Daily Maverick

Fifania

Radmann and Hargitay, the men behind Australia's dirty World Cup 2022 bid

In early May The Daily Maverick interviewed author and investigative journalist Andrew Jennings, the guy who’s dedicated a career to proving that Fifa is an organised crime group. Turns out that Jennings smelt the rat in Australia’s World Cup 2022 bid as early as February – the same rat that the Sydney Morning Herald has just confirmed.

Andrew Jennings, perpetual thorn in Fifa’s side and author of the book Foul: The Secret World of Fifa, called it over four months ago. On February 22, in an article on his Website transparencyinsport.org, the investigative journalist picked up a fact that a fellow British journalist thought inconsequential. The fact was buried in a small piece on Australia’s 2022 World Cup bid by Daily Mail reporter Charles Sale, and it was this: Franz Beckenbauer’s closest aide, Fedor Radmann, would be one of the key men. “Had the reporter been from southern Germany the giggles beginning in Bavaria would soon have… More

1 July 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 30 June

Nigerian president bans Super Eagles from international competition; Simon Wright court case postponed to next week; Fifa to investigate Australia bribery accusations; Portuguese press spits on Christiano Ronaldo; Iranian foreign minister says football imitates politics.

Nigerian president Good Luck Jonathan has responded to the Super Eagles’ abysmal showing at the World Cup by prohibiting the team from all international competition for two years. That’s right – the aim is to improve their performance by not playing any international-level games. Presidential spokesman Ima Niboro said: “Nigeria will withdraw from all international football competition for the next two years to enable Nigeria to reorganise its football.” Never mind how the players feel about this – and we bet they aren’t happy – the move is sure to raise the ire of Fifa, which is vehemently opposed to… More

1 July 2010

South Africa, UK

Bheki Cele vs the British media, a big scuffle over pretty much nothing

While almost none of the pre-World Cup security threats have materialised (that we know of), it does appear as if cases that embarrass The General the most are getting the lion’s share of police attention.

The Sunday Mirror’s Simon Wright appeared in Cape Town’s special World Cup court on Wednesday on charges of defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Immigration Act. This little lot follows his release on R3,000 bail, but gave General Bheki Cele enough reasons to call a media conference at which he declared that Wright was part of a conspiracy to undermine global perceptions of security at the 2010 soccer World Cup. Times Live reports that this morning’s court play was brief as Wright’s lawyer William Booth said he intended to “make representations for the withdrawal of charges against his… More

30 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 29 June

Sepp says sorry about refereeing balls-ups; Mirror journalist arrested over dressing room intrusion incident; Japan fall to Paraguay on penalties; Spain win Iberian battle to advance to quarter finals; philosopher lectures footballers on ethics.

After Fifa’s steadfast refusal to discuss the use of technology in football on Monday, Fifa president Sepp Blatter did a flip-flop on his previous position on Tuesday and said the organisation would rethink its attitude – but only on goal-line technology, and only after the tournament. Blatter has apologised to the English and Mexican football federations about the two atrocious decisions that saw those sides make an early exit from the World Cup. (He hasn’t apologised to South Africa for the fact that keeper Khune was sent off even though Uruguayan striker Suarez was offside, but hey, we’re just the… More

30 June 2010

Pretoria

Paraguay win their trench war against Japan after penalty lottery

The entire nation of Japan will start Wednesday in great mourning, as their brave soccer team is forced to return home after they lost in the cruelest of footballing ways. The nation of Paraguay, however, is getting ready for a party of the lifetime as their team celebrate their best World Cup showing ever. The match ended Paraguay 5, Japan 3 after penalties.

