BallHype - Latest France News Articles

Messi beats Ronaldo to Ballon d'Or prize

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 02:05:38 +0000

Argentina's Lionel Messi has won the prestigious Ballon d'Or, the award for Europe's player of the year voted by journalists and organised by France Football magazine.

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Golden Ball List (AP)

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:40:35 +0000

Winners of the Golden Ball, awarded to the European Footballer of the Year by France Football magazine: 1956-- Stanley Matthews, Blackpool 1957-- Alfredo Di Stefano, Real Madrid 1958-- Raymond Kopa, Real Madrid 1959-- Alfredo Di Stefano, Real Madrid 1960-- Luis Suarez, FC Barcelona 1961-- Omar Sivori, Juventus 1962-- Josef Masopust, Dukla Prague 1963-- Lev Yashin, Dynamo Moscow 1964-- Denis Law,...

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Golden Ball Results (AP)

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:40:35 +0000

Results of the Golden Ball awarded Tuesday by France Football magazine: 1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, FC Barcelona), 473 points. 2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), 233. 3. Xavi (Spain, FC Barcelona), 170. 4. Andres Iniesta (Spain, FC Barcelona), 149. 5. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Inter Milan), 75. 6.

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Messi wins Golden Ball award

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:13:41 +0000

Argentina's Lionel Messi has won the Golden Ball awarded to the European Footballer of the Year, becoming the sixth Barcelona player to take the award and the first since Brazilian Ronaldinho in 2005. Messi beat last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo into second place in the poll results announced early Tuesday by France Football magazine.

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List of Ballon d'Or winners (Reuters)

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:08:57 +0000

List of Ballon d'Or (formerly European Footballer of the Year) winners: 1956 - Stanley Matthews (England) 1957 - Alfredo di Stefano (Spain) 1958 - Raymond Kopa (France) 1959 - Di Stefano 1960 - Luis Suarez (Spain) 1961 - Omar Sivori (Italy) 1962 - Josef Masopust (Czechoslovakia) 1963 - Lev Yashin (USSR) 1964 - Denis Law (Scotland) 1965 - Eusebio (Portugal) 1966 - Bobby Charlton (England) 1967 - Florian Albert (Hungary) 1968 - George Best (Northern Ireland) 1969 - Gianni Rivera (Italy) 1970 - Gerd Mueller (West Germany) 1971 - Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) 1972 - Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) 1973 - Cruyff 1974 - Cruyff 1975 - Oleg Blokhin (USSR) 1976 - Beckenbauer 1977 - Allan Simonsen (Denmark) 1978 - Kevin Keegan (England) 1979 - Keegan 1980 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (West Germany) 1981 - Rummenigge 1982 - Paolo Rossi (Italy) 1983 - Michel Platini (France) 1984 - Platini 1985 - Platini 1986 - Igor Belanov (USSR) 1987 - Ruud Gullit (Netherlands) 1988 - Marco van Basten ...

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Messi wins Golden Ball award (AP)

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:07:26 +0000

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Barcelona's Messi wins Ballon D'Or (Reuters)

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 01:04:55 +0000

Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi was awarded the 2009 Ballon D'Or, French magazine France Football said on its website (www.francefootball.fr) on Tuesday.

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Blatter: Irish asked for extra spot at Finals

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:19:52 +0000

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has claimed the Football Association of Ireland asked to be included in the World Cup finals as an extra team following the Republic of Ireland's controversial play-off exit to France. > >

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Blatter says FIFA to discuss extra refs for WCup (AP)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:54:01 +0000

Soccer's governing body will consider having extra officials on the field to help referees at next year's World Cup. FIFA president Sepp Blatter says Thierry Henry's hand ball against Ireland, which led to the goal that put France in next year's tournament, showed referees need assistance.

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Blatter: Irish asked for extra spot at Finals

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:03:42 +0000

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You, too? Ireland asks if it can go to Cup as well

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:02:29 +0000

Ireland has asked FIFA to be allowed into the World Cup as an extra team after Thierry Henry's handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff.

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You, Too? Ireland Asks if It Can Go to Cup as Well

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:30:52 +0000

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Ireland has asked FIFA to be allowed into the World Cup as an extra team after Thierry Henry's handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff.

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Blatter: Republic asked for World Cup inclusion

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:26:29 +0000

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You, too? Ireland asks if it can go to Cup as well

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:25:11 +0000

Ireland has asked FIFA to be allowed into the World Cup as an extra team after Thierry Henry's handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff.

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You, too? Ireland asks if it can go to Cup as well (AP)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:23:54 +0000

Ireland has asked FIFA to be allowed into the World Cup as an extra team after Thierry Henry's handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff. FIFA president Sepp Blatter says that the Irish have written to soccer's world governing body asking to be let into the 2010 tournament in South Africa because of Henry's handball.

