Sunderland’s Danny Welbeck still eligible to play for Ghana despite England call-up

The Ghana FA can still use FIFA regulations to chase for the strikers nationality switch. A perfect case is German-born American Jermaine Jones...

England have given Manchester United loanee Danny Welbeck his first call-up to the senior national side to face Ghana in an international friendly tonight at Wembley. The development is already generating debate whether the player can still opt for Ghana in future.

The Sunderland youngster was born in Manchester to Ghanaian parents and has played for England Under-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21. That made him eligible to play at the senior level for any of the two countries who are meeting for the first time at this level.

Prior to his invitation to join England, the west African nation was working fervently behind the scenes to get his signature with the likes of club and Ghanaian team mates Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah and Sulley Muntari persuading him to opt for the Black and white jersey. But the 20-year-old will now have his wish – to play for England.

Danny, who has bagged six goals in 22 league matches this season, has broken several hearts in his ancestral home with this decision. Already, the media has described it as a major blow to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists. Nonetheless, FIFA regulations make it possible for Ghana to still pursue the nationality switch of the winger since this is just a friendly

Barcelona's Bojan Krkic picks up ankle injury on Spain Under-21 duty

Barcelona' s Bojan Krkic has injured his right ankle following a heavy tackle early on in Spain's under-21 match against Belarus.

Barcelona's Bojan Krkic is unlikely to feature in Pep Guardiola's squad to face Villarreal on Sunday after he sustained a right ankle strain in Spain's Under-21 clash against Belarus yesterday.

The 20-year-old Barcelona cantera product was stretchered off the pitch in only the third minute after suffering a nasty challenge to his right ankle, AS reports. 

It is unknown how long Bojan will be sidelined for, however AS have declared him unlikely to be fit in time to travel to El Madrigal at the weekend as Barca square off against third placed Villarreal.  

The setback will be a bitter blow for the young Spaniard as he appeared on the verge of solidifying his role as back-up striker in recent weeks following a disappointing start to the season.

Bojan has five La Liga goals to his name from 22 appearances for the Blaugrana this season.

 

David Beckham has mixed emotions over Real Madrid - Tottenham Champions League clash

David Beckham cannot choose between the two sides as he has reason to support both clubs in their pursuit of European glory.

David Beckham says his allegiance is torn between Real Madrid and Tottenham ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final showdown.

According to Marca, the 35-year-old LA Galaxy superstar is unable to pick a team to support in what promises to be a thrilling encounter between the English underdogs and the Spanish heavyweights. 

"I played for Real Madrid for four years and have always said I would support them in all their matches," Beckham began.

"But then I was at Spurs, so there are mixed emotions," the globetrotting midfielder continued.

"Besides, my grandfather was a follower of Tottenham. So I think I will just enjoy the game."

Beckham was signed by Real Madrid from Manchester United in July 2003 and teamed up with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, Raul and Ronaldo to form 'Los Galacticos'.

In 2007 Beckham transferred to the MLS' LA Galaxy.

In January and February 2011, Beckham trained at White Hart Lane, where he seemed on the verge of signing on loan for Harry Redknapp's side but the move ultimately collapsed.

Indonesian FA in hot water with FIFA over PSSI Congress drama

Things are going from bad to worse for the official guardians of the game in Indonesia, who have now incurred the wrath of the global governing body...

Indonesian football is yet again embroiled in off-field concerns after this past weekend's Indonesian FA (PSSI) Congress was cancelled at the last minute.

Amidst scenes of extraordinary unrest, delegates who had travelled far to attend the Pekanbaru event were refused entry, as was FIFA observer Frank van Hattum.

The PSSI secretary-general later held a press conference in which he quoted van Hattum as saying that he had himself opted to cancel the Congress for security reasons.

But today a FIFA spokesperson has denied this, telling Goal.com: "FIFA's observer was prevented in being able to observe the PSSI General Assembly in Pekanbaru on March 26 by the PSSI leadership.

"The claim from the PSSI secretary general that it was FIFA who decided to cancel the PSSI Congress  for alleged security reasons is completely false. On the contrary, the FIFA observer repeatedly requested to go to the Congress venue and was prevented in doing so by the PSSI leadership.

"Once FIFA receives the official report from its observer, FIFA will submit the situation to the relevant body for a decision."

Van Hattum himself had earlier refuted all statements attributed to him, stating that he had had no contact with the media and in any case was not mandated to speak on the event - merely to observe.

Indonesian football is in crisis, with a breakaway league threatening the PSSI's stranglehold over the domestic game.

