World Soccer news for the week of June 26th The Germans defend Luca Toni: It's the Italians' fault! Luca Toni spent the whole European Championship without netting a goal, but his German fans know that it was down to the Italian's negative tactics. "What did the Italians do to Toni? He doesn't score, he suffers and complains. Luckily, he shaved that dreadful moustache," wrote Bild Zeitung in defence of the Bundesliga's top scorer. "Here at Bayern he receives accurate passes from Ribery and Klose, while for his country he has to retreat in order to receive the ball, which come to him high and wide," added the top-selling daily. Munich Abendzeitung laid the blame on coach Roberto Donadoni. "Teams like Italy that sit and wait for penalties are few and far between." Frankfurter Allgemeine revealed an exchange of text messages between Toni and Klose. The Italian complained to his pal about his "best friend" having betrayed him. Klose asked if he could be of any help. Toni replied, "I mean the ball. It's my best friend and now we are not at the best of terms." Spain and Portugal agree on joint bid for the 2018 WC It is common knowledge that the 2014 World Cup will be played in Brazil, but where will it go next? The bids for the following tournament are being prepared and an irresistible bid is being made by neighbours Spain and Portugal. "If Spain hands its bid for the 2018 World Cup, it will be in alliance with Portugal," said the Spanish FA president, Ángel María Villar. Speaking for Antena 1, the Spanish soccer leader called the idea on the joint bid "brilliant," praising Portugal as a "excellent partner, who fulfils all the conditions for a joint act." The elaboration of the "brilliant" idea is to follow, because it will have to be approved by both countries' governments. Joao Havelange clams two World Cups were fixed Former FIFA president, Brazilian Joao Havelange, sensationally told the Brazilian media that the 1966 and 1974 World Cups, won by hosts England and West Germany, were fixed. Havelange, who took up office only in 1974, said the referees directly influenced the outcomes of the two tournaments. "In three games Brazil played in 1966, seven out of nine referees and linesmen were British, and two Germans, all part of the effort to help England and Germany reach the finals, as the English Sir Stanley Rous (then FIFA's president) wanted. "The same thing happened 1974 in Germany. Our game against Holland was refereed by a German (Tschentscher) and we lost, while Germany won the Cup (against Holland). Although we had the best team in the world, the same that won the 1970 Cup in Mexico, it was planned beforehand that the home countries should win the titles. Rummenigge furious at Real Madrid: Let United tell them 'no'! Bayern's Executive Committee chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge rose against Real Madrid for their unlawful interference with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. Rummenigge, who is also the chairman of the European Clubs Association, an organization that replaced the infamous elitist G-14, wholeheartedly supports Manchester United in their conflict with Real, who brainwashed Ronaldo into pushing for a transfer to Santiago Bernabeu. "The regulations are clear and Manchester United have a clear contract with the player for the next four years. Apart from this, I know Alex Ferguson very well and I know that his refusal is to be taken seriously," said the German. "The player and Real Madrid can reach any sort of agreement, but it's United who have the last word and if they refuse the offer, there is nothing left to discuss." Madrid's president Ramón Calderón indicated that he would be ready to play 85-90 million euros for the Portuguese wizard, while Real's coach Bernd Schuster said that even one hundred million euros would not be too much for such a classy footballer. Marcello Lippi: I am very, very happy The new-old Italian national team coach, Marcello Lippi, has declared himself overjoyed with his return to the position he abandoned in July 2006. "I am very, very, very happy. And very motivated. See you next week," said Lippi to Gazzetta dello Sport. These were his first words after being re-named coach two years after winning the ultimate prize in soccer – the World Cup. Ever since, he has been unemployed. The Italian football federation (FIGC) announced they would make an official presentation next week. Beckenbauer slams Podolski: Why don't you play so well at Bayern? Lukas Podolski, the in-form German striker, has continued to baffle his employers at Bayern, where the international delivers only occasionally. One of those who would like to see the brighter side of Podolski a bit more often is Bayern Munich's president, Franz Beckenbauer. "Whenever I hear Podolski complaining about the lack of opportunities and trust by the coaching staff, say that nobody is stopping him from doing just as well here as he does for the national team. With such a form he would certainly be in the starting eleven," wrote Beckenbauer in his column in Bild. "When playing for Bayern, he is frequently inert, while at the Euros his body language says 'pass me the ball, here I am.' Podolski and Schweinsteiger have played so well as we have not seen them play at club level since 2006," concluded the Kaiser. "Poldi", a naturalized Pole, came to Bayern two years ago and has yet to win a starting place, unlike in the national team, where he has been a regular since 2004. Copyright Ozren Podnar $ Soccerphile Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football

Platini seeks help from politicians Michel Platini, UEFA's president, has launched a desperate plea to the leaders of all European countries asking them for help in the battle against ruthless soccer capitalists. "A serious threat hangs over the development of European football. (...) Money has never been the ultimate objective of football: the main purpose has always been to win trophies. For the first time we may be entering an era in which financial profit alone will be the measure of sporting success," wrote Platini in his letter to the only people who could stop several dozen tycoons from bringing all the best world's players to several dozen West European clubs leaving the rest with nothing.

Italy are top of the FIFA World Rankings followed by Argentina and Brazil. England are up to 9th place after two wins in Euro 2008 qualifying matches. Croatia, likely to top England's group, are 10th. Scotland rise to 14th after beating France (6th) in Paris. 1 Italy 2 Argentina 3 Brazil 4 Germany 5 Netherlands 6 France 7 Spain 8 Portugal 9 England 10 Croatia 11 Czech Republic 12 Romania 13 Mexico 14 Scotland 15 Greece 16 Poland 17 Ukraine 18 USA 19 Uruguay 20 Sweden Bet with Bet 365

Did Nastase take the money? Dinamo Bucharest's Valentin Nastase has been accused by a Romanian daily, Fanatic, of having been paid by Lazio Rome to cause a penalty in favour of the Italians in their recent Champions' League preliminary tie. The penalty early in the second half enabled Lazio to draw level and start a turnaround on the way to a 3-1 away win. While the Italians qualified with a 4-2 aggregate score, Nastase has to defend himself. "I am being massacred from all sides. I have sent a note of denial to all Romanian newspapers, but they don't want to print it. I have sued the paper that published the lie. I'm not interested in money, only in truth and an apology," said the former Genoa, Palermo, Bologna and Ascoli player.

Life is full of little contradictions. When a professional gambler shops around for value, he’s lauded for his shrewdness. Yet when I apply a similar level of financial prudence outside of the betting arena, I’m considered meaner than a premenstrual Scot with a toothache. I’m not ashamed to say that I use the same approach with my shopping budget as I do with my betting bank. Why should I pay 60p for ‘brand name’ biscuits when I can buy an almost identical packet for 15p? Admittedly, the cheapskate biscuits crumble at the merest touch, but I can let this minor flaw pass, as it’s mostly the kids who eat them.

Title over sex, booze and holidays Numerous English soccer fans would be willing to renounce to sex, alcohol and holidays if that was to guarantee success of their favourite teams. The poll conducted by Virgin Money from a sample of 2500 fans showed that sex and alcohol would be the first victims the fans would be ready to sacrifice for the sake of their teams' results. Next in line people would dispense with are time with family and summer holidays. The most willing to renounce pleasure for success are Newcastle United followers provided that would give their team a Premiership title. Such an attitude is likely a result of a 38-year wait since the Magpies' last trophy, the Intercity Fairs' Cup won in 1969.