FIFA Compensates Clubs for World Cup Players Absence

According to LeadersinFootball.com:

Fifa paid out $40m to 400 clubs that released players for last year's World Cup in South Africa, it has been revealed. Barcelona was the biggest recipient, pocketing $866,267 after several of its players starred in the 32-team tournament. It provided six starters, including the scorer of the winning goal Andres Iniesta, to the Spain team that beat the Netherlands 1-0 in July's final. A total of 736 players were involved in the event. 'We are pleased that we can share the success of the 2010 Fifa World Cup with the clubs by providing them a share of the benefits of our flagship event, in particular to recognise their efforts in the development of young players,' Fifa president Sepp Blatter said. Fifa agreed to pay $1,600 per player per day for the duration of their stay at the tournament. A further $70m has been set aside for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Bayern Munich earned the second-highest payout of $778,667, followed by Chelsea with $762,667, Liverpool with $695,600 and Real Madrid, which received $678,133.

Holland: 0 for the Trophy, 2 for the Fans

It may be a little too soon to ease the pain of Holland supporters. However, I think it’s all about perspective. Do you see the glass empty or half full?

If you take into account Ketel One’s debut of Ketel One Oranje, the newest member in their vodka portfolio, you might perceive the cup to be a never ending flow of consolation and/or excitement.

The company teamed up with New York mixologist, Giuseppe Gonzalez, to concoct a home team, inspired cocktail. “Clockwork Oranje," has been featured on the Ketel One page on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/KetelOne) since July 9, 2010 and will remain posted for fans to reference and toast one another during their Sunday soccer celebrations. What a score for the Dutch!

Oh but wait, there’s another goal on the horizon. The “Ketel One Kickoff” can be added to your beverage reserve list as you watch players head back to their club teams to do battle. I have listed both recipes below. Bottoms Up!

Clockwork Oranje
Just add 1 1/2 oz. Ketel One Oranje, 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice and 1 oz. white creme de cacao to a Collins glass filled with crushed iced. Then stir with a swizzle stick and garnish with an orange wedge.

Kettle One Kickoff
Add 1 1/2 ounces of Ketel One Oranje, 1/4 ounces Grand Marnier and 3 ounces of ginger ale over ice in a rocks glass. Stir and garnish with an orange slice.

Craig Johnston's Martydom: Issues Open Letter About Jabulani

A few hours ago I finished watching the movie Pelham 123, which stars Denzel Washington and John Travlota. It was a thrilling storyline where Garber (Denzel makes a dangerous choice to pursue Ryder (Travolta).

Former Liverpool player and inventor of the highest selling soccer boot of all times (Predator), Craig Johnston is engaging in his own Pelham 123. Johnston believes that the horribly perfect Jabulani ball must be destroyed, and he is willing to risk reputation and FIFA blacklisting, if it can preserve the beautiful game. Take a read of his open letter to President Blatter which was distributed via Leaders In Football:

"OPEN LETTER TO BLATTER ON JABULANI BALL"
4:37pm Thursday, 8th July 2010


Dear Mr Blatter,

If a sponsor came into your office before the World Cup and said. ' We are going to give you a new, perfectly round match ball...the players wont like it at all...and there will be more mistakes made than in any other World Cup...'

'There will be less goals scored...less free kicks scored...less passes complete...less control by players....and roughly 70% of crosses and shots on goal will miss wide and go way over the crossbar...'

What would you say to them..?

My name is Craig Johnston. I am risking my reputation and goodwill within certain football circles by writing this open letter to yourself and anybody else who is interested in the Jabulani ball issue and why its endorsement by FIFA could ruin the game as we now know it.

I am however not only writing with the problem, but also an easy solution to the problem...

I am a former football player with Liverpool Football Club in England, and I am also known for inventing the adidas Predator football boot, the adidas Traxion sole system...and the research and testing done on previous World Cup footballs.

