England fans at Wembley moved to make room for extra Poland supporters

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England fans have had their seats for moved – to make room for extra Polish supporters.

It is anticipated up to 25,000 Poles could descend on after Football Association chiefs allocated more tickets to away supporters than FIFA’s minimum requirement.

The FA insist there will be no more than 18,000 visiting fans after giving 8,000 to the Polish FA and 10,000 to British-based Poles.

But is it feared more away supporters will have got hold of tickets from other sources.

Now 200 England fans – including members of England’s official fan group – have been contacted by the FA and told they are being relocated to allow for more segregation.

Wembley’s capacity has been reduced from 90,000 to 85,000 for the match and extra stewards will also be on patrol. 

Last week the match had not sold out even though it was expected to decide whether England .

Thanks to the extra tickets sold to Poland fans the FA have ensured a lucrative gate, but Roy Hodgson’s team will find 30 per cent of the stadium filled with opposition fans.

A Polish FA spokesman said: “Knowing how many people live in Great Britain, we know how many will attend this game, even though now we don’t have a chance to qualify. For a lot of people it’s a very, very big game and a very special game.

“We have a big history competing against England. Every time we play England, everyone thinks about our game 40 years ago.

“Every time we play in a country with a big Polish community … they live in England but the team from the motherland is your country. It’s important for them to be at the game and then support the Poland team.

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“It is always better to go to work for the next days and say to their English colleagues ‘We beat you’.”

One England fan told Mirror Sport: “I had a call from the FA, they had to move our tickets for Tuesday as they said they had ‘discovered’ over 25,000 Polish fans have tickets for the game, some possibly in the home end, and they need to leave space between us.”

The FA last night stressed it was happy with the arrangements and also insisted similar ticketing organisation was used for recent games with Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Ghana when all three nations also have a very large English-based fan contingent.

FA spokesperson Scott Field said: “The FA, working with the Polish FA, have provided 18,000 tickets to Polish supporters.

“With high demand for tickets from the large Polish community in England The FA took the decision, based on safety grounds, to ensure Polish fans were allocated space in a specific area of the ground, rather than attempting to buy tickets in home areas.

“Tickets in the home areas have been restricted to previous buyers only, with no tickets now remaining for this fixture.

“This is the same process that was employed for the successful Scotland and Republic of Ireland fixtures earlier this year.”

Bidding underway as Sir Bobby's Breakthrough Auction looks to raise £1million

has kicked off.

A string of special prizes have been donated by the rich and famous to show the supremely high regard in which

An array of dazzling items are on offer including the chance for two to attend the FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich.

And FIFA president Sepp Blatter was delighted to offer such an amazing prize in honour of a man for whom he held the utmost respect.

"I have always held Sir Bobby Robson in very high esteem," he said. "In 2009 we presented the FIFA Fair Play Award to his widow, Lady Robson, in memory of Sir Bobby.”

The online auction is hoping to raise £1million for various causes and Mark Robson, Sir Bobby’s son, is delighted to continue his father’s work.

He said: “The online auction is a fantastic way to help us continue the work my father started and raise crucial funds for cancer charities.

“We are overwhelmed by the generous donation from FIFA. I urge people, clubs and companies to consider donating, however big or small, and bidding to help us reach our £1million target.”

Ian Horrocks / Getty

The priciest bids so far include a catamaran trip in the Caribbean going for £9,000 and a luxury yacht holiday in Majorca at £2,500.

An impressive list of sporting stars, celebrities and leading businesses have contributed to the auction, including Andre Villas-Boas, Graeme Swann, Jack Charlton and Jose Mourinho.

has donated a signed pair of personalised football boots, while a training shirt worn by Paul Gascoigne at the 1990 World Cup is also up for grabs.

Other prizes include two tickets to a Barcelona home match, where Sir Bobby was in charge between 1996 and 1997.

There is the chance for two to attend an official England football training session as well as a Tottenham Hotspur experience which includes lunch with manager Villas-Boas.

for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and cancer services in two Suffolk hospitals.

 

Maik Taylor says Michael O'Neill deserves to stay on as Northern Ireland manager

Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

Northern Ireland goalkeeping coach Maik Taylor wants the Irish FA to give Michael O’Neill a new deal despite their run of poor results.

insists that O’Neill needs to stay on as manager when his contract expires at the end of the year.

He said: "I believe the way forward is with Michael at the helm and leading us into the Euros.

"I really feel if he carries on then everyone will be better for that continuity.

"It’s going to take time, no question.

"Some of the young lads coming into the national side are not even playing club football, but we have a small pool of players and it’s not as though we can go out and sign someone, so you do the best you can.

“Michael is very, very passionate.

