Sepp Blatter offers Obama 50th birthday wishes Brazil`s Fred asks

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America’s Future
Soccer in America has become such a popular sport, that all you
have to do is drive to a random park and see America’s youth playing, practicing, learning, this beautiful sport called football all across
the globe.
We at ChicagoSoccerMedia.net would like to take this opportunity to pay a small tribute to the pioneers of this side of the world.
The Pelés, the Gersons, the Jairzinhos, the Granitzas, the Margetics; people that planted a seed and now the fruits of their labor and
vision are seen everywhere. Therefore, we take extreme pride to
introduce to our ever-growing readership that follow our weekly
bilingual newspaper, one of America’s future football leaders.
His name is Robert Keita Iwashima. A midfield/forward talent
of Chicago Magic. That along with his teammates, and the support
from his biggest fans, Mr. and Mrs. Iwashima, conquered a U11
DSC Blowout Championship game in Iowa. When he is not playing
football, “soccer”, at least twice a week, you will find him listening
to R&B or watching his favorite movie, The Grown-Ups. Bobby
likes to treat himself to his favorite Japanese delight, Udon, which
is a Japanese noodle dish. His favorite color is green. When he
grows up, he sees himself playing professionally for his favorite
team, Barcelona.
The message he would like to share with his peers is “Play with
your whole heart.” He says this because he has seen his favorite
player, Ronaldinho, do the same.
So there you have it. America’s future.
And on behalf of ChicagoSocccerMedia.net, our best in all your
future endeavors.
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FIFA asked to scrap August international matches
Europe’s top football clubs hate it. National team coaches don’t like it. The global players’ union thinks FIFA should stop it.
“It’’ arrives on Wednesday, the annual August date protected for national team friendlies - probably the least loved and most problematic fixture on football’s international calendar.
The official FIFA document that plans matches in four-year cycles, and orders clubs when to hand over their players for national
duty, is giving the scandal-hit governing body a problem it doesn’t need.
On Wednesday, the marquee matches on a 50-game slate include Germany vs. Brazil, Italy vs. Spain, England vs. The Netherlands
and the United States vs. Mexico.
Yet much of FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s increasingly hostile “football family’’ doesn’t believe the early season - in many countries, preseason - match slot is worth keeping. Not when it interrupts clubs’ tours and players’ preparation for the new campaign.
“It’s the international managers who aren’t very happy about matches in August,’’ France coach Laurent Blanc said last week,
while reluctantly preparing to host Chile’s team that impressed at the Copa America last month.
“I don’t think it’s the best way to prepare for a season of international matches,’’ said Blanc, seeming to undermine the basic reason
for an August match.
Club coaches are also unhappy.
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola hasn’t even seen his ?26 million ($37 million) offseason signing, Chile winger Alexis Sanchez, in
training yet.
“We’re fighting a losing battle,’’ Guardiola said during the European champion’s U.S. trip last week. “National teams control everything and will continue to set the agenda.’’
Guardiola is also losing eight players to Spain duty until next Thursday, just as Bayern Munich is obliged by FIFA rules to hand
over eight who have been selected for Germany and must report at least 48 hours before kick off.
Bayern loses team practice time seven days before beginning a Champions League playoff tie against FC Zurich. Advancing to the
lucrative group stage is key to the image and income of Germany’s most storied club.
“That date in August is a very bad one and we have to change that. As soon as possible,’’ Theo van Seggelen, secretary general of
the FIFPro players’ unions group, told The Associated Press.
Players are caught up in a long-standing fight for their loyalty between clubs, whose contracts they must obey, and countries, who
have FIFA’s backing to use the players they want without guaranteeing to return them in a fit state.
Blatter’s re-election in June, with the endorsement of 186 countries, was a reminder that FIFA primarily answers to its 208 member
federations, who send national teams to its competitions.
The international calendar fixes four-year schedules for the World Cup, continental championships, qualifiers and friendlies, after
final approval from the FIFA 24-man executive committee.
