A lot of concern is surrounding FC Barcelona’s star Lionel Messi in light of his recent scoring drought. Messi has gone goalless in the last 3 games which has some fans concerned about his performance for FCB and for Argentina in the upcoming World Cup. Argentina’s coach, Alejandro Sabella, is not concerned however: “Messi looks fine to me,” Sabella said. “You must listen to the coaches and teammates. Everyone wants him on their side, and nobody wants him against them. He is the best player in the world and looks good to me.” Messi has not voiced his concerns regarding this situation. I don’t think fans should worry about Messi, because he is a professional soccer player and is the best player in the world for a reason.

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1795830/argentina-coach-alejandro-sabella-backs-lionel-messi-shine-world-cup?cc=5901

FIFA has slammed down on Qatar, demanding better conditions for the workers in light of their 2022 World Cup.  The reported “sub-human” environment for the migrant laborers has been causing much strife for FIFA. “It was reported by the International development secretary Jim Murphy that he saw evidence of migrant workers being lured to the Gulf state by the promise of good salaries, only to have their passports taken away so they cannot return home. The migrant workers working there — who are already building much of the infrastructure, the hotels, railways and roads that will help make the World Cup possible, and are now beginning to build the stadiums — are living and toiling in conditions that are sub-human.”  The thousands of workers who have come to Qatar in light of better earnings are appalled when their work contracts are torn up and they are not allowed to leave the country. “They can’t leave the country and this is a dreadful, ugly secret of the most beautiful and democratic game in the world.”

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1777060/politician-hits-sub-human-qatar-conditions-ahead-2022-world-cup?cc=5901

It was announced by FIFA on Wednesday that Barcelona will be unable to make signings for two consecutive transfer windows after failing to comply with the rules about under 18 player transfers. “FIFA carried out an investigation last year and found the club as well as the Spanish football federation (RFEF) guilty of several violations in relation to rules governing international transfers and registering foreign players.” The ban would prevent Barcelona from signing players in the summer of 2014 and the winter of 2015. “FIFA only permits international youth transfers when one of the three following situations apply: The player’s parents have moved country for their own non-related reasons; The move takes place within the European Union if a player is aged between 16 and 18; The player’s home is less than 50 kilometres from the national border being crossed.” This creates more chaos for Barca who is also dealing with allegations surrounding Neymar’s signing.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1772107/barcelona-hit-transfer-ban?cc=5901

In the latest round of ticket sales for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, only 7 of the 64 matches still have tickets for sale. All in all, there have been 2.5 million tickets sold of the 3.3 million available. The majority of the matches sold out after the first wave of tickets began on March 12. After this most recent phase, the next time to purchase will be on April 15. The Greece-Ivory Coast match is the lowest selling match by far. The Nigeria-Bosnia and Russia-South Korea also have tickets available. “In this sales stage, tickets were available on a first-come, first-served basis. More than two-thirds of the matches sold out in less than three hours. Tickets for all Brazil matches were gone in about an hour, as were all of the quarterfinals and nearly all second-round matchups in the June 12-July 13 tournament”  This World Cup is certainly a popular one and will generate massive revenue for Brazil and FIFA.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1766851/all-7-world-cup-matches-sold-brazil?cc=5901

“UEFA members have voted to approve the new “Nations League” tournament, which will replace most international friendlies from September 2018.” The vote to create this competition was a unanimous one amongst the 54 member countries of European football. This tournament will allow teams to qualify for the 2020 European championship and ultimately, the 2022 World Cup. This “Nations League” was created to improve the overall quality of international football because of ongoing concerns that international friendlies are insufficient. The tournament featuring 54 teams will be divided into 4 divisions with the teams being ranked accordingly. This a monumental ruling because this new league may replace international friendlies come 2018.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1765595/uefa-approves-nations-league-tournament?cc=5901

Manchester United is suffering an extreme downfall from grace as their season hit an all time low as they lose 3-0 to hometown rivals Manchester City. This was their sixth loss at home this season and the club is on pace to have their lowest point total in over twenty years. During this time last season, Manchester United had 26 more points than they do right now. Many decisions need to be made in the off season as to why this atrocious of a showing occurred.  Even with the highest paid player in football on their club, Wayne Rooney, Man U is still struggling.

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/manchesterunited/id/4640?cc=5901

Here is some more news regarding the Ukraine-U.S. friendly that is scheduled to be played tomorrow. It has been reported that the Ukraine team has landed in Cyprus and is ready to face the United States national team. “Despite threats to cancel the match, Ukraine football association president Anatoliy Konkov said Tuesday the game would go ahead.'(We) reached a consensus to play the USA after all,’ Konkov said in a statement that also praised the American team. ‘(They) stood behind us to protect the national interests and territorial integrity of Ukraine.'” The game, if played tomorrow, will be a much needed reprieve from the chaos in Ukraine and should improve spirits of the locals.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1736472/ukraine-team-arrives-cyprus-friendly-vs-united-states?cc=5901

The manager for Newcastle United, Alan Perdew, has been fined one hundred thousand pounds for headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler in their past game. The altercation occurred when the ball was kicked out of bounds by Meyler near Perdew when the two exchanged words and eventually started shoving each other. The referees quickly separated them and ejected Meyler due to his actions in headbutting Meyler. A spokesman for Newcastle United has expressed their disdain for this disgraceful action and has said that actions will be taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

The video footage of the incident can be seen at the link below.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1733175/newcastle-manager-alan-pardew-fined-headbutting-hull-david-meyler?cc=5901

A FIFA official was questioned whether or not the 2022 World Cup would stay in Qatar. He said that the decision to take away the tournament would be made later this year which would allow FIFA enough time to reassign a new location. “However, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has dismissed the claims, insisting that FIFA has every faith in Qatar to stage a successful World Cup. The decision [for Qatar] will not be challenged,” he said. “We are convinced that the working conditions in Qatar will rapidly improve. The discussion alone shows how important football can be to raise awareness and, through that, also ignite sustainable changes.” The decision to move the World Cup has been brought about by the conditions of the possible construction sights and the disruption of domestic leagues. Do you think the 2022 World Cup will stay in Qatar?

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1722022/fifa-president-sepp-blatter-qatar-keep-world-cup?cc=5901

The United States National team all time scoring leader Landon Donovan has reported that this year’s World Cup in Brazil will likely be his last in his long and prosperous career as a member of the national team. Donovan, turning 32 later this year, has said that he cannot see himself playing in the 2018 World Cup in Russia as a 36 year old. Donovan will have played in 4 World Cups after this years in Brazil with his first being in 2002 where he scored 2 goals in 5 games. Landon Donovan is an extremely recognizable American icon and to see him play his last World Cup will be quite tragic. He has had an amazing career as both a US national player and a MLS player whose legacy will be remembered for ages.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1719494/landon-donovan-concedes-brazil-likely-last-world-cup-hurrah?cc=5901