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Friday Kickoff: Bradley marches with protesters, Terry loses captaincy & more

Bradley reuters

By JOHN BOSCHINI

As Egypt reels from the tragic deaths in Port Said, national team coach Bob Bradley is taking a role in the rebuilding.

The former U.S. manager joined in a non-violent protest march on Thursday as public anger against the interior ministry grows. Protesters feel not enough was done to prevent the deaths of 74 people and the injuries of hundreds more during the riots following the Al Ahly-Al Masry match on Wednesday. Egypt has been wrestling with turmoil since an uprising ousted the country's president nearly a year go.

"To see so many young people lose their lives is something that is a terrible, terrible thing and something that's very sad for everyone that's living in Egypt. All Egyptian people feel this today," Bradley said in an interview with Egyptian television.

All soccer-related activities in Egypt have been suspended, and Bradley said he's not thinking about his future as it relates to the Egyptian national team. The Egyptian Premier League has been suspended indefinitely, and the nation's FA has been disbanded. Egypt had three games scheduled for late February, but a decision has yet to be made as to whether they will be played. Bradley did not say one way or the other whether he would stay on as coach.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Friday:

TERRY OUT AS ENGLAND CAPTAIN

The English FA has removed John Terry as captain of the England national team following the delay of his racism trial until after the European Championships.

The Chelsea captain is still available to be selected for the England team for both this month's friendly against the Netherlands and for Euro 2012. Terry is on trial for allegedly using a racial slur against QPR defender Anton Ferdinand back in October, and the hearing was supposed to take place this month but was postponed until the summer.

Terry has denied all of the allegations, but he will not be eligible to regain the captaincy until at least July.

UNITED'S LINDEGAARD OUT A MONTH

Manchester United's goalkeeping questions continue to mount as the club confirmed goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard will be out for a month with an ankle injury. Lindegaard has spent most of the season backing up David de Gea but has occasionally jumped the Spaniard in the pecking order after a few impressive performances.

The goalkeeping duties for Sunday's massive clash with Chelsea rest firmly on de Gea, who missed Tuesday's game with Stoke due to illness.

BRAZIL COURT HALTS WC STADIUM STRIKE

A Brazilian court has ruled that a worker's strike that threatened to delay the construction of a World Cup stadium must end. The court ruled that the 2,000-person strike in the northeastern city of Recife was illegal.

The strike is over workers' desire for a pay raise, but the court ruled the employer's initial offer was fair and should not have been rejected. This is just the latest irregulairity in the build-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup as Brazil continues to lag behind in preparations for the event. 

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What do make of Bradley's decision to march with protesters? Think the FA made the right call in stripping Terry of the captaincy? Confident in De Gea's abilities this weekend?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Let’s be frank, Morocco, Egypt and the rest of North Africa, Middle East survives from a social structure of corruption from the top down to the commoner. Violence is a means to solve all their issues, again from the top down to the commoner. It’s a cultural aspect I’ve witness first hand and experienced, after traveling there. I’ll never set foot in that part of the world again. They pride themselves on violence, lying, stealing and cheating. Modern civilized nations have a culture among mainstream citizens who respect, dignify, exemplify good social behavior and respect the law. Egypt is unsafe, no doubt. More and more Americans are targets of kidnapping, exploitation, manipulation, deceit and all out violence from being in that part of the world. It is so strange in nature, most Americans can’t even begin to comprehend their mentality. It’s ingrained in their culture, their psyche. I’ve experienced this first hand. A dangerous violent place, it most certainly is. God bless America.

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  2. Education hasn’t removed barbaric behavior, corruption and a culture of lies in almost 60 years of so called reforms. It’s a socialized, cultural behavior that plagues even the most elite in there society. Egypt is not safe and very uncivilized.

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  3. I found most of How Soccer Explains the World interesting — but a better read is

    SOCCERNOMICS:Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why The U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey — and Even Iraq — Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World’s Most Popular Sport (which should get a prize for the longest title).

    SOCCERNOMICS is an easier read, and has a lot of good information. I recommend it.

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  4. Whatever you may think of Bob Bradley’s coaching, I think you must admire his personal integrity, commitment, compassion and sincerity.

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  5. But if all educated well-off members of Egyption society make the same decision (flee)then things won’t get better. The strong, stable and smart–bradley types–must stay and work together with bravery if Egypt is to get to a better place. That said, I wouldn’t criticize bradley if went elsewhere.

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  6. Well he got him fired by not being at the Gold Cup. Up 2-0 against Mexico, Bedoya injures Cherundolo, Bornstein comes in with Lichaj moving to RB, we lose 4-2. I know Chandler’s job at Nurnberg wasn’t solidified at that point so he did the right thing by listening to his club and staying in Germany, but had he been available at the Gold Cup the US probably wins and Bradley is still coach.

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  7. Yeah, had to google that myself. In Italy foreign movie names always get changed for no obvious reason. In this case, “Shawshank” may just have been too hard to pronounce.

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  8. I have mixed feelings on the Bob Bradley issue. Personally, I don’t think we should keep any coach through multiple WC cycles, but after we decided to stick with him, switching things up 1 yr in was kind of crappy. Basically, he was punished for making 1 poor roster selection in the GC (Bornstein over…another LB).

    That said, I liked the direction Bob was headed before his dismissal (i.e. players he was rumored to have contacted regarding future call ups).

    I have to admit, though, we probably have a better chance of locking down Fabian Johnson and Terrence Boyd with Klinsmann in charge.

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  9. Please keep in mind that the actual game days in Russia are not changing. They will just have a 3-month break in the middle of their championship and a month-and a half break between the 2 championships. Same as Ukraine. Stupid, I think

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  10. Thanks for the link. Really amazing that his Italian is so good so quickly. Also, funny that Shawshank Redemption is called “Le ali della libertà” in Italy.

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  11. Safety has to be paramount in the minds of civilized people. Although I agree with you regarding commitment, there’s a point when one has to say, I can’t risk my life in a society the feeds off violence, extreme corruption and barbaric behavior under any circumstances. It’s time to leave until civilized people understand basic humane behavior. Egypt is far from civilized.

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  12. I’d been hoping to find it too, but couldn’t. But I do have this written interview from the Chievo site – apparently he’s a big Risotto and Springsteen fan 🙂

    And he’s getting a lot of respect in Chievo – from what I’m seeing the fans think he’s been great.

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  13. Agreed. I’ve never understood the fascination with what the coach wears on the sideline. You dress for the occasion. Athletic event = athletic attire, formal ball = tuxedo, research facility with corrosive and/or toxic chemicals = haz-mat suit, etc.

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