If you've paid any attention to the Bayern Munich news bits over the past years, you'll know that they've got some characters running the show. Thus their public persona isn't exactly seen as the cuddly teddy bear, smiled-at-least-once-in-their-lives types. So to hear that they gave Borussia Dortmund, a direct competitor, a loan which saved them from bankruptcy in 2003 is just.

By Alan Duffy

Forget the roasting and the racism, the diving and the drinking, sometimes footballers can actually be rather nice. And there seems to be no nicer chap in the world of football right now than Barcelona's Eric Abidal.

The 32-year-old French defender, who recovered from liver cancer himself, recentlyvisited a local hospital in Barcelona and was particularly moved by one patient, 15-year-old Juan Garcia.

"Me, You, and Jason Euell" by Patrick Cullinan

Shot on the way to, from, and at Port Vale vs AFC Wimbledon in England's League 2 this past Saturday, the 14th of January, this film captures the sights and sounds of a typical football awayday.

Beyond the style of the short film in itself, we also love that Patrick Cullinan is an avid reader of AFR (not to mention an excellent contributor to the Off The Post podcast).

Hockey kit for Liverpool as Adidas puck off Liverpool have announced a £25m-a-year kit deal with little-known American manufacturer Warrior, amid reports that long-term supplier Adidas no longer felt they were getting value for money from the teams on-pitch performances. Boston-based Warrior Sports Inc.

Hockey kit for Liverpool as Adidas puck off Liverpool have announced a £25m-a-year kit deal with little-known American manufacturer Warrior, amid reports that long-term supplier Adidas no longer felt they were getting value for money from the teams on-pitch performances. Boston-based Warrior Sports Inc.

Swansea 3 (Sinclair pen 16, Dyer 57, Graham 70) Arsenal 2 (Van Persie 5, Walcott 69)
(Premiership)

Two weeks ago, the Arsenal fanbase was pretty content. A win over QPR had lifted us back amongst the top four at the turn of the year, a remarkable turnaround given the position we were in after seven games.

O Grande Jogo (The Big Game)

Os grandes jogos / The big games
1958 - Suécia [sweden]
1962 - Chile
1970 - México
1994 - Estados Unidos [United States]
2002 - Japão/Coreia do Sul [Japan/South Korea]

We all know that Brazilians are proud to have won the World Cup five times.

Goal: Discuss racism in football in Twitter Q&A with Ged Grebby, Amar Singh and Ben Hayward

Following a number of race rows across the world of football over the last few months, we are giving you the chance to quiz our experts in a live discussion about the subject

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-10 07:40:00 from: Goal

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

There has been, as has seemed perpetual over the last few months or so, a lot of bad news about recently. Whether we are driving to distraction over racism, looking at football clubs that are staring into the financial abyss or lamenting the death of anything approaching civility within our national game, putting our heads above the parapets of modern football for longer than a fraction of a second can be a thoroughly dispiriting experience, and it can become a thorough bind to even seek to engage with the wider world of football at times.

2011 has been incredibly hectic in the world of football, and who better to tell you this than the personalities themselves?! From Zlatan Ibrahimovic's infamous autobiography outburst to Pele's never ending self-praises (groans all around), Ronaldo taking a jab back at opposition fans to the rise of women's football in Japan, there was really no shortage of entertaining quotes this year.

In the world of football, festivities and holidays don't last very long... just ask AC Milan! They've spent the last three seasons holed up in a winter training camp in Dubai, ringing in the New Year in the presence of one another. At least David Beckham threw a New Year's party when he was at the club.

Edinson Cavani's agent Claudio Anellucci has confirmed that rumours of the striker's exit from Napoli are greatly exaggerated. When asked on Radio CRC yesterday about interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, Anellucci seemed to refute any possibility of a january transfer:"These rumours are pleasing, but rumours are part of the game and the world of football.

