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Afternoon Ticker: FIFA investigating Nigeria situation, Simek joins League One club and more

Nigeria national team 1 (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

The first World Cup in Africa has mostly been a disaster for African teams, and not only because one nation advanced from its group.

FIFA is currently investigating Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan's statement that he has suspended the Super Eagles from competing for two years following their disappointing performance at the World Cup.

FIFA has received documents relating to Jonathan's announcement and will continue to look into the situation before making a decision. The sport's governing body is also currently looking into a similar situation with the French national team.

Here are more stories to help you get through the day:

Simeks signs with Carlisle United

American right back Frank Simek signed with League One club Carlisle United on a two-year deal on Thursday, ending his time with Sheffield Wednesday. Simek, which joined Wednesday in 2005, made 12 appearances for the club last season. 

Sheffield Wednesday will also play in England's third tier this season after suffering relegation from the Championship.

Manchester City target Milner

James Milner may not have enjoyed the strongest World Cup performance, but that has not stopped Manchester City from setting its sights on him.

City are hoping to sign Milner from Aston Villa, but believe the 25-year-old midfielder will need to ask his current club to lower his transfer fee in order to make the move happen.  Aston Villa's current asking price is estimated to be around â‚¬30 million.

Robles leaves Kaiserslautern

American goalkeeper Luis Robles won't be playing in the Bundesliga this season, at least not with recently-promoted Kaiserslautern. Robles turned down a new deal from the club he joined in 2007 and will be a free agent when the summer transfer window opens. After starting for much of the 2008-09 season, Robles reverted to the bench and made just one appearance for the club this past season.

Nakamura hangs international boots

Shunsuke Nakamura announced his retirement from international soccer following Japan's penalty kick loss to Paraguay, ending his 12-year tenure with the Blue Samurai. Having made his debut in 1998, Nakamura played 98 times and scored 24 goals for his country.

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What do you make of Nigeria's situation? Think Simek joining Carlisle United is a good move? Would Milner be a good fit at City? Should Robles look to stay overseas or join MLS? How do you rate Nakamura's international career?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. What about their club teams? Would this knock them out of international competition as well? I know Heartland is in the final 8 of the CAF Champions League.

    Reply
  2. Yea I read it. And you said that you “heard” that Milan was interested. In fact, there is no fact out there supporting anyone’s assertion that Milan is interested. It’s just a decent blogger guessing.

    On a blog like this, there is no difference between saying “Milan is interested” and “I heard Milan is interested.” It’s the same thing to most of the readers.

    Reply
  3. “Is he the next in line after Guzan?”

    Lulz. Somebody missed the Gold Cup last summer.

    Robles has a long way to go.

    Reply
  4. “but hes not in the national team picture now, nor will he be in 4 years”

    Hi. My name is Edson Buddle.

    Have we met?

    Reply
  5. no hes not. We have enough young defensive talent (not to mention spector/bornstein) that will keep him out of the picture. Glad he got a contract, but hes not in the national team picture now, nor will he be in 4 years

    Reply
  6. i was talking about bob to fulham with a liverpool fan of mine. I can see it being a good fit, but I don’t think Bob’s gonna get a gig like that, I think we’ll see him in northern europe if he goes at all

    Reply
  7. Any of those would be good places for him to play I would think. The Turkish league is a strong league and Spain would be good for his style of play.

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  8. Please provide a link that confirms anything other than pure speculation.

    ie Confirmation from both Bornstein and Atlante that it’s a done deal, not that there is purely interest.

    Reply
  9. well you have that American dude in the 2 Bundesliga whose like 6’6. Also have Robles who can start for any team in 2 Bundesliga, I believe he had trouble at kaisersluten due to their young keeper being a German international. Also Brad Guzan. Tim Perkins could be in consideration. Also that Hamid kid at DC UNITED.

    basically we don’t have high profile GK’s as we did 5 years ago but we have depth.

    Reply
  10. I’d like him to go, but I really don’t think he gets respect from Hodgson, or Fulham either(which is why I think he’ll go). Every season he starts on the bench.

    First season, saves club from relegation in last game. Next season starts on bench, and the season after that when Then Hodgson comes, still on the bench. This past season he finally started the first few games and cemeted his place in the team. He needs to go though

    Reply
  11. Yes,very much so. Anderlecht has a history of developing young talent, and Sascha will benefit greatly from training and playing with them.

    Reply

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