Nigeria's President Suspends Soccer Team

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) -- The president of Nigeria has suspended the national soccer team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.

Ima Niboro, a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, made the announcement Wednesday, saying the ban would enable the country to reorganize its football administration.Niboro said that all funding for the World Cup squad, including the hiring of Swedish coach Lars Lagerback, would be investigated.Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup with just one point, which came in a 2-2 draw with South Korea in its final game. Nigeria lost to Argentina 1-0 in its Group B opener and fell to Greece 2-1 in a game turned by the first-half expulsion of midfielder Sani Kaita.

The Super Eagles haven't won a World Cup match since 1998, going out with two losses and a draw in 2002 and failing to qualify for Germany 2006.

The Nigerian Football Federation's executive committee had earlier tendered an apology to the government and ''all football loving Nigerians'' for the early exit.

Nigeria risks being banned by FIFA, soccer's governing body, from all international soccer because of the political interference.

''At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter,'' FIFA said in a statement. ''However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known.''

Nigeria's next scheduled international match is a qualifier for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, at home against Madagascar in early September.

FIFA rules demand that national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world soccer. National and club teams, plus referees, would be barred from participating in international matches and soccer officials are prevented from attending meetings.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had already expressed concern over the French government's investigation into France's surprising first-round exit from the World Cup.

''Definitely I can tell you that political interference will be dealt with by FIFA notwithstanding what kind of interference and what is the size of the country,'' Blatter said Tuesday in remarks about France.

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Queiroz says "im not playing and throws warnings to the national team

"When I say that a player is injured is because he is, and when I say that a player is tired is because is tired.


I did Not mortgaged my future at Manchester United to play.So do not question my honor. "The words are by Carlos Queiroz, national coach, in response to various controversies surrounding the 'team  during their World Cup in South Africa, such as sudden injury of Nani and Deco or the reaction of captain Cristiano Ronaldo, after the defeat to the Spanish counterpart: "If they want to know why we lost ask  Carlos Queiroz 


The Portuguese coach highlights the good performance of the team during the race and says he has the feeling of accomplishment, although noted that the end result is not satisfactory."
The mission was not accomplished, but we have the feeling that the duty was fulfilled. As such, we head up and with complete peace of mind about what we did. The result does not satisfy us, but will be a stronger incentive to return in August or September when we start to qualifying for the European Championship, 
"said Queiroz, still leaving a word of thanks to those who supported the selection during its journey.Regarding statements of Ronaldo, the coach says is "normal" existence of frustration.

 'It is natural and understandable some frustration, and sometimes they are not sufficiently educated and well directed. We are not here to be friends of the players,

 "he said and assured reporters that; they will not be ignored, "although" I will not give them the same dimension If I need to spend my whole life  teaching that frustrations  must be contained and directed, I will do it '.

Queiroz has made clear that Portugal needs Ronaldo and not  "wasting its resources."

'the portuguese team  needs Ronaldo and Ronaldo needs the portuguese team. We are not a country so big that we may waste our best resources, "he stressed, warning that" if the size of the shirt is too small for somebody they do not need to be here.

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WORLD CUP 2010: England flops smoke cigars and drink beer hours after humiliating defeat to Germany

Unlike most of the country, England's players look like the World Cup humiliation hasn't hit them too hard judging by this photo.

Smoking cigars, feet up, smiling and relaxing with a few beers, you'd think this was a team celebrating a famous victory.

Escape from defeat: From left, Aaron Lennon with cigar, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson, while Michael Dawson sits between two smiling teammates

Instead, this is England's hapless footballers just hours after crashing out to Germany 4-1 in the nation's worst ever World Cup defeat


The snap was taken by defender Ledley King on Sunday in the Hotel Marang in

Rustenberg, where the England team was holed up. 

Taken on his BlackBerry phone, it was apparently leaked by someone using a function which allows selected friends to share photos.

The image is low quality but Aaron Lennon can be seen puffing on a cigar, while fellow winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, striker Jermain Defoe, right back Glen Johnson and Michael Dawson are among the others chatting merrily around tables dotted with beer bottles and empty glasses.

