joi, 31 martie 2016

For abuses to workers in Qatar, Amnesty International accuses FIFA

FIFA was accused by Amnesty International of not preventing the abuses that happen to the workers responsible for the construction of the stadiums that will be used at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. For the human rights group, which revealed on Thursday a full abuse cases report at the Khalifa Stadium and Aspirine Zone, which includes training camps and structures around the field, what is happening is a disgrace to football world.

According to Amnesty International, immigrants working in the works of the Khalifa Stadium (one of 12 being built or refurbished) are delivered absolutely filthy accommodation and have confiscated passports and suffer intimidation of leaders. They receive lower wages than promised, and other irregularities. Among the 234 men interviewed by Amnesty International, only six reported receiving salary previously agreed.

The situation caused the Amnesty condemn FIFA, for human rights abuses in the World Cup host country 2022: "The abuse of immigrant workers is a wound in the conscience of world football," said the secretary general of Amnesty International, Selil Shetty . "For players and fans, a World Cup stadium is a place of dreams. For some of the workers we spoke with, it looks like a living nightmare ".

Contact the Goal , the report's editor, Mustafa Qadri explained how gardeners Khalifa Stadium are cheated by recruitment companies, "the was promised them $ 260 (about US $ 935) per month. Now, $ 260, when you paid a thousand to $ 4.300 as a recruiting fee to get started, it is not a lot of money (...) When you remember, on top of that, the lack of dignity in the way they are treated, it is very shocking ".

"These companies claim ignorance, but ignorance is no excuse for the law and international morality. Moreover, in terms of negligence, one must seriously question it, "Qadri said. "We're saying that for years."

"We said that this was an issue for the Supreme Committee for Qatar authorities and updated regularly to FIFA, either directly or from our publications. So far, nothing was really done. " Both the Qatar Supreme Committee as FIFA said in a statement that continue working to improve the situation of workers.


Pele files $30m lawsuit against Samsung for using his image illegaly


Target of several advertising campaigns around the world, Pele displeased that the last he heard, printed in the American newspaper New York Times. The King of Football has filed a lawsuit against the electronic materials company Samsung for using a look-alike in an advertisement.

The ad in question talks about a TV with picture in 4k (high resolution), in which as page background image is the face of a black, which according to arguments of the defense of former player, "is very similar to Pele." The claim for compensation is 30 million dollars (about R $ 108 mi).

Samsung is facing a lawsuit from Pelé seeking $30m in compensation, after the football legend claimed the electronics group used a lookalike to promote its televisions last year.

Frederick Sperling, the lawyer representing the likes of Pele and Michael Jordan, filed a lawsuit for improper use of image in the Federal Court in Chicago. The South Korean company, however, has not yet ruled on the case, as the intention or not to link the ad image to the figure of Pele.

The advert will confuse consumers and hurt the value of Pelé’s endorsement rights, the complaint added. The 75-year-old, who is considered among the greatest to have played the game, relies on endorsements for much of his income. He has deals with companies including Volkswagen, Subway, Emirates and Procter & Gamble.

Pelé broke the contract it had with Samsung further in 2013. This is an argument used by the defense to argue that the use of a "double" in the ad harms the image of Pele in other businesses and also with respect to the company, as consumers They may find that the Brazilian has returned to join the brand.

“The goal is to obtain fair compensation for the authorised use of Pelé’s identity and to prevent future unauthorised uses,” attorney Frederick Sperling said on behalf of Pelé.

Mr Sperling represented basketball player Michael Jordan in a similar case in 2015. Last August he helped Mr Jordan win an $8.9m jury verdict against the former supermarket chain Dominick’s for unauthorised use of his identity in an advert in Sports Illustrated.

Infantino plan World Cup in 2026 with 40 teams

Thinking of increasing competitiveness and the chances of the teams to have a place in the biggest football tournament in the world, Gianni Infantino, FIFA president admitted that the entity studies to increase to 40 the number of participating teams in the World Cup. The change, if it occurs, would be worth in 2026, with the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 keeping the 32 teams of the current regulation.

