Soccer-Rosell wins landslide vote to become next Barca president

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

June 13 (Reuters) – Sandro Rosell will be the next president of Barcelona after winning a landslide vote among club members on Sunday, the Spanish champions said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com).

The 46-year-old businessman will replace Joan Laporta, who steps down at the end of the month, after gaining just over 61 percent of the vote against three other candidates Agusti Benedito, Marc Ingla and Jaume Ferrer.

(Writing by Mark Elkington, editing by John Mehaffey. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FIFA providing 150,000 more World Cup tickets

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

An extra 150,000 tickets for all 64 World Cup matches will be put on sale on Friday after 96 per cent of seats were sold, FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said.

At a ceremony officially handing over Cape Town’s majestic new seaside stadium for the World Cup, Valcke said that if the additional tickets were sold the tournament would reach almost 98 percent capacity across all the 10 stadiums.

A total of nearly 2.9 million seats were available for the world’s most watched sporting event, which runs for a month from June 11.

Valcke said the additional tickets were from inventory that soccer’s governing body had held back until now for its own use.

The number of tickets available for any stadium would vary from 200 upwards. Valcke said last week organisers were having trouble filling the smaller Nelspruit, Polokwane and Port Elizabeth stadiums for some matches.

Estimates of foreign visitors for the World Cup, once put at 450,000, have recently been reduced to between 300,000 and 370,000. The number has been depressed by the global economic crisis, the cost of a long-haul World Cup destination and fears over South Africa’s high levels of violent crime.

Last month, realising it had made errors in selling tickets only over the internet, FIFA launched a drive to market the remaining seats to South Africans, who have grabbed thousands in over-the-counter cash sales.

(Reporting by Barry Moody; Editing by Clare Fallon. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lionel Messi wants Cheryl Cole to support Argentina in World Cup

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 12 (ANI): Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has suggested that Cheryl Cole should support Argentina in the World Cup – as they “know how to treat their women”.

Taking a jibe at Cheryl”s love rat hubby, England defender Ashley, Messi said his country had the “prettiest” players.

“I don”t know if Cheryl is going to want to support England. She might be a bit anti England players at the moment,” the Sun quoted the Barcelona forward as saying.

“If she is looking for a new nation to follow at the World Cup, she should look no further than Argentina.

“We play the prettiest football, have the prettiest players, and Argentinian men also know how to treat their women,” he added.

Messi also said he would want ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl, 26, to join the party if the Argies win in South Africa.

“She would of course have to do the Tango. I don”t think there would be a shortage of Argentinian players willing to help teach her,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Victoria Beckham has ‘Worst Celebrity Feet’

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 12 (ANI): Victoria Beckham a.k.a Posh has been named the celebrity with worst feet in a new UK poll.

According to the survey by Scholl, conducted to mark the footwear firm”s Keeping Britain on its Feet campaign, 71 per cent of think that the wife of soccer ace David Beckham has the worst celebrity feet and 67 per cent say that she should have urgent surgery to deal with her heel-induced gnarly bunions, reports the Sun.

However, 81 per cent of women surveyed still feel sexier wearing high heels and half the nation admitted to buying a new pair of ill-fitting shoes.

Of the 21 per cent who would let a famous person near their feet, Cheryl Cole for men and George Clooney for women topped the list. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ashley Cole takes a dig at Cheryl after Premier League win

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 11 (ANI): Footballer Ashley Cole took a dig at his estranged wife Cheryl by suggesting soccer is more important to him than his relationship with her.

Cole said Chelsea’s victory in the Premier League has made up for the terrible time he had last year, when his extra-marital affairs were exposed.

“I’m over the moon. As everyone knows I’ve not had the greatest of years but this makes up for it,” the Daily Star quoted him, as saying on winning the tournament.

Meanwhile, a source said: “Cheryl has been to Hell and back and has been humiliated. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to know football can make him so happy when she’s still suffering.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Snoop Dogg wants to rap with David Beckham

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 21 (ANI): Rapper Snoop Dogg has revealed that he would like to rap with footie ace David Beckham.

Snoop Dogg, 38, real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus, became friends with Becks, 34, after doing an Adidas ad, and he now believes that the football star can definitely rap.

“Beckham and I go way back,” the Mirror quoted Snoop as saying.

“He’s like a brother. I’m gonna show him to rap, for shizzle. He’s my boy. I love soccer just as he loves hip-hop,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Union helps revamp Jubilee Oval

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Broken Hill Football League has announced the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union will contribute $40,000 to the continued upgrade of Jubilee Oval.

League chairman David Sedunary says the money will go towards installing a digital scoreboard, as well as upgrading the lights around the oval.

