England: Roy Hodgson responds to Gary Lineker's criticism

Friday, May 31, 2013

Roy Hodgson insists his England team are on the right track despite Gary Lineker's criticism in the wake of the 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland.

Ex-England striker Lineker said using a 4-4-2 formation on Wednesday took the team "back to the dark ages".

He warned Brazil would "thrash us" in Sunday's Rio friendly, should the game go ahead, if the tactics are repeated.

When informed of those comments, Hodgson said: "Oh well, that's a pity. I thought we played well."

England are second in their World Cup 2014 qualifying group with four games to go, two points behind Montenegro.

Asked about his side's chances of qualifying for next summer's tournament in Brazil, Hodgson said: "We will wait and see. But you're asking me the question, do I believe, from what we saw against Ireland, that we are on the right track - and the answer is 'yes'.

"Other people will have other opinions. They're entitled to them and welcome to them."

Hodgson added: "What is the dark ages? Basically I suppose we were playing the two front players and asking at least one of those front players, when we lose the ball, to make certain he drops down and helps out in midfield.


Read more : http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22720504

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Brazil v England 'to go ahead' despite Maracana safety fears

England's friendly with Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday is expected to go ahead despite safety concerns at the recently renovated Maracana stadium.

A court order on Thursday suspended the game but a duty judge later revoked the suspension, a Rio de Janeiro state government statement said.

The state government said it had presented a report showing the stadium complied with safety guidelines.

It had previously failed to deliver the report owing to a "bureaucratic flaw".

"All safety requirements for the friendly between Brazil and England have been complied with and, because of a bureaucratic failure, the appraisal from the public ministry that proves the compliance with the rules on safety at the Maracana have not been sent to Suderj," the Rio government said in a statement.

Suderj is a division of the Rio de Janeiro state authority which is responsible for administrative issues associated with major sports venues.

The iconic 78,000-seat Maracana reopened in April after nearly three years of work updating it for the 2014 World Cup finals.



Read more : http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22725420

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Now that looks tasty! Sports enthusiast Maria Menounos grills up sausages for baseball fans outside of Fenway Park

Monday, May 27, 2013

She spends her days interviewing some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
But Maria Menounos engaged in a much more down to earth activity as she returned to her native city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday.
The television personality moonlighted as a sausage vendor outside of the legendary Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox and The Green Monster.

And the 34-year-old self-proclaimed sports fanatic was clearly pleased to be rubbing elbows with her fellow Red Sox fans as she served up the piping hot dogs.
The gregarious Greek manned the grill while also doling out the sausage and peppers for her stint as a street side vendor.

Maria tied her brunette locks into a half ponytail while operating the propane fuelled grill.
The EveryGirl's Guide To Life author donned a wind breaker emblazoned with the logo for the local sausage seller as she wore sanitary food serving gloves.
But it was her irrepressible smile that was the real attention stealer as she showed her flair for customer service.

The shift as short order cook was most likely for her new Oxygen reality show The Maria Menounos Project.
The new docu-series focuses on Maria's non-traditional life as an Extra host and television celebrity.
It also promises to provide insights into her traditional Greek family life.
The air date for the series has yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the cholesterol rich sausages are in tune with the natural beauty's relaxed attitude toward diet, health and exercise.
The occasional journalist claims to hardly work out and yet has been able to maintain her flawless physique.
Speaking to E! she said: 'I have so many girlfriends that obsess over everything, and I just don't obsess.'



Read this from the source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2331471/Sports-enthusiast-Maria-Menounos-grills-sausages-baseball-fans-outside-Fenway-Park.html

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Australia plans to ban live betting odds during sports

Australia has unveiled plans to ban television and radio broadcasts of betting odds during live sports matches in a bid to curb problem gambling.

Gambling advertisements will no longer appear during live events and around sporting venues, the government said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Australians had become "increasingly frustrated" with the promotions.

The broadcasting industry is expected to submit a revised code to Australia's media watchdog reflecting the changes.

"From the moment that the players step onto the field, to the moment that they leave the field, there will be no live odds," Ms Gillard told a press conference.

"This is good news for families, because families I think have become increasingly frustrated about the penetration of live odds into sporting coverage."

Under the new rules, advertisements would only be allowed before or after a game, or during a scheduled break in play, such as quarter-time and half-time.

'Focus of game'
Promotion of betting odds by bookmakers who appear to be part of broadcast teams will also be banned.

The National Rugby League, which in the past has allowed bookmakers to give odds during broadcasts, said it agreed with the government's plan.

"The overwhelming sentiment is that we do not want to see betting as the primary focus of our game," NRL chief executive Dave Smith said.

"Fans, and particularly young fans, should not be subject to excessive promotion of betting during matches.

"We want young kids to be enjoying the skills of their favourite team, not quoting the odds."

The broadcasting industry is expected to submit a revised code to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, said the government.

It estimates that up to 500,000 Australians are at risk of becoming, or are, problem gamblers.



Read this from the source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-22677753

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