Soccer-Brazilian fans seduced by glamour of Europe

Soccer-Brazilian fans seduced by glamour of Europe - Mario Soares, who lives in soccer-mad Brazil and speaks little English, runs a Facebook page devoted to the fortunes of Nottingham Forest.

With the help of automatic translation programs, the 20-year-old Brazilian journalism student spends countless hours reporting on the modest English championship (second tier) club.

"My friends thought it was weird at first but when I explained the club's history to them they came round a bit," Soares said. "They all follow one Brazilian team and other teams in foreign leagues."

Turned off by the corruption and mismanagement endemic in their domestic game and with European soccer available on demand via TV, the internet and video games, many Brazilians are taking a greater interest in foreign football.

"Little by little, the big European clubs are silently 'invading' the hearts and minds of Brazilian football lovers, especially the young, who are seduced by competitions that are much more attractive than those we are used to seeing in Brazil," said Fernando Ferreira, the director of sports consultancy firm Pluri.

"The phenomenon of Brazilians supporting one team in Brazil and another abroad is more and more common."

The trend is occurring all over the world but it is especially striking in Brazil, the home of Pele, Zico and Ronaldo and the only country to win the World Cup five times.

Brazilians already have their own highly competitive league and their country is known throughout the world for producing great players and strong teams.

So why do Brazilians care about what happens on a wet Wednesday in Stoke?

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Some of the answer resides in Brazil's economic boom over the past decade.

More than 30 million people have been lifted from poverty into the consuming classes. As a result of that and improved, cheaper technology, the number of households with cable TV has more than tripled to 16.5 million since 2007.

Brazilian cable TV broadcasts as many as nine English games a day over the weekend and several more from Italy, Spain, Russia and elsewhere.

The matches feature the best footballers in the world playing at their peak and Brazilians, accustomed to half-empty stadiums, enjoy and envy the spectacle of grounds filled with fans who chant and sing for 90 minutes.

While Brazil is now the seventh biggest economy in the world, it is also exorbitantly expensive. It costs more for a family of four to buy tickets to see one top-flight game than it does to purchase a cable TV package featuring two dozen Premier League matches.

They can watch those games in the comfort of their own homes. In Brazil, fans must sit in run-down stadiums, with dilapidated facilities, basic yet overpriced food and drink, and under constant threat from fans and police alike.

More than 50 fans have been killed in or around football grounds since the turn of the century, according to studies and news reports.

There is the question of inconvenient kick-off times, designed not for supporters, but for TV companies to fill in time between soap operas and the nightly news.

"Authorities show a lack of respect for fans, scheduling (midweek) games to start at 10 p.m., making people return home in the middle of the night," said Max dos Santos, the 18-year old who founded and runs BritFoot, a website dedicated to British soccer.

Dos Santos supports Manchester United but Brazilians' thirst for foreign football embraces less glamorous teams too.

In addition to Soares's Nottingham Forest page, there are other Facebook and Twitter forums for Brazilians who follow West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers, Norwich City and Wigan Athletic.

Clubs and businesses have spotted the trend.

The sale of foreign jerseys increased 50 percent in the last year alone, according to Netshoes, one of Brazil's biggest online sports retailers, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and now Paris Saint-Germain, home to Brazilian youngster Lucas, among the biggest sellers.

The firm has expanded the number of club shirts in stock by 20 percent because of rising demand, said Marcel Castro, the company's head of football marketing.

Clubs, too, are taking steps to connect with a fan base that is young, knowledgeable and potentially lucrative.

Liverpool recently added a twitter account in Portuguese and are preparing a Facebook page also.

Although other British clubs have concentrated on the Far East, Liverpool officials believe more will soon be looking to South America.

"This is an emerging market but not for football," said Paul Rogers, Liverpool's head of international digital development.

"What we have seen is that where we have engaged fans we have seen more traffic to the website and the online store. In Brazil's case it is early to say but ultimately we believe that the more fans that follow the club (via social media), the stronger the bond and you'd expect that to lead to a better commercial situation."

