Olympic Association want British football team on side

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Olympic Association want British football team on side The Olympic Association which is organising the Olympic Games which are coming to London next summer has stated that they want to see a British football team compete. Football associations from the United Kingdom, excluding England, have said that they do not wish to field a team as football at the Olympic Games would greatly overshadowed other events. Dai Greene has also agreed with the statements by the football associations, stating, “The Olympic Games doesn’t have a place for football.”

Mr Greene continued, “In football the crowning achievement is not becoming an Olympic champion but is winning a cup. Therefore there seems to be no reason for football to be involved in the Olympics. Football players do not grow up with the dream of becoming an Olympic champion, they dream of the Champions League trophy and victory in the Premiership. It seems unnecessary to me for football to form part of the Olympic Games.”

Mr Greene is a Welsh athlete, who this summer is hoping to complete his collection of medals for every one of athletics major event. This would make him the fourth British person to do this and put alongside such greats as Daley Thompson and Linford Christie. He will also be the first Olympic champion from Wales in the track and field events since Lynn Davies in 1964.

He has previously played football in Swansea for their youth team and feels that his comments against football being played at the Olympics would be welcomed by other athletes who are competing. He remarked, “Unfortunately the UK is obsessed with what goes on in football and at the games it would significantly overshadow other events.”

 

Fifa’s ruling panel member leaves over kickbacks

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Fifa’s ruling panel member leaves over kickbacks A kickbacks case has forced one of the 24 members of Fifa’s ruling panel to leave his position. Sepp Blatter, the president has said that a member of the panel had been accepting kickbacks for offering television and sponsorship deals for the World Cup during the 1990s. He has said that it is likely that some people involved will be exonerated but it seems almost certain that one person at least will be leaving the executive committee. This information has appeared in a German newspaper which was published last Sunday.

The broadcasting rights were given to a marketing agency who went bankrupt in 2001. After this investigation was launched into alleged kickbacks and BBC documentary showed that Ricardo Teixeira had received significant sums in order to help them secure contract. All of those involved in the allegations have denied them.

Mr Blatter, the current president, has had a long commitment to tackling corruption and encouraging reform in the body. A report about the kickbacks situation will be published in late December after a meeting in Tokyo. If members are found guilty of any wrongdoing and external body will offer advice to Fifa about what action they should take.

One of the members accused of taking kickbacks was Mr Hayatou, who the BBC claimed he took around $20,000 in 1995. Mr Hayatou has claimed this was a gift and Mr Blatter has defended his actions. He is also a member of the Olympic Committee and is currently being investigated by the ethics commission for any potential wrongdoing. Disciplinary action will be considered by the board at a meeting in Switzerland early next month.

 

David Beckham’s Olympic dream

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David Beckham’s Olympic dream Despite being 36 years old, David Beckham still wants to play for his country in the Olympic Games which are taking place next year. The player has said that he still has the desire and determination to play and  has said that competing in the Olympic Games is a key goal in his career.

The football tournament that takes place at the Olympic Games is primarily for people under the age of 23, however three players who are older than this are allowed to compete. Stuart Pearce is organising the squad for the Olympic Games and it seems as if he is considering Beckham for the squad.

Beckham has commented, “It would be a great honour to be chosen to play for my country and despite people saying that I am too old, I do still play for the country and have been doing so for a long time. I’m still fit and enjoy playing so I’m not done yet.”

Some people have criticised David Beckham saying that he lacks pace and his playing is predictable, often this criticism comes not because of his age but because of his style of playing. However Mr Beckham seems unaffected by those people who want him to leave football behind.

Right now, Beckham is dedicated to helping his current team, LA Galaxy win the trophy in the Major Soccer League which is currently taking place in the United States. Several clubs in the UK have also shown an interest in recruiting him into their current squad, he has said, “To be considered for such great teams at this late stage in my career is a great honour.”

Beckham has not said much about his plans for after he retires, but many expect that he would take a franchise share in the American league.

Rob Earnshaw wants Welsh players to put Wales first

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Rob Earnshaw wants Welsh players to put Wales first Rob Earnshaw the Cardiff striker stated this week that players must think about Welsh football and the league’s future before they decide if they should compete at the 2012 London Olympics.  This is born out of concern that even though FIFA has stated they will not judge any player’s who do choose to play, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are worried that if they choose to play their team’s independent status will be damaged.  This is the first time that Great Britain will play in the Olympics since 1960.

Earnshaw stated that Wales has been playing for some time and the aim of players should be to make sure that the team continues to survive.

The men’s Olympic team coach was announced to be Stuart Pearce this past Thursday and he plans to use players from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland at the 2012 Games in an effort to truly have a Great Britain Team.  Players Joe Allenhave, Gareth Bale, and Aaron Ramsey have all stated that they would like to play for the team.

Earnshaw addressed this by stating that if the team is truly a Great Britain team and inclusion will not hurt any of the countries then it would not be a problem, but the concern is that they want to make sure that the Wales team sticks together forever because they are proud to be Welsh players playing for the country. He also added that it would be great for any player to get a chance to play in the Olympics.

 

FA says players can take part in Euro 2012 and the London Olympics

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FA says players can take part in Euro 2012 and the London Olympics The Football Association has decided that players will be able to play at both the Euro 2012 and the London Olympics allowing Wayne Rooney to compete as a member of the England Olympic team if he finishes his suspension in time.

Also being considered from the Manchester United team is Stuart Peirce and the coach is also taking a close look at Ryan Gigs from Wales.  For the 23+ squad David Beckham will likely make the cut although serious contenders are also Jonny Evans from Northern Ireland and Darren Fletcher from Scotland.

Before any decisions can be made about Rooney however the FA is standing by waiting to receive written responses from the Uefa due to his three game ban for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic during a match against Montenegro.

Fabio Capello, the manager for England, stated that he wants Rooney to play for the Euros and now with the new rule change even if he is able to play in Ukraine and Poland he will also be able to compete in the Olympics.

Managing Director for England, Adrian Bevington, stated that they are aware of what a challenge it would be for any player to compete in both games, but at the same time they are not going to restrict players by making them choose which one to play in.

The Olympics are already shaping out to be full of controversy because outside of the issue with Rooney, there is debate about the Welsh, Scottish, and Ireland players who could be eligible to play in the Olympics’ with the FA stating it will support their decision regardless of what the national associations have to say about it.