood. That disappointment will always remain in my career but tonight I am happy."

Joyous fans throng Barcelona

Joyous fans throng Barcelona
(AFP) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Thousands of joyous fans took to the streets of Barcelona on Wednesday after the Catalan club defeated Manchester United 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League final in Rome.

Barça fans had already twice gorged on success in recent days after their team won the Spanish title and lifted the Copa del Rey but the completion of an historic treble had supporters dancing in delirium once more down the city's Ramblas thoroughfare.
I am so happy, we deserved this victory. We're going to stay out all night.
A Barcelona fan celebrating in the city centre

Many fans draped themselves in the dark red and blue of their club and let off fireworks and honked horns to celebrate a win achieved courtesy of goals in either half from Samuel Eto'o and Leo Messi.

The triumph was Barcelona's third after 1992 and 2006. "I am so happy, we deserved this victory. We're going to stay out all night as long as the police don't move us on," said one young fan, Jordi, at the Canaletes fountain on the Ramblas, where fans traditionally celebrate.

Other fans mocked rivals Real Madrid, who ended the season trophyless - Barca's own fate for the past two seasons until this term under new coach Pep Guardiola.

Ronaldo: The biggest blow

Ronaldo: The biggest blow
(PA) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that the UEFA Champions League defeat to Barcelona was one of the biggest disappointments of his career.

Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi were enough to overcome Manchester United in Rome's Stadio Olimpico, denying Sir Alex Ferguson's men the chance to become the first side to successfully defend the trophy since it was rebranded in 1992.

Ronaldo did cause the Catalans some early problems, but ultimately the Portuguese winger faded like his team, with Messi now looking to have won the unofficial battle for best player in the world bragging rights. "This is one of the biggest disappointments of my career," said Ronaldo. "We were always confident before the game but unfortunately we couldn't do it."
Barcelona are a brilliant team. Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world in my opinion.
United's Wayne Rooney after losing the Champions League final

Speculation is now bound to surface once more about whether the 24-year-old has played his final game for the Old Trafford outfit. It was not a subject up for discussion this evening as Ronaldo came to terms with the defeat. "It is always bad when you lose a final," said Ronaldo. "But we didn't play well. We did okay in the first ten minutes but you have to say Barcelona deserved to win."

Wayne Rooney was equally distressed at United's first European final defeat, although few would argue Barcelona fully deserved their victory. "It is a big disappointment but Barcelona were the better team," said the England forward. "They scored two good goals and unfortunately for us, they came at good times. That made it very difficult for us.

"Barcelona are a brilliant team. Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world in my opinion," Rooney went on. "If you don't take your chances against them, they will punish you and that is what has happened. It is very disappointing and the feeling at the moment is not a good one. We are hurting. But we have to forget it and look forward to next season."