Reuters Football - World

Blatter signals arrival of goalline technology

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:53:11 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 27 (Reuters) - England's Premier League and any others who want to introduce goalline technology got the go-ahead to do so from FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday, as long as the law-making International Football Association Board approves it next March.

More change needed at FIFA says corruption body

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:57:10 GMT

BERNE, Aug 16 (Reuters) - FIFA should limit terms for senior officials, set up an independent group to clear up anti-corruption allegations and "embrace transparency", corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) said on Tuesday.

Myanmar fans' fury halts World Cup qualifier with Oman

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:57:18 GMT

YANGON, July 28 (Reuters) - A World Cup qualifier between Myanmar and Oman was abandoned on Thursday after angry fans hurled rocks and glass bottles at the referee, the visiting coach Paul Le Guen and one of his players, witnesses said.

Blatter denies Bin Hammam's claims he is a dictator

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:55:59 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 27 (Reuters) - Beleaguered FIFA president Sepp Blatter denied he ran FIFA like a dictatorship on Wednesday but refused to make any comment on his former ally Mohamed bin Hammam, who was banned from soccer for life on Saturday on corruption charges.

2014 World Cup to start on June 12, FIFA says

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:13:32 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 27 (Reuters) - The 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil will start on June 12 with the final on July 13, FIFA's secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Wednesday.

FIFA to open new probe into Caribbean meeting

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:50:12 GMT

BERNE, July 26 (Reuters) - FIFA are set to open a further investigation into the meeting of Caribbean football officials which resulted in former presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam being banned for life.

Forlan follows in family footsteps with Copa America win

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:34:15 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, July 24 (Reuters) - Diego Forlan completed a remarkable achievement for his family with Uruguay's record 15th Copa America title on Sunday.

Brazil name three newcomers for Germany friendly

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:42:41 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 25 (Reuters) - Brazil coach Mano Menezes named three newcomers on Monday in his squad for a friendly against Germany next month.

Banned Bin Hammam wants FIFA evidence in public domain

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:06:05 GMT

DOHA, July 25 (Reuters) - Former Asia soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam wants the evidence presented to FIFA that led to his life ban from football to be placed in the public domain, the Qatari said in a blog post on Monday.

Copa America failure costs Batista Argentina job

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:42:26 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, July 25 (Reuters) - Argentina's failure to win the Copa America as hosts and end an 18-year wait for a major title cost coach Sergio Batista his job on Monday.

Forlan scores two as Uruguay win Copa America

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:12:10 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, July 24 (Reuters) - Diego Forlan scored twice after Luis Suarez's opening goal as Uruguay beat Paraguay 3-0 to win the Copa America on Sunday and be crowned South American champions for a record 15th time.

Jubilant Uruguayans celebrate Copa America win

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:33:28 GMT

MONTEVIDEO, July 24 (Reuters) - Thousands of Uruguayan soccer fans, many with faces painted sky blue, flooded into the streets of the capital on Sunday to celebrate their team's record-breaking Copa America triumph.

Japan's World Cup winners in line for rare award

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 09:01:34 GMT

TOKYO, July 25 (Reuters) - Japan's trail-blazing women's soccer players could become the first team to receive the prestigious People's Honour Award for their astonishing World Cup triumph earlier this month.

Bin Hammam to appeal against FIFA life ban

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:16:56 GMT

ZURICH, July 23 (Reuters) - Mohamed Bin Hammam, the Asian soccer chief who was due to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency last month, was banned for life by football's ruling body on Saturday for his part in a cash-for-votes scandal.

Guerrero hat-trick gives Peru 3rd-place win

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 20:14:09 GMT

LA PLATA, July 23 (Reuters) - Striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick as Peru crushed 10-man Venezuela 4-1 to take third place at the Copa America on Saturday.

Peru crush Venezuela 4-1, finish third at Copa America

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:59:59 GMT

LA PLATA, July 23 (Reuters) - Striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick as Peru crushed 10-man Venezuela 4-1 to take third place at the Copa America on Saturday.

ANALYSIS-Bin Hammam ban sets up battle for AFC presidency

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 18:59:57 GMT

SINGAPORE, July 24 (Reuters) - Mohammed Bin Hammam's lifetime ban from soccer is likely to transform Friday's scheduled Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee meeting into a platform for prospective candidates to campaign for votes to fill his presidential role.

PREVIEW-Uruguay chase record 15th Copa America title

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:08:19 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, July 22 (Reuters) - Uruguay will bid to claim a record 15th Copa America, eclipsing the 14 titles won by host nation Argentina, by beating Paraguay in Sunday's final at the Monumental (1900 GMT).

Bin Hammam doubts he will be treated fairly

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:04:24 GMT

ZURICH, July 22 (Reuters) - Suspended Asian soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam questioned whether he would be fairly treated as a two-day hearing began on Friday into allegations he tried to buy votes ahead of last month's FIFA presidential election.

Singapore win derby, Bin Hammam claims headlines

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:10:09 GMT

SINGAPORE, July 23 (Reuters) - Singapore beat arch-rivals Malaysia 5-3 in a thrilling, error-strewn match that was the pick of World Cup Asian qualifiers on Saturday, but events on the field were overshadowed by the lifetime ban handed to AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam.

FIFA hands Bin Hammam life ban for bribery

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:10:09 GMT

ZURICH, July 23 (Reuters) - Asian soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life on Saturday after being found guilty by world football's ruling body of trying to buy votes ahead of last month's FIFA presidential election.

Japan coach takes rap for Twitter criticism gaffe

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:17:31 GMT

TOKYO, July 22 (Reuters) - Japan's World Cup-winning women's soccer team coach apologised on Friday after inappropriate comments one of his players made about him were published on the social networking site Twitter.

Drogba takes malaria fight to native Africa

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:18:20 GMT

BANGKOK, July 23 (Reuters) - After six years braving England's frigid winters, a tropical disease was the last thing Chelsea's injury-prone striker Didier Drogba thought would keep him on the sidelines of the Premier League.

Paraguay coach banned for final, teams fined after brawl

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 05:57:22 GMT

ASUNCION, July 21 (Reuters) - Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino will watch the Copa America final from the stands after he was suspended for two games following a brawl at the end of their semi-final win over Venezuela.

Bin Hammam dismisses "flimsy" evidence as hearing starts

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:51:39 GMT

ZURICH, JULY 22 - S uspended Asian soccer president Mohamed Bin Hammam questioned whether he would be fairly treated as a two-day hearing began on Friday into allegations that he tried to buy votes in the run-up to last month's FIFA presidential election.