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Blatter says Ireland asks to be extra WCup team (AP)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:04:28 +0000

Ireland has asked FIFA to be allowed into the World Cup as a 33rd team after Thierry Henry's handball helped France eliminate the Irish in a playoff. FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed Monday that the Irish had written to football's world governing body asking to be let into the 2010 tournament in South Africa because of Henry's handball.

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Blatter hints at additional officials for World Cup (Reuters)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:43:03 +0000

Additional assistant referees could officiate at next year's World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Monday, mindful of the uproar surrounding Thierry Henry's blatant handball that helped France qualify.

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Zamalek Fire Ex-France Coach Henri Michel (Goal.com)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:41:12 +0000

The former France coach is again without a job after a run of poor results in Egypt...

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Blatter says FIFA to discuss extra refs for WCup (AP)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:15:32 +0000

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says world football's governing body will consider having extra match officials on the field to help referees at next year's World Cup. Blatter says Thierry Henry's deliberate handball, which led to the goal that sent France to the World Cup at the expense of Ireland, showed that referees need more help on the field.

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BRIEF-Soccer-Michel sacked by Egypt's Zamalek (Reuters)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:23:43 +0000

Former France manager Henri Michel was fired by an African club for a second time this year on Monday after he was dismissed by Egypt's Zamalek following a weekend defeat, the club said.

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Blatter: Not Henry's duty to tell ref of handball

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:46:02 +0000

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it wasn't Thierry Henry's responsibility to tell the referee he handled the ball in the buildup to France's goal against Ireland in the World Cup playoff.

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Blatter: Not Henry's duty to tell ref of handball

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:04:03 +0000

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it wasn't Thierry Henry's responsibility to tell the referee he handled the ball in the buildup to France's goal against Ireland in the World Cup playoff.

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Blatter: Not Henry's Duty to Tell Ref of Handball

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:50:22 +0000

PARIS (AP) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it wasn't Thierry Henry's responsibility to tell the referee he handled the ball in the buildup to France's goal against Ireland in the World Cup playoff.

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Blatter says handball wasn't Henry's fault (AP)

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:17:32 +0000

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says it wasn't Thierry Henry's responsibility to tell the referee he handled the ball in the buildup to France's goal against Ireland in the World Cup playoff. Henry handled the ball in the lead-up to William Gallas' equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Stade de France on Nov.

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Messi leads shortlist of 10 for Golden Ball award (AP)

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:15:36 +0000

Lionel Messi has been selected among four Barcelona players on a shortlist of 10 for the Golden Ball award. The Argentina forward was included Sunday along with teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta on the list by France Football magazine. Messi is the favorite to succeed Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also on the list, as the best player in Europe.

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Lamy Chappuis takes Nordic Combined WCup event

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:41:08 +0000

Jason Lamy Chappuis of France has won the opening Nordic Combined World Cup event, edging four-time overall champion Hannu Manninen in the Finn's comeback.

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Jason Lamy Chappuis takes Nordic Combined World Cup event

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:13:46 +0000

KUUSAMO, Finland - Jason Lamy Chappuis of France has won the opening Nordic Combined World Cup event, edging four-time overall champion Hannu Manninen in the Finn's...

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World Cup Winner Aime Jacquet: Four Years Of Raymond Domenech Is Too Much For France (Goal.com)

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:56:13 +0000

Even one of Domenech's staunchest supporters has suggested that his time in charge of the nation may be up...

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Algeria To Train In France Before African Cup Of Nations (Goal.com)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:53:11 +0000

Rabah Saadane’s squad will begin their training on the December 26...

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France '98 winner Jacquet says Domenech must go

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:56:16 +0000

France should have changed their coach after their Euro 2008 flop instead of leaving Raymond Domenech in charge, former France coach Aime Jacquet has said. > >

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Juventus racist fans targeted in France (AP)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:47:22 +0000

A French anti-racist group says it will file a lawsuit against Juventus supporters who chanted racist abuse about Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli during a match at Bordeaux. The International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism said in statement Friday that it wants French authorities to open an investigation and "seek the most severe sanctions against their perpetrators" after...

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Jacquet: Domenech should have left last year (AP)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:51:25 +0000

Former France coach Aime Jacquet, who led the team to its sole World Cup victory, said Friday manager Raymond Domenech should have been fired last year. Jacquet says that Domenech should have lost his job after France's campaign at the 2008 European championship when the team failed to advance from the group stage.

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Jacquet: Domenech should have left last year

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:40:37 +0000

Former France coach Aime Jacquet, who led the team to its sole World Cup victory, says manager Raymond Domenech should have been fired last year. Jacquet says that Domenech should have lost his job after France's campaign at the 2008 European championship when the team failed to advance from the group stage. Jacquet insisted in an interview published Friday in France Football magazine that Domenech's team "played a bad game" in its recent World Cup playoff against Ireland.

