Asian excitement Ten remain in race for Brazil - Soccercoach.eu
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April 2012
Support for goal-line technology | FIFA takes to YouTube | New security chief |
Olympic draws preview | Algarve Cup review | Football tackles dementia |
Egypt’s record-breaker | Japan’s U-20 ambitions | Germany’s green globe-trotter
Asian
excitement
Ten remain in race for Brazil
EDITORIAL
The same game –
from Britain to Bhutan
Dear friends of football,
The last few weeks have been particularly pitches in Bhutan and even the launch of
exciting when it comes to football in Asia, a new initiative, supported by the AFC,
with February seeing a thrilling conclusion which uses football’s popularity to promote
to the continent’s third qualifying round messages aimed at stopping violence
for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ followed against women.
shortly afterwards by the March draw for Shortly before visiting Asia, I was in the
the ten Asian teams still in contention for British birthplace of modern football for
a place in Brazil. While you can read more the London gathering of the International
“Our sport evokes about the Asian qualifying race starting on Football Association Board. Though the
page 34 of this month’s magazine, I would setting could hardly have been more
an unparalleled
also like to highlight the role that football is different than the Himalayan beauty of
passion, regardless playing even in those Asian countries that Nepal or Bhutan, it was reassuring to see
cannot (yet) dream of participating in the the devotion and dedication which the
of the nationality or
FIFA World Cup finals. “custodians” of the Laws of the Game still
background of those As the continent’s leading teams apply to their stewardship of the sport’s
playing the game.” gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the fourth- rules. Although it has been in existence
round draw, I was already in Asia on a for over 125 years, it would be wrong
four-day working visit to India, Bangladesh, to confuse the Board’s tradition and
Bhutan and Nepal. On many of my previous conservatism with a reluctance to embrace
trips to our member associations around change. The backing that has now been
the world, I have witnessed first-hand the given for the planned adoption of goal-line
unparalleled passion that our sport evokes, technology coupled with the proposal to
regardless of the nationality or background allow women players to wear headscarves
of those playing the game, and this was demonstrates the Board’s willingness to
brought home once again during my brief accept changes whenever they are for the
but fruitful visit. good of the game.
A full report of the trip can be found Ultimately, the main task of the
on page 27, but what struck me most Board is to ensure that football remains
among the many highlights was how much fundamentally the same whether it is
hope and inspiration football can give to played in the parks of London or on the
people. I had the honour of speaking to fields of Bangladesh. From what I have
many of the countries’ political leaders seen on my recent travels, that mission is
who are themselves keen to harness certainly being fulfilled.
football’s potential for the benefit of their
populations. I also saw new projects taking
shape on the ground – from FIFA Goal
Cover photo: Oman striker development programmes in Bangladesh
Hussein Al Hadhri celebrates
and Nepal to the inauguration of new Joseph S. Blatter
after scoring the opening goal in
the 2-0 win over Thailand that
sent his country into the fourth
round of Asian qualifying for the
2014 FIFA World Cup™.
FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012 3
Around
the world
Line call Cups™. The Court of Arbitration for Sport
Football’s law-making body has given its ruled in February that “the sanction
provisional backing to the adoption of imposed by FIFA was not disproportionate”
goal-line technology – subject to a final while also upholding the fine of CHF
round of tests on the two systems which 10,000 imposed on Adamu. Expressing its
came through last year’s initial stage. The satisfaction with the CAS decision, world
International Football Association Board, football’s governing body said the ruling
which is made up of representatives from further underlined FIFA’s stance of zero
FIFA and the four British associations, said tolerance towards any breach of the FIFA
it hoped to give its final backing to goal- alongside previous qualifiers Australia Code of Ethics.
line technology at a specially convened (pictured), Korea Republic, Japan, Iran
meeting in Kiev on 2 July, once the two and Iraq. Four automatic qualifying places Bebeto on board
remaining systems have undergone a are available in the final round, which runs Former FIFA World Cup winner Bebeto
second phase aimed primarily at assessing from June of this year to June 2013, with has taken on a new role overseeing his
their robustness. The Board also decided to the fifth-best team taking on the fifth-best native Brazil’s preparations for 2014 after
lift its previous ban on women footballers side from South America in a two-legged
wearing headscarves, but called for play-off for a further place at the finals.
further thinking on a proposal to change For more on the Asian qualifying race,
the “triple punishment” law relating to see page 34.
players who deliberately foul to prevent
clear goalscoring opportunities. For more Adamu decision upheld
on the IFAB meeting, turn to page 12. Sport’s highest court of appeal has upheld
FIFA’s decision to ban former Executive
Committee member Amos Adamu from
any kind of football-related activity for
three years. Adamu was banned by FIFA’s
Ethics Committee in November 2010 after accepting an invite to join the Management
being found guilty of infringing the FIFA Board of the tournament’s Local Organising
Code of Ethics in relation to the bidding Committee. Bebeto, whose role was
process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World officially announced on his 48th birthday,
is the second Brazilian playing legend to
join the board – following the appointment
of his former strike partner Ronaldo in
Asia’s top ten December. “This is like scoring your first
Asia’s race to qualify for the 2014 FIFA goal or getting called up to the Brazil team
World Cup™ is down to the last ten teams, for the first time,” said Bebeto, who was
following a thrilling climax to the region’s part of Brazil’s successful 1994 FIFA World
penultimate qualifying round. No fewer Cup™ squad and also represented his
than five of the remaining ten will be country at the 1990 and 1998 editions.
seeking their first-ever place at a World “I’m going to give everything I’ve got to
Cup finals, with Uzbekistan, Jordan, Qatar, help stage the best FIFA World Cup of
Oman and Lebanon making it through all time.”