It was difficult not to feel for the Japanese players. They surprised many with their great performances at the World Cup and their valiant efforts won them admirers the world over. Tuesday afternoon at Loftus Versveld was no exception: they fought the Paraguayans for every inch of the field and in every second of the game. As the second half approached its mid point, there was a palpable feeling that this game would not be able to produce clear winners as both teams were matching each other’s efforts. The feeling was turned into reality as first regulation time and then… More

30 June 2010

Cape Town

Jubilant Spain finally bring down Portugal's defences

It was a duel of opposing footballing philosophies: Spain vs Portugal, art of play vs art of war, attack vs defence, will to score many goals vs will not to concede any goals. Spain’s players could have easily been mistaken for boys enjoying every second of their game, Portugal’s players were seasoned professionals doing their job. The match finished Spain 1, Portugal 0.

The final match of the second round, arguably its most eagerly expected duel, brought Cape Town alive on Tuesday night. If anyone was ever in doubt, the first five minutes firmly established the type of game that would be seen on the night: Spain dominated the possession and attacked, while Portugal was relying on its tough defence, led by Ricardo Carvalho and brilliant keeper Eduardo, only to launch the sharp, fast counter-attacks by Ronaldo and Meireles. Portugal did manage to provide a few chances, but overall, it was Spain’s night and no one can really deny it. Portugal’s defence used… More

30 June 2010

Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Brazil crush Chile into a fine powder

You have to hand it to Chile – to keep fighting in the face of a loss takes something special, but to do so when Brazil is handing out a football lesson is quite simply astounding. Hats off to Chile, they were very brave. But stopping Brazil was as possible as stopping global warming. The match ended Brazil 3, Chile 0.

The Chileans were undone by one thing: they lack a world-class finisher. In the first 15 minutes, they were all but camped in the Brazilian half and looked like they were on the verge of another classic World Cup upset, but simply could not contend with the combined fire-power of Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano. Humberto Suazo was the one player who stood out for the Chileans, almost always at the right place to make a shot. It is just a dreadful shame that he didn’t manage to score, considering how hard he worked for it. For Brazil, it was… More

29 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 28 June

Fifa says no to technology; PetroSA splurges R12.5 million on tickets; The Dutch beat Slovakia, crowd falls asleep; Brazil outplay Chile for quarter-final spot; Archbishop Tutu, travel adviser.

Like a spoilt child used to getting what it wants, Fifa is not accustomed to listening to people who question its behaviour. Nor does it see fit to apologise, much less change its ways, when it’s been clearly shown that its position is unreasonable. We’re referring, of course, to Fifa’s peculiar aversion to using technology to aid referees. The debate – especially that of goal-line technology – has been reopened after Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany, with everyone from players to coaches to UK Prime Minister David Cameron calling for its introduction. (Well, he would, wouldn’t he – we’re… More

29 June 2010

Durban

The Dutch, impressive in victory but not in beauty, shake off the Slovakians

On Monday, Durban’s Moses Mabhida stadium saw wind, rain and another workmen-like victory by the Dutch steamroller. Pity they are still playing soccer as boring as it gets. The match ended The Netherlands 2, Slovakia 1.

Yes, the Dutch qualified for the quarter finals of the World Cup without breaking much sweat and, yes, their squad is injury-free and not overly bothered by suspensions. But, at the same time, they are playing the type of soccer that makes their opposing teams want to fall asleep and the audience has to practice the Mexican wave in order to avoid numbness. Playing like they’ve played this year, the Dutch have a good chance of going far down the line. But in their quest for the prize, they will sacrifice the soul of the soccer. It wasn’t always like… More

28 June 2010

South Africa

Springboks pronk over, around and under Italy

The French and Italians headed homeward on the weekend - ignominious endings to their 2010 Soccer World Cup campaigns after having faced each other as the best two teams on the planet four years ago. The French and Italian rugby squads have also departed with the same sense of defeat, having been roundly thumped by the Springboks.

