YOUTH AND TANZANIAN DEVELOPMENT

Saturday 30 November 2013

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger doubts match-fixing will disappear

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger doubts whether match-fixing will ever be eradicated from football.

He spoke as two men appeared in court charged over alleged match-fixing in the English game.

The Gunners boss believes England is "99.9% clean" but says lower-league teams are more vulnerable.

"Can it be eradicated completely? I am not sure," the Frenchman said. "We absolutely have to fight against that with the strongest severity."

How match-fixing often works

Dan RoanBBC chief sports correspondent

The exact details of the latest match-fixing allegations are not known and cannot be commented on due to the ongoing legal action.

In other cases, however, international betting syndicates - invariably Asian - often dispatch a fixer to search out semi-professional, non-league players in the lower tiers of English football who may be susceptible to bribes.

The players, once identified, are then typically handed thousands of pounds in return for manipulating a game - from the number of goals scored to the number of yellow cards issued.

For the fix to work, the syndicate tends to need more than one player to be in on the scam.

The fixer, sat watching in the stands, then waits for the signal from their co-conspirator on their pitch.

If the scam is to go ahead, the player on the syndicate's payroll deliberately gets a yellow card at the start of the match.

The fixer then calls his investors in Asia and tells them the fix is on. Bets are then placed.

Singapore national Chann Sankaran, 33, and 43-year-old Krishna Sanjey Ganeshan - who has dual UK and Singapore nationality - are charged with conspiracy to defraud.

Mr Sankaran and Mr Ganeshan, who are alleged to be members of an illegal betting syndicate based in Singapore, are accused of committing the offences in "Manchester and elsewhere". Magistrates remanded them to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 13 December.

Four other people arrested earlier this week were bailed on Thursday pending further enquiries.

At least three footballers are reported to be among those held across the country.

Sources have told the BBC that one of the other suspects is former Premier League player Delroy Facey, who is now a football agent.

Wenger was manager of Monaco when Ligue 1 rivals Marseille - the 1993 French champions and European Cup winners - were found guilty of corruption before being relegated and thrown out of European competition by Uefa.

"Once you don't know if everyone is genuine out there any more, that is something absolutely disastrous," he said.

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor says cases of lower-league footballers being approached by match-fixers are extremely rare but the sport must remain vigilant.

"Education is in place so that players know the dangers and they are encouraged to report any incidents, so the correct procedures can be followed," he told BBC Sport.

"Temptation will always exist and people will take advantage of that, but a monitoring process is in place and we will continue to work with the authorities on this to protect the integrity of the game."

Wenger hopes the current incident under investigation is an isolated one.

"Maybe the lower divisions are a bit more under threat because it is a bit more anonymous, there is less money so it is easier to buy people, but I don't think that exists in the Premier League at all," he said.

"I don't believe that in England people fix matches, but we live in an international world and you cannot just stop it at the border any more. It is a new problem that we all face.

"I still think that 99.9%, the English game is completely clean.

"When you see the happiness of the players when they score goals, even in the lower divisions, the passion of the fans when I was at Barnet for example, I can't believe there is a match-fixing problem in England."

DR Congo President Joseph Kabila eyes end to war

President Kabila received a warm welcome in Rutshuru

DR Congo Seeks Democracy

Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has told residents of a town held by rebels for more than a year that he wants an end to 20 years of conflict in the region.

He has spent the past week driving from Kisangani in a 70-car convoy, which got bogged down in the region's bad roads.

He has ended his 930km- (575 mile) journey in Rutshuru, which was held by the M23 rebels for more than a year.

During his trip, he warned the region's other militias to disarm.

Mr Kabila warned against revenge attacks and tribalism

He told a crowd of thousands of people that he wanted an end to conflict in the area, reports the AFP news agency.

"The war which has just finished, should be the last war," he said.

This is Mr Kabila's first visit to the troubled North Kivu province since the 2011 election campaign.

The mineral-rich area has been wracked by conflict for the past two decades but the defeat of the M23 has raised some hopes of a more stable future.

'Dry our tears'

"I wish you a long-lasting peace," the president said, warning against revenge attacks and tribalism.

The BBC's Maud Jullien in Rutshuru says the day was declared a public holiday in the town and some people were prevented from farming their fields and encouraged to go to see the president.

"We are very happy, because we have suffered here under the M23 administration for over a year, and now the president has come to dry our tears," said a young man in the stadium as he waited for the president to arrive.

But many local residents are afraid that the peace will not last, our correspondent says.

