..::Football II::..

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Canada looks to host 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will be held in North America if the new president of the Canadian Soccer Association has anything to do with it.

Just 100 days into the job, president Victor Montagliani revealed that he has already spoken to FIFA about the possibility of bringing soccer's biggest competition to Canada.

"It's not only a possibility; it's something we intend to do," Montagliani told CBC Sports. "We have verbally told FIFA that when the bid process begins for the next available World Cup, which would be the 2026 World Cup, that the CSA will be one of the countries putting in a formal proposal.

"The FIFA president has acknowledged to us and others that it needs to come back into this hemisphere, to our region CONCACAF. So that's what we will work towards."

The bidding process will begin in a couple of years and in some cases it takes over a decade to plan for a sporting event the size of the World Cup.

"The men's World Cup is the biggest event in the world, much bigger than the summer Olympics, and I think we can show them that," Montagliani said, according to the Canadian news outlet. "And, actually, I think our government already knows that. But to pull off an event of this magnitude, we need commitment from all levels."

 

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Morata added to Real Madrid first-team squad

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has decided to add Alvaro Morata to his squad for next season, according to Marca.

The Portuguese coach apparently feels that the versatile attacker is now ready for the first team, having spent the last two years lining out for Real Madrid Castilla.

Morata, who can play up front, 'in the hole' or on the wing, is a product of Atletico Madrid's youth team but he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu via Getafa in 2008.

The 19-year-old has made just one previous appearance for Los Blancos in La Liga, coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Zaragoza in December 2010.

Manchester United reportedly tried to lure Morata to Old Trafford the following month but the player ultimately penned a contract extension that ties him to the Spanish champions until 2015.

 

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Van Gaal takes Dutch job

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has confirmed the return of Louis van Gaal as national team coach.Following Bert van Marwijk's resignation as Netherlands boss after a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign,the KNVB has turned to a man it sacked just over a decade ago in the wake of the Oranje's failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

"We are delighted to have come to an agreement," KNVB director of football Bert van Oostveen stated on Friday evening. "We were looking for a coach with a lot of experience and with personal and professional charisma."

"Van Gaal has left his mark nationally and internationally and we know him as a dedicated and very motivated coach."

Meanwhile, the former Barcelona boss, who has been out of the coaching game since parting company with Bayern Munich last year, is looking forward to the task of qualifying the Oranje for the 2014 World Cup.

"I am happy that the KNVB has approached me," Van Gaal enthused. "This is the challenge I have been waiting for."

Netherlands, runnerup at the 2010 World Cup, surprisingly exited Euro 2012 before the knockout stages, having lost all three of its group games, against Denmark, Germany and Portugal.

 

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Gary Neville: Manchester United must prove empire is not crumbling

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes that his old club will need to prove this season that its empire isn’t crumbling.

"The challenge this season is always the same," Neville told the club's official website. "It's to win the Premier League, do well in the cups and do well in the Champions League.

He added, "That challenge never changes. But, obviously, when you don’t win anything you have an added incentive because people start to question the team and wonder if the empire is crumbling.

"United now have an opportunity to put things right."

United ended the season without a trophy, after losing the Premier League title to bitter rival Manchester City in the closing minutes of the campaign.

The club also crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage, causing many to question whether itsdominance in England and Europe has come to an end.

Neville believes that the Old Trafford side will have more to prove this season, and there will be an extra incentive to put things right.

"The manager and the players have had to cope with all that before. So this challenge is something they'll all be looking forward to," Neville said. "You can bet they would have had a frustrating summer, though, after not winning any trophies last season."

"The beauty of football is that you start a fresh each year with a clean slate."

 

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Marcelo Bielsa resigns from Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa has handed in his resignation, Goal.com has learned.

The decision comes just hours after the Basque club issued a statement in which it publicly criticized the Argentine for his row with a construction company employee.

Bielsa had publicly admitted his frustration that construction at the club's Lezama training facility was not completed in time for the start of the preseason and accused the company responsible of not respecting the contract that had been signed.However, Athletic distanced themselves from such comments and apologized for the coach's behavior while insisting that the contract with the construction company 'had correctly been fulfilled' up to that point.