I am a big supporter of the FIFA Goal initiatives, and we have met many times over the years, on various football issues. I have also presented to you, the executive committee and the FIFA Technical team many innovations in football and specifically youth development over the years.

I am therefore writing to you as a friend of football, a friend of FIFA. I am also writing to you as someone who actually knows what they are talking about when it comes to World Cup footballs and their flight characteristics.

A lot of things have been said and written about the new Jabulani Ball...but the word disaster is on a lot of players and managers lips...

Pazzini -Italy "The Balls are a disaster, both for goalkeepers and for attackers."

David James-England " Dreadful and Horrible..."

Fabio Capello-Manager England " The worst Ball I have ever seen."

It is very alarming that the best players and teams in the world are struggling to control this ball to their own satisfaction.

What is even more alarming than the players' assessment of the 'bad ball', however, are the statistics of ' bad play'.

What this means to the quality of this tournament in South Africa is quite shocking.

The statistics are showing that it is the worst passing, shooting and controlling of the ball of any World Cup in history of the competition.

That cannot be ignored...and it cannot be fixed up later..as we are being told..

The problems with this ball will not go away and they need to be understood by the FIFA Technical department and addressed immediately...before there are any more on field disasters.

I know you and FIFA are under pressure at the moment. The issues such as Goal Line Technology and poor refereeing decisions are not as important compared to the Jabulani Ball issue and the poor quality of play that it is causing.

There was a furious global public reaction to Frank Lampard's goal against Germany that was denied by the officials...

By my calculations we have been denied at least 10 more goals that were not scored in this World Cup so far, because of the erratic and unstable flight of the Jabulani football..but nobody is jumping up and down...yet...!

Who is taking responsibility for denying us these goals and bits of magic?

To get a goalmouth call wrong and make a mistake happens once or twice a year.

To get the actual football itself wrong, affects every single touch, pass or shot that a player makes, in every single game.

And there are an awful lot of mistakes happening at this showcase tournament.

Daniel Agger-Denmark- Dead Ball expert "It makes world Class players look like drunken sailors"

The erratic behavior of this ball is ruining the flow of the game and downgrading the quality of play.

This is an absolute disaster for the purists...and it cannot continue in this manner.

Just listen to the players ....just look at the statistics...they are very very damning of this ball.

Robinho-Brazil "The guy who designed this never played Football."

The fact is that the Jabulani ball with its new materials and new construction methods simply does not behave in the same predictable aerodynamic manner as the old ball we have all been using perfectly well for 40 years previously...

The players are all saying that the Jubalani has a mind of its own...

I have a trained eye and have been watching these things for years. If you watch carefully, and know what you're looking for, you can see it move erratically, even on television...

I have seen hundreds of basic trajectory miscalculations so far in this World Cup where the ball usually ends up going out of play. Surprisingly, nobody has made a big deal out of it yet...but football people who really watch for the art and craft are starting to notice...like the players...like the managers...like the purists...like the statisticians...its all starting to add up.

I have outlined the more scientific reasons for the balls unpredictable behavior in a separate section below...please read it and you will understand the problem immediately....then count the on-field mistakes...

In short, the new ball does not translate a lot of the backspin, topspin or sidespin...all of the special language that a player normally applies to a ball to make it behave properly in the air.

Why is this so important...?

This language is the real art and craft of the footballer and of the game..

This is what we really pay all of our money to see. This is what makes these guys so different from us...this special language is the genius.

Asking players to Shoot or pass with this new Jabulani ball is like asking Picasso to paint a picture without bristles on his brush...to paint without the usual texture and without all of the feeling...

I have spent 3 weeks in South Africa at the World Cup and I have seen the Jabulani ball move more than 2 feet in the air in some instances when it is not supposed to move in the air. I have also seen the ball go absolutely straight at other times when clearly the player has tried to put a bend on it of 2 feet or more.

Luis Fabiano-Brazil "All of a sudden it changes trajectory on you...I think it is Supernatural.."

Unfortunately the ball is also very nervous and jumpy to the touch when controlling it close to the body and when dribbling it.

