Angry Iran complain to FIFA after women's team banned from playing due to Islamic kit

Ill-fated: The Iran team pose before their scheduled match against Jordan

Iran's dream of competing in the London 2012 Olympic women's football tournament have been crushed by a ruling that their Islamic dress broke FIFA rules.

Iran are complaining to world football's governing body after their women's team were banned from playing, moments before an Olympic qualifier against Jordan last week, due to their full-body strip that includes a head scarf.

The head of women's affairs at Iran's football federation said Iran had made changes to the women's kit after a FIFA ban last year and believed it had been given the approval of the world federation and of president Sepp Blatter.







We made the required corrections and played a match afterwards,' Farideh Shojaei said. 'We played the next round and were not prevented from doing so, and they didn't find anything wrong. That meant that there are no obstacles in our path, and that we could participate in the Olympics.'

FIFA's rules for the 2012 Olympics state that: 'Players and officials shall not display political, religious, commercial or personal messages or slogans in any language or form on their playing or team kits.'

In order to comply with the mandatory dress code in the Islamic Republic, Iran's women footballers play in full tracksuits and headcoverings that conceal their hair.

'(Iran football federation chief Ali) Kafashian took it to FIFA and showed it to Mr Sepp Blatter. And they proved that this conduct conforms to the fourth article of the FIFA constitution, which says (a kit should be) devoid of politics or religion,' Shojaei said.

'In reality, this kit is neither religious, nor political, nor will it lead to harm a player. They proved this, and Mr Sepp Blatter accepted this and we participated in the Olympics.'

Whatever the result of Iran's complaint, it was unlikely that the team, who were awarded a 3-0 defeat in the unplayed qualifier in Amman, would have qualified for 2012, Shojaei said.

'It is extremely difficult to predict what results will come out of this, but I think it unlikely because the preliminary games will not be repeated.

'The countries that invested, and spent money and time and took part in the second round will clearly not be willing to repeat these games, especially if this week it becomes clear which team will enter the final round. So it is extremely unlikely.'

FIFA made no immediate comment on the controversy.

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Spain captain embraces TV reporter girlfriend live on air after World Cup win

Joy: Miss Carbonero asks Casillas how he feels about his World Cup triumph

That's my answer! The goalkeeper plants a kiss on his glamorous girlfriend

Gotcha! Iker Casillas surprises Sara Carbonero with a kiss during a live interview

What a difference a World Cup win makes.

At the beginning of the South Africa 2010 tournament – after Spain’s shock defeat by Switzerland – the Spanish captain Iker Casillas was berated by his TV reporter girlfriend Sara Carbonero.

But six games later, after lifting the trophy and being asked about the triumph, all was forgiven as the goalkeeper kissed and made up on live TV.


Spanish Inquisition: Casillas squares up to Miss Carbonero after his side's shock World Cup defeat against Switzerland in their first game of the tournament

Blushing beauty: Miss Carbonero wipes her face and looks abashed afterwards

Glamorous: Miss Carbonero - voted world's sexiest reporter - before the match

On top of the world: Casillas lifts the World Cup trophy after helping Spain beat Holland 1-0

The passionate embrace came after the World Cup winner broke down in tears and Miss Carbonero, 25, offered him time to compose himself.
Taking her by surprise, he grabbed the glamorous sports presenter – voted the sexiest in the world - as he said: ‘No, this is what I want to do.’

Casillas, 29, was named man-of-the-match after making two outstanding saves to keep his country's tournament dreams alive against Holland.
Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner then broke Dutch hearts as Vicente Del Bosque's team clinched the title following a tense and scrappy match.
Spain scored four minutes before penalties would have been required to decide the winner.

Tears filled the captain’s eyes as the final whistle was blown – and, as Spain’s road to victory was anything but easy, this could probably be expected.

In their first game against Switzerland, they lost 1-0 and as sudden doubts emerged over the Spaniards’ chances, Miss Carbonero left her boyfriend squirming in an interview as she asked him: ‘How could you muck this up?’The Real Madrid star responded: 'I don't know what to say,' he said, unable to look her in the eye. 'I don't know if this defeat will have consequences. The dressing room is fed up.'

He then slunk off feeling somewhat abashed.

But last night the tables were finally turned as Miss Carbonero, a reporter for Spanish TV station Telecinco, was the one looking embarrassed.

