US striker Findley completes move to Nottingham Forest

Soccer Extreme : American striker Robbie Findley has received international clearance to sign with second-tier English club Nottingham Forest on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old Findley, who opted to leave Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake last year at the end of his contract, has secured a visa that allows him to play in England.

The striker has signed a 2 1/2 -year contract with Forest, which is in fifth place in the League Championship standings.

Findley was a member of the U.S. World Cup squad in South Africa, starting three of the team’s four matches. (yahoo)

US midfielder Bradley join to Aston Villa

Soccer Extreme : American midfielder Michael Bradley is taking a physical and close to joining Premier League club Aston Villa on loan.

The 23-year-old son of U.S. coach Bob Bradley is set to join the central England club until the end of the season from Germany’s Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Bradley could then sign a permanent contract if he impresses manager Gerard Houllier.

Houllier says Bradley “is 23 and a very hardworking midfielder who can score goals.”

Villa has already signed Darren Bent, Jean Makoun and on-loan Kyle Walker during the January transfer window. (yahoo)

Chelsea legend considers LA Galaxy move

Soccer Extreme : According to reports in the French press, World Cup winner Claude Makelele is currently considering a move to Los Angeles Galaxy.

The former Chelsea man has declared this will be his last season for Paris St Germain, however, even at 37, Makelele would certainly offer his combative instincts to the MLS side.

Manchester City midfielder and fellow Frenchman, Patrick Vieira, is also said to be interested in starting an adventure in the US. (yahoo)

Botafogo midfielder Somalia faked kidnapping to avoid fine

Soccer Extreme : Botafogo midfielder Somalia, who is also known as Paulo Rogerio Reis da Silva, claimed he had been abducted at gunpoint on the way to training, BBC News reported.

The player said he had been taken into a car at around 07:00 local time, before being driven around the city and having his money and jewellery stolen.

However, police in Rio de Janeiro noted that there were inconsistencies in the player's story and checked CCTV footage, which showed him leaving his apartment building at 09:00 - two hours later than usual.

It is thought that Somalia may have been trying to avoid the potential 40 per cent cut in wages that Botafogo threatens its players with for lateness. The alleged crime could land the midfielder in prison for up to six months if he is found guilty.

Botafogo is one of four major teams in Rio de Janeiro - the others being Fluminese, Vasco de Gama and Flamengo. (metro)

Ballack slams rival Lahm for lack of respect

Soccer Extreme : Veteran Michael Ballack on Thursday slammed his main rival Philipp Lahm for the Bayern Munich star's handling of questions surrounding who will captain Germany in 2011.

After an ankle injury in May ruled the 34-year-old Ballack out of the World Cup, Lahm took over the skipper's arm-band and led the Germans to third in South Africa.

Ballack returned to the Bundesliga at the start of the season, after four years with English side Chelsea, and joined Leverkusen, but a serious knee injury, on only his third game back, saw him miss the rest of 2010.

Lahm said after his World Cup success that he hopes to remain in charge when Ballack returns, but the veteran has said Lahm was wrong to go public on the matter and should have spoken to him personally.

"It is a question of respect towards the captain," Ballack told German daily Express with Germany due to face Italy next in a friendly in February 2011.

"I have a clear opinion on this: to focus attention on the issue publicly at that time was wrong.

"If he had spoken to me, it would have left me with a very different impression.

"We have since spoken briefly. I still maintain you shouldn't do something like that.

"But we are professionals and something like that should not ever play a role."

Ballack also said he was hurt by the way national coach Joachim Loew handled the issue after only announcing in September that the ex-Chelsea star will resume as national captain when he returns for injury next month.

"If he had made the announcement three months before, we would have avoided any unnecessary discussions," said Ballack.

"I was hurt, I could not do anything.

"But I am glad that the national coach made the position clear after the event."

In his absence, Bayern star Bastian Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid's Sami Khedira have formed a strong midfield partnership for the national side and Ballack admits he may struggle to win back his place.

