Brazilian prostitutes get ready for the World Cup by learning English

And here is the first of the many "Prostitutes are gearing up for the "insert big tournament name here" stories" that will come out from here until the World Cup. I have nothing really to say about this other than good for you ladies. It sounds like a smart investment.

Via Associated Press-SAO PAULO -- Prostitutes in one of Brazil's biggest cities are beginning to sign up for free English classes ahead of this year's Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup.

Cida Vieira, president of the Association of Prostitutes in the city of Belo Horizonte, said Tuesday that 20 have already signed up for the courses and she expects at least 300 of the group's 4,000 members to follow suit. The association is organizing the classes and seeking volunteer teachers.

"I don't think we will have problems persuading English teachers to provide services for free," she said. "We already have several volunteer psychologists and doctors helping us."

She said classes are expected to begin in March and last up to eight months.

"It will be important for the girls who will be able to use English to let their clients know what they are charging and learn about what turns them on," Vieira said by telephone.

"And for the same reasons we are also thinking of offering free French and Italian classes," she added.

Prostitution is legal in Brazil.

Belo Horizonte's 62,000-seat Mineirao Stadium will host three matches of the Confederations Cup and six games of the World Cup.

Picture

FIFA gets tough on racism.....kinda

"There is no problem! We've put out a brochure!"

It's about time FIFA got tough on racism.....except they didn't get as tough as they could. I know it's a step in the right direction but how many steps are going to have to be taken to make serious inroads to fixing this problem.  If you want to make a dent in racism then start deducting points. When teams become directly effected in the tables THEN I truly believe that the teams/clubs will start doing something about it. Unfortunately FIFA doesn't seem to have the stomach to lay down the law. 

Via AP-ZURICH -- FIFA fined Bulgaria and Hungary around $40,000 each on Tuesday and ordered them to play a World Cup qualifier in an empty stadium after fans aimed racist and anti-Semitic abuse at opposing teams.

The punishments were announced as players and anti-discrimination groups demand a tougher response to fan actions at stadiums, including in Italy and Serbia.

"FIFA strongly condemns all forms of racism in football, and any form of discrimination will not be tolerated and will receive a strong response by the relevant FIFA authorities," world football's governing body said in a statement. 

FIFA fined Bulgaria $38,000 and Hungary $43,400.

Bulgaria fans made monkey chants at Denmark defender Patrick Mtiliga, who is black, during a World Cup qualifier in Sofia on Oct. 12. Bulgaria, which is in the same group as Italy, will play in an empty stadium on March 22 when it hosts Malta.

Hungary fans directed anti-Semitic slogans and reportedly displayed Iran flags to insult Israel at an Aug. 15 exhibition in Budapest. Hungary's punishment applies when neighboring Romania visits on March 22.

Picture

Espinoza completes move from KC to Wigan

Great move for both Wigan and Espinoza. It's nice to see guys from MLS move to major European leagues and I think Espinoza will flourish in the EPL.  Kansas City has made enough moves that they'll be ok without Espinoza. In fact I really think that KC is a preseason favorite for the 2013 MLS Cup.


Via ESPN-Wigan have completed the signing of Sporting Kansas City midfielder Roger Espinoza after he was handed a visa.

Espinoza, 26, will go straight into Roberto Martinez's squad for the FA Cup tie with Bournemouth after completing his move to the Latics and signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.

"I am just so happy to finally be here," the Honduras midfielder said. "It's taken a while to get all the paperwork done but now I can concentrate on fighting for my place and helping the team."

Espinoza starred alongside another Wigan man, defender Maynor Figueroa, during Honduras' Olympic campaign and Martinez revealed that he has little option other than to hand Espinoza his debut at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

"Usually players would have more time preparing for their debut and getting used to their new team-mates," Martinez said. "But Roger is so desperate to play as soon as he can that we hope to see him on the pitch on Saturday."



Picture credit

Ba joins Chelsea

Of course it was an easy decision for Demba Ba to leave Newcastle for Chelsea! Who wouldn't want to get the hell off of a team that may well be in a relegation battle before the season is up, to go to the reigning European Champions? What a great grab for Chelsea! Now having Ba as an option up front may spurn a change in Torres. Maybe some real competition will finally be what Fernando needs to get back to his Liverpool ways. 

