Blatter urges Brazil to hasten preparations

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called on 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil to speed up their preparations for the competition.

Speaking on Monday, the 75-year-old warned tournament organisers that they were lagging behind the progress predecessors South Africa had made at the same stage of their preparations for the 2010 edition. Brazil will host the Confederations Cup in 2013 as a warm-up to FIFA’s showcase event the following year, but Blatter is concerned that without improvements, matches may not be able to take place in some major cities.”I would like to tell my Brazilian colleagues about the 2014 World Cup, it’s tomorrow, the Brazilians think it’s just the day after tomorrow,” Blatter said.”We are hoping for a little good faith, things are not advancing very quickly.”"If we compare South Africa and Brazil three years before the World Cup, then Brazil has not got as far as South Africa in its preparations.”"If Brazil keeps going like this there will not be matches in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo at the Confederations Cup.”Blatter also revealed that he will be announcing a major new anti-corruption plan at the FIFA Congress in June. “I will present something very special there but I will not now disclose the contents – it is to fight corruption, all cheating and discrimination,” he said.The Swiss, who is contesting an election to the presidency against Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammad Bin Hamman, does not believe his age should be a factor in determining the next leader of the game’s governing body.”Age is not a question of a number of years, it’s a question of what you are able to do,” he said. “It is the FIFA Congress which will decide whether I am too old or not.”

Mon 28 March, 2011

Blatter urges Brazil to hasten preparations

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called on 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil to speed up their preparations for the competition.

Speaking on Monday, the 75-year-old warned tournament organisers that they were lagging behind the progress predecessors South Africa had made at the same stage of their preparations for the 2010 edition. Brazil will host the Confederations Cup in 2013 as a warm-up to FIFA’s showcase event the following year, but Blatter is concerned that without improvements, matches may not be able to take place in some major cities.”I would like to tell my Brazilian colleagues about the 2014 World Cup, it’s tomorrow, the Brazilians think it’s just the day after tomorrow,” Blatter said.”We are hoping for a little good faith, things are not advancing very quickly.”"If we compare South Africa and Brazil three years before the World Cup, then Brazil has not got as far as South Africa in its preparations.”"If Brazil keeps going like this there will not be matches in Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo at the Confederations Cup.”Blatter also revealed that he will be announcing a major new anti-corruption plan at the FIFA Congress in June. “I will present something very special there but I will not now disclose the contents – it is to fight corruption, all cheating and discrimination,” he said.The Swiss, who is contesting an election to the presidency against Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammad Bin Hamman, does not believe his age should be a factor in determining the next leader of the game’s governing body.”Age is not a question of a number of years, it’s a question of what you are able to do,” he said. “It is the FIFA Congress which will decide whether I am too old or not.”

Mon 28 March, 2011

SPL wrap: Hibs hasten Hamilton plight, Dundee climb

Hamilton Academicals inched closer to relegation from the Scottish Premier League following a 2-1 loss at home to Hibernian on Tuesday.

Akpo Sodje opened the scoring for visitors Hibs in the 37th minute at New Douglas Park.

David Wotherspoon fed on-loan Celtic fullback Richie Towell, who held off an opponent before cutting back for Sodje to slot home from inside the area.

Sodje had a hand in the second, drawing two men toward the ball before playing in Wotherspoon, who picked out Derek Riordan.

A first-time finish from the Scotland forward made it 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining.

Flavio Paixao pulled one back three-and-a-half minutes into stoppage time, but it proved too late for the hosts to mount a comeback.

The win lifts Hibs up to eight in the table.

Hamilton are now seven points from safety with six matches left to play.

Dundee United climbed into the top six with a 2-0 win away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Substitute Prince Buaben broke the deadlock at the Caledonian Stadium just seconds after coming on for visitors Dundee.

Played in by David Goodwillie, the Ghana central midfielder side-footed home from 10 yards out.

Irishman Adam Rooney might have equalised for Inverness, but he headed over from Richie Foran’s cross.

It was another substitute, David Robertson, who secured the win for Dundee.

This time Buaben turned provider, setting up attacking midfielder Robertson to strike home from 18 yards.

The win takes Dundee above Inverness and into sixth.

They are a point ahead of their beaten hosts and also have three games in hand.

Wed 2 March, 2011