Who will be honoured with the title of FIFA World Player and FIFA Women's World Player for 2008? FIFA has today announced the names of the nominees (see below) and the final decision will be made by the captains and head coaches of the men's and women's national teams.
At the beginning of December, FIFA will announce the names of the three men and women who have received the most votes and the winners will be revealed at the 18th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Opera House on 12 January 2009.
The lists of 23 male and 10 female candidates for these prestigious awards have been drawn up by football experts from the Football Committee and the Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup.
The following 23 men (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the title of FIFA World Player 2008:
Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Steven Gerrard (England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Kaká (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Franck Ribéry (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).
The following 10 women (in alphabetical order) are in contention for the title of FIFA Women's World Player 2008:
Nadine Angerer (Germany), Shannon Boxx (USA), Cristiane (Brazil), Daniela (Brazil), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Kelly Smith (England), Hope Solo (USA) and Ingvild Stensland (Norway).
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
FIFA ZURICH A CORRUPT HEAVEN
Blatter & Havelange named in Swiss bribes trial (Curlled from Transparency.org)
For more than a decade Andrew Jennings has been telling anybody who would listen that the sports marketing company ISL paid industrial-scale bungs to the men who control world sport. In March 2008 he travelled to a criminal court in Switzerland to hear prosecutors reveal it was even worse than he’d imagined.
Tuesday March 11, 2008, Zug: Here they come, pretending it’s just an ordinary day, past the hyenas hovering in the glass and brick canyon leading to the court door, nod to familiar faces, sorry can’t stop to chat, daren’t be late.
Up until the dawning of this century it was so different. The Big Six happily gave us interviews, smiled for our cameras, catered the vol-au-vents and waved releases announcing New Clients! New Sports! Global Domination!
The Prosecutor here in the small Swiss City of Zug is demanding up to four-and-a-half years in jail for what’s becoming the biggest corruption scandal in sport. When International Sport and Leisure – always known as ISL - went down the toilet in the Spring of 2001 they owed more than $300 million, the second largest bankruptcy in Swiss history.
Their biggest and best contract was the marketing and television rights to the World Cup in 2002 and again in 2006. It cost them $1.2 billion to buy from FIFA but they could sell for lots more – and take 25% commissions on the way. How could such fantastically clever business whizzes go wrong? Where did the money go? By the end of today we should be getting some clues.
The square courtroom is the first surprise. It could be a conference room for salesmen in a no-frills business motel. At best it’s down-market Swedish, designed by the guy who trucked in the ready-mix. No podium, all of us on one level. And that’s hardwearing, composite flooring. The tall, lithe and quite lovely figure of 41-year-old blonde Presiding Judge Ziegler in her dark pant-suit (‘I’m Carole, spelled like the French,’ she purrs to me in a coffee break) sits flanked by her two middle-aged male colleagues at a table against the back wall.
There’s more rows of tables and chairs at the back for the reporters, Swiss, Germans, French - and me from an offshore island. In front of us a dozen or so strained relatives and an attentive young man in a suit who we’ll identify later. Facing the judges the once Big Six sit squashed with their lawyers and their tables are squeezed across the whole breadth of the room.
They’ve plenty to worry about. The prosecutor wants to stiff them for embezzlement, fraud and fraudulent bankruptcy as well as damaging creditors and falsification of documents. That’s enough scandal to fill our notebooks. But we want more; we came here for bribes. Be patient.
On the far right of the line-up is Daniel Beauvois, early 50s, living again in Brussels. With his swept-back greying hair and trim beard he’s the only one who looks creative. Daniel is lucky, he joined ISL to run their television operations long after the bribery scams were put in place. But he could still end up breakfasting on Swiss-government issue muesli because all six are accused of nicking around £45 million pounds they should have paid to FIFA. FIFA! At last Herr Blatter and his organisation get their names on the court record. It’s 11.02 on Tuesday March 11, two hours into the evidence.
For more than a decade Andrew Jennings has been telling anybody who would listen that the sports marketing company ISL paid industrial-scale bungs to the men who control world sport. In March 2008 he travelled to a criminal court in Switzerland to hear prosecutors reveal it was even worse than he’d imagined.
Tuesday March 11, 2008, Zug: Here they come, pretending it’s just an ordinary day, past the hyenas hovering in the glass and brick canyon leading to the court door, nod to familiar faces, sorry can’t stop to chat, daren’t be late.