Fan punched to ground by security guard after storming pitch to cover World Cup trophy with a hat

Pitch invasion: 'Jimmy Jump' bursts on to the grass and attempts to throw a hat over the World Cup trophy

Lightning reaction: A security guard runs on to the pitch to stop Jaume Marquet Cot

Security alert: Jump is punched to the ground by a security guard

A serial pitch invader was punched to the ground by a security guard as he stormed the Soccer City ground and threw a hat over the solid gold World Cup trophy before last night's final.

Notorious Barcelona fan Jaume Marquet Cot - known as 'Jimmy Jump' - fell to the floor after being knocked out with one hit as he ran across the grass to the ceremonial stand 10 metres from the team dug-outs.


Game over: Marquet Cot is held on the ground by security officials

Shock: Officials and football fans look astonished as Marquet Cot lies on the floor.Floored: The pitch invader falls to the ground after being hit by a security guard

Facing jail: Jump is carried from the Soccer City grounds and is charged by police

The joker, who is in his mid-30s, sprinted across the turf wearing a black T-shirt with writing that said 'Jimmy Jump against racism' while holding his trademark red Catalan hat.
After being punched to the ground, he was carried down the tunnel by seven stewards, past astonished players and officials who were lining up ready to take to the field.

As a result of the pre-match stunt, the famous World Cup trophy was kept under lock and key during Spain's 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands in Johannesburg.
Marquet Cot, from Sabadell, Catalonia, has previously pulled off security breaches at high-profile events including the Spanish Grand Prix, the Eurovision Song Contest and top European football matches.

A police spokesman said: 'The man is Jaume Marquet Cot, who has done this sort of thing before.
We're pretty annoyed that antics like this got in the way of the start of the match, but at least it wasn't a life-threatening situation.

'The bottom line is he has shown serious disrespect for the authorities and for the tournament. For that he will pay.'

Best Player: Uruguay striker Diego Forlan

Factbox on Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, who won the best player of the World Cup award on Sunday:

Born: May 19, 1979 in Montevideo (Uruguay)


Early days and personal life

* Ditched a budding tennis career for football as a teenager, and made his mark with Argentina’s Independiente before sealing a 7.5 million-pound (RM36 million) move to Manchester United in January 2002.



* Came in as a long-term replacement for Andy Cole but took eight months to score his first goal, when he netted in a 5-2 Champions League victory over Maccabi Haifa.

* Was restricted mainly to substitute appearances as Manchester United won the Premier League in 2003 and FA Cup in 2004.

* A good swimmer and water skier, Forlan took up English and computing lessons and began political science studies at university while in Buenos Aires.

Breakthrough

* Secured a transfer to Villarreal in August 2004 on a four-year contract.

* In his first La Liga season, top scored with 25 goals to help Villarreal finish third for their first Champions League campaign. Was joint top European scorer with Thierry Henry to win the Golden Shoe award.

* Scored 29 league goals over next two seasons and in 2007 joined Atletico Madrid for up to 23 million euros as a replacement for Fernando Torres, who moved to Liverpool.

* Won his second European Golden Shoe award in the 2008/09 season with 32 league goals, scoring 12 in the last eight games of the season to overhaul Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o.

* Scored 18 league goals for Atletico Madrid last season and was on sparkling form in the Europa League to help Atletico to their first European title in 48 years.

* Scored both Atletico’s goals in the 2-1 defeat of Premier League side Fulham in the final in Hamburg.


World Cup 2010

* Scored five goals to help unfancied Uruguay reach the semi-finals for the first time in 40 years, the only South American team in the last four.

* Wins 23.4 per cent of the vote in the “Golden Ball” poll organised by world soccer body FIFA and voted for by journalists.

Devastating bar bombings kill 64 football fans as they watch World Cup final in Uganda

Innocent victim: A football fan is treated at Mulago Hospital in Kampala for injuries he received in the attack

Scores of football fans watching the World Cup final were massacred when two suspected Al Qaeda linked bombs ripped apart a restaurant and sports club.

At least 64 people died in the simultaneous attacks in the Ugandan capital Kampala which were believed to be the work of Somalian Muslim extremists.


Aftermath: Ugandan policemen stand guard at the entrance of the rugby club where one of the attacks took place. In the background white seats are visible where fans had gathered to watch the game

Injured: A Ugandan man caught in the blast lies on a stretcher at Mulago Hospital where injured fans were taken

First aid: A victim of the bombings arrives for treatment in an ambulance at the International Hospital

The deadliest was a suspected suicide blast at a rugby club where hundreds caught the Spain-Holland clash on an outdoor big screen.
The explosion killed 49 people, while 15 people died at an Ethiopian restaurant where three American citizens were wounded.

