Archive World Cup 2002 News
Paranoid Blatter rages against "defamation campaign" (Feb 28, 2002)
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has slammed a British newspaper report which claims he used bribery in the 1998 election which secured his job. . . . more . . .
United and Ferguson angered by Veron sale claims (Feb 28, 2002)
Manchester United say midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is not leaving the club or returning to SS Lazio in the summer. . . . more . . .
More corruption claims made against FIFA boss Blatter (Feb 28, 2002)
European governing body UEFA want the latest corruption claims made against FIFA president Sepp Blatter fully investigated. . . . more . . .
Blackburn sign Hakan Unsal from Galatasary (Feb 28, 2002)
Blackburn Rovers have signed Galatasary defender and Turkey international Hakan Unsal. . . . more . . .
Late date arranged for Denmark v Tunisia (Feb 28, 2002)
Denmark are to play Tunisia in Wakayama Japan in May to help their World Cup preparations. . . . more . . .
Players may face blood tests in hunt for World Cup dope cheats (Feb 28, 2002)
World governing body FIFA will decide next week if blood testing is to be used at this summer's World Cup finals to detect dope cheats. . . . more . . .
Tunisia want Novellino as World Cup coach (Feb 27, 2002)
Tunisia have asked Piacenza coach Walter Novellino to lead them at the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Juventus agree Olisadebe deal (Feb 27, 2002)
Juventus have a pre contract agreement to sign Polish international striker Emmanuel Olisadebe from Panathinaikos. . . . more . . .
Barca, Milan and Inter eye Ferguson's Beckham decision (Feb 27, 2002)
Manchester United are set to finally resolve the question of David Beckham's future at the club after sealing a deal to keep Sir Alex Ferguson as manager United confirmed today to the London Stock Exchange that Ferguson is to stay as their manager on a new contract until 2005. . . . more . . .
Scolari defies Romario lobby again (Feb 27, 2002)
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has again ignored veteran striker Romario in his squad to play Iceland next week in a friendly. . . . more . . .
World Cup TV safe from Kirch meltdown says Blatter (Feb 27, 2002)
FIFA President Sepp Blatter says FIFA's own company Media Ltd could take over the television broadcasts for the World Cup finals in May if German media company Kirch struggles with its current financial crisis. . . . more . . .
Japan coach Troussier wants English future (Feb 26, 2002)
Japan coach Philippe Troussier is looking to coach in England next season despite an offer to join Perugia. . . . more . . .
City land China left back Sun (Feb 26, 2002)
Chinese defender Sun Jihai has joined Manchester City in a £2 million transfer. . . . more . . .
Villa and Newcastle chase Recber (Feb 26, 2002)
Turkish international goalkeeper Rustu Recber is wanted in the Premiership. . . . more . . .
Deisler plays down World Cup recovery (Feb 26, 2002)
Germany star Sebastian Deisler says he may not be fit for the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Alpay to miss rest of Villa season (Feb 26, 2002)
Aston Villa have ruled Turkish centre back Alpay out for the rest of the season. . . . more . . .
Sunderland increase interest in Urzaiz (Feb 26, 2002)
Sunderland have raised their offer for Athletic Bilbao's Spain striker Ismael Urzaiz to try and keep him from joining FC Barcelona. . . . more . . .
Baggio may play in April (Feb 25, 2002)
Brescia star Roberto Baggio could play again in April. . . . more . . .
Del Piero drops libel action after doping allegations (Feb 25, 2002)
Juventus star Alessandro Del Piero has dropped his libel action against former AS Roma coach Zdenek Zeman. . . . more . . .
Vivas injury worry for Inter and Argentina (Feb 25, 2002)
Argentina defender Nelson Vivas is now a doubt for the World Cup finals after injuring his knee at the weekend. . . . more . . .
Gamarra gets Inter offer (Feb 23, 2002)
Paraguay defender Carlos Gamarra is wanted by Internazionale for next season. . . . more . . .
Jorgensen on way to Inter (Feb 22, 2002)
Inter are close to signing Danish international Martin Jorgensen from Udinese. . . . more . . .
Uruguay set up Saudi trip (Feb 22, 2002)
Uruguay have confirmed a March trip to fellow World Cup finalists Saudi Arabia for next month. . . . more . . .
Inzaghi looking to Milan derby return (Feb 22, 2002)
AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi returned to training yesterday after a two month injury lay-off. . . . more . . .
