Archive for May, 2010

Marcello Lippi named the Italian provisional squad for 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Francesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero and Luca Toni will have no chance to participate in South African World Cup because he was leaved aout from the squad by Lippi.

Italy provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa)

Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese)

Forwards: Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Marco Borriello (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).

Coach Dunga announced the Brazil squad for the 2010 World Cup.

The former Inter Milan forward, Adriano, and AC Milan player Ronaldinho will both miss the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.  Paulo Henrique and Neymar, the Santos players will stay ath the TV, they are not included in the 23 man squad.

Brazil Squad:

Goalkeepers:Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma)

Forwards: Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).

Give Fraudsters the Red Card in South Africa

Payment card fraud is a global phenomenon. International travellers can be particularly at risk as they find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. Having prevented payment card fraud in South Africa for the last decade and with just 38 days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, Retail Decisions (ReD), the world leader in payment fraud prevention, gives some tips to fans going to South Africa, so that they are not fouled while playing away from home.

Carl Clump, CEO of ReD comments, “We must expect that fraudsters will go to South Africa and look to prey on the forecasted 480,000 travellers predicted to follow the tournament across the country. Tourists are prime targets as typically they carry cards with high credit limits.”

Hot spots for card fraud are likely to be in major cities including, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elisabeth, where many of the fixtures are scheduled. Travellers and merchants must remain alert.

In order to safeguard travellers from fraudsters, ReD advises the fans to follow the following 6 simple suggestions:

1. Before leaving home, travellers should make a note of, or preferably photocopy both sides of the cards they intend taking with them, as well as passports and travel itineraries. These details should then be left in safe keeping with a family member or friend. Of course, do not give your PIN’s to anyone. Keep a copy of all important phone numbers with you, not in your mobile phone, in case you lose it.

2. Inform your card company of your travel dates and destinations so that suspicious transactions not in keeping with these plans can be identified.

3. On arriving in South Africa, many will want to obtain some local currency. Beware when using ATM’s! Beware of “shoulder surfing”, which occurs when somebody is watching you entering your PIN. After obtaining your cash, somebody may bump into you and your cards could be pick-pocketed. Beware of individuals offering to help you at the ATM. Only use ATM’s in well lit and populated areas. Be careful when using ATM’s!

4. If you have access to a safe in your chosen accommodation, use it for all your cards, important documents and valuables. Only go out with enough money, not all your money and only take one card with you.

5. Do not let your card out of sight in restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels or anywhere else you may use them.

6. If you believe something untoward may have happened to your card(s), call your card issuer immediately, even if it is in the middle of the final! On returning home, check your card statement as soon as possible for any unidentifiable transactions.

The song will be performed at the FIFA World Cup(TM) Final by Shakira and South African artist Freshlyground on July 11, 2010.

FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment announced that Waka Waka (This Time For Africa), written and co-produced by global superstar Shakira, has been chosen as the Official Song of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in South Africa. The song will be performed by Shakira together with South African artist Freshlyground at the Closing Ceremony before the FIFA World Cup(TM) Final on July 11 in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. All proceeds from the song will benefit FIFA’s Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) “20 Centers for 2010.”

The song combines Afro-Colombian instrumentation and rhythms with a rousing Soca beat and Southern African guitar. The chorus borrows from a favorite Cameroonian marching chant made popular by the group Golden Voices.

“The Official Song is as much awaited by the fans as the Mascot or the Logo. It is part of the identity of the world’s most exciting sport’s event. This song is the personification of the African rhythm and identity and sets the pace for this unique event. I am looking forward to hear the song throughout the tournament and watch it performed by Shakira and Freshlyground at the Final,” said Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President.

“I am honored that Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) was chosen to be part of the excitement and the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Shakira. “The FIFA World Cup is a miracle of global excitement, connecting every country, race, religion and condition around a single passion. It represents an event that has the power to unite and integrate, and that’s what this song is about.”

Shakira continued, “African music is so inspiring and is poised to take its place on the global pop culture stage. I was proud to be able to work with one of South Africa’s most acclaimed groups, Freshlyground.” The song was co-produced by Shakira’s frequent collaborator, John Hill.

“We are thrilled to have collaborated with Shakira on Waka Waka (This Time For Africa), especially as we feel that the song captures the spirit and energy of the African World Cup,” said Zolani Mahola of Freshlyground. “We are certain the song will inspire people around the world to celebrate the gathering of nations at the place where it all started. Here in Africa!”

The song will be launched on April 28, 2010 and made available for download through digital retail outlets the week of May 11. It also will be included on “Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album(TM)” to be released the week of May 31 by Sony Music Entertainment. A Spanish language version of the track, Waka Waka (Esto es Africa), will be made available in certain markets. Proceeds from the album will benefit FIFA’s “20 Centers for 2010″ initiative, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building twenty Football for Hope centers for public health, education and football across Africa, and other African charities.

Another education focused campaign co-founded by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and co-chaired by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter is 1GOAL, a campaign that is championing global education. 1GOAL recently named Shakira an ambassador, adding her voice to the campaign’s call that the lasting legacy of this year’s FIFA World Cup be that every child can exercise their right to an education. Supported by some of the biggest names in the global football community and its governing body FIFA, Shakira will be campaigning with 1GOAL to ensure world leaders provide the funding to make universal access to education a reality for the 72 million children currently unable to go to school.

“Through ’20 Centers for 2010′ and 1GOAL, FIFA and its partners have committed to creating a lasting legacy of education for all – an issue that has been close to my heart for many years,” says Shakira.

In addition to her performance at the final match, Shakira will be one of the headline performers at the official FIFA World Cup(TM) Kick-off Celebration Concert on June 10, broadcast from Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg South Africa.

The video for Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) will be available in mid-May in standard definition as well as in 3D.