Football minds it language

(CNN) -- English Premier League grounds are noted for their passionate atmosphere and fans sometimes overstep the boundaries of public decency.

In the task of adjudicating just what is and isn't acceptable to say at a football game, leading English Premier League club Liverpool has issued a list of banned words to its employees in its efforts to rid football of discriminatory behavior.

The list of offensive words relates to race and religion, sexual orientation, gender and disability and was circulated to members of Liverpool's staff as part of a longer presentation, one page of which was leaked on the internet.

"The club wishes to eradicate any form of discrimination or discriminatory behavior both on and off the football pitch," reads the leaked document, which Liverpool confirmed was accurate.

"It's important to understand the context of what's being said, but here are examples of words worth listening out for which are usually offensive and the club consider unacceptable."

The list included terms such as "n****r", "queen", "don't be a woman," "cripple" as well as "princess"and "man up".

Read: Bayern's Hoeness charged with tax evasion

"The list -- which is accurate -- was part of a larger, private education program that is designed to teach our employees to recognize any and all forms of discrimination on the grounds, on and off the pitch," a Liverpool spokesman told CNN.

"As it was part of a private presentation, LFC cannot pass you on a copy."

The guidelines have has not been reportedly issued to Liverpool players because they receive separate instructions from the Football Association.

The document prompted much discussion on social networking site Twitter with Guardian journalist Barney Ronay writing: "Catching up with this Liverpool story. I see "lady-boy" appears under both Gender and Sexual Orientation but "she-man" is only under Gender. Typical anti-she man bias."

English football has been blighted by a series of racism scandals in recent years.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches and fined 40,000 in 2011 after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

The club was heavily criticized for its defense of Suarez, with the team and then manager Kenny Dalglish wearing t-shirts in support of the Uruguayan before a Premier League match against Wigan Athletic.

In September 2012 former England captain John Terry was banned for four matches and fined 220,000 for a racist slur aimed at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Read: Football dies aged 27

Terry also faced a criminal trial over the allegations, after which he was found not guilty.

Meanwhile, English anti-racism organization Kick It Out, which this year marks 20 years of battling discrimination, has launched a smart phone app which allows fans to report incidents of racism at matches.

"It gives football fans the opportunity to report a racist incident if someone is causing a nuisance in their vicinity or trying to spoil their entertainment," former England and Tottenham Hotspur winger and Kick It Out trustee Garth Crooks told CNN.

"For the first time, certainly as long as I've been in football, a football fan can actually complain anonymously about someone being a racial nuisance.

"Now we're not saying that person is a racist, but they're using racist language and it deserves to be reported. The app allows you to do that. It's the perfect tool."

Crooks also hailed the work done by Kick It Out over the last two decades.

"I think it's been very successful," he added. "We've moved from the days where abuse was common place in football and it was embarrassing for all concerned, to a place where the fans have pretty much taken control of the situation.

"They are much more determined to not be sitting in a controlled environment listening to their heroes being abused.

"We have CCTV monitoring areas of the football grounds to make sure that people behave. Managers and players are also involved to try and ensure that, when people play football, it's a comfortable working environment."

Via: Football minds it language

'Heart failure' to blame for Benitez death

(CNN) -- The sudden death at the age of 27 of a footballer in Qatar has prompted an outpouring of grief across the world but also fevered speculation as to the cause of his passing.

Wednesday shed some light on Ecuadoran footballer Christian Benitez's death after his club Al Jaish released a statement saying he died from heart failure.

Read: Benitez dies age 27

"The official medical reports were issued by official state entities and stated that the sudden death was caused by heart failure," read the statement issued by the club.

"Since the Ecuadorian star passed away on Monday morning in a sudden way, sadness and sorrow prevailed all over the club after hearing the sad news especially that Benitez has joined the team for few days only."

The club has pledged to pay for all the expenses of transferring the player's body from Doha back to Ecuador.

"The management assures again its endless support to Christian's family and standing by their side during this hard time," added the Al Jaish statement.

"The club has also made a special visit to the family and wife of the late player who are currently staying at Doha. The visit was made to check on the family situation and to assure that the management stands by their side and supports them."

The 27-year-old died in a Qatari hospital where he was taken after complaining of abdominal pains. He had only made his debut for the club on Sunday.

With Qatar hosting the World Cup in 2022, Benitez's death has sent shockwaves through the football world.

"This is a terrible tragedy, just awful news," said a Qatar 2022 spokesman, while football stars also took to Twitter to pay their respects to the man nicknamed 'Chucho'.

Fellow Ecuador star Antonio Valencia, who plays for Manchester United, uploaded several photos of him with the forward and wrote: "This pain (is) very strong my brother but we love you."

Ecuador's interior minister Jose Serrano was among those who took to the micro-blogging site to comment, writing: "Dear Chucho, thank you for your goals and your happiness."

Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who played with Benitez at Birmingham City between 2009 and 2010, also paid tribute to his former teammate.

"Can't believe Christian Benitez has died," Gardner wrote. "I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family."

Read: Death of Benitez leaves family, fans reeling

Ermen Benitez, the player's father, told CNN en Espaol Tuesday that his son had never had any heart problems before he arrived in Qatar.

"When a football player is signed, they always do tests," he said. "And he passed."

Benitez joined Al Jaish on July 6 after signing a three-year deal.

He was a favorite in Ecuador, scoring 24 goals in 28 appearances for the national team.

Benitez established himself as a promising talent at El Nacional, the same club where his father starred during the 1980s.

After leaving the Quito-based club, Benitez enjoyed success in Mexico with Santos Laguna before earning himself a loan deal to play in the English Premier League with Birmingham City in 2009.

He scored four times in 36 appearances, making his debut at Old Trafford against Manchester United and scored his first goal against Liverpool.

But his failure to earn a permanent deal in England saw him return to Santos Laguna where he finished the season as top scorer.

He joined rivals America in 2011 and helped it win this year's Clausura title -- finishing as top scorer along the way.

Benitez died on Monday, one day after playing his first game for new side El Jaish.

"The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player," a club statement said on Monday.

"Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday's match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.

"His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character."

In recent years Daniel Jarque, Antonio Puerta and Marc-Vivien Foe are some of the other footballers to have died from heart problems.

Via: 'Heart failure' to blame for Benitez death

Stars on global treadmill

(CNN) -- He runs alongside the Arsenal coach in Vietnam's capital Hanoi mile after mile. He bumps into trees and lamp posts but keeps on running.

At one stage he beats his hand against the badge of the red and white Arsenal shirt that he is wearing, mimicking an often used footballer's goal celebration. Eventually to keep up with the coach he hops on a moped.

The "Running Man" -- as Vu Xuan Tien has been dubbed -- gets his reward when the Arsenal coach stops and he is invited on board to meet the players and manager Arsene Wenger, who all sign his shirt.

Man gets on Arsenal bus. Cue international headlines as the "Running Man" goes global. Welcome to the power of English football in Asia.

"It should be a message for all of you guys that if you really want to pursue your dreams, it can happen," goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny told the Arsenal website.

But the "Running Man" is not the only one working his socks off in Asia at the moment.

Arsenal are one of a number of English Premier League clubs touring Asia and Australia -- others include Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea -- as part of their pre-season preparations. The new season kicks off on August 17.

"Tours provide us with an opportunity to build our global following, and are also a great opportunity to bring thousands of supporters further afield closer to the club by giving them a chance to interact with us personally," an Arsenal spokeswoman told CNN.

"From a business perspective it's also important we show our commitment to building our name around the world to become more attractive to potential commercial partners and to support some of our existing partners' business objectives for whom Asia is also an important market."

The business case is clear, but to travel thousands of miles round the world, to train in humid conditions and wake up in a different hotel bed each morning seems -- on the face of it -- perhaps not an ideal way to prepare for the rigors of the English Premier League season and the challenge of the Champions League.

United forward Wayne Rooney was an early casualty of the club's three-week trip to Asia, with the England international having to fly home on the tour's opening day with a hamstring injury.

Dutchman Alex Buttner also picked up a hamstring injury in their friendly defeat to the Singha All-Stars in Thailand -- United's first match on the tour -- to join Rooney in the treatment room.

United did not respond to CNN's questions regarding the financial importance of the Far East to the club or the physiological efficacy of these tours as a way of preparing players for a new season.

While Premier League clubs press the flesh in Asia, Champions League winners Bayern Munich remained in northern Europe and held a training camp in northern Italy in Trentino early July.

"Unfortunately from a physiological perspective and as preparation for the upcoming season I can't see too many positives and more importantly there is significant chance of injury," Dr Craig Duncan of the Australian Catholic University, who until recently was Sydney FC's head of human performance, told CNN.

"It's a disruption and I know from my perspective in preparing teams I prefer to be based in our home location which is familiar and has all the requirements that the players require.

