Lithuania midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas has failed in his bid to overturn a two-match ban from Uefa for diving.
Uefa's appeals body announced on Thursday it was backing the original sanction handed down by its disciplinary body last month.
Mikoliunas was given the ban after television replays showed him diving to win a penalty during his country's 3-1 defeat in a Euro 2008 qualifying match away to Scotland.
The disciplinary body's landmark decision was the first to be taken under regulations dealing with incidents of cheating that are missed by match officials.
The new rules recommend an automatic ban of two matches for players who act "with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision".
Although video evidence had previously been used against players who committed serious fouls without being spotted by match officials, Mikoliunas was the first player to be sanctioned post-match for diving.
He is set to miss Lithuania's next two Euro 2008 qualifiers -- away to France on October 17 and at home to Ukraine a month later.
Lithuania are fifth in Group B, 11 points behind leaders Scotland.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Gallas in; Vieira,Trezeguet out of Euro ties
Arsenal captain William Gallas has been called up by France coach Raymond Domenech for the World Cup finalist's must-win Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania later this month.
Defender Gallas has been sidelined with a groin injury since August 19 and missed France's last three games, including their 1-0 loss to Scotland which leaves them facing a worrying campaign to reach the finals.
But Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet have both been left out of the 23-man squad named Thursday to travel to Torshavn on October 13 and to host Lithuania in Nantes four days later.
Inter Milan midfielder Vieira has not played since picking up a thigh injury during France's defeat to Scotland last month, while leading Serie A goalscorer Trezeguet, who failed to impress against the Scots, lost out to Louis Saha.
Domenech said that Vieira had been reluctant to play because of his injury after playing France's last two games against his club's wishes, while Trezeguet was left out because he was spoilt for choice in attack.
"We took the decision together (with Vieira) .. which was wisest. He has to continue to prepare with his club, we agreed on that," said Domenech.
"As for David Trezeguet, it's about competition, there was a choice to make. The list isn't closed we'll have another match in the Ukraine (November 21). I'm not closing the door on anyone."
Meanwhile, in-form Paris Saint Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen gets another chance to impress Domenech after missing the trip to Slovakia through injury.
Rothen, who is expected to cover for Florent Malouda on the left wing, has not played for France since a friendly against Germany in November 2005.
Scotland are top of Group B ahead of World Cup winners Italy with France third and needing to win all their last three games to reach next year's finals.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Paris SG), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina/ITA), Ulrich Rame (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona/ESP), Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma/ITA), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona/ESP)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ENG), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Jerome Rothen (Paris SG), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton/ENG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona/ESP), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Louis Saha (Manchester United/ENG)
Defender Gallas has been sidelined with a groin injury since August 19 and missed France's last three games, including their 1-0 loss to Scotland which leaves them facing a worrying campaign to reach the finals.
But Patrick Vieira and David Trezeguet have both been left out of the 23-man squad named Thursday to travel to Torshavn on October 13 and to host Lithuania in Nantes four days later.
Inter Milan midfielder Vieira has not played since picking up a thigh injury during France's defeat to Scotland last month, while leading Serie A goalscorer Trezeguet, who failed to impress against the Scots, lost out to Louis Saha.
Domenech said that Vieira had been reluctant to play because of his injury after playing France's last two games against his club's wishes, while Trezeguet was left out because he was spoilt for choice in attack.
"We took the decision together (with Vieira) .. which was wisest. He has to continue to prepare with his club, we agreed on that," said Domenech.
"As for David Trezeguet, it's about competition, there was a choice to make. The list isn't closed we'll have another match in the Ukraine (November 21). I'm not closing the door on anyone."
Meanwhile, in-form Paris Saint Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen gets another chance to impress Domenech after missing the trip to Slovakia through injury.
Rothen, who is expected to cover for Florent Malouda on the left wing, has not played for France since a friendly against Germany in November 2005.
Scotland are top of Group B ahead of World Cup winners Italy with France third and needing to win all their last three games to reach next year's finals.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mickael Landreau (Paris SG), Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina/ITA), Ulrich Rame (Bordeaux)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona/ESP), Julien Escude (Sevilla/ESP), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ENG), William Gallas (Arsenal/ENG), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma/ITA), Bakary Sagna (Arsenal/ENG), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona/ESP)
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Lassana Diarra (Chelsea/ENG), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Jerome Rothen (Paris SG), Jeremy Toulalan (Lyon)
Strikers: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton/ENG), Karim Benzema (Lyon), Sidney Govou (Lyon), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona/ESP), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ENG), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/GER), Louis Saha (Manchester United/ENG)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
No Oper for Wembley trip
Estonia will be without star striker Andres Oper through injury as they head for Wembley to take on England in a UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier on 13 October.
