Soccer Sorcery

Though Brazil's Fred and Neymar combined to score every goal in their side's 3-0 win against Spain in the Confederations Cup final, neither of them could score more goals than confounding trophy collector Fernando Torres over the entirety of the tournament. Torres was awarded the Golden Boot for finishing with five goals, the same number as Fred and one more than Neymar. And given the unenjoyable result for his team, he understandably looked less than thrilled about his unwearable new shoe. As he did at Euro 2012 , Torres won the award on a combination of tie-breakers. Torres and Fred both had just one assist, so it had to be decided on fewer minutes played, once again proving Torres to be the most formidable...ish scorer in a given competition since he played just 273 minutes to Fred's 423 . Which also proves that Torres possesses the even more admirable trait of being supremely economical (as long as we're not talking about transfer fees no one say anything about tra...

Down 3-0 to Brazil in the 68th minute of the Confederations Cup final, Spain defender Gerard Pique decided to introduce himself to his new Barcelona teammate Neymar and he was shown a red card for his trouble. Desperate to prevent Neymar from scoring his second goal of the match and fifth of the tournament, Pique greeted Neymar with a sliding challenge as the eventual Golden Ball winner looked certain to blow past him for another chance on goal. Neymar went flying and the ref showed Pique a straight red to put Spain down a man and allow Brazil to cruise to their fifth Confederations Cup title. Neymar will surely express his gratitude when Barca's training begins for the new season. This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events.

Fueled by a sea of noise from the home crowd at the Maracana and with an unbeaten streak in competitive matches at home dating back to 1975 (56 games), circumstances conspired to give Brazil a quick lead on reigning world beaters Spain in the Confederations Cup final. A cross into the box in just the second minute of the match got lost in a confusion of bodies. Even though he was laying on the ground, Brazil striker Fred managed to put the ball past Iker Casillas to score the fastest goal Confederations Cup final history (which only dates back to 1992). Emboldened by drawing first blood, Brazil continued to attack as Spain struggled to get any momentum in the first half. When they finally did get a shot past Brazil keeper Julio Cesar, David Luiz made a brilliant sliding clearance to maintain the lead. And then, riding a wave of confidence that could be seen from space, Neymar extended Brazil's lead to 2-0 just before halftime. Here's David Luiz... UPDATE: Second verse same as ...

Coming off an exhausting shootout loss to Spain in the semifinals, Italy and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in particular were eager to end their Confederations Cup experience by washing out that bitter taste in the third-place game against Uruguay. A pair of second-half Edinson Cavani goals kept Italy from finishing off the 2011 Copa America winners in regular time, and once again, extra time only provided another 30 minutes to wear the players out even more. So for the second straight match, Italy were faced with a penalty shootout and this time, Gigi Buffon remembered that he's Gigi Buffon. Uruguay's Diego Forlan opened the shootout and was promptly shut down by Buffon. Italy then made their first two attempts before defender Mattia De Sciglio missed on their third, allowing Uruguay to pull even. Buffon then decided he'd had enough and stopped consecutive shots from his Juventus teammate Martin Caceres and, finally, Walter Gargano to win third place for Italy. After the mat...

Though just 35 years old, Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas says he will retire from football management within the next 5-10 years to live his dream of competing in the Dakar Rally. And judging by the conviction with which he speaks of the decision, it seems like this is a serious plan that he is committed to carrying out. From Sky Sports : "My passion for football makes me live it very intensively over 11 months and dedicate myself to that, but I think life allows you to enjoy other things," he is quoted as telling Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. "For me, there is a limit and, in the next five to 10 years, I will quit coaching. "To compete in the Dakar Rally is a lifetime ambition for me and is something I know I have to do. "It went from a passion to an obligation, a destination of life, but I can only do it when I leave football. I will do it." "I do not know where my career will take me," Villas-Boas concluded. "What I do know is that it wil...

Montreal Impact defender Hassoun Camara scored a 38th-minute equalizer against Colorado with a clever bit of skill that didn't even require standing up. After tumbling over an opponent in a failed attempt to head a corner kick, Camara found himself sitting in the box. In the confusion as the ball squirted around, it made its way to Camara's feet, allowing him to flick it up to himself and get a shot off while sitting with his back to the net. Since the goalkeeper's attempt to defend the corner kick left him on the ground further up the pitch than Camara, there was no one to stop the shot from going in. Though the commentators in the video above didn't seem too impressed, it was a creative and wonderfully executed maneuver. But it wasn't enough to get a result for Montreal as they went on to lose 4-3.

