“Sporting empires, rather like the real thing, tend to fall apart from the inside. Right now, England appears to be the dominant club culture in European soccer, while Italy rules as world champion of nations. Both are wrestling with the beasts within. And Fabio Capello, the Italian who is the highest paid coach in the world, has been hired to try to make England’s national team better than Italy’s.” (NYT)

Mexico scraps plans for friendly vs. Argentina (SI)
“After further discussion, the Mexican Football Federation has scrapped plans for a tune-up match for the national team. Mexico had reportedly been close to lining up a friendly against Argentina, which was supposedly set for May 20 in South America. On Monday, FMF officials insisted that no such match is possible.”

Pro Vercelli: This Longue Durée (The Run of Play)
“Fits and starts this season. We finished second in our Europa League group, which was technically Group L but which lived in my mind as Group V2-Prime, with a record of 2 wins, one draw, and a loss. (Specifics: we beat Falkirk twice; split with Lille, the group winners; and took four points against Villarreal.)”

South Africa ‘safe to visit’ (The World Game)
“One of South Africa’s most prominent law enforcement officers has refuted claims that next year’s World Cup would be ravaged with crime and promised fans visiting the country that they will be safe if they stay within bounds.”

The great entertainers (uefa)
“There was always a danger that after last Tuesday’s thriller at Stamford Bridge, the second leg of Wednesday’s quarter-finals would prove anti-climactic. As it turned out, they were anything but. Cristiano Ronaldo’s wonder goal against FC Porto had pundits puzzling over their superlatives once again, and Arsenal FC’s terrific performance against Villarreal CF laid down a marker that Manchester United FC will do well to match in the semi-finals.”

World Cup 2010: For Official Sponsors Only (World Cup Blog)
“If you think the Premier League is copyright crazy, then wait until you meet FIFA. World football’s governing body is like the Premier League’s bigger, older and ten thousand times more paranoid brother.”

Spanish soccer facing ‘financial disaster(Guardian)
“A financial disaster could engulf Spanish professional soccer unless action is taken to prevent profligate clubs slipping deeper into debt, according to the president of top-flight club Osasuna.”

Worgu struggles to adapt in Sudan (BBC)
“Nigerian striker Stephen Worgu says that he is finding it difficult to adjust to life in Sudan, where he is playing for Khartoum club Al Merreikh.”

Beckham backs new anti-malaria campaign (SOCCERWAY)
“England football star David Beckham and world-class British tennis player Andy Murray joined Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch an anti-malaria campaign on Monday.”