Absent forwards
Oper has been ruled out for two months with a hamstring problem and has not been named in coach Viggo Jensen's 21-man squad for the match, while the absence of injured FC Torpedo Moskva forward Vladimir Voskoboinikov and the retirement of Indrek Zelinski have further weakened the Dane's attacking options. Kristen Viikmäe has been called up to fill one of those attacking slots while Oliver Konsa, Sergei Terehhov and goalkeeper Mart Poom have also returned to the fold. Following their trip to Wembley, Estonia meet Montenegro in a friendly game in Tallinn on 17 October.
Estonia squad
Goalkeepers: Mart Poom (Watford FC), Pavel Londak (FK Bodø/Glimt), Mihkel Aksalu (FC Flora Tallinn).
Defenders: Teet Allas (FC Flora Tallinn), Andrei Stepanov (FK Khimki), Raio Piiroja (Fredrikstad FK), Urmas Rooba (FC TPS Turku), Enar Jääger (Aalesunds FK), Dmitri Kruglov (FC Torpedo Moskva), Alo Bärengrub (FC Flora Tallinn).
Midfielders: Martin Reim (FC Flora Tallinn), Joel Lindpere (Tromsø IL), Taavi Rähn (FK Ekranas), Aleksandr Dmitrijev (FC Levadia Tallinn), Ragnar Klavan (Heracles Almelo), Sergei Terehhov (FC TVMK Tallinn), Aivar Anniste (FC TVMK Tallinn).
Forwards: Tarmo Kink (FC Levadia Tallinn), Oliver Konsa (FC TVMK Tallinn), Kristen Viikmäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Kaimar Saag (FC Levadia Tallinn).
Absent forwards
Oper has been ruled out for two months with a hamstring problem and has not been named in coach Viggo Jensen's 21-man squad for the match, while the absence of injured FC Torpedo Moskva forward Vladimir Voskoboinikov and the retirement of Indrek Zelinski have further weakened the Dane's attacking options. Kristen Viikmäe has been called up to fill one of those attacking slots while Oliver Konsa, Sergei Terehhov and goalkeeper Mart Poom have also returned to the fold. Following their trip to Wembley, Estonia meet Montenegro in a friendly game in Tallinn on 17 October.
Estonia squad
Goalkeepers: Mart Poom (Watford FC), Pavel Londak (FK Bodø/Glimt), Mihkel Aksalu (FC Flora Tallinn).
Defenders: Teet Allas (FC Flora Tallinn), Andrei Stepanov (FK Khimki), Raio Piiroja (Fredrikstad FK), Urmas Rooba (FC TPS Turku), Enar Jääger (Aalesunds FK), Dmitri Kruglov (FC Torpedo Moskva), Alo Bärengrub (FC Flora Tallinn).
Midfielders: Martin Reim (FC Flora Tallinn), Joel Lindpere (Tromsø IL), Taavi Rähn (FK Ekranas), Aleksandr Dmitrijev (FC Levadia Tallinn), Ragnar Klavan (Heracles Almelo), Sergei Terehhov (FC TVMK Tallinn), Aivar Anniste (FC TVMK Tallinn).
Forwards: Tarmo Kink (FC Levadia Tallinn), Oliver Konsa (FC TVMK Tallinn), Kristen Viikmäe (FC Flora Tallinn), Kaimar Saag (FC Levadia Tallinn).
Stars gather for Vienna celebration
The UEFA European Championship trophy was one of the star guests as delegates from all four Austrian host cities attended Vienna's Day of Sports on Saturday.
'Simply unique'
Austria's largest open-air sports festival, held in the city's Heldenplatz, attracted more than 300,000 visitors, many of whom gathered to see the trophy that will be awarded to the winners at UEFA EURO 2008™. Euro 2008 SA chief operating officer Martin Kallen, who took the cup to Vienna, was impressed with the festival, saying: "This is simply unique. This sets a high standard."
Tickets raffled
Austrian Football Federation president Friedrich Stickler was also present and praised "the Austrians' positive outlook towards football and their own international team". Along with Austrian tournament director Christian Schmölzer and his Swiss counterpart Christian Mutschler, Stickler helped raffle off three sets of two tickets for UEFA EURO 2008™ matches in Austria.
