Left field

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

Don’t blame the referees, blame the players

Mitch Phillips

Jun 21, 2010 17:29 UTC

I watched the Brazil v Ivory Coast match in the bar of a Cape Town media hotel on Sunday and, not that it was really needed, was given another reminder of what an impossible job referees have in modern football.

When Luis Fabiano broke through to score Brazil's second goal, the reaction of around 60 watching journalists ranged from joy to disappointment - but nobody was crying "handball."

After three TV replays, suddenly it seemed that French referee Stephane Lannoy had blundered in missing what had now somehow become an "obvious handball."

More replays, a second handling offence revealed, and it was a world conspiracy against African soccer.

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

World Cup will survive without Messi and Ronaldo

Kevin Fylan

Sep 7, 2009 19:06 UTC

"Ronaldo and Messi could miss the World Cup!" screamed the headlines after Portugal drew 1-1 in Denmark and Argentina were humiliated 3-1 at home to Brazil.

It sounds awful, doesn't it? How will we ever manage without Cristiano and Leo, two of the poster boys for the elite, Masters of the Universe level of footballer we've come to know and love?

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

Shamrock prepare for Real visit

Kevin Fylan

Jul 14, 2009 19:42 UTC

Click the video above for a look at how Shamrock Rovers are preparing for the visit of Real Madrid -- a match the entire soccer word will be keeping an eye on, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to make his debut for the Spanish club.

Interesting line about Real's continued interest in Franck Ribery. Do they really need him still. Raul seems to suggest they'd still like him...

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

Benzema to join Real, when will the spending end?

Mark Meadows

Jul 1, 2009 16:51 UTC

France striker Karim Benzema is joining Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon, the Ligue 1 club said on Wednesday on their website.

The 21-year-old Benzema will become Real's third major signing under returning president Florentino Perez after Brazil's Kaka and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

Great teams evolve … they’re never bought off the shelf

Kevin Fylan

Jun 11, 2009 15:37 UTC

One of the cruellest insults thrown at Florentino Perez during his first spell at Real Madrid was that the president had turned a great team into football's version of the Harlem Globetrotters.

For Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon read Figo and Zidane. For Wilt Chamberlain and Marques Haynes we had Ronaldo and David Beckham to bring gasps from the crowd and bamboozle the  opposition.

from Reuters Soccer Blog:

Now it’s official — Kaka signs for Real Madrid

Mark Meadows

Jun 8, 2009 23:24 UTC

They took their time getting there but Kaka is now officially a Real Madrid player.

The Spanish club and AC Milan issued statements at 0030 local time with the player due to hold a news conference in Brazil, where he is on international duty.