The South African Football Association have lodged an official application for arbitration with FIFA over the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany.
The FIFA executive voted by 12-11 to make Germany the venue for the prestigious tournament in Zurich earlier this month after Oceania representative Charlie Dempsey had abstained rather than voting for the South African bid as his confederation had advised.
Irvin Khoza, chairman of the SAFA and of the country's 2006 bid committee, today revealed that, following lengthy deliberation, they have lodged an application for arbitration. He said: "Having received all the relevant reports and opinions, and having considered the possible impact of such an unprecedented legal challenge, the SAFA national executive committee have decided to lodge an application for arbitration with FIFA."
Defending Olympic champions Nigeria yesterday named Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu and Celestine Babayaro of Chelsea in the provisional squad for the Sydney Olympics, a move likely to cause a row between their clubs and country. Kanu has been picked as one of the over-aged players for the soccer event of the Sydney games. NFA secretary-general Tijjani Yusuf insisted that neither Kanu nor any other of the over-aged players linked with the Olympic team had formally notified the association that they would not be available for the summer games.
On the other hand, Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly said that Kanu was putting his club before country and will, therefore, not feature at the Olympics as it clashes with the beginning of the new soccer season in England. The NFA and Chelsea have also clashed over the release of defender Babayaro for the Olympic qualifying games.
The Romanian football Federation (FRF) suspended referee Florin Chivulete yesterday over his alleged role in the scandal surrounding Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt's InterToto Cup match with Austria Vienna.
The French officials in charge of the encounter allege that they were "offered prostitutes" before the match on July 15th. Chivulete, who was accompanying the referee and his assistants, will not officiate any matches until an inquiry has been completed by UEFA, FRF president Mircea Sandu announced.
The inquiry will be based on a report provided by German Hermann Selpferr who was UEFA's observer at the match. According to Romanian press reports, the French referee Stephane Moulin got up and left "when four women sat down at his table and immediately asked to be taken back to his hotel".
Former Aston Villa striker Savo Milosevic is to join Parma from Real Zaragoza for a reported fee of around £16 million. His agent Zoran Vekic said: "Agreement has been reached with Parma for five seasons."
Celtic target Joos Valgaeren is on the verge of completing the deal to take him to Parkhead. The Belgian international flew into Glasgow yesterday for further discussions and the defender is confident negotiations can be concluded swiftly.
Valgaeren will cost Celtic a reported £3.5 million for his services but he is uncertain whether he will be a Hoops player in time for the opening league game at Dundee United on Sunday.
