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Football: English ref Webb 'moved' by Brazil singing

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 21:33

English referee Howard Webb was "really moved" by the a cappella rendition of the Brazilian national anthem sung by fans before Brazil's 2-0 Confederations Cup win over Mexico on Wednesday, according to Selecao coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The match at Fortaleza's Estadio Castelao took place amid a highly charged atmosphere after some 15,000 demonstrators assembled outside the stadium before the game, prompting violent skirmishes with police.

Football: Roma's Garcia shrugs off detractors

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 19:33

New Roma boss Rudi Garcia brushed off suggestions he wasn't the Serie A club's first choice to fill the vacant manager's position, with the Frenchman preferring to concentrate on what lies ahead after a disappointing past season for the Romans. "Being the first choice or not isn't important. The most important thing is to be the coach from this point forward and then to impress," Garcia said as he was officially presented during a press conference at the club's training base on Wednesday.

New clashes in Brazil as security forces deployed

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 17:35

Brazilian protesters outraged over spending on next year's World Cup clashed with police on Wednesday, as the government deployed elite forces to contain the unrest. At least two people were injured near a stadium in the northeastern city of Fortaleza -- one of several sites hosting matches in the Confederations Cup and where elite police units have fanned out to protect the sites.

New clashes in Brazil as security forces deployed

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 14:00

Fresh clashes erupted Wednesday in Brazil between police and protesters outraged over mass spending for next year's World Cup, as the government deployed elite forces to quell the unrest. At least two people were injured in clashes near a stadium in the northeastern city of Fortaleza -- one of several sites hosting Confederations Cup matches where elite police units have fanned out to restore order.

Football: Puyol could be fit for pre-season - doctor

Agence France-PresseJune 19, 2013 09:03

Barcelona's club doctor Ricard Pruna said on Wednesday that he was hopeful that Carles Puyol will be fit to start pre-season training after the defender had a cyst removed from his knee. The operation was just the latest in a long list of injury setbacks for the 35-year-old, who has not played since undergoing more serious knee surgery back in March. But Pruna was confident that the Spanish international has overcome the worst of his injury troubles and will be ready to start training with his teammates when they return from holiday next month.

Football: Puyol to undergo another knee surgery

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 14:12

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol is to undergo knee surgery to remove a cyst, the club confirmed on Tuesday. "Carles Puyol will on Wednesday morning undergo a surgical intervention to remove a Baker's cyst that he has in his right knee," said a statement on the club's website. A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal cyst, is a benign swelling that occurs behind the knee joint.

Fabregas backs manager's goalkeeping decision

Agencia EFEJune 18, 2013 11:02

Rio de Janerio, Jun 18 (EFE).- Spanish national team player Cesc Fabregas said his manager's decision to start Iker Casillas in the squad's opening Confederations Cup match against Uruguay ahead of Victor Valdes did not ruffle any feathers because the coach has never played favorites. "In soccer, there's little that's unfair. An honest coach is always going to go with what he thinks is best, and in that regard, the manager has never played favorites," the attacking midfielder said.

S. Korea qualifies for eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup despite loss to Iran

Yonhap News AgencyJune 18, 2013 11:02

By Yoo Jee-ho ULSAN, June 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea lost to Iran 1-0 but still advanced to the FIFA World Cup finals for the eighth consecutive time Tuesday. Despite the defeat at Munsu Football Stadium here in Ulsan, South Korea secured one of the four automatic Asian berths to football's global extravaganza in Brazil next year. South Korea finished second in Group A with 14 points, two points behind Iran. Uzbekistan also ended with 14 points in Group A, thanks to its 5-1 win over Qatar on Tuesday, but finished behind South Korea on the goal difference tiebreaker.

S. Korea qualifies for eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup despite loss to Iran

Yonhap News AgencyJune 18, 2013 10:31

Brazil shaken by largest protests in 20 years

Agence France-PresseJune 18, 2013 09:01

Rio police fired tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with protesting youths early Tuesday, after tens of thousands rallied in major Brazilian cities against the huge costs of hosting the 2014 World Cup. In the country's largest protests in 20 years, more than 200,000 people marched across the country to vent their anger at government's lavish spending in demonstrations initially triggered by a hike in bus fares.