4 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012
Inside
this issue
34
6
12 48
VIEW NEWS FOCUS SUMMARY
6 12 34 54
Toyota, Barcelona, Board decisions And then there Associations
Ferreiras, Faro Rule-makers ready were ten… Africa’s Super Cup surprise,
Striking images from the to embrace goal-line Surprises galore as Asia’s Boca’s run comes to an end
world of football technology World Cup qualifiers reach
final straight 56
18 Men’s ranking
London calling 40 Dutch up to second as Saõ
Draw time for Olympic Light in the dark Tomé also soar
Football Tournaments How football is helping
dementia sufferers 58
22 Women’s ranking
Mutschke’s mandate 44 USA still on top
New FIFA security role for Egypt’s
former Interpol director marathon man 60
Interview with new Archive
24 international caps record- The whistle-blower who
Algarve triumph holder Ahmed Hassan became FIFA President
Portugal pride for Germany’s
women 48
A mission to save
32 The former goalkeeper
Kalusha recalls turned environmental activist
Zambian playing legend
and FA President relives
February’s Africa Cup
triumph
FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012 5
VIEW No way through Japan’s Shinji Okazaki shoots in vain during his team’s surprise 1-0 home defeat against Uzbekistan at the end of February. The result saw Japan finish second behind the Uzbeks in Asia’s third round of qualifying, with both teams going on to reach the fourth round. 6 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012
High five
Lionel Messi celebrates the second of his five goals for Barcelona
during the Spanish side’s 7-1 UEFA Champions League demolition
of Bayer Leverkusen on 7 March. Messi’s haul saw him become the
first player to score five times in a Champions League match as
Barcelona eased into the quarter-finals 10-1 on aggregate.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 7
8 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012
Full stretch
USA midfielder Kelley O’Hara (left) performs a handstand during a training
session at last month’s Algarve Cup; German striker Célia Okoyino da
Mbabi displays similar athleticism as she scores the tournament’s winning
goal in the final against Japan.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 9
Letters to FIFA
A selection of comments from the FIFA World and FIFA.com mailbags
March 2012 Another fine Messi Homare Sawa’s performances during
Congratulations to Lionel Messi on the Women’s World Cup were
being named the world’s best player outstanding, but her club performances
for a third time – and probably not for were also fantastic. She won the
FIFA Ballon d’Or reviewed | Transfer jgures revealed | New anti-doping test projled |
Preparations in Brazil | Celebrations in Russia | Ambitions in Qatar |
the last time. It is always difficult to pick Japanese league and cup double with
Africa’s new champions | Argentina’s blind hero | America’s unlikely jlm star
one player out of a team but Messi is INAC Kobe Leonessa without losing a
Messi so brilliant on the pitch that his talent single match. That’s crazy, given that
makes
history shines through and delights all lovers of INAC had never won the championship
Third straight FIFA
Ballon d’Or triumph
the game. or the cup before they signed Sawa at
FIFA.com user (Switzerland) the start of last season.
FIFA.com user (Germany)
Never before has a player won the FIFA
award in three consecutive years, and Many clubs nowadays expect short-
yet Messi has done so at the still tender term results from their managers. Sir
March issue age of only 24. His expertise in turning Alex Ferguson’s success is proof that
chances into goals and his humility are taking a long-term perspective is more
astonishing. Congratulations! beneficial.
FIFA.com user (Timor-Leste) FIFA.com user (Canada)
Only once in a lifetime does a player Ronaldo’s new role
like Messi set foot on this planet. We’re It is wonderful to see how Brazil treats
privileged to be living and watching Ronaldo and how well he has taken to
him play in his current form. his new role as an LOC board member.
FIFA.com user (Saudi Arabia) I hope that many more players move
into some form of management or
Sawa power administrative work after their playing
Homare Sawa looked fantastic at the days are over. Fans always want to
FIFA Ballon d’Or gala. Congratulations know what the stars of yesteryear are
to her. She is a modern-day warrior doing. We want to know that they are
who made Japan and the whole of Asia being successful after football.
extremely proud. FIFA.com user (USA)
FIFA.com user (USA)
Golden ambitions
I can’t wait to watch the Women’s
Olympic Football Tournament. There’s
a great rivalry between Brazil and the
USA so I would love to see them play
in the final. The USA are not fooling
around this year – they’re going to
Let us hear your views, either on what you arrive in London and take care of
have read in FIFA World, or in regard to business!
anything else in the world of international
FIFA.com user (USA)
football. You can contact us via e-mail at
feedback-fifaworld@fifa.org or by writing
to FIFA World, FIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box, I’m sure the Olympic gold is going
CH-8044, Zurich, Switzerland.
to either the USA or Japan. The USA
10 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012are always strong, while I wouldn’t Senegal perhaps were too confident
be surprised to see Japan repeat their but you have shown the need to start
World Cup triumph. Homare Sawa is walking before thinking of flying.
the most underrated player, man or FIFA.com user (Wales)
woman, in the world.
FIFA.com user (USA) I love African football because nobody
cares which team is the favourite for
Zambia’s fairy tale the title. African-based players have
Congratulations to Zambia on their been the revelation of this competition
first Africa Cup of Nations triumph. some of the leading European teams so and Zambia’s triumph shows everybody
They played very well throughout the they can shine on an even bigger stage. that teams in Africa can win major
tournament and deserved to win it in FIFA.com user (Iran) trophies without relying on players
the end, and it was great to see them from Europe. I want to congratulate my
honour the victims of the 1993 air Congratulations to Zambia. You went Zambian brothers on their awesome
crash. Hopefully, we will see some of with humble hearts and left victorious. win.
these young talents make a move to Teams like Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and FIFA.com user (New Zealand)
Hard to cap
Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan broke the men’s record for international caps in February. Read our exclusive interview with him on page 44.