However, European club officials were shocked to discover the detailed 2011-14 calendar finalized at a June 2010 FIFA meeting in
Johannesburg.
In 2013, the calendar has 15 match dates - including an Aug. 14 friendly - plus the Confederations Cup, African Cup of Nations and
CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments.
Long frustrated that FIFA appears to ignore his members, European Club Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called
for a “revolution’’ to make football more democratic, and openly questioned whether Blatter is fit to run the sport.
“We feel that our requests have been ignored too much and for too long,’’ ECA vice chairman Umberto Gandini told the AP. “It is
necessary to raise the bar and get attention to our case.’’
Gandini said that canceling the August date was symbolic, and would show that FIFA respected clubs’ needs at a “delicate time of
the new season.’’
“It is merely used to generate revenues with little or no technical value,’’ Gandini, an AC Milan director, said.
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Disillusionment greets Argentina’s Apertura
“You can’t come down here, señor,” says the police officer, standing by a large blockade fencing off the street Viamonte
in downtown Buenos Aires. At the other end of the block, another officer is explaining the same to those trying to pass. In
between the two fences, standing in front of an empty building with all the blinds down (and filling the empty street) are
scores of riot police. A tank soon rolls in for added support.
In hindsight, it was all slightly over the top. Only around 350 protesters turned up. But basing estimates on the virtual
show on hands on social networking sites, around 40,000 irate football supporters were expected to voice their frustration
outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters earlier this week.
Evidently, it is easier and far more comfortable to click on ‘like’ during a coffee break than make the effort to go in person
to voice your dissatisfaction. But the fact that a mass-protest was organized in the first place, and became a talking point
for supporters around the country, points to the tension surrounding Argentine football as the new season kicks off this
weekend.
In the aftermath of the Copa America, when clubs met to decide on the future of national team coach Sergio Batista, they
also voted in a new league format to take effect as of the 2012/13 season, in one year’s time from now.
The idea was to merge the first and second division, create a tournament with 38 teams that, via a convoluted system,
would create a brand new competition.
In one fell swoop, went one argument, 20 clubs were promoted. Another argument went that 20 clubs were in fact relegated. Another said it was to save River Plate, relegated to the second division, the B Nacional, for the first time ever. With
pressures of their own, another argument said it was to save Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo and Racing Club from a possible
future relegation.
It was an eccentric plan, at best, and the cracks in the idea soon appeared. One club president said the idea came from the
national government, which holds the TV rights for league football in Argentina. AFA vehemently denied this. An AFA
spokesperson said none of this would have happened if River Plate had not been relegated. AFA also denied this.
After fans voiced their anger at the idea, rumors ran that there would be a press conference to announce the plans were
to be scrapped. There was no such press conference, and AFA president Julio Grondona went on local radio to ratify the
decision.
The following week the plans were then ditched as the FA backed down, Grondona confirming the new decision again on
local radio.
The dizzying chopping and changing has entirely overshadowed the preseason, which had already compressed into just
a couple of weeks build up after the Copa America ended. Supporters were angry at the new league format, and although
it has supposedly been jettisoned for good, many believe that once the dust has well and truly settled then clubs and AFA
may revisit the idea.
In the meantime, while on the surface things get up and running again, the whole charade has conveniently relegated the
inquest into the Copa America failings to the shadows.
Sergio Batista wrote an open and sincere column in one a local newspaper to reaffirm his desire to continue and his acceptance that he made mistakes at the Copa America. As we now know, it didn’t swing the opinion of those who held his
fate in their hands.
The former Estudiantes coach Alejandro Sabella has been confirmed as the man to take over from Sergio Batista, but
while we look at what to expect from him, other questions have not yet been answered. What can really be done to improve the results that such a gifted group of players ought to be achieving? Changing the coach is of course one option,
but the feeling is that the entire national team structure requires a make-over, with a coordinated effort that sees teams
playing the same system at under-17, under-20 and full national team level to help the new generation of players adapt
quickly as they move up the ranks. Just look at Uruguay’s current success. And as if the neighbors getting things right
wasn’t enough, Oscar Tabárez said he was in fact copying a system that Argentina used to employ – under José Pekerman
not so many years ago.
