dragonsoccer - welsh international football

No Team GB campaign call for an Ethical Decision for the 2012 London Olympics

The ongoing corruption allegations against JS Blatter and his lieutenants at the very top of the FIFA tree come as no surprise to the No Team GB campaign. For the past five years we have been questioning the assurances that FIFA representatives have been making with regards to protecting the independence of the football teams of the four home nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales).

FIFA have flip flopped on their views towards a GB football team participating at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In March 2008 Mr Blatter stated “If you start to put together a combined team for the Olympics, the question will automatically come up that there are four different associations so how can they play in one team”. This was then contradicted by Jerome Valcke the following year when he offered assurances that that the four home nations would have their independent identities protected. This assurance from Mr Valcke was made in spite of the fact that no individual from FIFA can make this promise on the basis that it could be altered at any future FIFA congress.

This was the same Jerome Valcke who was sensationally sacked from his Marketing position at FIFA in 2006 by Mr Blatter after he was found guilty of violating the negotiation rules with the FIFA sponsor MasterCard after going behind their back and holding concurrent discussions with VISA. Mr Valcke was then made FIFA General Secretary in 2007 in yet another flip flop decision by Mr Blatter. Perhaps Mr Valcke was party to certain information that forced Sepp’s hand to bring him back into the FIFA family?

Mr Blatter and Mr Valcke are now at the centre of allegations of cheating, unethical behaviour and corruption. They are in the dock with Jack Warner and Mohammed Bin Hamman. Meanwhile, FIFA have cleared the unethical charges against Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii who were exposed in an article in the Sunday Times of promising world cup votes for cash.

Lord Coe was the first chairman of the FIFA Ethics committee when he was appointed to the role in 2006. After the farce of England’s bid to host the 2018 FIFA world cup, it would be interesting to hear Lord Coe’s views on the FIFA ethics committee and the rules and scope which govern that committee.

In the past few years there have been a number of high profile British citizens who have been on the receiving end of FIFA surprises (Lord Triesman, Geoff Thompson, John McBeth, David Cameron, David Beckham, Lord Coe, Prince William to name a few). Quite how the British Olympic Association and the English Football Association can continue to propose that a GB Football Team participates at the 2012 London Olympics on the back of FIFA assurances beggars belief.

Tam Ferry, spokesman for No Team GB said, “All along we have said that FIFA assurances are worthless. Blatter being in denial about FIFA being in crisis is like the Iraqi Information minister denying the US troops were anywhere near Baghdad as their tanks drove behind him”

Paul Corkrey, spokesman for No Team GB is also quoted, "Its no surprise to the Welsh fans that Blatter got 186 votes in his re-election, as to vote against him would be like Turkeys voting for Christmas"

Can any assurances from FIFA be trusted?

Would you trust these people?

Brian Flynn's new look Under 17 side drew 2-2 against Sweden.

Wales took the lead after just seven minutes thanks to an excellent finish from Tom O'Sullivan. Sweden hit back straight away with goals from Christian Koukaou and Philip Olofsson. Wales hit back with Declan John making it 2-2 after only 15 minutes.

With no further scoring during the match, honours were even at the final whistle.

Wales line up:
1 Luke Flemming (Cardiff City)
2 Declan Weeks (Wolves)
3 Curtis Strong (Stoke City)
4 Gethin Jones (Everton) (c)
5 Declan Dalley (Manchester United)
6 Tom Attyeo (Swansea City)
7 Miles John (Bristol City)
8 Tom O'Sullivan (Cardiff City)
9 Rhys James (Cardiff City)
10 Jaye Bowen (Cardiff City)
11 Declan John (Cardiff City)
Subs:
12 Alex Lynch (Peterborough United)
13 Curtis Watkins (Cardiff City)
14 Deion Evans (Shrewsbury Town)
15 Callum Saunders (Crewe Alexandra)
16 Jake Charles (Huddersfield Town)
17 Gethyn Hill (Cardiff City)
18 Bradley Reid (Wrexham)

updated: Tue, 10 May, 2011 22:08 UK.

Intermediate Teams manager, Brian Flynn, has named his squad for two end of season friendly matches against Sweden.

The matches are set to be played at Buckley Town FC on Tuesday 10th May (kick off 6pm) and Flint Town United FC on Thursday 12th May (kick off 6pm). Admission is free at both games.

Wales squad:
Alex Lynch � Wrexham, Corey Stephens - Cardiff City, Declan Weeks � Wolves, Declan Dalley - Manchester United, Curtis Watkins - Cardiff City, Curtis Strong - Stoke City, Tom Attyeo - Swansea City, Miles John - Bristol City , Gethin Jones � Everton, Deion Evans - Tranmere Rovers, Tom O’Sullivan - Cardiff City, Jaye Bowen - Cardiff City, Declan John - Cardiff City, Jake Charles - Huddersfield Town, Rhys James - Cardiff City, Callum Saunders - Crewe Alexandra, Gethyn Hill - Cardiff City, Bradley Reid � Wrexham.

Stand by players: Luke Flemming - Cardiff City, Daniel Barrow - Plymouth Argyle, Rob Evans � Wrexham, Chike Kandi - Birmingham City, Josh Yorwerth - Cardiff City.

Famous faces in this squad are Jake Charles (grandson of John Charles) and Callum Saunders (son of former Welsh International Dean Saunders)

updated: Thu, 28 April, 2011 15:25 UK.

Wales will play two Under 17 friendly matches against Sweden in North Wales during early May 2011.

Wales fixtures:
Tuesday 10th May 2011 at Buckley Town FC.
Thursday 12th May 2011 at Flint Town United FC.

Both matches kick off at 6pm, admission is free.

The games will feature players who are eligible for 2011/2012 UEFA Under 17 qualifying matches, these games set to be played in October. Wales have been drawn in Group 9 with Serbia, Armenia and Lithuania.

posted: Wed, 20 April, 2011 16:46 UK.