Up until the dawning of this century it was so different. The Big Six happily gave us interviews, smiled for our cameras, catered the vol-au-vents and waved releases announcing New Clients! New Sports! Global Domination!
The Prosecutor here in the small Swiss City of Zug is demanding up to four-and-a-half years in jail for what’s becoming the biggest corruption scandal in sport. When International Sport and Leisure – always known as ISL - went down the toilet in the Spring of 2001 they owed more than $300 million, the second largest bankruptcy in Swiss history.
Their biggest and best contract was the marketing and television rights to the World Cup in 2002 and again in 2006. It cost them $1.2 billion to buy from FIFA but they could sell for lots more – and take 25% commissions on the way. How could such fantastically clever business whizzes go wrong? Where did the money go? By the end of today we should be getting some clues.
The square courtroom is the first surprise. It could be a conference room for salesmen in a no-frills business motel. At best it’s down-market Swedish, designed by the guy who trucked in the ready-mix. No podium, all of us on one level. And that’s hardwearing, composite flooring. The tall, lithe and quite lovely figure of 41-year-old blonde Presiding Judge Ziegler in her dark pant-suit (‘I’m Carole, spelled like the French,’ she purrs to me in a coffee break) sits flanked by her two middle-aged male colleagues at a table against the back wall.
There’s more rows of tables and chairs at the back for the reporters, Swiss, Germans, French - and me from an offshore island. In front of us a dozen or so strained relatives and an attentive young man in a suit who we’ll identify later. Facing the judges the once Big Six sit squashed with their lawyers and their tables are squeezed across the whole breadth of the room.
They’ve plenty to worry about. The prosecutor wants to stiff them for embezzlement, fraud and fraudulent bankruptcy as well as damaging creditors and falsification of documents. That’s enough scandal to fill our notebooks. But we want more; we came here for bribes. Be patient.
On the far right of the line-up is Daniel Beauvois, early 50s, living again in Brussels. With his swept-back greying hair and trim beard he’s the only one who looks creative. Daniel is lucky, he joined ISL to run their television operations long after the bribery scams were put in place. But he could still end up breakfasting on Swiss-government issue muesli because all six are accused of nicking around £45 million pounds they should have paid to FIFA. FIFA! At last Herr Blatter and his organisation get their names on the court record. It’s 11.02 on Tuesday March 11, two hours into the evidence.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Nigeria Draws Tunisia Egypt Handed An Easy Grouping- Abdulgafar Oladimeji and Nduka Onyeobalu
African champions Egypt will be satisfied with their drawThe draw for the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations has taken place in Zurich, with Egypt being handed what many would consider to be the best of the five group draws. While Super Eagles of Nigeria would lock horns against Carthage Lions of Tunisia in group B
The African champions will face Algeria, Zambia and Rwanda in Group D as they attempt to reach their third World Cup finals.
Cameroon, the highest ranked African country, were drawn against Morocco, Gabon and Togo.
Ghana will face Benin, who have cruised through the qualifiers to date, as well as Mali and Sudan.
Nigeria will face Tunisia, Kenya, and Mozambique, while 2006 World Cup finalists Ivory Coast will meet Guinea, Burkina Faso and Malawi.
The African champions will face Algeria, Zambia and Rwanda in Group D as they attempt to reach their third World Cup finals.
Cameroon, the highest ranked African country, were drawn against Morocco, Gabon and Togo.
Ghana will face Benin, who have cruised through the qualifiers to date, as well as Mali and Sudan.
Nigeria will face Tunisia, Kenya, and Mozambique, while 2006 World Cup finalists Ivory Coast will meet Guinea, Burkina Faso and Malawi.
Amr Zaki Talks Tough On 2008 African Player Of The Year Awards
Zaki: Now is my time
Amr Zaki began the 2008/09 season as a little fish in the ocean that is the English Premier League. Seven rounds into the campaign, however, the player Wigan Athletic have on a season-long loan from Zamalek has established himself as one of the competition's most fearsome predators.
Powerful, pacy and relentless, the Egyptian is the competition's joint-leading marksman, alongside Jermain and Defoe and Fernando Torres. Riding a wave of confidence, Zaki spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about life in the Premier League, and his country's chances at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 and of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Amr, ten years ago you were at Mansoura in the Egyptian second tier. Did you ever envisage playing in the English Premier League?Amr Zaki?
