Africa to Play Host to World Cup in 2010
The bids to play host to the 2010 World Cup have been submitted and the winner will be an African nation -- most likely South Africa.
Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia also made presentations Tuesday to FIFA at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. Nigeria had withdrawn Monday.
The World Cup has been held on every continent except Africa, and FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter said, “I am a happy man today. All the bids are African and it has always been a dream of mine to see the World Cup in Africa.”
African soccer officials were upset when the 2006 World Cup was awarded to Germany instead of South Africa, which is now believed to be the favorite for 2010.
South Africa’s presentation Tuesday included videotaped messages from President Thabo Mbeki, national hero Nelson Mandela and English superstar David Beckham.
Morocco’s bid stressed its proximity to Europe and actor Omar Sharif supported Egypt’s bid during its presentation.
Libya and Tunisia also sought to serve as joint hosts, but FIFA decided against having two countries as co-hosts after numerous organizing glitches in 2002, when Japan and South Korea staged the tournament.
The host nation for 2010 will be announced next spring.
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Adu on the Move
Freddy Adu, the 14-year-old called “the future of U.S. soccer” will make his debut with the national under-20 team Oct. 8, during a friendly against Japan, the Washington Post reported. There are no current plans for Adu to join the team for FIFA’s World Youth Championships, which begin in November in the United Arab Emirates.
Adu, whose family moved from Ghana to the Washington area in 1997, is in an accelerated educational program and is expected to graduate from high school next spring, then pick one of a number of offers from European teams. He also might play for an MLS club.
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Robson Staying Put?
Newcastle United, winless in its first six league games and a loser in its first Champions League match, took the unusual step of announcing that Sir Bobby Robson had not resigned as manager.
Rumors began flying earlier in the day that the 70-year-old Robson had called it quits after more than four years on the job, yielding to mounting pressure because of Newcastle’s poor start. Shares of the club’s publicly-traded stock fell 18% before the announcement.
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Champions League
Arsenal’s European troubles continued during a scoreless tie with Lokomotiv Moscow in a Group B match at Moscow.
Patrick Viera and Freddie Ljungberg were sidelined by injuries, Sol Campbell sat out because of the recent death of his father, and Dennis Bergkamp remained in London because he has a fear of flying.
Arsenal has won only two of its last 11 Champions League matches, and dropped a 3-0 decision to Inter Milan in its opener two weeks ago at Highbury.
Lokomotiv lost to Dynamo Kiev, 2-0, in its opener.
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Blaming the Referee
Fabian Madorran, a referee in Argentina’s first division, was fired after a review of a series of questionable calls. Madorran acknowledged failing to award a penalty kick during a Copa Sudamericana match last month between River Plate and Independiente.
Times wire services contributed to this report.
