War, diamonds and football: The amazing story of Congo’s TP Mazembe
Posted by Peter Fawzy
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been torn apart for most of its bloody history. Its people have known little other than death, war and greed.
The central African state has been plagued by fighting over the control of its phenomenal natural resources -- a wealth of diamonds, gold and copper that sparked a war responsible for the deaths of over five million people.
But now its citizens have the chance to experience rare unity as the country's top football team seeks to complete an incredible journey.
African champions TP Mazembe will take on the might of Europe's finest, Inter Milan, in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night.
I will leave Manchester City, insists Carlos Tevez
Posted by Peter Fawzy
Carlos Tevez has insisted he will leave Manchester City because his relations with "certain executives" at the club have "broken down beyond repair".
City have rejected a written transfer request from the 26-year-old Argentina striker, who has cited family reasons for wanting to depart Eastlands.
He stressed that he has "no personal issue" with manager Roberto Mancini.
But Tevez said: "It is something I have felt for some time and have spent many hours thinking this through."
In a statement, the Manchester City captain thanked club owner Sheikh Mansour for his "understanding and support".
Panorama: Three Fifa World Cup officials took bribes
Posted by Peter Fawzy
Three senior Fifa officials who will vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids took bribes in the 1990s, according to the BBC's Panorama.
Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira took the money from a sport marketing firm awarded lucrative World Cup rights, the programme alleges.
The alleged bribes are included in a confidential document listing 175 payments totalling about $100m (£64m).
The three men did not respond to Panorama's allegations.
Fifa, world football's governing body, also declined interview requests to address the allegations.
Two members of the FIFA Executive Committee provisionally suspended
Posted by Peter Fawzy
The FIFA Ethics Committee, under the chairmanship of Claudio Sulser, decided today, 20 October 2010, to provisionally suspend, with immediate effect, the members of the FIFA Executive Committee Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii from taking part in any football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) after examining their cases in relation to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups™. After hearing Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii, the Ethics Committee considered that a provisional suspension was required while the investigation continues, taking into account the gravity of the case and the likelihood that a breach of the FIFA Statutes, the FIFA Code of Ethics and the FIFA Disciplinary Code has been committed.
Furthermore, the Ethics Committee examined the cases of four officials – Slim Aloulou, Amadou Diakite, Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Ismael Bhamjee – also in relation to an alleged breach of the FIFA Statutes, the FIFA Code of Ethics and the FIFA Disciplinary Code linked to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups™. The committee also decided to suspend these four officials provisionally from taking part in any football-related activity.
Blatter boosts England World Cup bid
Posted by Peter Fawzy
England's bid for the 2018 World Cup has been boosted by praise from FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Speaking after meeting Prime Minister David Cameron in Downing Street, Blatter credited England for eradicating hooliganism. Blatter delighted England 2018 leaders by saying he was impressed by the bid and by urging other national associations to replicate the all-seater stadiums and lack of fences at the country's top clubs.