"We can increase competition for more participants. The idea would be for the 2026 edition Let's talk about it with everyone: players, the Council of FIFA ... you not only the chance for many other teams participate as allows multiple dream of a place in the final, "said the agent.

The expansion teams ensure that the continents might give more representatives than today. South America, for example, could over a direct wave, the Infantino plans. Currently, four teams are guaranteed in the world and an even dispute the repechage.

"My proposal to South America is to establish five fixed places and maybe one more to win through repechage," he said

Comments on terrorism - The leader also did not fail to give statements about terrorist attacks on their visit to Montevideo, as the most recent tragedies with authorship of the Islamic state were related to football. Infantino, however, said that his focus is to bring joy to people with sporting events that FIFA can accomplish.

"Of course, terrorism is a concern," he stressed the representative of FIFA at a news conference in Montevideo, after visiting the Museum of the mythical stadium Centenario Football.

"We want to organize football without talking about politics, not to mention violence, not to mention religion, and give a little life to the people, to forget the problems of everyday life," continued Infantino.

"I hope and expect that all terrorism in the world and end in football as well. We have the ambition to solve the world's problems, but rather to organize soccer parties," he said.

Infantino conducts a tour of South America that led to Paraguay and Uruguay and still pass through Bolivia and Colombia on Thursday.

miercuri, 30 martie 2016

We can not belittle or careless Getafe

Nicolas Fedor ' Miku ' Venezuelan striker Rayo Vallecano , would not qualify for the final game the next day against Getafe , although "very important" and said that despite the downswing of azulón whole, can not be underestimated or neglected his rival.

The Lightning, with 28 points, is out of the descent, tied with Granada and Getafe , third from bottom of the table after chaining ten games without a win.

"The wardrobe is aware of the importance of the game and we're psyched to get a positive result. We know that they have not had very good results, are not having the fortune they wanted, but not can belittle or neglect" confessed Miku, who Getafe he played between 2010 and 2013.

"With those who have played in the Getafe players who continue are unbalancing and in general is a good team that is below circumstances as us," said the Venezuelan striker, who revealed that still maintains relationship with some players of azulón set.

"We have not spoken this week. Sometimes we talked and talked about family and children. The match will be very hard and why friendships and companionship are aside. It should be respected, to have the utmost professionalism, but I I owe this club, I defend, and I want us to draw the three points and then they can be saved if better too, "he said.

Despite the delicate situation of Ray and Getafe, Miku does not consider the game to be definitive for any of the two teams.

"I do not think it reaches the point of being final, but very important, because then would be seven rounds and twenty fucking. It is true that it is against a direct rival and especially at home becomes very important. We want to do good match, taking out a result positive, and we must look at this game because in our field must fall on our side, "he said.

Miku took the opportunity to appeal to the fans and go to the stadium on Friday to support the team.

"The crowd is fundamental. I lived perores situations and have come out of these because the public has done its part. In our field is very close to people and feel that heat and pressure is important. It is one of the South American fields to because much screams, anything is listening and visitor is not nice, which is what we want, always respecting the opponent, "he said.

Finally, Miku talked about his coach, Paco Jemez, who sees him with the same confidence despite the sporting situation being experienced by the team.

"Paco I notice as all year, with the same demand and giving equal weight to each party. I do not notice it especially nervous. He knows navigate in these situations and have enough experience. He is confident because he knows what has the equipment, professionalism and dedication of all. the team is improving and hopefully at the end we are all happy, "he concluded.

It is the most beautiful and difficult

The captain of FC Barcelona, ​​Andres Iniesta , said Wednesday that at this stage of the championship, in which the Catalan team meets all options to achieve titles, "it is the most beautiful and difficult, and details count."

The Barcelona player in the Barca environment perceived a climate of euphoria before the arrival of the classic, which will be played this Saturday, April 2 at the Camp Nou (20.30).

About the small details, the Barcelona captain has already advanced to a meniscus injury of Jérémy Mathieu "does not look good , " referring to the lower than expected player for the remainder of the season after injuring with France.