"The impact of travel can't be underestimated and with changing time zones comes much needed adaptation and thus loss of valuable training time.

"Players are vulnerable to injury when fatigued and travel will increase fatigue so if coaches are not careful with training loads there are potential injury issues."

Last season the Premier League kicked off on August 18, but September had the highest injury incidence rate of the season with 61 separate problems recorded in the month, whereas December showed the lowest 0.46 per game, according to respected website Physio Room.

"This isn't unusual and often it's a problem with the preparation," said Duncan.

"Clubs sometimes expose their players to a pre-season that has too great a training load. They see it as a time to get in as much work as possible to get them ready for the busy season ahead.

"However, the consequence of this is fatigue, thus players head into the new season in a fatigued state which exposes them to the risk of injury.

"Alternatively, if they haven't been prepared adequately (training load too low) they are also at risk at the onset of the season as the intensity is very high.

"Preparation of a team is a balancing act -- you must expose them to sufficient training load to have the players ready but not too much so that they are overly fatigued."

Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen agrees with Duncan that managers struggle to get the balance right in pre-season training.

"Most coaches make fitness training too important in pre-season," said Verheijen. "They are scared to death that their team will not be fit enough for the start of the season.

"So, they train often and train long. As result, players start to accumulate fatigue over time as in the above situation it is impossible for them to recover between sessions.

"On top of that, players also have to play friendly games while not recovered. So, coaches are compromising these friendly games by playing fatigued players."

The allure of Premier League clubs can be seen by the 95,000 crowd that is expected to watch Liverpool play Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.

Prior to arriving in Australia, Liverpool were in Indonesia, when Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered extended its sponsorship of the club, continuing one of the most lucrative deals in English sport.

The bank, which makes almost all its money in Asia, the Middle East and Africa -- regions where Liverpool has a strong following -- has been the club's shirt sponsor since July 2010.

The original deal was worth about $30.5 million a season and reportedly the new terms are broadly similar.

Liverpool did not respond to CNN's questions regarding the financial importance of the Far East or player well-being, but the club's former head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess was more forthcoming.

"The attitude of the Liverpool players was outstanding when I was there," said Burgess, who is now high performance manager at Port Adelaide in Australia. "They realize it's part of playing for a big club.

"However there's no doubt that the majority of coaches and players would rather complete pre-season at their local training centers.

"They can train in familiar surroundings, sleep in their own beds, have access to all the equipment they would need and not have the physical and mental interruption of travel.

"Physically it would definitely make for a more effective pre-season period.

"As far as countering fatigue, we tried to get the players into the Asian time zone as soon as possible and we adjusted training loads to avoid the injury risks associated with long-haul flying and pre-season training.

"We monitored the players heavily so we knew exactly who was coping with the heat/travel/training and who wasn't so we'd like to think the injury risk was minimized."

Premier League stars better get used to spending more of their time out in Asia -- the financial opportunities appear to be just too great to ignore.

"The support shown to us since we arrived in Indonesia, Vietnam and now Japan has been incredible," said the Arsenal spokeswoman.

"Tens of thousands of supporters have attended our activities and pre-season matches on tour in Indonesia and Vietnam, and our first fixture in Nagoya in Japan has already sold out days ahead of the fixture."

"A new generation of supporters in each country is able to interact with the club first hand, and we hope that builds a connection that lasts for many years to come.

As British sports business expert Simon Chadwick points out for most Premier League clubs less than 10% of the annual turnover comes from overseas sales, which means there is plenty of potential growth abroad.

"Overseas markets are potentially an important source of sustainable revenues," said Chadwick.

"However, most clubs lack either the expertise or the infrastructure to capitalize upon these revenues, plus there is a physical limit to the amount of business a club can do overseas.

"They simply can't go and play in China each week where direct player/club relations are the most important point of engagement for fans in places like China.

"That's interesting, as it hints at the potential development of globally franchised clubs in the future as we've seen with Manchester City in the MLS."

Which means the "Running Man" better keep on running because that Arsenal coach is likely to be soon back in Hanoi.

Via: Stars on global treadmill

Tax evasion charges for Bayern Munich chief

(CNN) -- He's been a principal figure in German football for decades, winning the 1974 World Cup as a player before becoming Bayern Munich's club president, but Uli Hoeness' world could come crashing down after being charged with tax evasion on Tuesday.

The former Bayern star, who won three European Cups as well as a European Championship title with West Germany in 1972, could end up in jail for his transgressions.

After a months-long probe which has attracted considerable interest in Germany, the 61-year-old has been charged following an investigation into unpaid taxes on a Swiss account in his name.

Read: Cup win clinches historic treble

The news comes just two months after Hoeness presided over an unprecedented feat as Bayern became the first German team to win a league, cup and Champions League treble.

In a statement, the superior regional court in Munich said it must now decide whether the case brought by the local prosecutor's office will go to trial.

German law states that Hoeness' defense lawyers now have four weeks to respond to the charges, whereupon a judge will decide whether he can dismiss the charges or allow the case to proceed.

"Due to the volume of the investigation files as well as the fact that a defense request to delay answering to the charges for one month was granted, a decision of the court on starting a trial is not expected before the end of September 2013," court spokeswoman Andrea Titz said in the statement.

Tax evasion over and above one million euros ($1.33m) carries the threat of both prison and a financial penalty.

After his arrest in March, the former Bayern forward had offered to temporarily stand down as club president only for the team's board to decide that he should stay in office as they monitored the case.

Hoeness had been released on bail for $6.6 million.

Read: Guardiola's secret weapon revealed

After joining Bayern as an 18-year-old in 1970, Hoeness -- who could play either in midfield or attack -- became a key player for the club, winning three league titles and three straight European Cups between 1974-1976.

His playing career was cut short by a knee injury at the age of 27, whereupon he joined the club's staff at a time when Bayern were heavily in debt.

After nearly three decades working as the club manager, he replaced former international and club colleague Franz Beckenbauer as Bayern president in 2009.

Nowadays, Bayern are one of the most successful clubs in Europe, with a turnover in its millions, but it is unclear how the tax probe will affect the standing of the powerful club president.

The revelations sparked huge controversy in Germany in an election year, with opponents of Chancellor Angela Merkel accusing her of being weak on the issue of tax evasion by wealthy individuals.

The Chancellor has previously expressed her disappointment in Hoeness' conduct.

Read: Dortmund sink Bayern in Super Cup

As former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola took charge for the first time in a competitive game, Bayern started their season in disappointing fashion on Saturday when losing the German Super Cup to Borussia Dortmund, the team they beat at Wembley in May.

They begin the defense of their Bundesliga title when taking on Borussia Monchengladbach at the Allianz Arena on August 9.

Via: Tax evasion charges for Bayern Munich chief

'Racist abuse" of Constant probed

(CNN) -- The new football season is still some weeks away, but already in Italy allegations of racial abuse towards AC Milan's Kevin Constant have marred a friendly.

The French-born Guinean player smashed the ball into the stands and walked off the pitch during Tuesday's friendly game against Sassuolo in the northern city of Reggio Emilia after becoming enraged by a section of supporters.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed Wednesday that it was examining the incident.

"The Federal Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to ascertain the extent of the racist incident that took place yesterday evening at the Stadio del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia during the Milan-Sassuolo match (Trofeo TIM), which saw AC Milan player Kevin Constant the subject of chants from some supporters in the stands" said the FIGC statement.

In January, Constant's teammate Kevin Prince-Boateng walked off the field of play after being racially abused by a number of fans during a friendly game against Pro Patria with six people hit with two-month prison sentences.

However Milan said that Constant's decision to leave the field was "not a decision he should have taken upon himself to make."

"On the evening of July 23rd 2013 there was another episode involving racist intolerance and this time the victim was Kevin Constant, who reacted by leaving the field of play," read the Milan statement.

"This was not a decision he should have taken upon himself to make and despite his more than understandable reasons and the anger he must have felt, AC Milan would like to remind everyone that the only people responsible for intervening against any manifestations that offend the human dignity, which includes racial discrimination, are the referee in charge of the match and the head of public safety.

"The use of the legal system and institutional rights, which every member of the public requires to exist in a civil society, does not compensate for the fact that these episodes continue to happen at a frequent rate."

Read: For Italy's 'ultras,' nothing black and white about football and racism

Both Constant and Prince-Boateng declined to be interviewed by CNN, while Sassuolo issued the following statement on its website.

"With reference to the incident that occurred during the Trofeo TIM, Sassuolo Calcio await the results of the investigation and fully condemn any racist expression," it read.

"In any case, we also underline the extraordinary fair play of Sassuolo fans in general. Over the years and during the Trofeo TIM last night they supported their team with the utmost sporting values, never transcending into vulgar chants and ensuring visiting fans enjoyed their hospitality."