With the Confederations Cup final between Brazil and Spain on Sunday, Neymarmania has reached new heights as the mere sight of the 21-year-old is making fans pass out from overexcitement outside Brazil's hotel. Neymar has surpassed the impossibly high expectations for him at this tournament scoring in all three of Brazil's group-stage matches and setting up both goals in their semifinal win against Uruguay to earn a place on the Golden Ball shortlist . And with that success, the squeals of fans young and old have only gotten louder. At least, from those who can maintain consciousness upon seeing him in person. When Brazil arrived back at their hotel after training Friday night, a now customary pack of young girls were waiting for them outside. Globoesporte picks up the story from there : The biggest problem was when Neymar got off the bus. Upon hearing his name, the ace turned, waved to the teenager and entered the hotel. The girl could not stand the excitement and fainted. As...

Independiente president Javier Cantero was forced to flee the stage in the middle of speaking to supporters at the club's basketball arena when a group of fans rushed the stage throwing chairs and other objects. This comes less than two weeks after the record seven-time Copa Libertadores champions were relegated from the Primera Division for the first time in club history. At the time, supporters put on display singing and cheering the players despite their own sadness and tears . But now the sentiment has apparently turned to anger, at least for the ultras (surprise!). From Goal.com : Cantero was due to speak with supporters for the first time since the club suffered relegation from the Argentine Primera Division, but was subjected to jeers and chants as he entered the room, with some fans throwing plastic bottles and even a pair of shoes in his direction. After speaking for a few minutes, Barra Brava hooligans entered and began to throw chairs at the podium where he was seated, ...

Xavi tears out the grass by its roots and shouting accusations of betrayal at it in a language that can no longer be recognized as Spanish. Despite the heat and smothering humidity, his jagged hair still stands on end, greasy like the face of a teenager who's running a marathon while massaging himself with a hamburger. He's dragged back to dressing room before he can pluck the whole pitch and there he sees a television for the first since arriving in Brazil. "Look," he says. "They're rioting in the streets because Spain have been violated! Even Brazilians will not tolerate the injustice of us losing." Though he isn't in the room, Bearded Andrea Pirlo laughs at this. He laughs so deep that the scene disappears, swapped for the realization that Xavi outrage which came so close being poured out was held back by smug satisfaction. Awake. Bearded Pirlo opens his eyes to let in the anonymous luxury of his Brazilian hotel room. Its expensive amenities mak...

If you're wondering why Leonardo Bonucci was the only player to miss a penalty kick in the shootout that finally brought an end to Spain and Italy's Confederations Cup semifinal , it might've been because he caught sight of this going on the stands. A Spain fan. Wearing a horse mask. And making out with the woman next to him. That's enough to make anyone miss. It's also enough to intrigue Dimitar Berbatov, but that's neither here nor there.

Monaco have already spent more than 120 million on transfers this summer as they prepare for their return to Ligue 1, but all their money won't prevent them from starting the season two points behind every other club in the league. Incidents during and after their final home match of last season, in which they sealed the Ligue 2 title and their promotion, have resulted in a three-point deduction (one of which is suspended, which means it will only be enforced if there's another incident). From Reuters : Fireworks were set off during Monaco's last home game against Le Mans before fans invaded the pitch after the final whistle. During the melee, the referee was struck by a fan, according to the match officials report. "Regarding the seriousness of the facts, Monaco are condemned to one match behind closed doors and a three-point penalty, including one suspended, for the next Ligue 1 season," the LFP said in a statement. Though the justification for the punishment is...

Spain beat Italy on penalties in a match that seemed like it would never end to reach their first Confederations Cup final. After 120 minutes of blown opportunities from both sides, the rematch of the Euro 2012 final went to a penalty shootout and all of the sudden, no one could miss. The two teams put on a flawless display of penalty kick brilliance that started with a Panenka from Italy's Antonio Candreva which had Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas sitting on his butt and watching as it floated into the net. Eleven more excellent penalties followed. Xavi and Alberto Aquilani. Andres Iniesta and Daniele De Rossi. Gerard Pique and Sebastian Giovinco. Sergio Ramos and Andrea Pirlo. Juan Mata and Riccardo Montolivo. Sergio Busquets and...then Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci sent his attempt sailing over the crossbar (pictured above). Spain just needed to make one more to win. Jesus Navas then converted Spain's seventh successful spot kick to give them the win and set up a final agai...