He says it will not just benefit the football league, but a range of different sports that also use the oval.

“Not only helping Aussie Rules, they’re helping cricket because we’ll have cricket there, we have softball there … school football’s played there, soccer people train there, well they did previously, there has been some baseball played there and also we’re going to have rugby league as well, it’s been very helpful and I think it’s been just a situation … [of] appreciation of all the sport that’s gone around Broken Hill,” he said.

In other football news, the Lightning Preseason Cup will be held tomorrow, with all four of the league’s teams taking part.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UK’s Brown says economy like injured soccer player

April 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday the economy must be treated as carefully as injured England international soccer star Wayne Rooney to avoid the risk of falling back into recession.

Brown, a keen sports fan, seized on the footballing comparison to explain to voters his government’s decision to delay for 12 months the cuts in public spending needed to tackle a 163 billion pound ($248 billion) budget deficit.

The opposition Conservatives, ahead in opinion polls, say they will reduce public spending by 6 billion pounds this year to start reducing the deficit if they win an election expected on May 6.

Manchester United striker Rooney, recovering from damaged ankle ligaments, is top scorer in this season’s English premier league and carries the hopes of England fans in the soccer World Cup in South Africa this June.

“I believe that securing the recovery is the biggest issue facing our country. That means we shouldn’t take money out of the economy this year,” Brown said in a video message on his Downing Street website, a day before he is expected to confirm the election date.

“Let me explain it a bit like this — I know Wayne Rooney’s just had an injury to his foot and I know everyone will be hoping he’s fit for the World Cup.

“But after an injury you need support to recover, you need support to get back to match fitness, you need support to get back your full strength and then go on to lift the World Cup.

“So with the economy — we’re not back to full fitness, we need to maintain support. If you withdraw support too early, we’ll risk doing more damage.

“That’s why I think it’s wrong to say that we should take six or seven billion pounds out of the economy this year.”

Brown’s finance minister Alistair Darling does not plan to start cutting government departmental spending until 2011, arguing that the economy is still too fragile after emerging from its worst recession for generations.

Brown said Britain risked falling back into recession, “if we try and jump off the treatment table as if nothing had happened.”

- To see the latest stories about the UK, click http://link.reuters.com/quq44j for multimedia coverage

- See us online http://uk.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/politics

- Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/reuters_co_uk

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , ,

Passport refused to footballer due tohis father’s link with militants

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sep 16 (ANI): The regional passport authorities of Jammu and Kashmir have denied passport to a Kashmiri youth, sighting the reason of his father’s involvement with militants in the valley.

A Nineteen-year -old youth, Basharat Bashir, was all set to fly to Spain for the soccer training, but the news of denial of passport has crushed his dreams.

“They were (passport authorities) only telling me that your case has not been recommended by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and FRO from police. I know they have denied me to give the passport because my father was a militant,” said Ahmad.

Bashir was among the 11 players selected by International Sports Academy Trust (ISAT) for training in Spain, but was dropped at the last moment because of non availablitiy of passport.

When contacted, the passport office authorities refused to talk about it.

Former Indian football captain Abdul Majeed Kakroo said it was injustice to Bashir and demanded the intervention of state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the matter.

“His father was into wrong things but now he has improved. Now, why should his son suffer for that? Why should he be denied the passport, and hurdles put in his way? On behalf of all the football players I would request the chief minister to help him,” Kakroo said.

Bashir also said that he was a year-and-a-half old when his father was arrested and was later released.

“He had become militant even before my birth,” Bashir said. By Parvez Butt (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Now, Scot players to test a waterproof football kit

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Edinburgh, Sep.13 (ANI): Scotland may be out of the World Cup, but it leads the globe on one footballing frontier – testing out a new range of all-weather soccer gear.

US sportswear giant Under Armour has handpicked two players from the ranks of the Scottish junior leagues to trial shirts, shorts, socks and boots which provide “head to toe” protection against the elements.

Chris Taylor and Kevin MacDonald, from Glasgow, were chosen from thousands of players by the expanding company to try out its new kit over a six-month period.

As well as the waterproof boots, the pair has been given the company’s specially made weather-resistant tops and shorts to try out in Scotland’s harsh winter climate, the News of The World reports.

The boots are made from kangaroo leather, renowned for its water-resistant qualities.

The shirt is made with specially formulated polyester containing “perforated microfibre”.

MacDonald, 26, a betting shop manager, plays for Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. Taylor, 31, plays for Ayrshire side Darvel, and travels from his Glasgow home for training and matches.

The company’s decision to choose Scotland as a testing ground for their waterproof football kit was backed by ex-players yesterday. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

One out of two Brits think England will win 2010 World Cup: Poll

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep. 13 (ANI): One out of two British nationals believe that England can win the 2010 Soccer World Cup, a Sunday Times poll has revealed.