Iniesta, down with the Spanish selection in these two friendlies and also absent in the match against Villarreal (2-2), said that is better "in the process of the discomfort I had in the game against Arsenal , " which he was forced to ask for change.

"If everything goes normal in these two days, I hope to be available , " said the player, who does not believe that this season is dosed, but noted that there is a bit of everything, including decisions of Luis Enrique to align or do not.

"What it is true is that, in general lines, I felt very well during the season. It's one of the seasons that I am most enjoying football. I do not know what percentage of games I played over other seasons, which yes I like playing games, but I know it's hard, "he added.

He has also admitted he is "very satisfied" with how you're going all and that, rather than metered, what interests him is that when he plays "surrender with all the guarantees".

Iniesta expects Barcelona to sign a victory against Real Madrid to get closer to the league title, and incidentally that this may serve to honor Johan Cruyff, died on Thursday March 24 at age 68, although the captain reported that when the group is full (that will happen tomorrow in the afternoon workout) will try to do something special in memory of the late barcelonista idol.

"The tribute was the one who made it to us, especially the Catalans," he stressed the Barca player in reference to the method and the footballing idea "cruyffista '.

How Barcelona will face the match against Madrid, Iniesta has escaped the idea that their companions are accommodated by ten points separating them.

"These games are different and it does not matter how teams arrive We all like to win at archrival, and it is little league and we can go a step further We looked like this:... If we win, it will be a game not we take this match as a final, although it is a more of us left, "he warned.

Madrid, Iniesta stressed that always see it "dangerous and powerful" and that if Barcelona does not do things he can do "what bad pass, because we have players that can complicate the game."

Does not believe that there is an atmosphere of revenge for the 0-4 or the barcelonismo live in a state of euphoria to repeat the result from the first leg. "It's good to have a positive, confidence, but I do not like the euphoria is not good. I do not know if I perceive this environment you're talking about. What we hope is a tight and difficult game, and where details will mark the party ", I have answered.

"That looks good football and that people enjoy it. We face what it is, a great match," he stressed the player, who has said he already signed reach the classic each season with this, because "it had signed" in the early going.

That Suarez and Messi have not yet been incorporated into the work of the team, the commitments of selections, Iniesta has removed iron to ensure no excuses and that absent "have continued to compete , " so it has not created any "anxiety" in the Barca team.

Finally, spoke of Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid captain, who today turns 30, to ensure, as already underlined on other occasions, "which is one of the best center in the world, and have rival is very complicated and hard. I have a lot of respect and affection. "

Cristiano Ronaldo, at his last big chance to return to the past

Football has no memory and only reality is that now lives. Count the moment, the moment in which everything happens, not yesterday. Is not worth what you were or what you did if you're not able to keep it . Living in the past it is not allowed and stumbling several times with the same stone is an unwise choice.

Cristiano Ronaldo reached an extraordinary level in 2013 and 2014. He came even dethrone two consecutive years aLeo Messi who seemed invincible. But their light faded too quickly. His 2015 was very uneven and so far in 2016 does not arouse excessive expectations.

However, as pointed out in the first paragraph, football, for better or worse, is today not live yesterday. If you sign a great performance, no one will remember your poor image in previous years. That's what you should know a Cristiano Ronaldo with the expiration date too close.

inconsequential matches and friendlies selections are over. the truth hour has arrived. The time of all or nothing in an agonized sigh. And at the Camp Nou, without going any further, CR7 has its last great opportunity to go back and make it present.

If you want to retrieve it exhibited in 2013 and 2014, the Classic is the perfect setting. Brillar to Messi and company would give an undeniable blow on the table. No one can say he did before a smaller rival or a no outbreaks around. The opponent is huge and the party is the party.

Ninety minutes to launch a hopeful future, wipe out the nearest future and recover one that established him as one of the greatest in history. Cristiano Ronaldo much more than three points is played on Saturday at the Camp Nou.

Cristiano Ronaldo smiled again with the Portuguese national team after the victory against Belgium in Madeira was the main feature of the game to get score a goal.