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Tuesday Kickoff: Australia move closer to World Cup; CAS denies Malaga FFP appeal; and more

AustraliaCelebratesCahill1-Jordan (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Australia used three second-half goals to power past helpless Jordan, 4-0, on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, climbing back into an automatic qualifying position for the 2014 World Cup in the process.

Incoming Bayer Leverkusen forward Robby Kruse was man of the match and finished with a goal and two assists, setting up the first two tallies by Mark Bresciano in the 15th minute and Tim Cahill in the 61st before putting the game away in the 76th with his own effort.

35-year-old defender Lucas Neill, the captain of the Socceroos, scored his first ever international goal in his 91st appearance in the 84th minute, leaving no doubt to who were the winners on the night.

Australia have one match remaining against Iraq in Sydney at the former Olympic Stadium, needing a win or a draw coupled with an Oman loss or draw to ensure automatic qualification. The Socceroos currently sit on ten points in Group B after seven matches. Jordan need to defeat Oman in their final match to move to third position, where they’ll have to play in two playoff matches before assuring qualification to the World Cup.

Here are some more stories to get your Tuesday started:

MALAGA APPEAL DENIED BY CAS

The Court of Arbitration of Sport on Tuesday denied Malaga CF’s appeal against UEFA’s Financial Fair Play decision to bar the Spanish club from European football next season.

UEFA originally handed down the punishment last December to Malaga after determining the club’s financial figures were not in line with the FFP regulations. The current regulations state that a club must break even financially, finding a way to make up all the money that they are spending on transfer fees to avoid going into massive debt and defaulting.

Malaga were put in this position due to the actions of President Sheik Abdullah ben Nasser Al Thani of Qatar, who bought the club in 2010 and poured over $130 million into the club, before changing his mind and deciding to recoup as much of his investment as he could.

Last March, the Andalusian side appealed the FFP decision to the CAS, but after a hearing last month, the Court came down with their decision to throw out the appeal, meaning that Malaga will be ineligible to participate in the Europa League, which they qualified for via their sixth-place finish in La Liga this season. Sevilla will now take Malaga’s place in next season’s competition.

TWO TURKISH CLUBS INDICTED FOR MATCH FIXING

Two of Turkey’s most well supported clubs could be in serious trouble if UEFA decides to show how strong it really is.

Besiktas and Fenerbahce have both been named as clubs in UEFA disciplinary proceedings over match-fixing. Besiktas’ are alleged to have fixed the 2011 Turkish Cup Final, while Fenerbahce were banned by their own federation, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), from the Champions League in 2011-2012 due to match fixing in 2011, which saw eventually their club President Aziz Yildirim sentenced to six years in prison.

The Turkish federation has a poor reputation in terms of match fixing, as they have reduced the punishments awarded to clubs for match fixing, only deducting points instead of relegation or fines.

QUICK KICKS

Real Madrid have signed on-loan midfielder Casemiro from Sao Paulo on a permanent deal, and promoted him to the first team. (REPORT)

Liverpool are on the cusp of signing Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas for an $11.6 million transfer fee. (REPORT)

Brazilian football legend Zico believes Brazil will not win the World Cup next year, putting his belief behind neighbors Argentina to win the tournament. (REPORT)

German international and Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez is being linked with a move to Fiorentina this summer. (REPORT)

Leeds United have signed former Arizona State student Matt Smith, who played last season with Oldham. The forward spent the year in America on a study abroad program from England. (REPORT)

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What do you make of these reports? Do you see Australia finishing in second place in their group? Do you agree with the CAS’ decision on Malaga? What do you see UEFA doing over match-fixing in Turkey?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Believe the Aussie’s are in good position to move on directly (not out of the woods, but definitely in good position). For Malaga’s supporters, you jgotta feel for ’em, but UEFA is trying to prevent an owner from loading up for one big push … and then struggle for several years afterwards to even put a competitive team on the pitch.

    Reply

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