According to the YouGov poll, 49 percent of people believe England’s chances of winning are “excellent” or “good.”

The survey also revealed 20 percent nationals think the team’s chances are “poor,” while 12 percent say they are “hopeless.”

The new found confidence reflects the team’s 5-1 victory over Croatia this week, which sealed qualification for next year’s tournament in South Africa.

Times Online quoted England’s Italian manager Fabio Capello as saying that his minimum target is to reach the World Cup final on July 11 in Johannesburg.

And his dream final would be between England and Italy.

England’s success is being attributed to the discipline Capello has imposed on players, which includes limiting the attendance of WAGs. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are Evan Rachel Wood and Alexander Skarsgard an item?

September 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Sep 8 (ANI): American actress Evan Rachel Wood is reportedly dating her ‘True Blood’ co-star Alexander Skarsgard.

According to celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, Wood, 22, had recently been linked to E.R. actor Shane West, but is said to have moved on to Swedish actor Skarsgard, 33, after meeting him on the set of the hit vampire TV show, reports Contactmusic.

The pair have been spotted enjoying a string of dates, including a soccer match and a boat trip.

Wood even jetted into Louisiana over the weekend to keep the actor company during breaks from filming the ‘Straw Dogs’ remake. (ANI)

Filed Under: Entertainment News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

India’s football federation seeks legal solution in Bhutia-Bagan club row

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 31 (ANI): India’s football federation on Sunday sought a legal solution to the row involving national soccer skipper Bhaichung Bhutia and country’s oldest sport club Mohun Bagan.

Mohun Bagan handed the 32-year-old striker a six-month ban in May after he missed training to appear on a celebrity-based dancing show on television and accused him of lacking commitment during the league season.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF), which met on Sunday, decided to refer the dispute to an arbitrator after a meeting between the two parties failed to break the deadlock.

“Both sides have a very firm view on the issue. So we need to have a kind of a legal solution to the issue because we cannot take a ruling… based on what both sides have stated. We feel it is better that we take a legal opinion and we will solve the issue. But it is being dragged that much, especially in this case because Bhaichung Bhutia is our national captain and a very respected player. So we want to settle it and resolve it at earliest,” said Praful Patel, acting president of the AIFF.

Bhutia is regarded as the player who can inspire India in the 2011 Asian Cup, which has been seen as vital to reviving the game in the country. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Woman boxer Laishram Sarita Devi crowned with Arjuna Award

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Thoubal (Manipur), Aug 29 (NAI): Laishram Sarita Devi, a seven times gold medallist in various international women’s boxing tourneys has been bestowed with the Arjuna Award, India’s prime honour for sportspersons. arita Devi (24) hails from Thoubal in Manipur.

Inspired by the feats of Muhmmad Ali, she took up this manly sport in 2000 and literally eclipsed the swiftness of the boys and even pugilists elder to her.

This is evident from the fact that in the very subsequent year, she was called to represent India in the fist Asian Women’s Boxing Championship staged in Bangkok.

“I am very happy with my achievement. I had been nominated for the award three years ago but I did not get it. I feel it’s a little late now but I am happy to receive this award. It comes as an encouragement for me to perform better in future,” she said.

She was encouraged by her family members, which could be a key factor to her success in the ring.When we heard that she is getting Arjuna Award, I was filled with unusual emotion to learn finally the fruit of her labour has paid off. I am really proud of her,”said Thoiba Singh, husband of Sarita Devi.

She has numerous achievements to her credit. After winning a silver medal in her maiden appearance in the international arena (Asian Women’s Boxing Championship), Sarita has participated in fifteen more tournaments, winning seven gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

She works out for five to six hours a day such as sparring, punching bags and skipping to stay trim and be ever ready for a bout in the ring.

She has a desire to participate in the Olympic Games and hopes her dreams will come true.

This recent achievement of Sarita Devi is bound to lend a boost to the sporting talents in Manipur, which are abundant in several indoor and outdoor games such as boxing, judo, weightlifting, soccer, hockey and polo among others. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Natives of Kyonsa in Sikkim to promote pillow fighting, pole climbing

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kyonsa (Sikkim), Aug 27(ANI): The local residents of Kyonsa region in Sikkim gathered in huge numbers on Thursday to take part in an event to promote their age-old rural game of bamboo pole climbing and pillow fighting.

The locals shouted and cheered as the participants climbed bamboo poles and battered each other in pillow fights – reviving a practice that is slowly dying in the face of modern sports like soccer and volleyball.