Demonstrating how little they care about anything but themselves and what little use they have for tact, FIFA went and announced the official champagne of the 2014 World Cup that disenfranchised Brazilians really don't want to host. So as if to taunt the protestors who are paying for FIFA's extravagant events (in addition to the 2016 Olympics) against their will, Champagne Taittinger was announced as the official symbol of decadence of the World Cup to follow up their title as the official champagne of the Confederations Cup. From Just Drinks : The family-owned company announced today (27 June) that it has signed a sponsorship deal with global football body FIFA that will run until the end of 2015. The tie-up, for an undisclosed sum, will see Taittinger boast the title of 'official FIFA Champagne' at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Champagne Taittinger will manifest its presence at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the months to come through various initiatives with the help of ...

Since the departure of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, Shanghai Shenhua have been in financial meltdown, and have been hovering above the Chinese Super League relegation zone since starting the season with a six-point deficit for their part in a match-fixing scandal. On Wednesday evening, they were 1-0 down to fellow strugglers Changchun Yatai when Australian midfielder Matt McKay went down clutching his stomach, in what appeared to be a cynical attempt to run down the clock. Brilliantly named Shanghai midfielder Wang Shouting took it upon himself to hurry proceedings along by dragging the play-acting Aussie from the field. He succeeded with his objective, but the referee decided the act of aggressively heaving a potentially injured player from the field was worthy of a second yellow card. This has been the Dirty Tackle of the Day: a chronicling of unfortunate events. Video H/T: 101GG

The melodrama that surrounded Jose Mourinho's decision to bench Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas after he returned from a broken hand consumed the second half of last season for the club. Now, while Casillas plays for Spain in the Confederations Cup, Real have replaced Mourinho with Carlo Ancelotti and Casillas apparently feels like it's safe to speak about the emotional pain from which he has now recovered. From Casillas' interview with FIFA.com : On your return [from injury], however, you found yourself in the unusual position of having to sit on the bench at Real Madrid. How did you deal with that period? By thinking of the team and wanting what's best for Real Madrid. I cried, suffered, felt bad and had nights where I slept little, if at all. I'm a Madridista through and through, and before everyone else coaches, presidents, directors of football, even myself the club always comes first. Yes, like Spain teammate Cesc Fabregas before him , Iker Casillas also s...

Juventus completed the signing of Carlos Tevez from Manchester City on Wednesday and excited fans were eager to greet the Argentine at the airport and outside the club's offices. Upon signing a three-year deal with the Italian champions, Tevez was given the No. 10 shirt formerly held by Juventus icon Alessandro Del Piero a man who never refused to enter a match at his manager's request or disappeared to go on golfing excursions or twice demanded a transfer or had to serve 250 hours of community service for driving while disqualified . It's hard to say what Tevez's next act of gross insubordination will be, but for now he has a unibrow buddy in Juventus chairman Antonio Agnelli and everyone is happy....

For the first time in this Confederations Cup, Neymar went a whole match without scoring a goal in Brazil's 2-1 semifinal win against Uruguay. But he did put his mark on the game by setting up Paulinho's 86th minute winner and taunting Uruguay's Alvaro Gonzalez just before he did it. With the score at 1-1, Neymar was preparing to take the corner kick as Gonzalez who had been receiving pitchside treatment for an injury offered a few choice words while walking around him towards the benches. Gonzalez had been subbed off and Neymar responded to his jabbering by mockingly blowing him a kiss goodbye. He then dropped a well-placed corner kick onto Paulinho's head for the goal that would put Brazil back in the Confederations Cup final. Something tells me Neymar isn't going to be a calming force in relations between Barcelona and Real Madrid once he moves to Spain next season.

With massive protests going on outside the stadium and an old rival waiting inside it, you might've expected a more sombre mood from Brazilian players ahead of their Confederations Cup semifinal against Uruguay. But if you did, you obviously don't know very much about Brazilian footballers. Dani Alves, Dante, Paulinho and Lucas Moura arrived at the Estadio Mineirao with instruments in hand, making music as they walked through the corridors before the game. It's probably safe to assume that when they reached manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, he did his Uzbeki wedding dance .

Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann doesn't think Pep Guardiola will have much trouble in his first Bundesliga season with treble-winners Bayern Munich. Though one of Lehmann's old clubs, Borussia Dortmund, reached the Champions League final along with Bayern, Lehmann (and just about everyone else) thinks the club that won the Bundesliga by a 20-point margin last season will stroll to another title. From Goal.com : "The 'Boredom League' will be rather one-sided in the upcoming season," the former Germany international is quoted as saying by Bild . "Guardiola will take his place in the Bundesliga in conditions similar to those he enjoyed in Spain. "[Bayern andBarcelona] are two financially very, very successful teams. The rest are so far behind. No challenge will come from elsewhere [for Bayern]. The only challenge will come in the Champions League, or maybe the Club World Cup." When you're looking to the Club World Cup as one of the only ...

Just when you thought no Ronaldinho merchandise could possibly top this light switch cover , the tricky Brazilian has put his signature to a new line of condoms, enticingly named "Sex Free". Ronny isn't the first football star to have his name in latex: Christian Vieri once launched his own line of rubbers, while David Beckham was the unofficial spokesperson for a Chinese prophylactic that helped Wangs cover up their... nevermind. Ronadlinho's new brand are Atletico Mineiro-themed, with the box carrying the slogan "Eu sou Galo". It means "I am Galo," which is a nickname for the Brazilian team. As luck would have it, "galo" means rooster, or for want of a better term, "cock". H/T: KCKRS

Carlo Ancelotti has officially been named Real Madrid's new manager and everyone seems very happy about this. His affable nature has been hailed as the soothing balm needed to heal the club's burns from Jose Mourinho's more divisive approach. But the ease with which Ancelotti can fix all of these problems can only be understood by those who know the root of his powers. On his face. The following is a transcript of Ancelotti's first day on the job. Ronaldo: Hi, boss. Welcome to Madrid. Can I talk to you for a second? Ancelotti: [nods] Ronaldo: Well, I was unhappy a lot last season and now the club would like me to sign a contract extension, but I'm not sure if I want to. I'm confused and I just don't know what to do. Ancelotti: Ronaldo: OK, I'm looking where you're pointing and oh my. ... Your eyebrow is mesmerizing. Suddenly everything makes sense now. I will never experience sadness or indigestion again. Thank you, boss! Thank you! Pepe: Hell...

Liverpool kitmaker Warrior recently launched a new boot called the Gambler , which has a "gloryholes" feature designed "for precision fit in sticky situations." This prompted giggles and questions as to whether the company employs anyone over the age of 12, but considering the "deal with it" slogan, it seemed likely that Warrior were very aware of the double meaning of their words. Just to confirm this, Dan, a DT reader, sent off a friendly email to Warrior to say, "The new advert for your Gambler boot claims the boot has 'Glory Holes, for precise fit in sticky situations'. Please google Glory Holes (safe search on!), you might want to change that ;)" Here's the response he received: Dear Dan, Thank you for taking the time to email Warrior.com. I am so sorry that you found our recent add offensive. We as a company try to push the envelope and bring an edge to our slogans and advertising. I will be sure to pass your feedback along for ...

In the 86th minute of a Peruvian first division match between Real Garcilaso and Inti Gas Deportes Ayacucho, the referee got a little card happy and the result was a curious sending off. Down 3-2, Real Garcilaso's goalkeeper attempted to spark a late attempt to equalize with a long throw, but he put a little too much muscle into it and the ball ended up leading his teammate out of play in Inti Gas' half. As the player made a futile sliding attempt to keep the ball in, Inti Gas manager Rolando Chilavert put a foot out and made contact with him. Chilavert's challenge appeared to be a lazy/slow attempt to stop the ball from going astray, but the referee saw it different and showed him a red card. One of Chilavert's players was also shown a yellow, and up arguing the bookings, his goalkeeper was shown one too. Given this level of strict managerial punishment, someone should remind Jose Mourinho to never work in the Peruvian first division. This has been the Dirty Tackle of ...