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U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann names
22-man roster for Mexico friendly
Jurgen Klinsmann, who replaced Bob Bradley as the U.S. team’s head
coach last week, announced his 22-man roster for the friendly against
rival Mexico on Aug. 10 in Philadelphia.
The team consists of eight players from Major League Soccer, five from
Germany’s top two leagues, and four from the Mexican top flight. There
is a combination of experienced and youth players at each position,
including goalkeeper where veteran Tim Howard will be backed up by
20-year-old Bill Hamid of D.C. United.
“One of the goals of the roster for this game and moving forward is to
create competition at each position,” said Klinsmann. “There are many
players who are established as well as many players who will get opportunities, and we want there to be a healthy contest for spots on the
roster.”
Some surprising selections include Michael Orozco Fiscal, Edgar Castillo and Ricardo Clark, all of whom weren’t a part of Bradley’s Gold
Cup roster in June.
We learned earlier this week that midfielder Clint Dempsey would not
make the trip to Philadelphia due to his club obligations with Fulham.
GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Edgar Castillo
(Club America), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover
96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis),
Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt),
Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Brek Shea (FC
Dallas), José Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson
Buddle (FC Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
Iraq in talks to hire Zico as national coach
Iraqi sports officials say they are in talks with former Brazilian star Zico to coach the
national team.
The head of the Iraqi Football Association, Najeh Hamoud, said Friday that negotiations
on contract terms will start as soon as Zico comes to Baghdad.
Zico, who has coached Japan’s national team, would replace German coach Wolfgang
Sidka. Hamoud told The Associated Press that Sidka’s contract expired at the end of last
month.
Iraq advanced to the third round of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers after a victory over Yemen last month.
Zico played in three World Cups for Brazil - 1978, 1982 and 1986.
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Cosmos interested in signing Beckham
New York Cosmos ambassador Shep Messing doesn’t think “there’s any question” that the reformed club will look to
sign David Beckham.
The Cosmos lost 6-0 to Manchester United on Friday night in Paul Scholes’ testimonial in their first match since 1984
and now the target is to secure a spot in Major League Soccer.
Messing, who played for the Cosmos in the 1970s during their time in the North American Soccer League, believes they
will be able to attract major stars to the Big Apple.
Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Neeskens and Carlos Alberto were among the big names to play for the club in the past
and Messing thinks Beckham is exactly the kind of player to help them make a fresh impact.
“I don’t think there’s any question,” Messing told Sportinglife.com when asked if Beckham, who is in the final year of
his contract with the LA Galaxy, will be a target for the Cosmos.
“I think Beckham is the type of player that the New York Cosmos want and the New York Cosmos will be the club that
players like Beckham want to play for.
“Who knows if it’s too little too late but David’s having his best year (playing football in the United States).
“I speak with him often and he is aware of every move that the Cosmos are making.
“New York Cosmos have a heritage, they have a legacy, they have a standard and Beckham fits right into that character
profile so you imagine the New York Cosmos team with a Beckham, with a Messi and with a Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think it’s not going to happen overnight and it’s hard to draw an analogy to the players that we had before but I do
think the New York Cosmos will attract the best players in the world.”
Messing enjoyed his time playing for the Cosmos but he says helping the new-look club, who have Eric Cantona employed as director of soccer, is even better.
“The first time was just spontaneous combustion. It took on a life of its own and we never thought we would be part of it
again so I think I speak for the other guys when I say this time it’s even better.
“Back in the day we all came together in the perfect universe and I think sprinkled the seeds that have been planted
in America for the last 35 years.”
Former Brazil captain Carlos Alberto has also taken a role as an ambassador for the Cosmos and he is expecting more success.