The incident is the latest in a long line of unsavory episodes of racism which have dogged Italian football in recent times.

Only last May, the FIGC itself came under fire from FIFA president Sepp Blatter after the Italian organization fined Roma $65,000 after its fans were found guilty of racially abusing Milan's Mario Balotelli.

"You will always find money," Blatter told the world governing body's website at the time.

"What is $65,000 for such an incident? I'm not happy and I will call the Italian Federation. That's not a way to deal with such matters."

In April, Inter Milan were fined nearly $60,000 by European governing body UEFA after its fans were found guilty of "improper conduct" in chants directed towards Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Two months earlier, Lazio received its fourth charge of racist behavior this season -- with Roma's city rivals having been fined nearly $300,000 after repeated fan transgressions.

In May, FIFA adopted tougher penalties for racist behavior during its congress in Mauritius.

Punishments for first offenses bring a warning, fine or clubs being forced to play games in empty stadiums. A second offense, or one deemed "serious," could result in demotion, a deduction of points or expulsion from a tournament.

FIFA also confirmed that any individual found guilty of racist chanting will be suspended for at least five matches.

According to UEFA guidelines, which are adhered to by all professional clubs in Europe, there is a three-step procedure for abandoning games if they are marred by racist chanting.

First, the referee should halt the contest and ask for announcements to be made over the public address system.

The second step would be to suspend the match for a given period of time and, finally, abandon it.

Via: 'Racist abuse" of Constant probed

Ecuador's Christian Benitez dies aged 27

(CNN) -- Ecuador international Christian Benitez, the top scorer in the Mexican league last season, has died suddenly at the age of 27.

The striker popularly known as 'Chucho' passed away in the Qatari capital Doha, one day after playing his first game for new side El Jaish.

Having played at the 2006 World Cup as a youngster, Benitez had developed into an important component of an Ecuadorian side bidding to reach next year's finals in Brazil.

His 24 international goals make him the third highest scorer overall for Ecuador's national team.

Jose Chamorro, the player's agent, told an Ecuadorian television station that Benitez had suffered a heart attack and died in hospital, where he had been taken after complaining of abdominal pains.

Manchester United star Antonio Valencia, an international colleague of Benitez who played with the striker at leading Ecuadorian side El Nacional a decade ago, was among those struggling to come to terms with the loss.

"This pain (is) very strong my brother but we love you," the winger wrote on Twitter, where he also posted several pictures of the diminutive forward.

Despite being a footballer who failed to hit the heights in Europe, news of Benitez's death trended on Twitter.

Ecuador's interior minister Jose Serrano was among those who took to the micro-blogging site to comment, writing: "Dear Chucho, thank you for your goals and your happiness."

Sunderland's Craig Gardner, who played with Benitez at Birmingham City between 2009 and 2010, was also moved to comment.

"Can't believe Christian Benitez has died," Gardner wrote. "I had the pleasure to play with him. He was a top bloke. My thoughts go out to his family."

Having only signed Benitez three weeks ago, El Jaish were forced to confirm news of his death on their website.

"The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of the player," a club statement said on Monday.

"Benitez had recently joined the club from Club America for three seasons. The player participated for the first time with the team during yesterday's match against Qatar Sports Club in the Sheikh Jassem Cup without complaining of any health problems.

"His sudden departure is a big shock for each member of the technical and administrative staff. He was a player that over the short period he was here was regarded for his high moral character."

The son of former international Ermen Benitez, who is still the top league scorer in Ecuadorian football history, Christian made his name at El Nacional, a club where his father played with great success throughout the 1980's.

After leaving the Quito side, who posted a tribute on their website to Christian on Monday, the South American plied his trade with such success for Mexico's Santos Laguna that he alerted the interest of the English Premier League.

Joining Birmingham City on loan in 2009, the Ecuadorian made his debut at Manchester United and scored his first goal at Liverpool.

Despite a bright start, his impact faded over the season, prompting Birmingham manager Alex McLeish to return Benitez to Santos Laguna in 2010.

After leading the scoring charts, he joined rivals America in 2011 and helped the club win this year's Clausura title -- finishing as top scorer along the way.

He was still contracted to the club until moving to Qatar this month, but America also paid respects to a key player of recent times.

"Christian will always be present in our hearts and we will never forget you. Rest in peace," read the club website.

Benitez's last international goal came when in a 4-1 World Cup qualifying win over Paraguay in Quito in March.

The Ecuadorians, who failed to qualify for the 2010 finals in South Africa, lie third in South American qualifying, with a quarter of the campaign still left to play.

The top four teams in the nine-team group will automatically qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Via: Ecuador's Christian Benitez dies aged 27

The Amazon's World Cup race

Editor's note: Ready to Play debuts on CNN International on July 26 at 1530.

(CNN) -- A few kilometers from the city center of Manaus, Brazil, is a natural phenomenon called "the meeting of the waters."

Here, the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers join, but don't mix -- light and dark waters, flowing side by side for 8-10 kilometers, due to different water temperatures, speed and acid levels.

Eventually, the two rivers become one, and the mighty Amazon continues its journey through northern Brazil.

It is just one of the countless features that makes Manaus such a unique city.

Read: Does the World Cup help Brazil?

With the Amazon rainforest as its backyard, FIFA and city officials hope it will also be enough to draw in fans from around the world as one of Brazil's 12 host cities for the 2014 World Cup.

The city of two million people rises from the rainforest, isolated from much of the rest of Brazil's population. Traffic jams clog the streets. Fishing boats dot the river. Ports swarm with activity during the day, and overnight.

In the middle of it all, a stadium is being built from the ashes of one that stood before it. In this spot, the Arena da Amazonia is being constructed to welcome the world next summer.

The renderings of what the completed stadium will look like can be seen all over the city, from the sides of city buses to billboards above the busy streets.

But in reality, there is still much to be done. In June, it was a still a concrete shell, with no seats, no roof, no grass.

To complicate matters, having the rainforest as a backdrop is both a blessing and a curse. Instead of having a full year to prepare, Manaus has just a few months remaining until the intense rainy season hits in December.

Read: Heleno: The man who could've been Pele?

If the stadium is not ready by then, construction will become that much more difficult.

Miguel Capobiango Neto is the city liaison's officer to FIFA, overseeing World Cup preparations for the city, and that includes the Arena da Amazonia.

In June, he estimated the stadium was about 65 percent complete, and on track to finish in December.

Sustainability

The construction of the stadium is as unique as the city that's building it.

To save time, parts of the stadium -- such as the roof, for example -- are being built in other locations like Portugal, Germany and southern Brazil. The pieces are then assembled in Manaus, creating another challenge.

"These logistics give us a big headache," Neto said. "We need very good planning to have everything here at the right time."

Meant to look like a basket made by indigenous tribes in the rainforest, eco-friendly elements have gone into its construction, so ample rainwater will water the pitch, while sunlight and wind will be harnessed for power.

Read: 'The man who made a nation cry'

"When we thought about making this arena, we thought about sustainability," Neto said.

"Everybody here in the Amazon region worries about the environment, so we tried to follow that way of thinking...like saving the rain water, using sunlight, and using the wind."

When it is complete, the stadium will hold 44,000 people, and cost an estimated $550 million Brazilian reais, or about $225 million -- if it is completed on time, and on budget.

During the recent Confederations Cup, protests erupted over whether the money being spent on the World Cup might be better invested elsewhere and in Manaus the big question remains -- what will happen when the World Cup is over?

Manaus' local football teams don't draw in a big crowd. So the city has plans to use the stadium for other events, like concerts, conferences, and even UFC fights -- with jujitsu as perhaps the area's most popular sport.

City organizers are focused on the bigger picture, knowing the World Cup can bring more than just a new stadium.

They hope it will leave a lasting legacy of infrastructure improvements the city so desperately needs -- like more reliable electricity, internet, and transportation upgrades.

Long after the final whistle blows next summer, and a champion is crowned, that will be the true legacy of Manaus as a World Cup host city.

Via: The Amazon's World Cup race

Angerer's penalty heroics boost Germany

(CNN) -- German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer achieved the rare feat of saving two penalties in a major football final to help her side beat Norway 1-0 Sunday to win Euro 2013.

Angerer kept out spot kicks in either half with substitute Anja Mittag scoring the only goal of the match in Solna in Sweden just after the break.

It was enough to give Germany an unprecedented sixth straight European Championship crown, with the last two under legendary former player and now head coach Silvia Neid.

An uneventful first half came to life when Norway were awarded the first of their penalties as Catherine Dekkerhus hit the turf under challenge from Celia Okoyino da Mbabi.

Penalty save

Angerer, incensed by the earlier award of a corner to Norway just before the penalty incident, channeled her aggression to keep out Trine Ronning's penalty with her knee.