It is understood that the Basque side have not yet accepted Bielsa's resignation and have called an emergency meeting to decide what to do.

Bielsa took charge of Athletic last summer, enjoying an impressive debut season at San Mames as he led the club to the final in both the Copa del Rey and the Europa League, eventually losing both matches.

He signed a new contract, valid until 2013, in June to put an end to speculation about his future after being linked with Chelsea, Inter and Barcelona, among other clubs.

 

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De Gea: Casillas is the best goalkeeper in the world, he deserves the Ballon d'Or

Manchester United custodian David de Gea believes that "the best goalkeeper in the world" Iker Casillas should win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

Several prominent figures, including Pele, Raul Albiol and Toni Grande, have declared that the 31-year-old would be a worthy winner of the annual player of the year award after helping Spain to the Euro 2012 title.

And it is an opinion shared by De Gea, who went on to claim that the Real Madrid shot-stopper is the best in his position.

"He is the best goalkeeper in the world," De Gea is quoted as saying by AS. "He has been playing at the highest level for many years and he is the captain of Madrid and Spain.

"He has won three international titles in the last four years, he has been part of the football elite for a long time. It is time to give the Ballon d'Or to a goalkeeper. Iker deserves it."

 

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Forlan set for Brazil move

Diego Forlan's Inter contract will be terminated over the weekend so that the Uruguayan can complete a move to Brazil over the summer, according to Jorge Braidek, the player's agent.

The 33-year-old moved to San Siro from Atletico Madrid last summer, but struggled to make an impact on the Nerazzurri first team.

It was soon revealed that he would have his contract terminated by the club, and now his representative has confirmed that he will travel to Brazil for talks in the coming days amid reports of interest from Internacional.

"I'm naturally a cautious person but things are right on track," Baidek told Lancenet. "I've talked to the player - his contract will be cancelled tomorrow [Saturday], and then I'll take him to Sao Paulo, and from there to our next step.

"I'm optimistic. I can't say anything before his contract is cancelled. But it's well on track."

Since moving to Europe in 2001, Forlan has had spells at Manchester United, Villarreal and Atletico before moving to Inter.

 

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Agent dismisses Guardiola links with Russia

Josep Maria Orobitg, the agent of Pep Guardiola, has stressed that there is no truth in rumors linking the 41-year-old with the Russia head coach vacancy.

Several reports suggested that the trainer was due to arrive in Moscow on Friday to open talks with the Russian Football Union (RFU).

However, Orobitg has made it clear that Guardiola is currently in New York, and intends to stay there the remaining months of the year.

"Pep has not received an offer from Russia. I don't understand where this information is coming from," he stated to Izvetia. "He's in New York at the moment with his family, and he intends to stay there for the remainder of 2012."

The RFU is in the market for a new coach following the departure of Dick Advocaat, who left his position after Euro 2012.

Fabio Capello and Luciano Spalletti are also believed to be in the frame for the role.

 

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Kolo Toure looking for Van Persie reunion at Manchester City

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure believes wantaway Arsenal striker Robin van Persie would be the perfect addition to the Premier League champions’ squad as they bid for European glory next season.


Roberto Mancini is looking to clear out his squad to make room for new signings, and was put on red alert when the Netherlands international announced earlier this week he will not be renewing his contract at Emirates Stadium.

The 28-year-old, who scored 30 Premier League goals last season, has just one year left on his contract with Arsene Wenger’s side, and his former team-mate Toure believes he will fire City to success if they can snap him up this summer.

“Robin is a top player. I’ve played with him, I know him and he’s a great man,” Toure told the Manchester Evening News. “At City we have great players and the club does what it wants in transfers.

“But, for me, if Robin comes it’s great because I know what he can do. You have to build your squad every year to do better. To win the Champions League is very difficult as we have seen.”

With strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz expected to leave the Etihad Stadium in the near future, and Bayern Munich showing interest in Edin Dzeko, Mancini will be keen to bolster his attacking options with last term’s PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year.

Arsenal, however, is keen for Van Persie to see out his contract, even if it were to mean missing out on receiving a significant transfer fee this time next year.