"He’s hurting as much, if not more, than anyone else.

"If you take the blip in Luxembourg out of it, the performances in all the other games – irrespective of the results – have been strong.

"It is a period of transition at the moment."

He added: "It’s a young squad and although the results haven’t always come the lads have set a standard of performance – getting the win against Russia, going very close to a result against Portugal.

"The lads will learn from this campaign."

Inter Milan taken over by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir in multi-million Euro deal

GETTY

Inter Milan have been taken over by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir.

The wealthy 43-year-old has a 70 per cent stake in the Nerazzurri’s shares after agreeing a deal to become just the second foreign owner of a Serie A side.

The stake is reportedly worth around €350m (£295m), and was agreed with current president .

Thohir, who is also part owner of basketball side Philadelphia 76ers and MLS outfit DC United, has left the task of the presidency up to Moratti himself.

However, the Italian is unsure if he will retain the position he has held since 1995.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Moratti said: "Everything’s been signed, I believe there will be a press statement in a few hours."

Asked if he was going to remain as the club’s president, he added: "I do not know that. Yes I believe [it will be my decision]. Let’s see. Every president leaves his mark, there’s no doubt about that."

Despite being 18-time winners of , the blue-and-black half of Milan have struggled to regain their former glories in recent years.

Andrea Stramaccioni was sacked as coach in May, after just 14 months at the helm after taking them to a ninth-place finish in Serie A.

Nigeria beat Ethiopia in World Cup play-off match courtesy of stoppage-time penalty

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Nigeria needed a stoppage-time penalty from Emmanuel Emenike to record a 2-1 World Cup play-off first-leg victory in Ethiopia.

Fenerbahce striker Emenike, who had earlier netted an equaliser, won the spot-kick himself.

Ethiopia took a shock lead in the 56th minute when Super Eagles keeper Vincent Enyeama misjudged Behailu Assefa’s cross.

It was not clear whether the ball had crossed the line, but Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria had been living dangerously.

Earlier, the ­officials ruled that Godfrey Oboabona managed to clear Saladin Said’s shot when the ­opposite appeared to be the case.

Emenike made it 1-1 in the 67th minute and although Ethiopia survived seeing Ahmed Musa hit a post, Hailu Aynalem’s poor ­challenge gave away the all-­important penalty.

Tunisia fought out a 0-0 draw at home to Cameroon in their play-off first leg last night.

In South America, Argentina made sure they will finish top of the group with a 3-1 victory over Peru in Buenos Aires. 

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan agrees to write off £5.8million interest on previous on loans to club

Michael Steele

, Vincent Tan, has agreed to write off almost £6million in interest owed to him by the club.

The gesture was revealed in a club statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, which also detailed a number of structural changes to the hierarchy at .

"Vincent Tan has agreed to write off interest of approximately £5.8million on previous loans made to the Club," read the statement. "All future loans up to an aggregate value of £50million will also be interest free."

"The Board believes that these changes establish a solid foundation for the Club to grow. The changes were unanimously agreed by the entire Board and the Manager, Malky Mackay.

"The shareholders, Board and Manager are fully committed to the long-term success of Cardiff City Football Club."

The statement comes in a fortnight during which .

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud set to start up front for France against Finland

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Olivier Giroud is set to lead France’s attack in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland tomorrow.

, who netted twice in Friday’s 6-0 friendly win against Australia, is expected to start ahead of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema for the third consecutive game.

France lie second in Group I, three points behind World and European champions Spain, and look likely to face a two-legged play-off to book a place at Brazil 2014.

Giroud, 27, told The Sun: "Against Australia, we showed enthusiasm, the will to do well, and that’s what will count in the next games.

"We have to love victory more and more — and to hate defeat.

"What we’ve done against Australia gives us hope for the future.

"I have trust in this team."

France had not scored for five games before Giroud, who has won most of his 23 caps as a sub, replaced Benzema in the team.

"I’ve played for France for two years," Giroud said.

"When I got the chance to start, it always went well.

"I’ve always been patient and I’m proud of that."

When is the Fifa World Cup in Brazil? Plus info on tickets and draw

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has almost finished, with a number of countries having booked their place at next year’s tournament.

World champions Spain have qualified, and are among the favourites to win the tournament, as well as host country Brazil and their .

When is the Fifa World Cup in Brazil?

The first fixtures will take place on June 12, though we won’t know who is playing until the draw takes place.

When is the draw?

You don’t have to wait too long to find out who your country will face in the group stages. The draw will take place in Costa do Sauipe in the Brazilian state of Bahia on December 6.

The 32-team draw will determine what teams line-up against each other, and will ultimately tell fans where their teams will be playing and on what dates their team will play.