"I will prove myself again, but I feel that at 34 years of age, it will be harder to reach the level to be able to play at the top again," he said.

"This is a huge challenge.

"I also have a commitment to my club Bayer Leverkusen and the fans who expect a lot from me.

"I will return some of the faith they have placed in me."

Ballack also insisted he has never considered retiring and hopes to make it back into the Germany team with the intention of making it to Euro 2012. (afp)

United Nations Charity Match : Zidane shines in charity spectacle

Soccer Extreme : Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo joined a star-studded squad for a United Nations Charity Match in Greece on Tuesday aimed at fighting world poverty.

The World Cup-winning legends and UNDP ambassadors brought together an All Stars team who drew 2-2 against Greek giants Olympiakos in front of 30,000 fans in Athens, although players changed sides freely in a night of entertainment that raised funds to support earthquake-hit Haiti and flood-devatsted Pakistan.

Ronaldo did not feature in the match due to injury, but Zidane joined a host of past and present stars for the eighth annual Match Against Poverty.

Portugal's Ricardo Sá Pinto scored twice for Zidane's men, who were coached by Radomir Antic and Hugo Sanchez. The hosts, who started with a team of fringe players and club legends before bringing on much of their current XI midway through the first half, came back in the second half through Kostas Mitroglou's double.

'Zizou' had a chance to win it with a free header from six yards but his aging legs didn't give him the leap required and he could only send his effort flying over the bar.

Zidane, who was substituted to a standing ovation in the 70th minute, said: "I hope this eighth Annual Match Against Poverty will help communicate a sense of urgency that we all need to join the team to end poverty now. I want to thank everyone who came to watch the match tonight - I know that it is not easy since Greece is going through an economic crisis."

The seventh edition of the Match Against Poverty, held earlier this year in Lisbon, raised half a millions euros for UN development projects. Olympiakos will donate their share of the proceeds from Tuesday's match to local charities. (espnstar)

The Friends of Ronaldo and Zidane were: Antonis Nikopolidis (Greece), Ronald de Boer (Netherlands), Darko Kovacevic (Serbia), Mahamadou Diarra (Mali), Nuno Gomes (Portugal), Sabri Lamouchi (France), Ricardo Sá Pinto (Portugal), Cornel Rapa (Romania), Raúl Albiol (Spain), Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands), Pierre van Hooijdonk (Netherlands), William (Brazil), Anthar Yahia (Algeria), Silviu Ilie (Romania), Marius Gaman (Romania).

Lingerie Bowl To Be Played In Las Vegas In 2011

Soccer Extreme :Lingerie Football League, LLC officials announced this morning that the annual Super Bowl halftime special that has become a part of Super Bowl Sunday viewing for millions worldwide will be played in Las Vegas on February 6, 2011 (Super Bowl Sunday). LFL league offices invited fans vote at www.LingerieBowl8.com for which city should be awarded the 2011 Lingerie Bowl. Las Vegas received 39% of the vote while Seattle drew 32% and Orlando 29%.

The Lingerie Bowl premiered in 2004 opposite Super Bowl XXXVIII’s halftime show and instantly became a hit television franchise with staggering viewership and seven-figure advertisers like Daimler/Chrysler’s Dodge. Since 2004 the Lingerie Bowl broadcasts have become part of the fabric of Super Bowl Sunday and must-see television at Super Bowl parties worldwide.

Previous Lingerie Bowl games have been played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and most recently in Super Bowl host cities. “We awarded the 2011 Lingerie Bowl to Las Vegas because of our fans voted for it and it’s also an incredible marriage of two brands that perfectly align Super Bowl weekend”, said, Mitchell S. Mortaza, Founder & Chairman, Lingerie Football League, LLC.