"The root causes of the problem are regional, and they haven't been resolved. There needs to be a regional agreement," said one man, Bienfait.

"The M23 is gone now but there is nothing to indicate that there won't be an M24 tomorrow or an M25 after that."

Both Rwanda and Uganda have denied repeated accusations that they supported the M23.

The international community has been calling on regional leaders to come up with a lasting solution to the crisis in the Great Lakes, as well as urging the M23 and the Congolese government to return to peace talks in Uganda and sign a deal.

"We know very well that a military victory alone is not good enough, there must be a political concept behind it," said the head of UN mission in Congo, Martin Kobler.

According to the authorities in Kampala, there are still more than 1,000 ex-rebels in Uganda, including its leaders.

Uganda has said it will not hand them over to DR Congo unless an agreement is signed.

Many other armed groups remain active in eastern DR Congo.

The country is two-thirds the size of Western Europe but after decades of conflict and mismanagement, has hardly any tarred roads outside the capital, Kinshasa.

The president flew the 1,200km to Kisangani before carrying on by road.

Our correspondent says he wanted to make a statement - that no part of the Congolese territory is inaccessible to him.

Mr Kabila has been driving himself but his car got stuck in the mud several times and the presidential guards had to get out and push the vehicle.

The president was accompanied by the minister of infrastructure, who has said emergency construction works have begun, before full renovation works by two Chinese companies begin.

The M23 rebels called an end to their insurgency earlier this month, hours after the DR Congo government claimed victory after recapturing all rebel-held areas.

A robust new UN intervention brigade used helicopters to support the Congolese army against the rebel

forces.

Analysis

Maud JullienBBC Africa, Rutshuru

President Kabila could have flown to the east, but he had a statement to make. Despite the terrible roads and the dangerous militias active in the area, he wanted to show that no part of the Congolese territory is inaccessible to him.

However, his car got stuck in the mud several times and the presidential guards had to get out and push.

On the way to Rutshuru, he insisted the government is determined to go after all the other armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

The international community wants DR Congo and its neighbours to come up with a lasting solution to the crisis in the Great Lakes.

The government also has crucial issues to deal with before the M23 can really be consigned to the past. The Ugandan government says there are still more than 1,000 ex-rebels in Uganda. Their future is unclear. Uganda has said it will not hand them over to DR Congo unless an agreement is signed.

Military experts say some other rebel groups will not be easy to defeat. They operate very differently from the M23. They are spread out across the region, often hidden among the local population, making it difficult to clearly target them.

Sunday 30 June 2013

ARSENAL TARGET JULIO CESAR SET TO LEAVE QPR, CONFIRMS REDKNAPP

The Hoops boss says the goalkeeper will definitely move on this summer, with the Gunners and Roma heavily linked with a move for the Brazil international

QPR manager Harry Redknapp says goalkeeper Julio Cesar "will move on" following the club's relegation to the Championship.

Goal understands Arsenal have opened formal talks with the goalkeeper and are willing to pay €1 million for the Brazilian who they have identified as their No.1 shot-stopper target.

However, the Gunners will face competition from Roma after the Giallorossi's loan swoop for Chelsea newcomer Wallace stalled.

Meanwhile, Redknapp has confirmed he is fully expecting the 33-year-old to leave Loftus Road, and anticipates him moving to a top club.

"Julio Cesar will move on," Redknapp told talkSPORT.

“He’s a top class goalkeeper, Brazil’s No.1. He’s been in great for Brazil and I presume there’s a big club out there for him.

"He won’t want to play in the Championship, he’s a goalkeeper for a big club.”

THE SWEEPER: ARSENAL IN POLE POSITION SHOULD BARCELONA SELL FABREGAS

Jun 30, 2013 7:57:00 AM

The Gunners would be informed should the Catalans consider selling the midfielder, but the Spain star wants to prove himself at Camp Nou next season

WENGER IN REGULAR FABREGAS CONTACT

The Sweeper: Arsenal in pole position should Barcelona sell Fabregas

Arsenal have explored utilising the first-option clause inserted in Cesc Fabregas’ Barcelona contract this summer, The Sweeper understands.

Sources have said that Arsene Wenger has been talking on the phone "quite a bit" with his former captain during the domestic break.


TRANSFER LATEST
2/1	Cesc Fabregas is 2/1 with BetVictor to sign for Arsenal

Discussions are believed to have centred on Fabregas' willingness to return to the club where he spent eight successful years and blossomed into one of Europe's outstanding young midfielders.

