Top clubs could break away

Europe's top clubs could break away from the world's governing bodies and form their own 'super league', according to a report.

The Guardian claims that the European Club Association are increasingly concerned about FIFA's plans to expand the international calendar, and could form their own organisation in 2014.

Clubs are currently bound by a 'memorandum of understanding' signed in 2008, compelling them to release players for international duty and participate in European club competitions.

However, this agreement runs out in 2014, and they may leave the traditional structure of the game today.

The Guardian quotes an unnamed board member of the European Club Association as saying:

"The fact that Bayern Munich, who have always been close to the institutions, are being so vocal and loud about the situation is a clear sign we're very close to breaking point.

"We have a memorandum of understanding with Uefa that expires in 2014. After that time we can no longer be forced to respect Fifa statutes or Uefa regulations. And we won't be obliged to compete in their competitions."

The Guardian goes on to report: 'Although the ECA has a broad constituency, representing 197 European clubs, it is the interests of nine in particular that will drive this agenda. They are Real Madrid, Milan, Liverpool, Internazionale, Manchester United, Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Rummenigge's Bayern.

'When the Guardian contacted the four English clubs for their views on the matter, all declined to comment. However, a director at one of the clubs said: "[Financially] there is a lot of unfulfilled potential in football as it stands."

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of Bayern Munich and current chairman of the ECA, said on Tuesday:

"I don't accept any longer that we [should be] guided by people who are not serious and clean. Now is the moment to intervene. Because knowing something is wrong is an obligation to change."

Olutosin Adeniji 

Culled from football365.com

Football ABCs

A for ACCIDENTAL –How the press is describing Tevez’s meeting with the Inter Sporting Director. Yeah Right!

B for BULLOCKS – What Harry Redknapp keeps saying about the Luka Mordric transfer saga.

C for CRAZY –  Mario Balotelli’s middle name.

D for DELUSIONAL – Arsenal fans who believe the gunners will compete for laurels this season.

E for ELATED – Alexis Sanchez is now a Barca player

H for HAPPY – The feeling in Uruguay right now.

J for JOKE – Stories linking Joey Barton with a move to Manchester United.

L for LULLABY - The Paraguayan National Team.

M for MOOGU – Mohammed Bin Hammam.

R for RELIEVED –The feeling I have that Copa America is over. What a boring tournament!

O for OVER-PRICED - Jordan Henderson and Stuart Downing. Its no surprise that they are both Liverpool players

P for PRUDENT – What Man City has been in this transfer window. The fear of financial fairplay is...........

Z for ZERO – The value one should place on Palermo chief Zamparini’s statements about the transfer of Javier Pastore.

Brazil pay the penalty at Copa America

Brazil yesterday crashed out of the Copa America after failing to score a single penalty in the shootout against Paraguay in La Plata. After missing so many chances during regulation time the game went to a shootout and the Selecao failed to convert from 12 yards. Elano, Fred and Andre Santos failed to hit the target while Thiago Silva's attempt was saved by the goalkeeper Villar. Paraguay's Estigarribia and Christian Riveros were the only two players to get the ball into the net. Paraguay now face Venezuela in the Semi Final

Argentina Crash out of Copa America

Uruguay dumped Argentina out of the Copa America on Saturday, with Carlos Tevez's penalty miss proving crucial in the 5-4 shootout defeat.

Gonzalo Higuain's equaliser had got Sergio Batista's side level at 1-1 in the 17th minute, cancelling out Diego Perez's early opener, and things looked to have turned in the hosts' favour when Perez was sent off six minutes before the break in Santa Fe.

But Javier Mascherano's red card three minutes from time evened up the numbers and, when there were no further goals after extra time, Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera took centre stage. He made the only save of the shootout from Tevez's spot-kick.