In a sport where players are increasingly deified, Fernando Torres was a God-like figure at Liverpool; the fans worshipped the ground he walked on, and in the eyes of his fawning disciples, he could no wrong. That all changed when El Nino left for Chelsea - he instantly became a traitor; an Anfield Judas, worthy of nothing but contempt and ridicule.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is facing what could be the toughest phase of his career as football head in the more than 10 years since he took over from Joao Havelange.

The president recently came out to say that England are still bitter at him for their failed attempt to land the hosting rights to the 2018 tournament.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

Faryd Mondragon looked like the answer in 2011.

With everyone scrambling to buy just the right gift for the holidays, we thought it worth revisiting we did a few months back on the MLS shopping experience.

We have repeatedly posted about the MLS shopping experience. From a shortage of gear at brick and mortar retailers, to the absence of infant sized Galaxy items to the improved online experience, we have repeatedly written about procuring MLS items.

Several media sources are reporting that the new Dynamo Stadium will be named BBVA Compass Stadium. The deal is reportedly worth $20 million over 10 years for the team, not to shabby but not as much as you might expect. In all likelihood the team sold the best deal they could and will use the next ten season building the brand even more to help get an even bigger second deal in the future, much like they did with the shirt sponsorship.

Good morning,

it's interesting to read this morning Arsene Wenger talking about the financial might of Man City, and then how those comments are interpreted across the media. Obviously we've taken quite a bit of City's money over the last few seasons and that has led many to think that Arsenal are open and willing to sell any player to them provided the price is right.

Picture Credit: 123RF.comIt has come to this part of the year when I would always pen my annual review to summarize my thoughts on what happened in the past twelve months in Singapore Football.
Having said that, I must admit that it's been quite a difficult year for the local football that has been struggling with myriad of procrastinating problems that remain lingering.

Things today that have some others worked into a tizzy, but that leave me saying, "Meh ..."

• FIFA Club World Cup
• El-Hadji Diouf (linked by France press to a potential L.A. Galaxy move), who would be on his eight club in 10 years, an cautionary sign
• Pretty much any MLS-related transfer reports that come out of France
• Mock MLS drafts
• American soccer players / coaches who don fake English accents
• Video clips of goals set to music (the truly great strikes don't need the extra umph)
• Series finales that leave more unresolved than resolved (that's for Homeland fans)

The big business news of the day was the announcement that the naming rights deal between FC Dallas and Pizza Hut was coming to an end. The $1.2 million per year deal was a significant milestone when signed, and the loss of the naming rights agreement doesn't bode well for a franchise also struggling to secure a jersey sponsorship.

Diego Simeone says he is unfazed by the prospect of turning around Atletico Madrid's faltering season after being formally unveiled as their new coach.

The former Argentina captain was named as the replacement for the sacked Gregorio Manzano on Friday, signing a contract until the end of the 2012/13 campaign.

It's official! Liverpool overtake Man United in worst penalty takers of the past 10 years

Use the arrows to see which Premier League team has missed the highest percentage of pens in one season in the past decade

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-12-22 18:17:57 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.