| FIFA looks at 13 goal-line technology systems FIFA says 13 different goal-line technology systems are being considered to help match officials make more accurate decisions. cbc.ca |
Terry suffered back spasms after fall • Centre-back's progress will be monitored• Chelsea face three games in eight days from SaturdayJohn Terry has returned to Chelsea after his release by England because of a back problem. It is uncertain how long the centre-back will be out of action, but the club have released a statement regarding the injury he sustained on Sunday."John landed awkwardly on his back during training with the national team, which resulted in back spasms. He was assessed by their medical team and has returned to Chelsea. We will continue to monitor his progress over the next few days."Chelsea are away to Aston Villa in Saturday's evening kick-off. They then face Spartak Moscow at home a week tomorrow and Wolves at home on Saturday 23 October.The Brazilian centre-back Alex is also injured – he suffered a thigh injury in the 2-0 win over Arsenal on 3 October and is expected to miss the fixtures against Villa and Spartak.John TerryEnglandChelseaguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
2010 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier: scores and standings Standings, scores and schedules for the 2010 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier cbc.ca |
1954 World Cup win was 'drug-tainted' • University study says some players may have used stimulant• Drug pervitin given to German soldiers in second world warWest Germany's 1954 World Cup-winning team, feted for helping the nation recover after the second world war, may have been boosted by a secret doping programme, according to a new university study.West Germany beat Hungary, the clear favourites, 3-2 in the final in Switzerland in a victory that became known as the Miracle of Berne."There are several strong indications that point to the injection of [methamphetamine] pervitin in some Germany players and not vitamin C as it was claimed," said the sports historian and author Erik Eggers, who conducted the study as part of a team at Humboldt University in Berlin.Pervitin was a known stimulant at the time and had also been distributed to German soldiers in the war. Team officials had said they had injected their players only with vitamin C during the tournament, but no drugs tests were conducted at the time.Eggers has been studying the case for some years, with his report forming part of a wider project called "Doping in Germany", launched by the country's sports authorities to investigate its doping past."Pervitin was at that time widely used in many sports and amphetamines were said to be also used by South America players," Eggers said. "What is suspicious is that these injections to German players were distributed secretly and the only reason they became known was because those who got injected contracted jaundice."Hungary had demolished the Germans 8-3 in the tournament's group stage, making West Germany's final win all the more surprising."The most important indication, though, is that vitamin C is not injected. This is very unusual. They could have just eaten an orange instead."German football federation officials could not be reached for a comment, while the German Olympic Sports Union, the country's umbrella sports organisation which launched the "Doping in Germany" project with other sports authorities, said they were aware of Eggers' study."Keep in mind these are indications and not proof," said a DOSB official.Many Germans view the 1954 win as the springboard of the country's remarkable soccer success in the World Cup – they have won three and been runners-up four times – and a key moment of renewed optimism in postwar Germany.GermanyDrugs in sportguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Increased brand recognition behind Venky's Blackburn takeover bid Anuradha Desai, the chairperson of Venky's, believes that the exposure her company will get from being associated with Blackburn Rovers will boost their brand recognition. telegraph.co.uk |