Honoured guest
The event received the official seal of approval as Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer held a reception on stage for the prominent football figures in attendance, including Stickler, Kallen, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger and UEFA EURO 2008™ ambassador Andreas Herzog. He presented the guests with a special cake to commemorate the upcoming finals.
'Simply unique'
Austria's largest open-air sports festival, held in the city's Heldenplatz, attracted more than 300,000 visitors, many of whom gathered to see the trophy that will be awarded to the winners at UEFA EURO 2008™. Euro 2008 SA chief operating officer Martin Kallen, who took the cup to Vienna, was impressed with the festival, saying: "This is simply unique. This sets a high standard."
Tickets raffled
Austrian Football Federation president Friedrich Stickler was also present and praised "the Austrians' positive outlook towards football and their own international team". Along with Austrian tournament director Christian Schmölzer and his Swiss counterpart Christian Mutschler, Stickler helped raffle off three sets of two tickets for UEFA EURO 2008™ matches in Austria.
Honoured guest
The event received the official seal of approval as Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer held a reception on stage for the prominent football figures in attendance, including Stickler, Kallen, Austria coach Josef Hickersberger and UEFA EURO 2008™ ambassador Andreas Herzog. He presented the guests with a special cake to commemorate the upcoming finals.
Rushfeldt comes to Norway's rescue
Sigurd Rushfeldt has ended a long absence from the Norway national team to replace John Carew in the squad to take on Bosnia-Herzegovina on 17 October.
Veteran returns
Second in the section, but level on points with third placed Turkey having played a game more, Åge Hareide's men need a win in Sarajevo to maintain the pressure on their Group C rivals, and the 34-year-old Rushfeldt, who won the last of his 35 caps for Norway in October 2005, has been called in to provide attacking threat in the absence of the injured Carew. "He is an experienced forward with an eye for goal," said Hareide. "He may have an important part to play." Midfielder Alexander Ødegaard also gets a call after some impressive displays for Viking FK.
Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Almenning Jarstein (Odd Grenland), Thomas Myhre (Viking FK), Håkon Opdal (SK Brann).
Defenders: Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Brede Hangeland (FC København), Frode Kippe (Lillestrøm SK), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC), Jarl-André Storbæk (Vålerenga IF), Vidar Riseth (Rosenborg BK).
Midfielders: Martin Andresen (SK Brann), John Anders Bjørkøy (Fredrikstad FK), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Riise (Lillestrøm SK), Jan Gunnar Solli (SK Brann), Lars Iver Strand (Tromsø IL), Fredrik Strømstad (IK Start), Petter Vaagan Moen (SK Brann), Alexander Ødegaard (Viking FK).
Forwards: Daniel Braaten (Bolton Wanderers FC), Christian Grindheim (Vålerenga IF), Thorstein Helstad (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK), Sigurd Rushfeldt (Tromsø IL).
Veteran returns
Second in the section, but level on points with third placed Turkey having played a game more, Åge Hareide's men need a win in Sarajevo to maintain the pressure on their Group C rivals, and the 34-year-old Rushfeldt, who won the last of his 35 caps for Norway in October 2005, has been called in to provide attacking threat in the absence of the injured Carew. "He is an experienced forward with an eye for goal," said Hareide. "He may have an important part to play." Midfielder Alexander Ødegaard also gets a call after some impressive displays for Viking FK.
Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Almenning Jarstein (Odd Grenland), Thomas Myhre (Viking FK), Håkon Opdal (SK Brann).
Defenders: Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Brede Hangeland (FC København), Frode Kippe (Lillestrøm SK), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC), Jarl-André Storbæk (Vålerenga IF), Vidar Riseth (Rosenborg BK).
Midfielders: Martin Andresen (SK Brann), John Anders Bjørkøy (Fredrikstad FK), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Riise (Lillestrøm SK), Jan Gunnar Solli (SK Brann), Lars Iver Strand (Tromsø IL), Fredrik Strømstad (IK Start), Petter Vaagan Moen (SK Brann), Alexander Ødegaard (Viking FK).
Forwards: Daniel Braaten (Bolton Wanderers FC), Christian Grindheim (Vålerenga IF), Thorstein Helstad (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK), Sigurd Rushfeldt (Tromsø IL).
Belarus try out fringe options
Bernd Stange has left a number of established names out of his Belarus squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Luxembourg on 13 October and the friendly against Israel.
