“So Russell Latapy’s former teammates think he should stop playing and somehow erase the indiscretions of his past. His employer, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) or-if you prefer-FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, felt it necessary to reveal that he lacks ‘total confidence’ in his appointee and could remove Latapy at any time.” (Trinidad & Tobago Express)

Brian Glanville on zonal marking (World Soccer)
“To zone or not to zone; that seemed to be the question. At least it was after the strapping Chelsea defender, Branislav Ivanovic, twice came roaring through the Chelsea defence on set pieces at Anfield to beat Liverpool’s keeper Jose Reina with fulminating headers.”

The loyal few fading away (FIFA)
“There is no loyalty in football anymore. It is the sort of statement that is aired whenever, as happens with great regularity, a club dispenses of its manager, or when one of football’s nomads adds yet another employer to an already extensive CV. Yet it is not entirely true. Virtually every one of Europe’s major clubs can produce a recent example of faithfulness and fidelity over an extended period.”

Is it time to switch back to a 4-5-1 formation? (Aston Villa Blog)
“Well, another home game where we failed to win. Another home game where we conceded first again, this is a habit we seriously need to get out of, it means we have to go on the all out offensive which, plays into the hands of the away team, who will just look to hit us on the counter.”

Safety Guaranteed at 2010 World Cup (Road to 2010 World Cup Final)
“Safety has long been an issue when talk turns to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Yesterday, organizers of the upcoming Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup assured the world that these events will be safe. Recent crowd control issues in the Ivory Coast have sparked concern when it comes to the situation in South Africa. But organizers have moved swiftly to calm fears.”

Most Valuable Soccer Teams (Forbes)
“The financial crisis has yet to derail the world’s most valuable soccer teams. Our calculations show the top 25 teams are now worth, on average, $597 million, 8% more than the previous year.”

You Be the Blogger (The Run of Play)
“Thanks to Easter and a home-maintenance emergency, I didn’t watch a single game this weekend, and I’m just now trying to get caught up. Can someone tell me what’s going on in soccer?”

Michel Platini (FIFA)
“He never did win the FIFA World Cup, the ultimate prize for a footballer. In fact, it is the only trophy missing from Platini’s stunning collection, but that does not detract from his status as a footballing legend.”