The venues are popular with expatriates and came just days after militant leaders called on terrorists to attack Uganda and Burundi in response to those African nations providing troops to U.N. peacekeeping forces.

Kris Sledge, 18, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, was with members of a church groupm when the bomb exploded.

'I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running,' Mr Sledge said from hospital, where he was recovering from burns to his face.
I love the place here but I'm wondering why this happened and who did this. At this point we're just glad to be alive.'

One American was killed in the bombings, the U.S Embassy in Kampala confirmed.

Kampala's police chief said he believed Somalia's most feared militant group, al-Shabab, could be responsible for the attacks which took place at venues seven miles apart.

In Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa, an al-Shabab commander, said he was happy with the attacks in Uganda but refused to confirm or deny that al-Shabab was responsible.

Uganda is one of our enemies. Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy. May Allah's anger be upon those who are against us,' he said.

During weekly Friday prayers in Somalia two days before the double bombing, another al-Shabab commander, Sheik Muktar Robow, called for militants to bring terror to the group's 'enemies'.

He urged followers to attack sites in Uganda and Burundi - two nations that contribute troops to the African Union peacekeeping force in Mogadishu.
n addition to its troops in Mogadishu, Uganda also hosts Somali soldiers trained in U.S. and European-backed programmes.

White House spokesman Tommy Vietor immediately condemned the bombings and said the U.S. was prepared to provide any necessary assistance to the Ugandan government.
The president is deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from these deplorable and cowardly attacks, and sends his condolences to the people of Uganda and the loved ones of those who have been killed or injured,' Mr Vietor said.

WORLD CUP 2010: Holland striker Dirk Kuyt blasts 'cheating Howard Webb' for handing World Cup to Spain

Dirk Kuyt pointed the finger of blame for Holland's World Cup final defeat by Spain at English referee Howard Webb.

Webb brandished 13 yellow cards and one red - a record for a final - in a fiery encounter which saw Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal secure a 1-0 win for Spain.


Favouring Spain? Howard Webb had no choice but to send off John Heitinga after fouling Andres Iniesta

...but is only booked by Howard Webb while the Spaniard fights for breath

Favouring Spain? Holland's Nigel de Jong takes out Xabi Alonso chest high...

Favouring Spain? Holland coach Bert Van Marwijk should be grateful his side did not have three players sent off

 
Favouring Spain? Howard Webb books Spanish defender Carles Puyol, one of five Spaniards to be shown a yellow card

 
The South Yorkshire official was booed by Dutch fans at the final whistle and
Liverpool forward Kuyt said: 'We are angry that we lost because we came so close. I know you cannot blame others, but the referee favoured Spain.

WORLD CUP OFFICIAL LINE: Tetchy final made it impossible for Howard Webb to shine

An honour: Referee Howard Webb, with assistant referee Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey, were the first all English team to officiate the World Cup final since 1974

Missed: Nigel de Jong escaped with just a yellow card for this kick on Xabi Alonso. Webb was poorly positioned at the time

Supporting Howard Webb this World Cup has been easy. But it is impossible to shine in a game like this one — tetchy, physical and tense.

Overall, he did ok but will wince when seeing the Nigel de Jong tackle in his debrief.
How many of the Dutch can say they were true to their football history when there were a record 13 yellow cards and one red? It’s easy to blame the ref, but Holland’s tactics were shameful.


I'm the boss: Webb usually let his cards do than the talking for him

Dutch protests at the goal rightly fell on deaf ears. No one, least of all Webb, could have any sympathy. The right team won.

Player management

A surprising lack of talking to the players from the first minute following Robin van Persie’s poor challenge. Usually an excellent communicator and a calming influence, Webb let his yellow cards do his talking for him. Players made it tough for him by crowding him.

Fitness

Webb’s strength is his fitness and movement; never far from the action but never in the way. Strangely out of position by the touchline in the 28th minute, he missed full impact of De Jong kick.

Assistants

Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey did what they could to assist Webb and continued to give him all the support they could. Two close but correct offside calls by Cann against David Villa proved once again that he is the best in the world. Mullarkey was also right when he kept his flag down for Andres Iniesta to score the World Cup-winning goal in extra-time.
Decision making

It’s all about getting the big decisions right. De Jong’s kick to the chest of Alonso was an obvious red — Webb can’t have seen it clearly. Van Bommel could also have seen red in the first half. The detection of fouls was excellent but the disciplinary measures taken were not.