Experimental selection
Stange once again ommitted the experienced Sergei Shtanyuk, Aleksandr Kulchiy and Vitali Bulyga while there is also no place for Vladimir Gaev, Yan Tigorev, Aleksandr Yurevich, Denis Kovba, Gennadi Bliznyuk or Artyom Cheladyinskiy. The German coach said: "I've said before many times that we are trying to check all the candidates right now to have at least two quality players for each position. That leads to experiments." Sixth in Group G, Belarus play Luxembourg in Gomel before meeting Israel in a friendly in Ramat Gan four days later.
Belarus squad
Goalkeepers: Vasili Khomutovski (FC Tom Tomsk), Yuri Zhevnov (FC Moskva), Anton Amelchenko (FC Moskva).
Defenders: Artyom Radkov (FC BATE Borisov), Sergei Omelyanchuk (FC Rostov), Pavel Plaskonny (FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Yegor Filipenko (FC BATE Borisov), Kiryl Pavlyuchek (FC Dinamo Minsk), Dmitri Molosh (FC Dinamo Brest).
Midfielders: Vladimir Korythko (FC Chornomorets Odesa), Timofei Kalachev (FC Rostov), Aleksandr Hleb (Arsenal FC), Maksim Romashchenko (FC Torpedo Moskva), Nikolai Kashevski (FC Metalurh Zaporizhya), Aleksei Skverniuk (FC Krylya Sovetov Samara), Igor Stasevich (FC BATE Borisov).
Forwards: Sergei Kornilenko (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Roman Vasilyuk (FC Gomel), Vitali Kutuzov (Pisa Calcio), Vitali Rodionov (FC BATE Borisov), Dmitri Mozolevsky (FC Dinamo Brest).
Experimental selection
Stange once again ommitted the experienced Sergei Shtanyuk, Aleksandr Kulchiy and Vitali Bulyga while there is also no place for Vladimir Gaev, Yan Tigorev, Aleksandr Yurevich, Denis Kovba, Gennadi Bliznyuk or Artyom Cheladyinskiy. The German coach said: "I've said before many times that we are trying to check all the candidates right now to have at least two quality players for each position. That leads to experiments." Sixth in Group G, Belarus play Luxembourg in Gomel before meeting Israel in a friendly in Ramat Gan four days later.
Belarus squad
Goalkeepers: Vasili Khomutovski (FC Tom Tomsk), Yuri Zhevnov (FC Moskva), Anton Amelchenko (FC Moskva).
Defenders: Artyom Radkov (FC BATE Borisov), Sergei Omelyanchuk (FC Rostov), Pavel Plaskonny (FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk), Yegor Filipenko (FC BATE Borisov), Kiryl Pavlyuchek (FC Dinamo Minsk), Dmitri Molosh (FC Dinamo Brest).
Midfielders: Vladimir Korythko (FC Chornomorets Odesa), Timofei Kalachev (FC Rostov), Aleksandr Hleb (Arsenal FC), Maksim Romashchenko (FC Torpedo Moskva), Nikolai Kashevski (FC Metalurh Zaporizhya), Aleksei Skverniuk (FC Krylya Sovetov Samara), Igor Stasevich (FC BATE Borisov).
Forwards: Sergei Kornilenko (FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Roman Vasilyuk (FC Gomel), Vitali Kutuzov (Pisa Calcio), Vitali Rodionov (FC BATE Borisov), Dmitri Mozolevsky (FC Dinamo Brest).
Get closer to Austria and Switzerland
With less than 250 days to go until the finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ begin in Austria and Switzerland, uefa.com's guide to the eight host cities has been launched.
Exhaustive guide
A number of events on Sunday marked the fact that there were only 250 days left until the first match kicks off in Basle on 7 June 2008. Getting into the spirit, today sees the launch of uefa.com's exhaustive guide to Austria and Switzerland, which includes plenty of fascinating facts about the two host countries and lots of useful information for fans who are eager to experience UEFA EURO 2008™ at close quarters. With guides to what to do in all eight host cities, on matchdays and on days off, it promises to be an essential resource for those wishing to get to the heart of the tournament.
Exhaustive guide
A number of events on Sunday marked the fact that there were only 250 days left until the first match kicks off in Basle on 7 June 2008. Getting into the spirit, today sees the launch of uefa.com's exhaustive guide to Austria and Switzerland, which includes plenty of fascinating facts about the two host countries and lots of useful information for fans who are eager to experience UEFA EURO 2008™ at close quarters. With guides to what to do in all eight host cities, on matchdays and on days off, it promises to be an essential resource for those wishing to get to the heart of the tournament.
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