NY Coed Soccer

Berlin Photo Show Reveals Politics In Soccer

An exhibition of work by top photo-journalists at the German Historical Museum will show how political tensions can cast a shadow over "the beautiful game":  Photo

With tiring regularity, politicians of all colors are demanding that Iran be banned from Germany 2006. The Nation examines the hypocrisy of it all :  The Nation

Prostitution Alarms Swedes

Sweden is under pressure to withdraw its football team from the World Cup in protest at the vast number of prostitutes flocking to Germany to ply their trade::   Sweden

An End to 'Soccer War'

Honduras and El Salvador will formally bury a border squabble that dates back to a short but bloody 1969 conflict known as the Soccer War::   Soccer War

Play Soccer, Not War

The story of one US soldier's mission to bring 5,000 soccer balls to Iraq:  Balls to Iraq

Playing Through the Fear

Despite the concern that Government authorities may descend upon the field at any time, many illegal immigrants are unable to forsake playing the game they grew up loving:  Soccer and Immigration

Bush Brings Freedom To Iraqi Soccer…

Thanks to a Dallas-based energy company, an Iraqi national youth team flies to Dallas to face off against youth teams from Idaho and Chicago, and they win.  Of the team's ability to practice and play in Iraq, team coach comments on how "exploding bombs and gunfire are common background noise at practices." Yousif said two Iraqi players, including one who had a stray bullet strike his head at practice, have been killed since the fighting began.

An Iraqi fan in Dallas had this to say following the match: "Before, they would of had to give praise to Saddam. Not ever again."  Iraqi youth soccer alive and kicking

Biggest World Cup Threats: Neo-Nazis and English Hooligans

Whether right-wing radicals, or English hooligans, Germany is putting in place a major security operation to guard the World Cup from terrorism and thuggery.  Germany is admiting that of particular concern are the estimated 100,000 England fans who are expected to travel to the country. 

England fans have a reputation for violent behaviour abroad, including at previous European championships and the 1998 World Cup in France. Some also cultivate a particular rivalry with Germany, egged on by some media which still hark back to the two world wars.

British authorities are doing their part by having "barred 3,200 known troublemakers from traveling to Germany during the tournament, and sending four prosecutors and 44 uniformed police officers to assist the hosts in dealing with any disruptions."

Germany alert for far-right disruption to World Cup

No Such Thing as Bad Publicity

The old adage confirmed once again. Ban something and sales soar. As the Dutch soccer authorities are finding out with orange Nazi helmets.

Germany has launched a campaign ahead of its hosting of the World Cup, marketing itself as a vibrant nation of composers, poets, philosophers and inventors. But it faces trouble from an unruly minority of foreign fans obsessed with Nazi-era images.

Dutch ban on orange Nazi helmets sends sales soaring

Political Own Goal

Politicians really should learn to think before talking. But they don't. And fans are left stereotyped.  Just a few qoutables:

“When the Iranians arrive we will take a very close look to make sure there are no religious fanatics among them." & “I don’t see why we need to tolerate savages and idiots.” Soundbites leave fans stereotyped

Politics and Soccer - The Road to the World Cup

It will be interesting to see how politics and soccer converge in the run-up to the World Cup, especially with Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.

“Football is very much politicised in Iran...One thing officials here don’t want is political trouble associated with the World Cup, which will be followed closely by almost every Iranian over the age of six.” Iran's Interior Minister invites German minister to Tehran

Joining Iran in Group D, are Angola and Portugal -- a World Cup match-up that will likely get nasty.  The two teams have a history: Angola was a former colony of Portugal.  And at a recent "friendly" the game was abandoned after 68 minutes due to a "lack of sportmanship" by the Angolan team.  And, of course, the fans did their part:

"Spectators, who ripped up the seats in the stadium and launched a pitched battle outside against riot police, smashing bus stops, cars and shop windows before order was restored." Battle in Portugal/Angola Soccer match