Up until this point FIFA have been firmly on the side of the PSSI, but this latest development may yet see the local FA lose a strong ally in its bid to control football in Indonesia.

 

Argentina legend Roberto Ayala slams Diego Maradona's World Cup performance

El Raton' believes that Maradona got his gameplan all wrong in the 4-0 Germany thrashing, and had some praise for successor Sergio Batista as Argentina prepare to play Costa Rica

Argentinian defensive legend Roberto Ayala has strongly criticised the coaching style of Diego Maradona in the Albiceleste's abortive 2010 World Cup campaign, and accused him of instigating the painful quarter-final defeat at the hands of Germany.

'El Raton' finally retired from professional football at the age of 37 last December, after a glittering career which included league titles in Argentina, Spain and Italy. The ex-Milan and Valencia star also picked up 115 caps for his country - a figure only surpassed by Inter's Javier Zanetti - and admitted that he thinks 'El Diego' got it all wrong when he took on the Germans in Johannesburg.

"He planned the game in completely the wrong manner in the last game: [Javier] Mascherano did not know where he was going. Germany were up for it and they went through," Ayala told El Pais on Monday evening. The ex-defender was particularly perplexed given that months before the World Cup the Seleccion had beaten Joachim Loew's side, albeit with very different tactics on display.

"It is not a criticism but if Maradona won a friendly in Germany playing them in a different way, I would have played the same: containment and counter-attacking."

Ayala moved on to talk about current coach Sergio Batista and his plans for the Albiceleste; and offered guarded praise for 'Checho'.

"The idea is to take care of the ball and beat teams with it at feet, following the model of Barcelona," he explained, before pointing out that Batista's men are still some way off their Spanish role models.

"You cannot copy it entirely though, because we only have Messi; Xavi, Iniesta and the full backs that can damage other teams are missing. Barca is a football culture developed over years of playing together."

The Albiceleste play Costa Rica later today in an international friendly. 

Lithuania-Spain Euro 2012 qualifier could face late postponement over pitch conditions

Lithuania's Euro 2012 qualifier against Spain may be scrapped due to the state of the much-maligned pitch in Kaunas.

Lithuania's Euro 2012 qualifier against Spain tonight may be postponed due to pressing concerns over the state of the Kaunas pitch.
According to AFP, UEFA officials will inspect the pitch an hour before kick-off. Should they deem it unfit to host the Group I encounter, the match will be postponed.

"The final decision has yet been taken," Jurga Chomskyte McGeever, a spokesman for the Lithuanian Federation, said.

"[The decision] will be taken one hour before the game," he added. 

The state of the pitch at the Darius and Stasys Steponas Girenas Stadium has attracted criticism from both national teams.

Spain's Vicente del Bosque yesterday led a chorus of protests to call off the game, labelling the field unfit for play.

An apologetic McGeever added: "After training yesterday, the pitch has suffered and the Lithuanian Federation is committed to [doing] what we are capable of [to address the matter]."

AFP have compounded doubts over the fixture, reporting sub-zero temperatures were experienced at the stadium this morning and that rain is forecast during the game.

Koeln & Inter strike deal over club partnership

Inter and Koeln to work together on developing players to import and export between the two clubs.

Bundesliga club Koeln and Italian champions Inter have struck an agreement to work in partnership, opening a feeder system between the two clubs.

Express reports German chiefs will fly out to Milan next week and start to work closer together on ideas in relation to player exchanges, as well as developing future scouting initiatives which could see the clubs swap players and nurture new talent.

Koeln managing director Claus Horstmann said of the deal: "We were approached by Inter for this move."

Sporting director Volker Finke added: "Looking beyond the borders is always good. Such a co-operation can be useful but only if it is adding value for both parties."

The agreement could well see der Geissbocke take first refusal on some of the European champions' outgoing players and young loan talents. 

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson reveals he is trying to keep Chicharito 'fresh' for the season run-in

Old Trafford boss looking to protect Mexican starlet ahead of crunch games in three competitions and hails the forward's attitude and ability

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United are trying to keep Javier Hernandez "fresh" for the final few weeks of the season.

The Mexican international joined the Old Trafford outfit for their pre-season tour of the USA after his nation's campaign in the World Cup, and has managed to score 16 goals for United.

The striker is trying to carve out a regular starting role but boss Ferguson has admitted that he is trying to protect the 22-year-old from too much wear and tear in his first season in England.

"Javier has had a fantastic season," he told satellite radio station Sirius XM.

"We are just keeping an eye on him because he played in the World Cup last year and this is his first season in the Premier League.

