ZURICH - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has refused to comment on allegations linking Qatars winning World Cup bid to payments received by voters. Soccer Jerseys For Sale . Blatter said at a news conference on Friday "I have not even the right" to discuss claims published this week by the Daily Telegraph. The British newspaper said it had evidence that a Qatari company controlled by former FIFA board member Mohamed bin Hammam paid almost $2 million to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warners family after the December 2010 vote. Blatter referred questions to a statement on behalf of its ethics investigation panel, which was "aware of the material identified in the published article." The claims were aired as Blatter and other FIFA executive committee members were being interviewed in Zurich as part of an investigation by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests, won by Russia and Qatar. Pressed further on the subject, Blatter insisted he will not comment "until they have finished their work." Garcia is expected to deliver a report this year to the judging panel of FIFAs ethics court. "As with any allegations of misconduct by football officials the ethics committee will take whatever action it feels is appropriate," the statement on behalf of Garcia said. Still, he has limited jurisdiction at best. Bin Hammam is already banned from football for life, and Warner resigned in June 2011 to avoid a previous FIFA investigation into a cash-for-votes scandal linked to the Qataris failed presidential bid. As future World Cup hosts continue to trouble FIFA, Blatter said he would make another visit to Qatar before the June kickoff in Brazil to press for progress in the gas-rich emirates treatment of migrant labourers. Blatters board colleague, Theo Zwanziger, said FIFA has asked Qatari authorities for "honest reports" on the situation. Labour unions and rights groups have campaigned to highlight unsafe conditions, unpaid salaries and contracts tying workers to their employer. Blatter dismissed suggestions that aggressive actions by 2018 World Cup host Russia toward neighbouring Ukraine in the breakaway Crimea region could affect the tournament. "The World Cup has been given and voted to Russia and we are going forward with our work," said Blatter, who counts Russias sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, among his board colleagues. FIFA and UEFA have also endorsed an agreement that Crimea region clubs Tavriya Simferopol and FC Sevastopol should complete the season in the Ukraine Premier League. Both clubs expressed interest in switching to the Russian league next season. Issues affecting FIFAs next three major tournament hosts have not damaged the governing bodys finances. Buoyed by record income of $1.386 billion last year, FIFA reported that its reserves grew to $1.432 billion after making a $72 million profit. FIFAs financial results typically peak in a World Cup year, which will be reported next March, and are set to grow with more valuable TV rights and sponsorship deals starting next year. "We will make more money for Russia and we will make more money for Qatar," secretary general Jerome Valcke said. "And if it is as it is, we will make more money for the World Cup 26." In other decisions: — There was no agreement on a proposal for age and term limits in FIFA office. An option for three four-year terms was considered. The issue will go to the FIFA Congress on June 11 in Sao Paulo. — The congress will be asked to extend mandates through 2015 for two co-opted woman board members: Moya Dodd of Australia and Sonia Bien-Aime of Turks and Caicos Islands. — Rabat and Marrakech were confirmed as host cities for the Club World Cup in Morocco in December, subject to Rabat stadium works being completed before September. Cheap Soccer Jerseys .com) - Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead the San Jose Sharks in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers to split a home-and-home set. Soccer Jerseys 2020 . -- Former NHL star Jeremy Roenick shot a second-round 69 to take the lead after 36 holes and former LPGA great Annika Sorenstam and Chad Pfeifer, who lost his left leg above the knee serving in Iraq, are among several players in contention in the American Century Championship tournament on Saturday. https://www.cheapsoccerjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year.CLEVELAND - The Browns coaching search — or is it a scramble? — could be nearing a conclusion. Buffalo defensive co-ordinator Mike Pettine is the front-runner to become the teams seventh full-time coach and will reportedly have a third interview with the team on Thursday. Team officials interviewed Pettine on Tuesday night in Mobile, Ala., site of the Senior Bowl, and although the sides did not reach a deal during their four-hour meeting, enough progress was made to move forward. And as the focus narrowed on the 47-year-old Pettine, a "mystery" candidate emerged. The team reportedly interviewed former Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano on Wednesday in Florida, but a person familiar with Clevelands coaching search told the Associated Press that Schiano will not be hired by the Browns. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team is not commenting on the search, said there is "zero chance" of Schiano taking over in Cleveland. Earlier, Pettine, who spent one season with the Bills after four on Rex Ryans staff with the New York Jets, told Cleveland.com that he "should have some feedback on my interview by the end of the day." A person familiar with the Browns plans told the AP on Tuesday night that the team intended to interview an unknown candidate on Wednesday. The club, too, was expected to meet with Atlanta offensive co-ordinator Dirk Koetter at some point. Pettine is the first candidate known to have a follow-up interview with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, CEO Joe Banner, general manager Michael Lombardi and team president Alec Scheiner. Cleveland has met with at least nine known candidates. The team initially interviewed Pettine on Jan. 16, and following the interview, Pettines teenage daughter, Megan, tweeted that her dad was going to meet again with the team while taking a not-so-subtle shot at the Browns. "Its the browns," she posted on a Twitter account since deleted. "But hey, still pretty cool!" The Browns, who fired Rob Chudzinski on Dec. 29 following one season, are also expected to conduct a second intterview with Seattle defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn. Soccer Jerseys Online. He was the first candidate to meet with the team and the director of the NFLs top-rated defence could sit down with Clevelands front office before Sunday. Because the Seahawks are in the Super Bowl, league rules require the Browns to speak with any assistants in that game by Jan. 26. However, the Browns are not permitted to finalize a deal with any assistant coach participating in the Super Bowl until after the game, so Cleveland may have to wait until Feb. 3 if they want to hire Quinn. Its possible, though, the team could decide Pettine is their choice and can name him their coach at any time. Last week, Haslam, aware of the public appearance the Browns had no clear plan to find Chudzinskis replacement, sent a letter to fans last week explaining the teams "methodical" approach to finding its next coach. Despite Haslams reasoning, it appears the Browns have had to adjust on the fly. The search is in its fourth week. Six other teams entered the off-season with coaching vacancies and all have been filled. Early favourites in Clevelands quest to replace Chudzinski dropped quickly. New England offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels, Ohio born with a connection to Lombardi, removed himself from consideration. Denver offensive co-ordinator Adam Gase — another perceived favourite — did the same, calling Haslam on Tuesday to say he was happy with the Broncos. Top college coaches such as Oklahomas Bob Stoops, Gus Malzahn and James Franklin emerged as possibilities and disappeared as rapidly as they arrived. Stoops is still with the Sooners, Malzahn stayed at Auburn and Franklin took the Penn State job. Bill OBrien, who was on Clevelands wish list last year, signed with Houston. There have even been rumours that former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was on Clevelands radar. Since the start, Haslam has promised to "take as long as necessary" to find the right coach — his second in less than two years as owner — to lead the Browns. It appears hes finally closing in on one. ' ' '  |
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