Read: USA claim Olympic football gold after beating Japan

Germany took the lead just after the halftime break with Mittag tapping in from close range after excellent work by Okoyino da Mbabi.

Norway responded with a surging run from Caroline Hansen brought to an abrupt end to lead to the award of a second penalty.

This time Solveig Gulbrandsen stepped up to attempt to score, but her effort was too close to Angerer, who fended it away.

Germany enjoyed more good fortune when Maren Mjelde's cross was turned in by Ada Hegerberg, but she was rightly flagged for offside.

Deserved winners

But the reigning champions were deserved winners, with Nadine Kessler's late low shot and an earlier header from Leonie Maier both hitting the woodwork.

Still looking for their first Olympic gold medal, Germany have dominated at European level, winning eight of the 11 championships staged, with Neid being involved in them all.

The result also continued two-time winner Norway's losing run in Euro finals to Germany, this there fourth and doubly frustrating thanks to Angerer's heroics.

Norway had also beaten Germany in the group stages of the competition, but could not repeat the feat when it really mattered.

Via: Angerer's penalty heroics boost Germany

Dortmund beat Bayern in Super Cup

(CNN) -- Pep Guardiola's first competitive game in charge of Bayern Munich ended in defeat on Saturday as Borussia Dortmund ran out 4-2 winners in the German Super Cup.

Two goals from Marco Reus helped Jurgen Klopp's team beat the reigning German and European champions in front of a home crowd at the Signal Inuna Park.

Dortmund always held sway in an absorbing contest but Bayern, minus Franck Ribery and former Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze, were never far behind.

Klopp's men were gifted the opening goal in the sixth minute when Reus headed home from close range after Bayern keeper Tom Starke -- deputizing for an injured Manuel Neuer -- had fumbled a cross.

Dortmund were unlucky not to double their lead moments later when Robert Lewandowski scored, but he was adjudged to be offside.

Read: Higuain moves to Napoli

Bayern fought back and were denied in the 12th minute by a fine double save by Roman Weidenfeller who blocked Xherdan Shaqiri's low shot before palming away a rebound effort to safety.

The half ended as it had begun with Dortmund with their noses in front but it was Bayern who struck first after the break -- Arjen Robben heading home in the 54th minute to level the scores.

Read: Redemption for Bayern Munich in Champions League

The goal sparked a frantic passage of play which saw four goals in ten minutes.

In the 56th minute, Dortmund regained the lead when Daniel van Butyen scored an own goal and 60 seconds they were 3-1 up thanks to a wonderful curling effort from Ilkay Gundogan.

Read: New manager Martino lays out Barca ambitions

Bayern halved the deficit eight minutes later when Robben received a cross from Philipp Lahm, before turning and firing a left-foot shot past Weidenfeller.

But it was Dortmund who finally finished the contest in the 86th minute when Reus steered Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cross into the net to bag a brace and ensure Dortmund made a winning start to the season.

The Bundesliga gets underway on the August 9 with Bayern Munich playing Borussia Monchengladbach at the Allianz Arena. Dortmund kick off their campaign the following day away to Augsburg.

Via: Dortmund beat Bayern in Super Cup

Real Madrid confirm Higuain move to Napoli

(CNN) -- Serie A side Napoli have completed the signing of Argentine international Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid.

A statement on the Spanish club's website published Saturday confirmed that the 25-year-old striker was on his way to Italy.

"Real Madrid C. F. announces that Gonzalo Higuain has been transferred to Naples," read the statement.

"The club would like to express their gratitude for his years of dedication and professionalism, and wishes him luck in this new step."

Read: Can a team win 79-0?

Higuain, who is reported to have cost Napoli in the region of $50 million, spent six-and-a-half seasons at the Bernabeu and scored a total of 107 goals in 187 appearances.

The Argentine joins a growing list of new signings as Napoli's new manager Rafa Benitez prepares for an assault on both the Serie A title and the Champions League.

Striker Jose Callejon and defender Raul Albiol both joined the Italian club from Madrid earlier this month while Belgian international winger Dries Mertens signed from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in June.

Read: Martino sets out his Barca ambitions

Benitez has also signed Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina on a one-year loan deal.

Higuain is expected to fill the void left by last season's top scorer in Serie A Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker, who scored 29 goals for Napoli last term, joined French champions Paris Saint Germain earlier this month in a deal worth a French record 64 million ($84 million).

Via: Real Madrid confirm Higuain move to Napoli

Martino lays out his ambitions for Barcelona

(CNN) -- Gerardo Martino was unveiled as Barcelona's new manager Friday -- promising not to change their attacking style of play but introducing "new ideas" to help the Catalan giants dominate European club football.

The 50-year-old Martino has replaced Tito Vilanova, who stood down last week to undergo further treatment for throat cancer.

Martino, who took Newell's Old Boys to the Argentine Clausura Championship, has signed a two-year deal at the Nou Camp.

Read: Martino to succeed Vilanova at Barcelona

He will take charge of a side which romped to the La Liga title last season with a record points tally, but suffered a crushing humiliation in the semifinals of the Champions League, going down 7-0 on aggregate to eventual winners Bayern Munich.

It led to suggestions that Barcelona needed to make tactical changes, having gone out at the same stage of the competition for the past two years, but Martino believes it will not need a major revamp.

"Every team, even Barcelona which has already attained certain moments of excellence, can always improve, and Barca still has things to win," he told gathered reporters.

Analysis: Martino who? Is El Tata the right man for Barca?

"We are going to try to recover certain things that we've seen when Barca have been at their best, and add a few ideas of our own."

Martino confirmed that Barca's talisman and fellow Argentinian Lionel Messi would continue to operate in his current role.

"He will continue to play in exactly the same position. He has to feel comfortable, after that he'll do the rest."

Messi will be joined by big-name Brazilian signing Neymar for the new campaign, while Martino appeared to rule out the departure of midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is the subject of a bid from English Premier League champions Manchester United.

Asked about United's attempts to sign the Spanish international with a $38 million bid on the table, Martino gave a firm reply.

Read: Vilonava steps down after cancer relapse

"If the club has signaled its refusal twice, then I signal it a third time - and so he (Fabregas) will be staying here,"

Club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who flanked Martino with president Sandro Rosell, also chipped in.

"We are not thinking of selling Cesc," he said. "That United are showing interest in Cesc is normal, because he's a great player.

"That doesn't upset us, that makes us proud that they want one of our players.

"But whatever the offer, we won't be selling him. We are relying on him."

Read: New signing Neymar promises to back Messi

Martino's appointment Tuesday came as a surprise as he has no managerial experience in Europe.

But his pedigree is clear, winning four championship titles in Paraguay, before guiding their national team to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup.

He has also been a success at Newell's, a former club of Messi.

Martino is the fourth Argentine to take the helm at Barcelona after Roque Olsen, Helenio Herrera and Cesar Luis Menotti.

Via: Martino lays out his ambitions for Barcelona

Ronaldinho leads Mineiro to Libertadores triumph

(CNN) -- Ronaldinho rounded on critics who said he was finished after he helped lead Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro to the Copa Libertadores title after a penalty shootout victory over Olimpia.

The 2002 World Cup winner and two-time world player of the year helped his side edge past their Paraguayan opponents via a penalty shootout to land their first ever Libertadores crown -- the premier club competition in South America.

Atletico had to rely on an 87th minute equalizer from Leonardo Silva in the second leg of final to force the tie into extra time, which remained goalless. This came just moments after Olimpia defender Julio Cesar Manzur had been sent off.

Once again, as he had been in both the quarter and semifinals, Atletico's goalkeeper Victor was hailed as hero.

Read: A fair World Cup deal for Brazil?

Having saved penalties to help his side past Tijuana and Newell's Old Boys, he made a crucial penalty save after the match had gone to a shootout, Atletico winning 4-3 to land their first major international title.

"This is why I came back to Brazil," Ronaldinho told reporters. "Not long ago people were saying that I was done but we showed today that isn't the case. Let them talk now."

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Paraguay, Atletico halved the deficit with a goal from former Manchester City striker Jo moments after the second half began.

Olimpia missed a golden chance to restore their two-goal lead late in the game when Ferreyra dribbled past Victor but stumbled in front of goal, allowing the goalkeeper to recover.

But with three minutes remaining Leonardo Silva headed into the far corner to send Atletico's 60,000 fans into raptures.

After a goalless extra half an hour Victor saved Olimpia's first spot kick in the shootout, from defender Herminio Miranda, as Atletico went on to convert all four of their penalties.

It capped a remarkable triumph for Atleitco in their first Libertadores final. Victor saved a stoppage time penalty in the quarterfinal against Tijuana to help his side stay in the competition.

