Soccer Extreme : Bobby Robson, the former England soccer coach who led clubs to trophies in four of Europe’s top leagues, died today after a battle with cancer. He was 76.

Robson “died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him,” according to an e-mailed statement issued on behalf of his family.

Robson played for Fulham and West Bromwich Albion during the 1950s and 1960s. After appearing 20 times for England, his coaching career flourished at Ipswich Town, earning him the national post in 1982.

He led England to its second World Cup semifinal in 1990 before winning trophies with clubs in the Netherlands, Portugal and in Spain, where he managed Barcelona. His full-time managing career ended at Newcastle in 2004 after which he became an adviser for Ireland’s national team.

“The whole football world loved Bobby Robson as a player, a manager and an ambassador for the game,” Ian Watmore, chief executive officer of the English Football Association said in a statement. “This is a sad day.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Robson “epitomized everything that is great” about football.

“He will be sorely missed, not only in Newcastle and Ipswich, both of whom he served with such devotion, but by all sports fans in our country,” Brown said in a statement.

‘Battler’

Alan Shearer, who played for Robson at Newcastle and England, described him as “a winner, a battler and a fighter” who “fought until the very last.”

Robson was first diagnosed with cancer in 1992, according to the Web site of the charitable foundation he set up to raise awareness of the disease. He had an operation in August 2006 to remove a brain tumor and in May 2007 had a chemotherapy course to treat nodules on a lung.

He was known for his love of the sport, his ability to talk about it endlessly, and his absent-mindedness. Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi said Robson would often forget his name.

Robson was born in Durham, northeast England, in 1933, the son of a coalminer.

A winger or midfielder, he started his playing career with Fulham at the age of 17, before switching to West Brom, where he earned all his call-ups to the national team and a place in the squads for the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.

Only Trophy

After a brief return to Fulham, Robson ended his playing career in Canada with the Vancouver Royals, where he started coaching. He took a first full-time managerial role at Fulham in 1968, lasting 10 months before joining Ipswich.

At that time, Ipswich had won the English championship once, its only trophy in 91 years. During 13 years under Robson, the club won the F.A. Cup and Europe’s UEFA Cup, and twice finished runner-up in the top division. He recruited just 14 players from other teams, preferring to develop his side through Ipswich’s youth system which nurtured the likes of Kevin Beattie, George Burley and John Wark.

Robson’s record at Ipswich led to his fending off competition from candidates including Brian Clough, a two-time European Cup-winner with Nottingham Forest, to succeed Ron Greenwood as England coach.

Under Robson the national team failed to qualify for the 1984 European Championship and lost all its matches at the continental tournament four years later.

World Cup

Having lost to Diego Maradona’s self-proclaimed “hand of God” goal for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, England went a step further in 1990, losing in a penalty shootout to eventual champion West Germany in the last four.

It was England’s best World Cup performance since Alf Ramsey led the team to its only major trophy, on home soil in 1966. It came after Robson selected midfielder Paul Gascoigne, whom he called “daft as a brush” yet who gave standout performances at the tournament.

The Football Association decided not to renew Robson’s contract and he joined PSV Eindhoven, twice winning the Dutch league. Poor performances in Europe and clashes with players led to Robson joining Sporting Lisbon, which fired him in 1994 even as the club topped the league table.

He moved on to Portuguese rival Porto, which defeated Sporting in the national Cup final and won the league in 1995 and 1996.

Success in Portugal attracted Barcelona, where Robson’s acquisition of Brazil striker Ronaldo from PSV helped the club win the Spanish Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Newcastle

After a year as Barcelona’s general manager, Robson spent another season with PSV before returning to England to join Newcastle, near his birthplace of Sacriston.

Bottom of the Premier League when he took the job in 1999, Newcastle finished fourth and third in 2002 and 2003, qualifying for Europe’s elite Champions League.

He left in 2004 after Newcastle finished fifth -- missing out on a place in the continent’s top competition. Robson took up his role with Ireland in January 2006 until the end of his contract in December 2007.

“Sir Bobby was one of the game’s true footballing legends, a unique, passionate man who gave so much to the game,” Newcastle Managing Director Derek Llambias said in a statement on the club’s Web site. “He will be enormously missed by the whole football community worldwide.”

Robson had a tumor removed from his lung in May 2007 after overcoming previous battles with skin and bowel cancer.

“It was the first time I’d left a game early in 55 years, apart from being carried off on a stretcher as a player,” Robson said after being taken ill Aug. 5, 2007, while watching Ipswich, where he was honorary club president.

Knighted in 2002 for his services to soccer, Robson told the Sun newspaper in August 2008 that he was “going to die sooner rather than later,” but added that he had “enjoyed every minute.”

He is survived by his wife Elsie and three sons. Funeral services will be private, the family statement said. A thanksgiving service will be held at a later date. (bloomberg)

Video : Sir Bobby Robson Supports Coaches across Continents

Soccer Extreme : O’Neal has challenged Beckham to a game of “soccerball” in his new reality TV series, Shaq Vs, in which the NBA legend takes on his sporting peers at their own game.

O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, will swim against Michael Phelps, the Olympic champion, fight the former world boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya and challenge Serena Williams to a set of tennis in the series.

And to entice Beckham on the show, O'Neal has decided to post a series of "tweets" calling on the England footballer to take up the challenge.

“Dear david beckham,” tweets Shaq. “I kno u heard about my Shaq Vs show, anyway u will never score a goal on me, I challenge you lil man.”

But Beckham failed to respond to the tweet, prompting another tweet from O'Neal: "David beckham I kno u hear me, dnt be scared, dnt make me call u out, u will never score a goal on me.”

O'Neal's most recent tweet to Beckham read: “Dnt make me tweet to 2 million people that your scared of shaq, u betta respond, if u scared get a dog.”

It comes after Beckham was fined by football league officials in the US for an altercation he had with an LA Galaxy fan during a match against AC Milan last week.

