Australian Bosnich Suspended
Australian goalkeeper Mark Bosnich on Friday was charged with breaching the doping regulations of England’s Football Assn. and bringing the game into disrepute after testing positive for cocaine.
The association said that the Chelsea goalkeeper, who also has played for Manchester United and Aston Villa of the English Premier League, has been suspended from all soccer-related activities until the two charges are heard. No date for the hearing has been set.
“The FA would not normally make any public statements at this stage of a case of this type, however, in view of numerous media reports over the past few weeks the situation required clarification,” the governing body said in a statement.
Bosnich, 30, who has not played for Chelsea since November 2001 and has made only seven appearances, was diagnosed with severe depression last month and admitted to a clinic for treatment.
Carillo to Cruz Azul
Mario Carillo, who had a 10-match unbeaten streak as interim coach of Club America while Manuel Lapuente took a medical leave, has been named coach for Cruz Azul in the Mexican league.
Carillo replaces Jose Luis Trejo, who was fired after Cruz Azul was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Apertura championship.
Zamorano Moves
Veteran Chilean striker Ivan “Bam Bam” Zamorano has signed a six-month contract with Colo Colo, Chile’s reigning champion and most popular team.
Zamorano, 35, who has played in Europe for Real Madrid and Inter Milan and more recently played for America in Mexico, will not be paid directly by Colo Colo.
His salary will be determined by the number of sponsors his presence attracts.
Zamorano’s first game is Jan. 25 against Independiente of Argentina in the Copa Libertadores.
Tunisia Bids for 2010
Tunisia has submitted an official bid to play host to the 2010 World Cup, said Hammouda Ben Ammar, head of the Tunisian Soccer Federation.
South Africa and Morocco already have submitted bids for the tournament that FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter has said will be staged in Africa.
Ben Ammar said there is a chance Tunisia could ask to co-host the event with Morocco.
In a controversial vote of 12-11 in July 2000, South Africa lost out to Germany for the right to play host to World Cup 2006.
Meanwhile, in Peru
Because FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, has decided to rotate the World Cup among its six confederations, South America figures to be next in line after Africa.
With that in mind, a spokesman for the Peruvian Football Federation, already has announced plans for Peru and four other Andean countries to propose a joint bid for the 2014 tournament.
“There’s a project for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela to co-host the tournament,” Wilmer del Aguila told Reuters.
South American teams have won nine of the 17 World Cup titles, but the continent has not had the tournament since 1978, when Argentina played host.
Colombia won the right to stage the 1986 tournament but had to bow out for economic reasons, leaving the tournament to Mexico.
Denilson Suspended
Brazilian standout Denilson received a four-match suspension from the Spanish Football Federation for his conduct while playing for first-division Real Betis.
Denilson was red carded last week for kicking Osasuna defender Jose Izquierdo. The suspension was increased from one to four games because Denilson insulted the referee and returned to the field to celebrate his team’s winning goal.