Match management

Balance, fair play and credibility are the key to refereeing. This was a poor game, tough to handle and made more so by the approach of the players. Watching on TV, it was clear the unfair physical approach of the Dutch was allowed to stifle the Spanish flair. When the yellow card doesn’t work the red should be shown.

Fernando Torres dons Liverpool scarf in Spain's World Cup party amid fears he'll quit for Chelsea

Pure delight: Fernando Torres lifts the World Cup trophy in Johannesburg

Pain game: Torres is taken off the field on a stretcher after being injured

Liverpool received a huge boost in their bid to hold on to Fernando Torres after the striker was pictured with a Reds scarf draped around his neck in the World Cup celebrations.



Torres was spotted in the jubliant dressing room with the Liverpool scarf on his shoulders as he cradled the World Cup trophy in the aftermath of their victory over Holland in Johannesburg.
Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea are desperate to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer as they attempt to take advantage of Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League.

The champions have already lodged a formal £40million bid for Torres, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City and Barcelona.

But his gesture could be viewed as an act of commitment to Liverpool as fears heighten over his future.
The Liverpool website certainly interpreted the pictures as a sign of him staying at the club. In an article headlined 'Best pic you'll see all year', it started: 'Fernando Torres showed football fans across the globe how much he loves Liverpool by parading the World Cup while wearing a Reds scarf.'

Meanwhile, Torres is set to discover how long he will be sidelined with the groin injury he appeared to suffer in the final.

Although Torres was left reeling in agony on the pitch after pullin up in extra-time, he was later spotted walking freely in the celebrations.

WORLD CUP 2010: Champions Spain return to a hero's welcome in Madrid

Main men: Spain's players pose with the World Cup trophy on their flight

World champions Spain received a hero's welcome as they touched down in Madrid today.

After winning the World Cup by beating Holland 1-0 in Johannesburg on Sunday night, the jubilant players arrived to a rapturous reception at Barajas airport.
A big crowd roared with delight as the players - led by skipper Iker Casillas holding the trophy - walked down the steps on to the tarmac.


Flying the flag: The colours of the national team are on show out of the pilot's window

Heroes: Xavi (left) and Andres Iniesta enjoy the attention at Barajas airport

The players headed off for a siesta before they are due to attend a reception hosted by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in the Spanish capital.

Around a million fans are expected to line the streets of Madrid when the players take part in an open-top bus parade from 6pm UK time.The plane carrying the squad and staff - complete with a Spanish flag flying from the front - landed just before 2pm local time.

The plane was emblazoned with the word 'Campeones', while two fire engines also made a guard of honour with their jet streams.
Casillas, who cried after victory on Sunday, again appeared to be on the verge of tears as he led his team across the tarmac.

Spain won the World Cup for the first time ever after Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal at the Soccer City Stadium.

Germany 0 Spain 1: Head boy Carles Puyol thunders La Roja into first World Cup final

Floored genius: Carles Puyol (bottom right) thunders Spain into the ascendancy

Close run thing: David Villa (right) almost connects with Andres Iniesta's (unsighted) centre

Spain needed a 73rd minute goal from defender Carles Puyol to edge past Germany 1-0 on Wednesday and set up a World Cup final against Holland.

Puyol climbed above the defence to head the winner from a Xavi corner and send Spain to their first World Cup final.



The Spaniards dominated most of the match but struggled to finish off a German side that was lacking their usual pace.
European champions Spain dominated possession early on and needed only five minutes to carve out their first chance against a nervous German defence.

Spain forward Pedro, who started ahead of the misfiring Fernando Torres, played the ball for David Villa, who caught
Arne Friedrich napping but could not beat keeper Manuel Neuer.

With the Germans, who lost the Euro 2008 final to the Spaniards by the same score, boxed into their own half, Spain
kept up the pressure, with Puyol heading an Andres Inesta cross from the right narrowly over the bar after 15 minutes.

Germany's Piotr Trochowski, who replaced the suspended Thomas Mueller on the right, stretched Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a well-struck low drive.
Pedro and Sergio Ramos continued to single out Germany left back Jerome Boateng as a weakness, cutting the ball back from the wing for midfielder Xabi Alonso who twice fired wide early in the second half.

The Spaniards came agonisingly close in the 58th minute with a Pedro shot that forced a spectacular save from Neuer before Iniesta cut the ball across the face of goal a metre ahead of the sliding Villa.

Germany remained on the backfoot and 17 minutes from time were punished when Puyol headed home the winner.

Spain will face Netherlands at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday. The Dutch have been in the final twice before but have never won it so a new world champion is guaranteed.