Beckham challenged one drunken fan after abuse from spectators who feel he betrayed them by playing for AC Milan while on contract to LA Galaxy. (telegraph)

Vid : Shaq vs Big Show

Soccer Extreme : Canada has finally made a big impact on the world of soccer—video game soccer that is. Even though our national team has little success at any level of soccer, whether that be CONCACAF or on the World Stage, Canada has done good with its latest installment to the EA Sports FIFA franchise. Possibly the best gameplay and features that FIFA developers have ever release, FIFA 09 brings a refreshing new game to throw at the faces of our vile arch-nemesis – the Pro Evo gamers.

I do admit, at one point in my life, to have purchased a Winning Eleven game, but only because I was willing to try it and compare it with my precious FIFA franchise. And at that point, I do concede that the gameplay was much better, more fluid, and the ball bounced out of the net every time I scored – something very important to my game playing. However, with all that in mind, I present thee with FIFA 09. The ball bounces out of the net! And the fluidity of player movement has made FIFA the most playable soccer-sim game out there presently.

I still remember, after just about 2 weeks of hard manager-mode playing, transferring players here and there, and signing some good young talent – when all of a sudden I see the screen tell me something along the lines of Congratulations Manager, you have completed manager mode, you will be remembered forever in football history. As I sit there, contemplating throwing my controller through my recently bought LCD television, I realize that the manager mode in my FIFA 07 game lasts only five G.D. seasons. FIFA 07 was the first next-gen soccer game, maybe the developers used that as an excuse for a terrible terrible game. It did have great graphics, and incorporated the what-would-become ‘growth points’. On the other hand, the manager mode was incredibly short, making it very difficult to set-up a great fun team. Also, the game only had six leagues… six leagues, compared to FIFA 09’s approximately 25 leagues.

FIFA 09 brings gamers new features, or should I say improved features. Be A Pro would be one of those features. FIFA 08’s introduction to the initial Be A Pro Mode did not impress me at all, for some reason I found the gameplay difficult to get around. However, FIFA 09’s improved B.A.P. Mode is both entertaining and addictive. Sadly, and possibly detrimental to my university studies, the addictive nature of both the (25 year) manager mode, and the appeal of B.A.P. keeps me playing FIFA 09 until the wee hours of the morning. How do I play so long? If I get bored of manager mode, I simply go and play B.A.P., and back and forth.

The only thing I see that FIFA 09 might be missing is the fact that they could expand the number of leagues, and in turn more players. Maybe developers can even add the infamous Football Manager Wonder kid Nicolas Millan from the Chilean League.

Considering all the other soccer games on the market none can live up to the latest installment of EA’s FIFA franchise, developed no less, by EA Canada. (soccergaming)

inspiration : http://bisnisptclokal.blogspot.com

Soccer Extreme : Chelsea striker Franco di Santo has revealed club owner Roman Abramovich wanted to buy up the Queen's properties when he first purchased the club.

Di Santo recalls a story that has passed into mythology about Abramovich choosing to buy Chelsea after eyeing the stadium from his helicopter. "That is what they say," joked Di Santo. "He also wanted to buy other things, but they belonged to the Queen."

Di Santo says Abramovich hardly has the look of one of the world's richest men.

"He is quite humble," Di Santo told Argentine newspaper Ole. "You see him with a plastic watch, in a sweater and ordinary shoes. He told me to speak more English, but he doesn't speak much, so between us we are in trouble." (tribalfootball)

Soccer Extreme : In the latest issue of People magazine (hits the newstands on Friday) they put David some of the questions their readers sent in, cute. I especially love that he said he likes the Spice Girls & to vacuum, haha.

Here is only the online edited preview :


What do you see as your greatest achievement ?
(LEIGH WILLIAMS, Bristol, United Kingdom)
Beckham : In my career there's many things I've won, and many things I've achieved, but for me my greatest achievement is my children and my family. It's about being a good father, a good husband, just being connected to family as much as possible.

I want to know how you came up with your children's names ?
(EMILY HIGH, Raleigh, N.C.)
Beckham : With Brooklyn, we found out when we were in New York that Victoria was pregnant with him, so that's where his name comes from. Romeo comes from [the fact] that we're a very romantic couple. When we first met Tom Cruise – actually quite a few years ago – I said 'Isn't Cruise a really nice name?' And Cruz came from that. Tom was one of the first people we phoned when Cruz was born and told him.

How do you get pumped up before every game ?
(RACHEL BARRS, Conroe, Texas)
Beckham : I'm not a player who has to hit walls and things like that. I'm very relaxed and listen to music. I try to go into a game as relaxed as possible. Jay-Z is someone I enjoy listening to. I love the Spice Girls, of course!

What is a typical Sunday morning at home ?
(CINDY WATSON, Fort Worth, Texas)
Beckham : We get up and have breakfast in the mornings and then the kids go to soccer practice. Then we come home and have a traditional Sunday lunch of roast beef, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy and Yorkshire pudding. Then the boys either have a swim in the pool or we take them to the beach if we're in L.A., then in the evening we watch a family film together.

What's the secret to making your marriage with Victoria work ?
(KELLY NEGRILLO, Chicago, Ill)
Beckham : You have to have fun together. We've got three beautiful children together which our whole time is making them happy and making sure they're healthy and good so most of our time is spent on them. But we have to also spend time together as a couple and that's always important.

What do you plan on doing whenever you retire from playing soccer ?
(HEATHER EIDSON, Thomson, Ga)
Beckham : I plan on spending time with the family and getting more involved in charity. Being ambassador for UNICEF is something I'm very passionate. I went to Sierra Leone last year, which was an amazing experience. We also have our own charity [The David and Victoria Beckham Children's Charity] and I've got a soccer academy. I've got quite a few things to keep me busy.

Do your kids ever see your underwear ads ?
(PAIGE JOHNSON, Houston, Texas)
Beckham : When they first saw them, they were like "Daddy, why are you in your underwear so everyone can see?" They don't mind. If they were older they'd be embarrassed, maybe.

What passion do you have in your life that might surprise people ?
(YVONNE SHERMER, Camas, Wash)
Beckham : I'm very passionate about cleanliness and housework. I love to vacuum. And I also like cooking. My signature dish for Victoria is grilled prawns or lobster and fresh vegetables. And for the children and for myself it's pasta with fresh tomatoes sauce and olives.