FIFA WORLD I VIEW 11NEWS
Moving towards
goal-line
technology
Goal-line technology moved a step closer While a final green light has yet to
be given, the latest meeting of the
to reality in March as the International International Football Association Board
Football Association Board gave its (IFAB) gave the strongest indication yet
provisional backing to two systems pending that the adoption of goal-line technology
a final round of testing in the coming in football is imminent.
weeks. The 126th Annual General Meeting of
the game’s law-making body – which
By Andrew Loan, Bagshot comprises representatives from FIFA and
12 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012the four British football associations – saw would be “an option, not an obligation” goal-line technology, the Board members
the members receive a report from the for those organising football competitions agreed that this might be a strong factor,
independent test institute EMPA, detailing worldwide. “Providing the technology but also pointed to the general trend
the results from the first phase of testing, fulfils the criteria, it will be passed into the whereby individual forms of technology
held in November and December last year. Laws as ‘if you want to install it and you get increasingly cheaper as time goes by.
Following the meeting, Alex Horne, have the capability to install it, you can do “I’m using a piece of technology here,
General Secretary of meeting hosts The it’,” he said, stating that FIFA hoped to use the microphone, which is probably much
FA, announced that two of the eight the technology in its own competitions as cheaper than it was ten years ago,” Irish
technologies, Hawk-Eye and GoalRef, had early as this year’s FIFA Club World Cup in FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson told the
received a “very positive score” from EMPA, December. media conference by way of an example.
and that these two systems would now “If the technology is proven to work, we “Technology marches on and prices go
proceed to a second phase of testing aimed would then do our best to ensure that it down. We can’t yet say if we’d be able
primarily at evaluating their robustness, for was installed at the FIFA Confederations to afford the technology when it’s first
example, in different weather scenarios or Cup 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup,” introduced, but it may well become
match situations. A final decision on the Valcke added. affordable for us in the future.”
approval of goal-line technology will then Theoretically, the Hawk-Eye or Horne, meanwhile, reminded everyone
be taken at the Board’s specially convened GoalRef systems could be used in league that goal-line technology was intended to
meeting in Kiev on 2 July. competitions within days or weeks of July’s aid referees rather than take their place,
“We absolutely expect that following anticipated decision, although Horne said and that signals from the technology would
the conclusion of the second phase of this was unlikely to happen. be transmitted only to the match officials,
tests, provided that one or more of the “Given the rigour with which we’ve with no plans to broadcast the images
companies fulfil the criteria, and are shown seen the technology tested, I very much generated by the technology around the
to be robust, reliable and accurate, we will doubt that it will be introduced at the stadium or on television.
be passing goal-line technology into the start of next season,” he explained. “If we “Goal-line technology is intended as
Laws of the Game in July,” Horne added. take the case of England’s Premier League an aid. The referee’s decision will always
Calls to introduce goal-line technology as an example, 20 clubs would need to be final,” he explained. “For example, a
have grown louder in recent seasons implement the technology, and it’s not referee could choose to ignore the signal
following a number of high-profile a one-day job to install it, calibrate it and if they’ve seen something else that might
incidents, most notably the disallowing of make sure it works.” rule out awarding a goal, such as a foul.
Frank Lampard’s goal for England against Asked about the possible costs facing It’s merely intended to give them certainty
Germany in the last 16 of the 2010 FIFA leagues or associations wishing to use about whether the ball has crossed the
World Cup™. It was this incident in particular
that prompted the IFAB to reconsider
its earlier reticence concerning goal-line
technology, announcing in March 2011
that it would consider adopting any system
that was proven to be 100 per cent reliable
and able to deliver information exclusively
to match officials within a second.
The two systems which came successfully
through the first round of testing rely
on different forms of technology, with
Hawk-Eye deploying a system of optical
recognition using cameras and GoalRef
using a magnetic field with a special
ball, but the Board explained that it was
irrelevant which technology was used, as
long as it identified reliably if the ball had
crossed the line or not.
Not an obligation
FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke The first round of tests evaluated whether the goal-line technologies could accurately detect
also emphasised that use of the system that the whole ball had crossed the line.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 13FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke (second from left) alongside the representatives of the
IFAB briefs four British associations.
No drop goals line or not, which is only one part of the to the latest IFAB meeting was the
The number of goals being scored from decision.” wearing of headscarves by women
“uncontested” dropped balls prompted “There are many reasons why a goal footballers, particularly in the Muslim
the Board to amend the law governing may not be allowed,” added Jonathan world, where some Islamic dress codes
the start and restart of play, in order to Ford, Chief Executive of the Welsh FA, require women to cover their hair, neck
clarify what action a referee should take “and if you relayed those images around and ears in public.
when the ball enters the goal directly. the stadium, you could end up in a very The Board ruled in March last year that
Now, when a team kicks such a ball into dangerous situation where technology said headscarves worn around the neck posed
their opponents’ goal, a goal kick will a goal had been scored but there were a safety threat to those wearing them, but
be awarded, while if they kick it into other reasons as to why that goal should the issue returned to the headlines a few
their own goal, a corner kick will be not be allowed.” months later when the Iranian women’s
awarded to the opposing team. team was disqualified from an Olympic
Headscarf support qualifier against Jordan for taking to the
Advertising space Another issue which had been the subject field wearing such scarves, in contravention
With the increasing use of upright of considerable debate in the lead-up of the IFAB decision.
advertising boards close to the
boundaries of the field of play posing
a potential risk to players’ safety and
hindering a side-on view of the net,
the game’s lawmakers amended the
law relating to commercial advertising
in order to ensure that there is a clear
exclusion zone of at least one metre
behind the goal on either side of the
pitch.
Heading north
While FIFA decides on the location of
the IFAB Annual General Meeting in
years when the FIFA World Cup™ is
held, the meetings are otherwise held
in strict rotation in England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland. Next up is
Scotland, with next year’s 127th meeting
due to be held in Edinburgh on 1-3
March 2013.
The IFAB is planning to allow headscarves in football pending a final check of their safety.