Julio Cesar- Goalkeeper Brazil "A Ball you would buy in a Supermarket..."

So the ball is a disaster... and because of it there have been many mistakes...more than any World Cup ever...I really believe that FIFA cannot continue to endorse this ball...

Why...?

Because by endorsing this ball, FIFA are endorsing every mistake that that has been made by the players using it during this World Cup...

By endorsing this ball, FIFA are endorsing the removal of the players' art and craft at the very top end.

The most frightening thing however is that by endorsing this ball, FIFA are allowing a sponsor to alter the very dynamics of how the game is played... and for the worse. Not just in this competition, but going forward...into schools and youth leagues the world over..

Players are very clever and are adapting already technically and tactically to the balls idiosyncrasies...

The German team knew exactly what they were doing when their goalkeeper kicked the ball deep into the edge of the England Penalty box, up and over the English defense for an unchallenged 1st goal. No other ball could ever have traveled that far...

That is also called Route One Football and soon everyone will be doing it because the ball is encouraging it...

To change the dynamics and the craft of the game like this is not a call that a vested interest sponsor should be allowed to make...they have got it horribly wrong already...

Mr. Blatter, I know you are horrified about the poor play because I know you are a football man. We have heard the excuses from FIFA but who is really making these critical footballing decisions about the players craft..?

The governing body of a sport needs to be independent from the sponsors products. FIFA should have been far more diligent in their own tests....and should have binned the Jabulani ball before the competition..

This is what a very respected goalkeeper said a week before the competition started.

Tim Howard-USA Goalkeeper "It's tragic that you're going to see good players look foolish. Defenders are having a tough time judging it, strikers are having a tough time judging crosses as well and for goalkeepers it's murder so what can we do?''

"I think you're going to see some really weird and unfortunate goals.''

From day one I have been saying that there is a simple solution and back up plan for this World Cup. You can easily apply exactly the same Jubalani ball graphics onto the traditional construction of your sponsor's previous Buckminster construction World Cup balls.

Two of the best footballs ever made were made by your sponsors...The Fevernova and the Tricolor Ball from the Asian World Cup and French World Cup's respectively...

The normal Buckminster construction has given us every glorious moment of football we can ever recall...

As players and as fans...it set the standard for the very craft and soul of the game...it has proven reliable, predictable...dependable...

This new Jabulani ball is unnatural, unpredictable, unreliable ... and it is totally unacceptable how this ball has been endorsed by FIFA for this tournament and going forward..

The sponsors and FIFA marketing seem to be the tail that has been wagging the FIFA dog...and so far they have got away with it...

The only people that can make the call to radically change the dynamics of the ball and therefore the game itself.... are the players....

And no....not the players that are already being paid by the sponsors...!

For me, probably the post prophetically damning statement about the Jabulani ball comes from the English midfielder Joe Cole.

"It took a bit of skill out of the game...but it's the same for everybody."

Wow...what an unbelievably sad statement...

I am not employed by anyone...and I am not looking for a job...I also know I won't make any new friends at FIFA, in-fact, I will probably be blacklisted, but it's a price I am willing to pay.

I owe it to the game to speak up...so does anyone that believes in skill and craft as the ultimate attributes for a footballer.

Mr Blatter, and FIFA...this has been a fabulous World Cup in many many ways, and you all need to be congratulated.

I am sure that the ball designers, manufacturers, sponsors and testers of the Jabulani ball will not have been as honest and straight with you as I have in this letter....and that is the big problem.

But why would they...?

They are making hundreds of millions of dollars already out of this perfectly round football..

So, having had the benefit of understanding the problem, I will ask you the simple question one more time...

If a sponsor came into your office before the World Cup and said... 'We are going to give you a new, perfectly round match ball...the players wont like it at all....and there will be more mistakes made than in any other World Cup...'

'There will be less goals scored...less free kicks scored.....less passes complete....less control by players....and roughly 70% of crosses and shots on goal will miss wide and over the crossbar...'

