Archive World Cup 2002 News
AC Milan close to Ridha deal (Oct 31, 2001)
AC Milan are set to sign 19 year old Iranian forward Imad Mohamed Ridha. . . . more . . .
Brazil name final World Cup squad (Oct 31, 2001)
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has again ignored Vasco da Gama veteran Romario as his side look to complete qualification for the 2002 World Cup finals in Korea and Japan. . . . more . . .
Iran coach Blazevic makes suicide claim (Oct 31, 2001)
Iran coach Miroslav Blazevic has shocked reporters by claiming he will kill himself if his side do not reach their final World Cup play-off. . . . more . . .
Shevchenko named in Ukraine's World Cup squad (Oct 31, 2001)
Ukraine coach Valery Lobanovsky has named his squad to play Germany next month in two 2002 World Cup play-offs. . . . more . . .
FIFA say decision over Australia v France has been reached (Oct 31, 2001)
FIFA say they have reached a decision over the French trip to Australia and will confirm their decision tomorrow. . . . more . . .
Top scorer Baggio facing knee injury lay-off (Oct 31, 2001)
Serie A top scorer Roberto Baggio is to miss the next month with a knee injury. . . . more . . .
AC Milan debt trouble could end Beckham plans (Oct 30, 2001)
AC Milan may drop out of the chase to sign David Beckham next year due to mounting debts. . . . more . . .
France call up stars for Australia trip (Oct 30, 2001)
French coach Roger Lemerre has defended his decision to take a full strength team down to Australia for a friendly in Melbourne on November 11th. . . . more . . .
Nigeria name squad to travel to London (Oct 30, 2001)
Nigeria have named their squad to travel to London next week and play Jamaica in a friendly. . . . more . . .
Barthez could miss French trip to Oz (Oct 30, 2001)
Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez could miss the controversial trip to Australia for a November 11th friendly in Melbourne. . . . more . . .
Olsen names Danish squad to play Holland next month (Oct 30, 2001)
Denmark coach Morten Olsen has nbamed his team to play Holland in a friendly next month. . . . more . . .
AC Milan get Maldini injury blow (Oct 30, 2001)
AC Milan have seen captain Paolo Maldini ruled out of action for at least six weeks with a thigh muscle injury. . . . more . . .
Leboeuf to quit French team after World Cup (Oct 30, 2001)
Olympique Marseille defender Frank Leboeuf says he will retire from the French national team after the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Desailly: "150,000 insults from Ravanelli" (Oct 29, 2001)
Chelsea captain Marcel Desailly has slammed Derby County striker Fabrizio Ravanelli for insulting him "150,000 times" during yesterday's 1-1 draw at Pride Park. . . . more . . .
AS Roma add Batistuta to injury list (Oct 29, 2001)
AS Roma have seen Gabriel Battistuta added to their injury problems after Saturday's Rome derby win. . . . more . . .
Deisler to confirm Bayern Munich move tomorrow (Oct 29, 2001)
German international Sebastian Deisler is to confirm his transfer to European champions Bayern Munich tomorrow. . . . more . . .
Shevchenko surgery news boosts Ukraine (Oct 29, 2001)
AC Milan say star striker Andriy Shevchenko will be fit again later this week after nasal surgery. . . . more . . .
Gaspart: Rivaldo stays at Barcelona (Oct 29, 2001)
FC Barcelona president Joan Gaspart says the Catalan club are not looking for offers for their top scorer Rivaldo. . . . more . . .
Sensini blow for struggling Parma (Oct 29, 2001)
Parma AC have ruled defender Nestor Sensini out for at least a month with a knee injury. . . . more . . .
Ecuador's Delgado to join Southampton attack (Oct 28, 2001)
Ecuador striker Agustin Delgado is to join Premiership strugglers Southampton. . . . more . . .
Shevchenko injury scare for Ukraine (Oct 28, 2001)
Ukraine are worrying over the fitness of star striker Andriy Shevchenko ahead of their World Cup play-offs against Germany next month. . . . more . . .