14 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012After a presentation by FIFA Executive
Committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Guardians of the game
Hussein, which included the demonstration
of a safer form of headscarf that The International
Football Association
incorporates an easily detachable Velcro
B o ard has b e e n
fastening, the Board agreed, in principle, to
overseeing football’s
lift the ban at its July meeting – pending a official rules (the
further safety analysis by a working group “Laws of the Game”)
which will include members of the FIFA for more than
Medical Committee. 125 years, having
“Prince Ali gave us a perfect presentation, convened at London’s
Holborn Viaduct for
explaining to all of us how important this
the first time on 2 June
issue was in his region,” said Valcke. “If
1886. Back then, with
a number of women today cannot play no world governing
because the Laws of the Game do not body yet in existence,
allow headscarves, then we at FIFA are it was the four British
very happy to authorise them to ensure associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who met to draw up the first
that women around the world have access uniform set of laws.
to football.” In 1913, FIFA became a member of the IFAB. Under a system that remains valid today, FIFA was
given four votes on the Board, while England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland each had one, with a 75
Speaking to reporters after the media
per cent majority (i.e. at least six of the eight votes) needed to pass a proposal. Below we look at a
conference, the Prince said he was “deeply
few of the landmark proposals that have been passed:
grateful” that the proposal to lift the ban • Deadly kick: In the game’s early years, it was assumed that a gentleman would never deliberately
had been unanimously endorsed by the commit a foul. As competitiveness increased, however, the penalty, originally known as “the kick
Board. of death”, was introduced in 1891.
“I welcome their decision for an • Whistler welcomed: The referee stood on the touchline keeping time and was consulted if the
accelerated process to further test the two umpires, one for each team, could not agree. That changed in 1891, when a single person
with powers to send off players and award penalties and free kicks became a permanent fixture
current design,” he said, “and I’m confident
on the pitch.
that once the final ratification at the special
• Hands off: The number of goals increased thanks to a 1912 rule change that prevented goalkeepers
meeting of IFAB takes place, we will see from handling the ball outside the penalty area, and to another in 1920 that removed offsides
many delighted and happy players returning from throw-ins. In 1925, the three-player offside rule became a two-player one, representing
to the field and playing the game they love.” another radical change in favour of attacking football.
• Forward moves: A series of amendments were introduced in the late 1980s to confront the
Sprays and subs defensive tactics that had started to grip the game. In 1990, a further change to the offside law
saw the advantage now being given to the attacking team if the attacker was in line with the
In keeping with the progressive tenor of
penultimate defender. Meanwhile, the “professional foul” – deliberately fouling an opponent to
the meeting, the Board also approved the
prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity – became an automatic sending-off offence.
use of a vanishing spray to delineate how • Back-pass rule changed: Despite these forward-looking changes, tactics during the 1990 FIFA
far back the defending team should stand World Cup™ suggested something more needed to be done. The IFAB responded in 1992 by
at free kicks, after receiving an update on banning goalkeepers from handling deliberate back-passes. Although the new rule was greeted
the experimental use of the spray during with scepticism by some at first, in the fullness of time it would become widely appreciated.
South America’s 2011 Copa América.
“We recognise that vanishing spray is very
useful in certain regions where they have a “I’m delighted about this amendment,” would lead to further confusion for the
specific problem with encroachment,” said said Horne. “It’s very important for us in referees charged with applying the Laws
Horne. “So we decided today that, while terms of retaining the number of people of the Game.
it’s not compulsory, we’re fine with people playing the game.” “We did have a long discussion today
using the spray if they wish to do so.” While the Board was happy to accept about whether the third element of this
Following a proposal by The FA, the these changes, the proposal put forward Law [the player suspension] is the one that
Notes on the Laws of the Game were to change the “triple punishment” law, we should tackle,” said Horne, “and we’ve
also amended to permit teams involved whereby a penalty kick, a red card and a asked the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to
in amateur football to make “rolling suspension is currently awarded against a consider whether the compulsory sanction
substitutions” in matches, provided the player who denies an obvious goalscoring of a one-match ban is necessary, so that may
matches are not part of the member opportunity to an opponent, was come forward as a proposal in future, but
association’s most senior competition. withdrawn over fears that the amendment for now that’s still a work in progress.”
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 15)'()M`jX@eZ%8ccI`^_kjI\j\im\[%
FIFA loads up
on YouTube
Fans can now enjoy watching the best moments from FIFA competitions
whenever and wherever they want thanks to the launch of a new FIFA channel
on leading video-sharing platform YouTube.
FIFA on YouTube will be further extended
in the coming weeks and months, with
the possibility in future of including user-
generated content and uploads as well as
content from FIFA’s commercial partners.
“FIFA is keen to engage with football
fans beyond our competitions by sharing
our rich visual content with them, and for
this there is no better platform in terms
of reach and penetration than YouTube,”
said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “We
want to provide users with the greatest
moments of FIFA World Cup history but
also invite them to share theirs with us.”
YouTube is the most frequented platform
on the internet for video consumption,
boasting billions of daily views and several
hundred million unique visitors per month.
Its popularity will give FIFA access to a
Users will be able to seek out their favourite moments from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. massive global audience, particularly
among the younger generation.
“We are very excited that FIFA is
launching this channel,” said YouTube
Following the 21 March launch of FIFA World Cup 2011 Germany™, but also a host senior director Stephen Nuttall. “It will
on YouTube, fans can now relive some of other FIFA-related material, including allow a global audience to discover
of the best moments from recent FIFA clips from FIFA documentaries, FIFA Futbol and interact with videos featuring the
tournaments, from Siphiwe Tshabalala’s Mundial shows and segments from the Brazil best footballers competing in the most
thrilling 2010 FIFA World Cup™-opening 2014 monthly magazine which documents prestigious tournaments.”
goal for South Africa to last year’s dramatic the preparations and growing excitement
penalty shoot-out in the FIFA Women’s in Brazil as the country prepares to stage
World Cup™, simply by visiting the channel the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.
(www.youtube.com/fifatv) and selecting The service will also offer insights into
the clip of their choice. FIFA’s behind-the-scenes activities, giving
Viewers will not only be able to watch all users the opportunity to see how various
the top action from the most recent FIFA football development projects operate
competitions, including the 2010 FIFA World around the world and find out more about
www.youtube.com/fifatv
Cup South Africa™ and the FIFA Women’s how the game is governed.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 17Wembley awaits
Fans will find out later this month what lies in store for their teams at
the Olympic Football Tournaments 2012 as London’s iconic Wembley
Stadium provides the backdrop for the men’s and women’s draws.