(Editing by Brian Winter and Ed Osmond) // Reuters

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Olympics-Rio stadium roof problems serious, say engineers

Olympics-Rio stadium roof problems serious, say engineers - The damage which has forced the abrupt closure of Rio de Janeiro's Joao Havelange stadium is serious and it will take up to two months just to find a solution, engineers said on Wednesday.

The six-year-old arena, scheduled to host the athletics events at the 2016 Olympic games, was shut on Tuesday because of structural damage to the roof in a major embarrassment for Brazilian sporting authorities.

"We've received a report about the stadium and it did not come with any solutions attached," said Armando Queiroga, president of the city government's public works department RioUrbe.

"It's a serious problem and we can't forecast when it will open again. We need from 30 to 60 days to find the solution and after that we will have some perspective."

Authorities said the roof could present a risk for spectators if the wind reached over 63 kilometres per hour.

The stadium is currently the city's main soccer venue as the Maracana is rebuilt for the Confederations Cup this year and the 2014 World Cup.

Although the stadium will host the athletics events in 2016, the opening and closing ceremonies will take place at the Maracana in a break with Olympic tradition.

The Joao Havelange stadium was built for the 2007 Panamerican Games and opened just one month before the event after being plagued by delays.

Afterwards, it was leased to local soccer club Botafogo although it is frequently used by other teams.

The Maracana is due to re-open at the end of April, four months behind the original schedule. Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup have been plagued by delays.

The closure of the Joao Havelange stadium, alternatively known as the Engenhao, forced the Carioca championship match between Fluminense and Macae on Wednesday to be switched to Sao Januario at one day's notice. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier; Writing by Brian Homewood; Editing by Alison Wildey)

Reuters – Wed, Mar 27, 2013 5:34 PM EDT

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Fakta-fakta Menarik Jelang PSG Vs Barcelona

Fakta-fakta Menarik Jelang PSG Vs Barcelona - Duel seru bakal tersaji di Stade de France, Rabu, 3 April 2013, dinihari nanti. Pemuncak klasemen Liga Prancis dan Liga Spanyol akan saling berhadapan. Paris Saint-Germain, klub bermaterikan pemain bintang, akan berhadapan dengan Barcelona, klub yang dianggap sebagai tim terbaik dalam beberapa tahun terakhir. Berikut fakta-fakta menarik yang menghiasi pertandingan PSG melawan Barca.

-PSG tak terkalahkan dalam 23 pertandingan kandang di kompetisi Eropa. Kekalahan terakhir PSG di kandang terjadi ketika takluk 4-2 dari Hapoel Tel-Aviv, dalam laga penyisihan grup Piala UEFA, pada November 2006.

-PSG sudah sembilan kali menjamu tim asal Spanyol. Rekor mereka adalah lima kali menang, tiga kali imbang, dan sekali kalah.

Pemain Paris Saint Germain meluapkan kegembiraannya, setelah pertandingan 16 besar Liga Champions berakhir 1-1 di Paris (7/3). PSG lolos ke babak selanjutnya karena menang agregat 3-2. AP/Christophe Ena

-Barca sudah 14 kali tampil dalam pertandingan perempat final kompetisi Eropa. Barca merebut 12 kemenangan dan hanya menelan dua kekalahan.

-Kekalahan terakhir Barca di babak perempat final terjadi pada musim 2002/2003. Ketika itu Barca dikalahkan Juventus. Sementara kekalahan tandang terakhir di babak perempat final terjadi pada musim 2001/2002.

-Barcelona telah tujuh kali bertandang ke markas klub Prancis, dengan rekor tiga kemenangan, dua kali kalah, dan sisanya berakhir imbang.

-Stadion Stade de France memiliki kenangan indah buat Barca. Di tempat itu, Barca sukses mengalahkan Arsenal 2-1, dalam partai final Liga Champions 2005/2006.

-Gelandang PSG, Thiago Motta, adalah pemain didikan akademi Barca. Selama enam musim bermain di tim senior Barca, pemain internasional Italia itu sukses merebut dua gelar Liga Spanyol, satu Liga Champions, dan dua Piala Super Spanyol.