Rivaldo to miss Barca summit meeting with Valencia (Feb 22, 2002)
FC Barcelona say Barcelona has pulled left leg muscle and will miss the league game tomorrow with Liga leaders Valencia. . . . more . . .
Capello to FC Barcelona: "No agreement" says Roma coach (Feb 22, 2002)
AS Roma coach Fabio Capello says he has not had any talks with FC Barcelona about a move to the Catalan giants. . . . more . . .
Injured Gerrard handed another long lay-off (Feb 22, 2002)
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will miss at least three weeks after scans revealed damage to his groin muscle. . . . more . . .
Guardiola tries again to defeat dope ban (Feb 22, 2002)
Spanish international and Brescia midfielder Josep Guardiola has started his last attempt to overturn two dope test failures. . . . more . . .
Hakan and Traore to join Blackburn (Feb 21, 2002)
Blackburn Rovers have agreed to sign Turkish midfielder Hakan Unsal from Galatasaray and Kandia Traore from Anderlecht. . . . more . . .
Brazil want Ronaldo to face Iceland on March 7th (Feb 21, 2002)
Brazil want Ronaldo to face Iceland in a March 7th friendly. . . . more . . .
Chelsea: Lopez for next season (Feb 20, 2002)
Chelsea want Argentine international Claudio Lopez from SS Lazio. . . . more . . .
Sun waits for City move (Feb 19, 2002)
Chinese international Sun Jihai is waiting for a work permit to join Manchester City. . . . more . . .
SS Lazio crisis: "No lack of offers" for Nesta and Crespo (Feb 19, 2002)
SS Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti says the Rome club needs a massive cash boost to survive. . . . more . . .
Sweden hope for Andersson recovery (Feb 19, 2002)
Sweden believe FC Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson will be fit for their World Cup finals campaign after he tore knee ligaments in the 3-2 win against Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday night. . . . more . . .
Rangers deny Boghossian offer (Feb 19, 2002)
Glasgow Rangers manager Alex Mcleish has denied he is in talks to sign French midfielder Alain Boghossian from Parma AC. . . . more . . .
Urzaiz starts Barca talks (Feb 19, 2002)
FC Barcelona want to sign Athletic Bilbao's Spanish international Ismael Urzaiz. . . . more . . .
Onigbinde returns as Nigeria coach (Feb 19, 2002)
Nigeria have appointed Festus Onigbinde as coach after Shaibu Amodu was fired. . . . more . . .
Owen is fit say Liverpool (Feb 19, 2002)
Liverpool have confirmed that star striker Michael Owen will be fit to play against Galatasary tomorrow night. . . . more . . .
Brazil to play Chile next month (Feb 15, 2002)
Brazil will play Chile on March 7th in a new addition to their World Cup preparations schedule. . . . more . . .
Beckham injures ankle again (Feb 14, 2002)
David Beckham suffered a new injury to the ankle he hurt last weekend and is a doubt for Manchester United's resumption of the Champions League next week. . . . more . . .
Villa and Blackburn hope to sign Unsal (Feb 14, 2002)
Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa both hope to sign Turkish international Hakan Unsal in the summer. . . . more . . .
Inter say Ronaldo back in March (Feb 14, 2002)
Inter say Brazilian striker Ronaldo should be fit to play again in a month's time. . . . more . . .
Colombia quit plans to play Brazil next month (Feb 13, 2002)
Colombia have cancelled a march friendly arranged with Brazil. . . . more . . .
Veron leaves options open at United (Feb 13, 2002)
Argentina captain Juan Sebastian Veron says he intends to stay at Manchester United. . . . more . . .
Eriksson to test three strikers theory (Feb 13, 2002)
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson says he will use tonight's friendly with Holland in Amsterdam to experiment. . . . more . . .
Sunderland bring in Mboma on loan (Feb 13, 2002)
Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma has joined Sunderland on loan until May. . . . more . . .
Riquelme hints at Barcelona move (Feb 13, 2002)
Argentina star Juan Roman Riquelme says he wants to join FC Barcelona. . . . more . . .
'Boro rival Sunderland for Mboma (Feb 12, 2002)
Middlesbrough want to snatch Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma from Sunderland. . . . more . . .
Sartor added to Italy squad (Feb 12, 2002)
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has added Parma AC defender Gianluigi Sartor to his squad to play the United States on Sicily tomorrow night. . . . more . . .
Ronaldo intends long stay in Brazil (Feb 12, 2002)
Ronaldo says he will stay in Brazil for at least another month to recover from injury. . . . more . . .