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Domenech should have been replaced in 2008, says Jacquet (Reuters)

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:59:01 +0000

France should have changed their coach after their Euro 2008 flop instead of leaving Raymond Domenech in charge, former France coach Aime Jacquet was quoted as saying on Friday. Domenech, who was appointed in 2004 and has been under fire since France exited Euro 2008 in the group stage, has faced even more criticism since France's controversial World Cup playoff win over Ireland.

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Player Ratings: Bordeaux 2-0 Juventus (Goal.com)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:46:14 +0000

Juventus were outclassed in France tonight as Bordeaux picked up a 2-0 win. Goal.com rates the participants...

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Bayern Munich 1-0 Maccabi Haifa: Bavarians Retain Qualification Hopes (Goal.com)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:56:12 +0000

The German giants have kept alive their hopes of progressing in this season's Champions League as Juventus were defeated 2-0 by Bordeaux in France in the other match in Group A.

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Bordeaux 2-0 Juventus: Surgical Frenchmen Give Bayern Hope In Group A (Goal.com)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:56:12 +0000

Juventus fell to a fitter, more impressive Bordeaux side tonight in France, leaving the fate of the Italians down to their final clash with Bayern Munich in December...

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Barcelona extends Abidal's contract to 2012 (AP)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:45:28 +0000

Barcelona has signed France international Eric Abidal to a one-year contract extension that keeps him with the European champions through 2012. The 30-year-old France left back also saw his buy-out clause increased to ?90 million ($136 million). Abidal made 91 appearances since joining the Spanish champions from Lyon to start the 2007-08 season.

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Names & Faces

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Martin Hansson The Swedish referee who failed to spot Thierry Henry's hand ball in the World Cup qualifier between France and Ireland has a lot to learn about European chivalry. Just when he was about to fall on his sword and resign, Martin Hansson changed...

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Arsenal advances with 2-0 win over Standard Liege

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:02:03 +0000

Arsenal advanced to the knockout round of the Champions League on Tuesday after beating Standard Liege 2-0 with goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson in the first half. The victory means Arsenal has won Group H with one game to spare. Nasri broke the deadlock in a tense opening period after Standard defender Landry Mulemo slipped when trying to clear a long pass from Thomas Vermaelen. Nasri latched onto the ball and the France international fired past goalkeeper Sinan Bolat in the 35th minute.

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NASCAR wants France info kept from Mayfield

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:58:06 +0000

NASCAR has asked a federal court to stop lawyers for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield from collecting information from the ex-wife of chairman Brian France.

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France coach Domenech says he will never resign (Reuters)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:37:21 +0000

France coach Raymond Domenech said he would never resign despite his side's controversial qualification for next year's World Cup thanks to a handball from Thierry Henry.

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Domenech: I never thought of quitting (AP)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:01:38 +0000

France coach Raymond Domenech says he never thought about quitting despite being heavily criticized by fans. Domenech has been under heavy criticism since France's failure at the 2008 European Championship. His team only qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa after Thierry Henry's handball set up an equalizer for teammate William Gallas in a playoff against Ireland.

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Defiant Domenech condemns Henry backlash

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:53:18 +0000

France coach Raymond Domenech has condemned the backlash against Thierry Henry following his part in the controversial goal which secured the country's World Cup qualification. > >

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Ribery's wife has swine flu (AP)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:27 +0000

Bayern Munich says France international Franck Ribery is training on his own after his wife contracted swine flu. Coach Louis van Gaal says Ribery practiced on his own on Tuesday with a physiotherapist and that the winger has not developed any swine flu symptoms. Ribery has been suffering from tendinitis of the knee but has resumed light training.

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The silver lining in Thierry Henry's handball (AP)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:11:24 +0000

Thank you, Thierry Henry. If nothing else, your cheating against Ireland has shown that ordinary folk -- both those who are passionate about football and those who are not -- remain by and large decent. In the wake of the shameful handball by France's captain that set up the goal that put his nation into the World Cup, it would have been easy to draw depressing parallels with our troubled era.

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Champions League Preview: Bordeaux - Juventus (Goal.com)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:42:16 +0000

The Italian giants travel to France in search of a victory that would take them through to the last 16 stage.....

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Swedish hand ball referee pondered quitting (AP)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:27:28 +0000

The Swedish referee who failed to spot Thierry Henry's hand ball in the World Cup playoff between France and Ireland says the incident made him consider quitting. Martin Hansson told regional Swedish newspaper Sydostran on Tuesday that the criticism that followed made him wonder whether the job was worth it and "maybe this is not my thing." Last week, Henry's hand ball set up an...

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Adil Rami: I Could Still Play For Morocco Or France (Goal.com)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:52:17 +0000

The Lille defender says that he still hasn’t completely closed the door on the possibility of embracing his heritage and representing the Atlas Lions one day...

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Ligue 1 Top & Flop: Round 14 (Goal.com)

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:41:19 +0000

Goal.com's Robin Bairner sorts the Cantonas from the can'ts after this weekend's round of fixtures in France's elite league...

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