What would you say to them..?

Craig Johnston, Ex Footballer with Middlesbrough FC and Liverpool FC England

France's Long Shot to Round 16: One Fan Copes

With a recent loss to Mexico and a tie with Uruguay, the French have found themselves as quite a longshot for the Round of 16. Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka must have saw it coming because he cursed his way back to an early flight at the order of the French Football Federation.

Disappointment like this can bring out the worst in people. However, there is another reaction that French fans can draw from. Checkout one of their fellow supporters coping with France's predicament while attending the Midsummer Music Festival in Atlanta, GA.

Medical Emergency in South Africa? Check iTriage on Your Mobile

Whether you know someone already in enjoying the matches in South Africa or you are planning to head over a little later in the month, it's important that you are prepared for emergencies.

Healthagen's iTriage is a mobile application that you can download to your iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and Palm. It will provide you with the nearest healthcare facility wherever you are located in the 8 South African provinces where the matches are being held. You can learn more about this

Security Check At The Betting Box: Vasco Advises Gamblers

Does the fanfare around the World Cup matches have you itchin' to place some money with your allegiance? If so, it's important to remember that the global competition can bring out the shadiest of con artists and hackers.

VASCO Data Security is a leader in online authentication productions, and they want to make sure you know the who, what, where and how much when it comes to your bets. So you don't get taken for a ride, here are some ways that you can use precaution when wagering for this year's matches.

-- Make sure the betting website is trustworthy and the operator is
licensed
-- Check if the website has a privacy policy to make sure your personal
data are safe
-- The website should be secured using SSL
-- Know what you are betting for; know what it will cost you
-- Choose a provider that uses two factor authentication which offers
enhanced security for players placing bets

World Cup Comedy Courtesy of The Daily Show

On Friday, the first match whistles will blow, and Jon Stewart has planned to get World Cup fans prepped with a little comedy hours before.

World Cup 2010: Into Africa is a multi-part presentation that will showcase Daily Show correspondent John Oliver poking fun at the U.S. Soccer Team as well as the acting South African Ambassador. It is sure to keep the mood light before you get your blood pressure up for your squad.

The first installment will air on Thursday, June 10th at 11:00 p.m. EST.

World Cup Freebie: Ziggy Marley's Africa Land

Inspired by the World Cup 2010 being held in Africa, reggae icon Ziggy Marley has collaborated with his brother Stephen Marley and African mega star Angelique Kidgjo to create his latest single, Africa Land.

The uplifting lyrics are set to a dancehall beat with an undertone of African elements. It will be released initially to African radio with free downloading available at www.ziggymarley.com and www.tuffgongworldwide.com.

This free download is the first of several free songs that Ziggy will be releasing from his collection entitled, The Wild and Free Singles.

Soccer In The Streets Heads to South Africa

In case you missed the latest episode of Eat Soccer Radio, we had the good fortune of haveing Jill Robbins, Executive Director of Soccer In the Streets, join us. She provided some invaluable information for those listeners who want to begin grassroots soccer programming in their area of the world. Also, she let everyone know that a delegation from their program will receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience to participate in 2010 World Cup programming in South Africa. A journey that far doesn't come without a NICE price tag so pitch in and help these deserving youth on their transatlantic voyage! Click here to learn more about SITS and submit your donation.

P.S. To listen to the interview with Jill Robbins, click on the audio player above.

Bafana Beats Me to Brazil

In the midst of taking care of a few loose ends for an upcoming trip to Brazil, I happened to learn that Bafana Bafana is doing its World Cup 2010 preparations in Teresopolis! The selection of the Brazilian training ground, which serves as a training site for the Brazilian sides, only makes perfect sense because this is the home turf of Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Having a good dose of Teresopolis high altitude, mixed with the energetic environment of Joga Bonito, will serve South Africa’s national side well. The team has several practice matches scheduled with area clubs Volta Redonda, Boavista, Fluminense, Cruzeiro and Botafogo.