Simonet leads French fury over FIFA friendly tactics (Oct 26, 2001)
French football chief Claude Simonet has attacked FIFA over its plans to force the French and Australian teams to revise their squads for an 11th November friendly in Melbourne. . . . more . . .
Celta to give Kaviedes squad status (Oct 26, 2001)
Celta Vigo have agreed to let Ecuador midfielder Ivan Kavieddes replace Croatian veteran Zvonomir Boban in December as a non-EU player. . . . more . . .
Nesta: "My future is at Lazio" - for now (Oct 26, 2001)
SS Lazio defender Alessandro Nesta refused to be drawn today by questions linking him with a move to Real Madrid next summer. . . . more . . .
Michel set for Tunisia World Cup job (Oct 26, 2001)
Henri Michel has quit as coach of Aris Salonika to take charge of the Tunisian national team at next year's World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Inter keep Ronaldo out of Derby of Italy (Oct 26, 2001)
Brazilian striker Ronaldo will not play any part tomorrow as Inter travel to Turin to play Juventus. . . . more . . .
Papin offered Japan team coaching job (Oct 26, 2001)
Former OM and AC Milan star Jean Pierre Papin has been given the chance to join Japan's coaching team at the World Cup finals next year. . . . more . . .
AS Roma: knee surgery for Montella and Tristan move (Oct 26, 2001)
Italian champions AS Roma may send striker Vincenzo Montella for knee surgery. . . . more . . .
FC Porto go back in for Gomes (Oct 26, 2001)
FC Porto have come back in for Fiorentina striker Nuno Gomes. . . . more . . .
Colombia name World Cup squad to face Chile (Oct 26, 2001)
Colombia have retained veteran striker Faustino Asprilla in their squad to face Chile in a 2002 World Cup qualifier next week. . . . more . . .
Slovenia name World Cup play-offs squad (Oct 26, 2001)
Slovenia have named their squad to face Romania next month if play-offs to reach the 202 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Gremio ask for $23 million from PSG for Ronaldinho (Oct 25, 2001)
Gremio have asked FIFA to ratify a $23 million compensation package for striker Ronaldinho. . . . more . . .
Batistuta returns to Argentina squad (Oct 25, 2001)
Gabriel Batistuta reurns to the Argentina squad to round off their World Cup qualifying campaign. . . . more . . .
G-14 to look at 'club v country' clashes (Oct 25, 2001)
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the constant 'club v country' battles that are flaring up in the run up to the World Cup finals next May are to be discussed by the G-14 group in November. . . . more . . .
Juventus wait for Mpenza surgery (Oct 25, 2001)
Juventus have confirmed their search for a new striker is to be stepped up after injury to Marcelo Salas. . . . more . . .
Deisler transfer arouses suspicion (Oct 25, 2001)
Sebastian Deisler's sale to Bayern Munich could be probed by the DfB. he German federation will decide next week if the purchase of the German international from Hartha Berlin has broken league rules. . . . more . . .
SFA: "Help us find a coach, Sir Alex" (Oct 25, 2001)
The Scottish FA are to ask Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to work with them and help the national team. . . . more . . .
Parreira ready for Brazil's World Cup call (Oct 25, 2001)
Carlos Alberto Parreira is ready to take charge of the Brazilian national team next year even if Luiz Felipe Scolari guides the team to the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Batistuta says he is not going to retire yet from Roma (Oct 25, 2001)
AS Roma star Gabriel Batistuta has reassured the Italian champions that his intention to retire next summer applies only to the Argentine national team. . . . more . . .
Laudrup calls time on Danish team job (Oct 23, 2001)
Danish assistant coach Michael Laudrup says he will resign his post with the national team after the World Cup finals next May. . . . more . . .
Batistuta: "My career ends in June" (Oct 23, 2001)
AS Roma striker Gabriel Batistuta has told French television he will retire after the World Cup finals in June. . . . more . . .