The antelope, antidorcus marsupialis, was named “springbok” by early Dutch settlers because of the way it bounds high in the air on stiff legs with arched back and fluffed rump fur in a splendid display called “pronking”, one of many peculiarly South African words since absorbed into the English language. On Saturday, playing at a comparatively drab East London stadium, the Boks pronked all over Italy to win 55-11 in the last of their warm-up games before the Tri-Nations begins against New Zealand in two weeks. Our annual mini-world cup between the three southern hemisphere superpowers kicks off the day… More

28 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 27 June

Local firms stung by ticket scams; collapsed building kills 11 soccer fans in Senegal; Germany thrash England; Argentina defeat Mexico; bookies cough up for disallowed Lampard goal.

When Fifa said you could buy World Cup tickets only through accredited outlets, it wasn’t joking. South African companies have lost R6.5 million after falling for ticket scams, the Sunday Times reported. Ordinary fans have also lost hundreds of thousands of rands after buying tickets from non-accredited sources. Fifa was not particularly sympathetic towards out-of-pocket soccer fans, with spokesman Nicolas Maingot saying, “We have published many warnings since 2006 that people who want to buy tickets should buy tickets through Fifa channels.” Perhaps if Fifa had made the official ticket-buying process less arcane, fewer people would’ve been tempted to purchase… More

28 June 2010

Soccer City, Johannesburg

In a professional display, the Argentines dispose of Mexico

Argentina had plenty of luck as soon as they ran onto the Soccer City pitch on Sunday night. Everything went their way: the luck, refereeing, even the odd Mexican defender. And yet, no one would ever believe that Messi, Tevez and co deserve anything less than the right to play an energised Germany in the World Cup quarter finals. The match ended Argentina 3, Mexico 1.

But first, it is sad, enraging and somewhat disturbing to have to write once more about the big role played by bad refereeing in just about every match of the 2010 World Cup. But report we must, because Argentina’s first goal changed the complexion of the game. Tevez was couple of metres in offside as he headed in the first goal, and as it was the case with England today, there was no subtlety that could perhaps point to the referees not being able to judge the offence resolutely. And yes, the Argentineans are a better team, but Mexico was,… More

27 June 2010

Bloemfontein

Germans stun England in Bloemfontein, avenge ghosts of 1966

Teamwork – that was the difference between England and Germany on Sunday evening. The English relied on flashes of brilliance from their lavishly paid collection of stars, while Germany played as a unit, worked together and worked for each other. In the end, the 4 -1 routing of the English was a justified result.

But firstly – Lampard’s disallowed goal. It was a ridiculous decision, one which cast a rather ugly pall on what was a great football match. Lampard’s shot hit the upright, bounced a foot or two in the German goal, hit the upright again and bounced out. It was a brilliant goal, but apparently because the assistant referee didn’t see it, it was disallowed. How much lower should football sink before Fifa decide to introduce video technology into the officiating? According to Sepp Blatter’s statement on the issue of introducing technology to football, “Fifa’s goal is to improve the quality of… More

27 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 26 June

Mandela still deciding on whether to go to final; Fifa to investigate Jabulani, AFTER the tournament; Uruguay first team to advance to quarter finals; Black Stars shine brightly for Africa; Internet man of the match scam.

The local organising committee said at a press conference on Saturday that it was uncertain as to whether Nelson Mandela would attend the World Cup final. LOC chief Danny Jordaan said: “It’s a decision he will make when he makes it. The only thing we have to do is wait.” So no, Jordaan and his committee didn’t tell us anything that we didn’t know already. And there aren’t many situations where we’d report on the fact that we’re waiting for a 92-year-old to make a decision. But it is Mandela, so we thought you should know. Times Live, iAfrica The… More

27 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 25 June

The group stage completed, after 48 matches: European teams suck; Qatar wants World Cup 2022, sans beer; Brazil vs Portugal, yawn; Spain outplay Chile; Meet Paul, the pet psychic octopus.