I'm really surprised that Arsenal or Liverpool (especially) didn't make a serious bid to snag Ba.  Both clubs are in bad need of another striker and Ba would have fit in with both clubs I think.  Of course it may very well have been a money issue seeing as the terms of Ba's transfer haven't been announced.

Thoughts Chelsea fans?


Via Press Association-Demba Ba said it was an easy decision to sign for the Champions League winners after his move to Chelsea was confirmed by the club on Friday.


The Senegal striker signed a 3 1/2-year contract after his move from Newcastle for an undisclosed fee. The London club had triggered a £7million ($11.3 million) release clause in his Magpies contract. Ba, 27, who will be eligible for selection for Saturday's FA Cup third-round match at Southampton, will wear the No. 29 shirt.


"It feels good to be here, I'm very happy and very proud. When the club who won the Champions League wants you, the decision is very easy. This club is massive and that's something that helped the decision a lot.
It was not a hard one," Ba told Chelsea's official website.

"It was important for me, and for Newcastle, to get my future sorted and now we can move on. Now they have the whole month to buy someone and for me as well, the sooner the better. Now I am here I just need to get settled in."


Ba is joint-third in the Premier League scorers table this season with 13 goals so far. The transfer puts the seal on a stunning rise from the lower reaches of French football to the European champions.


Born in the suburbs of Paris, Ba played for Port Autonome du Havre, Montrouge and third division side Rouen before moving to Mouscron, in the Belgian top flight.


He then moved to Hoffenheim, helping them win promotion to the Bundesliga, and was signed by West Ham two years ago.

US Soccer outlook for 2013

With the new year finally here a lot of important things will be going on in 2013that rides on US soccer hopes.  With this year being such a big year lets get started:

USMNT

This year is big for the USMNT.  They have both World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup to deal with this year.  Of course the biggest thing this year is to qualify for the World Cup and that's certainly not going to be a cake walk.  They will have to play and visit, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama. While this will be tough the US doesn't have to finish first, they only have to be in the top three which is something the US shouldn't have a problem doing with the quality players they have.

Those players that were a part of the Olympic U-23 I think will have a chance at redemption in the Gold Cup this summer.  This tournament will be the perfect opportunity for a chance at a little redemption for players like Juan Agudelo, Joe Gyau, Freddy Adu, and Brek Shea AND give Jurgen Klinsmann a closer look at players for the next cycle and mix them in with veterans like Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj, and possible Stuart Holden.

Major League Soccer

With attention mostly on the USMNT, this will also be a big year for MLS.  This will be the first time the league will be without David Beckham since 2007, who was without question their most recognizable star. The quality of the league has been improving and derby's are starting to take shape.  For US soccer you will now hope a player like Agudelo or Shea really break out this season and become top players.

Now MLS should really focus on the development of young players and the hopes will be that more reserve games will be taking place.  It's hard for young players and draft picks to break into squad's when DP's are stepping in front. They need games to further their development.  If MLS is willing to invest money into a reserve league they would instantly see the quality rise on the top level. 

Women's Soccer

Finally we'll take a look at women's soccer with the new women's league arriving after the success of the USWNT in the Olympics.  This (the new league) is something that US Soccer has to seriously get right.  We are starting to see other national teams catching up to the USWNT because their women have a league to play in when not on national team duty.  We've seen USWNT player Ali Krieger play in Germany and 17 year old stand out Lindsey Horan play in France just to have more opportunities to play. 

The fact is that both the USWNT players and other young women need a league to play in to help hone their skills and to continue to perform on the international stage. Lets hope for these players sake that US Soccer finally get the women's league right and finally provide the opportunity these women deserve.

Thanks you for reading and continue to visit the Soccer Nut Blog and you can find me on Back Of The Net!!!!!!!

Vince Sumbry

You can find vince on Twitter @vsumbry and read more of his stuff over at The Back Of The Net!!!!!!!!!!!!

Juventus' lose is Celtic's gain- Chiellini out for 3 months

This is a tough loss for Juventus. Chiellini is big part of what Juve does and is a seasoned veteran and leader that will be missed.

On a side note (as a Celtic fan), I'll take any help I can get at this point. I hate to see anyone injured and would never wish for it but I'm certainly not upset in the least.


Via ESPN-Tests have confirmed that Juventus vice-captain Giorgio Chiellini will spend three months on the sidelines after tearing his calf.

