Japan’s football association said yesterday it would take part in the Copa America, reversing an earlier decision to withdraw from the event in the aftermath of a massive earthquake and tsunami.
Japan Football Association vice-president Kozo Tashima told a news conference: “We as the Japan Football Association reached the conclusion today that we will take part in the Copa America.
“We are preparing to send a letter to the South American Football Confederation about our participation.”
Arsenal director dies after long illness
Veteran Arsenal director Danny Fiszman, 66, died on Wednesday after a long illness, days after selling his shares to give US businessman Stan Kroenke a controlling stake in the London club.
The former diamond dealer joined the Premier League club’s board in 1992 and had a 16.11 stake in the club which Kroenke purchased on Monday to give himself 62.89 per cent ownership.
“Danny was a visionary director, a gentleman and a true Arsenal fan,” Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said. “We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend Danny.”
Ballack relishes Bayern game
Ex-Germany captain Michael Ballack says he is relishing Sunday’s crunch Bundesliga tie when his Bayer Leverkusen side tackle champions Bayern Munich as he pushes for a return to the national side.
The 34-year-old has made 14 appearances for Leverkusen this season, but only six over 90 minutes, after back-to-back injuries saw him sidelined until the start of the year.
“I feel really fit again now that I have played a few games over the 90 minutes,” Ballack told Bayer TV.
“Of course, I was hoping that the coach would have brought me back a bit earlier, but now I have found my rhythm again I can help the team.”
Cole accepts charge over Twitter joke
West Ham striker Carlton Cole yesterday accepted a charge of improper conduct over comments he posted on Twitter about Ghana fans attending last month’s friendly with England.
Cole landed in hot water after commenting on the large contingent of Ghana fans who thronged Wembley for the 1-1 draw.
“Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahaha. The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face w/ the St. George’s flag!” Cole posted on the micro-blogging site.
Cole later removed the comments from his Twitter feed but was hit by FA disciplinary charges. Cole has now accepted the charge and is expected to receive a fine or a warning.
Tevez out of FA Cup semi-final
Carlos Tevez has been ruled out of Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United tomorrow, it was confirmed yesterday.
City manager Roberto Mancini said the Argentinian striker was expected to be sidelined for up to a month after damaging a hamstring in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.
“Tevez is not available for Saturday,” Mancini said.
“I think he will recover in three or four weeks. It is a big problem but we can’t take any risks.”
Tevez limped off early on against Liverpool, dealing a major blow to City’s hopes of progressing against rivals United in tomorrow’s much-anticipated showdown at Wembley.
Pioli linked with Palermo job
Chievo coach Stefano Pioli is the leading candidate to land the Palermo job next season, Il Corriere dello Sport reported.
Serse Cosmi was axed by volatile Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini after just four games in charge. Delio Rossi has been called back by Zamparini but the latter is determined to bring in a new coach this summer.
Palermo have apparently interviewed former Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini but reports suggest that the latter is considering other options.
Il Corriere claimed that Pioli is on top of Zamparaini’s shortlist despite his recent problems at Chievo while Maribor coach Darko Milanic and Gianluca Atzori have also been linked with the Palermo job.
Bundesliga exports valued at €50 million
Exported Bundesliga matches are set to earn more than €50 million in global revenue next season with the German league expected to be watched in up to 208 countries around the world.
Live German league matches are set to be screened in 198 countries next season, with highlights set to be shown in a further 10, according to figures released by the German Football League (DFL).
German stars such as Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mario Gomez can already be watched by fans as far afield as Australia or Chile.
The Bundesliga is the fourth-highest earner in world football behind England’s Premier League (€300 million), Spain (€150m) and Italy (€90m).