There are a number of ways to get called up to a historically prestigious national team, among them simply owning an Argentinean passport between the years 2008 and 2010. Not on that list is being a 29 year old defender for a minnow languishing near the bottom of Serie B. Typically, anyway, if things are being judged on merit.

Luis Suárez case: 'It was key the FA produced an emphatic judgment'

The former Chelsea captain praises the Football Association for taking the chance to establish the boundaries of acceptability and send out a message of zero tolerance of racism Clearly this was an extremely complex and sensitive case, but it was key that the FA demonstrated it could organise an independent, transparent and fair process, and produce a clear and emphatic judgment.

If there is one thing we love in football, its a villain. Someone to hurl abuse at in such a fashion that it would not be out of fashion at a Pantomime at the Hippodrome in Birmingham. However, in pantomime we all know that anyone booing or hissing is merely in jest and by the end of the evening the actors and actresses all are smiling away as they accept the standing ovation which their performance (just about) deserves.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

The world of football has changed in so many ways since first I clambered up the steps at Highbury and looked down in awe at the scene before me; an oblong of green set at the bottom of a man made bowl, the concrete sides towering above it. There it was the home of my schoolboy dreams, the canvass on which I had for all my growing years drawn in my mind's eye the daring deeds which I, "Roy of the Arsenal" had performed heroically, defeating all and sundry with magical skills and wondrous last minute goals.

In an era of Galácticos, oil ball, and 300,000-a-week wages, it's easy to view football as a revolution. When something is wrong, blow it up and start over. Avram Grant not working out? Try Ancelotti. Ancelotti not the ticket? Go for AVB. If Ronaldo and Kaka aren't enough to be beat Barcelona, maybe Ronaldo, Kaka and The Special One will be.

Okay, Cup Final. You're the manager. This is the biggest game of your career. You've been exchanging emails with Capello and reading Zonal Marking endlessly, searching for the answers that will bring home the silverware. You've made a list of things to tell you players. Then you made another list.

Whether Jack Wilshere will be a great player in future is not even a question anymore. The 19 year old is already a regular England international and the world of football is yet to see the best of him. Jack has been at Arsenal since the tender age of 9. He has been polished to [...]

The world of football is in mourning after the death of Brazilian Legend Socrates. Socrates died on Sunday after suffering septic shock due to intestinal infection. Often refered to as the man with the golden feet, Socrates will be most remembered as a memeber of the great Brazilian side of 1982 that despite their talent failed to win the world cup.

Lots of former Liverpool players have entered the stressful world of football management over the years, but Steve McManaman is not one of them, and judging by his latest comments, it doesn't look like he'll be following the likes of Robbie Fowler and Dietmar Hamann into the dugout any time soon.

Barney's Version
Armed with some rubbish questions from EFW and some gems of her own, Lizzy Ammon clicked the heels of her favourite pair of red shoes together three times before marching off to meet Guardian sports journalist Barney Ronay...
Thanks for taking time away from Guardian Towers to talk to us.

Hi everyone,
I'm starting this blog just purely out of interest. The main subjects concerning this blog will be the main headlines in football and most importantly controversy surround the world of football. I will be giving my impartial view, meaning that I will not be taking sides.
I am a Level 5 football referee, looking to progress further up the ladder only being 17 years of age.

Keep calm and read on, Kickettes. Image Credit: AP.

Sadly, it was anything but quiet on the news front for us this past weekend, but as always, we're ready and willing to help you bounce back into work action.

Although if you require posts in addition to this one, know that we'll only resume work upon receipt of our mandatory compensation (in this case that would be Thanksgiving leftovers from our U.

This week's show revolves around the theme of disguises and imposters (and owls). Who are those two suave moustachio-ed gentlemen who have kidnapped Ben and Paddy and stolen their places on the sofa? [Rush and Aldridge by the looks of it. Ed.] Why have the doppelgangers left Alex alone? How easy is it to blag [.