Soccer Extreme : Malaysian sexy local actress Rozita Che Wan as denying gossip that she is in a romantic relationship with Selangor footballer Asrarudin Putra Omar.

The gossip came about after Rozita, 32, was seen with her actress sister Ayu Raudhah at the Malaysia-Manchester United (MU) football match in which Asrarudin was also playing.

Rozita, 32, said they were friends and she was comfortable sharing stories with Asrarudin, 21.

Ayu is now dating popular national football player Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, who is the twin brother of football player Aidil Zafuan who is married to popular actress Rita Rudani.

Rozita said she had spent enough time denying gossips linking her with VIPs.

“My son is an MU fan and Asrarudin was playing that night. As a friend, why can’t I show my support for him.

“Because of the gossip, I don’t feel comfortable continuing my friendship with him,” she said.


ROZITA CHE WAN PROFILE

Rozita Che Wan from Alor Setar Kedah is a 34 years old Malay tv actress and model. She was born on 9th March 1973. She's a latecomer in Malay music industry. Currently she only involved in 30 tv dramas. Rozita Che Wan is a single mother to two childrens (Aniq Azira, 9 and Amal Effendy, 11).

Her marriage is a short one. She had a divorce four years ago. She is good in concealing her widow status. People only know her real status after two years. Actress Ayu Raudhah (24) is her sister.

Rozita Che Wan was the beautiful and elegant mystery lady in M.Nasir's latest video clip Juwita (Citra Terindah). The clip was directed by Nizam Rahmat. Rozita Che Wan was selected from a group of 40 models. (thissoccer)

Soccer Extreme : Manchester City's team nutritionist look away now - new recruit Carlos Tevez has been spotted picking up an order of takeaway pizza.

The £25million Argentina striker, who signed for Mark Hughes' side this month after his two-year loan spell at rivals Manchester United ended, was caught buying pizza from an an Italian restaurant in Prestbury, Cheshire with his wife Vanesa.

And the cheeky scamp knew he'd been rumbled, too. The former West Ham star spotted our eagle-eyed photographer outside the restaurant and quickly handed over his stack of takeaway boxes, asking a member of the establishment's staff to deliver his dinner to Mrs Tevez in the waiting car.

The 25-year-old then slipped in the passenger seat of his Bentley before making his getaway with his family feast.

Tevez's debut for the Eastlands club has been delayed because of his heel injury.

The Argentina striker missed the team's audience with former South Africa president Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg on Thursday and a scan on the injury that ruled him out of Tuesday's win over Kaizer Chiefs in Durban revealed bruising that will sideline him for 10 days.

Tevez aggravated the injury in training, and Hughes is reluctant to risk him in a friendly at Barnsley at the weekend.

Indeed, Tevez may not play until City meet Rangers at Ibrox on August 5, just 10 days before they start their Barclays Premier League season at Blackburn Rovers. (dailymail)

Soccer Extreme : During a Russian second division match for FC KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny (what, you’ve never heard of them?), Malawian striker Essau Kanyenda opted to punt a long ball up the field, rather than attempt to play football. Thanks to the kind of defending that wouldn’t even be acceptable in the MLS, his hoofed effort landed in the back of the net.

Kanyenda would be the most embarrassed man on the pitch if it wasn’t for the stranded keeper, who was probably too preoccupied with trying to pronounce the opposition’s name to defend the goal. (thespoiler)

Soccer Extreme : The Chelsea left-back was relaxing in the hotel pool ahead of his friendly match with Inter Milan in Pasadena, California, when two girls swam by for a chat.

But Ashley managed to cover his eyes with his hands to avoid looking at their bikini-clad bodies, reports the Sun.

Cheryl is currently in Los Angeles for recording a solo album.

The couple, who walked down the aisle in 2006, hit a rough patch after Ashley cheated on Cheryl with a hairdresser.

However, now Ashley and Cheryl are apparently set to renew their wedding vows.

It is said that he's been planning to do something special this summer to prove their relationship is back to how it was.

Soccer Extreme : In the third installment of the football drama trilogy Goal!, Kuno Becker returns as Mexican footballer Santiago Munez, who along with his best friends and England national team players Charlie Braithwaite (Leo Gregory) and Liam Adams (JJ Feild), are selected for their respective national teams at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany. This time round Santiago Munez comes with a big head of hair but is not the main character of the film with that role going to Liam Adams and Charlie Braithwaite. The entire movies runs with approximately 9 minutes of football and 71 minutes off the field.

However, as the three attend the shooting of a film Braithwaite is featured in, tragedy befalls them. All 3 best friends and Braithwaite's new love interest and soon to be fiancee Sophia Rossi (played by Kasia Smutniak) suffer a car accident which puts Munez out of contention through injuries. Meanwhile, Liam Adams discovers to his horror that he has a new daughter, Bella, from former love interest June (played by Anya Lahiri). This only adds to Liam's preexisting alcoholism and release from Real Madrid. It is revealed that Munez is set to return to England as a Tottenham Hotspur player under a 2 year contract, along with Adams, who resigns with Newcastle United, the original club of both ex-Real players. The film goes on to depict the World Cup from the English perspective. Liam scores the winner against Sweden, assisted by a header from Charlie, and England successfully qualify for the knock-out stages. However, in the match against Ecuador, Braithwaite is injured, and dies on the way to the hospital, the result of a brain aneurysm suffered during the car accident in the beginning of the film. Italy beat France on penalties in the final to take home the crown of champions of the world.

England crash out of the quarterfinals against Portugal, as Adams, visibly shaken by Braithwaite's death, misses a crucial penalty against Portuguese keeper Ricardo while Cristiano Ronaldo converts. Despite the loss, the movie ends on a high note, as Adams weds June, together among friends again.

Also following the tournament around Germany in their St. George’s Cross festooned camper van are the ‘Geordie Boys’, whom we first met back in Goal!. Providing the entertaining fans' perspective of the matches are Newcastle United diehards Gordon (Mike Elliott), Foghorn (Christopher Fairbank), Walter (Jack McBride) and Phil (Craig Heaney) in their drunken, womanizing adventures in Germany.