“I’m very happy to help develop the New York Cosmos,” he said.
“We are very confident that we can make the New York Cosmos like they were before. We were very
successful, not only in the United States but all over the world.”
Umbro are producing the New York Cosmos’ new kits and a new range of off-field lifestyle wear
is also available.
Chelsea reaches deal for
Anderlecht striker Lukaku
Chelsea has reached an agreement with Anderlecht for
the transfer of 18-year-old striker Romelu Lukaku.
The two clubs announced the deal on their websites Saturday, subject to Lukaku passing a
medical exam and agreeing personal terms.
The fee was not disclosed, but is reportedly more than ?20 million ($28.5
million).
At the age of 16 and in his debut
season, the 6-foot-4-inch Lukaku scored a league-leading
15 goals in 2009/10 and made his first international
appearance for Belgium. He scored 16 league goals
last season.
He will become new Chelsea manager Andre
Villas Boas’s third offseason signing, joining
Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu, who
arrived from Barcelona, and Belgian
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from
Genk. All three are teenagers.
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PSG signs Argentina
midfielder Javier Pastore
Chelsea signs Romeu from Barca
Chelsea on Thursday completed the signing of Oriol
Romeu from Barcelona on
a four-year deal.
The 19-year-old is the
second arrival of the
Andre Villas-Boas
era and will link up
with his new teammates at the end of
Spain’s Under-20 World
Cup campaign.
Reports in Barcelona have suggested Oriol has cost the
Blues 5million
euros ($7.1million) up front although that could eventually rise to 10million euros.
The fee was agreed 11 days ago for the midfielder, who
was quoted this week as saying: “Chelsea is a great option for me.
“Leaving Barca hurts, but
you have to take your chances.”
Oriol’s agent, Magico Diaz,
reportedly jetted out to Columbia this week to seal the
deal.
That is where Oriol is currently based, having played
90 minutes in Spain’s opening two 4-1 and 2-0 victories
over Costa Rica and Ecuador
respectively at the Under-20
World Cup.
His arrival at Stamford
Bridge will help offset the
loss of Michael Essien, who
faces six months out with a
serious knee injury.
Speaking after the fee had
been agreed, Villas-Boas
said: “It is a part of the squad
in which we are struggling
with numbers because of
Michael Essien’s injury and
Oriol is a player with a bright
future. He still has to evolve
as a player.
“The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the
Spanish second division, they finished third.
“Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back
late on and was in time to play for the first team.
“So he is one of the most promising young players in that
position.”
Oriol made his first-team debut for Barca at the end of
last season but head coach Pep Guardiola deemed him
surplus to requirements.
Chelsea has already signed Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut
Courtois from Genk, immediately loaning him out to
Atletico Madrid.
And that is unlikely to be the end of the Blues’ spending
before the start of the season. Chelsea has seen two bids
for Luka Modric rejected this summer and was this week
pondering to make a third and final offer for the Tottenham playmaker. There have also been reports linking
Yury Zhirkov and Alex with moves away from Stamford
Bridge.
-Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain
has completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Javier Pastore
on a five-year deal from Italian
club Palermo, shattering PSG’s
previous French record transfer
for striker Nicolas Anelka.
PSG announced the signing on
its website Saturday, without
giving any financial details,
although reports put the transfer
at ?42 million ($60 million).
PSG said the 22-year-old Pastore will wear the No. 27 jersey
and will be officially presented to
the media on Monday afternoon. Pastore and Palermo’s
president had announced the
deal earlier this week.
The previous record transfer
involved PSG paying Real
Madrid ?33.5 million ($47.6
million) for Anelka in 2000.
PSG has Qatari backing and
has already signed three
France internationals: striker
Kevin Gameiro, winger
Jeremy Menez and midfielder
Blaise Matuidi - who all
made their debuts in Saturday
night’s home match against
Lorient.
Including Pastore’s deal,
PSG’s total outlay this season
is around ?82 million ($116.4
million).