By Alan Duffy

Ranked joint-bottom of FIFA's world rankings (204th), with a score of zero points to their name, American Samoa went in to a World Cup Qualifying clash against Tonga (ranked 202nd) as underdogs. However, defensive player Johnny 'Jayieh' Saelua, making his debut, would help make history for the most minnowy of all minnows for two reasons.

By Alan Duffy

Ranked joint-bottom of FIFA's world rankings (204th), with a score of zero points to their name, American Samoa went in to a World Cup Qualifying clash against Tonga (ranked 202nd) as underdogs. However, defensive player Johnny 'Jayieh' Saelua, making his debut, would help make history for the most minnowy of all minnows for two reasons.

By Alan Duffy

For many of you young whippersnappers reading this on your swanky tablets and uber-powerful laptops, whilst no doubt drinking trendy takeaway lattés and listening to underground grime on your iPhone 4s (god, I hate you smug b******s, with your lives still ahead of you), the name Tim Gudgin will mean little to you, as will his massive importance in the world of football broadcasting.

By Alan Duffy

For many of you young whippersnappers reading this on your swanky tablets and uber-powerful laptops, whilst no doubt drinking trendy takeaway lattés and listening to underground grime on your iPhone 4s (god, I hate you smug b******s, with your lives still ahead of you), the name Tim Gudgin will mean little to you, as will his massive importance in the world of football broadcasting.

By Alan Duffy

For many of you young whippersnappers reading this on your swanky tablets and uber-powerful laptops, whilst no doubt drinking trendy takeaway lattés and listening to underground grime on your iPhone 4s (god, I hate you smug b******s, with your lives still ahead of you), the name Tim Gudgin will mean little to you, as will his massive importance in the world of football broadcasting.

China, Why Costa Rica? - Costa Rica have recently unveiled the state-of-the-art Estadio Nacional. But why was it funded exclusively by the Chinese government?

On Saturday, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid kick off at the Camp Nou and the Mestalla, respectively.

Image that makes the heart shudder in fear

As fans, we are more than easily riled aren't we. I will be the first to admit that when it comes to Arsenal, emotions are rarely things within my control. When I saw the way Real Madrid has acted in trying to tap up one of our players, I was incensed.

If bowling three no-balls deliberately results in some of the participants receiving 2 1/2 year jail terms, just imagine how many concurrent life sentences would aggregate from equivalent individuals systemically affecting the results of major football matches to the benefit of their insider trades in the underground betting markets!

If bowling three no-balls deliberately results in some of the participants receiving 2 1/2 year jail terms, just imagine how many concurrent life sentences would aggregate from equivalent individuals systemically affecting the results of major football matches to the benefit of their insider trades in the underground betting markets!

Every Wednesday, we discuss the quirky outside stories in the world of football. This week, read about Ronaldo's wedding, Mario Balotelli's insane level of vanity and IkerBonero!

Drop what you're doing right now because your best friend and hair confidante, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to marry his mujer, Russian supermodel Irina Shayk!

Dion Dublin: Fergie's success at Man United is all down to me!

"I break my leg and then they bring in this has-been called Cantona who just takes the world of football by storm!" says former United striker

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-27 18:43:48 from: The Mirror

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

'To be a leader you need to be devoted, you to be trusted and, most importantly, you need to lead by example' - John Terry doesn't know what these worlds mean laments James Shaw... In the absence of feeling or integrity (or the World of Football) John Terry continues to prosper. He parades around like [.

Executing Ben After a break for international week, the Stoppage Time crew are refreshed and back to their best; scouring the internet for mind boggling clips from the wide world of football. Think of them as a YouTube SWAT team, a crack squadron who get the job done with the minimum of fuss, giving the [.

—————————————– The Christmas gift for the fan with (almost) everything —————————————– By Tony Attwood For years and years talented children and teenagers in England have been hindered if their talent is in the world of football. While talented youngsters who express their genius in terms of music, mathematics, the theatre, dance, visual art, literature or [.