Unlike in the first two films, Roz, Glen Foy, and Gavin Harris do not feature in the film, and all actual professional footballers are shown through stock World Cup footage. The sporting role of the actors' in this film is limited to the green screen. (wikipedia)

Soccer Extreme : Having lost all three of their matches in the Americaland World Football Challenge, including a 2-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Inter Milan last night, it’s fair to say that Post-Ancelotti AC Milan have not enjoyed the greatest of form.

Rossoneri fans, however, were given something to smile about in the Milan derby, however, as Ronaldinho was mistakenly given a red card. It was shortly replaced by a real yellow card. Oh, such fun times. (thespoiler)

Soccer Extreme : David Beckham Utd visited the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday, and despite clicking his heels three times, the England star could not escape more abuse from American soccerball fans.

While waiting to take a throw-in during the live televised match, Beckham turned and approached a fan wearing an England shirt, and was heard asking: “Is that an England shirt?” Shortly after this shrewd line of inquisition, the midfielder shook the fan’s hand. Normally, such gesture signifies a friendly greeting, but as we learnt last week, Mr B only shakes hands when he’s in a fightin’ mood.

After the game, he revealed the angry nature of the confrontation:

“He shouldn’t be wearing that shirt because what he was saying about my wife was a disgrace.”

The Spoiler is a little confused by Beckham’s sudden need to rise to this kind of abuse. Football fans - many of whom own England shirts - have been throwing ungentlemanly Posh Spice jibes at him for ten years, why the sudden needs to lash out and shake hands in anger? (thespoiler)

Soccer Extreme : Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic completed his transfer from Inter Milan to Barcelona after signing a five-year contract, European champions Barca said on Monday.

The swap deal sends Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, valued at 20 million euros ($28.53 million, to Inter and is worth more than 66 million euros ($94.14 million).

Barca also said in a statement they were paying a separate 46 million euro ($65.61 million) fee and loaning Belarus midfielder Aleksandr Hleb to Inter for the season.

The Italian side will have the chance to buy Hleb for 10 million euros ($14.26 million) plus variables next year.

Ibrahimovic passed a medical earlier in the day, though Barca said the Swede had fractured a bone in his left hand during Inter's recent friendly against Chelsea, and that treatment would be necessary.

He will be presented to Barca fans at the Nou Camp with his number nine shirt, later on Monday.

Eto'o flew to Milan earlier in the day and has passed the first of a two-part medical, Inter said.

Eto'o told the Inter website : "I made history at Barcelona, but that history is finished now. A new story begins at Inter, I'm starting from scratch, I want a new adventure and I hope everything goes well."

Ibrahimovic could make his first appearance as a Barca player against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday in the opening match of their tour to the United States.

He is a straight swap for Eto'o in the centre of Barca's three-pronged attack, between Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi, and will be out to help them defend their European, and domestic league and cup titles.

He is Barca's third close-season signing behind Brazilian left back Maxwell, and Brazilian striker Keirrison, though the latter is to be sent out on loan. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : Liverpool striker Fernando Torres wants to replace Cristiano Ronaldo as the Premier League's top player.

The Spain forward, who has scored 50 goals in 84 games for the Reds since signing from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007, is confident he can help end the Merseysiders' 20-year wait for a league title and put the achievements of the Portuguese in the shade.

Torres said: "Of course, my ambition is to be seen in that same way as Cristiano Ronaldo was seen at Manchester United."

He added: "First we have to win trophies. I know only then will people be able to speak the same way about Liverpool and me as they have done (about) Ronaldo and United.

"We're excited because we think this can be the year for Liverpool. But we know how difficult it's going to be."

Ronaldo's goals and all-round play was instrumental in United winning three league titles in a row but he has now joined Real Madrid in a world record £80million deal. (mirror)

Soccer Extreme : Francesco Totti believes he “would have won the Ballon d’Or at another club,” but does not regret dedicating his career to Roma.

The captain grew up in their youth system and was a fan in the stands before he became a ball boy and made his Serie A debut aged 16.

Now he is set to commit to the Giallorossi with a new contract until 2014 as a football player, then to 2019 as a director.

“Roma was a life choice for me,” he told TG1 cameras. “I think I earned this new contract for what I have done on the field, for the respect I always had for the Sensi family, my teammates, Coaches and fans.

“If I had gone elsewhere, I would have won the Ballon d’Or at another club, but I am happy to have remained because this was a decision made with my heart.”

Totti has always been considered among the top talents in Serie A, but Roma’s failure to compete for top trophies saw him ignored in the European Player of the Year votes.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic also complained at the lack of international attention and this is one of the reasons behind his move to Barcelona.

“Many players have left Serie A this summer, but great champions have joined too and in the end it will all even out,” assured Totti.

“When a player no longer wants to stay at a club, it is only right that everyone agrees to call it a day. Barcelona got a good deal, but so did Inter, as they can buy several players with that money.”

Roma did not qualify for the Champions League and risk missing out again after smaller sides spent big this summer.

“Napoli will be the revelation of this season, because they made some great investments and I saw President Aurelio De Laurentiis very fired up.

“Juventus are one of the candidates to win the Scudetto, as they have reinforced an already solid squad. Ciro Ferrara is motivated, hungry and it is important for the players to have such a young Coach to relate to.” (channel4)

Soccer Extreme : Julio Cesar Baldivieso, the father of who is thought to be the world's youngest-ever player, has quit as coach of Aurora after the Bolivian club's management told him to leave the boy out of the squad. The former Bolivia midfielder Baldivieso has also withdrawn his son Mauricio, who made his debut for the 2008 Clausura champions last Sunday as a 12-year-old, from the club.


Baldivieso's decision to send Mauricio on as a substitute for the last nine minutes of the 1–0 defeat at La Paz has caused a furore in Bolivia with many saying there should be a minimum age limit for boys in professional football. The outspoken coach told reporters that he and his son, who turned 13 on Wednesday, had become victims of jealousy and pressure by Aurora directors.

