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Friday Kickoff: UEFA, FIFA reach deal; El Salvador, Canada U-23s draw and more

PlatiniUEFA (Reuters Pictures)

European clubs have seemingly gotten their way in the battle with FIFA.

UEFA and FIFA reached an agreement at the UEFA Congress for a six-year deal that works heavily in the clubs' favor. 

As a result of the new pact, there will be no more one-off friendlies such as the one in August right after most club seasons begin, and instead the calendar over the next two years leading up to the World Cup will consist of nine instances of countries playing two friendlies over a few-day span.  

Clubs also are guaranteed greater insurance by FIFA if their players are injured while on international duty, such as Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben while playing for the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup. Clubs will also receive a bigger slice of the revenue generated by the European championships this summer and in 2016.

Here are a few more stories to get your day going:

EL SALVADOR, CANADA PLAY TO DRAW

El Salvador and Canada played to a scoreless draw top open up CONCACAF Olympic qualifying, and the Canadians can thank goalkeeper Michal Misiewicz for the point.

The FC Edmonton goalkeeper came up with two top-notch saves in the first half to prevent El Salvador from getting on the board and preserve the clean sheet as both teams are tied behind the United States in Group A. 

El Salvador was the more fluid, technical and impressive of the two teams and gets a crack at Cuba in its next match. Canada will play the United States on Saturday.

The draw came at a bit of a cost to El Salvador, which lost forward Jonathan Aguila to a leg injury. The second-half substitute is likely out for the remainder of the qualifying tournament after El Salvador's coach suspects ligament damage in the player's knee.

Here are highlights from the match:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcl_CP4LHCM]

COLOMBIAN CLUB FINED FOR FANS' RACISM

Colombian club Deportivo Pasto has been fined $6,400 for its fans' alleged racist actions in a league game.

Pasto, the former club of new Colorado Rapids left back Luis Zapata, is the first Colombian team to be punished in such a manner. The incidents happened during Pasto's 3-1 victory over La Equidad on Sunday, when fans reportedly directed racist taunts to Equidad players Dahwling Leudo and Carmelo Valencia.

According to reports, the club is appealing the fine.

ROONEY BREAKS FAN'S WRIST WITH PRACTICE SHOT

It wasn't intentional, but Wayne Rooney broke the wrist of a young fan last weekend.

An errant shot during pre-game warm-ups prior to Manchester United's rout of Wolves headed toward a a 9-year-old fan, who attempted to block it. The force behind the blast broke the fan's wrist, and upon learning of what happened, Rooney issued an apology via his Twitter account and and promised for an autographed shirt and a letter to be sent to him. 

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What do you think of the agreement between FIFA and UEFA? Do you see El Salvador and Canada providing stiffer resistance to the United States? What's your take on Deportivo Pasto being fined for its fans' actions? Would you take a broken wrist for an autographed Rooney shirt?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. They are still losing games overall. Those one-offs were seperate occasions and drove the coaches nuts because they would wear the players out, with the main motivation being bringing in money for the FAs. They deserved to go. Keep the players fresh.

    Reply
  2. I’m glad FIFA preserved a high number of opportunities for friendlies.

    I was under the impression UEFA just wanted to axe dates, not renegotiate them.

    With the non-FIFA date Camp Cupcake in January, still time for us USMNT fans to see lots of action.

    Reply
  3. Let’s remember the Brits have universal health care so a broken wrist won’t bankrupt the kids family. A signed shirt and letter seems appropriate.

    Reply
  4. Broken wrist for a shirt? No thanks… include some nice seats to a few games and you’re getting closer… but still not worth it.

    Reply

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