Despite Super Bowl being one of Las Vegas biggest weekends there is a lot of clutter in relation to parties with no real destination event. The arrival of the Lingerie Bowl will surely create the ultimate destination for football fans wanting to be part of the world’s biggest Super Bowl viewing party with the Lingerie Bowl being played LIVE at halftime and broadcast worldwide. Super Bowl week LFL events will kick-off with the Worldwide Media Day on Wednesday, Feb 2nd to be followed by LFL models/players hosting a Celebrity Golf Tournament on Thursday, February 3rd and Lingerie Bowl Kickoff Party on Friday, Feb 4th with festivities culminating on Sunday, Feb 4th as the LFL hosts a mega-Super Bowl Sunday tailgate party followed by the Lingerie Bowl on Sunday, Feb 6th.

The LFL is in currently in discussions with several prospective host properties for its Super Bowl week events as well as the Super Bowl Sunday broadcast of Lingerie Bowl VIII.

Alongside the announcement of the 2011 Lingerie Bowl being moved to Las Vegas, LFL officials have also announced plans to formally announce a Las Vegas expansion franchise as well as its ownership group, logo and team colors Super Bowl week. The Las Vegas LFL franchise will begin play in Fall 2011 as part of the LFL’s Western Conference. (lfl360)

Zidane 'very pleased' with Qatar World Cup choice

Soccer Extreme : Former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane said Thursday he was "upset" that Spain and Portugal's joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup had failed but was "very pleased" with the choice of Qatar to host the tournament in 2022.

The French footballer of Algerian origin, who acted as an ambassador for Qatar's bid, said holding the football tournament in the Gulf state was a sign that "the Arab world is emerging".

Qatar 2022 : The World’s First Underground Stadium

"In the case of Spain the decision upset me a bit," he added in comments to Spanish media in Zurich where the choice of host nations for the tournaments were announced. FIFA selected Russia as the host for the 2018 World Cup.

Zidane, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, retired from football after the 2006 World Cup in which he was sent off in the final won by Italy.

2010–2011 Teams, Lingerie Football League

Soccer Extreme : The Lingerie Football League (LFL) is a women's 7-on-7 tackle American football league, created in 2009, with games played in the Fall and Winter at NFL, NHL and MLS arenas and stadia. The league was founded by Mitchell S. "Mitch" Mortaza. The league's administrative offices are in West Hollywood, California.

The concept originated from the Super Bowl halftime alternative television special called the Lingerie Bowl which draws millions of viewers as a pay-per-view event broadcast annually directly opposite the Super Bowl halftime show. The television show has become a staple of Super Bowl Sunday festivities for millions worldwide being broadcast in over 85 countries.

Playing style is full-contact and similar to other indoor football leagues. Uniforms consist of shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee pads, garters, bras, panties, and ice hockey-style helmets with clear plastic visors in lieu of face masks.

There are no field goals and no punts. There is a kickoff to start the game and second half. A team must attempt to get a first down on every fourth down. After a touchdown, a team can attempt a one-point conversion from the two yard line, or a two-point conversion from the five-yard line.

There are seven women on each side of the 50-yard field, the same as the Continental Indoor Football League, but one fewer than the eight players usually found in arena football or other indoor leagues. Teams consist of 20 players, only 14 of whom are active on game day. This means that there are usually three or four players who play both offense and defense.

The standard offensive formation features 1 quarterback, 2 running backs, 1 center, and 3 wide receivers. The standard defensive formation features 2 defensive linemen, 2 linebackers, 2 cornerbacks, and 1 safety.

The field is 50-yard between end zones, 30 yards wide, and the end zones are 8 yards deep, roughly the same as other indoor leagues.

A game consists of two 17-minute halves, separated by a 15-minute halftime. In the event of a tie, an 8-minute sudden-death overtime is played.

In 2009–2010, the ten LFL inaugural season teams competed in a 20-week season with games at major arenas and stadia. The weekly games were shot in 1080i high-definition and to broadcast on some MyNetworkTV affiliate stations, international stations, and online streaming.

In 2010–2011, MTV Networks' MTV2 channel has licensed the rights to broadcast 20 regular season and two conference playoff highlight programs. LFL Presents: LFL, Friday Night Football on MTV2 is scheduled to premiere on September 10, 2010.