"Sadly, a lot of people didn't like my son's debut. I'm not going to be told whether I play someone from my family or not," said Baldivieso. "The country and the world need to know that in Bolivia talented youngsters get their legs cut off, to make room for foreign players, no doubt, or because of personal grudges."













Daily newspaper La Razon said: "Baldivieso was told to choose between his son and the Aurora coaching job – he opted to be a father".

The 37-year-old Baldivieso, who featured for Bolivia at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, played for Cochabamba-based Aurora before becoming their coach last year and steering them to the league title.

Soccer Extreme : David Beckham was given a $1000 dollar fine by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber after the Galaxy star had a bit of a confrontation with a fan at halftime of L.A.’s 2-2 draw with A.C. Milan July 19.

Beckham was seen calling a fan out of the stands for a scuffle during halftime of the match, and though the fight never took place Beckham’s actions were enough for Garber to shell out a fine.


“We support our players interacting with fans, whether it is at clinics, charity events or by high-fiving their supporters in the stands while celebrating a goal,” Garber said in a press release. “However, our players should never engage in conduct that can be interpreted as encouraging fans to come out of the stands and onto the field, regardless of the reason.” (goal)

Soccer Extreme : The news that Manchester United's Park Ji-sung is set to be offered a lucrative new deal to stay with the Red Devils has been qualified by comments from United's chief executive, David Gill, stressing the Korean's value both on and off the pitch.

His current deal expires next summer, but the club are keen to tie him down for an extended spell.



"We are looking to extend Park's contract because [manager Sir] Alex [Ferguson] is very happy with him," Gill told The Daily Mail

"When we signed Ji-sung Park it was for footballing reasons. But, without a doubt, it has had an impact on our commercial activity in South Korea.

"We have one million credit and debit cards here, which is phenomenal, and the enthusiasm of the fans is second to none," concluded Gill.

Although many sceptics felt the versatile South Korean was initially purchased in the hope of boosting United's appeal and commercial impact in Asia, Ferguson has clearly been won over by Park's dynamic dusplays on the pitch, to such an extent that it is believed the player will double his money from £30,000 a week to £60,000 a week.

Park Ji-sung, who is a major celebrity in his homeland, came on for the final quarter of United's friendly against FC Seoul earlier today, much to the delight of the crowd. United came from behind to win 3-2. (goal)

Soccer Extreme : Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo will star as himself in an Iranian movie about a Palestine girl who was killed in a refugee camp before realizing her dream of meeting him.

The film will be produced by Iranian directors Mansur Sohrabpour and Mohammad Latif, as a coordinated project with helps from the Brazil-Iran Chamber of Commerce.

Ronaldo's agent, Fabiano Farah, has confirmed to El Globo that his client has signed a pre-contract for the movie.

The 32-year-old will be with his club Corinthians in the Palestinian Territories - for a friendly against fellow Brazilians Fluminense - at the time that the film is set to be made in Lebanon.

Still without a title, the movie is based on the true story of Alneyrab, a 13-year-old girl who dreamed of meeting Ronaldo when he visited the Middle East on a humanitarian mission in 2005.

She was only able to watch the Phenomenon from a distance, and later was killed in a refugee camp in Southern Lebanon after losing a leg to an anti-personnel mine without ever meeting her idol.

Farrokh Faradji Chadan, President of the Brazil-Iran Chamber of Commerce, would not disclose how much Ronaldo will be paid for what he called a "humanitarian" production.

The two-time World Cup winner made a trip to Israel and the West Bank in 2005 as a U.N. Development Program goodwill ambassador on a campaign against poverty around the world. (wwwc)

Soccer Extreme : Diego Maradona is ready to quit his job as Argentina manager and join English Premier League side Portsmouth, a report citing the footballing legend's lawyer claimed here on Thursday.

Maradona, according to an article in Arabian Business, has already lined up four international stars to help new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim's Fratton Park revolution.

Al Fahim, who is close friends with Maradona's cousin Remigio, is said to want to appoint the 48-year-old as the club's global ambassador.

Maradona's lawyer, Angel Oscar Moyano, in a confidential e-mail published in the magazine, claimed: "He (Maradona) has got top players ready and he is even ready to leave the Argentine national team."

According to the Dubai publication, an Al Fahim advisor has confirmed that talks between the club and the Argentine manager's cousin have taken place about a possible role.

In his e-mail Moyano suggested Maradona had Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, Valencia duo David Villa and David Silva, and Kun Aguero of Atletico Madrid, lined up for the south coast side.

However, Eto'o was on the verge of tying up a move to Inter Milan on Thursday.

Al Fahim has said he believes Maradona has the ability to transform Portsmouth's fortunes.

"I do not know if Maradona is a good coach," he conceded.

"What I think is that he should be president of a club and have the right to buy and choose players.

"At Napoli he started from scratch and built a club. He has the power to transform football teams." (msn)

Soccer Extreme : Manchester City players met Nelson Mandela on Thursday, with the former South African president surprised by the youthful looks of Robinho.

"You are a baby! What are you doing here?" he asked the 25-year-old Brazil forward as English Premier League club City gave Mandela his own team shirt.

"Your age, it's a fantastic age," said manager Mark Hughes of the 91 on the shirt, days after Mandela's birthday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement.

City, widely considered to be the wealthiest soccer club in the world, are in South Africa for a pre-season tour to play local giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : Real Madrid may be paying Cristiano Ronaldo millions, but Oasis singer Noel Gallagher doubts the star could afford the band for a private gig in the Spanish capital.

Ronaldo, who this summer signed for Los Merengues in a staggering £80 million deal, recently explained that Oasis are his favourite, rating the Mancunian band more highly than the legendary Beatles.












He said in The Sun: "Liverpool have The Beatles and Manchester have Oasis. I think we (Manchester) have the better band. "I didn't even know who they were when I first arrived in Manchester, but I think Oasis are one of my favourite bands now."

The former Manchester United star also suggested he would love to invite the Gallaghers to see Real take on rivals Barcelona at the Bernabéu as his guests.

"I know they are touring at the moment but I have not been able to catch them.