Team GB coaches Hope Powell and Stuart Pearce will be aiming to lead their women’s and men’s squads to Olympic gold at Wembley.
The official draws for the men’s and Pearce’s Great Britain team. If selected, the home side at a major event – seven
women’s tournaments, part of an Beckham will be looking to emulate the years after she oversaw England’s campaign
hour-long show featuring UK sporting likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Samuel Eto’o, as hosts of UEFA Women’s EURO 2005.
personalities, will be conducted on 24 April Ronaldinho and Pep Guardiola, who have all “The attendances at the games during
by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke been Olympic medallists in recent editions, EURO 2005 were a sign of progress for
in Wembley Stadium’s Bobby Moore Suite, though in their cases at the start of their women’s football in Britain,” recalls Powell.
named after England’s 1966 FIFA World international careers. “It helped provide a platform for what has
Cup™-winning captain. The women’s tournament has no such age happened since then. I’m delighted to be
The men’s tournament is primarily a U-23 restrictions, meaning a potential rematch for in the position to be able to take a team
competition, although coaches can also many of the teams who came up against into such an illustrious tournament. I just
select three “over-age” players for their 18- one another at last year’s FIFA Women’s wish it were starting tomorrow!”
man squad, leaving the door open for the World Cup™ in Germany. For GB women’s
likes of England’s 36-year-old footballing coach Hope Powell, who led England to Nationwide event
icon, David Beckham, who has already the quarter-finals of the 2011 tournament, Although the Olympic Games will be
expressed an interest in turning out for Stuart it will also be a second chance to coach centred in and around London, the
18 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012tournament organisers have decided to spots after securing top spot in their final. Like the Americans, Japan cruised
take the matches around the country to respective qualifying groups, while Egypt, through their regional qualifiers, with
help boost engagement with the Games Morocco and Gabon took Africa’s three Korea DPR finishing second to take Asia’s
outside the capital. automatic berths. That leaves only the other qualifying spot.
In addition to Wembley, matches will be African/Asian play-off between Senegal Perhaps the biggest shock in the women’s
played at Manchester United’s Old Trafford, and the fourth-best-placed Asian team field is the absence of powerhouses
Newcastle’s St James’ Park and the City of to determine the last remaining place in Germany, whose early Women’s World
Coventry Stadium, as well as the Scottish a single match due to be contested in Cup elimination robbed them of a chance
and Welsh national stadiums Hampden Coventry on the eve of the tournament to clinch a first Olympic title. Instead, Europe
Park and the Millennium Stadium. These draw. will be represented by its two semi-finalists
iconic venues offer an impressive stage for from that tournament, Sweden and France,
the 504 players taking part in the Games, as well as the British hosts.
with capacities ranging from 32,500 in “We went for large South America will meanwhile be
Coventry to 90,000 at Wembley. represented by Brazil, the country which
“We went for large stadiums that tally stadiums that tally with lost out to the USA in the last two Olympic
with the passion for the game, venues the passion for the finals, as well as first-time qualifiers
known the world over,” explained London Colombia. Joining Colombia as tournament
2012 Organising Committee chairman Lord
game, venues known the debutantes will be South Africa and
Sebastian Coe. world over,” Cameroon, whose success at the African
“The passion for football all over the explained London 2012 Organising qualifying competition ended Nigeria’s
UK is unique, so we wanted to give as Committee chairman Lord Sebastian Coe. long uninterrupted run as the continent’s
many fans as possible the chance to see sole Olympic representatives.
the world’s best players in the women’s The last berth to be decided for the
tournament and some of the stars of Turning to the women’s event, three- women’s tournament was in Oceania,
tomorrow in the men’s tournament,” time Olympic champions the USA have with the deciding match between Papua
explains Coe. “It won’t just be British talent booked their place once again, qualifying New Guinea and New Zealand due to be
either – I remember watching the Olympic as CONCACAF champions alongside played on 4 April.
final in 2004 and Carlos Tevez was playing their neighbours and regional runners-up
for Argentina, then the likes of Lionel Messi Canada. The major talking-point of April’s
and Sergio Agüero won gold in 2008.” draw could well be in seeing how quickly For more information about how to buy
the USA might come up against the your tickets for the London 2012 Olympic
Britain-bound Japanese team who denied them victory Football Tournaments, go to: www.tickets.
Unfortunately for Argentina, there will be in last year’s thrilling Women’s World Cup london2012.com/
no chance for a third successive gold medal
this year, with the South Americans having
surprisingly failed to qualify for London
2012. Taking their place at this month’s
draw will be arch-rivals Brazil, who have
yet to win an Olympic gold medal, and
Uruguay.
The rest of the 16-team line-up for the
men’s tournament is all but complete,
although the race to qualify from Oceania
and the CONCACAF region came to a
close only after this issue of FIFA World
went to print.
Hosts Great Britain, competing in the
tournament for the first time since 1960, will
be joined in representing Europe by 1992
winners Spain, 1924 runners-up Switzerland
and first-time participants Belarus.
Korea Republic, the United Arab Emirates
and Japan clinched Asia’s three automatic Lionel Messi on his way to Olympic glory in 2008.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 19Japan relishing
U-20 challenge
Just a few weeks have passed since Japan were Kobe, Hiroshima, Miyagi, Saitama and
Tokyo). These stadiums have capacities
confirmed as hosts of this year’s FIFA U-20
ranging from 21,500 in Saitama to 53,000
Women’s World Cup, but local organisers are in Tokyo’s National Stadium, which is
already confident of delivering a memorable scheduled to host the tournament final
tournament. on 8 September.