Pastore, who was pictured on
PSG’s website alongside the
club’s sporting director Leonardo, was paraded before a
packed home crowd and got a
huge ovation moments before
Saturday’s match at Parc des
Princes.
Prince Sheik Tamim Bin
Hamad Al Thani, whose Qatar
Sports Investments owns 70
percent of the club, has used his funds to make PSG an
attractive destination. Leonardo left his job as Inter Milan
coach to oversee PSG’s long-term plan for domestic and
European success.
PSG has also signed goalkeepers Nicolas Douchez and
young Italy international Salvatore Sirigu plus defender
Milan Bisevac. Sirigu and Bisevac also started against
Lorient.
Pastore scored 11 goals for Palermo in Serie A last season,
including a hat trick against Catania.
Before joining Palermo two years ago, Pastore had played
for Huracan and Talleres in Argentina. He made two substitute appearances for Argentina during last month’s Copa
America and has yet to score in 10 international appearances.
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Sepp Blatter offers Obama 50th birthday wishes
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has written to Barack Obama offering “warmest personal regards’’ on the United States president’s 50th birthday.
Blatter describes Obama in a letter as a “visionary leader and unifier.’’ Blatter, who was
75 in March, tells Obama that “turning 50 is an occasion to reflect and look forward.’’
Both leaders, who met at the White House two years ago, have experienced tough summers. Blatter has defended FIFA against numerous corruption allegations and Obama
brokered a deal to avoid defaulting on national debts.
Blatter writes “I wish you strength in these difficult times and I am convinced that you ...
will succeed in overcoming these challenges.’’
Brazil’s Fred asks not to play after drinking episode
Brazil striker Fred asked Fluminense not to pick him for the club’s match against Internacional on
Thursday, claiming psychological problems after being pursued by fans who found him drinking in
a Rio bar.
Fred, who played for Brazil at last month’s Copa America in Argentina, would have been in the
starting line-up for the Brazilian championship match.
“The athlete asked not to be chosen for tonight’s game, against Internacional, at the Engenhao
(Olympic stadium). Fred claimed he was not fit psychologically to play because he felt threatened, in view of the episode ... in a southern area restaurant on Tuesday,” Fluminense said in a
statement.
According to media reports, Fred and team mate Rafael Moura were seen by fans drinking ‘caipirinhas’ -- a Brazilian cocktail -- in the company of women in the early hours of Wednesday in a bar in
the Rio beach district of Ipanema.
After leaving the bar with their companions, Fred and Moura were pursued in their cars by the fans, who felt aggrieved
to see the players out drinking before a match, local media said.
United’s Hernandez ruled out till end of August
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez is one of three injured players who will miss Sunday’s English season
curtain-raiser against Manchester City, manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.
The Mexican, who had a dream debut season last term as his 13 Premier League goals
helped United win a record 19th title, is still recovering from concussion suffered on the
club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Also sidelined for the Community Shield match at Wembley are midfielder Michael
Carrick, who has a tight Achilles, and defender Rafael who picked up a knock in last
weekend’s friendly against Barcelona.
Hernandez is expected to be fit by the end of August, ruling him out of the start of the
league season including next Sunday’s opener at West Bromwich Albion.
“Considering he had a concussion some years ago, we’re playing it safe,” Ferguson told a
news conference.
Sunday’s derby pits the league champions
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Police investigate death of player’s girlfriend
Brazilian police say they are investigating whether the 16-year-old
girlfriend of a football player jumped to her death or was pushed
from the 15th floor window of his apartment.
Police investigator Elisabete Sato tells reporters the death of Flavia Anay de Lima is being treated as suspicious until all questions
are answered.
She says that Portuguesa striker Rafael Silva told police his girlfriend jumped to her death on Sunday following a violent argument. She says police found blood stains and broken furniture in
the 20-year-old player’s apartment.
Portuguesa, which plays in the second tier of Brazilian football,
did not return calls for comment.