Lama to coach Japan's World Cup goalkeepers (Oct 23, 2001)
Former French international goalkeeper Bernard Lama has accepted an offer to coach Japan?s national team ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Sukur: "I have accepted Juventus offer" (Oct 23, 2001)
Juventus are to sign Turkish international striker Hakan Sukur. . . . more . . .
Kewell and Viduka face Australian World Cup test (Oct 23, 2001)
Australia have named their squad to to play World Cup holders France and start a two-leg World Cup play-off next month. . . . more . . .
Israel name World Cup squad (Oct 23, 2001)
Israel have named their squad to face Austria in a rescheduled 2002 World Cup qualifier. . . . more . . .
SS Lazio want Lucio (Oct 23, 2001)
SS Lazio have offered Bayer Leverkusen $30 million for their Brazilian defender Lucio. . . . more . . .
Iran see World Cup appeal thrown out (Oct 23, 2001)
World governing body FIFA have rejected a claim by Iran that Bahrain fielded ineligible players in their World Cup win on Sunday. . . . more . . .
FIFA ask France and Australia to revise friendly squads (Oct 23, 2001)
World governing body FIFA have moved to defuse the row over French plans to play a November 10th friendly in Australia. . . . more . . .
SS Lazio look at Jorge Costa move (Oct 22, 2001)
SS Lazio are keen to sign Portuguese international defender Jorge Costa from FC Porto. . . . more . . .
Zidane to Real Madrid: "Get me Vieira" (Oct 22, 2001)
Real Madrid record signing Zinedine Zidane has asked the Spanish club to sign his France team mate Patrick Vieira. . . . more . . .
Iran complain to FIFA over Bahrain defeat (Oct 22, 2001)
Iran are trying to overturn the World Cup loss that sees them condemned to play off to stand a chance of reaching Korea and Japan next summer. . . . more . . .
Ipswich suffer Finidi injury blow (Oct 22, 2001)
Premiership side Ipswich Town have ruled Nigerian international Finidi George out of action for at least six weeks. . . . more . . .
Fit again Owen returns to training (Oct 19, 2001)
Liverpool could recall Michael Owen to play Boavista in the Champions League next week. . . . more . . .
Teen star Azofeifa gets Schalke and Juventus interest (Oct 19, 2001)
Costa Rican teenager Randall Azofeifa is in demand. . . . more . . .
Germans get Nowotny injury boost (Oct 19, 2001)
Germany are optimistic that influential defender Jens Nowotny will be fit to face the Ukraine in November's 2002 World Cup play-offs. . . . more . . .
Sunderland buy McAteer from Blackburn (Oct 19, 2001)
Sunderland have signed Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer from Blackburn Rovers. . . . more . . .
Irish worry over Keane knee strain (Oct 19, 2001)
Manchester United captain Roy Keane is to miss matches with a knee injury. . . . more . . .
Ten Austrians refuse Israel World Cup trip (Oct 19, 2001)
Ten Austrian internationals are refusing to travel to Tel Aviv next week to play their rescheduled 2002 World Cup qualifier against Israel. . . . more . . .
Tunisia make move for Clemente (Oct 18, 2001)
Former Spain coach Javier Clemente is set to take Tunisia to the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
United to meet Beckham wage demands (Oct 16, 2001)
Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon says star player David Beckham is set to become one of sport's highest earners if he agrees to stay at the English champions. . . . more . . .
Poborsky to leave Lazio for Slavia (Oct 16, 2001)
SS Lazio are to off load Czech Republic winger Karel Poborsky to Slavia Prague. . . . more . . .
Germany lose Deisler for World Cup play-off (Oct 15, 2001)
Germany have seen midfielder Sebastian Deisler ruled out of their 2002 World Cup play-off next month with Ukraine. . . . more . . .
PSG could dump angry Anelka (Oct 13, 2001)
PSG striker Nicolas Anelka could be dropped after a training ground row with coach Luis Fernandez. . . . more . . .
Besiktas sell Nihat to Sociedad (Oct 13, 2001)
Real Sociedad have signed Besiktas midfielder Nihat Kahveci. . . . more . . .