Under-fire England boss Fabio Capello arrived back in Britain yesterday with his players after their disastrous World Cup campaign.

But within hours the £6million-a-year manager had jetted off again on holiday with his wife.

Rather than staying at home to face the wrath of England fans after the team's worst-ever World Cup defeat on Sunday, the 64-year-old Italian grabbed his bags and headed for a break.

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Argentina vs. Germany

                        World Cup Trash Talk Begins Ahead Of Quarterfinals

ERASMIA, South Africa — Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger says World Cup quarterfinal opponent Argentina shows no respect for opponents or referees.

Germany eliminated Argentina on penalty kicks four years ago at the same stage. There were chaotic scenes after the shootout, with both sides exchanging punches and kicks in a fracas that included team officials from both benches.

Schweinsteiger says the incident "still weighs heavily" on German players' minds and hopes his teammates will not be provoked when the teams meet again on Saturday.
Germany v Argentina WORLD CUP 2006 VIDEO:

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We (PORTUGAL) go home with heads held high

In the end, Carlos Queiroz praised the dignity of the players lusos and found that the presence in the Round of the World 2010 "knew little." "We went home, but turn their heads high. Knew little stay here, but we must remember that we played against Brazil, the first ranking and against Spain, European champion and second, "he said.Queiroz, also praised the brilliant display of Eduardo, the match with Spain and has ensured that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain the captain. "It was a brilliant delivery.He stopped a few shots of Spain. He kept the team fighting for a result most of the time. Unfortunately, a rebound the ball left for Spain, "he said. As for Ronaldo no longer be the captain: "This issue does not arise. It's our leader, our captain. It is a decision of the Federation and the coach. If we took it because we think he can, "secured. Ronaldo leads explanations for Queiroz The "captain" of the Portuguese team, Cristiano Ronaldo, declined yesterday to address the elimination of Portugal's 2010 World Cup and asked to direct questions about the removal to the coach. The Madeiran passed rapidly through the mixed zone, apologized for not speaking because he was "hot" and then, as far lusos of journalists, and when asked about the explanations for disposal, the air left the following message: "Talk to Queiroz ". The player then left the mixed zone, toward the team bus. Eduardo "A fortuitous move dictated the elimination ' Eduardo reveal that the defeat "cost us much at all. We are devastated. It was worth the goal, a fortuitous move and that dictated our disposal. But we played against a great team and responsibility, when we lose and they win, is all. No one can evade responsibility, "said the goalkeeper Braga. Pedro Mendes "I was expecting to play but the others also ..." Pedro Mendes complained removal and spoke of "great frustration. We came here with great ambition and hope, but could not. " Substitute, Pedro Mendes also said that he was "waiting to play, as would many players. But this time, what matters is the defeat ... " Hugo Almeida "I was not surprised but I was bored ..." Hugo Almeida acknowledged that eliminating "do not know anything. If he was exhausted? Was not exhausted, but the coach decide. I was not surprised, but I was upset. I gave everything I had during the time I was there. I think that was good, as the team, but could not score, "said the Werder Bremen player. Jornal da madeira

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Tevez Can't Stand Thought of Not Winning World Cup

