England and Russia in world cup squabble

On Thursday, the England 2018 World Cup bid team withdrew their official complaint against their Russian counterparts.

The complaint arose when comments allegedly made by one of the Russian representatives were deemed to break the rules regarding criticism of other bids, after he questioned the suitability of the city of London to stage such an event.

This latest story adds to the increasing amount of controversial reports which are muddying the image of this illustrious process, as two of the voters from among the Fifa delegates are under investigation for corruption for selling their votes.

England’s campaign was already compromised much earlier in the year when the original chairman, Lord Triesman, was secretly filmed making ill-advised allegations about other countries during a lunch meeting.

England and Russia are currently attracting the most attention, but it could well be the rival joint-bid from Spain and Portugal which triumphs when the votes are (finally) cast on 2 December.

http://thenewsportal.net/?p=558976

Strauss confident for ashes

The captain of the England national cricket team, Andrew Strauss, has spoken very positively about the side’s crucial upcoming winter tour of Australia.

After winning the urn back on home soil in the summer of 2009, Strauss and his men are looking to retain it down under. The last attempt ended in humiliation when the side was on the wrong end of a 5 – 0 whitewash.

This time though, with England boasting many promising and talented players in their ranks, there is a real feeling of optimism that they can hold their own in the Ashes against an Australian team which is perhaps not quite up to its usual high standards.

With many comments and remarks already flying from both sides, many fans will be relieved when the players eventually take to the field for the first test in Brisbane on November 25.

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World cup oracle dies

One of the heroes of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Paul the Octopus, has died in his tank in Germany.

He provided one of the more uplifting stories of what was quite a dull and disappointing tournament by correctly predicting the outcome of eight matches. (One for each tentacle.)

He was tested on all the games of his country, Germany, and also the final. As his run of success continued, the world’s media began to provide recognition, particularly in Spain, because he forecast their winning campaign.

http://thenewsportal.net/?p=558110

Arsenal outclass city

Manchester City welcomed Arsenal to Eastlands on Sunday evening in the Premier League, the hosts looking for three points to close the gap on leaders Chelsea, who won on Saturday.

It did not start as they might have hoped. Less than ten minutes in, Dedryck Boyata was sent off for bringing down Marouane Chamakh as the last man. Arsenal then made the advantage pay by taking the lead later in the half through Samir Nasri. It could have got worse for City even before the break, only for Joe Hart to save Cesc Fabregas’ penalty.

In the second period things got better still for the visitors – goals from Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner setting up a comprehensive 3 – 0 win, which will surprise many who doubted the Gunners’ appetite for such big games.

Earlier, Manchester United won their first match away in the League this season, 2 – 1 at Stoke, and Liverpool fans finally had something to cheer on the pitch as their side beat Blackburn 2 – 1 at Anfield.

Alonso wins in Korean deluge

Fernando Alonso grabbed a dramatic victory when Sebastien Vettel’s Red Bull car gave up near the end of the first ever Korean grand prix, which was interrupted and delayed by heavy rain and treacherous driving conditions.

After only four laps the race was suspended because it was deemed too unsafe. About an hour later they restarted, but it still took more time until the safety car was withdrawn so that the drivers could give it their all.

Within the first few laps at full speed it was very clear why there had been such uncertainty, as championship leader Mark Webber lost control and crashed out, taking Nico Rosberg with him.

McLaren’s Jensen Button found the weather especially difficult as he fell back down the field, leaving Vettel to lead rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton until his engine blew, gifting the other two with vital points in the championship race, with only two races remaining this season.

Chelsea strengthen lead

On Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, Chelsea took advantage of playing before their rivals to secure a 2 – 0 over Wolves at Stamford Bridge. Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou got the goals which put the club five points clear of nearest challengers, Manchester City.

Spurs were held to a 1 – 1 draw at White Hart Lane by a determined Everton. Leighton Baines opened the scoring, but Rafael Van der Vaart equalised for the hosts.

West Brom beat Fulham 2 – 1 at the Hawthorns to reach a highly-impressive fourth place. They went behind first to an own goal, only to fight back and claim the three points thanks to Mulumbu and Fortune.

There was also a useful win for Newcastle United at West Ham, with Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll scoring vital goals.

Most of the top sides will play on Sunday, including Arsenal’s visit to Manchester City.
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Rooney Signs New Deal

Wayne Rooney confused just about everyone on Friday when it was announced that he has agreed a new five-year contract with Manchester United, which will keep him at the club until 2015.

This sharply contradicts his comments earlier in the week, when he made it clear that he intended to leave Old Trafford, citing the lack of resources available to the club as his motive.

However, after discussion with manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Chief Executive David Gill, the situation has been resolved in quite remarkable fashion.

It will surely be good news to the many fans of the club who are enduring a season full of doubts and disappointment, but will they be entirely happy and satisfied with a player who, before today, seemed to have more or less abandoned them?

http://thenewsportal.net/?p=413046