2002 World Cup - China 3 Qatar 0 (Oct 13, 2001)
China took their celebrations after qualifying for the World Cup finals into a second weekend with an easy 3-0 win over Qatar. . . . more . . .
Deisler: Bayern move sealed at £9 million (Oct 13, 2001)
Bayern Munich will sign Hertha Berlin star Sebastian Deisler for £9 million. . . . more . . .
US agree December date with South Korea (Oct 12, 2001)
World Cup qualifiers the US are to play co-hosts South Korea on December 9th. . . . more . . .
China puts World Cup squad up for sale (Oct 12, 2001)
China has relaxed its ban on national team members moving to foreign clubs after their qualification for the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Danes invite Argentina to Copenhagen (Oct 12, 2001)
The Danish federation have confirmed they are in talks to bring Argentina to Copenhagen for a pre-World Cup friendly. . . . more . . .
World Cup finals hit by insurance chaos (Oct 12, 2001)
The 2002 World Cup finals have lost insurance backing. . . . more . . .
Irish expect two-leg World Cup decider (Oct 11, 2001)
The Republic of Ireland will face a two-leg play-off say FIFA to reach the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
KNVB wants new Holland coach (Oct 11, 2001)
Glasgow Rangers manager Dick Advocaat is on the short list to replace Louis Van Gaal as coach of Holland. . . . more . . .
Israel v Austria set for October 27th (Oct 11, 2001)
The postponed Israel v Austria World Cup qualifier will not take place on October 27th. . . . more . . .
Bolivia coach quits (Oct 11, 2001)
Bolivian national team coach Jorge Habegger has resigned. . . . more . . .
Japan raises World Cup security spending (Oct 10, 2001)
Japanese World Cup organisers have boosted the security budget for the finals by 25% to £14 million. . . . more . . .
Tottenham eye Fowler (Oct 10, 2001)
Tottenham will bid for unwanted Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler. . . . more . . .
CBF and Texeira look for new Brazil coach (Oct 10, 2001)
Brazil's football federation is still prepared to fire coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. . . . more . . .
Tunisia to ask Sacchi to lead them at World Cup (Oct 10, 2001)
Tunisia are making attempts to bring former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi to their national team job. . . . more . . .
Nigeria want Batumi coach for World Cup (Oct 10, 2001)
Nigeria want Italian coach Gianni Carnevali to take them to the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Kiev chosen for Ukraine - Germany World Cup playoff (Oct 09, 2001)
Ukraine have chosen 83,100 seater Olympic stadium in Kiev for the upcoming World Cup first leg playoff against Germany on 10th November. . . . more . . .
Beckham's wonder goal worth £100 million (Oct 07, 2001)
David Beckham's sensational free kick equaliser for England is the first £100 million goal. . . . more . . .
Owen says he will be fit soon (Oct 07, 2001)
Liverpool striker Michael Owen says his comeback could be sooner than expected. . . . more . . .
Liverpool fine Gerrard for drinking (Oct 07, 2001)
Liverpool say midfielder Steve Gerrard is to be fined £20,000 for his drinking session last week. . . . more . . .
Brown to get Leicester offer (Oct 07, 2001)
Former Scotland coach Craig Brown is wanted by Leicester City. . . . more . . .
United willing to pay £35 million for Cannavaro (Oct 07, 2001)
Manchester United are prepared to pay Parma AC £35 million for Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro. . . . more . . .
Dalglish tops Scottish wanted list (Oct 07, 2001)
Scotland are to offer their vacant coaching job to Kenny Dalglish. . . . more . . .
Benetton ready to save Fiorentina (Oct 07, 2001)
Clothing company Benetton are in talks to buy Fiorentina from president Vittorio Cecchi Gori. . . . more . . .
Irish face Moscow play-off (Oct 07, 2001)
The Republic of Ireland face a trip to Moscow in November to face Iran is a 2002 World Cup play-off. . . . more . . .