"We are trying to keep him as fresh as we possibly can for the important games we have coming up.

"He is a marvellous player, he is a great trainer. He is a good type. His attitude is fantastic. He is a really outstanding boy."

Villarreal CEO: We are not a selling club

Villarreal will not let their top players depart in the summer as they hope to build upon the strong existing player foundation in order to chase domestic and European glory. 

Villarreal CEO Roig Negueroles has made it clear his side will not be cashing in on their star players as the third-placed Yellow Submarines aim for both La Liga and Champions League glory next season.
Negueroles, boasting of the club's vast pool of talent, told AS: "We are not a selling club and this is something that has been proven many times."
Stars such as Nilmar, Giuseppe Rossi, Bojan Valero, Diego Lopez and Santi Cazorla are among a host of players to have caught the attention of Europe's football powerhouses, but instead of cashing in on their substantial price tags, Negueroles insists Villarreal hopes to use such talents as the foundation from which to build an even stronger team.
"[We intend to] keep the base of our team and add more players if we reach the Champions League. We have a great squad and the priority is to continue to count on these players.
"We are talking about top players and it shows every day," the CEO added.

Negueroles did however go on to imply that swap deals represented the only chance of his prized assets departing in the summer.

"We understand that some clubs are interested in our players, but that for now there is nothing for nothing."

Bosnia-Herzegovina face imminent ban after defying FIFA and UEFA statutes

The Bosnian football federation is facing an imminent ban from international and club football over their refusal to conform to FIFA and UEFA statutes... 

Bosnia-Herzegovina face an imminent ban from club and international competitions after members of the country's football federation (NSBiH) voted against a proposal to adhere to FIFA and UEFA statutes.

The two football governing bodies had ordered the NSBiH to switch from a three-man inter-ethnic presidency to a one-man presidential system last year.

The federation has run with the existing system of 16-month rotating terms for a Serb, a Croat and an ethnic Muslim since the country was divided into two ethnically segregated regions in 1995 in the fall-out from the Bosnian War.

The NSBiH refused to budge from this set-up and UEFA gave the federation its final warning last week to conform to the statute.

"There will be an automatic suspension for Bosnia from April 1 if the changes are not made by then," general secretary Gianni Infantino told the press.

The NSBiH then held a congress on Tuesday to vote on the legislation to replace the three-man presidency and the motion was defeated by 28 votes to 22.

Bosnia-Herzegovina now face an imminent suspension after today's vote. Bosnia currently sit in fourth place in Group D of Euro 2012 qualifying.

Valencia's Jonas Goncalves delighted with 'unforgettable' Brazil debut

Valencia striker Jonas Goncalves was in high spirits after making his debut off the bench in the international friendly against Scotland on Sunday...

Valencia forward Jonas Goncalves was absolutely delighted to have made his Brazil debut in the 2-0 win over Scotland in an international friendly at the Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday.

The 26-year-old came off the bench in the 77th minute to make his maiden appearance for the Selecao and was ecstatic at getting the chance to wear the famous yellow shirt.

"March 27 is a date that will always be in my memory,” he told Valencia’s official website. “It is very difficult to be picked for Brazil, because of the history of the team and the quality of the players. "It was incredible and unforgettable, and I hope to be selected again. It will be tough, but I am going to keep on training to try to get the chance.
"The other players treated me very well. The atmosphere there is awesome; the players are humble, easy to get on with and very supportive of each other."

Jonas went on to speak about what he has achieved with club side Valencia since his move to Spain at the end of January.

"I really didn't expect to do so much in so little time. It is another country and another league. The manager and my team-mates have been great. 

Arsenal confirm German teenager was responsible for throwing banana at Brazil's Neymar during Scotland clash

Tartan Army cleared of any wrongdoing as Gunners and Metropolitan Police confirm tourist has owned up to throwing a banana at Chelsea target during match with Scotland.

A German teenager was responsible for throwing a banana at Neymar during Brazil's 2-0 friendly victory over Scotland at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Brazilian forward, who is known to be on Chelsea's list of targets, complained after the match that he had been the victim of racist abuse, a claim denied by the Scottish Football Association and the Tartan Army Fans' organisation.

And after investigations by Arsenal in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police, the culprit has been identified.

Arsenal released a statement today that read: "After consultation with the Metropolitan Police, Arsenal Football Club can confirm that a German teenage tourist has admitted throwing a banana onto the pitch during the Brazil vs Scotland international friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

"The youngster was sitting in the North Bank of Emirates Stadium, an area of the stadium which was occupied by the official allocation of tickets to Brazil supporters, when he threw the banana onto the pitch during the second half of the match.