Main contenders

Reigning world champions Spain are likely to enter the tournament as favourites, and a resurgent Germany will be another European candidate.

Hosts Brazil can also never be overlooked and with the competition held in their backyard, will have added incentive and even more pressure to deliver the trophy back to where many Brazilians feel is the rightful home.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s bitter rivals Argentina cruised through qualifying, topping the group as coach Alejandro Sabella has been working on the best way to get Lionel Messi to replicate his club form on the international stage.

Tickets

Some 6,164,682 ticket requests have been made for the 2014 FIFA World Cup from 203 countries. Tickets are available via Fifa.com

The stars

The World Cup is nothing withouts its leading men, and there are plenty of international superstars already booked on a flight to Brazil next summer. Manchester United’s Robin van Persie will be there with his compatriots Arjen Robben and Rafael van der Vaart.

Germany will have their dazzling array of talented youngsters on display with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Toni Kroos all likely to be named in the squad.

The hosts of course are never short of an exciting player or three, and players such as Hulk and Oscar can probably count themselves as a ‘given’ alongside the current darling of Brazil; Barcelona star Neymar.

Argentina will have Lionel Messi in their ranks, and is likely to be joined alongside Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero – how they would love to win the World Cup in their fierce-rivals home.

Stuart Franklin – FIFA            

Schedule and the final

The draw for the World Cup has not yet been made but the culmination of the month-long tournament ends at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.

 

Will protests affect the tournament?

During the Confederations Cup last summer, the competition was marred somewhat by a consistent group of protesters who staunchly opposed the amount of money the country had spent on hosting the World Cup.

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However, the competition continued, so there should be no reason to suggest it will harm the world’s biggest football tournament too much.

"There is no plan B and I haven’t had any offers from other countries to host the World Cup next year," FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke told reporters.

Where to watch?

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones who are able to make it to Brazil, then terrestrial television holds the key. Despite the dominance of Sky Sports and more recently BT Sport to Premier League and Football League rights, the World Cup will be free to view for all. 

Chipstead goalkeeper Anthony Hall in row with Bishop's Stortford fans over James Corden jibes

A tubby goalkeeper took to the internet to attack fans who taunted him during an FA Cup tie about his weight and compared him to James Corden.

Overweight Anthony Hall let in six goals in his side’s defeat and took to his club’s internet forum to attack supporters.

He was particularly angry when his mum – who was watching the game – became embroiled in the row.

Fans of Bishop’s Stortford sang “There’s only two James Cordens” and “You’re going to burst in a minute” during their side’s victory over Chipstead in the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round on Saturday.

Hall – who weighs in around 16 stone – went on to the Stortford fans’ internet forum after the match.

He said: “I fully expect fans of the opposition to get on my back and banter me for my size, ask anyone I’m first to throw a fat joke out about myself around the changing room!

“Normally I would have a laugh with away fans at a game but the abuse that my mother had to put up with wasn’t just embarrassing to Bishop’s Stortford but embarrassing to non-league football in general.”

 

Hall admitted getting involved in a nasty row with fans over his size.

He said: “Firstly, I would like to say that I never called anybody a c*** at today’s game.

"But being called a c*** by somebody I don’t know from Adam really did get to me!

“Yes I did say that if he wanted to repeat it I’d be happy to see him afterwards and in hindsight I regret that.”

He signed off on a positive note: “Anyway. Congratulations on the result today and all the best in the next round and for the season! Antony (James Corden) Hall.”

Stortford won 6-1.

Who has qualified for the World Cup in Brazil so far? All the countries competing in 2014

PA

Which countries have qualified for the ? The host country are automatically entered into the tournament, so Brazil were the first team on the list.

But with European qualification finished, and with many other countries from around the world already having booked their place, who has qualified so far?

The second team to confirm their place was Japan, who romped to to the top of Asian Group B to qualify all the way back in June.

Australia joined them shortly after – but have since sacked their boss after losing 6-0 in friendlies to France and Brazil.

In Europe, , along with teams such as Germany and Belgium.

But Italy and Holland were the first European teams to qualify after winning their groups – unbeaten – in early September.

A few hours later they were joined by Argentina, the winners of CONMEBOL’s arduous qualification process, and CONCACAF entrants Costa Rica and the USA.

Qualification in Africa and South America (barring Brazil, Argentina and Colombia) is yet to be completely decided.

 

The list in full:

Brazil (hosts)JapanAustraliaIranSouth KoreaItalyHollandArgentinaCosta RicaUSAColombiaBelgiumSwitzerlandGermanyRussiaBosnia-HerzegovinaEnglandSpain