2010–2011 Teams

Eastern Conference Arena and Location Baltimore Charm1st Mariner Arena (Baltimore, Maryland) Philadelphia PassionSun National Bank Center (Trenton, New Jersey) Miami CalienteFIU Stadium (Miami, Florida) Orlando FantasyUCF Arena (Orlando, Florida) Tampa BreezeSt. Pete Times Forum (Tampa, Florida)

Western Conference Arena and Location Chicago BlissSears Centre (Hoffman Estates, Illinois) Dallas Desire Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas) Los Angeles Temptation Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, California) San Diego Seduction San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, California) Seattle MistShoWare Center (Kent, Washington)

Lingerie Football League, go naked

Preview : Liverpool v Napoli, November 4, 2010

Soccer Extreme : Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has pledged to field a strong team in Thursday's Europa League clash at home to Napoli as he seeks to take a major step towards qualification for the knockout stages.

The 63-year-old believes four points from their remaining three games - two of which are at home - will be enough for his Group K leaders.

And even with a huge match against Chelsea looming on Sunday, Hodgson - in contrast to their away European fixtures - is prepared to field an experienced side.

"I think if we can get four more points we'll be pretty much secure for a place in the next round as I can see the other games being tight,'' he said.

"We got one of the tougher groups with Napoli, Steaua and Utrecht and on paper it looked even, but we've done what we've needed to do.

"We'll have a strong team out on Thursday, we won't rest too many.

"When you're playing these European games it's the travelling that's one of the worst aspects.

"You're away for three days and you're very concerned about the way the players will react, not just to the game but also the travelling.

"At home it's a slightly lesser problem but of course we need to look at the minutes people are playing and try to keep some sort of balance there.''

Hodgson will be without Joe Cole (hamstring), Dirk Kuyt (ankle) and Daniel Agger (calf) while Sotirios Kyrgiakos is troubled by a groin problem.

However, Ryan Babel is training with the squad after a rib injury and Glen Johnson is set to return following a thigh problem.

Napoli sit second in the standings, with three draws to their name so far.

Victory at Anfield would see them move above the Reds, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has told his players to make the most of playing at such a prestigious ground.

"It will be great to play in a stadium so important against a team with a glorious past and present,'' he told www.sccnapoli.it.

"It will be fascinating and even arouse curiosity. I am sure there will be many Neapolitans living in England to follow us at Anfield. I expect a great night.

"Certainly this is one of the most exciting and most important matches in the modern history of Napoli. So I say to the guys that I want a very, very strong team.'' (espn)

Atletico Madrid Announces Strategic Partnership with Thai Champions Muang Thong United

Soccer Extreme : Thai Premier League champions Muang Thong United (pic : fans) yesterday announced a strategic alliance with Spanish side Atletico Madrid. The partnership will see the two teams exchanging players, playing friendly matches together and selling each others merchandise in their stadiums.

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Gil was in Bangkok to sign the contract with Muang Thong United’s Deputy Chairman Wiluck Lohtong. The ceremony was also witnessed by the Spanish Ambassador, Ignacio Sagaz and FAT Chairman Suwat Liptapanlop.

Gil believes that the arrangement will benefit both teams,

“This is an important day for Atletico Madrid. I want to congratulate Muang Thong United for winning the Thai Premier League for the second consecutive year this is a sign of the good work the club is doing. I think this agreement will have sporting, commercial and economic benefits for both teams. I hope it will encourage more Thai fans to follow the Spanish league and more Spanish fans to follow the Thai league,” he said.

According to Gill his team were so impressed by the reception they received when they travelled to Thailand to play a friendly against the Thai Premier League All Stars team earlier this year that they decided to look into forming a partnership with a Thai team.

Muang Thong United goalkeeper Kawin Thamasatchen will be having a trial with Manchester United in January and former Muang Thong United midfielder Yaya Soumahoro has been in extremely impressive form since joining Belgium side Gent earlier thus year.