Chiellini, 28, suffered the injury in training and comes as a huge blow to Juve who only this week cancelled the contract of Brazilian defender Lucio.

A statement on the club's official website said: "This morning Giorgio Chiellini underwent an ultrasound scan
at Turin's Istituto di Medicina dello Sport medical centre.

"The scan revealed a tear in the defender's right calf. He will begin his rehabilitation programme, defined by the club's medical staff, over the course of the next few days."

Conte's men, who lead Serie A by seven points, face Cagliari on Friday night before a two-week winter break begins.

He told the club's official website: "It's a shame Chiellini's injured, he's a player everyone would like to have, for what he offers both on and off the field of play.

"He's one of our leaders. But I'm convinced he'll come back stronger than before, looking to recover as soon as possible with the help of the club's medical staff."



Picture

FIFA World Rankings out-now someone please explain them to me.

I have to say that the FIFA World rankings make no sense to me. The United States defeats Mexico, in Mexico, Italy, in Italy, and ties Russia, IN RUSSIA(!!!), and somehow drops in the rankings. But then again trying understand anything FIFA does is pretty pointless.


Via Associated Press-ZURICH -- World Cup and European champion Spain has completed a full year atop the FIFA rankings, 2014 World Cup host Brazil has plummeted to No. 18 and the U.S. dropped one spot to No. 28.

Brazil has dropped while playing only non-competitive matches, and failed to win last month.

Brazil lost against Argentina, which remains at No. 3, and drew with Colombia, which rises to No. 5.

The rankings weigh a four-year results cycle, and Brazil lost points from a 6-2 victory over Portugal in 2008.

Spain leads No. 2 Germany, with European Championship finalist Italy at No. 4. England is No. 6, and Europe fills all places through Switzerland at No. 12.

Ivory Coast is Africa's best at No. 14. Mexico is No. 15, and Japan leads Asia at No. 22.

Arsenal fans finally get some good news!

Finally Arsenal fans have something to be happy about. Five main (young) pieces of their future have committed long term to the team. Wilshere and Ox-Chamberlain are the two biggest victories for Arsenal although all five will be big time players for the Gunners down the road.

Arsenal are a young team and despite the down year they've been having they will only continue to improve.

What do you think Arsenal fans??


Via ESPN-Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson have signed new long-term contracts with Arsenal.

Wilshere, 20, has recently made his comeback from a lengthy period on the sidelines and has impressed during his ten appearances in all competitions this season.

Gibbs, 23, has also struggled for fitness but has enjoyed a run in the side of late at left back, while Oxlade-Chamberlain, 19, has steadily made an impression on the first team since signing from Southampton in 2011.

Ramsey, 21, has recovered from a nasty leg break he sustained in 2010 to be a regular squad player for the Gunners, while Jenkinson, who joined from Charlton in 2011, has provided competition to Bacary Sagna.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on the club's official website: "We are delighted that these five young players have all signed new long-term contracts.

"The plan is to build a team around a strong basis of young players, in order to get them to develop their talent at the club. Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of this group - but the other four players are exceptional footballers, and we're very happy that we could conclude their new deals at the same time."

He continued: "Gibbs, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey and Wilshere represent a core of the squad and it's an extension for a long period for all of them.

"I'm a strong believer in stability and I believe when you have a core of British players, it's always easier to keep them together and that's what we'll try to achieve going forward."



Picture

Argentina journalists don't vote Messi as best athlete

As I know next to nothing about any other athletes from Argentina I don't really know if this is news or not. After looking at the winners from previous years it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. Messi won it last year and Maradona only won it twice in his career and those were 7 years apart..        



Via Associated Press-BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentine journalists don't think Lionel Messi is the country's best athlete for 2012.

Argentine boxer Sergio Martinez was awarded the title of "Olimpia de Oro," given to the South American country's top athlete in voting by the Circulo de Periodistas -- or association of journalists.

Martinez defeated Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. earlier this year in their WBC title fight.

Barcelona star Messi, who has had a record-breaking year with 90 goals, didn't even finish second in the voting. That went to Sebastian Crismanich, the taekwondo fighter who won Argentina's only gold medal in the London Olympics. Messi finished third.

No posts today except to say that everyone impacted by the atrocities in Connecticut is in our hearts and thoughts. Pray to whomever it is you pray to today and most importantly hug your children.


-Jay N