"Perhaps I could invite them to a Madrid v Barcelona match and they could put on a little private concert in Madrid?"

That went down well with Noel, but Ronaldo's suggestion that Oasis could perform a private gig at his expense received a different reaction.

Noel, a fan of Manchester City, told The Sun: "There's only one Ronaldo! I always knew deep down inside him somewhere there was impeccable musical taste. "I'll be taking up his offer of tickets for the Madrid versus Barcelona game. I'm not sure whether even he could afford us for a gig though!" (thesun)

Soccer Extreme : An Italian magazine has published a tape recording on its website, allegedly of a conversation between the country's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and an escort who stayed in his home.

Former model Patrizia D'Addario told L'Espresso magazine she made the recordings during a visit to Mr Berlusconi's Rome residence "so that nobody could deny I had been there".
Scandal: premier Silvio Berlusconi faces sex claims from escort Patrizia D’Addario

At one point in the recording, the two voices can be heard discussing which bed to sleep in.

"I'm going to have a shower too... So wait for me in the big bed if you finish first," says the voice alleged to be that of Mr Berlusconi.

The female voice then asks: "Which big bed... Putin's?", an apparent reference to a four-poster bed that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had recently used during an official visit.

The sister publication of L'Espresso, Italian daily La Repubblica, says this and other recordings were made last October and November.

Ms D'Addario's attorney refused to comment on the authenticity of the recordings on Monday (20 July) while a lawyer for Mr Berlusconi told the Italian news agency ANSA that the prime minister was challenging their "truthfulness and legality".

"We can only regard the material as worthless, completely false and the result of invention," said lawyer Nicolo Ghedini.

Steady drip

The recordings are the latest in a steady drip of sleaze allegations that have dogged Mr Berlusconi since his wife filed for a divorce in May, saying she could "not remain with a man who consorts with minors" after he attended the birthday party of 18-year old Noemi Letizia.

In June the Spanish newspaper El Pais published photographs of guests, including several scantily clad women, enjoying parties at Mr Berlusconi's villa on the island of Sardinia.

Mr Berlusconi may have hoped that the positive press resulting from his successful chairing of a recent G8 meeting in Italy might have halted the sleaze allegations.

But Monday's release of the tape recordings looks set to reignite the controversy, with left-leaning La Repubblica also publishing an excerpt of a conversation between Ms D'Addario and Gianpaulo Tarantini, the businessman accused of hiring D'Addario and other escorts.

Mr Tarantini is currently being investigated by prosecutors in southern Italy over allegations he bribed health officials to buy prosthetics and other medical supplies from a company he and his brother own.

The businessman has denied he hired women to attend private parties hosted by Mr Berlusconi, saying he merely brought them along to make a "beautiful impression."

Despite the ongoing litany of allegations however, Mr Berlusconi remains largely popular in Italy, where polls consistently show his approval rating to be over 50 percent. (euobserver)

Soccer Extreme : AC Milan were in Los Angeles over the weekend for their friendly against the Galaxy. As you can see, the boys brought their Speedos and their biker game along.

Shame that all anyone is talking about is David Beckham’s non-incident with being criticized and booed rather than Gattuso’s headband or the hip dips happening at 3 o’clock. Considering Becks has been on the other end of a Fergie boot kick, death threats and burning effigies in the past, we’re quite sure he can take it. (kickette)

Soccer Extreme : The owners of Portsmouth Football Club are pleased to announce that an agreement in principle has been reached over the sale of the club to Al Fahim Asia Associates and, as a result, Sulaiman Al Fahim, the sole owner and chairman of Al Fahim Asia Associates, will join the existing four-member board of Portsmouth Football Club as chairman with immediate effect.

The appointment of Sulaiman Al Fahim follows confirmation by the FA Premier League that he has passed its criteria to be deemed a "a fit and proper" person to control a Premier League club. Al Fahim is the first person to pass the new fit and proper test.

Sulaiman Al Fahim said: "I very much look forward to working closely with the club's management and supporters to develop Portsmouth Football Club and deliver future success. The club has a long and fine history of achievement that I intend to build on."

Peter Storrie, who has agreed to continue as chief executive officer of Portsmouth Football Club, said: "This appointment brings stability to the club and is excellent news for Pompey supporters.

“I have every reason to believe that together with the new chairman we will be able to take the club forward to further achievements, building on the successes of the past three years.” (bbc)

Soccer Extreme : Arsène Wenger's preparations for the new season suffered a blow last night when it emerged that Samir Nasri will be ruled out for up to three months after suffering a fractured fibula during training yesterday. The incident occurred at Arsenal's training camp in Austria and, in the wake of Emmanuel Adebayor's move to Manchester City, will place Wenger under further pressure to bring in more new faces before the start of the new campaign.

Nasri enjoyed a promising first season at Arsenal that yielded seven goals in all competitions, including a memorable double in a 2–1 victory over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in November. Injuries, however, restricted his contribution and he will now endure further frustration after it was confirmed that the 22-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Marseille for £13.5m a year ago, is unlikely to be back in action until mid-October.

Wenger will take some consolation from the fact that Tomas Rosicky has returned after missing the whole of last season – the Czech Republic international played his first game for the club in 18 months against Barnet at the weekend – but Nasri's injury still represents a major setback. The Frenchman, who scored within four minutes of making his Premier League debut for Arsenal, was a key part of the side that reached the semi-final of the Champions League last season.

The Arsenal manager was already in the market for a midfielder and his search is likely to intensify with the loss of another player from that department. The Arsenal manager's only signing so far is the Belgium international central defender Thomas Vermaelen, who has joined from Ajax for £10m, but there are holes to fill in other areas, most notably up front following the decision to accept City's £25m offer for Adebayor.

Wenger, however, could be forgiven for feeling that Arsenal have suffered more than their share of bad luck in terms of injuries. Eduardo failed to make a Premier League appearances last season as he struggled to recover from the fractured left fibula and open dislocation of his ankle joint that brought the previous campaign to an abrupt end, while Cesc Fábregas, William Gallas, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott all spent extended spells on the sidelines because of injury.

