Soccer Watch
Iran left out (again!), Germany mad over beer, and Cameroon embarassed by naughty uniform scandal. Who said soccer was boring?
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., April 23, 2004
U.S. government officials refused this week to issue visas to the Iranian national team, thus canceling matches scheduled for the next two weeks in Los Angeles and against the Guatemalan national team in Dallas.
Bernd Stange, the German coach of the Iraqi national team, fled Iraq this weekend, amid security concerns and bitter complaints about a lack of support from the governing Coalition. It's unclear what comes next for the Iraqis, in the midst of their qualifying campaign for World Cup 2006.
Speaking of WC 2006, the host Germans reacted with understandable horror and outrage this week when FIFA announced that due to promotional contracts, only one beer will be served at any of the German stadia or their environs: Budweiser. Well, I guess that's one way to cut down on drinking.
And speaking of FIFA, President Sepp Blatter announced this week that Cameroon would be penalized six points in their World Cup qualifying group (that's two full games, in a 10-game schedule), for wearing one-piece bodysuits at a previous African tournament. Blatter had expressed his displeasure with the fashion choice last fall – shortly after suggesting that what the women's game really needs is skimpier uniforms, in particular shorter shorts and tighter shirts.
And let's not speak of: David Beckham's affair, Diego Maradona's coma, Italy's referees, Porto's dives ... honestly, it's enough to put you off football altogether. Then comes the beautiful game itself – as in unsung Monaco's brilliant show in the Champions League semifinal, scoring two goals while a man down against Chelsea – and all's right once again. Can't wait for the return leg in London in two weeks.