TEAM NEWS: Fernando Llorente starts for Spain against Lithuania, Fernando Torres remains on the bench

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has left Chelsea striker Fernando Torres on the bench once again for their Group I Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania tonight.
Andres Iniesta too has been left out of the starting line-up but David Villa starts, this time on the left of a three-pronged attack. Villarreal winger Santi Cazorla will make his appearance on the right with Athletic Bilbao targetman Fernando Llorente playing through the middle.
The team line-ups:
Lithuania Starting XI: Karcemarskas; Stankevicius, Skerla, Kijanskas, Zaliuskas; E. Casnauskis, Panka, Semberas, Mikoliunas; Sernas, Danlevicius
Spain Starting XI: Casillas; Iraola, Pique, Albiol, Arbeloa; Xavi, J. Martinez, Alonso; Cazorla, LLorente, Villa

Czech Republic 2-0 Liechtenstein: Baros and Kadlec on target in workmanlike win

It was not as easy as many had expected but the Czechs eventually overcame a Liechtenstein side, who can be proud of their performance.

As expected, the Czech Republic proved too strong for minnows Liechtenstein in a 2-0 victory  in the southern city of Ceske Budejovice. However, it was not always plain sailing for the hosts, as their opponents refused to buckle despite going behind to an early goal from Milan Baros. A second-half Michal Kadlec header made sure of the three points for the hosts.

Two old heads combined for the Czechs to open the scoring after just three minutes on the clock. Captain Tomas Rosicky broke through the midfield before finding Milan Baros with a perfectly weighted ball. The Galatasaray striker proceeded to find the bottom corner from just inside the penalty box with a fine finish, which left Peter Jehle with no chance.

After a frustrating hour in which the home team were unable to extend their lead, the Czechs finally scored a second with twenty minutes remaining. Jaroslav Plasil's inswinging corner from the left was met by Bayer Leverkusen full-back Michal Kadlec, who expertly guided the ball into the far corner with a glancing header beyond a helpless Jehle.

Liechtenstein were forced into making a premature substitution when Wolfgang Kieber came on for the injured Martin Buechel. Peter Jehle looked like joining him after a nasty collision with Baros but the veteran stopper was able to continue after treatment. Jehle could only watch on sixteen minutes when Jan Moravek struck the crossbar after Tomas Sivok's initial shot had been blocked.

Three minutes later, Thomas Beck blasted a gilt-edged opportunity wide for the visitors, showing why he has not scored for his country in over three years. Moravek continued to cause problems and he found David Lafata inside the area but the striker was denied by a terrific reaction save from Jehle. Liechtenstein continued to have their moments and Philippe Erne's shot was deflected inches wide of Petr Cech's post ten minutes before the break.

After the break, the home side continued to have more possession without making it count and Liechtenstein again showed their potential on the counter attack when Cech was forced to keep out David Hasler's 53rd minute shot from a tight angle. The crowd began to grow frustrated at the impotence of the home team, especially when Milan Baros struck the crossbar on 68 minutes.

The three points strengthen the Czech Republic's hold on second place, moving them on to nine points from five matches, two behind Spain. Liechtenstein remain rooted to the bottom of Group I, with no points after a fourth defeat in as many matches. 

Papiss Demba Cisse honoured by the city of Freiburg

Papiss Demba Cissé has been designated sportsman of the year 2010 by the city of Freiburg in Germany…

Senegal international and SC Freiburg top striker Papiss Demba Cisse has been named Sportsman of the Year 2010 by the city of Freiburg in Germany, Galanacht-des-sports.de said Tuesday.
The 25-year-old former Metz forward was honoured alongside 90 athletes from different disciplines at a gala held at the City Hall in Freiburg on Saturday March 26, while Cisse alongside Senegal team battled Cameroon in Dakar.
Cisse joined the Bundesliga outfit in 2009 and has had 37 appearances, scoring 22 goals.
He is currently Bundesliga’s second top scorer with 18 goals behind Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez, 19.
Cisse, Lille’s Moussa Sow and Fenerbahçe’s Mamadou Niang are the attacking trio that has boosted Senegal’s Teranga Lions off late. The team occupies pole position in Group E with nine points, while their archrivals Cameroon couldn’t progress from their four points after losing to Senegal 1-0 in the third round qualifying of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

Barcelona & Real Madrid should consider recalling their Spain stars to avoid injury on Lithuania's 'potato pitch'

Goal.com's Paul Macdonald assesses whether the clubs should have intervened to stop Spain's world champions from risking injury on Lithuania's shocking surface...