Nasri now finds himself in a similar position as he starts to look ahead to the point when he can begin his rehabilitation and focus on regaining his fitness before making a return to the first team. In the meantime Wenger can only hope that there are no further disruptions to Arsenal's plans before their visit to Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season. (guardian)

Soccer Extreme : Jordan is hunting a footballer lover after her split from Peter Andre - and has set her sights on Frank Lampard.

The newly-single glamour girl says she is up for a replay with England ace Lamps and wants to "finish what she started".

Jordan - real name Katie Price, 31 - secretly dated the Chelsea midfielder years before she met hubby Peter.

And she hopes to score again with Lamps, 31, now that he has split from his long-term love Elen Rives.

The 34DD model has drawn up a hit-list of potential lovers since splitting from singer Peter, 36. When asked by Glamour magazine which celebs were on her list, she squealed: "Ronaldo!"

Jordan added: "There's actually quite a few little footies I'd do. I'd probably go back to Frank Lampard, finish what I started."

Asked which other celebs she was targeting, she said: "Who knows? Maybe Simon Cowell."

Responding to rumours that Peter is seeing Celebrity Big Brother's Chantelle Houghton, mum-of-three Jordan said: "All I can say is, 'Good luck to them'."

But she admitted she has been seeing a therapist since the split - and is desperate to find a new partner.

She said: "I've got so much to offer somebody. I can't wait to find that frog, kiss it and turn into a prince."

It looked like she had found a new man already when she hit the town with a mystery hunk at the weekend.

Jordan, in a black corset, knocked back vodkas as she celebrated pop star pal Michelle Heaton's 30th birthday at FIVE London nightspots. She was later seen getting into a car with the muscled man before heading home. (thesun)

Soccer Extreme : Boos rained down and fans sent negative messages with their homemade signs. Things sure got ugly when David Beckham came back to town.

Beckham downplayed the rough reception in his first home game with the Los Angeles Galaxy, a 2-2 tie with AC Milan in which his corner kick set up his team’s second goal, although his halftime confrontation with a fan indicated otherwise Sunday night.


“I’m not disappointed. It doesn’t affect me,” he said. “You can’t be liked by everyone.”

Anti-Beckham sentiment ran high as the English star returned after missing half of the Major League Soccer season while on a five-month loan to the Italian club. He was the target of frequent booing and derisive banners held up in a corner of the stadium, where one of the team’s fan groups sits.

The signs all had messages directed at Beckham. “Go home fraud” read one, with a red slash through his No. 23 jersey number. Another said, “23: Repent,” while another read, “Hey Becks, Here Before You, Here After You, Here Despite You.” Another read, “Is evil something u are…or something u do.”

At halftime, Beckham walked toward the L.A. Riot Squad section and motioned to a fan to come closer. A man jumped down from the seats and was subdued by security before being taken away.

“One of the guys was saying things that wasn’t very nice. It was stepping over the line,” Beckham said. “I said, `You need to calm down and come shake my hand,’ and he jumped over.”

The man was arrested by Cal State Dominguez Hills police for trespassing because he left the seating area, a Home Depot Center spokeswoman said.

“I know there was some turmoil in the corner but I didn’t see it so I can’t comment,” Galaxy manager Bruce Arena said. “Obviously, there were some dissenters in the early going but I think he won over a lot of people by the end.”

Beckham was the last player to take the field after halftime. He hugged several of his former AC Milan teammates and then turned toward the rowdy fan section and clapped his hands before making a gesture.

The banners weren’t displayed as often in the second half, when a line of yellow-jacketed security personnel stood below the fans.

“A lot of people predicted this kind of reaction,” Beckham said.

In the 65th minute, Beckham walked toward the fan section to take a corner kick. He sent a bending kick at Bryan Jordan, who headed the ball in from 7 feet to tie the game 2-2.

Beckham didn’t join in the play. Instead, he turned and faced the fans who had been riding him all game and spread both arms wide as if to say, “What do you want?” He then gestured before walking away.

“Sometimes the supporters don’t understand the situation,” AC Milan coach Leonardo said.

Beckham left the game in the 75th minute and clapped his hands as he walked off to a mix of boos and cheers. He waved to fans offering a smattering of cheers in an opposite corner before sitting on the bench.

“The cheers in the end drowned out the boos, which was nice,” he said.

It marked the end of a rough week for Beckham that began with him and team captain Landon Donovan accusing each other of being unprofessional. Donovan sparked the dispute with comments he made in a new book “The Beckham Experiment.”

Arena mediated the clash during a sit down with both players, who later said they had patched things up.

“That’s beyond my control,” Donovan said when asked about the crowd’s reaction to Beckham.

AC Milan dressed a half-strength lineup as it began a four-game preseason tour of the U.S. The seven-time European champions visited the Galaxy as part of the deal that allowed Beckham to remain on loan with Milan through the end of the Serie A season on May 31.

“You don’t want to look silly and we definitely didn’t look silly,” he said about the Galaxy’s play.

Beckham has said he again wants to return to Milan after the MLS season.

“We would be happy if he came back because he did really well. He’s incredible,” Leonardo said. “The precision he has is something very, very special. He never missed the ball. He controlled the ball. The way the Galaxy plays is very, very important. They see that every ball begins with him.”

Thiago Silva put AC Milan ahead 1-0 in the 16th minute. The Galaxy tied the game in the 30th minute on a goal by Alan Gordon, assisted by Donovan and Beckham.

The Rossoneri took a 2-1 lead in the 61st minute when Filippo Inzaghi scored against Galaxy backup goalie Josh Saunders off assists by Mathieu Flamini and Ronaldinho.

“He was integral in both goals,” Donovan said about Beckham. “There’s not another player on a team in this league that can make those plays. It was an exciting game.”

Beckham will play six more regular-season home games.

Earlier this year, Beckham said he wanted to remain with the Italian club rather than return to the Galaxy because he believed the level of play was much better in Europe and would help him achieve his goal of playing for England in the 2010 World Cup.