However, it is the Miyagi Stadium which
gives the clearest indication of how far
When natural disasters strike, it can take having jointly hosted the 2002 FIFA World Japan’s beleaguered nation has progressed
years for the affected region to get back Cup and also regularly hosted the FIFA since last year’s trauma. The massive tremor
on its feet, with large chunks of energy Club World Cup in recent years,” Local shattered glass, cracked walls and damaged
and finances needing to be channelled into Organising Committee director Hiroshi roof pillars at the stadium, which is located
rebuilding efforts. It is therefore testimony Nogami told FIFA World during a February near the epicentre of the 9.0-magnitude
to the resilience of the Japanese that, visit to FIFA’s Zurich headquarters. earthquake, but repairs are being carried
less than a year after their country was One of the first major tasks that the out and the stadium is due to reopen in
devastated by a huge earthquake, they organisers had to tackle was securing the the summer.
were the ones stepping in to deliver speedy stadiums for a tournament taking place “By staging matches in the earthquake-
assistance – agreeing to host this year’s just as the men’s professional J.League hit region, we want to show the world that
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup following domestic competition is getting underway. with their help the situation has improved
December’s decision by the FIFA Executive “We were only confirmed as hosts as and we’re back on course,” says Nogami.
Committee that Uzbekistan would not be the J-League was finalising its schedule “The decision to play matches in Miyagi
ready to stage the event. for next season – leaving us with quite a Stadium is a sign of encouragement not
“It goes without saying that preparing challenge to find stadiums that were still only to the people of the affected region,
to host a tournament like this at short available,” Nogami explained. but for the whole of Japan, and it also gives
notice poses certain challenges, but That challenge has already been more us an opportunity to show our gratitude
we’re well aware of what it takes to host than met, however, with Nogami’s team for the support we received from the
a tournament of this nature successfully, successfully booking five stadiums (in worldwide football family last year.”
Fertile ground
In addition to Japan’s experience of
hosting FIFA tournaments and the excellent
standard of its existing infrastructure and
stadiums, another compelling reason to
take the tournament to Japan was the
spiralling interest in women’s football
following the national team’s memorable
triumph over the USA at the senior FIFA
Women’s World Cup™ in 2011.
Role model: Mana The victorious Nadeshiko players have
Iwabuchi starred since acquired celebrity status in Japan,
in Japan’s senior appearing on chat shows and in TV
Women’s World Cup
commercials, while their inspirational
triumph only a year
after taking part in captain Homare Sawa and coach Norio
the U-20 edition. Sasaki received individual acclamation
20 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012when they were named FIFA Women’s third-placed Mexico also progressing from
World Player and World Coach of the Year the qualifying event.
for Women’s Football respectively at the Germany, who first won the U-20 world
FIFA Ballon d’Or gala in January. title in Thailand in 2004 before doubling
On the back of all this international up on home soil two years ago, will
success, the Japanese women’s league meanwhile head up a quartet of European
has enjoyed a boom in sponsorship and teams including established women’s
attendance figures, as young girls ask footballing power Norway and
their parents to take them to watch their the rising forces of Italy and
heroines. Switzerland.
“One of the primary tasks facing any Korea Republic
tournament organiser is raising the profile and two-
of their event among the country’s own time U-20
population, but Japan is already fertile runners-up
ground for women’s football after the China PR
World Cup win in Germany,” Nogami complete
points out. Asia’s
“So our aim with the U-20 tournament quartet,
is to build further on that existing interest, while the
using promotional events to attract even familiar faces
more fans and particularly girls to the of Argentina
stadiums to enjoy the matches. We’re and the ever-
also working now on plans to cooperate present Brazilians,
with local groups and schools and stage five-time winners of
events at J.League and women’s league their continental U-20 championship,
matches. And above all, we’ll make sure will be representing South America.
it’s a comfortable environment for all the The final list of participating teams
family to come along and watch a game.” will be confirmed in the coming weeks,
with the Oceania and African qualifying
Strong field competitions taking place in April and
Of course, Japan’s fans will also be hoping May respectively. The next key date for
to see their own U-20 team capitalise on the organisers, the tournament draw,
home advantage and build on the country’s is scheduled for early June.
phenomenal success last year, in which they “The high calibre of the teams
won not only the FIFA Women’s World Cup who’ve qualified is a real bonus,”
but also the Asian Football Confederation said Nogami. “There’s a real sense
titles at U-19 and U-17 level. of excitement building among
Standing in their way of further glory, Japanese fans at the prospect of
however, will be a number of teams from seeing the next generation of
the world’s leading women’s football world stars.”
nations, including defending champions
Germany and former tournament winners
Korea DPR and the USA.
The Americans, who won the inaugural
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada
in 2002 before lifting the trophy for a
second time in Chile four years ago,
secured their qualifying place for Japan
2012 just a few weeks ago with victory
at the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s
Championship in Panama. The USA will
be one of three teams representing the
region, with runners-up Canada and
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 21Taking up the
fight
Highly experienced German police and security expert
Ralf Mutschke has been named as FIFA’s first-ever Director of
Security, with his wide remit ranging from tournament security
assessments to the overseeing of FIFA’s fight against match-
fixing.
A former director of the international Head of Security Chris Eaton, who is leaving the fight against match-fixing in football.
criminal police organisation INTERPOL and to join the Qatar-based International Centre We are extremely pleased that someone of
current senior manager at the German for Sport Security in May, his mandate has the calibre of Ralf Mutschke has decided
Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), also been extended to cover other areas, to join us and we are convinced that he
Mutschke is set to take up his new position as reflected in the upgrading of security has all the right qualities and expertise to
with FIFA at the start of June. from a department to a division within lead this division successfully.”