A statement on the club’s official website said: "We have to respect Robin's decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the club.

 

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Silva keen to pen new Manchester City contract after snubbing Real Madrid

Manchester City playmaker David Silva has revealed that negotiations are underway regarding a new contract at the Emirates, before dismissing rumors that a move to Real Madrid is in the offing.

The Spain international has been instrumental for club and country over the past 12 months, claiming Premier League and Euro 2012 winners’ medals in the process, and an improved five-year deal is rumored.

City officials reportedly met with the 26-year-old’s advisers last week, and the former Valencia winger is now happy to commit his future to the Premier League champions – with a £200,000-a-weel salary touted.

“My home is at City and I am totally satisfied there. My head is not at Real Madrid but at Manchester City,” Silva told the Daily Star. “I’m grateful for my experience at City and I have improved as a player, in every sense, since I joined them. I didn’t know if I was capable of playing like this when I left Valencia.

“I’m on holiday right now, but my agents are negotiating a new deal with City and I think it’s likely we close it in a very short time.”

Silva is expecting a flurry of transfer activity at the Etihad Stadium this summer, and believes even more medal-laden times are ahead for Roberto Mancini’s side.

“The club are preparing offers for players to improve the squad,” he said. “The project will be very ambitious.”

 

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Albiol: Casillas deserves to win the Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid and Spain defender Raul Albiol believes that Iker Casillas deserves to win the Ballon d'Or after enjoying a successful 2012.

The 31-year-old captained both his club and country to major trophies this year, and has been touted as a potential contender for the annual player of the year award.

Albiol feels that his teammate is the best in the world in his position and deserves to be recognized for his achievements over the last 12 months.

"I would give him the Ballon d'Or. Casillas has had a great season," he said according to AS. "He's won La Liga, the European Championship and he's the best goalkeeper in the world, although Andres Iniesta also deserves it."

La Roja went head-to-head with Portugal in the Euro 2012 semifinal, and Albiol admitted that he felt certain his side would win the competition once it had eliminated the Seleccao and the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I was sure that once he was out of the Euros, the title we wanted was ours," the defender said. "He was our enemy on the pitch, although he's also our team-mate."

Finally, the 26-year-old outlined his aims for the forthcoming season, and said that he is determined to take on a bigger role for Los Blancos.

"I want to play more minutes than in the past season."

 

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Messi: Alexis Sanchez has been unlucky with injuries

Lionel Messi has praised the way Alexis Sanchez adapted to his new surroundings at Barcelona and believes the Chile international could have contributed more to the team last season had he not had bad luck with injuries.


The 23-year-old joined the Catalan giant from Udinese in the summer of 2011 and made 41 appearances in all competitions for his new club despite enduring a series of muscle injuries. Messi is hoping that Alexis will play an even bigger role for the team this term.

"It is not easy to adapt to new surroundings as an outsider. All of a sudden, he had new teammates and a new playing style to get used to. I think he did a good job," Messi was quoted as saying by Terra Chile. "He has had some bad luck with a number of injuries that kept him on the sidelines for a number of games, so hopefully he'll have more luck next season.

"He's a very sympathetic guy, who has adapted very well to all the new people surrounding him, and has picked up on Barcelona's specific style of play."

Alexis netted 11 goals in 25 Liga appearances for Barcelona in 2011-12.

 

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Manchester City refuses to break wage structure for van Persie

Manchester City will refuse to break the bank in order to bring wantaway Arsenal striker Robin van Persie to Eastlands this summer.

The Gunners skipper has revealed he will not sign an extension to his current deal, which expires next summer with the north London club, in a strongly worded statement on his personal website.

It had been widely reported that Van Persie, who turns 29 next month, had already agreed terms, in principle, on a £225k-a-week contract with City that would see him follow the path trodden by both Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, who moved from Arsenal to the blue half of Manchester this time last year.

Goal.com understands, however, that the Premier League champion is unwilling to go above its basic ceiling of £198k-a-week, earned by the likes of Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, for a player with a history of serious knee and ankle injuries.

With UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations coming into play from the start of next season, City is keen to be seen to adhering to the European governing body’s new legislation which will force clubs to break even – within a £4.2m leeway – over a rolling two-year monitoring period.

City’s refusal to make Van Persie the club's top earner outright will test the Dutchman’s pronouncement that money was not the main factor behind his decision to quit the Emirates Stadium following seven years without a trophy.

Arsenal is determined to keep hold of last season’s Premier League top goalscorer at all costs, but while City remains keen to do a deal it will only do so if it deems it to make financial sense. Already the club has been dissuaded from following up on its interest in Edinson Cavani by Napoli’s £40m valuation of the Uruguay international striker.

Moreover, City’s hierarchy is currently more preoccupied with ironing out the futures of current members of their playing staff including David Silva and manager Robert Mancini, believing the club will still be able to pry van Persie away from Arsenal later in the summer.

 

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Park set for QPR switch

Park set for QPR switch

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung is set to complete a £5 million switch to Queens Park Rangers reports suggest, although figures vary.
Park, 31, played a reduced role for Manchester United last season, but has been an influential figure in the club's recent history, often being called upon on the biggest occasions.

Formerly captain of South Korea, Park joined the Red Devils for £4 million in 2005 from PSV Eindhoven and has gone on to make 205 first-team appearances for the Old Trafford side.

QPR have announced that a press conference for local and international media will take place on Monday, with chairman Tony Fernandes, vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and manager Mark Hughes all set to attend. The announcement will reportedly "put the QPR brand on a global scale".

The press conference could be related to the club's ongoing look for a new stadium, although reports on Friday morning also suggested that the club were closing in on a South Korean signing.

"The announcement will put the QPR brand on a global scale and is further demonstration of the board's continuing efforts to move the club forward and become established in the Premier League," the release to the media said.

"QPR chairman Tony Fernandes, vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, manager Mark Hughes and CEO Philip Beard will all be in attendance. Please note, the club is in no position to make any further comment on the announcement of this press conference."

Should he sign, Park would become the fifth player to arrive at Loftus Road this summer - following the captures of Robert Green, Andy Johnson, Ryan Nelsen and the permanent signing of midfielder Samba Diakite.

Chairman Fernandes is also heavily involved in the club's search for a new stadium, updating the fans on progress via Twitter early on Friday."Excellent stadium meeting," Fernandes said. "Looks great. Going to make big announcement. Hopefully see Amit [Bhatia] in a few hours to brief him. Wow."Stadium will be in west London. Will not lose overall atmosphere. Lots to do and many pitfalls but great first step."

 

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Sol: Spend and keep RVP

Sol: Spend and keep RVP

Sol Campbell accepts the reasoning behind Robin van Persie's decision not to sign a new contract at Arsenal - but feels the Dutchman could make a U-turn if Arsene Wenger spends heavily on new players.

Van Persie's present deal runs out in 12 months, and this week he revealed he will not be putting pen to paper on fresh terms, leaving Arsenal to decide whether they cash in on him this summer - with the likes of Juventus, Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain reportedly interested - or risk losing him for nothing.

In a statement announcing his intention to leave the club, Van Persie suggested he disagreed with Wenger and Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal's chief executive, over how the club should move forward - and Campbell, who won the Premier League under Wenger, believes the Gunners need to prove their ambition by making a statement in the transfer market.

"I can understand why van Persie has decided not to sign a new contract," Campbell said in the Daily Mirror. "When you go back to your club for pre-season, and you look around the changing room, you want to see top players around you and think, 'Yeah, we're going to do something this season. This is where it's happening'.

"That's what van Persie is looking for. And maybe he's had a look and thought, 'Is this it?' Maybe it will be different in a couple of weeks, maybe there will be a cast of new faces to make him feel different.

"If there had been more strong characters around him in the dressing room now, it might have been different with van Persie. When he signed for Arsenal, he was surrounded by top-quality players, big characters, and it was fantastic. Inside his head, he knew it was the place to be - alongside Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, myself, Tony Adams, Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole.

"Basically, his statement is shorthand for saying his patience has run out, and that he can't wait for ever if he's going to win major trophies in his career.

