TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Birmingham City defender Roger Johnson is relishing his Premier League opportunity Centre-back duo Roger Johnson and Scott Dann have provided the foundation for Birmingham's rise. telegraph.co.uk |
Qatar World Cup bid ties up exclusive Africa deal • England not allowed to make presentation in Angola• Other bidders also excluded from lobbying at CongressEngland and the other nations bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not be permitted to make presentations to African football leaders later this month after Qatar signed an exclusive sponsorship deal.The decision by the Confederation of African Football to sign a deal with Qatar 2022 to sponsor their Congress in Angola on 29 January has provoked an angry response among some bidding nations who are understood to have raised the matter with Fifa.Members of the England bid board, however, are said to be relaxed about CAF's decision, believing they have strong links in Africa and have already made formal presentations to two of the four African delegates on Fifa's executive committee.An email from the CAF general secretary's office to bidding nations reads: "Kindly note that CAF has signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement with Qatar 2022 for the CAF Congress 2010, which as a consequence means that no other bidding nations for the Fifa World Cup will be allowed to make any presentations at the Congress."However, your delegation and representatives will be allowed to attend as 'observers', but without the possibility to organise press conferences, distribute any promotional material or erect stands to that effect within the venue and its vicinity on that day."If you wish to promote the bid prior to or after that date it would be possible, and mechanics would have to be studied."England's bid team are planning to have a presence at the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Angola this weekend.Other bidders for 2018 and 2022 including Russia, Australia, the United States and joint-bidders Spain and Portugal are also intending to do so.World Cup 2018Africa Cup of NationsFifaguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Edwin van der Sar returns to training with Manchester United • Van der Sar was on compassionate leave after wife collapsed• Goalkeeper has joined up with team-mates in QatarEdwin van der Sar has returned to training at Manchester United for the first time since his wife collapsed with a brain haemorrhage before Christmas.The United goalkeeper has been on compassionate leave since Annemarie van Kesteren was admitted to hospital in Amsterdam on 23 December but the latest medical tests have shown she has suffered no permanent damage and Van der Sar has flown to Qatar to be with the rest of his team-mates at their four-day winter training camp.When Van der Sar will play again remains uncertain after he missed the last three weeks and the Dutchman has also been troubled by a knee injury.He has not played since the 3-0 defeat of Everton on 21 November.Manchester UnitedPremier LeagueDaniel Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Mutu pushes Fiorentina past Lazio in Italian Cup Adrian Mutu scored twice and assisted on a third Wednesday to help Fiorentina knock defending champion Lazio out of the Italian Cup with a 3-2 win. cbc.ca |
Portsmouth 1 West Ham United 1: match report Danny Webber rescues a point for Portsmouth to cancel out Matthew Upson's opener. telegraph.co.uk |