The 52-year-old crime expert will be FIFA’s organisational structure. Having started his career as a police
responsible for all security matters related “We’ve decided to strengthen the officer in his native Germany, Mutschke
to FIFA competitions worldwide, the global former Security Department, making it into can look back on 33 years at the BKA. He
security concepts for football, security a full division in order to continue to tackle is also no stranger to FIFA, having been in
around FIFA’s Zurich headquarters, the FIFA all issues related to football security and the charge of supervising contact with team
President and the FIFA administration, as protection of the integrity of the game,” security officers at the 2006 FIFA World
well as for matters related to the integrity explained FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Cup™ and the FIFA Women’s World Cup
and protection of the game itself. Valcke. “This is another major step in our 2011™. A keen football fan, Mutschke also
Although Mutschke’s role will see him determination to ensure a clean and safe played football for various clubs in Germany
take on many of the responsibilities of FIFA’s sport and to underline our commitment to at the highest amateur level.
22 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012FIFA World: What persuaded you me. We’ll need to cooperate closely FIFA briefs
to take over as FIFA Director of with security authorities at a domestic
Security? and international level, which is where Going Globo
Ralf Mutschke: As FIFA President my experience will help. The initiatives FIFA has extended its broadcast rights
Blatter said himself, match-fixing that FIFA has already launched are agreement with Brazilian broadcaster
Globo after signing a contract in
is one of the biggest threats to the good steps in the right direction. I will
February to cover both the 2018 and
sport and must be combated. For me, now have to pursue these initiatives
2022 FIFA World Cups™. Globo has
the integrity of sport, and especially stringently but also build upon them and
committed to providing unprecedented
football, is hugely at risk. The values implement them consistently with the coverage of FIFA’s flagship tournament
of fair play, respect, discipline and involvement of INTERPOL and national from the 2014 edition onwards as part
honesty are under threat. If we look at security authorities. of a deal between the two parties which
those perpetrating it, we’re definitely includes free-to-air TV coverage. The Rio
talking about criminals – you might How would you assess FIFA’s de Janeiro-based broadcaster is one of
even say organised crime. This is creation of a dedicated Security the largest broadcasters in the world
where 33 years working for the federal Division? and has been a FIFA broadcast partner
criminal force become relevant. I It’s a clear sign that FIFA intends to since 1970.
spent ten years on the beat fighting steadfastly continue along its chosen
Double-booked
drug dealing and organised crime, path. The creation of the new division
Five Uzbekistan players have been
and I’ve now been working in police is an unmistakable signal to the outside
handed one-match suspensions by
management for around 20 years, world that FIFA means business in the FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee after
developing crime-fighting strategies fight against corruption, match-fixing seeking to get themselves deliberately
and organising day-to-day police work. and betting scams. I want to continue booked during the closing stages of their
So I think I can make a contribution. along this path, intensify our efforts and country’s 2-0 home win over Tajikistan in
expand them. November. The match took place during
You’ve also worked for INTERPOL. the third round of qualifying for the
How might you use your Where will you start in fighting 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and the
international connections in your these crimes? Disciplinary Committee ruled that the
new job? In my opinion, FIFA’s liaison with players had sought yellow cards in an
effort to receive suspensions during the
FIFA has concluded a long-term INTERPOL will prove very successful.
remaining third-round matches, rather
partnership with INTERPOL. It creates a bridge to the security
than in the fourth round. As a result of
I personally spent more than four years authorities. Together with the
the investigation, all five will now miss
at INTERPOL as director and deputy authorities, we have to rise to the their country’s opening fourth-round
director, fulfilling a United Nations challenge and take up the fight. I have match against Iran in June. Each player
mandate as part of the convention personal contact with senior figures was also fined CHF 3,000, with the
against cross-border organised crime. at INTERPOL right up to the Secretary Uzbekistan FA being fined a further
I think my experience is important, General, and I’ve already successfully CHF 18,000.
because fighting criminality and worked with the officials responsible for
cooperating with the police are FIFA in the past. Oceania’s first eleven
fundamental parts of our work. After The Solomon Islands will become the
working in the police for more than 30 You used to play football yourself. first country in Oceania to benefit from
the FIFA 11 for Health programme when
years both at home and abroad, I think What’s your personal relationship
an 11-week pilot project gets underway
that’s a good basis for my new job. with the game?
in 18 schools later this year. Professor
Way back when I played at the highest Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer,
What do you think will be your amateur level, and even after I hung travelled to the capital Honiara in late
biggest challenges in the new job? up my boots, I remained very close to February to speak with the country’s
It’s a very wide-ranging role. It football for a long time. Until a few years leaders and establish a framework for
includes physically securing FIFA ago, I was a youth coach and closely the programme, which uses football to
premises, the personal security of involved in youth development. Football help individuals and communities tackle
the FIFA President and the staff, is one of my great loves. I’m affected pressing health issues in their regions.
and security at FIFA competitions. personally when football and its values FIFA 11 for Health has already been
Arguably the biggest challenge is are under attack, so I’m delighted I can successfully implemented in Africa and
parts of South America.
the fight against match-fixing, a make a contribution to fighting this
subject which is very important to threat.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 23Algarve success
for Germany –
and referees
The German women’s Germany were able to exact a modicum Okoyino da Mbabi scored her second goal
football team of revenge in southern Portugal for their of the match from the penalty spot with
celebrated a return to disappointing quarter-final home soil exit two minutes of regular time remaining –
at the hands of Japan during last year’s only for Yūki Nagasato to grab an even
form in March,
FIFA Women’s World Cup™ by wrapping later equaliser for Japan on the stroke of
winning the up a nail-biting win at the 19th edition of full-time.
prestigious Algarve the Algarve Cup invitational tournament. Displaying the same never-say-die
Cup tournament with Silva Neid’s team raced into a 2-0 lead attitude that had served their opponents
a thrilling 4-3 final midway through the opening half of the so well at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,
7 March decider but were pegged back Germany kept going, however, and were
victory over world
by two Japanese goals either side of the rewarded when Da Mbabi completed her
champions Japan. break. The Germans then grabbed what hat-trick with a deciding goal scored two
By Jen O’Neill, Faro appeared to be a late winner when Célia minutes into stoppage time.