Their semifinal against Newell's Old Boys, of Argentina, was interrupted by a floodlight failure, Atletico scoring late on to force another shootout in which Victor again starred.

"When it's written, it's written -- this was meant for us," said Atletico coach Cuca.

Via: Ronaldinho leads Mineiro to Libertadores triumph

The Amazon's World Cup stadium race

Editor's note: Ready to Play debuts on CNN International on July 26 at 1530.

(CNN) -- A few kilometers from the city center of Manaus, Brazil, is a natural phenomenon called "the meeting of the waters."

Here, the Rio Negro and Amazon rivers join, but don't mix -- light and dark waters, flowing side by side for 8-10 kilometers, due to different water temperatures, speed and acid levels.

Eventually, the two rivers become one, and the mighty Amazon continues its journey through northern Brazil.

It is just one of the countless features that makes Manaus such a unique city.

Read: Does the World Cup help Brazil?

With the Amazon rainforest as its backyard, FIFA and city officials hope it will also be enough to draw in fans from around the world as one of Brazil's 12 host cities for the 2014 World Cup.

The city of two million people rises from the rainforest, isolated from much of the rest of Brazil's population. Traffic jams clog the streets. Fishing boats dot the river. Ports swarm with activity during the day, and overnight.

In the middle of it all, a stadium is being built from the ashes of one that stood before it. In this spot, the Arena da Amazonia is being constructed to welcome the world next summer.

The renderings of what the completed stadium will look like can be seen all over the city, from the sides of city buses to billboards above the busy streets.

But in reality, there is still much to be done. In June, it was a still a concrete shell, with no seats, no roof, no grass.

To complicate matters, having the rainforest as a backdrop is both a blessing and a curse. Instead of having a full year to prepare, Manaus has just a few months remaining until the intense rainy season hits in December.

Read: Heleno: The man who could've been Pele?

If the stadium is not ready by then, construction will become that much more difficult.

Miguel Capobiango Neto is the city liaison's officer to FIFA, overseeing World Cup preparations for the city, and that includes the Arena da Amazonia.

In June, he estimated the stadium was about 65 percent complete, and on track to finish in December.

Sustainability

The construction of the stadium is as unique as the city that's building it.

To save time, parts of the stadium -- such as the roof, for example -- are being built in other locations like Portugal, Germany and southern Brazil. The pieces are then assembled in Manaus, creating another challenge.

"These logistics give us a big headache," Neto said. "We need very good planning to have everything here at the right time."

Meant to look like a basket made by indigenous tribes in the rainforest, eco-friendly elements have gone into its construction, so ample rainwater will water the pitch, while sunlight and wind will be harnessed for power.

Read: 'The man who made a nation cry'

"When we thought about making this arena, we thought about sustainability," Neto said.

"Everybody here in the Amazon region worries about the environment, so we tried to follow that way of thinking...like saving the rain water, using sunlight, and using the wind."

When it is complete, the stadium will hold 44,000 people, and cost an estimated $550 million Brazilian reais, or about $225 million -- if it is completed on time, and on budget.

During the recent Confederations Cup, protests erupted over whether the money being spent on the World Cup might be better invested elsewhere and in Manaus the big question remains -- what will happen when the World Cup is over?

Manaus' local football teams don't draw in a big crowd. So the city has plans to use the stadium for other events, like concerts, conferences, and even UFC fights -- with jujitsu as perhaps the area's most popular sport.

City organizers are focused on the bigger picture, knowing the World Cup can bring more than just a new stadium.

They hope it will leave a lasting legacy of infrastructure improvements the city so desperately needs -- like more reliable electricity, internet, and transportation upgrades.

Long after the final whistle blows next summer, and a champion is crowned, that will be the true legacy of Manaus as a World Cup host city.

Via: The Amazon's World Cup stadium race

'Racist abuse" of AC Milan star Constant probed by Italian Football Federation

(CNN) -- The new football season is still some weeks away, but already in Italy allegations of racial abuse towards AC Milan's Kevin Constant have marred a friendly.

The French-born Guinean player smashed the ball into the stands and walked off the pitch during Tuesday's friendly game against Sassuolo in the northern city of Reggio Emilia after becoming enraged by a section of supporters.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed Wednesday that it was examining the incident.

"The Federal Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation to ascertain the extent of the racist incident that took place yesterday evening at the Stadio del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia during the Milan-Sassuolo match (Trofeo TIM), which saw AC Milan player Kevin Constant the subject of chants from some supporters in the stands" said the FIGC statement.

In January, Constant's teammate Kevin Prince-Boateng walked off the field of play after being racially abused by a number of fans during a friendly game against Pro Patria with six people hit with two-month prison sentences.

However Milan said that Constant's decision to leave the field was "not a decision he should have taken upon himself to make."

"On the evening of July 23rd 2013 there was another episode involving racist intolerance and this time the victim was Kevin Constant, who reacted by leaving the field of play," read the Milan statement.

"This was not a decision he should have taken upon himself to make and despite his more than understandable reasons and the anger he must have felt, AC Milan would like to remind everyone that the only people responsible for intervening against any manifestations that offend the human dignity, which includes racial discrimination, are the referee in charge of the match and the head of public safety.

"The use of the legal system and institutional rights, which every member of the public requires to exist in a civil society, does not compensate for the fact that these episodes continue to happen at a frequent rate."

Read: For Italy's 'ultras,' nothing black and white about football and racism

Both Constant and Prince-Boateng declined to be interviewed by CNN, while Sassuolo issued the following statement on its website.

"With reference to the incident that occurred during the Trofeo TIM, Sassuolo Calcio await the results of the investigation and fully condemn any racist expression," it read.

"In any case, we also underline the extraordinary fair play of Sassuolo fans in general. Over the years and during the Trofeo TIM last night they supported their team with the utmost sporting values, never transcending into vulgar chants and ensuring visiting fans enjoyed their hospitality."

The incident is the latest in a long line of unsavory episodes of racism which have dogged Italian football in recent times.

Only last May, the FIGC itself came under fire from FIFA president Sepp Blatter after the Italian organization fined Roma $65,000 after its fans were found guilty of racially abusing Milan's Mario Balotelli.

"You will always find money," Blatter told the world governing body's website at the time.

"What is $65,000 for such an incident? I'm not happy and I will call the Italian Federation. That's not a way to deal with such matters."

In April, Inter Milan were fined nearly $60,000 by European governing body UEFA after its fans were found guilty of "improper conduct" in chants directed towards Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Two months earlier, Lazio received its fourth charge of racist behavior this season -- with Roma's city rivals having been fined nearly $300,000 after repeated fan transgressions.

In May, FIFA adopted tougher penalties for racist behavior during its congress in Mauritius.

Punishments for first offenses bring a warning, fine or clubs being forced to play games in empty stadiums. A second offense, or one deemed "serious," could result in demotion, a deduction of points or expulsion from a tournament.

FIFA also confirmed that any individual found guilty of racist chanting will be suspended for at least five matches.

According to UEFA guidelines, which are adhered to by all professional clubs in Europe, there is a three-step procedure for abandoning games if they are marred by racist chanting.

First, the referee should halt the contest and ask for announcements to be made over the public address system.

The second step would be to suspend the match for a given period of time and, finally, abandon it.

Via: 'Racist abuse" of AC Milan star Constant probed by Italian Football Federation

Stars on treadmill to boost globalization drive

(CNN) -- He runs alongside the Arsenal coach in Vietnam's capital Hanoi mile after mile. He bumps into trees and lamp posts but keeps on running.

At one stage he beats his hand against the badge of the red and white Arsenal shirt that he is wearing, mimicking an often used footballer's goal celebration. Eventually to keep up with the coach he hops on a moped.

The "Running Man" -- as Vu Xuan Tien has been dubbed -- gets his reward when the Arsenal coach stops and he is invited on board to meet the players and manager Arsene Wenger, who all sign his shirt.

Man gets on Arsenal bus. Cue international headlines as the "Running Man" goes global. Welcome to the power of English football in Asia.

"It should be a message for all of you guys that if you really want to pursue your dreams, it can happen," goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny told the Arsenal website.

But the "Running Man" is not the only one working his socks off in Asia at the moment.

Arsenal are one of a number of English Premier League clubs touring Asia and Australia -- others include Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea -- as part of their pre-season preparations. The new season kicks off on August 17.

"Tours provide us with an opportunity to build our global following, and are also a great opportunity to bring thousands of supporters further afield closer to the club by giving them a chance to interact with us personally," an Arsenal spokeswoman told CNN.

"From a business perspective it's also important we show our commitment to building our name around the world to become more attractive to potential commercial partners and to support some of our existing partners' business objectives for whom Asia is also an important market."

The business case is clear, but to travel thousands of miles round the world, to train in humid conditions and wake up in a different hotel bed each morning seems -- on the face of it -- perhaps not an ideal way to prepare for the rigors of the English Premier League season and the challenge of the Champions League.

