By FRANCO PANIZO
Concern and fear were raised about security at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil earlier this week when violence marred the Copa Sudamericana final, but FIFA is saying that everything should be fine when the international tournament rolls around in 18 months.
Two days after Tigre players accused Sau Paulo security officials of beating them with batons and threatening them with guns, FIFA has insisted its security plan for the 2014 World Cup will prevent any repeat of those type of violent scenes. The governing body issued a statement saying next year’s Confederations Cup and the World Cup will have “a comprehensive security concept for the stadiums” and that that concept would be reviewed by “FIFA security experts”.
FIFA also has plans to train and certify approximately 30,000 security officers to work during the Confederations Cup and World Cup tournaments.
“The FIFA Confederations Cup will be the first football competition in Brazil to use mainly private stewards for safety and spectator services as it is already a standard procedure in many countries around the world,” FIFA said in the statement.
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SOUNDERS RE-SIGN HURTADO, IANNI
The Seattle Sounders may have dealt away centerback Jeff Parke, but it looks as if he might be the only defender to leave the club this offseason. The Sounders announced late on Thursday that they re-signed defenders Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and Patrick Ianni.
“We are very excited about bringing back Patrick and Jhon again next season,” Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said in a statement released by the club. “Both players have been with us since the start and it was important for us to keep continuity and consistency along a successful back line.”
Per MLS and club policy, details of the deals were not disclosed.
LAMPARD’S TIME WITH CHELSEA COMING TO A CLOSE
It appears Frank Lampard may soon be playing for a new club. Set to be a free agent this summer, Lampard has stated Chelsea is not discussing a new contract with him or his agent. The long-time Chelsea midfielder has been rumored to make a move to MLS, but his preferred choice would be to stick around with Premiership heavyweights
PARK TO MISS QPR-FULHAM CLASH WITH KNEE INJURY
Queens Park Rangers will be without Park Ji-sung for Saturday’s clash with west London rivals Fulham, as the South Korean has been ruled out due to injury. The South Korean is currently dealing with a knee knock and is expected to be shelved for a few weeks. He joins former Fulham strikers Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora as players who will be forced to spectate this weekend because of injury.
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Are you concerned over security at the 2014 World Cup? Glad to see the Sounders re-sign Hurtado and Ianni? Where do you see Lampard landing next summer?
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