“If it’s possible, I think it could be a very good thing for us,” Leonardo said about getting Beckham back. “He knows everyone. Everyone loves him in our club.” (yahoosports)


Vid : LOS ANGELES GALAXY - MILAN 2-2 - FULL HIGHLIGHTS

Soccer Extreme : David Beckham had a half-time confrontation with LA Galaxy fans in his first home match since returning from his loan spell at AC Milan. Conveniently the match was against AC Milan, just to focus the anger of LA Galaxy’s lamely named Riot Squad hardcore support.

Becks version of events, which do seem to veer slightly away from what the footage shows, was: “I tried to shake one of the guy’s hands but he didn’t want any of it. That’s the way it is.”

It looks to OTP’s eyes more like Beckham invited a fan down to pitchside for a little more face-to-face confrontation. The ex-England skipper was the subject of boos, obscene chants and angry banners. Despite his previous protestations that the abuse would be water off a duck’s back, he did seem a little rattled. (offthepost)

Vid : Becks picks fight with Riot Squad


http://kumpulrupiah.com/?r=referrer

Soccer Extreme : If these pictures are anything to go by Frank Lampard will be ruing the day he let ex fiancee, Elen Rives slip through his fingers.

The former Spanish model and mother-of-two looked stunning as she showed off an enviable figure in a gold metallic halterneck swimsuit that barely covered her modesty.

Former WAG, Elen splashed about with her children Luna, three, and Isla, 23 months in the sea during a luxury break on Ibiza.

Elen sensibly wore a floppy brown hat to protect her from the glaring sun but it didn't put her in the shade as onlookers admired her curves.

One told the News of the World: 'Frank must be kicking himself. Elen is a sexy lady and looked in incredible shape.'

Elen also wore a long necklace that only highlighted her exposed chest and bangles up her arms as she laughed and joked in the water.

Thirty-four-year-old Elen split with the Chelsea star, 31 in March and has been spotted out on the town with two different men in the past month.

First there was 21-year-old Stevenage FC player Lawrie Wilson.

At the beginning of June, Miss Rives and Wilson enjoyed a night out in London stopping for cocktails at the Soho House private members' club before spending the night together at the upmarket Sanderson hotel.

Then the week before last, she was seen out in London's West End again with a chic-looking unidentified man - thought to be a city banker.

Earlier this year, Lampard was linked to socialite and model Saskia Boxford but the footballer insisted they were just good friends. (dailymail)

Soccer Extreme : Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has denied that money was the reason for swapping Arsenal for Eastlands.

The 25-year-old Togo international, who signed a five-year-deal in a reported 25 million pound ($40.77 million) transfer on Saturday, instead said medals and glory sealed the deal.

"People who think that I have joined City for the money are wrong," Adebayor told the club website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

"If I had made a move for that reason then I would have been playing for Barcelona or (AC) Milan last season. They gave me bigger offers than Arsenal did for me to stay."

The 2008 African Footballer of the Year did not win a trophy with Arsenal after a 2006 move from AS Monaco to Arsene Wenger's side.

"The chairman and everyone at City want this club to be one of the best in the world. We will fight to be that," Adebayor, who was greeted at the club by 300 fans on Saturday, added.

"I want to win silverware and trophies. That is my ambition. The team has got quality and a manager who knows what he wants and is a nice guy."

Adebayor, who scored 62 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, joins new signings Carlos Tevez of Argentina and Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz in City's new-look attack.

City manager Mark Hughes also has Brazilian Robinho, Craig Bellamy and Benjani Mwaruwari in a formidable forward line.

"Everyone at the club has shown me great respect and how they want to build something. I have a lot of ambition and want to be part of the City family."

Adebayor will join up with his new team mates in a pre-season tour of South Africa. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : The United States will face Honduras in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after both sides narrowly got through from the last eight on Saturday.

The U.S, the defending champions in the regional competition for North and Central America and the Caribbean, had to fight back from a goal down to win 2-1 courtesy of an extra-time penalty from substitute Kenny Cooper.

A controversial penalty earlier gave Honduras a 1-0 victory over Canada to end the chances of an all-North American meeting in the last four.

The U.S, fielding a totally different team to the one which reached the final of the Confederation Cup last month, went behind on the stroke of half-time when Panama striker Blas Perez pounced on a loose ball in the area and sweetly struck home.

Kyle Beckerman brought the U.S level in the fourth minute after the break when, after a deft touch from Davy Arnaud, he blasted home from the edge of the area.

Panama keeper Jaime Penedo produced a superb save to deny Heath Pearce early in extra-time before the U.S got their winner from the spot.

Panama defender Roman Torres made a wild challenge on Cooper -- his raised boot crashing into his opponent's midriff -- and the striker rose to convert the spot kick and ensure the U.S remain unbeaten in nine games against Panama.

The Panama players protested strongly against the referee, surrounding him at the close of the game, and they could well face disciplinary action from CONCACAF.

Canada also felt they were hard done by when, in the 36th minute, their defender Paul Stalteri was judged to have fouled Walter Martinez as the Honduras striker attempted a bicycle kick.

Martinez drove home the penalty kick but his side then had to survive plenty of pressure in the second half.

The Canadians came desperately close five minutes from the end when a header from Kevin McKenna struck the post and Ali Gerba blasted the rebound high and wide but they bow out of the tournament.

The U.S and Honduras will meet in Chicago and Thursday along with the winners of Sunday's other quarter-finals -- Mexico against Haiti and Guadeloupe versus Costa Rica. (reuters)

Soccer Extreme : Inter players were among hundreds of guests evacuated from the Four Seasons Hotel on South Doheny Drive yesterday, according to the LA Times.

A fire alarm allegedly went off early in the afternoon, but it is also suggested that a call came in to 911 saying there was a bomb in the building.

A hotel employee estimated that more than 200 people had been evacuated and the Inter stars lounged on the grass on Burton Way for about 45 minutes.

The Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed that the hotel had been evacuated, but offered no additional information.

After a police investigation, the guests were allowed to return to their rooms.

Inter have been in California since last Sunday, and will face Mexican team Club America in a friendly match this afternoon.

Jose Mourinho’s men will then take on Premier League giants Chelsea on Tuesday, before moving to Boston where they will lock horns with city rivals Milan next Sunday. (goal)