United forward Wayne Rooney was an early casualty of the club's three-week trip to Asia, with the England international having to fly home on the tour's opening day with a hamstring injury.

Dutchman Alex Buttner also picked up a hamstring injury in their friendly defeat to the Singha All-Stars in Thailand -- United's first match on the tour -- to join Rooney in the treatment room.

United did not respond to CNN's questions regarding the financial importance of the Far East to the club or the physiological efficacy of these tours as a way of preparing players for a new season.

While Premier League clubs press the flesh in Asia, Champions League winners Bayern Munich remained in northern Europe and held a training camp in northern Italy in Trentino early July.

"Unfortunately from a physiological perspective and as preparation for the upcoming season I can't see too many positives and more importantly there is significant chance of injury," Dr Craig Duncan of the Australian Catholic University, who until recently was Sydney FC's head of human performance, told CNN.

"It's a disruption and I know from my perspective in preparing teams I prefer to be based in our home location which is familiar and has all the requirements that the players require.

"The impact of travel can't be underestimated and with changing time zones comes much needed adaptation and thus loss of valuable training time.

"Players are vulnerable to injury when fatigued and travel will increase fatigue so if coaches are not careful with training loads there are potential injury issues."

Last season the Premier League kicked off on August 18, but September had the highest injury incidence rate of the season with 61 separate problems recorded in the month, whereas December showed the lowest 0.46 per game, according to respected website Physio Room.

"This isn't unusual and often it's a problem with the preparation," said Duncan.

"Clubs sometimes expose their players to a pre-season that has too great a training load. They see it as a time to get in as much work as possible to get them ready for the busy season ahead.

"However, the consequence of this is fatigue, thus players head into the new season in a fatigued state which exposes them to the risk of injury.

"Alternatively, if they haven't been prepared adequately (training load too low) they are also at risk at the onset of the season as the intensity is very high.

"Preparation of a team is a balancing act -- you must expose them to sufficient training load to have the players ready but not too much so that they are overly fatigued."

Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen agrees with Duncan that managers struggle to get the balance right in pre-season training.

"Most coaches make fitness training too important in pre-season," said Verheijen. "They are scared to death that their team will not be fit enough for the start of the season.

"So, they train often and train long. As result, players start to accumulate fatigue over time as in the above situation it is impossible for them to recover between sessions.

"On top of that, players also have to play friendly games while not recovered. So, coaches are compromising these friendly games by playing fatigued players."

The allure of Premier League clubs can be seen by the 95,000 crowd that is expected to watch Liverpool play Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.

Prior to arriving in Australia, Liverpool were in Indonesia, when Asia-focused bank Standard Chartered extended its sponsorship of the club, continuing one of the most lucrative deals in English sport.

The bank, which makes almost all its money in Asia, the Middle East and Africa -- regions where Liverpool has a strong following -- has been the club's shirt sponsor since July 2010.

The original deal was worth about $30.5 million a season and reportedly the new terms are broadly similar.

Liverpool did not respond to CNN's questions regarding the financial importance of the Far East or player well-being, but the club's former head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess was more forthcoming.

"The attitude of the Liverpool players was outstanding when I was there," said Burgess, who is now high performance manager at Port Adelaide in Australia. "They realize it's part of playing for a big club.

"However there's no doubt that the majority of coaches and players would rather complete pre-season at their local training centers.

"They can train in familiar surroundings, sleep in their own beds, have access to all the equipment they would need and not have the physical and mental interruption of travel.

"Physically it would definitely make for a more effective pre-season period.

"As far as countering fatigue, we tried to get the players into the Asian time zone as soon as possible and we adjusted training loads to avoid the injury risks associated with long-haul flying and pre-season training.

"We monitored the players heavily so we knew exactly who was coping with the heat/travel/training and who wasn't so we'd like to think the injury risk was minimized."

Premier League stars better get used to spending more of their time out in Asia -- the financial opportunities appear to be just too great to ignore.

"The support shown to us since we arrived in Indonesia, Vietnam and now Japan has been incredible," said the Arsenal spokeswoman.

"Tens of thousands of supporters have attended our activities and pre-season matches on tour in Indonesia and Vietnam, and our first fixture in Nagoya in Japan has already sold out days ahead of the fixture."

"A new generation of supporters in each country is able to interact with the club first hand, and we hope that builds a connection that lasts for many years to come.

As British sports business expert Simon Chadwick points out for most Premier League clubs less than 10% of the annual turnover comes from overseas sales, which means there is plenty of potential growth abroad.

"Overseas markets are potentially an important source of sustainable revenues," said Chadwick.

"However, most clubs lack either the expertise or the infrastructure to capitalize upon these revenues, plus there is a physical limit to the amount of business a club can do overseas.

"They simply can't go and play in China each week where direct player/club relations are the most important point of engagement for fans in places like China.

"That's interesting, as it hints at the potential development of globally franchised clubs in the future as we've seen with Manchester City in the MLS."

Which means the "Running Man" better keep on running because that Arsenal coach is likely to be soon back in Hanoi.

Via: Stars on treadmill to boost globalization drive

Martino the new man at Barcelona

(CNN) -- Gerardo "Tata" Martino's the name -- and putting Barcelona back at the top of Europe's elite is the game.

Martino, 50, signed a two-year deal with the Spanish champions Tuesday after agreeing a move to Camp Nou to replace the recently departed Tito Vilanova.

The Argentine, who hails from Rosario, the same city as Barca star Lionel Messi, led Newell's Old Boys to the Clausura last season as well as to the semifinal stage of the Copa Libertadores.

Messi has been outspoken in his praise of Martino in the past and is likely to welcome the arrival of his fellow countryman.

Speaking to Ol last year, Messi said: "I like Martino, he's an amazing coach and you could see in the Clausura what he did for the team, the manner in which he finished and how he achieved it.

"He found the team, he made it play well and everyone respects him."

Martino has spent much of his career coaching in Paraguay where he won four domestic titles during his time with Libertda and Cerro Porteno.

He led the Paraguay national team to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where it was beaten by eventual champion Spain, while it also qualified for the final of the Copa America 12 months later.

Martino has won praise from fellow Argentine Messi in the past and is a disciple of former Atletico Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Read: Vilanova steps down as Barcelona coach

Martino replaces Vilanova, who stood down as coach earlier in July after revealing he required further treatment in his fight against cancer.

Vilanova, 44, led Barcelona to the La Liga title last season after taking over from Pep Guardiola in June 2012 despite originally being diagnosed with throat cancer in November 2011.

The Spaniard missed nearly three months of last season while undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York before returning in March to help the club claim the title.

But defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals put an end to the dream of a prestigious double.

Vilanova had hoped to preside over another season but his ill health meant that he was unable to continue.

"It was a very hard blow," Barcelona captain Carles Puyol told a press conference when asked about Vilanova's departure.

"Nobody expected it. The team has been left very affected. The news we have received is very difficult, but this is an illness and the person is the most important.

"Tito is very much in the thoughts of those in the dressing room. He spoke to us and calmed us. He asked us to continue to fight as he would do."

Via: Martino the new man at Barcelona

Cisse sits out club trip over religious beliefs, says agent

(CNN) -- English Premier League club Newcastle United and striker Papiss Cisse are at odds over the club's sponsorship deal with a finance company, according to the player's agent.

Cisse, who terrorized opposition defenses when he moved to soccer's Premier League last year, hasn't been included in Newcastle's squad for a pre-season tour of Portugal, the team from Northeast England revealed on its website

A Muslim, Cisse doesn't want to don Newcastle's jersey -- according to his agent -- because the sponsor is Wonga, which, as stated on its website, lends money with an annual interest rate of more than 5,800 percent.

"He feels that it is immoral....," the Senegal international's agent Madou Diene told CNN, outlining his interpretation of the striker's position.

Diene declined CNN's request to interview Cisse.

Read: Shirt details reach new heights

Earlier this month UK consumer watchdog Which? revealed a million families a month needed short-term high interest loans to get by.

Of those, 400,000 used the cash to pay for essentials such as food and fuel, while a further 240,000 needed money to pay off existing debts.

Newcastle, which did not return calls from CNN seeking comment, has yet to explain why Cisse did not travel with the squad to Portugal.

Under Sharia law, making money from interest, for example, isn't allowed.

But the BBC reported that two of Cisse's Muslim teammates, midfielders Cheick Tiote and Moussa Sissoko, told the club they had no issue with wearing the shirt and both of them were included in the squad for the trip to Portugal as the club prepare for the new English Premier League season which starts on August 17.

The partnership between the club and Wonga is said to be worth $38m over four years.

Wonga, which declined comment on the Cisse case, launched its first website in 2007 and according to its website, "rapidly became one of the world's most innovative credit providers."