Real Madrid loan midfielder Canales to Valencia
-Real Madrid has loaned talented midfielder Sergio Canales to
Spanish rival Valencia for the upcoming season.
Canales, who is playing for Spain at the Under-20 World Cup,
was limited to 15 appearances under coach Jose Mourinho after
joining from Racing Santander before the start of last season in a
?5 million ($7.2 million) deal.
Both clubs say on their respective websites the agreement includes a buy-out option. Other financial terms were not released.
Canales says Valencia is where he “wants to play - it’s a very
important step that allows me to keep competing with football’s
elite.’’
The move ensures the 20-year-old plays Champions League football as Valencia qualified for the group stages thanks to its thirdplace finish last season.
US women’s national team
to face Canada next month
The U.S. women’s national team will play Canada at Livestrong
Sporting Park next month in its first match since a dramatic shootout loss to Japan in the World Cup final.
The teams will play at the new home of Sporting Kansas City on
Sept. 17.
Led by Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, the Americans rebounded
from a stunning loss to Sweden in the World Cup group stage to
knock off tournament favorite Brazil in the quarterfinals.
The U.S. team coasted past France in the semifinals and twice
was on the cusp of beating Japan. Aya Miyama forced extra time
with an equalizer in the 81st minute, and Homare Sawa answered
Wambach’s goal in the 117th minute to force penalty kicks. Japan
went on to win the shootout.
Canada lost all three of its games in the group stage in Germany.
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overseas.
It quotes coach Mano Menezes as saying that the
“Superclassic of The Americas’’ will allow him to
The National Football Confederation
observe players that have potential but who have
says Brazil and Argentina will face
not had a chance to play for the national squad.
each other in a two-game mini-tour- Argentina will host the first game on Sept. 14. The
nament in September.
second game will be played two weeks later in
A statement posted on the confedera- Brazil’s northern city of Belem.
tion’s website says both teams will be
formed only of players that play in the
two countries and not those who play
Brazil and Argentina to meet in mini-tournament
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Maradona arrives to coach
Dubai club
Diego Maradona has arrived in Dubai to begin his stint as coach of Al
Wasl in the UAE league.
The 50-year-old Argentina great touched down late Wednesday,
shortly before midnight, and was whisked through a VIP terminal
at Dubai’s main airport.
Photos released by the club show Maradona meeting local officials and clutching flowers while wearing a black warm-up
suit.
The club is hoping Maradona’s star power will increase its
standing while drawing more fans and sponsors to the domestic league. Al Wasl finished sixth in the first-division
UAE Pro League last season.
“I am more than excited to be back and I am anxious
to start working with the team,’’ the former World
Cup winner said in a statement. “I have been
constantly thinking of different training methods
and new strategies ... and I can’t wait to start
implementing them on the ground.’’
Al Wasl said Maradona expects to meet soon
Eric Cantona believes the
with coaching staff and will try to sign
United States will win the World
another foreign player.
Cup in the next 20 years.
The club earlier this week signed
The former Manchester United
Uruguay’s Juan Manuel Olivera, who
forward is now director of football at
joins Chile’s Edson Puch and Omani
the New York Cosmos and he believes
defender Mohammed al-Shaibae
bringing through young American talon the mostly Emirati squad. Al
ent in his new role can help the national
Wasl’s earlier effort to sign Uruteam’s chances of success.
guay striker Diego Forlan from
“New York Cosmos is special, the city is
Atletico Madrid fell through
special and the club is special,” he told a
in May.
press-conference in Manchester on Wednesday.
Maradona, who has not
“I think in the next 20 years the US can win the
coached since leading
World Cup.
Argentina to the World
“The last World Cup was won with eight or nine
Cup quarterfinals last
players from the academy of Barcelona and we want
year, has a two-year
to be this kind of club.
contract with Al
“We can buy players but we want to work a lot on
Wasl.
young players because there is a lot of young talent in
The new Pro
America.”
League season
Cantona will take charge of the Cosmos for the clash
starts next
against Manchester United in Paul Scholes’ testimonial on
month.