Now that the group stages of the World Cup are completed, the number crunchers are having a field day. The general consensus, and it doesn’t take an expert statistician to work this one out, is that South America is having a fantastic World Cup, while Europe’s performance is abysmal. Only six European countries (out of 13 represented) have progressed to the second round – the lowest total ever. They are England, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain. And chances of a European winner aren’t looking good. Despite having been represented in every World Cup final match bar two since the… More

26 June 2010

Pretoria

Spain defeat Chile, set up an Iberian derby in the next round

The Spaniards appear to have fully exorcised the ghosts of their first-round loss to the cuckoo-clock makers. As they walked over the Chileans in a confident manner, their supremacy was never in doubt. The match ended Spain 2, Chile 1.

Although they lacked any margin of error before the match started, the Spaniards appeared sure of themselves, and played a game befitting of the quality team they are. Their combinations are precise and bewildering to their opposition; their drilling of their opponent’s defences feels effortless and almost easy. Their game, similar to the Brazilians, is one of continuous attack and they wish to score more goals then their opposition rather than conceding less than the other side. Their goals were clever, cool shots that check-mated the badly-positioned keeper. Spain is now set to play finals-before-finals against much-fancied Portugal in Cape… More

25 June 2010

Durban

Brazil vs Portugal: World Cup’s most eagerly awaited game is yawn of gigantic proportions

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Portugal and Brazil play to a 0-0 draw in Durban. It was supposedly going to be the match of the tournament, with both teams boasting considerable firepower in attack, and a flowing, graceful style of football. Yeah, right.

It was not to be, with a fitful, savage first half that drew seven yellow cards. There clearly is plenty of bad blood between the two sides – perhaps a case of a family squabble between distant cousins or a matter of former coloniser and colony. In any event, it made for some very poor football. Dunga has clearly learned his lesson with the sending off of Kaka against Ivory Coast. He didn’t completely lose his head like he did in the game against Ivory Coast, although he was his usual animated self on the side. When it became clear… More

25 June 2010

World

The off-the-field media wrap up of the World Cup. Week Two.

Beware the vuvuzela, the World Cup will create more jobs, South Africa is a great candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games and other fairy stories related to Fifa’s soccer tournament our country won’t be winning.

The clever dicks at Netcare have given visitors to South Africa one more thing to worry about. They say vuvuzela’s are dangerous because they can spread germs and could rupture your windpipe if you blow them too hard. Perhaps the medical company’s spin doctors could have added a little more useful advice in their bid to capitalise on vuvuzela mania. If visitors don’t look both ways when crossing the road they could get run over, and if you lick someone else’s teaspoon after they’ve put it in their mouth you could catch their cold. Read more: AFP In other vuvuzela… More

25 June 2010

Durban

‘Soccer south of the Umbilo' - a movie about special football memories

As the Carlos Parreira-led Bafana Bafana leave the World Cup stage, the movie about another iconic South African coach is about to hit theatres nationwide. The one that won us the only big cup, ever: Clive Barker.

If you grew up in the southern basin of Durban, there’s a good chance you’d become a “skollie”. A collection of verkrampte lower- to middle-class suburbs, south of the Umbilo River was blue-collarville where kids who roamed the streets became either crazies or gangsters. That’s if they didn’t know how to kick a ball. If they could run out on a field and play a bit of footie, then there was a great chance things would be a whole lot different for them. For some or other reason the conservative, working class suburbs from Bluff, Wentworth through to Montclair, Woodlands,… More

25 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 24 June

Brazil's President Lula to attend final; Zimbabwean energy minister fired after World Cup power cuts; Slovakia and Paraguay advance, while Italy crash out; Japan beat Denmark to join The Netherlands in the second round; Vuvuzela blasts its way onto YouTube.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva will visit South Africa during the World Cup final. Whether or not Brazil are playing in the game – and they have a better chance of making the final than most – it is usual for the president of the host country of the next World Cup to attend this match. Lula’s soccer-related visit will be combined with other state business, and he will probably arrive in South Africa a few days before the final. Meanwhile, former US president Bill Clinton is already in South Africa. Clinton, who is the honorary president of the US… More

25 June 2010

Cape Town

Cameroon finally show some panache against Dutch

It was more of an exhibition match than anything else. The Dutchmen were already through to the final round. Cameroon were already out. There really was nothing to play for. And yet it was Cameroon’s most emphatic showing in this tournament. It ended The Netherlands 2, Cameroon 1.