The 26-year-old's progress has stalled during his two years back at Barcelona, prompting fevered speculation about a return to the Premier League.

Arsenal have a fixed price on Fabregas' buy-back clause, believed to be €29 million, and, should another club make a concrete offer for the midfielder, Barca would be obliged to inform the Londoners, who would then be given first refusal.

However, Fabregas has been equally as bullish in private as he has in public about wanting to prove himself at Camp Nou, the club where he emerged through the ranks before joining Arsenal as a 16-year-old.

Sources close to the midfielder are confident he will begin next season as a Barcelona player and that any possible return to England is on hold until 2014 at the earliest.

Manchester United, who are closing in on the signing of Fabregas' club and international colleague Thiago, had considered a bid for the former Gunner but Arsenal remain in pole position to capture the player if he cannot nail down a starting place in the Barca first team.

Wenger’s admiration for Fabregas has not been diluted by the manner in which the midfielder engineered his exit from Emirates Stadium and the Gunners boss has retained an excellent relationship with one of the most successful signings of his 17-year Arsenal reign.

- Wayne Veysey

HOW MANCHESTER CITY BAULKED AT ISCO AGENT FEES
Manchester City appear calm after missing out on Spanish sensation Isco to Real Madrid.

The Premier League runners-up were prepared to go as high as €29m but were not prepared to pay some of the add-ons the player's camp demanded.

Reports are emerging Isco's handlers, which include his father, could pick up about €7m in fees and bonuses over the lifetime of the five-year deal he has signed at Santiago Bernabeu.

City pulled out of a €39m deal for Eden Hazard last summer when the agents demanded a €7m fee.

- Paul Clennam

ARSENAL BACKROOM STAFF RETURN ON MONDAY

It is six weeks since the transfer window opened and Arsenal have yet to announce any new signings.

But that is likely to change at the start of next week, when the club's army of coaching and backroom staff, led by manager Arsene Wenger, return to work at the training ground following a month-long summer break.

The first tranche of senior players will return to training three days later on Thursday, although this will only include those not involved in summer internationals, such as Mikel Arteta. Those players who have figured for their countries will have phased returns, with each permitted a break of at least three weeks.

Arsenal are likely to start the month by announcing the signing of France Under-21 striker Yaya Sanogofrom Auxerre, who completed a medical at the club at the start of June.

The club will also press ahead with tying up deals for a number of senior targets, including GonzaloHiguain, Marouane Fellaini and Julio Cesar.

- Wayne Veysey

TOTTENHAM NEW LOAN PROPOSAL HAS TOP LEVEL BACKING

Tottenham have made excellent use of the loan market in recent years, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Stephen Caulker and Andros Townsend able to hone their games while enjoying productive spells at rival Premier League clubs.

But Spurs have also seen deals collapse because of the rule which limits top-flight clubs taking a maximum one player on loan from the same club during a season.

In a bid to prevent a repeat of the situation on deadline day in August 2012 in which Jermaine Jenas was forced to abandon his proposed flight to the north-east to join Sunderland after his then colleague Danny Rose had already completed a loan switch from White Hart Lane, Tottenham have proposed an amendment to Premier League rule V.75.

Spurs want clubs to be allowed to take two players on loan from the same club during a season provided the loans take place in different windows.

The Sweeper understands that the proposal had the support of the Premier League board of directors when it was put to them at their meeting in London on May 7.

It is believed that the board will not object to Spurs’ amendment if it is formally put forward by the London club, heralding an imminent change in the loan rules.

ARSENAL TARGET WILLIAMS' €12M PRICE TAG IS 'COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED', SAYS SWANSEA DEFENDER DAVIES

The Swans' left-back insists his defensive partner should not leave the club for less than eight figures following a sterling campaign at the heart of a team that won silverware

Swansea left-back Ben Davies insists the mooted €12 million asking price for star defender Ashley Williams is "completely justified".

As Goal exclusively revealed in May, Arsenal have agreed terms with Williams but are still in discussions with the Welsh club over a transfer fee.

But Davies believes Williams excelled last season as the Swans won the Capital One Cup and should not sell the 28-year-old for less than €12m.

"Last season I would say Ash was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League, I cannot think of many who were better than him. The job he did was incredible," he told reporters.

"A price of £10million or more to sign him is completely justified.

"You see some of the money that gets spent in this league on players who are unproven in the Premier League. I think £10million is more than a fair price."

Davies also believes losing his Wales international team-mate would be a huge blow to Michael Laudrup's side.

He added: "You could see last season how good he was for us and he would be a massive loss.

"At the moment he is still a Swansea player and hopefully that will stay the same, but if he does leave for another club we will have to adapt quickly.

"We have Jordi Amat coming in as a new signing and hopefully he can be as good as, if not better than, him if it comes down to it."

Davies, 20, also paid tribute to the guidance Williams provided him in his first full professional campaign - a season that saw him make the left-back spot his own following injury to Neil Taylor.

"Ash gave me a lot of confidence on the pitch and the transition from Swansea to playing for Wales was made a lot easier as I played with him every week," he continued.

"He is a great player and a great captain, he is always there to talk to, and if you have to say something he is happy to take it.

VIEW AND GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FINAL BRAZIL 3-0 SPAIN: FANTASTIC FRED SEALS CONFEDERATIONS CUP

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The Selecao, fueled by a deafening atmosphere inside the Maracana, brought la Roja to their knees with an outstanding display to win the tournament for a fourth time

2′ Fre

44′ Neymar

47′ Fred

Two goals from Fred and a stunning Neymar finish saw Brazil claim their third straight Confederations Cup title in emphatic fashion, as they brushed Spain aside 3-0 in the final on Sunday.

The tournament hosts were in supreme form inside a raucous Maracana, ripping the reigning world and European champions to shreds to end their 29-match unbeaten run, and claim the trophy for the fourth time, alongside their triumphs of 2009, 2005 and 1997.

Fred needed only 90 seconds to open the scoring, before a thumping second from Neymar moments before the break rounded off an excellent first half for Brazil.

The onslaught continued two minutes after the restart when Fred put another past a shell-shocked Spain, who showed their ineptitude at both ends when Sergio Ramos lashed a penalty wide.

Gerard Pique's 68th minute red card ended any fleeting hopes of a comeback from la Roja, as Brazil's win sparked wild celebrations in the stands and saw Spain lose by three goals in a competitive game for the first time since 1985.
The fans had the Maracana rocking long before kick-off, and barely two minutes in, the home side nearly blew the roof off the famous stadium when they took the lead.
Oscar delivered a ball into the box which Fred, Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pique all challenged. A goalmouth scramble ensued and, despite laying on the turf, the Fluminense man reacted quickest to poke home.
Fred very nearly set Oscar up for the second within minutes when he flicked across the box from Neymar’s cross, but Chelsea’s young playmaker drilled agonisingly wide.
Paulinho then made Casillas work hard to keep the deficit at one with a cheeky lob after robbing Andres Iniesta, with the Spain keeper backpedalling to get a hand to the attempt.
Vicente Del Bosque’s side were simply struggling to cope with the tenacity and energy in Brazil’s play, which was matched every step of the way by the fervour raining down from the stands.
And Arbeloa nearly committed a fatal mistake when he flattened Neymar on the halfway line, but with the fans baying for blood, only a yellow card was issued to the defender.
Spain finally showed signs of life when Iniesta’s rasping drive forced Julio Cesar to push around the post, but it was an aberration amid Brazil’s dominance, and Casillas had to stand tall again to stop Fred from point blank range.
However, it was then the hosts' turn to live on the edge when an outrageous goal-line clearance from David Luiz denied Pedro a sure-fire goal after Mata’s pass put him one-on-one with Cesar.
But with half-time approaching, Brazil would get their deserved second. Oscar drew the attention of the defence on the edge of the box and deftly slipped in Neymar, who unleashed an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
And two minutes after the interval, the hosts struck again. Hulk’s fantastic diagonal ball was cleverly dummied by Neymar, leaving Fred to finish coolly into the bottom corner.
Spain were handed a glimmer of hope with a penalty after Marcelo clumsily challenged substitute Jesus Navas, but Ramos extinguished that optimism almost instantly with a wild spot-kick that flew wide.
And they were finished for good when Pique stuck out a leg in vain to bring down the onrushing Neymar, earning the Barcelona defender a straight red card as the last man.
It was party time inside the Maracana, with the irrepressible Neymar driving past defenders with ease, and substitute Jo coming close to a fourth with a powerful strike that was saved by Casillas.
Spain had a few chances to restore a little pride, but Pedro was denied excellently from close range by Cesar, who did equally well to push away a curling Villa effort with only minutes remaining.
But it just was not la Roja's night, with the final whistle signalling what had been an inevitability for some time as the Brazil celebrations kicked off in earnest.
The question now is whether the Selecao can ride this wave of momentum all the way onto the biggest stage of them all at World Cup 2014.