South African Premiership champions Orlando Pirates will compete in the group stage of the African Champions League next month, after defeating Congolese side TP Mazembe in the second round of the competition by an aggregate score of 3-2 over two controversy-strewn legs. After the first leg in Johannesburg on April 20th, a visiting TP Mazembe fan was miffed enough about his side's 3-1 loss to approach the referee and 'assault' him. The fan was then able to evade capture after hiding in Mazembe's dressing room with the players. The Congo champs have now been handed a $5,000 fine by CAF for harboring a football fugitive. The Times Colonist reports: [The South African Football Association] said the supporter, described as a Congolese living in South Africa, assaulted the referee after the African Champions League game against Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg on April 20, then "took refuge" in Mazembe's dressing room. The supporter "approached and assault...

Mario Balotelli has been sent home from the Confederations Cup with a thigh injury ahead of Italy's semifinal revenge match against Spain and suddenly the heavily protested tournament doesn't seem worth playing anymore. Balotelli had already been ruled out of Italy's attempt to improve on their 4-0 loss to Spain in the Euro 2012 final, so manager Cesare Prandelli decided to send him home so as not to risk further damage to his thigh or anything else that could be damaged by an unoccupied Mario Balotelli. Building on his three-goal performance at Euro 2012, Balotelli was a driving force in Italy's success at this tournament as well. He scored twice in the group stage, include the winner against Mexico . He also set up Emanuele Giaccherini's goal against Brazil with an absolutely brilliant pass ( which can be seen here ). Though the tournament comes to a disappointing and premature end for Balotelli, it was still quite productive both on and off the pitch. While his...

According to a report from Brazilian media giant Globo, several employees at Spain's hotel in Recife confirmed that there was a bit more to the news of players having money stolen from their rooms than was originally revealed. The initial story, as confirmed by FIFA, was that several players, including Gerard Pique, had cash stolen from their rooms while they played their first Confederations Cup group-stage match against Uruguay. Globo's sources, however, claim that this didn't happen until after a party that followed the match. The hotel employees told Globo that a band was brought in to entertain the players after their 2-1 win, accompanied by a group of women, beer and caipirinhas. The band played until 1 a.m. and then five women joined five players and members of the technical staff for a late-night game of strip poker. Some of the players then retired to their respective rooms with some of the women and when they woke up the next morning, the ladies were gone and so...

It's been five months since it was announced that Pep Guardiola would replace Jupp Heynckes as Bayern Munich manager and while Heynckes was busy winning the treble, Guardiola was busy learning German. During his season-long sabbatical in New York City, Guardiola spent four hours a day learning how to speak the language once he knew the job was his. And he was finally able to show off that work during his first press conference in Munich. Though he was a bit self-conscious about it. From DW : "Forgive my German," Guardiola said in a thick Spanish accent. "I lived for a year in New York and it is not the opitmal location to learn German." [...] Guardiola was adament that it was not him who chose to go to Bayern, but the club management who picked him. "They called me," he said. Bayern Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called Guardiola "the most successful coach in the world." Somewhere in London, Jose Mourinho's ears just perked up. He's ...

Barcelona's youngsters faced Atletico Madrid in the final of the Reino de Len tournament on Sunday, but since the Blaugrana youth are taught that endless passing is far superior to actually scoring goals, it finished 0-0 in normal time. In the subsequent shootout, Barca's 14-year-old keeper Iaki Pea was the star of the show. The precocious goalie faced nine penalties and saved six of them, including all four of the shots faced in sudden death. To top it off, Pea scored his side's final penalty and then saved from the opposing keeper to win Barcelona the championship. The final score was 4-3 after 18 penalties. To be fair, Atleti's keeper also enjoyed a good shootout, saving three penalties and watching a further two go wide. But it's clear that the youth set-ups of both sides need an awful lot of practise from twelve yards if they can collectively manage to score just seven penalties from a possible 18. Watch the entire shootout below... H/T: Sport.es

NBA star Dirk Nowitzki and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer held a match in Germany to benefit their respective charity organizations on Sunday. And during that match, Nowitzki showed that basketball players are catching up to footballers in the art of egregious flopping. As Ball Don't Lie pointed out last week , Nowitzki happened to speak to the Dallas Morning News about flopping in basketball before the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs (or the San Francisco Spurs to Sergio Ramos ) in the NBA Finals. Were never going to get rid of it, he said recently. But you got to limit it. Its part of sports. Its part of winning. Some people are smart and do a little extra thing to kind of sell the call. To me, thats part of sports. You dont want the obvious ones, the really, really bad ones. I think wed love to get rid of those." Well, the 7-foot-tall Nowitzki displayed a really, really bad one for comedic effect in the charity match, taking a delayed tumble while a defender ...