If Lionel Messi represents the genius of Argentina, Carlos Tevez embodies its fighting spirit. A relentless warrior who would run through a brick wall for his team and country, Tevez has captured the hearts of Argentines after his two goals against Mexico set up a quarterfinal against Germany.''I have a hunger for glory so great than I can't even imagine not winning the cup,'' Tevez told Argentine newspaper Clarin. ''It would be very sad, I could not bear to lose on Saturday.'' In many ways, Tevez is the opposite of the clean cut and mild-mannered Messi, who remains Argentina's undisputed superstar despite not scoring any goals yet in the World Cup. Tevez grew up in a rough Buenos Aires neighborhood known as ''Fort Apache.'' That's how he got the nickname ''El Apache,'' though he prefers the more endearing ''Carlitos'' used by Maradona, who also hails from a modest background in the slums of the Argentine capital.The 26-year-old striker has a burn scar stretching down his neck from his right ear, the result of a scalding accident when he was a child. In a country obsessed with plastic surgery, the fact that he has refused to remove it says something about his character .And while much has been said about English players entering the World Cup exhausted by the grueling Premier League season, the Manchester City striker says he has never played better. Tevez' second goal against Mexico, a powerful right-footed shot from 25 yards, was one of the most spectacular goals of the tournament. However, he admitted his disputed first goal should have been ruled offside. ''At first I thought the goal would be disallowed,'' Tevez said after the Mexico match. ''I know I was in an offside position ... but as long as they say it was a goal that's good enough for me and the team.''Tevez made his debut for Boca Juniors in the Argentine league at 17. He moved to Brazil to play for Corinthians before transferring to English club West Ham in 2006.After a two-year loan at Manchester United he moved to cross-town rival Manchester City last season and scored 23 league goals for his new club.Tevez is one of five players on the squad remaining from the 2006 World Cup, when Argentina lost a quarterfinal penalty kicks shootout to Germany. It's a rematch Tevez says he's looking forward to without fear. ''I was more afraid of Mexico than Germany,'' he told Clarin. ''Because the Mexicans play better football. They took the ball from us in the first minutes of the first half and at the start of the second. We would have suffered more if we hadn't struck at the right moments.''

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Most Germans want to ditch the euro

A MAJORITY of Germans wants to scrap the euro and bring back the old currency, the deutschemark, according to a new poll.

The Ipsos survey showed 51 per cent of people in Europe's top economy wanted their beloved deutschemark back, with 30 per cent wanting to keep the euro. The remainder was undecided.

Older Germans were keener to return to the deutschemark, with 56 per cent of those over 50 years old saying they wanted the old money back in their pockets. In contrast, only 42 per cent of those between 16 and 29 shared this view.

Sentiment in favour of the euro, which replaced the deutschemark as legal tender in 2002, has suffered in traditionally pro-European Germany following an unpopular multi-billion-euro bailout for Greece.
The latest Eurobarometer poll published by the European Union in February 2010, before the Greek debt crisis, showed 66 per cent of Germans were in favour of the euro, with only 29 per cent against. Ipsos surveyed 1000 people aged between 16 and 64 between April 9 and 12.

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Woman has to eat every 15 minutes to stay alive but never gains any weight

• Woman eats every 15-20 minutes
• Diet includes doughnuts, pizza, cake
• Condition means she can't gain weight
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SOME women would kill to be able to eat whatever they want and never gain weight - but for Lizzie Velasquez who has a rare condition where she must eat every 15 minutes to stay alive - it's a living nightmare.

The 21-year-old communications student from Austin, Texas, eats up to 60 small meals a day

Doctors believe her condition may be a form of Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome which causes accelerated ageing, fat loss from the face and body, and tissue degeneration,

Ms Velasquez said she consumes between 21,000-29,000kJ (5000-8000 calories) a day, but still only weighs 26.7kg and has to wear size triple zero clothes.

"I weigh myself regularly and if I gain even one pound I get really excited,” Ms Velasquez said.

"I eat every 15-20 minutes to keep my energy levels up.

"I eat small portions of crisps, sweets, chocolate, pizza, chicken, cake, doughnuts, ice cream, noodles and pop tarts all day long, so I get pretty upset when people accuse me of being anorexic."

Ms Velasquez's mother Rita, 45, said doctors had been unable to work out what was wrong with her daughter at first.

A book about Ms Velasquez's condition, which she helped to write, is due out in September.

reported the Telegraph.

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"Ask Queiroz why we lost"

Reference the game Portugal v Spain Carlos Queiroz, guilty, guilty, guilty

After elimination of the world cup l'2010 the Portuguese, Ronaldo refuse to talk to journalists. The captain of the national team began to justify himself by saying he had no "head".The professionals of the media insisted on the questions, questioning the striker on the reasons why Portugal was eliminated. Ronaldo replied: "Ask Carlos Queiroz why we lost." 

These few words have earned the repair António Simões, assistant coach of the national team, remembered that the status of captain Ronaldo. "When providing statements must be consistent and consistent with their status," he said.

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