2002 World Cup - England 2 Greece 2 (Oct 06, 2001)
David Beckham sent England to the 2002 World Cup finals with a 93rd minute free kick equaliser that prevented an excellent Greek team from recording their first ever win against the English. . . . more . . .
France friendly called off after Algerian pitch invasion (Oct 06, 2001)
Algerian fans invaded the Stade de France pitch in the 78th minute to cause the abandonment of a friendly. . . . more . . .
2002 World Cup - Saudi Arabia 2 Iraq 1 (Oct 06, 2001)
Saudi Arabia scored in the first minute and then held on later for a narrow win over Iraq in Amman. . . . more . . .
Heerenveen price Allback out of Southampton transfer (Oct 06, 2001)
Heerenveen are demanding £5 million fior Swedish striker Marcus Allback which has all but killed off a possible move for the 28 year old to struggling Premiership side Southampton. . . . more . . .
2002 World Cup - Iran 1 Thailand 0 (Oct 06, 2001)
Iranian striker Ali Daei made his 100th appearance for the national team as the Tehran crowd celebrated another World Cup victory. . . . more . . .
World Cup Preview (Oct 05, 2001)
European World Cup qualification is to be concluded tomorrow with fifteen meaningful matches. . . . more . . .
Zidane threat raises Paris security (Oct 05, 2001)
A threatening letter sent to Zinedine Zidane has heightened security around tomorrow night's Paris friendly between World Cup holders France and Algeria. . . . more . . .
Fowler to start for England (Oct 05, 2001)
England have ruled Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt out of their 2002 World Cup qualifying decider against Greece at Old Trafford tomorrow but Robbie Fowler will start in attack. . . . more . . .
Nakata to miss Japan's European jaunt (Oct 04, 2001)
Japanese star Hidetoshi Nakata is to miss Japan's trip to England this weekend. . . . more . . .
Israel see Austria game in Tel-Aviv cancelled (Oct 04, 2001)
Austria's World Cup trip to play Israel on Sunday is off. . . . more . . .
Injured Simeone's World Cup in doubt (Oct 04, 2001)
Argentine midfielder Diego Simeone faces a race to be fit for the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Corbelli ready to take charge of SS Napoli (Oct 04, 2001)
The SS Napoli board room crisis could ease soon after managing director Corrado Ferlaino agreed to sell his shares in the club. . . . more . . .
Martyn replaces injured Seaman in England team (Oct 04, 2001)
Leeds United goalkeeper Nigel Martyn is to start for England against Greece on Saturday after David Seaman was finally ruled out of the game today. . . . more . . .
Beckham hopes for "proudest moment" soon (Oct 04, 2001)
England captain David Beckham hopes his "proudest moment" could come at Old Trafford on Saturday oif England reach the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Blackburn: Johansson yes Sukur no (Oct 04, 2001)
Blackburn Rovers have signed Swedish defender Nils-Eric Johansson from FC Nurnberg in the Bundesliga and say they have not been in talks with Internazionale striker Hakan Sukur. . . . more . . .
Croatia call up Agic for Bayern's injured Kovacs (Oct 03, 2001)
Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Jasmin Agic has been called up by Croatia to replace the injured Niko Kovacs. . . . more . . .
Rehhagel aims for draw with England (Oct 03, 2001)
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is determined to help his German compatriots reach the 2002 World Cup finals by holding England to at least a draw on Saturday. . . . more . . .
DfB want Voller to stay as Germany coach (Oct 03, 2001)
Germany coach Rudi Voller could stay on past the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Chelsea lose Gronkjaer for months after knee surgery (Oct 03, 2001)
Chelsea have seen midfielder Jesper Gronkjaer ruled out of action for at least four months and possibly the rest of the season. . . . more . . .
Colombia lose Hernandez for Argentina trip (Oct 03, 2001)
Colombia have lost midfielder Giovanni Hernandez from their World Cup squad after an appendix operation. . . . more . . .
Ronaldo: "It's more than just professional with Nike" (Oct 03, 2001)
Ronaldo has admitted for the first time that his relationship with sponsors Nike is more than professional. . . . more . . .