Well, I used to wear the jersey of some of the players I compete against today while watching them on TV and cheering for their clubs, but looking back at my start, I think I made quick and tremendous progress. I actually started with a third division side in Egypt, El Merrikh, before I joined the Mansoura in my hometown. I managed to make my first team appearance for their senior team when I was only 16 years old and a few years later, I joined ENPPI in the Egyptian top flight for a record fee at the time. Looking back at such a journey, I thank God for helping me climb up the stairs of football so fast, and while I am still only 25 that's what makes me full of confidence when I rub shoulders with superstars every Saturday.You didn't mention your spell at Lokomotiv Moscow.I have to admit I'm not very proud of this experience. After Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations at home in 2006, ENPPI, put me up for sale. The winter transfer window was already closed by that time in Europe, with the exception of Russia. Lokomotiv Moscow made a good offer. However, I only stayed there for three months and did not play a single game, mainly because I was injured most of the time and suffered from home sickness and the terrible climate.
But you've managed to overcome these obstacles at Wigan?
It is very different this time: I am now at the place I dreamt of being since I was a kid. I knew what was waiting for me and I am getting all the support I need. The club are doing their best to make me feel comfortable, and they even helped me bring my family to England to make me feel at home. I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to the Wigan fans, who have been just fantastic.Do you think if you had moved to a bigger club you could have made an even greater impact in the Premier League?Wigan may be a small city but they are definitely not a small team. We play some of the best football in the league and we have superstar players like (Emile) Heskey and (Antonio) Valencia. Even in the games we lost this season, we were the better side but were just unlucky.
So you're committed to Wigan, despite reports suggesting you would like to move to one of the Premier League's 'big four' in January?
All my efforts now are focused towards helping Wigan win matches and scoring goals for them. This is the least I can do for the team and for my manager Steve Bruce, who insisted on signing me after one of he longest transfers negotiations in modern football. He always believed in me, and now it is my turn now to pay him back and meet the expectations of the Wigan fans.
Turning to the national team, Egypt have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup since 1990. Do you believe you can qualify for South Africa 2010?
Thinking any differently would be kind of madness after winning the Africa Cup of Nations twice in a row. There is no doubt that we are the best African team at this stage. And we as players have the confidence to make it all the way to South Africa. The next phase of the qualifiers will be very tough with only the elite teams competing. But this is when we're at our best, playing against the big names.
Are there any teams you would like to avoid in the third phase of African Zone qualifying?
I fear no-one. It should be the other way round, other teams fearing playing against us. There are at least eight to 12 teams in Africa that deserve to play in the FIFA World Cup finals, but only the fittest will survive.
How do you rate Egypt's chances at the FIFA Confederations Cup next year?
It will simply be thrilling to play against Brazil, Italy or Spain. But as the champions of Africa people will expect us to play for victory, and I guess this is what we should do.
You scored for Egypt with your first touch after replacing Mido in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Senegal in 2006. Was this your greatest moment for your country?
Many people believe so, although they tend to forget that I played every game in this tournament and performed even better in other matches.
It's an exciting time in Egyptian football. How do you feel about Egypt hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year?I have very fond memories of this competition because we won the African title in 2003 in Burkina Faso, and I was part of that team. We went on to reach the last 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Dubai, where we lost to Argentina. Our coach at the time was Hassan Shehata, who later used the same plyaers to win the Cup of Nations title in 2006 and 2008. I think people are really elated in Egypt that such an event is coming home. It will be a huge festival of football like it was at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006.
You played the lead role in an Egyptian movie with Mohamed Shawky earlier this year. Does this mean you are considering a career change?
No way! We did it during the summer break for the fun of it. It was an interesting idea and the film is now in the cinemas. I just hope it will be successful.While helping Wigan and Egypt remain among your objectives, what are your personal goals?I think it is time I won the African Footballer of the Year award. No Egyptian player has won this title for over 25 years, which is disappointing. Many people have told me that I am the top contender. This sounds logical because it really has to be an Egyptian this year after we managed to hold on to our continental title, which was the biggest football event in Africa this year. If there is anybody who can compete with me for such a title, it is Mohamed Aboutrika - he has helped Al Ahly dominate club football in Africa.
What about players from other countries?
I have all the respect for stars like Kanoute, Keita, Drogba and others, but I am convinced that 2008 was Egypt's year. We could not have done any better to deserve such a title.
Amr Zaki began the 2008/09 season as a little fish in the ocean that is the English Premier League. Seven rounds into the campaign, however, the player Wigan Athletic have on a season-long loan from Zamalek has established himself as one of the competition's most fearsome predators.
