The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| AFC warn Iraq over government interference Posted: 10 Oct 2013 08:23 AM PDT The heads of the eight Football Associations that normally compete in the regional event agreed on Tuesday to switch the tournament to the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, citing incomplete infrastructure and a FIFA ban on Iraq hosting international matches because of security concerns. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki used his weekly televised speech on Wednesday to describe the snub as "prejudiced against the rights of the Iraqi people". The withdrawal of the team for the tournament, which is due to be held at the end of 2014 or in early 2015, comes after Bahrain stepped into host this year's edition after Iraq were originally selected. Iraq's Ministry of Youth and Sport said it was "extremely disappointed" at the latest switch, denouncing the decision as politically motivated but the AFC, led by Bahrain FA president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, had little sympathy. "It's the right of the Iraq Football Association to decide on the interest of their team, fans and other stakeholders. The government should not interfere in the football affairs," the AFC said in a statement on Thursday. "Both FIFA and AFC do not tolerate any interference in football matters by the government or any other bodies and AFC would like to ask them to stay away in the interest of Iraqi football." Iraq, 2007 Asian champions, have paid a heavy penalty for government interference before with world governing body FIFA banning them in 2009 after the Iraqi Olympic Committee disbanded the FA and government forces seized control of the FA offices. - Reuters, October 10, 2013. |
| Germany’s Ozil loving the London life Posted: 10 Oct 2013 08:01 AM PDT Ozil joined the Gunners from Real Madrid for $69 million (RM220 million) in September and is enjoying life in the English capital — even if it means driving on the other side of the road, albeit with help from Germany teammate Per Mertesacker. "I am really happy at Arsenal and feel really well there," Ozil said in today's press conference in Cologne. "The coach trusts me and the team are fully behind me, which is really important for me. "I really like London, it's an interesting city and I have even got used to driving on the left. "I thought it would be much more difficult than it really is, but (Arsenal defender) Per Mertesacker gave me some 'driving lessons' and they helped me, so I can drive there." Ozil's Gunners initiation included the traditional singing in front of his teammates, something he admits embarrassed him. "I sang a Turkish song, which of course they didn't understand," he said. "I wouldn't want to do that again. I don't think my voice is very good." With a five-point lead in Group C, Germany need just one point against the Republic of Ireland in Cologne to secure their berth at the 2014 World Cup. "We are really well prepared and we'll give our all to win the game," said Ozil, who will make his 50th international appearance. "We know that the Irish always fight hard until the last minute and give their all. "But if we play our own game I am convinced we will win." English Ozil's former Real team-mate Sami Khedira says the Spanish giants are poorer without the German playmaker, who was sold to make way for the arrival of Welshman Gareth Bale for a world-record fee. "When you dispense with the quality of someone like Mesut Ozil, it would damage any team in the world," said Khedira. "But Mesut is happy and that's what's most important, I am happy for him." - AFP, October 10, 2013. |
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