-Maxwell bergabung dengan Barca pada 2009, dan kemudian hijrah ke PSG pada Januari 2012. Maxwell tampil dalam 57 pertandingan di Liga Spanyol dan merebut dua gelar Liga Spanyol, tiga Piala Super Spanyol, satu Liga Champions, dua Piala Super Eropa, dan dua Piala Dunia Antarklub.

-Zlatan Ibrahimovic menghabiskan musim 2009/2010 di Barca. Pemain asal Swedia itu merebut satu trofi Liga Spanyol, satu Piala Super Spanyol, satu Piala Super Eropa, dan satu Piala Dunia Antarklub.

-Eric Abidal dan Alex Song memulai karier profesonal di Liga Prancis. Abidal pernah memperkuat AS Monaco, Lille, dan Olympique Lyon. Sementara Song memulai kariernya bersama Bastia.

-Pemain tertua Liga Champions di musim ini, David Beckham, pernah tujuh kali melawan Barcelona. Beckham, ketika itu berkostum Real Madrid, merebut tiga kemenangan, sekali imbang, dan tiga kali kalah ketika melawan Barca.

tempo.co : Selasa, 02 April 2013 | 20:12 WIB

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You're a liar! Nasri hits back at Mancini's barb

You're a liar! Nasri hits back at Mancini's barb - You're a liar! Nasri hits back at Mancini and praises former manager Wenger as his best-ever boss in further snub

Samir Nasri has labelled Roberto Mancini a liar after the Manchester City manager questioned his £24million man’s efforts in training.

The Frenchman has endured a difficult campaign with the Barclays Premier League champions and was damned with faint praise by Mancini after his impressive showing against Newcastle on Saturday.

Nasri turned in a man-of-the-match performance in City’s 4-0 win and the manager joked that he ‘wanted to give him a punch’ for only showing his best form in fits and bursts.

False accusations: Samir Nasri, who shone against Newcastle, has hit back at manager Roberto Mancini

‘I don’t know what the difference was today,’ Mancini said. ‘I can’t understand sometimes a player with his quality doesn’t play like today every game.

'I think that the second year is always difficult to win again. And sometimes a player can think it is enough to play 50 per cent. Probably we had this problem this year.’

But speaking on French television channel beIN Sport on Monday night, Nasri hit back.

He said: ‘I am aware that I have not had a good season. There are many reasons for this. But when Mancini said that I’m training at 50 per cent, this is not true.’

Swipe: Mancini had blasted Nasri for only putting '50 per cent' effort in in training

In another thinly veiled swipe at Mancini, Nasri heaped praise on former boss Arsene Wenger, under whom he was first given a chance in the Premier League in 2008 with Arsenal.

The France forward spent three years at the Emirates Stadium but left in 2011 - a decision which continues to sit uncomfortably with Gunners fans.

But the 25-year-old says he has no regrets about the decision to turn his back on ‘the greatest coach he ever worked with’, insisting his decision to move north was not based on money.

Star man: Nasri put in an impressive display in City's ruthless 4-0 demolition of Newcastle on Saturday

He added: ‘Arsene Wenger is the greatest coach I have worked with. He is the one who understands me the most, he made me realise my potential.

'I am grateful to him for the role he played in my career. I only regret not having more discussions with him when I left.

‘I do not have other regrets. I do not regret joining Manchester City. I want to play and perform, and my departure from Arsenal is purely for sporting reasons.

Mentor: Nasri said Arsene Wenger, watching Arsenal's win over Reading, was his best-ever manager

‘When you compare Arsenal and City, it’s not the same. With City I’m playing in a better team, I won the title, and Arsenal fight to qualify for the Champions League. I didn’t leave for money.

‘Even when I left, I was in training well. All went well with the manager because he knows I showed professionalism.’

And in a move which likely enrage fans even further, Nasri claims he was forced out of the club because unpopular owner Stan Kroenke wanted to cash in a player who had one year left on his deal.

