| Borussia Dortmund blanks Bayern Munich: Bundesliga Borussia Dortmund extended its winning streak to six games in the Bundesliga on Sunday with a 2-0 victory at home to Bayern Munich, sending the reigning champion into the international team break in a mini crisis. cbc.ca |
Fifa bars Nigeria over government interference • Nigeria punished for government's actions against NFF• Team barred from ANC qualifiers until situation is resolvedFifa has suspended the Nigerian Football Federation because of government interference, the world football's governing body announced today. Fifa has become frustrated with events in the African country and the suspension means the country's national team will not be able to participate in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations until the matter is resolved.A Fifa statement read: "The Fifa emergency committee decided today to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect on account of government interference."This decision follows the latest events linked to the NFF, such as the court actions against elected members of the NFF executive committee preventing them from exercising their functions and duties, the stepping down of the acting NFF general secretary on the instructions of the national sports commission, the decision of the minister of sports to have the Nigerian League start without relegation from the previous season, and the fact that the NFF executive committee cannot work properly due to this interference."The suspension will be maintained until the court actions have ceased and the duly elected NFF executive committee is able to work without any interference. During the period of suspension, the NFF will not be able to be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, and also not in friendly matches."In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials can benefit from any development programme, course, or training from Fifa or [the Confederation of African Football] while the federation remains suspended."Nigeria won their opening Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 2-0 against Madagascar.NigeriaFifaFootball politicsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Scandal to delay decision on Cup The decision on which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups may be postponed after allegations of vote-fixing. foxsports.com.au |
You can't buy instant team spirit, says Fábregas • Arsenal captain says team spirit takes years to build• Tomas Rosicky: We cannot always say we are unluckyCesc Fábregas has told Manchester City, who Arsenal face on Sunday, that they may be able to afford the best players but their riches cannot buy them instant team spirit.The Arsenal captain believes it is the key element Roberto Mancini will struggle to create despite being able to reach into the coffers of City's owner, Sheikh Mansour. "Of course you cannot buy it in one year," said the Spaniard, who returned from a hamstring injury in the Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk last night, scoring the third in a 5-1 win."You need a few years to get everyone together to know everyone well, all the players. It's not easy. You don't do it in one season or two, I would say. Of course they are in a very good position – they have all the ingredients to become a great club. We have to fight hard against them."City are second in the league, three points ahead of Arsène Wenger's team going into the meeting at Eastlands. Wenger's ethos has been to buy modestly, and nurture homegrown talent but Fábregas was reluctant to criticise Mancini's lavish summer spending, which has included Mario Balotelli (£24m), James Milner (£26m) and Yaya Touré (£24m). "Everyone chooses their own politics, everyone decides how to win," he said. "They have a lot of money, they are taking advantage of it and that's it. It's not our style, but we respect everyone's decision."City represent the latest test of Arsenal's ability to win the league, six years after the Invincibles went unbeaten to claim their last championship. "They are improving, they have a lot of money, they are buying good players so you expect them to be at the top level," Fábregas said. "It has always been difficult since I've been here to go to Manchester City. I remember my first few years – it was difficult but now they have some of the very best players in England."Three weeks ago Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Tomas Rosicky, who operated on the right against Shahktar, is clear that City must now be beaten to indicate Arsenal are serious challengers. "It's a massive game. We couldn't wish for a better result before this game and we want to do better than against Chelsea," he said. "I think this team will show it. It was the same old story [against Chelsea]. How we presented ourselves there, we were very disappointed."But you ask whether we will go out from this game [against Donetsk] with the feeling we can do it: all this stuff, is just words. We need to finally show it on the pitch. We cannot always say we are unlucky, it doesn't work like that. It's time to prove it."Rosicky said that while Wenger has not formally talked about the requirement to have a ruthless mentality, everyone at the club is conscious of it. "I wouldn't say we are discussing it, or we had meetings about it. But I think everybody has realised how it is and I know that I will say it again but we finally need to show it on the pitch. We have a great opportunity to show it on Sunday and this [result] was a good boost before the game."ArsenalCesc FábregasManchester CityJamie Jacksonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Lyon 2 Benfica 0: match report French side ease to win over 10-man visitors and take control of Champions League Group B. telegraph.co.uk |