Want an Upgrade? Visa & Abbey International Offer World Cup 2010 Trip

Already a worldwide FIFA partner, Visa is joining forces with Abbey International to offer its clients the opportunity to receive (2) tickets to the FIFA World Cup Final, pre-match hospitality,(3) nights stay at a 4 star hotel and GBP 1,500 towards return flights.
To throw your name in the pot, you must apply or request an upgrade to a Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite deferred-debit card, available with the Abbey International Gold account. The contest concludes on April 30, 2010.

T-Mobile Launches Nokia 5230 Nuron with FIFA Contest

T-Mobile USA is throwing its hat into the FIFA World Cup 2010 bonfire with a contest for its customers. It recently launched a national campaign called El Llamado del Futbol (The Calling of Soccer) which will give soccer fans a chance to win one of 10 trips for two to South Africa.

During the period of March 3-April 19, customers will have the opportunity to submit their names of hopes of landing to an all-expense-paid trip for two to South Africa in June for a five-night, six-day experience of a lifetime. To enter the contest, click on the El Llamado de Futbol hyperlink.

You can submit an entry daily, and entry will count toward the final drawing of the sweepstakes promotion.

In addition to this contest, T-Mobile will be providing FIFA merchandise, mobile content and opportunities to meet soccer legends at its retail locations. These events will be in conjunction with the release of the Nokia Nuron. To keep a tab on T-Mobile soccer events in your area, make sure you check the T-Mobile El Llamado del Futbol campaign web site.

More chances to go to South Africa-I love it!

ALL ACCESS REALITY: BUDWEISER'S 2010 World Cup BUD HOUSE

As mentioned on my most recent installment of Eat Soccer Radio, Budweiser is underwriting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 32 individuals to spend 5 weeks in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

As part of their sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup, Budhouse is a reality show that will allow its participants to attend World Cup matches, live in a luxurious compound of some kind in Cape Town, take a number of excursions throughout Southern Africa, participate in charity work, meet FIFA soccer/football stars, and have unprecedented backstage access.

It's my understanding that this is not a classic competition. There are likely to be some opt-in contests for prizes along the way, but this is not going to be your typical Big Brother/ Road Rules grueling- feats-of- endurance fest. It's also not currently set up to be filmed 24/7, but rather when there are games or activities occurring that production wants to cover.

If you a)know someone who's a huge soccer/football fan b)know someone who is *from* one of the 32 qualifying countries for the World Cup (listed below) and c)speaks English, please pass this along to them.

Deadline to submit your completed online application at Budhouse is Friday, February 26th. Don't miss out!!

Best Buy Has 15 Teen Spots for Coca Cola International Camp

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love when the World Cup rolls into town. It provides so much opportunity for so many people to participate in soccer activities in arenas that one would only dream of!

Most of the contests that I have mentioned to date have been for the 18+. However, I am pleased to announce that Best Buy will be selecting 15 teens to go to South Africa from June 15-20th. The fifteen soccer players will have the opportunity to participate in the 2010 Coca Cola International Soccer Camp AND attend a World Cup Match.

The @15 Soccer Camp Sweepstakes contest is open to teens between the ages of 13-16 who are members of www.at15.com. Membership on www.at15.com is free.

In order to enter, teens take the SparkFinder survey - a digital tool that helps teens identify their interests and talents - and complete the official entry form.

LACF Kickoff: World Cup 2010 Packages on Sale Now

Have you been dragging your feet to get tickets to see the US play in South Africa? If so, the LACF will be a game saver for 48 corporate sponsors. Tickets to the 2010 World Cup are already sold out, but soccer lovers can still see the U.S. team in action, live in South Africa, by becoming a sponsor of the LAFC Foundation, the charitable umbrella for one of America's largest youth soccer organizations.

Through the LAFC Foundation website, 48 corporate "Follow the USA Ticket & Tour Packages" are available exclusively to sponsors.