Powerful, pacy and relentless, the Egyptian is the competition's joint-leading marksman, alongside Jermain and Defoe and Fernando Torres. Riding a wave of confidence, Zaki spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about life in the Premier League, and his country's chances at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 and of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
Amr, ten years ago you were at Mansoura in the Egyptian second tier. Did you ever envisage playing in the English Premier League?Amr Zaki?
Well, I used to wear the jersey of some of the players I compete against today while watching them on TV and cheering for their clubs, but looking back at my start, I think I made quick and tremendous progress. I actually started with a third division side in Egypt, El Merrikh, before I joined the Mansoura in my hometown. I managed to make my first team appearance for their senior team when I was only 16 years old and a few years later, I joined ENPPI in the Egyptian top flight for a record fee at the time. Looking back at such a journey, I thank God for helping me climb up the stairs of football so fast, and while I am still only 25 that's what makes me full of confidence when I rub shoulders with superstars every Saturday.You didn't mention your spell at Lokomotiv Moscow.I have to admit I'm not very proud of this experience. After Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations at home in 2006, ENPPI, put me up for sale. The winter transfer window was already closed by that time in Europe, with the exception of Russia. Lokomotiv Moscow made a good offer. However, I only stayed there for three months and did not play a single game, mainly because I was injured most of the time and suffered from home sickness and the terrible climate.
But you've managed to overcome these obstacles at Wigan?
It is very different this time: I am now at the place I dreamt of being since I was a kid. I knew what was waiting for me and I am getting all the support I need. The club are doing their best to make me feel comfortable, and they even helped me bring my family to England to make me feel at home. I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to the Wigan fans, who have been just fantastic.Do you think if you had moved to a bigger club you could have made an even greater impact in the Premier League?Wigan may be a small city but they are definitely not a small team. We play some of the best football in the league and we have superstar players like (Emile) Heskey and (Antonio) Valencia. Even in the games we lost this season, we were the better side but were just unlucky.
So you're committed to Wigan, despite reports suggesting you would like to move to one of the Premier League's 'big four' in January?
All my efforts now are focused towards helping Wigan win matches and scoring goals for them. This is the least I can do for the team and for my manager Steve Bruce, who insisted on signing me after one of he longest transfers negotiations in modern football. He always believed in me, and now it is my turn now to pay him back and meet the expectations of the Wigan fans.
Turning to the national team, Egypt have not qualified for the FIFA World Cup since 1990. Do you believe you can qualify for South Africa 2010?
Thinking any differently would be kind of madness after winning the Africa Cup of Nations twice in a row. There is no doubt that we are the best African team at this stage. And we as players have the confidence to make it all the way to South Africa. The next phase of the qualifiers will be very tough with only the elite teams competing. But this is when we're at our best, playing against the big names.
Are there any teams you would like to avoid in the third phase of African Zone qualifying?
I fear no-one. It should be the other way round, other teams fearing playing against us. There are at least eight to 12 teams in Africa that deserve to play in the FIFA World Cup finals, but only the fittest will survive.
How do you rate Egypt's chances at the FIFA Confederations Cup next year?
It will simply be thrilling to play against Brazil, Italy or Spain. But as the champions of Africa people will expect us to play for victory, and I guess this is what we should do.
You scored for Egypt with your first touch after replacing Mido in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Senegal in 2006. Was this your greatest moment for your country?
Many people believe so, although they tend to forget that I played every game in this tournament and performed even better in other matches.
It's an exciting time in Egyptian football. How do you feel about Egypt hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year?I have very fond memories of this competition because we won the African title in 2003 in Burkina Faso, and I was part of that team. We went on to reach the last 16 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Dubai, where we lost to Argentina. Our coach at the time was Hassan Shehata, who later used the same plyaers to win the Cup of Nations title in 2006 and 2008. I think people are really elated in Egypt that such an event is coming home. It will be a huge festival of football like it was at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006.
You played the lead role in an Egyptian movie with Mohamed Shawky earlier this year. Does this mean you are considering a career change?
No way! We did it during the summer break for the fun of it. It was an interesting idea and the film is now in the cinemas. I just hope it will be successful.While helping Wigan and Egypt remain among your objectives, what are your personal goals?I think it is time I won the African Footballer of the Year award. No Egyptian player has won this title for over 25 years, which is disappointing. Many people have told me that I am the top contender. This sounds logical because it really has to be an Egyptian this year after we managed to hold on to our continental title, which was the biggest football event in Africa this year. If there is anybody who can compete with me for such a title, it is Mohamed Aboutrika - he has helped Al Ahly dominate club football in Africa.