“Our main aim is to preserve this old system of sports. Nowadays, we mainly focus on sports like football, archery and volleyball but our aim is to keep this traditional style of sports alive in our rural areas and entertain the public on such an occasion,” said Sonam Bhutia, General Secretary of Kyonsa Samaj Organizing Committee.

Sonam further said this was also a way of preserving their identity and by promoting this form of sport in the rural areas, the youth will learn more about their own traditions and not be swayed by modern sports such as football.

“Such rural sports encourage us and bring out the best in the all the villages who come from different areas. Here people come and gather for an occasion like this one. In this way we can preserve our age old sports which our earlier generations have been playing from a very long time,” said Anand Lepcha, a local.

The event was also marked by some spectacular dance performances. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Clash after a soccer match in Kolkata, one dead

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

24 North Parganas (WB), Aug 24 (ANI): Clash after a soccer match killed one and injured 15 others at Rajarhat, 40 kilometres away from Kolkata.

Reportedly the defeated team attacked the winners with guns.

The mob also set ablaze a neighbouring premier resort.

“There was a local football match going on outside our property and there was some altercation between two teams. It appears that some people ran into our property and they were followed by a mob.The mob kept looking for them, they could not find them. So, there was some enragement and they put this place on fire.

The damage is limited only to the main building,” said Robertson, Director of the Vedic Village, Resort and Spa. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No more babies for Posh

August 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, 22 (ANI): Victoria Beckham has said that she does not want to have any more babies.

The former Spice Girl already has three sons- Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, six, and Cruz, four- with husband and soccer star David Beckham.

“I get up early in the morning, get the kids ready for school, take them to school. Then while they’re at school, that’s when I manage to get my work in. I have to be done by 3pm so I can get the kids,” the Daily Star quoted her as telling US radio host Ryan Seacrest.

It comes as a surprise, since in the past she has expressed her desire to have a baby girl.

She had said in an interview with a Spanish magazine: “I’d like to have more children. I’d love to have a girl.

“I can imagine us having her nails painted and doing her make-up and choosing her clothes with her.”(ANI)

Filed Under: Entertainment News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It was “difficult” living apart from David, admits Victoria Beckham

August 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has admitted that it was “difficult” living away from husband soccer idol David.

The stunner, who has three sons, Brooklyn, 10, Romeo, six, and four-year-old Cruz with David, said it was hard when the sportstar moved to Italy to play for AC Milan while she and the kids remained in Los Angeles, reports The China Daily.

She said: “I’m really happy being in the States so it was difficult for me going backwards and forwards trying to make everybody happy.”

However, David, 34, now has moved back to the US to continue playing for Los Angeles Galaxy.

She told KIIS FM radio host Ryan Seacrest: “The children are very happy. I get up early in the morning, get the kids ready for school, take them to school, and then while they’re at school, that’s when I manage to get my work in.

“I have to be done by 3pm so I can go and get the kids again… they will always be our priority, both myself and David’s.” (ANI)

Filed Under: Entertainment News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s girlfriend pregnant?

August 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New York, Aug 19 (ANI): Rumours are rife that Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich’s girlfriend Dasha Zhukova is pregnant.

A source has revealed that 28-year-old Zhukova is almost six months pregnant, “but still very active”.

“She and Roman were at the U2 concert at Wembley over the weekend as well as the first match of the new Chelsea (soccer) season,” the New York Post quoted the source as saying.

Zhukova, editor of London’s Pop magazine, has her first issue coming out soon, and her museum, The Garage, is a key venue for the Moscow Art Biennale, which kicks off next month. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gazza pays heartfelt tribute to ex-manager Bobby Robson

August 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Aug.15 (ANI): Troubled former British soccer star Paul Gascoigne paid a heartfelt tribute to Sir Bobby Robson on Friday, saying that the latter had saved his life.

Re-emphasising the fact that he always saw Robson as his second father, Gazza said the former England manager played a significant part in his fight against addiction and mental illness.

“I know that Sir Bobby is up there now, looking down, thinking that I’m still daft as a brush. But you know what? He’s still got his arm around my shoulders and he always will have,” The Sun quoted Gazza, 42, as saying.

He revealed that he was so grief-stricken after Sir Bobby’s death last month that he was dealing with his grief by listening to Van Morrison songs – and writing poetry non-stop.

His pieces include one written on hotel notepaper that pays tribute to the “great man” and father figure he first met when he was just 12.

Gazza also said he was no longer afraid of death after seeing his mentor’s courage as he finally succumbed to cancer after a 17-year battle against the disease.

Gazza said: “I couldn’t have dealt with all the problems without the help of a lot of people. My family obviously come first, but a close second was Sir Bobby. He was always there for me, whatever sort of trouble I was in.” (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts