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The Argentinian Lionel Messi will today bound for Beijing to play the Olympics with the selection of his country, but Barcelona still fighting and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS, for its acronym in Spanish) will have the final say.
The club will submit an appeal to the CAS after knowing the decision yesterday of Interacional Federation of Football Association (Fifa) forcing the club to release Messi to participate in the Olympiad.
"I joined the selection without waiting, because if I would be late. At the moment I want to be with them, "he said.
Although that is also added at the expense of the opinion that the CAS and will return if necessary.
The Status Committee Athlete of the Fifa ordered the release of players younger than 23 years for the Olympic Games.
The single judge of the Commission, the Tunisian Slim Aloulou, dismissed the arguments of Werder Bremen, Schalke 04 and Barcelona, who argued that the Olympic tournament coincides with tournaments like the Champions League.
"The Olympic Games represent a unique opportunity for athletes from any sport and, therefore, could not be justified that prevents any player younger than 23 years participate in this event," reads the provision.
However, Barcelona remains steadfast in its initial position and wants to prevent the march from their franchise player.
Barcelona will present an appeal against this decision before the CAS and request its cancellation.
Yesterday, Barça won by 3-1 to Fiorentina and Messi played again as the holder.
Precisely, the Argentine was one of the players in the first goal of Barcelona, which came at 28 minutes. Messi made a great move that ended with a staff auction close by Carlos Puyol.
Messi will travel accompanied by Pep Costa, a member of the body coach, who remain in China until the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivers its verdict on the appeal lodged by Barcelona.
That's because unlike Barcelona, Werder Bremen seems to be about to abandon the struggle for Diego, who joined without permission from his club to play Brazil for the Olympic tournament in Beijing.
Bremen's sports director, Klaus Allofs, admitted: "We must see whether it is worthwhile to maintain the appeal. Do not keep a mere diversion, we would have to make sure our line. "
For the moment, Laporta relaxed position to lower tensions.
"What we can not do is harm the interests of the player having a resolution through. We understand that power is very complex and retain the player who participates in the tour of the United States.
"If the CAS fails in favour of the club, he would have to come back," summed up the Catalan jerarca.
The CAS will resolve on Tuesday.
For his part, head coach of the Olympic selection argentina, Sergio Batista and confessed his relief already outlined how it wishes to play: "Fortunately it was resolved in our favour after so many return trips.
"I want Messi will pull over to the medium, not stuck to the line as it does in Barcelona. To generate football in front of (Juan Roman) Riquelme and behind (Sergio) Agüero, "said the Chechen.
The United States government has seized $24 million from bank accounts linked to Bodog Entertainment Group, the ubiquitous franchise best known for online gambling and its billionaire front man, Calvin Ayre.
Forbes magazine is reporting that the information was obtained from documents filed with Federal District Court in Baltimore, Maryland.
Mr. Ayre, 47, has been distancing himself in recent months from the company he founded in the 1990s.
In April, Mr. Ayre announced in a blog entry that he would step down as Bodog's chief executive.
"You've likely heard the rumblings and rumors . . . and for once . . . it's true . . . I'm packing it in!" he wrote.
At the time of that entry, he said his company's operations had been run by the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group in Kahnawake for the last year.
Mr. Ayre also said that, since 2006, he had been building a European executive team to oversee Bodog's Continental and African operations.
Link: sevenload.com
Joan Laporta, Barcelona's president, yesterday opened the door to the possibility that Samuel Eto'o will be in the team after not find a buyer and see the attitude of the player, but left the final decision in the hands of the coaching staff.
"The attitude of Samuel is good and I welcome enormously. Beyond the technical decisions that can be taken, I'll stay with the attitude of Eto'o. The rest is up to Txiki Beguiristain (technical secretary), "said the leader.
Laporta said that there are "clubs interested in Eto'o," but without offering concrete, and added that the Barcelona striker is a world reference in its position and contributed very, very best players of his position, if not the best ".
Eto'o received the backing of his teammates. Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi endorsed the continuation of African public statements.
Yelena Isinbayeva succeeded yesterday in Monte Carlo a mark of 5.04 meters and set a new world record, the number 23 who gets the Russians in the discipline.
Isinbayeva, 26, improved on his own one centimeter plusmarca, elmeeting achieved this year in the Golden League in Rome.
Then announced that it would continue to seek to lay new records.
Isinbayeva had achieved its previous plusmarca of 5.03 metres on 11 July in Rome.
The saltadora beat for the first time this record on August 12, 2005, in his victory in the World Cup final in Helsinki.
For Russia this is the 13 th record outdoors (plus another ten in room). Isinbayeva has always declared that it wants to overcome Bubka, who broke 35 world records in the specialty.
This new plusmarca, doors of the great quote from Beijing 2008, endorses his last months working with Vitaly Petrov, exentrenador of Ukrainian Bubka and which has been working in Donetsk and in the Italian town of Formia.
This is "thanks to his opponents who left work during these two years. If (the U.S.) Jennifer Stuczynski had come before (the high competition), she would have had more difficulties to win, "said Petrov yesterday, satisfied.
The Barcelona announced yesterday that the Argentine striker Lionel Messi will be uploaded to the aircraft that will take you tomorrow at the Italian city of Florence on Thursday and begin U.S. tour with his team, bringing the Spanish club ruled the assignment of player to play the Olympic Games.
This was announced Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, who confirmed that his club maintains its intention to make the preseason that Messi complete with all Catalan.
The agent said that the Barcelona club "he attends the reason" in its pulse with Argentina Football association (AFA), which insists on having Messi in the Olympic Games.
Laporta reported that a few weeks ago sent a letter to the president of the AFA, Julio Grondona, in which he proposed the option of giving the player if the Barcelona reached a good result in the first leg of the third stage of pre - Champions League, play in the August 12.
The Barcelona lives pending the resolution of the FIFA respect to this conflict, which is expected for today. Although the Spanish club has already announced that if no reason to Barcelona who lives in disagreement with the AFA, will call on the Sports Court of Arbitration (CAS), linked to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Thus, the player will undertake the tour with Barcelona whatever the outcome of today's highest soccer.
Laporta avoided confrontation with the AFA and Jorge Messi, the father of the footballer, who support the incorporation of immediate end to their selection.
"We have heard the wishes of the player and these are the Barcelona and defending his selection. Ideally reconcile the two interests, "added the agent.
But Laporta is unwilling to yield. "The regulations assist us," he said.
Barcelona played two events in the United States. On August 3 will be measured with CD Guadalajara of Mexico in Chicago, August 6 and will face the New York Red Bulls of MLS, which will act as local.
The Olympic soccer tournament will begin on August 6, two days before the inauguration.
MLB Betting Preview
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Saturday, 3:55 pm Eastern – FOX
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox get the spotlight on Saturday on FOX as they play the middle game of their three-game series. It is Andy Pettitte on the mound for New York facing Boston’s Tim Wakefield. Both pitchers have good numbers and the game could turn into a pitcher’s duel.
Check out the current line for this game at SBG Global.
Pettitte is 11-7 on the season with a 3.86 ERA. He was excellent in his last start against Oakland, allowing only one run in eight innings. Wakefield is 5-7 on the season but has a solid 3.69 ERA. He has gone at least 7 innings in nine of his last ten starts. He is 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA this month. This is his second start against New York this season. He gave up three runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings against them last time.
Here are the MLB betting stats for Saturday’s game. The Yankees are 21-8 in their last 29 Saturday games. The Yankees are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. the American League East. The Yankees are 5-2 in their last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Yankees are 7-2 in Pettitte’s last 9 starts. The Yankees are 12-5 in Pettitte’s last 17 road starts. The Yankees are 45-21 in Pettitte’s last 66 starts vs. the American League East. The Yankees are 7-3 in Pettitte’s last 10 road starts vs. the Red Sox.
The Red Sox are 10-2 in their last 12 home games vs. a left-handed starter. The Red Sox are 23-9 in their last 32 Saturday games. The Red Sox are 6-0 in Wakefield’s last 6 Saturday starts. The Red Sox are 37-17 in Wakefield’s last 54 home starts. The Red Sox are 1-8 in Wakefield’s last 9 starts vs. the American League East. The Red Sox are 1-4 in Wakefield’s last 5 home starts vs. the Yankees.
The Under is 6-1 in the Yankees last 7 road games. The Under is 4-1 in the Yankees last 5 Saturday games. The Under is 6-2-2 in the Yankees last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 20-7-2 in the Yankees last 29 overall. The Under is 27-11-1 in the Yankees last 39 vs. the American League East. The Under is 17-5 in Pettitte’s last 22 starts vs. the American League East. The Under is 19-7 in Pettitte’s last 26 road starts. The Over is 4-0 in Pettitte’s last 4 road starts vs. the Red Sox.
The Under is 5-1-2 in the Red Sox last 8 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Over is 5-2 in the Red Sox last 7 Saturday games. The Over is 12-3-1 in Wakefield’s last 16 home starts. The Under is 40-19-7 in Wakefield’s last 66 starts vs. the American League East. The Over is 22-7 in the last 29 meetings in Boston between the two teams. The Under is 11-4-3 in Wakefield’s last 18 starts vs. the Yankees.
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During a telephone conversation Thursday with Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson, quarterback Brett Favre conveyed he is planning to return to the team and report to training camp this weekend.
If he follows through on his plans, Favre is expected to fax a letter seeking reinstatement to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as early as Friday, before the Packers report to camp on Saturday.
However, just because Favre is now planning to return to the Packers, that doesn't mean the saga is over. This is a story that has had so many twists and turns, it is conceivable it could change again. It has repeatedly in the four months since Favre announced his retirement.
At any point this summer, with the situation as tenuous as it is, Favre still could decide to walk away from the game again or Green Bay could decide to trade him to one of the teams it spoke with this week. But for now, Favre is planning to go back to the Packers with the intention of spending this season with them.
There is plenty of smoothing over to be done, however that process already has kicked off. The conversation between Favre and Thompson was said to be cordial and professional, and the Packers recognize that they are a better team with their iconic quarterback on the roster.
Thompson even said during Thursday's annual shareholders meeting that families have disagreements, but they overcome them. Now the Packers and Favre are trying to do just that.
Favre will try to return to the life that he has known and loved in Green Bay. He never sold his house there, never removed the furniture from the house, never moved his cars from the area.
But there will be an adjustment on the football field. The Packers had appointed Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback and Favre will have to beat him out this summer, an idea once as unthinkable as Favre being traded. With a base salary of $12 million, Favre could become the most expensive backup in the history of football.
In September the UK's National Health Service will open a free clinic for the treatment of problem gambling.
Located at the Soho Centre for Health on Frith Street, the clinic is set to run for a 12-month pilot period. If deemed a success more facilities could open across the country.
Dr. Henrietta Bowden-Jones, an psychiatrist specializing in gambling addiction who will lead the Soho facility, told the Evening Standard: 'We will treat not just the problem gambler but any member of their family and people affected by their addiction. We are at present purely an outpatient service but would be keen to be funded for in-patient beds for extreme cases when gamblers may become suicidal because of debs.'
Funding for the facility will come from the gaming and betting industry through the Responsibility in Gambling Trust.
The president of Fifa, Joseph Blatter, said yesterday that clubs must make their players younger than 23 attend the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Jerarca's position contradicts the claim of major European teams, who claim that they are not obliged to do so.
This contradiction became clear in two bulletins sent by the Fifa and the European Association of Clubs (RCT, for its acronym in English), successor of the G-14.
"The release of players younger than 23 years has always been compulsory. The same principle applies for Beijing 2008, "Blatter said in a letter sent to all the members of Fifa.
The Swiss added that the fact that the Games in Beijing were not included in the international calendar did not eliminate the rule.
Opposition. The president of ACE, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement that there was no legal liability for clubs to give up their footballers.
"As the Games are not in the calendar, the obligation to release players, according to the regulations of Fifa does not apply," said Rummenigge. "We support, therefore, to all clubs facing significant losses," he said.
But Fifa downplay the issue of timing. "Because of their uniqueness, the soccer tournament at the Olympic Games has always been treated any differently intentionally. However, this does not mean that here there is no obligation for clubs, "said Blatter.
The conflict has suspended the participation of stars such as Argentine Lionel Messi. The star receives pressure from the Argentine football associations to be incorporated in the albiceleste, and on the other hand faces the demands of his team, Barcelona, not to do so.
Messi's father stoked the issue by stating that the desire of his son is playing in Beijing with the Selection
The president of Fifa, Joseph Blatter, said yesterday that clubs must make their players younger than 23 attend the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Jerarca's position contradicts the claim of major European teams, who claim that they are not obliged to do so.
This contradiction became clear in two bulletins sent by the Fifa and the European Association of Clubs (RCT, for its acronym in English), successor of the G-14.
"The release of players younger than 23 years has always been compulsory. The same principle applies for Beijing 2008, "Blatter said in a letter sent to all the members of Fifa.
The Swiss added that the fact that the Games in Beijing were not included in the international calendar did not eliminate the rule.
Opposition. The president of ACE, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement that there was no legal liability for clubs to give up their footballers.
"As the Games are not in the calendar, the obligation to release players, according to the regulations of Fifa does not apply," said Rummenigge. "We support, therefore, to all clubs facing significant losses," he said.
But Fifa downplay the issue of timing. "Because of their uniqueness, the soccer tournament at the Olympic Games has always been treated any differently intentionally. However, this does not mean that here there is no obligation for clubs, "said Blatter.
The conflict has suspended the participation of stars such as Argentine Lionel Messi. The star receives pressure from the Argentine football associations to be incorporated in the albiceleste, and on the other hand faces the demands of his team, Barcelona, not to do so.
Messi's father stoked the issue by stating that the desire of his son is playing in Beijing with the Selection.
MLB Betting Preview
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Wednesday, 7:10 pm Eastern – ESPN
SBG Global Opening Line: Mets - 130 , Total 9 Under -115
The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets play the third game of their four-game set on Wednesday with Brett Myers facing John Maine. Myers does not have an easy return from the DL as he faces the Mets at Shea. He has pitched reasonably well in his minor league rehab starts but he was 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA this season when he went on the DL. This will be his first start against the Mets this season. SBG Global reports that early MLB betting has the public taking Mets at Home.
John Maine has not pitched well lately for New York. He is 8-7 on the season with a 4.22 ERA. He is winless in his last four starts and has only gone a combined 19 innings. He has pitched twice against the Phillies this season with two no-decisions although the Mets won both games. Maine is 4-1 at home this season in nine starts.
Here are the MLB betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Phillies are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a road underdog. The Phillies are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter. The Phillies are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. the National League East. The Phillies are 6-20 in Myers' last 26 starts. The Phillies are 3-15 in Myers' last 18 starts vs. the National League East. The Phillies are 1-11 in Myers' last 12 road starts. The Phillies are 4-0 in Myers' last 4 road starts vs. the Mets.
SBG Global Current Line: Mets - 130 , Total 9 Under -115
The Mets are 11-2 in their last 13 overall. The Mets are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. the National League East. The Mets are 8-2 in their last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 21-5 in Maine’s last 26 starts vs. the National League East. The Mets are 11-4 in Maine’s last 15 starts as a home favorite.
The Mets are 7-1 in Maine’s last 8 starts vs. the Phillies.
The Under is 4-1 in the Phillies last 5 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 7-3 in the Phillies last 10 games as an underdog. The Under is 11-5 in the Phillies last 16 vs. the National League East. The Over is 7-1 in Myers' last 8 starts vs. the Mets.
The Under is 5-0 in the Mets last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter. The Under is 8-1 in the Mets last 9 games as a home favorite. The Under is 5-2 in the Mets last 7 overall. The Over is 6-0 in Maine’s last 6 starts as a home favorite. The Over is 7-1-2 in Maine’s last 10 starts overall. The Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in New York between the two teams.
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