Harry Redknapp faces the wrath of the taxman

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Harry Redknapp faces the wrath of the taxman Harry Redknapp might have problems other than Her Majesty’s Revenue people to deal with as a result of an investigation into his tax payments.  Redknapp, along with Peter Storrie and Portsmouth Chairman Milan Mandaric are dealing with tax charges as the result of a two-year investigation into English football corruption.

Redknapp is accused of tax avoidance during his tenure as manager at Portsmouth and it seems it could now cost him the job at England FA, if he were convicted.  Redknapp is thought to be a number one contender for the position being vacated by Fabio Capello after Euro 2012.

The General Secretary of the FA, Alex Horne, says that it is a matter that is far from decided, although he acknowledges that Harry Redknapp has managerial talent and feels certain he would be on a long-list of candidates for the job.  Horne also acknowledges that Capello will not be leaving for another year and a half, and that anything can happen during that time.

Horne says that, to his knowledge, no list, long or short, has yet been developed.  There are many candidates to consider, he says, and Harry Redknapp would certainly be among them.

Enthusiasts and experts alike contend that the FA has its sights on Redknapp, but confirm that a tax conviction could wipe out his chances.  It would be very embarrassing should an England manager be found not to be paying his proper taxes, especially even before he becomes manager, they say.

Redknapp has expressed his personal wish to manage England, although the FA says they have not sounded him out about it.

No matter what, he will have to deal with this tax situation first.

Crawley Town Youth get renewed van sponsorship

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Crawley Town Youth get renewed van sponsorship A Crawley Van company, Eurovans, has continued to put it faith in devloping the youth of Crawley Town Football Club, who are currently riding high in the Blue Square Premier League.  The Crawley Town Youth Team was launched two years ago and works in conjunction with Central Sussex College. The team is required to attend the college to further their education and train at the club two days a week.

The company is helping help out by providing the team with a seventeen seat minibus for transportation to training and match games.

Crawley Town’s chairman, Vic Marley, said: “We are delighted and privileged that Eurovans is continuing to sponsor the youth team for another season. Crawley Town is thriving at the top of the Blue Square Premier League and it is very pleasing to have the ongoing support of local businesses.”

Did Panorama cost us the World Cup

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Did Panorama cost us the World Cup Rumours are spreading fast that England lost its bid for the 2018 World Cup because of the media investigations by BBC’s Panorama, along with the Sunday Times, that turned up corruption on the FIFA executive committee.

This speculation is being fuelled by statements from a Japanese member of that very committee, Junji Ogura.  Ogura says that the media investigations absolutely turned the committee against England, which was knocked out during the first round after only gathering up two votes.

He said that the investigations caused damage.  To him, it appeared that England would be a strong contender for the bid, but that all changed after the media investigations.

It was further alleged that Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, gave an address to the executive committee members before their votes, reminding them about the evils of media.  This information was revealed by England’s bid boss, Andy Anson.  Anson reported that someone in the room at the time told him about Blatter’s comments. All Anson would say was if that were true, it certainly would not have helped England’s cause at all.

Wales back English World Cup bid

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Wales back English World Cup bid Jonathan Ford, FAW chief says that England winning the World Cup bid for 2018 would be beneficial to his country and to the Football Association of Wales.

The FAW is going through a difficult time right now, as it is seated at the bottom in Group G for its bid to qualify in Euro 2012.  They have lost all three opening games.  John Toshack was removed as coach in September after bad results saw his career with Wales come to an end.

As of yet, there has been no permanent replacement, although it is reported that one will be chosen in December.  Among the names being considered are Brian Flynn, Ian Rush, Chris Coleman, Lars Lagerback, John Hartson, and Lawrie Sanchez.

Jonathan Ford believes that given a new coach at the helm, some of the talented young players coming to the senior side, and a bit of luck, Wales can once again qualify for major finals by the 2018 World Cup.

Right now, that seems a long way off, but not so much when you consider they haven’t seen a major finals since 1958.

Rightly so, Ford says the concentration now must be getting the team in order to focus on that goal.

David Beckham hopeful for London World Cup

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David Beckham hopeful for London World Cup David Beckham says he believes that the FIFA executive committee will base their decision on the World Cup bids on the merits.  He made these remarks after suggestions that perhaps the committee would hold a grudge against England for the media exposure of the two corrupted officials found out earlier in the process.

He says that the members can be trusted because they are footballers and, in the end, they will do what is best for football.  Of course, being a member of the final bidding presentation, he believes that was is best for football is to hold the 2018 World Cup here in England.

To that end, he, Prince William, and Prime Minister David Cameron have been pressing hard for England’s bid.  Beckham has met in private with some of the executive committee members, but rather not say just who.  Prince William has also been lobbying members and taking meetings.

It is felt that Spain/Portugal and Russia may have an edge in the bidding war, but Beckham says such things are merely speculation and no one can know anything for certain until the decision is made.

Beckham compares his effort with the bidding team to similar challenges in his sports career.  He says that it is a tough fight against some strong competition, but the key is to keep to your strengths.

He says that when it comes time to act for your country, you must give all you possibly can and trust that you have done your best.