24 FIFA WORLD I APRIL 2012“My expectations have been exceeded,” young Alex Morgan bagged her first competition, all within the age bracket that
admitted Neid after beginning the international hat-trick. makes them eligible for the next cycle of
tournament with several key players (Kim “We always want to come here and FIFA tournaments leading up to the FIFA
Kulig, Simone Laudehr, Inka Grings, Nadine make it to the final but unfortunately it Women’s World Cup 2015™ in Canada.
Angerer, Fatmire Bajmaraj) missing due to wasn’t to be,” said Morgan’s team-mate Besides their main task of overseeing
injuries). With their understudies amply Carli Lloyd as Pia Sundhage’s team turned matches, the women underwent a series
demonstrating the strength in depth of the their attention to an Olympic tournament of tests covering all aspects of the game,
current German squad, the only possible at which the USA will be chasing their from their knowledge of the Laws of the
downside was the fact that this talented fourth gold medal in five attempts. Game to fitness assessments and English
side will not be in contention for Olympic “Each year every team is tougher to beat, language testing.
honours this year – with Germany’s early but we still have plenty of time to prepare “It was another fantastic event from a
World Cup exit denying them a qualifying for London and I’d rather be the underdogs refereeing point of view,” FIFA head of
spot at London 2012. going in than have everyone chasing us.” women’s referees Sonia Denoncourt told
“The European Championship qualifying FIFA World. “Once again, we had a very
this year is our big goal,” Neid instead Women in black high pass rate for the various tests and it
insisted. “We want to qualify directly for As well as providing a welcome opportunity was particularly pleasing to see referees
the finals in Sweden in 2013.” for teams to assess their current form, the from so many different countries working
Algarve Cup has long been used by FIFA harmoniously together, since we do not use
Japan satisfaction as a chance to give valuable experience to the fixed trio system [of shared country or
Of the teams who will be competing at the its female match officials. language referees and assistants] that is
London Games, Japan certainly enjoyed a This year’s edition marked the eighth year used in the men’s programme.
good week – winning all three matches in in a row that world football’s governing “All in all, the tournament was another
a tough group that also included the USA, body has supplied the tournament with step forward as we look to select the
Denmark and Norway, before eventually referees and assistant referees, with a best referees in the world for the highest
succumbing to the Germans. A single goal, particular emphasis this year on the next levels of competition and we’re already
scored by INAC Kobe Leonessa striker generation of officials. looking forward to returning next year
Megumi Takase six minutes from time, was A total of 13 referees and 26 assistants when the Algarve Cup celebrates its 20th
enough to secure Japan’s second successive from 35 different countries took part in the anniversary.”
victory over the Americans, seven months
on from their penalty shoot-out triumph
in the Women’s World Cup final.
“Yes, we have things
to work on before the
Olympics, but the players
are improving and
preparing very well.”
Japan coach Norio Sasaki
“Obviously, I wish we’d had a more
favourable result [in the final], but I still
feel we did quite well,” said Japan coach
Norio Sasaki. “Yes, we have things to work
on before London, but the players are
improving and preparing very well.”
The USA also focused on the positives
after bouncing back from their setback
FIFA uses the Algarve
against Japan to seal third place with
Cup to help develop
a comprehensive 4-0 win over fellow leading female
Olympic contenders Sweden, in which referees.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 25PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Football and the way to happiness
My recent trip to India, Bangladesh, Bhutan Prince Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck told
and Nepal in the company of AFC Acting me he plays too. I also met Prime Minister
President Zhang Jilong and FIFA Executive Jigme Yoezer Thinley – a keen philosopher –
Committee member V. Manilal Fernando who told me that happiness is the meaning
reminded me once again just how global a of life and that football is a way to it. Indeed
phenomenon our sport has become since first the Bhutanese know a thing or two about
branching out from its European birthplace happiness, and even use Gross National
along the many trade routes encircling the Happiness instead of the Gross National
globe in the early 20th century. Product as an indicator of the country’s well-
After beginning our four-day visit with being. Having attended the groundbreaking
an overnight stop in Delhi, we arrived in the ceremony for two FIFA development projects
Bangladeshi capital Dhaka. One of the most in this magical country, I hope that FIFA will
pleasing aspects of such trips is having the continue to make its own contribution to the
opportunity to see how far an association happiness index.
has come since my last visit, and ten years Day three of my trip was spent in Nepal,
after opening Bangladesh’s first Goal where I met Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai
project, I had the honour of inaugurating and President Ram Baran Yadav before
the next milestone in the country’s football attending the opening ceremony of the AFC
development, which will eventually result in Challenge Cup – the biggest sporting event The FIFA President gives a commemorative
a football academy to develop the country’s ever held in Nepal. With a crowd of 25,000 pennant to the King of Bhutan.
great footballing potential. Bangladeshi attending the opening match between
football also has a very high-profile fan in Nepal and Palestine, it was clear that there My brief but action-packed tour through
the person of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is certainly a tremendous appetite for football these four wonderful and welcoming
whom I also had the pleasure of meeting. in the Himalayas. My visit concluded with a countries has opened my eyes, once again,
The next day, I paid my first ever visit to look at FIFA’s Goal II project in Nepal and the to our game’s tremendous popularity, its
Bhutan. Nestling in the Himalayas at an official launch of Goal III, a football academy. health and social benefits and its ability to
altitude of 2,500m, Bhutan is a world unto I ended my trip by returning to Delhi for a inspire positive emotions across the world.
itself and enviably calm – an attribute that meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, Dr
can also be applied to His Majesty the King of Manmohan Singh, followed by an audience Joseph S. Blatter
Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, with the President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil,
who granted me an audience upon my arrival. and the Sports Minister, Ajay Maken, both of Stay up to date with the FIFA President’s visits
Football is Bhutan’s number one sport and whom are keen to harness football’s potential and thoughts by following him on twitter:
even the King plays futsal, while His Highness on the subcontinent. http://twitter.com/#!/seppblatter
Meeting young fans in Nepal before attending the launch of a campaign to stop violence against women.
FIFA WORLD I NEWS 27You can also read