Rash of injuries hits Germany squad (Feb 12, 2002)
Bayer Leverkusen pair Michael Ballack and Jens Nowotny may miss the Kaiserslautern friendly at home to Israel tomorrow night. . . . more . . .
Montella agrees to stay at Roma despite snubs from Capello (Feb 12, 2002)
AS Roma striker Vincenzo Montella has signed a contract extension with the Serie A leaders to 2006. . . . more . . .
Almeyda to miss Argentina's Cardiff friendly (Feb 12, 2002)
Parma AC midfielder Matias Almeyda will miss Argentina's friendly with Wales in Cardiff tomorrow night. . . . more . . .
Djorkaeff pins World Cup hopes on Bolton move (Feb 12, 2002)
French star Youri Djorkaeff is looking to revive his chances of a World Cup place by moving to Premiership strugglers. . . . more . . .
Djorkaeff joins Bolton in short term deal (Feb 12, 2002)
Kaiserslautern president Jurgen Friedrich says French World Cup winning striker Youri Djorkaeff has agreed to join Bolton Wanderers. . . . more . . .
Barthez misses France v Romania (Feb 12, 2002)
France have ruled goalkeeper Fabien Barthez out of tomorrow's friendly with Romania. . . . more . . .
Djorkaeff says he will join Bolton this week (Feb 11, 2002)
Youri Djorkaeff says he will sign for Bolton Wanderers. . . . more . . .
Tomasson set for Barca talks (Feb 11, 2002)
Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson's agent says talks with FC Barcelona should start this week. . . . more . . .
Eriksson's Anderton gamble backfires (Feb 11, 2002)
Midfielders Darren Anderton and Trevor Sinclair have pulled out of the England squad to play Holland in a friendly on Wednesday. . . . more . . .
Beckham to United after 21 meetings: "Sign Me!" (Feb 11, 2002)
David Beckham says he wants to sign a new contract with Manchester United as soon as possible after 21 meetings to try and thrash out his future with the Premiership leaders. . . . more . . .
McCarthy signs new deal to stay as Ireland coach (Feb 11, 2002)
Republic of Ireland coach Mick McCarthy has extended his contract to stay with the Irish national team beyond the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Injured Owen drops out of England duty (Feb 11, 2002)
Liverpool star Michael Owen has pulled out of the England squad to play Holland in a friendly on Wednesday. . . . more . . .
Trapattoni calls up Panucci for Italy squad (Feb 11, 2002)
AS Roma right back Christian Panucci has been called into the Italy squad by coach Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of Wednesday night's friendly with the US in Sicily. . . . more . . .
Barthez injury sees Coupet added to France training (Feb 11, 2002)
Olympique Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet has been added to the France squad for this week's friendly by coach Roger Lemerre. . . . more . . .
Beckham injury "should clear up" (Feb 11, 2002)
David Beckham is to miss England training today but hopes to recover from injury to face Holland on Wednesday in an Amsterdam friendly. . . . more . . .
Juventus play down Nesta bid but stay in hunt (Feb 11, 2002)
Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi says the Turin club want to sign Alessandro Nesta and Andres D'Alessandro for next season. . . . more . . .
Sunderland set to sign Mboma (Feb 11, 2002)
Sunderland are waiting for fitness tests to show transfer target Patrick Mboma is able to sign for them later this week. . . . more . . .
Eriksson recognises Ricketts talent with England call-up (Feb 09, 2002)
Strikers Darius Vassell and Michael Ricketts have been named in the England squad squad for Wednesday's friendly against Holland in Amsterdam. . . . more . . .
Cameroon coaches get bans for Mali pitch fracas (Feb 09, 2002)
CAF have backed their year's ban on Cameroon goalkeeping coach Thomas Nkono's ahead of tomorrow's African Nations Cup final. . . . more . . .
Cameroon get coach Schafer back for final (Feb 09, 2002)
Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer will be able to sit on the bench for tomorrow's African Nations Cup final after he successfully appeales against his a one game ban. . . . more . . .
Marazzina and Asta get Italy call-up (Feb 09, 2002)
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has called up Chievo striker Massimo Marazzina and Torino's Antonino Asta as his new caps ahead of Wednesday's friendly international with the US at Catania in Sicily. . . . more . . .
Newcastle star Bellamy on assault rap after nightclub row (Feb 08, 2002)
Newcastle United have seen striker Craig Bellamy cautioned for common assault by police after a young woman claimed she was attacked outside a nightclub three nights ago. . . . more . . .