Friday night and he says his side are “very proud” to be invited
to Old Trafford.
Cosmos chairman Paul Kelmsley also attended Wednesday’s
press conference and he can’t wait to see the famous club back in
action after a gap of over 25 years.
“To be playing the first game at Manchester United is just the biggest
thrill in the world.
“It’s been over 25 years since the club last played a game and it’s going
to be a very emotional evening especially for Pele and some of the ambassadors who wore this shirt back in the late ‘70s.”
US can
rule the
world
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Haters ‘try to infiltrate football’
The head of British football’s anti-racism body warned Tuesday that extremists are trying to infiltrate the game again,
citing the massacre in Norway as a wake-up call.
Kick It Out chairman Herman Ouseley fears right-wing hard-liners could exploit the country’s economic troubles, with
“massive deprivation’’ in parts of England having the potential to foment hatred and exclusion.
English football has largely eradicated the racial abuse of black players that blighted the game here in the 1970s and
‘80s, thanks in large part to the work of the Kick It Out group.
“Extremists are still trying to get back into football,’’ Ouseley, a member of the House of Lords, told The Associated
Press. “We’ve managed to push them off the terraces away from grounds, but it’s still out in the community and it’s
important that we understand that they are trying win over the minds of young, vulnerable people and a lot of football
fans are young and vulnerable.
“We must always use football as a basis to help young people have a better understanding to have open minds, to see
the dangers lurking within those who are offering them easy solutions through hatred.’’
Ouseley is concerned that confessed Norwegian killer Anders Behring Breivik could inspire disaffected people in
Britain. He raised the issue while addressing an audience of top football officials at an anti-racism event at Wembley
Stadium.
Breivik claims he carried out last month’s twin-attacks, which killed 77 people, to launch a revolution against a Europe spoiled by Muslim immigration.
“Events in Norway over the last week reminds us that the hatred .. exists not far from our shores,’’ Ouseley said. “Because believe you me, there are people like that living among us in the U.K. and organizations that are very hateful.’’
The leader of the English Defense League, a far-right group mentioned by Breivik as an inspiration, was convicted
last week of leading a brawl involving 100 fellow supporters of Luton Town in Aug. 2010. Stephen Lennon, who was
chanting “EDL till I die,’’ was given a 12-month rehabilitation order.
“It’s important that football is seen to be making a contribution (to combatting extremism),’’ Ouseley said in the interview. “It requires a greater collective effort to prevent the sort of horrors and atrocities that we have seen.’’
“Norway has happened on a big scale that is a phenomenal human tragedy,’’ he added. “It is a reflection of is what is
going on in many countries within Europe. Some would say it’s worse in eastern Europe but it’s just as bad in western
Europe.’’
Ouseley said football can be a positive force by inspiring more black and ethnic minority coaches to become involved
in the game.
On Tuesday, he launched the first initiative backed by all of English football’s main governing bodies to ensure coaching is not a white-dominated preserve.
When the Premier League season starts next week, not a single black manager will be in charge.
“There’s no doubt that English football has been graced by some fantastic black players over the years - Viv Anderson,
Cyrille Regis, Andrew Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Barnes, Ashley Cole and Paul Ince,’’ said Football Association chairman David Bernstein. “But, for whatever reason, that talent just hasn’t transferred itself from the field of play to the
dugout.’’
The only two black managers in the 72-team Football League are Chris Hughton of Birmingham City in the secondtier League Championship and Chris Powell of Charlton Athletic in third-tier League One.
While the Premier League is packed with black stars, players of Asian background are yet to establish themselves,
with few role models on - or off the pitch.
“Clearly without the base of Asian players, the challenge of developing coaches and managers is much greater,’’
Bernstein said. “We know there are cultural and traditional reasons for this situation but we firmly believe that if we
can develop some Asian coaches, working on a regular basis in football, this will encourage and give confidence to
talented youngsters in those communities.’’
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