The pitch at the S. Darius and S. Girenas stadium in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas, where Spain play their Euro 2012 qualifier against the hosts on Tuesday evening, is not fit for purpose. Whatever grass that once covered its surface has long since died, and has been compensated by piles of sand. Lines such as the centre circle and the boxes have been scrawled on top. Groundsman rake, with futility, as their tools simply create a dustbowl. A clear image of what the reigning champions have faced upon their arrival, can be found here.

La Furia Roja visit the eastern European outpost this evening, looking to solidify their position at the top of Group I. Four wins out of four has given them a healthy six-point lead at its summit, and Vicente del Bosque’s side face virtually no threat of failing to progress and defend their title in Poland and Ukraine next year.

All the more ridiculous then, that this fixture is still, at the time of writing, being discussed as potentially taking place. Sending some of the finest players in the world out on such an inappropriately-maintained field represents an unnecessary risk for all concerned. Del Bosque himself has already slammed the conditions, while Real Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa has expressed his own personal concerns at being asked to play on a pitch light years from what he has become accustomed to, in virtually every stadium he has ever played in.

UEFA have, typically, proven non-committal and uncooperative. Delegate Raymond Koch arrived in Kaunas yesterday, and proclaimed that the match referee would make the final verdict on whether the game should take place.

What is the need to play the fixture now, you may ask? Group I has five teams after all, one less than all but two of the other sections, theoretically meaning that time should be available to fit the fixture into the calendar at a later date, when the Lithuanians are able to get their surface even within the proximity of international standard. The unfortunate answer to that solution is money. The RFEF are profiting rather well from peddling the draw of the world champions' to the highest bidder, and unfortunately meaningless friendlies are more valuable than the health of a player, or so it seems.

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas would fit in well at Barcelona - assistant coach Tito Vilanova

Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova claims Fabregas would 'fit' 24 hours after Xavi encouraged the ace to leave Arsenal...

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Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova is encouraging talk of Arsenal ace Cesc Fagregas joining the Camp Nou outfit in the summer.

The 23-year-old Spain international has become the byword for the Blaugrana's summer transfer plans with reports claiming they are prepared to offer Arsenal around €50 million for the midfielder.

On Monday Xavi encouraged Fabregas to consider a future in La Liga, and Vilanova has added to the growing calls backing a switch.

"The first [obstacle] would be his contract situation at Arsenal," Vilanova told Marca.com.

"But Cesc would adapt very well because he knows how to manage the concepts of the team when he has the ball at his feet, and he knows how to defend when going against the grain."

Referring to the recent doping insinuations from a Spanish radio station, Vilanova was ironic: "We dope the football so it can move faster," he said.

Barcelona are currently five points clear at the top of La Liga, with a Champions League quarter-final double-header against Shakhtar Donetsk and a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid to negotiate before the summer.

Arab News ........

Syrian Cabinet resigns amid unrest .

DAMASCUS, Syria: Syria’s Cabinet resigned Tuesday to help quell a wave of popular fury that erupted more than a week ago and is now threatening President Bashar Assad’s 11-year rule in one of the most authoritarian and closed-off nations in the Middle East

                   Libyan rebels lay seige to Qaddafi hometown

BIN JAWWAD, Libya — Rebel forces laid siege to Muammar Qaddafi’s hometown and stronghold of Sirte, the gateway to the capital, Tripoli as Western and Arab nations prepared to meet in London Tuesday to seek an exit for Libya’s long time leader. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Arab League, the African Union and around 40 foreign ministers were scheduled to join the talks, seeking to ratchet up pressure on Qaddafi.

Ronaldo injury boosts Tottenham Champions League quest

Tottenham Hotspur have been given a massive boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid with the news that Cristiano Ronaldo looks like missing the encounter with a hamstring injury.
The Portugal international, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Manchester United in the summer of 2009 for a world-record transfer fee of £80 million, has only just returned to first-team action following a similar injury.
However, he was forced to be substituted after 73 minutes of Saturday’s Madrid derby complaining of pain and soreness in his left thigh, which the club’s doctors later diagnosed as a hamstring tear.
A statement released by Madrid on Sunday revealed that the 26 year old is likely to be out of action for "between two to three weeks, depending on his progress".
And, with the two clubs due to clash in the first leg of their last-eight showdown on April 5th in the Spanish capital, before the second leg at White Hart Lane on April 13th, it looks more than likely that Ronaldo will be missing from the contest.