Gunes names Turkey squad (Feb 08, 2002)
Turkish coach Senol Gunes has named his squad to play Ecuador in an Amsterdam friendly on Wednesday. . . . more . . .
Everton sign Carsley and Ginola (Feb 08, 2002)
Everton are to sign Irish midfielder Lee Carsley and Aston Villa outcast David Ginola later today. . . . more . . .
Eriksson "deeply disturbed" by United job offer claims (Feb 08, 2002)
The English FA say coach Sven Goran Eriksson has not been in talks to take over at Manchester United next summer. . . . more . . .
Tamudo gets Spain call-up (Feb 08, 2002)
Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho has named his squad to play Portugal at the Camp Nou next Wednesday. . . . more . . .
Beckham looks to increase image rights payments (Feb 08, 2002)
David Beckham's image rights mean his new contract with Manchester United is not ready to be signed yet. . . . more . . .
Waseige names experienced Belgian squad (Feb 08, 2002)
Belgium have named their squad to start World Cup preparations against Norway next week. . . . more . . .
Mexico name squad for Phoenix trip (Feb 08, 2002)
Mexico have named their squad to play Yugoslavia next week. . . . more . . .
Six Sporting Lisbon players make Portugal squad (Feb 07, 2002)
Portugal have named their squad to take on Spain in Barcelona next Wednesday. . . . more . . .
Ronaldo delays return to Italy (Feb 07, 2002)
Inter striker Ronaldo is to stay in Brazil until February 14th - three days after the Milan club wanted him to return to Italy. . . . more . . .
Bolton sign Tofting (Feb 07, 2002)
Bolton have signed Danish international Stig Tofting from Hamburg SV. . . . more . . .
China want to play Newcastle (Feb 07, 2002)
China want to play Premiership title contenders Newcastle United as they prepare for the 2002 World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Bolton wait for Djorkaeff answer (Feb 07, 2002)
French veteran Youri Djorkaeff has an offer to leave Kaiserslauten from Bolton. . . . more . . .
AS Roma want Brazil defender Polga (Feb 07, 2002)
AS Roma want to sign Brazilian defender Anderson Polga from Gremio. . . . more . . .
Raul injury adds to Madrid problems (Feb 07, 2002)
Real Madrid have lost striker Raul for the next two weeks and he could miss the resumption of the Champions League later this month. . . . more . . .
Chilavert ban reduced on appeal (Feb 07, 2002)
Paraguay captain Jose Luis Chilavert is free to take part in the World Cup after world governing body FIFA reduced a four-game ban to one match on appeal. . . . more . . .
German coach Voller names squad to face Israel (Feb 07, 2002)
Germany coach Rudi Voller has announced his squad to play Israel in a Kaiserslautern friendly next week. . . . more . . .
Bolton: Djorkaeff or Dane Tofting (Feb 07, 2002)
Bolton want Danish striker Stig Tofting from Hamburg SV if their planned signing of Youri Djorkaeff falls through. . . . more . . .
Hamman to choose Liverpool rather than Madrid (Feb 07, 2002)
German international Dietmar Hamann says he wants to stay at Liverpool despite recent interest from Real Madrid. . . . more . . .
France drop Anelka and Djorkaeff (Feb 07, 2002)
France coach Roger Lemerre has dropped strikers Nicolas Anelka and Youri Djorkaeff to play Romania in a friendly at the Stade de France in Paris next week. . . . more . . .
Bielsa picks mix'n'match squad for Argentina's Welsh trip (Feb 07, 2002)
Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa is giving a chance to several untried players for the trip to Wales next week - and recalled veteran winger Claudio Caniggia. . . . more . . .
Beckham to stay at United says his father (Feb 06, 2002)
David Beckham's father says the England captain is set to stay at Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson scrapped plans to retire. . . . more . . .
Poles name squad for Cyprus trip (Feb 06, 2002)
Poland start their World Cup year with a friendly tournament in Cyprus which starts later this week. . . . more . . .
Italy in April: Uruguay replace Australia (Feb 06, 2002)
Italy have cancelled a friendly with Australia to play Uruguay in April. . . . more . . .
Injured Zidane ready for Madrid return at weekend (Feb 06, 2002)
Real Madrid say injured French star Zinedine Zidane should be fit by the weekend. . . . more . . .
US name squad to play Italy in Sicily (Feb 06, 2002)
Gold Cup winners the US have named their squad to play Italy next week. . . . more . . .
