Didier Drogba getting over malaria

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Didier Drogba getting over malaria Didier Drogba, the Chelsea striker, is glad that the worst of this battle with malaria is over.  He reported that at first it was thought that he was suffering from a virus.  However, recent tests confirmed it was malaria.

Drogba says he is not sure where or when he caught the disease; although others have guessed it might have been when he was in Africa, back in September.  Drogba became very ill before the games with Arsenal on 3 October.

He is now undergoing intensive treatment and it is reported that the malaria is the type that will clear out. His manager says that he was very unselfish to have played when he was ill.

John Barnes watches match rather than being at baby’s birth

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John Barnes watches match rather than being at baby’s birth Football commentator John Barnes knows where his priorities belong.  While telecasting events at the eagerly awaited Premiership match between Chelsea and Liverpool, he decided to wait out the game, rather than rush to the side of his wife, as she gave birth to his seventh child, Alexander.

Perhaps he wasn’t quite sure how he should handle his obligations as a broadcaster, since he had been booked as a special guest to do commentary during the game.  He made a decision to remain on the air even after he was notified that his wife was in labour.

Even after that, when the birth was announced on air and the former England and Liverpool striker was questioned if he wished to leave, he chose to stay with the match. At the final whistle, announcing partner Richard Keyes told the audience that Barnes had gone ahead to the hospital to join his wife and new son.

Police prepare for Liverpool and Napoli violence

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Police prepare for Liverpool and Napoli violence Police are preparing for possible violence at the rematch between Liverpool and Napoli coming up shortly.  The previous match, at Naples, resulted in the stabbing of several Liverpool fans and word has spread that Liverpool may be looking for revenge at their home game.

Extra security measures will be taken, with authorities going so far as to have officers from UK Border Agency awaiting the arrival of the Naples fans at John Lennon Airport.

Police report that the match will be handled like any other, but with special attention given as to what happen among fans last time the two teams clashed.

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and carry as little as possible with them so they can quickly be checked through by security.  Any troublemakers, from either side, will be dealt with swiftly and unruliness will not be allowed to take hold.

The assaults on the Liverpool fans were made by a group known as the Ultras who, the Naples Police said, were definitely looking for trouble at the Italian venue.  In Liverpool, Ultras will no doubt be identified and any in attendance will be kept under a watchful eye.

Merseyside Police will have a special operation in effect with the cooperation of the Liverpool Football Club, it was recently acknowledged.

The club has been encouraging Reds fans not to look for revenge at the upcoming match, but to allow the players their own sort by beating the team from Italy without interference from the crowd. Everyone expects an exciting match and hopes for no repeat violence.

Chile’s President plays match with freed miners

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Chile’s President plays match with freed miners Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera and thousands of cheering Chileans honoured the 33 miners who were finally rescued after 69 unimaginable days trapped underground.  The last one was brought to the surface on October 13th, and the celebration in their honour was held at the Presidential Palace on Monday, with all of the miners in attendance.

The miners, who exhibited a level of courage and resilience during their ordeal that merits the worldwide admiration they have received, are now collectively known as ‘Los 33’.  Each one was given a medal commemorating Chile’s independence bicentennial, which occurred while they were still 625 metres underground.

After the reception at the palace, President Pinera, who is a big soccer fan, led a team of his cabinet members in a friendly game with the miners, whose leader was 53-year-old Franklin Lobos, who played for the national team in the 1980’s.  The miners lost 3-2, but the cheering never stopped.

Football hooligans set to return to the terraces

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Football hooligans set to return to the terraces According to police sources, we may be on our way to the next brood of football hooligans.  Although official football statistics have yet to be released, it is reported that there were over 100 incidents last season.  That is a steep increase from the nearly 40 incidents reported in 2007.

There is no doubt that football hooliganism is on the rise, but a majority of that intensity is being seen in the lower leagues.  This is where tickets are less likely and there is not as concentrated a police presence which, apparently, offers some the opportunity to brawl.

The police say that statistics seem to indicate a worrisome increase of younger fans getting into the violence.  As it stands right now, nearly 300 teenagers in the UK are banned from attending football matches.  The figures reportedly show that nearly half of all football incidents in Wales, Northern Ireland, and England involved youths.

The police believe that one of the most effective tools they have against an upsurge of football hooligans is the banning provision.  While under ban, reported hooligans cannot go anywhere near football grounds and may even been restricted from the city or town centre on the days of matches.

More figures show that there are over 3000 of these footballs bans in place all over the UK in an effort to avert violence.  That means that about ten per cent of that number are teenagers. It has been questioned whether the violence has been caused by an increase in illegal alcohol intake. These statistics are difficult to quantify though as the ways the teenagers obtain the alcohol is mixed. All UK supermarkets are very harsh on ID presence in the purchase of wine, spirits and beer. The same goes for purchasing beer and wine online. Police assume however that a large percentage of the violence is fueled by alcohol.

Saturday saw trouble after the match between Southampton and Bournemouth.  There was quarrelling between people outside the football grounds and city centre.   One policeman commented how lovely Southampton is and that the people there don’t care to see the influence of hooligans.