Suarez escapes punishment for alleged punch Uruguay forward Luis Suarez has escaped a sanction for allegedly punching an opponent during the World Cup qualifier against Chile, the country's football federation (AUF) said in a statement.

Soccer's governing body FIFA opened an investigation after Argentine referee Nestor Pitana missed the incident which happened as Suarez tussled with Gonzalo Jara as they lined up for a corner during Chile's 2-0 win in Santiago.

"The matter in question does not require the intervention of the FIFA disciplinary committee and therefore the disciplinary procedure in question is declared closed," FIFA said in a fax which was published on the AUF website.

AUF president Sebastian Bauza, who has claimed Suarez is persecuted, especially in England where he plays for Liverpool, said the forward needed to realise that he was being scrutinised....more    
03:40 PM, May 09, 2013

Pakistan offers to host 2019 World Cup qualifiers
by AFP
Lahore: Pakistan's cricket chief said on Thursday he had offered to host qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup despite a four-year suspension of international cricket in the country over security fears. Pakistan has not staged any top-level cricket since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players. Foreign teams have shunned tours to the troubled country over security fears,...  
07:51 AM, Apr 19, 2013

World Cup qualifying clean of fixing: FIFA Zurich: FIFA security director Ralf Mutschke believes the 500 plus qualifying matches so far for the 2014 World Cup have been clean of match-fixing. Mutschke tells the Associated Press " we don't have any leads that any match has been thrown." The full program of about 820 preliminary matches ends in November. Speaking on the sidelines of a FIFA-sponsored conference on match-fixing and betting, Mutschke says "we are also confident...  
11:47 PM, Apr 05, 2013

England reported to FIFA after Ferdinand racially abused London: England have been reported to world governing body FIFA after racist abuse was heard from visiting fans at last week's World Cup qualifier in San Marino. Anti-racism organisation FARE confirmed on Thursday it had sent a report to FIFA in relation to the abuse directed against Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and his brother Anton. "We have sent a report in relation to racist chanting towards Ferdinand and his...  
09:27 AM, Mar 29, 2013

Uruguay's Suarez banned for vital Venezuela game Buenos Aires: Striker Luis Suarez will miss South American champions Uruguay's crucial World Cup qualifier in Venezuela, the upstarts threatening to deny them a place in next year's finals in Brazil. Suarez, who has scored eight goals in the qualifying campaign, picked up a second booking during Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Chile in Santiago and is suspended for Uruguay's June 11 visit to Venezuela. However, Suarez got away with punching...  
09:09 AM, Mar 28, 2013

There is no Sweden syndrome, says Germany's Loew Berlin: A dazzling first half gave way to an erratic second-half performance as Germany again battled with lapses of concentration in their 4-1 win over Kazakhstan in their World Cup qualifier. The three-times European and World champions lead Group C by eight points after Tuesday's victory, their fifth in six games. Yet coach Joachim Loew will be carefully analysing their second-half game where they gifted a goal to Kazakhstan, allowed...  
10:24 PM, Mar 27, 2013

France still looking for sharp shooter as World Cup looms Paris: France's narrow defeat by Spain exposed Les Bleus's desperate need for a striker with a killer instinct should they qualify for next year's World Cup. Tuesday's 1-0 loss left France in second place in qualifying Group I with 10 points from five games, one point behind world and European champions Spain with three games left. Coach Didier Deschamps blamed the reverse on France's lack of efficiency in a pulsating...  
09:12 PM, Mar 27, 2013

England were scared of us, says Montenegro coach London: Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic claimed England were scared ahead of their World Cup Group H clash on Tuesday, and after the visitors "stopped playing" in the 1-1 draw it seems his words were not too out of place. Goalkeeper Joe Hart was called into action on numerous occasions in the second 45 minutes as England, utterly dominant in the first half where they scored early on through Wayne Rooney,...  
04:28 PM, Mar 27, 2013

Underdogs hurt Asian heavyweights in WC qualifying Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni was left to rue a profligate forward line as the Blue Samurai blew a chance to become the first team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. Japan only needed to draw against a Jordan team they had thrashed 6-0 last June to secure a fifth consecutive finals appearance but were let down by poor finishing in a 2-1 reversal at Amman's King...  
04:16 PM, Mar 27, 2013

Jordan deny Japan's bid to secure World Cup spot Amman: Jordan stunned Japan 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, denying the Asian power the chance to become the first team secure a berth in Brazil. Khalil Baniateyah headed home the opening goal from a corner just before half-time. After the break, Japan pressed for the equaliser that would have been enough for them to qualify for the World Cup after Australia drew 2-2 with Oman. But Jordan...  
11:29 AM, Mar 27, 2013