Croatia lose striker Sokota for World Cup finals (Feb 06, 2002)
Croatian striker Tomislav Sokota will miss the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
FIFA extend Stam and Guardiola drug bans worldwide (Feb 06, 2002)
SS Lazio defender Jaap Stam and Brescia midfielder Josep Guardiola have seen their doping bans extended worldwide to include all internationals. . . . more . . .
Sweden name squad for Greece game next week (Feb 06, 2002)
World Cup finalists Sweden have named their squad to play Greece in Thessaloniki next Wednesday. . . . more . . .
Croatia begin World Cup countdown (Feb 06, 2002)
Croatia have announced their squad to play Bulgaria in a friendly next week. . . . more . . .
Irish name squad to play Russia next week (Feb 06, 2002)
The Republic of Ireland start their World Cup preparations with a game against Russia next week in Dublin. . . . more . . .
Scolari sparks Ronaldo row with Inter (Feb 06, 2002)
Inter have reacted with indignation to claims by Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari that Ronaldo should be kept away from Italy for the next month. . . . more . . .
Ecuador announce squad to play Turkey (Feb 05, 2002)
Ecuador have named their first squad of the year as they start preparations for the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Argentina call up Riquelme (Feb 05, 2002)
South American Player of the Year Juan Roman Riquelme is to travel with the Argentina squad to play Wales in Cardiff next week. . . . more . . .
Nesta hints at Lazio departure (Feb 05, 2002)
SS Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta says he may leave the club. . . . more . . .
Paraguay start World Cup build-up (Feb 05, 2002)
Paraguay have named their squad to play a friendly with Bolivia in Ciudad del Este on February 13th. . . . more . . .
Ronaldo tries Brazil treatment (Feb 05, 2002)
Inter have allowed Brazilian star Ronaldo to return to Rio de Janeiro for treatment on his latest injury. . . . more . . .
Danes name squad for Saudi trip (Feb 05, 2002)
Denmark have named their squad to face Saudi Arabia next week. . . . more . . .
Tomasson is new 'Boro target (Feb 04, 2002)
Middlesbrough have turned to Danish forward Jon Dahl Tomasson as their search for a striker continues. . . . more . . .
Baggio surgery decision expected soon (Feb 04, 2002)
Brescia striker Roberto Baggio will receive medical results later today that will determine whether a fourth World Cup finals appearance is possible. . . . more . . .
Scolari has Deportivo offer (Feb 04, 2002)
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he is in talks with Deportivo La Coruna join the Spanish club after the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Sweden reward World Cup coaching team (Feb 04, 2002)
Sweden have rewarded joint national team coaches Tommy Soederberg and Lars Lagerbaeck with new contracts to the European Championships in 2004. . . . more . . .
Baggio knee surgery ends World Cup dream (Feb 04, 2002)
Roberto Baggio has had surgery in Bologna on a knee injury and will miss the next three months - ending his dream of playing in the World Cup finals unless there is a miraculous recovery. . . . more . . .
Dyer injury not our fault say England camp (Feb 02, 2002)
The English FA say their fitness tests were not reponsible for the latest injury problem for Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer. . . . more . . .
Scolari says he will end his Brazil job at World Cup (Feb 02, 2002)
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he will quit in June after the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Kahn is our best say German players (Feb 02, 2002)
Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has been voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals in the Bundesliga. . . . more . . .
KirchMedia start World Cup payouts (Feb 02, 2002)
The television rights for the 2002 World Cup finals have cost German marketing and media company KirchMedia $680 million. . . . more . . .
Mazzone says Baggio's World Cup dream is over (Feb 02, 2002)
Brescia coach Carlo Mazzone says his star striker Roberto Baggio may not now be fit for the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
England to play in South Africa next year (Feb 01, 2002)
The England team will play South Africa in a friendly next year. . . . more . . .
Leg break sidelines Arsenal defender Keown (Feb 01, 2002)
Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown has broken his leg and could miss the next two months of the season. . . . more . . .
US to go on Jamaica visit in May (Feb 01, 2002)
The US will play Jamaica on May 16th to end their preparations for the World Cup finals. . . . more . . .
Baggio awaits knee surgery verdict (Feb 01, 2002)
Brescia star Roberto Baggio could sent for knee surgery next week. . . . more . . .
New Dyer injury shock for Newcastle (Feb 01, 2002)
Newcastle are reeling after the loss of star midfielder Kieron Dyer for around two months with a stress fracture of the foot. . . . more . . .