The arrangement between the two teams could see players like this moving to Atletico Madrid in future with some of the Spanish team’s fringe players moving in the opposite direction.

Atletico Madrid are the reigning Europe League Champions and one of the top teams in Spain but Gil believes that it is possible a Thai player could one day make the move from Muang Thong United to Spain,

“I hope that in the not too distant future we could have a Thai player in our squad,” he said.

Muang Thong United coach René Desaeyere thinks that it is unlikely that any Spanish players would be willing to make the move to Thailand but hopes that some South American players on the periphery of the Atletico Madrid squad might join Muang Thong United before the start of the new season. (soccerlens)

See more fans Thai Premiere League

Maltese newspaper sorry over Neville column gaffe

Soccer Extreme : The Sunday Times of Malta has been forced to issue an apology to Manchester United defender Gary Neville after his weekly column in the paper was altered by a journalist to contain a dig at arch rivals Manchester City. The comment was subsequently picked up by papers in Britain and republished.

Writing about the Wayne Rooney affair in this week's edition, Neville apparently signed off his piece by saying: "The main thing is that after a difficult week the best outcome was reached for all parties, except perhaps Manchester City." A sly dig at United's rivals, who were rumoured to want to sign Rooney.

The wisecrack did not go unnoticed back home and a number of newspapers in the UK reprinted it, attributing the quote to Neville. However, it seems that the jibe had nothing to do with the veteran defender, and was added by a journalist in Malta who couldn't resist the opportunity to have a pop at City.

In a statement on Monday, the Sunday Times of Malta editor Steve Mallia admitted: "At no point did Gary Neville state the phrase, 'Except perhaps Manchester City'.

"These words were added by the journalist who worked on the column with Mr Neville and were never intended to appear in the printed version of the article. Mr Neville did not utter these words, nor did he allude to Manchester City in any way.

"We apologise unreservedly to Mr Neville for the error and regret the considerable inconvenience it has caused him."

While his apparent remark may have raised a few eyebrows among sportswriters, few would have been shocked by it. Neville is well known for getting under the skin of his opponents and on more than one occasion has found himself in trouble after overstepping the mark during games between United and their biggest rivals.

Earlier this year, during Manchester United's Carling Cup semi-final with City, he was caught up in a touchline spat with former team mate Carlos Tevez and in September last year he was accused of goading City fans after United scored a late winner.

Quite what the City fans make of the latest episode remains to be seen. Neville is already public enemy number one at Manchester City, and despite being the wronged party on this occasion the incident will not soothe relations between the two clubs when they meet on the pitch in two-and-a-half weeks (thefirstpost)

Platini: Goal-line tech is 'PlayStation football'

Soccer Extreme : UEFA president Michel Platini claims that goal-line technology is not needed in soccer, stating it would lead to "PlayStation football."

World governing body FIFA will test possible goal-line systems in the coming months after reversing its stance on the widely-debated issue, but the head of the sport in Europe is not in favor of the prospective changes.

When asked about the potential use of goal-line technology during a visit to the city of Glasgow, the Frenchman referred to the popular video-game console when he told the Scottish FA website: "Then we will have PlayStation football."

Platini, one of the world's top footballers during the 1980s, believes more help should instead be offered to referees, highlighting the use of two extra match officials in this season's Champion's League as a better way forward.

"The referee has to be helped by clubs, fans, players, media and authorities," Platini said on Monday. "It is why we have added two assistants for Champions League games.

"One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras."

The 55-year-old also said the high media presence at modern-day games does not help match officials, with television cameras able to instantly see when mistakes have been made by referees.

"It is unfair -- the cameras can see everything but the referee only has one pair of eyes. Every time he makes a mistake, those cameras are there to focus on it.

"It is why for the past 10 years I have asked to change the job of the referee, to help improve the situation and to give the referees better support."

The subject of goal-line technology has long been hotly-debated within football, and the issue came to the fore once again at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when England's Frank Lampard had a goal not given against Germany despite the ball crossing the line. (cnn)