The real story: Nasri claimed he was forced out of Arsenal by billionaire owner Stan Kroenke

‘Cesc (Fabregas, who quit for Barcelona the same summer) or me were supposed to leave,’ he explained. ‘Arsene told me that if Cesc would leave, I would stay. ‘But Kroenke could not ignore the transfer fee.’

Nasri also dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from England this summer, despite interest from his homeland.

‘There is nothing going on with Monaco, nor with PSG,’ he concluded.

dailymail.co.uk : By Andy James : PUBLISHED: 22:29 GMT, 1 April 2013 | UPDATED: 07:05 GMT, 2 April 2013

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Rooney is a great player! PSG chief confirms United ace is on their radar

Rooney is a great player! PSG chief confirms United ace is on their radar - Roo la la! United striker Wayne a target for moneybags PSG, confirms club president

Paris Saint-Germain's president has confirmed his side are interested in bringing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to France.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi said that although PSG have not approached the 27-year-old England star, he was on their radar.

'There's a lot of players really interested in the club. That was not the case when we bought the club,' Al-Khelaifi told Sky Sports.

Jumping for joy: Wayne Rooney has plenty of options should he decide to leave Old Trafford

Target: Nasser Al Khelaifi confirmed that PSG have not approached Rooney but do want to buy him

'He's (Rooney) a great player, one of the best strikers in the world. I think everybody would like to have him. But if you want to talk about the facts, we have not approached him.'

Rooney's wage bill could prove prohibitive to any potential transfer, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic already taking home €14million (£11.8m) a year.

David Beckham is also earning £800k a month, although he only accepts the French minimum wage of £1,900 and donates the rest to a children's charity.

Link up: Rooney could end up playing with his former England team-mate David Beckham

Money man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) earns ¿55million a year

Rooney has been linked with the exit at Old Trafford since being dropped for United's crucial Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Real Madrid.

He has missed United's last two games - the victory over Sunderland on Saturday and the defeat by Chelsea on Monday - with a groin injury.

Rooney sustained it during the last few minutes of England's 1-1 draw with Montenegro last week.

He could have played against Chelsea but Sir Alex Ferguson did not want to risk aggravating the injury.

Blow: Rooney picked up his groin injury towards the end of England's game with Montenegro

dailymail.co.uk :By Rik Sharma : 08:05 GMT, 2 April 2013 | UPDATED: 10:28 GMT, 2 April 2013

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Like looking in the mirror... Ronaldo poses with fan who is the spitting image of him

Like looking in the mirror... Ronaldo poses with fan who is the spitting image of him - Which one's the Real deal? Ronaldo poses with fan who is the spitting image of him... - Cristiano Ronaldo may have got a fright ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final clash with Galatasaray after being stopped for a picture by his doppelganger.

The Portuguese star was driving but stopped to pose for a snap with a young fan, who happened to be a dead ringer for the former Manchester United winger.

The youngster had his idol's likeness down to a tee - complete with Real Madrid top, spiked and gelled hair and even a diamond earring like Ronaldo has been known to wear.

Mini-me: Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo (right) poses with a young fan who is a dead ringer for his idol

Jose Mourinho's men head into Wednesday's showdown at the Bernabeu as firm favourites to progress to the semi-finals.

Pointing the finger: Ronaldo (right) joked with team-mate Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid trained today (below)

Fighting fit: Keeper Iker Casillas (centre) attempts to hold the ball from Fabio Coentrao

All-seeing: Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho looks on his side training today ahead of the Galatasaray clash

But they will have to be wary of Mourinho's former striker Didier Drogba, who faced Ronaldo for Chelsea when the pair took turns in tearing up the Premier League.

Drogba starred in Galatasary's last-16 victory over Schalke, while Ronaldo' refusal to celebrate after scoring the winner at old stomping ground Old Trafford was one of the most enduring images of the last round. 

dailymail.co.uk : By Charlie Skillen : 12:07 GMT, 2 April 2013 | UPDATED: 12:14 GMT, 2 April 2013

READ MORE - Like looking in the mirror... Ronaldo poses with fan who is the spitting image of him