Tahiti lost their three Confederations Cup group-stage matches by a combined score of 24-1, but being the gracious guests that they are, they still took the time to thank the host nation. Following their 8-0 loss to Uruguay, in which they surrendered the fastest goal in the Confederations Cup's brief history (79 seconds, scored by Abel Hernandez), the Tahitian players held a large banner that read "Obrigado Brasil!" (thank you, Brazil) as they waved farewell. As the smallest nation to ever compete in a FIFA senior tournament, Tahiti instantly became fan favorites at the tournament. Their popularity only grew when they managed to score in their first match against Nigeria and gave traditional shell necklaces to all of their opponents before every match . Their massive defeats in every match prompted some critics to argue that their inclusion in the tournament (achieved fair and square by winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup) only served to devalue the competition. But the Braz...

While serving as an in-studio pundit for the BBC's live Confederations Cup coverage, Brighton manager Gus Poyet was informed by the show's producers that the club had released a statement on their official website announcing the termination of his contract. Poyet had been suspended by Brighton since he sent out a scolding email in the wake of a bizarre incident in which feces were smeared in Crystal Palace's dressing room before the second leg of last season's Championship playoff semifinal. Here's the statement that was published on Brighton's official website , which is referenced in the video above: Gus Poyet has been informed today by Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club's internal disciplinary panel that his employment has been terminated with immediate effect. This followed his suspension, an investigation, and a subsequent formal disciplinary process. In line with the club's own procedures, and UK employment law, Mr Poyet now has a right of a...

Before Brazil gave Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon a difficult time in their 4-2 win on Saturday, teammate Mario Balotelli tested him in training. Balotelli went one-v-one against Buffon with a lengthy bit of fancy footwork that had the keeper crawling on the ground to try and keep Mario at bay. But 35-year-old Buffon stuck with the 22-year-old striker and eventually knocked the ball away from him to show that experience beats youth. Except when that youth belongs to Neymar .

With Italy and Brazil already through to the Confederations Cup semifinals, their match on the final day of Group A play turned into a battle to avoid Spain in the next round. It got off to a tentative start, but Dante put Brazil up 1-0 just before halftime (apparently from an offside position) and Emanuele Giaccherini equalized shortly after the break. That set up Neymar to take the lead back for the home side just four minutes later. Given a free kick just outside the box after he kicked the back of an Italian defender's leg to make it look like he was fouled, Neymar caught goalkeeper Gigi Buffon cheating the wrong way with a perfectly placed shot into the far side of the net. That gave Neymar his third goal of the tournament (one in each match). Although, he did score in the third minute of the first game and in the ninth minute of the second , so clearly he's losing his touch. Brazil would extend their lead to two goals when Fred scored in the 66th minute to make it 3-1. I...

According to Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, his side has been kept inside their hotel in Salvador, Brazil amidst security concerns over the ongoing protests throughout the country . And it seems the confinement has blurred Prandelli's judgement as he ended up apologizing for a poor attempt at a "joke" about the team's leading scorer, Mario Balotelli, who was allowed out of the hotel to do charity work with local children in need. From the BBC : Prandelli said the AC Milan striker was permitted to leave the hotel because his "colour is different to ours". But he later said: "I'm sorry. It was a joke. Of course." [...] "Before I said something about the colour of our skin," added Prandelli. "I am glad we clarified that issue about why he was the only one allowed out. "He was surrounded by all these people but he was working with a charity and doing something nice." Italy's final Confederations Cup group-stage match a...

In one of humanities most remarkable discoveries in recent memory, Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis claims to have found the bottom of the bottomless pit that is Manchester City's funding vault. As one of the richest clubs in the world, Man City's transfer dealings are only limited by their willingness to fill out the required paperwork. Already this summer, they have given 40 million to Shakhtar Donetsk for Fernandinho and 20 million to Sevilla for Jesus Navas. But according to De Laurentiis, City are now too strapped for cash to afford Serie A's top scorer, Edinson Cavani. From the Independent : Napolis president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed that City had made an enquiry about a move for the forward, but they refused to meet the 54m minimum buy-out clause. "Manchester City do not have the money to pay for Cavani," De Laurentiis told reporters. "They said 'we will never spend 63m on Cavani. Of course, it should be noted that De Laurentiis is a bit ...