What about players from other countries?
I have all the respect for stars like Kanoute, Keita, Drogba and others, but I am convinced that 2008 was Egypt's year. We could not have done any better to deserve such a title.
European Football Anti Racism week
European Action Week against Racism in Football takes off
The next 13 days will see European football stand united against racism and discrimination, with the launch of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week.
The initiative, coordinated by the European network and supported by UEFA will feature nearly one thousand initiatives by campaigners, fans, clubs, national associations and ethnic minority groups across Europe. The 9th edition of the FARE Action Week runs from 16 to 28 October and will see an unprecedented 40 European countries involved in an concerted effort to rid the game of racism and exclusion.
Top leagues and clubs celebrate diversity
This season 14 top national leagues across Europe – ranging from the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League to the Super League in Greece and Ukraine - are channelling the power of football to get a message across to the millions of people touched by game. Also, a selection of professional clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Slovan Liberec or Young Boys Berne will be joining their supporters to celebrate the contribution of ethnic minorities to football. One example is Paris Saint Germain’s fixture on Saturday, which will see them link up with French FARE partner LICRA, to hold an anti-racism day at the Ligue 1 match against Lorient.
Racism has not vanished
The recent case of Atletico Madrid demonstrates that openly expressed racism and far-right agitation is still alive in some football grounds. The strong disciplinary decision taken by UEFA is likely to help tackle racism as the annual weeks of action is launched today. The sanctions are the largest to have been imposed on any football body for racism. In addition to sanctions FARE has called for renewed efforts to tackle all forms of discrimination.
Kurt Wachter of the Austrian FARE partner FairPlay. Different Colours. One Game. said
“Penalties act as a wake-up call for clubs and associations failing to address the racism problem at heart. FARE’s approach was always to raise awareness and to educate. There is a need to build partnerships with those fans and minorities who are challenging racism on a daily basis. The Action Week is a unique opportunity to spotlight these grass-root groups who are often on the margins of football.”
Challenging Homophobia: The last taboo
This year the FARE network supports a growing number of initiatives and fan groups who deal with homophobia, which see some as the last taboo in football. The FC Barcelona Gay and Lesbian Fanclub Penya Blaugrana de Gais i Lesbianes and their Swiss counterparts at FC Basel, Querpass Basel will organise activities around the Champions League match of the two teams. In the Action Week the Gay and Lesbian federation of Flanders Holebifederatie launches an awareness-raising campaign against homophobia in mainstream sport. They ask each sport club to display a poster and to signing a declaration against homophobia. The Football Association is hosting tonight a panel debate at the FA Headquarters, Soho, London with a panel featuring gay rights campaigners.
Yesterdays’ FIFA World Cup qualifiers between the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus in Dublin and Austria vs. Serbia in Vienna already marked the start of the biggest anti-racism campaign in European sport.
The next 13 days will see European football stand united against racism and discrimination, with the launch of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week.
The initiative, coordinated by the European network and supported by UEFA will feature nearly one thousand initiatives by campaigners, fans, clubs, national associations and ethnic minority groups across Europe. The 9th edition of the FARE Action Week runs from 16 to 28 October and will see an unprecedented 40 European countries involved in an concerted effort to rid the game of racism and exclusion.
Top leagues and clubs celebrate diversity
This season 14 top national leagues across Europe – ranging from the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League to the Super League in Greece and Ukraine - are channelling the power of football to get a message across to the millions of people touched by game. Also, a selection of professional clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Slovan Liberec or Young Boys Berne will be joining their supporters to celebrate the contribution of ethnic minorities to football. One example is Paris Saint Germain’s fixture on Saturday, which will see them link up with French FARE partner LICRA, to hold an anti-racism day at the Ligue 1 match against Lorient.
Racism has not vanished
The recent case of Atletico Madrid demonstrates that openly expressed racism and far-right agitation is still alive in some football grounds. The strong disciplinary decision taken by UEFA is likely to help tackle racism as the annual weeks of action is launched today. The sanctions are the largest to have been imposed on any football body for racism. In addition to sanctions FARE has called for renewed efforts to tackle all forms of discrimination.