For first-time users, loans of up to about $600 can be requested and Wonga usually provides an answer, it says, in seconds.

However, the interest such companies charge consumers has raised concerns among a number of British politicians.

"Urgent action is needed to grip the regulation of the payday loan industry, as the number of cases of misery and hardship are growing rapidly because of pressures on living standards and personal finance," Chris Leslie MP, Labour's Shadow Treasury Minister, told the British opposition party's website in June.

Cisse wore Newcastle's jersey last season when it was sponsored by another finance company -- lender Virgin Money.

"I guess it might be a question of people's views changing over time," Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, assistant secretary general with the Muslim Council of Britain, told CNN.

"Maybe they've not had a chance to think things through beforehand. Maybe now they realize," added Mogra in response to the question as to why Cisse wore a Virgin jersey but not the Wonga one.

Read: Newcastle United's French connection

Cisse wouldn't be the first Muslim player to refuse to wear a jersey on religious grounds.

Striker Frederic Kanoute took a stand at Spain's Sevilla in 2006 when he opted against wearing a shirt sponsored by gambling firm 888.com.

Eventually, Kanoute did wear the shirt but was excluded from taking part in any promotional activities linked to the sponsorship.

"I think every player will have their own (stance) on this," said Mogra. "There will be players who will not be prepared to do something they believe is against their religious teaching and there might be some who might not be so concerned.

"It's very difficult to say how everyone is going to react."

The Council hasn't been approached by the club or Cisse, Mogra added.

"If they were to make a request or approach, we would either signpost them or be able to give them advice," he said.

The chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Gordon Taylor -- who is seeking a resolution to the dispute -- did not respond to CNN's request for an interview.

Read: The curious case of Claudio Yacob

When asked if other clubs had expressed an interest in Cisse, Diene couldn't "answer that question."

Earlier he insisted that Cisse "loves the fans, the club and the city."

Cisse played a significant role in helping Newcastle to overachieve and finish fifth in the Premier League in 2011/2012, scoring 13 goals in 14 appearances after joining from Freiburg for $13.7 million during the January transfer window.

But he cooled last term, netting eight league goals as he played second fiddle to Demba Ba. Ba was then sold to Chelsea and Newcastle barely avoided relegation.

The Cisse saga has added to an already lively off-season at Newcastle, one of England's best supported clubs with an average league attendance last season of more than 50,000.

In June, the Magpies rehired the outspoken Joe Kinnear, which did not go down well with the club's fans. Formerly a manager, he was brought back as director of soccer.

Via: Cisse sits out club trip over religious beliefs, says agent

Vilanova steps down as Barcelona coach

(CNN) -- Tito Vilanova stepped down as Barcelona coach Friday after the Spanish champions revealed he needed fresh treatment in his battle against cancer.

Club president Sandro Rosell and sporting director Andoni Zubizaretta made the announcement at a specially convened media conference at the Nou Camp.

The 44-year-old Vilanova led the Catalan giants to the La Liga title last season after succeeding Pep Guardiola in June 2012.

Read: Barcelona wrap up La Liga title

But he spent nearly three months on the sidelines after having surgery followed by a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in New York.

Vilanova, a long-time assistant to Guardiola, had first been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor of the throat in November 2011, but after having initial treatment returned to work in less than three weeks.

He was appointed to the top job when his old boss quit and under his charge Barcelona made a storming start to last season.

After his return in March following his treatment, they wrapped up the domestic title, but suffered a semifinal humiliation to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals.

Read: Barcelona crushed by Bayern in semifinals

Vilanova had been preparing his squad for the new season, but following news of his fresh health problems, the club announced their trip to Poland for a friendly with Lechia Gdansk Saturday had been canceled.

Barcelona said assistant coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia would take temporary charge and Rosell said a new coach would be appointed "probably early next week."

Vilanova's battle with cancer has occurred in tandem with Eric Abidal, the French international defender, who was diagnosed with a liver tumor.

When Barcelona clinched their 22nd La Liga title last season, club captain Carles Puyol stepped aside to allow Vilanova and Abidal to initially lift the trophy in recognition of their brave battles against illness.

Abidal left the Catalan giants at the end of the season when he was not offered a fresh playing contract.

Several Barcelona players, including Argentina star Lionel Messi and Puyol, attended Friday's announcement of Vilanova's latest setback.

Via: Vilanova steps down as Barcelona coach

FIFA puts heat on Qatar

(CNN) -- The heat is on.

Qatar will discover its World Cup fate in October after FIFA revealed it will make a decision over whether to move the tournament from summer to winter. Traditionally the event has been staged in June and the early part of July.

FIFA, football's world governing body, is set to discuss the proposal at an executive committee meeting scheduled for the beginning of October.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed fears Tuesday that the heat of the Qatari summer which reaches temperatures from 104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, would have detrimental health effects on players and quality of football at the tournament.

A spokesman for FIFA told CNN: "As mentioned by the FIFA President yesterday, he will bring forward the matter of playing the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in winter to the FIFA Executive Committee on the occasion of their next meeting scheduled for October 2013.

"Please understand that this matter will now be with the Executive Committee and that we can therefore not comment further before the meeting has taken place."

Read: Qatar face scrutiny over 'slavery' accusations

The announcement comes 24 hours after Blatter told a news conference in Kitzbuehel, Austria, that the players would not be able to play in such hot and humid conditions whereas Qatar's average winter temperature of 68 degrees Farenheit would be much more feasible.

"The World Cup must be a festival of the people. But for it to be such a festival, you can't play football in the summer," Blatter told reporters.

"You can cool down the stadiums but you can't cool down the whole country and you can't simply cool down the ambiance of a World Cup.

"The players must be able to play in the best conditions to play a good World Cup."

Hassan Al-Thawadi, head of the Qatar 2022 organizing committee, has not ruled out the prospect of holding the tournament in the winter -- despite expected opposition from Europe's top clubs.

A winter competition would wreak havoc with domestic fixture lists and could create tensions with television companies.

But Al-Thawadi says Qatar is open to all suggestions from FIFA.

"If it's a wish of the football community to have the World Cup in winter, then we are open to that," he told reporters.

Via: FIFA puts heat on Qatar

Man Utd reject Chelsea offer for Rooney

London (CNN) -- English Premier League champions Manchester United have rejected a bid for striker Wayne Rooney from rivals Chelsea.

The West London club revealed in a statement released Wednesday that it has submitted a "written offer" for the unsettled striker.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that yesterday it made a written offer to Manchester United for the transfer of Wayne Rooney," the Chelsea statement read.

The fee is not known, but reports in the UK media on Wednesday speculated that Chelsea might be offering winger Juan Mata or defender David Luiz plus cash in the return for the services of Rooney. But the club flatly reject the claim.

"Although the terms of the offer are confidential, for avoidance of doubt and contrary to what is currently being briefed to the press in Sydney (where Manchester United are currently on tour), the proposed purchase price does not include the transfer or loan of any players from Chelsea to Manchester United," the Chelsea statement read.

Manchester United have not commented further on the bid.

Read: Tevez says CL pressure too much for City

After overseeing his first game back in charge of Chelsea in Bangkok, Jose Mourinho described the offer as "clean" and "ethical" before adding that the club have not, and will not, bid for any other strikers this summer.

"We love the player, we are interested in the player, we made the bid. We have nothing more to say and nothing more to do. And now we have to respect and be ethical in this process," Mourinho said following Chelsea's 1-0 win over Singha All Stars.

Chelsea's interest in Rooney is the latest twist in a long-running saga about the striker's future.

Rumors of the 27-year-old's discontent began to surface towards the end of last season as Manchester United were romping to a 20th League title.

The club eventually won by 11 points from rivals Manchester City, but Rooney was playing second fiddle to striker Robin van Persie who signed from Arsenal at the beginning of the 2012/13 season.

The Dutchman netted 30 goals in 48 matches for his new club while Rooney only managed 12 from 37.

At the end of last season, outgoing manager Alex Ferguson confirmed that Rooney had submitted a transfer request.

"We refused it. He should go away and think it over. He's not happy being taken off a couple of times this season, but Rooney in top form wouldn't have been taken off," Ferguson said following United's final home game of the season.

Read: El Matador' signs for PSG in record deal

Ferguson's replacement, David Moyes tried to quash ongoing rumors when he officially took over the managerial reigns at the club earlier this month.

"Wayne is not for sale," Moyes, who signed a six-year contract to replace Ferguson in May, told reporters. "He is a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player.

"I see a glint in his eye. He looks happy, he looks like he will knuckle down and get himself right."

That apparent glint has been replaced by a furrowed brow with Rooney reported to be "angry and confused" at his treatment by his current employers.