England delay Seaman fitness verdict (Oct 03, 2001)
England are giving veteran goalkeeper David Seaman every chance to be fit ahead of Saturday's conclusive 2002 World Cup qualifier against Greece by delaying a decision on his fitness until tomorrow. . . . more . . .
Unified fixture calendar unveiled soon says Blatter (Oct 03, 2001)
FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the first version of his worldwide unified calendar for the international game is to be ready for discussion in January. . . . more . . .
No England injury crisis says Eriksson (Oct 03, 2001)
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has dismissed talk of an injury crisis. . . . more . . .
Berger close to Liverpool return (Oct 02, 2001)
Czech international Patrick Berger could be back in first team action soon after successfully completing a half hour comeback match for Liverpool reserves. . . . more . . .
Babangida gets Fiorentina call (Oct 02, 2001)
Fiorentina want FC Barcelona reserve Haruna Babangida in a bid to solve their striking problem. . . . more . . .
Irish add two to World Cup squad (Oct 02, 2001)
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has called up Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming and Leeds Utd midfielder Stephen McPhail to his World Cup squad. . . . more . . .
Edilson replaces Ronaldo in Brazil squad (Oct 02, 2001)
Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari has called up Edilson of Rio club Flamengo to replace the injured Ronaldo. . . . more . . .
Colombia name squad for Argentina World Cup clash (Oct 02, 2001)
Colombia coach Francisco Maturana has named his squad to face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Sunday. . . . more . . .
Brazil camp send injured Ronaldo back to Milan (Oct 02, 2001)
Ronaldo has been sent back to Milan by the Brazil team's medical staff to continue his recovery from a thigh injury. “We noticed that Ronaldo’s strain in his right thigh had not healed, so we decided it was best for the player to return to Milan,” said Brazil team doctor Jose Luis Runco. . . . more . . .
9 Austrians quit Israel trip (Oct 02, 2001)
Nine Austrian internationals have decided to boycott their trip to Israel for next Sunday's 2002 World Cup qualifier over security fears. . . . more . . .
Scots see three pull out of World Cup squad (Oct 02, 2001)
Scotland have seen midfielders Barry Ferguson, Dominic Matteo and Jackie McNamara pull out of their squad to complete World Cup qualification matches against Lativa on Saturday. . . . more . . .
Real's Flavio injured again (Oct 02, 2001)
Brazilian midfielder Flavio Conceicao is to miss at least three months of the season for Real Madrid with an ankle injury. . . . more . . .
Iuliano injury blow for Italy (Oct 02, 2001)
Italy have injury worries over Mark Iuliano and Marco Materazzi as they start World Cup training. . . . more . . .
US name squad to take on Jamaica (Oct 02, 2001)
The US have named their squad to try and recover World Cup qualifying hopes. . . . more . . .
Seaman and Butt winning England fitness battle (Oct 01, 2001)
David Seaman is likely to be fit to face Greece at Old Trafford on Saturday as England chase a World Cup place according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. . . . more . . .
Russia name World Cup squad (Oct 01, 2001)
Russia have named their squad to try and clinch a place at the 2002 World Cupo finals. . . . more . . .
Garces names his first Chile squad (Oct 01, 2001)
Chile have named their squad to face Brazil on Sunday. . . . more . . .
Baggio: World Cup dream lives on (Oct 01, 2001)
Former Italy star Roberto Baggio is one of the players being monitored by coach Giovanni Trapattoni before he has to finalise his 22 players for the next World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Suker gets Fenerbahce offer (Oct 01, 2001)
Turkish champions Fenerbachce are to sign Croatian striker Davor Suker. . . . more . . .
Pablo injury hits Deportivo and Spain (Oct 01, 2001)
Deportivo La Coruna and Spain have been hit be a leg break injury to star defender Manuel Pablo. . . . more . . .
Yugoslavia name squad for tight World Cup finish (Oct 01, 2001)
Yugoslavia have named their squad to challenge for a 2002 World Cup qualifying place. . . . more . . .