These packages include:

•June 11: World Cup Opening Game: South Africa vs. Mexico
•Three USA pool games:
•June 12: U.S. vs. England
•June 18: U.S. vs. Slovenia
•June 23: U.S. vs. Algeria
•June 21: Portugal vs. North Korea

Get them while they're hot!

Sony Brings 3D FIFA 2010 Experience to Rio

Want to enjoy the total FIFA 2010 experience without leaving the sandy beaches of Copacabana? Now, you can.

Sony Corporation and FIFA are collaborating to produce the world's first FIFA World Cup(TM) in 3D. Up to 25 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(TM) matches will be produced using Sony's 3D professional cameras, which will provide coverage of the action that is unprecedented in depth, vividness and excitement to people around the world.

Viewers will be able to enjoy 3D experiences at the following locations:

- During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, FIFA will host the "International FIFA
Fan Fest(TM)" public viewing events in 7 cities around the world (Berlin,
London, Mexico City, Paris, Rio De Janeiro, Rome, and Sydney). At Sony's
commercial displays located within the "Fan Fest," people will be able to
enjoy and experience promotional highlight trailers of the FIFA World Cup
in 3D.

- In anticipation of the Official 3D Film, viewers will be able to watch
promotional trailers for the film of the World Cup in 3D at retail
outlets(including Sony stores) that sell Sony products around the world.

- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment plans to produce and distribute the
Official 3D Film on the Blu-ray Disc*[1] and other formats.

Walmart Officially Joins the World Cup 2010 Team

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has announced that it will join the World Cup 2010 sponsorship team. The global, low price retailer will operate 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) Official Event Stores in nearly all of its retail markets around the world. The retailer will feature FIFA event branded shops inside select stores that will offer exclusive FIFA World Cup(TM) official licensed products and host special events leading up to the games.

All 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) branded merchandise will be customized for the country where it will be sold. With everything from hats and bags, to soccer balls and T-shirts, fans who visit the shops will be able to support their team like never before.

INTERSPORT Brings Africa to Paris

Do you dream of seeing your African squad? INTERSPORT, the world's leading Sports Retailer, is bringing your Black Stars, Les Elephants and Indomitable Lions to the "City of Lights."

INTERSPORT announced a new partnership agreement to cooperate with three major PUMA African Football Federations: Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Starting with the Orange African Cup of Nations, INTERSPORT will sponsor a host of online and in-store activities for fans. The marquee event will be the unique "African experience", which will bring Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon to Paris in preparation for the FIFA World Cup.

Mark your calendars for footballer sightings, interviews and training camp sneak peaks in Paris.

Sony Ericsson Mash Up: World Cup 2010 + Twitter = Twitter Cup

On December 4th, Sony Ericsson, the Official Mobile Handset of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM), introduced a new way for soccer fans in the Unites States to get behind their team online through a unique social networking initiative.

The Sony Ericsson Twitter Cup will see the 32 teams competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, battle it out in an online tournament where the fans decide who will win. Fans will be able to participate in this exciting competition either online or via their mobile handset.

To get team your squad through each round, fans need to show their support by tweeting. The team with the most Tweets in each round will prevail and go on to the next stage, regardless of how the real team fares in South Africa.

Join the Mash Up at Sony Ericcson Twitter Cup.

World Cup Appreciation: 2010 Fine Art

As mentioned in the most recent edition of the Eat Soccer! News Page, I am playing Holiday Helper for all of those soccer fans out there. Wouldn't it be nice to receive a unique gift that is an embodiment of your football passion?

2010 Fine Art is a South African company that collaborated with investors, curators, galleries and artists to provide official FIFA licensed art for World Cup 2010. The company is combining the creative talents of 160 of the world’s leading contemporary artists into one exceptional international collection and providing African artists with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to market their talents to international audiences through the platform of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

You can view artwork, learn about the artists and contact 2010 Fine Art to reserve your selection.

The two pieces shown in this blog entry are entitled "Live on TV" (Anthony Mutheki-Kenya) and "Gimme" (Ian Zyl-South Africa).