The striker, who joined United from Moyes' previous club Everton for $39 million in 2004, signed a new improved five-year-deal in October 2010 following a similar falling out with the club's management.

Manchester United's chief executive, Ed Woodward recently said that no contract renewals are currently being discussed.

"I am not sitting down with any player on an extension and there is no trigger date in the diary. Would we be afraid to run a contract down? Of course not," Woodward said.

Via: Man Utd reject Chelsea offer for Rooney

Tevez reveals Man City pressure

(CNN) -- Over a billion dollars was spent, the English Premier League title was won, its neighbors' feathers were duly ruffled, but the pressure to adapt to European football proved too much for Manchester City says Carlos Tevez.

Tevez, who signed for Juventus in a $13 million deal last month, enjoyed four years at City where he helped the club win the FA Cup and a first league title in 44 years, when they pipped rivals Manchester United on the last day of the 2011/2012 season.

But it was the club's failure in European competition which left a sour taste in Tevez's mouth with City failing to in their bid to compete with the continent's biggest clubs.

City has failed to progress from the Group Stage of Europe's elite competition in each of the past two seasons and the Argentine striker says the pressure and expectation on the players proved too great for the team to handle.

"Yes, there was way too much pressure," Tevez told CNN.

"It came from everyone -- the club, the fans. I think that too much pressure just hurts the team.

"What happened was that there so much hype and pressure to be one of the giants of Europe and we didn't do it.

"We dropped out in the first round of the Champions League on both occasions."

City will now hope that new manager Manuel Pellegrini will help to turn its fortunes around following the departure of Roberto Mancini.

Read: Pellegrini to provide 'holistic' approach

City's former Italian coach and Tevez endured a difficult relationship with the Argentine's apparent refusal to warm up during a Champions League tie at Bayern Munich in September 2011.

Subsequently the Italian announced that Tevez would never play for the club again before finally relenting, but the Argentine says he only has respect for his former manager.

"He's a winner," added Tevez.

"I think he's a winner because he always wants to win and he takes his team to the maximum place to be able to win. Everyone who knows Mancini knows that he's a winner from birth."

Read: 'El Matador' joins PSG

Tevez's new club, Juventus, last won the Champions League back in 1996 and reached the quarterfinals last season before losing to eventual champion Bayern Munich.

The Turin club has not reached the final since it suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat by Milan in 2003 at Old Trafford.

While Antonio Conte's side have won Serie A for the past two years, it is the European crown which the club craves.

But Tevez is aware of how such pressure can be detrimental to a team's chances of success with City just one example of how players can be adversely affected.

"I think we have to be calm and make sure we don't put pressure on ourselves to win the Champions League," added the 29-year-old as he looked to ahead to the challenge of playing in Europe with Juventus.

"If we don't then that pressure will become impossible to escape from.

"We have to be calm and know that winning the Scudetto again will make us part of Italian history and then we can think about everything else.

"We all dream of winning the Champions League but our main objective is winning Serie A.

"Then we can be calm in the Champions League and everything will become a lot easier."

Via: Tevez reveals Man City pressure

'El Matador' Cavani to PSG in record deal

(CNN) -- Uruguay international Edinson Cavani signed a five-year deal with French champions Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday -- for a reported French record fee of euro 64 million ($84 million).

Striker Cavani, nickhamed "El Matador" for his flamboyant style on the pitch, joins PSG from Napoli, where he was Serie A top scorer last season with 29 goals.

He was unveiled at an official press conference in the French capital and said the prospect of joining the Qatari-backed side proved irresistible.

"I had three spectacular years in Naples, but here I am joining a very ambitious project," Cavani told PSG's official Twitter feed.

His signing underlines PSG's determination to match the spending of Ligue 1 rivals Monaco, who have been taken over by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Since being promoted to the French top flight at the end of last season, Monaco have invested heavily in players, most notably Colombian striker Radamel Falcoa.

That deal, worth a reported euros 60 million ($78 million) was also a record as he signed from Atletico Madrid.

Read: Monaco swoop for Falcoa

But PSG's acquisition of the 26-year-old Cavani will see him pair up with former Napoli teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi, of Argentina, in a formidable striking partnership.

"The transfer of Edinson Cavani is further proof of the club's ability to attract the best players in the world," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told their official website.

PSG, who were to prove David Beckham's final club, won the French title last season under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti.

He has left to coach Real Madrid, but his replacement Laurent Blanc will not lack resources to mount a sustained challenge for the European Champions League next season.

They have also expressed their determination to hold on to Brazilian star Thiago Silva, who has been strongly linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.

Silva's agent, Paulo Tonieto, told PSG's official website: "Thiago is a PSG player. He has a contract and he will respect it.

"The rumors are the same as the ones last year but Thiago Silva is a PSG player and he'll see out his contract with his club."

Cavani, who helped Uruguay to Copa America glory in 2011, has long been a target for a host of Europe's leading clubs and with 38 goals in just 43 matches for Napoli in all competitions last season his price tag rose.

Via: 'El Matador' Cavani to PSG in record deal

Real Madrid named 'most valuable team'

(CNN) -- Real Madrid have leapfrogged Manchester United as the most valuable sports team in the world, according to a list released by Forbes on Monday.

The nine-time European champions have risen to the top of the list, overtaking English Premier League team Manchester United, with the U.S. business magazine valuing Real at $3.3 billion.

Los Blancos' revenue of $650 million is the highest in sport, while the Spanish team's income of $134 million is second only to that of National Football League (NFL) franchise the Dallas Cowboys.

Read: Bayern the world's most valuable team?

Real's coffers have swelled thanks, in part, to a kit deal with German sports brand Adidas, worth $42 million per year, and a $39 million five-year sponsorship agreement with airline Emirates.

English champions United sit second on the list, with an estimated value of $3.17 billion. The Old Trafford team, owned by the American Glazer family, announced a seven-season shirt sponsorship agreement with Chevrolet in 2012 worth $559 million.

Real's archrivals Barcelona complete a top three dominated by football teams. The Spanish title winners are valued at $2.6 billion.

Read: Tiger Woods named highest-paid athlete

United's EPL rivals Arsenal are the only other soccer club to feature in the top 10, with the north London team sitting 10th on the list with an estimated value of $1.33 billion.

The remaining six spaces in the top 10 are taken by U.S. sports franchises.

Major League Baseball's New York Yankees are fourth on the list, valued at $2.3 billion, while NFL teams the Cowboys and the New England Patriots are fifth and sixth worth $2.1 billion and $1.64 billion respectively.

The average worth of the teams inside Forbes' top 50 has risen to $1.24 billion, an increase of 16% from 2012.

American football is the best represented sport on the list, with 30 of the NFL's 32 franchise included in the top 50.

Baseball and soccer both have seven teams on the list, while the NBA contributes three franchises.

Formula One team Ferrari, at 21, are the highest-ranked motorsport manufacturer.

Via: Real Madrid named 'most valuable team'

Real Madrid named 'most valuable sports team'

(CNN) -- Real Madrid have leapfrogged Manchester United as the most valuable sports team in the world, according to a list released by Forbes on Monday.

The nine-time European champions have risen to the top of the list, overtaking English Premier League team Manchester United, with the U.S. business magazine valuing Real at $3.3 billion.

Los Blancos' revenue of $650 million is the highest in sport, while the Spanish team's income of $134 million is second only to that of National Football League (NFL) franchise the Dallas Cowboys.

Read: Bayern the world's most valuable team?

Real's coffers have swelled thanks, in part, to a kit deal with German sports brand Adidas, worth $42 million per year, and a $39 million five-year sponsorship agreement with airline Emirates.

English champions United sit second on the list, with an estimated value of $3.17 billion. The Old Trafford team, owned by the American Glazer family, announced a seven-season shirt sponsorship agreement with Chevrolet in 2012 worth $559 million.

Real's archrivals Barcelona complete a top three dominated by football teams. The Spanish title winners are valued at $2.6 billion.

Read: Tiger Woods named highest-paid athlete

United's EPL rivals Arsenal are the only other soccer club to feature in the top 10, with the north London team sitting 10th on the list with an estimated value of $1.33 billion.

The remaining six spaces in the top 10 are taken by U.S. sports franchises.

Major League Baseball's New York Yankees are fourth on the list, valued at $2.3 billion, while NFL teams the Cowboys and the New England Patriots are fifth and sixth worth $2.1 billion and $1.64 billion respectively.

The average worth of the teams inside Forbes' top 50 has risen to $1.24 billion, an increase of 16% from 2012.

American football is the best represented sport on the list, with 30 of the NFL's 32 franchise included in the top 50.

Baseball and soccer both have seven teams on the list, while the NBA contributes three franchises.

Formula One team Ferrari, at 21, are the highest-ranked motorsport manufacturer.

Via: Real Madrid named 'most valuable sports team'