Portugal down Azerbaijan 2-0 in qualifier Baku, Azerbaijan: Portugal failed to shine but claimed their first win in six games by beating 10-man Azerbaijan 2-0 in a World Cup qualifying game on Tuesday thanks to goals in the last half-hour by Bruno Alves and Hugo Almeida. Alves broke the deadlock with a 63rd-minute header at the front post, and substitute Almeida sealed victory in the 79th. Without suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and injured Nani, the Portuguese struggled...  
08:57 AM, Mar 27, 2013

Balotelli scores twice as Italy win in Malta Malta: Mario Balotelli scored twice as Italy overcame a shaky start to beat Malta 2-0 on Tuesday, extending the Azzurri's lead at the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Balotelli put Italy ahead with a penalty after seven minutes at Ta'Qali National Stadium and doubled the lead in the 45th, taking his tally to 10 goals in nine matches this year for club and country. Balotelli also scored the...  
08:45 AM, Mar 27, 2013

Spain beat France 1-0 in World Cup qualifying Paris: Spain bounced back from their mini-slump and dismissed early talk of a decline by beating France 1-0 on Tuesday to return to the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Pedro Rodriguez bundled home the winner from close range as Spain moved one point ahead with three games now remaining in Group I. The reigning world and European champion were two points behind before the game after consecutive home...  
08:04 AM, Mar 27, 2013

Lionel Messi wary of playing Bolivia at 4000m altitude
by IANS
La Paz: Lionel Messi said Argentina will be wary of the threat posed by the altitude of La Paz when they meet Bolivia here in Tuesday's football World Cup qualifier for 2014 Brazil. Argentina lead the South American zone standings with 23 points from 10 games and victory here will all but book their place at next year's World Cup finals in Brazil. Messi revealed he is still tormented by...  
12:58 PM, Mar 26, 2013

France will take attack to Spain, says Didier Deschamps Paris: France plan to attack Spain in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday even though a draw at home would be enough to keep them in the ascendancy with three qualifiers left to play. A draw will maintain the hosts' two-point lead at the top of Group I and keep the pressure on the Spanish, who slipped to a surprise 1-1 home draw with Finland when France beat visiting Georgia...  
09:01 AM, Mar 26, 2013

Italy torn between Francesco Totti and Mario Balotelli Rome: In the slowly shifting landscape of Italian football, the past week has marked a relatively quick change of focus. From old to new. Past to present. From Francesco Totti to Mario Balotelli. The homegrown Roman senator vs the son of Ghanaian immigrants. It all started a week ago, when the Azzurri opened their training camp and Italian media latched onto a comment from coach Cesare Prandelli, who said that...  
08:43 AM, Mar 26, 2013

Fred rescues Brazil in 1-1 draw against Russia London: Fred scored a 90th-minute equalizer to save Brazil from a second loss inside two months in London, although the 1-1 draw against Russia on Monday left the 2014 World Cup hosts without a win since Luiz Felipe Scolari returned as coach. Fred scored for Brazil for the fourth straight match by completing a flowing move instigated by substitute Hulk, tapping Marcelo's cross into the net from close range at...  
07:40 AM, Mar 26, 2013

Under-pressure Spain head to group leaders France Paris: Spain will edge closer to an unexpected playoff place if they fail to beat France in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. The Spanish surprisingly drew 1-1 against Finland on Friday while the French beat Georgia 3-1, giving them the initiative in Group I and a chance to open up a five-point lead if they win at Stade de France. Even a draw suits France, as Spain would then...  
06:48 PM, Mar 25, 2013

England face a tense qualifier against Montenegro Podgorica: England will face hostile crowds, an ambitious opponent and some bad memories for Wayne Rooney when the team plays Montenegro on Tuesday in a World Cup qualifier. England cannot afford to lose to the Group H leaders. If Montenegro win, they would move five points ahead of England, jeopardising their direct qualification for the 2014 tournament in Brazil. England coach Roy Hodgson, who is poised to make several changes...  
06:31 PM, Mar 25, 2013

Germany on guard against complacency vs Kazakhstan Nuremberg: Germany are playing down World Cup expectations and battling complacency ahead of their second back-to-back qualifier against Kazakhstan on Tuesday. Joachim Loew's side leads Group C with four wins from five games and is looking for another routine victory to follow Friday's 3-0 result over winless Kazakhstan in Astana. "It is a bit unusual to be playing the same opponent twice in quick succession," said Loew, who warned his...  
06:12 PM, Mar 25, 2013