Mohammed Iya has been in charge of the Cameroon Football Association (Fecafoot) since 1998, having successfully navigated re-election campaigns in 2004 and 2009. Fecafoot was due to stage an election last month, but it was suspended for " security reasons " and the rescheduled date was also mysteriously postponed too. Thankfully, the elections finally took place on Wednesday and Iya was successful once again, earning an impressive 97 out of 98 "valid" votes cast by the federation's 102 delegates. There is just one issue: on the same day as his victory, Iya was transferred to Kondengui central prison for misappropriating the funds of a state-owned company he runs. AP reports: [Iya] was arrested at a Yaounde hotel on June 10 after being implicated in mismanagement while managing director at the [state-owned] Cotton Development Corporation, which state auditors say resulted in it losing about $19 million between 2005 and 2010. Iya had already been fined and banne...

Spain beat Tahiti 10-0 in their Confederations Cup group-stage match to set a new record for margin of victory in a FIFA senior tournament. Though a decisive win for Spain was an inevitability, part of the reason the score got to be that lopsided was the mostly amateur Tahitian players' refusal to just sit back and defend against their supremely talented opponents. They tried to attack instead of parking the bus, as far better teams often do against Spain. They didn't play scared (or pragmatically), they just played. As a result, Fernando Torres led Spain with four goals in the game. That makes him the tournament's top scorer, so it probably shouldn't be a surprise that he appreciated the positive and porous nature of Tahiti's play and declared them an example for other teams to follow. Because winning every match 10-0 really would be great for Spain. From Reuters : "They are the example for other teams," Torres told reporters after accepting the Man-of-th...

USA striker Abby Wambach scored four goals in a friendly against South Korea, including a hat trick in the first 29 minutes, to surpass the all-time international scoring record previously held by Mia Hamm. Wambach was two goals behind Hamm's record of 158 going into the match and she wasted no time in continuing her pursuit, first scoring in the 11th minute before adding a second in the 20th minute, third in the 29th minute and a fourth just before halftime for good measure. She was eventually subbed off in the 61st minute before things could get too out of hand. Wambach's third goal, the one that gave her the new record, was scored with a powerful header off a Megan Rapinoe corner kick. With her family celebrating in the stands at Red Bull Arena, her teammates rushed over to hug her, even those on the bench. But a South Korean player a little too eager to restart the match, took the ball record-breaking ball from her. Bemused, Wambach did get it back. Making Wambach's ach...

USA striker Abby Wambach scored four goals in a friendly against South Korea, including a hat trick in the first 31 minutes, to surpass the all-time international scoring record previously held by Mia Hamm. Wambach was two goals behind Hamm's record of 158 going into the match and she wasted no time in continuing her pursuit, first scoring in the 11th minute before adding a second in the 20th minute, third in the 31st minute and a fourth just before halftime for good measure. She was eventually subbed off in the 61st minute. Making Wambach's achievement all the more impressive is the fact that she's done it in far fewer matches than Hamm played in her illustrious career. Wambach now has an even 160 goals in 207 international matches, while Hamm had 158 in 275 matches (on the men's side, Iran's Ali Daei holds the record with 109 goals in 149 appearances ). This caps off one of the best periods of Wambach's 12 years with the U.S. national team, having won gold at ...

No one expected a tournament match between the best team in the world and the 138th best team in the world to be close. Tahiti had no delusions of a biblical upset against Spain in the Confederations Cup or even of a noble and defiant 1-0 defeat. Playing Spain at the legendary Maracana Stadium would be a once in a lifetime memory and the score would be irrelevant. It was always going to be an exercise in complete and total domination for Spain, but there tends to be a big difference between what people feel when they expect something to happen and what they feel when it actually happens. Spain's 10-0 win the biggest win ever in a FIFA senior tournament was perhaps most excruciating for Tahiti's 30-year-old goalkeeper, Mickael Roche. The physical education teacher who once played for Monaco's reserve team did not play in Tahiti's first Confederations Cup group-stage match against Nigeria, a 6-1 loss, so this was his first taste of football at a level previously unheard...