"From the outside, it looks as though he wants to go to a club who will start the season expecting to win things, not just to be in contention with a lot of ifs, buts, maybes and strings attached. Maybe he could still sign a new contract if Arsenal rustle up £100 million from somewhere and make a serious statement by signing three world-class players."

 

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Porto urged to be 'realistic' over Hulk

Porto urged to be 'realistic' over Hulk

Porto will be asked to considerably lower their "inflated" asking price for Brazilian striker Hulk as a host of interested clubs are refusing to pay the €70 million fee.

Hulk, 25, scored 21 goals in 38 appearances in the Portuguese league last season and has attracted the interest of Chelsea this summer. As ESPN reported last month, Hulk will not be leaving Porto unless they drop their asking price considerably and there will be a showdown between Hulk's advisors and Porto this week to attempt to facilitate a transfer.

An insider told ESPN: "Porto's asking price of €70 million is simply unrealistic. They might take €60 million, although again that is far, far too high.

"There are many clubs interested, but none at that price, and there will not be a move this summer unless Porto are more realistic."It is clear the player wants a move, and Porto are willing to sell but they have refused to be flexible and won't as yet negotiate the transfer valuation."

 

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Juve head RVP chase

Juve head RVP chase

The Gunners captain declared earlier this week that he would not be renewing his contract with the club - which has just 12 months left to run.Since his announcement a host of clubs have been linked, but Sky Sports understands that just three clubs are currently challenging for his signature - Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United.

All three have been in the reckoning all summer and that has not changed.Both City and United are set to offer him the chance to remain in England, should he leave the Emirates, but Juve are pushing hard with Italian sources claiming their offer would make him one of the highest players in Europe.

Van Persie has made it clear that silverware is the most important thing to him at this point - although all three clubs would be well in contention next season to challenge for every honour.The player himself is currently on holiday and is due to return to England next week, when more talks with Arsenal are likely.

PSG

Paris Saint Germain have been linked, and whilst nobody could deny they could afford Van Persie, Sky Sports understands that the player would not entertain a move to the French capital at this point in his career.And PSG chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi says his club have not made contact with the Dutch forward.

"We have never talked with Van Persie," he told l'Equipe."We trust our current forwards. But we are trying to find another one."Various reports claim Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan are also in contention but those reports are believed to be wide of the mark at present.

 

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Albiol: Casillas deserves to win the Ballon d'Or

Real Madrid and Spain defender Raul Albiol believes that Iker Casillas deserves to win the Ballon d'Or after enjoying a successful 2012.

The 31-year-old captained both his club and country to major trophies this year, and has been touted as a potential contender for the annual player of the year award.

Albiol feels that his teammate is the best in the world in his position and deserves to be recognized for his achievements over the last 12 months.

"I would give him the Ballon d'Or. Casillas has had a great season," he said according to AS. "He's won La Liga, the European Championship and he's the best goalkeeper in the world, although Andres Iniesta also deserves it."

La Roja went head-to-head with Portugal in the Euro 2012 semifinal, and Albiol admitted that he felt certain his side would win the competition once it had eliminated the Seleccao and the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I was sure that once he was out of the Euros, the title we wanted was ours," the defender said. "He was our enemy on the pitch, although he's also our team-mate."

Finally, the 26-year-old outlined his aims for the forthcoming season, and said that he is determined to take on a bigger role for Los Blancos.

"I want to play more minutes than in the past season."

 

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Ajax accept Vertonghen is 'gone'

Ajax accept Vertonghen is 'gone'

Ajax coach Frank de Boer admits Jan Vertonghen's head is already in London, as he closes on a summer transfer to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs have held a long-standing interest in the Belgium international, along with their North London rivals Arsenal.It would appear as though the highly-rated centre-half will be turning out at White Hart Lane next season, with an agreement reportedly edging towards completion.De Boer admits Vertonghen is now waiting on the 'green light' to make a move to the Premier League.

Taking that into account, he left the 25-year-old out of his squad for a pre-season exhibition game against FC Emmen."John has his head in London, so we sent him home," De Boer told Telesport."He is only waiting on a few minor details before he gets the green light."