Kurt Wachter of the Austrian FARE partner FairPlay. Different Colours. One Game. said
“Penalties act as a wake-up call for clubs and associations failing to address the racism problem at heart. FARE’s approach was always to raise awareness and to educate. There is a need to build partnerships with those fans and minorities who are challenging racism on a daily basis. The Action Week is a unique opportunity to spotlight these grass-root groups who are often on the margins of football.”
Challenging Homophobia: The last taboo
This year the FARE network supports a growing number of initiatives and fan groups who deal with homophobia, which see some as the last taboo in football. The FC Barcelona Gay and Lesbian Fanclub Penya Blaugrana de Gais i Lesbianes and their Swiss counterparts at FC Basel, Querpass Basel will organise activities around the Champions League match of the two teams. In the Action Week the Gay and Lesbian federation of Flanders Holebifederatie launches an awareness-raising campaign against homophobia in mainstream sport. They ask each sport club to display a poster and to signing a declaration against homophobia. The Football Association is hosting tonight a panel debate at the FA Headquarters, Soho, London with a panel featuring gay rights campaigners.
Yesterdays’ FIFA World Cup qualifiers between the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus in Dublin and Austria vs. Serbia in Vienna already marked the start of the biggest anti-racism campaign in European sport.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Spain Remain Afloat Top FIFA Ranking
There are no changes to the top three in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking: European champions Spain remain unchallenged at the top and have even managed to extend their lead over their nearest challengers Italy and Germany. Things are far more exciting in the next few spots in the ranking. Brazil (4th, up 2), the Netherlands (5th, down 1) and Croatia (6th, down 1) are all within a few points of each other and, together with Argentina (7th), are locked in an exciting battle. Russia (9th) have moved up three places, thus managing to break back into the top ten at the expense of Turkey (13th, down 3).The month's biggest winners, however, are unquestionably from Oceania. On the back of two convincing victories over New Caledonia in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying campaign, New Zealand have gained 268 points and are currently ranked 54th. This means the All Whites are once again the highest-ranked OFC team. Other climbers this month include Israel (16th, up 3), Lithuania (37th, up 17) and FYR Macedonia (46th, up 10), all of whom have recorded their best placing since the ranking was introduced.A total of 125 international 'A' matches have been played worldwide since the last edition of the ranking, of which 106 were qualifiers for South Africa 2010. The remaining internationals were qualifiers for the CONCACAF Gold Cup (six matches) and friendlies (13 matches).
Monday, October 6, 2008
Global Tournament For The Homeless Nets Five Hundred Thousand Pounds
The Vodafone Foundation has announce its support for the Homeless World Cup Foundation, with a £500,000 start-up package to be granted over the next two years. The funds will be used by the Homeless World Cup Foundation to build the infrastructure for the development of grass roots football programmes in over 60 nations. The grant will also enable the charity organisation to employ a CEO for the first time.The Homeless World Cup is an annual international tournament which provides the opportunity for homeless people to change their own lives. Starting with just 18 countries, this year’s seven-day contest will unite 56 nations and include a women’s tournament when it kicks off in Melbourne on 1 December 2008. Since being established by social entrepreneur Mel Young in 2003, it has achieved rapid growth. The programme now reaches 30,000 players and has a global ambition to engage one million players in over 75 nations.According to research, 77% of players involved experience a significant life change; no-longer using drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships and becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams. 94% claim to have a renewed motivation for life.Over the last five years, The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in social investments around the world. It will continue invest in exciting sport initiatives which have the ability to reach out to the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups in communities around the globe. Between now and 2010 The Vodafone Foundation has committed £12million for programmes such as the Homeless World Cup which have positive effects on health, education and help alleviate poverty.Mel Young, President and founder of the Homeless World Cup comments: “The Homeless World Cup has demonstrated that football can change lives, it can change the world. We are extremely grateful to The Vodafone Foundation’s start-up funding which provides a giant leap towards building a £5million annual fund to achieve our ambitions. We have a fabulous opportunity ahead, a great challenge and we need more people and more organisations to take The Vodafone Foundation’s innovative lead to get football changing the world.”Andrew Dunnett, Director of The Vodafone Foundation says: “We are delighted to support a project that has an enterprising attitude to make a difference on an international scale. The Vodafone Foundation is committed to funding projects that create a strong force for change and high level impact. Having already directly improved the lives of thousands of people, The Homeless World Cup is a great project.”
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