You have to wonder why Paul Le Guen’s men left it to the last match to give their best. This performance would have seen them win against the Danes, maybe even the Japanese. Perhaps. Who knows? If only. Words that get bandied about quite a bit in football lexicon, but words that more often than not mean the difference between winner and loser in this World Cup. Cameroon get to go home early – but the Dutch have a last 16 fixture against Slovakia. We’ve seen the Eastern Europeans deliver a defeat to the defending champions Italy. Dutch have their… More

25 June 2010

Rustenburg

Japan KO Denmark in great display of skill and deadly free-kicks

If anyone doubted that quality soccer is now played all over the world, the Group E duel in Rustenburg between Japan and Denmark was all the proof they’re wrong. The Asian team defeated the European champions of 1992 in a most emphatic manner in a game that never saw Denmark having much chance of survival. It ended Japan 3, Denmark 1.

Although Japan needed only a draw from the Thursday's game to progress to the second round, there's no doubt that anything less than victory was on their mind from the very start. And what a team they have: great players in the peak of physical shape, committed to playing for their country and, above all, being a great team. And then they have a genius among them in Keisuke Honda. The CSKA Moscow player (Russians paid 6 million euros) was playing a game of cat and mouse with his Danish opponents and he won most of them. His brilliant first… More

24 June 2010

Ellis Park, Johannesburg

The ruling World Champions Italy crash out, join France in ignominy

There is truly no country for old men. Italy, the doddering old codgers were humbled, nay – crushed – by a youthful and energetic Slovakian side, to see them become the second World Cup defending champions ever to exit the tournament in the group stages, joining, you guessed it, France, which did so in 2002. The match ended Slovakia 3, Italy 2.

But first, let’s name and blame the guilty party. It has to be, fairly and squarely, the brains behind the Italian football team: the man who decided on their match strategy, the way the game should flow and the starting line-up. Name’s Lippi, Marcello Lippi. He picked almost exactly the same team that lifted the trophy in the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. That team was undoubtedly on top form back then. But four years is a long, long time in football. Lippi, once the cigar-chomping king of Italian football at Juventus, and then the celebrated hero of world… More

24 June 2010

South Africa

Football and politics, separated at birth

In South Africa, so much of life is politicised. And is dominated by the ANC. So you won’t be surprised to hear that the South African Football Federation has a national executive committee. And 52 regions. And provinces, and various other structures. And they vote in these structures. And conferences have a propensity to come close to disaster.

But perhaps the closest analogy is that the organisation has been dominated by two rather large lions. And one was in charge for a long time, and the other tried to usurp his throne. In the end, Irvin Khoza and Danny Jordaan were more evenly matched than Zuma and Mbeki. And so a Motlanthe-like figure, Kirsten Nemantandani was installed as president, and he hasn’t really been able to do much. Soon the World Cup will be over, and the games will really begin. Khoza, it’s rumoured, hasn’t been happy that he was uninstalled as Safa president. He has money, resources… More

24 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 23 June

Museveni wants Ugandans to concentrate on farming, not football; US restaurant serves World Cup lion meat special; US and England make second round; Ghana advances to next stage (so does Germany); Aussie boy lives in soccer bubble.

In the second week of the World Cup, people around the globe are still in the grip of football fever. But not in Uganda – that is, they won’t be if President Yoweri Museveni has anything to do with it. Museveni, who declined to attend the opening ceremony, has said that watching matches is a “waste of time”. Instead he has advised parents to teach children “about National Agricultural Advisory Services programmes and farming” because “this will help change this country, not football”. But Museveni might have difficulty convincing adults that National Agricultural Advisory Services are more interesting than soccer,… More

24 June 2010

Soccer City, Johannesburg

Ghanaians lose to Germany, but... this time for Africa

Ghana lost to Germany in their last group match, but thanks to an Australian win against Serbia in the other Group D match, they make it through to the last 16 stage of the tournament. It ended Germany 1, Ghana 0.

