THE WORLDVIEW 3rd - 4th July 2006

Good riddance to the game's golden fleecer

Daily Mail (UK) 3rd July 2006

David Beckham is 'so obsessed with himself that when the inevitable humiliation came he cried for himself, not his country'

The most disgracefully unprepared team in England's World Cup history was managed by a money-grabbing charlatan and captained by a narcissist so obsessed with himself that when the inevitable humiliation came he cried for himself, not his country.

FIFA lose patience, suspend Greek FA

The Star (Malaysia) 4th July 2006

FIFA suspended Greece from all footballing activities yesterday, citing continued government interference in the running of the Greek FA (the Hellenic Football Federation).

The ruling means that the national side and club teams are banned from playing any international friendly or competitive matches or any international club matches until the country conforms to FIFA and UEFA regulations.

Cahill backs Houllier as coach
The Courier-Mail (Australia) July 04, 2006

TIM Cahill, the first Australian to score at the World Cup finals, is endorsing Gerard Houllier as the man to orchestrate Australia's campaign to reach South Africa 2010.

Cahill's support for Houllier to replace Guus Hiddink as Socceroos coach – reportedly on a four-year contract worth $20 million – comes as Football Federation Australia confirms the deal is being discussed.

Cahill, back in Australia to be with family in Sydney, yesterday spoke highly of Houllier despite the fierce divide between Cahill's English Premier League club Everton and neighbour Liverpool, where Houllier was coach for six years until his sacking in 2004.

Rooney on Ronaldo: 'I'll split him in two'

Mail & Guardian Online (S. Africa) 03 July 2006

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, criticised for his role in Wayne Rooney's sending off at the World Cup, won't be back at Manchester United and can expect payback from the star England striker in the future, according to a report.Quoting an unnamed source, The Sun newspaper reported on Monday that Rooney threatened to "split him in two" when the two next meet.

Ronaldo may be wearing a different uniform when that happens.The British tabloid says United will show Ronaldo the door "because of his World Cup shame".

Frings suspended for World Cup semifinal match against Italy
USA Today 7/3/2006

Torsten Frings was suspended for Germany's World Cup semifinal match after throwing a punch during a post-match melee against Argentina.

Germany's Torsten Frings was banned from the World Cup semifinals after a disciplinary committee found he punched Argentina forward Julio Cruz in a post-match fracas in the quarterfinals. FIFA's disciplinary committee announced the ban Monday, the eve of Germany's semifinal match against Italy at Dortmund.

"We are disappointed," Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said. "Our opinion was that we laid down the reasons for an acquittal." The 29-year-old midfielder was banned for two matches — with one suspended for six months — and fined $4,075.

Fewer injuries than in 2002 World Cup
Buenos Aires Herald (Argentina) July 04, 2006

FIFA report - A clampdown on tackling from behind and the less frequent use of the elbow have contributed to a fall in the number of injuries suffered by players at the World Cup finals compared to four years ago, according to Professor Jiri Dvorak, FIFA's Chief Medical Officer (CMO).