It was an entertaining match, especially the first 60 minutes, as both teams played to win. Much like the Algeria vs USA game, the win was always going to fall to the team that managed to get that delicate balance between attack and defence right. The game wasn’t without its scares, the first one coming in the 9th minute when John Mensah intercepted a cross from Podolski and almost scored an own goal. The Ghanaian defenders were a little hesitant in their defence, allowing the Germans to come right at them with the ball. They relied on trying to intercept… More

23 June 2010

Nelspruit

Aussies defeat Serbs, bow out gracefully from World Cup

Nelspruit’s Mbombela stadium was a grand theatre for the drama that was the Group D match between Serbia and Australia. Mauled by the Germans and thwarted by the Ghanaians, the Australians finally managed to present their best face at the expense of unlucky Serbs. It ended Australia 2, Serbia 1.

It was a game of two halves: the first half saw the Serbs totally dominate play, and the Australians playing with a sole attacker, Kennedy, not being able to do much about it. The Serbs played a good-looking, flowing style of soccer with of quick passes and dangerous crosses looking for their basketball-sized forward, Zigic. As you will see from the reporter’s notes, the Aussies’ skin was saved several times by the veteran master-keeper Mark Schwarzer. In the second half, the Aussies finally decided to get out and look for the win. And a win they found through two thoroughly… More

23 June 2010

Pretoria

Yanks never give up, china!

As in every good Hollywood blockbuster, their heroes endure every calamity known to man, survive many injustices and save their country with mere seconds remaining before complete destruction. On Wednesday in Pretoria, the US soccer team pretty much followed that recipe: the match ended US 1, Algeria 0.

Isn’t it strange that a nation more accustomed to baseball, basketball and American “football” put on a performance that embodies the spirit and attitude of football? That never-say-die grit that has somehow disappeared in the European game, that refusal to give in – that is what the American boys gave us tonight. They were cheated of a victory several times this tournament. They came from behind against England, and against Slovenia. And this afternoon, against an Algerian side looking to do serious damage, their indomitable spirit finally paid off. For the second time in their history, (they reached quarter-finals in… More

23 June 2010

Port Elizabeth

England outclass Slovenia, book place in next round

What magic can 90 minutes do for a team under pressure? A lot, it turns out, as England proved against Slovenia on Wednesday in Port Elizabeth. They ran onto the pitch at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as the team of the damned - they left it a team of heroes. It ended England 1, Slovenia 0.

Truth be told, even after a couple of minutes into the game, there was no doubt which team were superior: England were poised to win it from the get-go and the final skinny result was not a real picture of what happened on the field. England fully dominated this Group C game and it was difficult to connect them with the bunch of miserable sods that drew against Algeria on Friday. The gist of the change was in Defoe and Milner replacing Heskey and Lennon. Defoe and Milner repeatedly harassed the Slovenian defence that somehow never managed to understand how… More

23 June 2010

World

The World Cup Day that was: 22 June

Fifa surrenders case of the orange mini-dresses; Bafana lose match, win hearts and minds; Uruguay and Mexico qualify for second round; Argentina and South Korea advance; Domenech loses any friends he had left and alienates even more people; New Zealand’s amateurs put professionals to the test.

Fifa has withdrawn the ambush-marketing charges against the two Dutch women who wore orange mini-dresses (sporting Bavaria logos almost too tiny for the naked eye to see) to last week’s Netherlands vs Denmark game. “All parties have agreed to drop any claims and also not to make any further comments related to this matter,” Fifa and Bavaria said in a joint statement. One moral of the story is that bullying tactics are never a good idea. If Fifa hadn’t arrested the women in the first place, there wouldn’t have been an outcry, and soccer’s governing body wouldn’t have handed Bavaria… More

23 June 2010