Stiff security measures in place for 'El Clasico'
Tim Hanlon, Reuters
Security measures will be increased significantly for 'El Clasico' between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday in the aftermath of the Paris attacks, Spain's secretary of state for security Francisco Martinez said.
The decision was made at a special meeting of top sporting and security officials on Wednesday ahead of the high-profile match that will be watched by around 80,000 fans at the Bernabeu and millions more around the world.
"There will be at least 1,000 police from the national force, which is double what is normal for a game like this, 1,400 private security guards and on top of this there will be the municipal police," Martinez told reporters.
"We are on anti-terrorist alert four (with five a very high risk) and there will be extensive security so as to guarantee that the match takes place with complete normality."
Chile football chief resigns, heads to U.S. to meet FBI
Anthony Esposito, Reuters
The president of Chile's ANFP national football association Sergio Jadue has resigned from his post and gone to the United States to talk to the FBI about corruption at soccer governing body FIFA, local media reported on Wednesday.
Chile's investigative police had served Jadue a subpoena on Friday, hours after he announced he would take a 30-day leave for medical reasons, as part of what the ANFP said was an investigation into how it allocates salaries.
The ANFP said Wednesday evening that it had accepted Jadue's resignation as president of the association.
------------------------------------------------------
Prince Ali confident he can win open FIFA election
Mike Collett, Reuters
The Jordanian prince beaten in May's FIFA presidential election says he can win the race to become president next February because the old order which led world soccer's governing body into crisis is being swept away.
Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan is one of five men seeking to replace Sepp Blatter in February's special elective vote. He told reporters in London he was optimistic of doing better than in May, when he was beaten by 133-73 votes by Blatter at the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
"I am confident that I can win the election because I believe I have the best ideas for what the future of FIFA should be and I have full faith and confidence in our national associations.
"I feel much more confident with the national associations now because I can see they feel that a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
"Under the terms of the election, unlike before, the electoral body has stipulated there can be no block voting by confederations, forcing them how to vote, as we used to see in the past and I believe I have support from all over the world."
As well as Prince Ali, former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France, Swiss Gianni Infantino, UEFA's general secretary, South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale and Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain are also standing.
------------------------------------------------------
Messi looking sharp but still a Clasico doubt, says Suarez
Tim Hanlon, Reuters
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is looking sharp in training but remains a doubt for Saturday's 'El Clasico' against Real Madrid, team mate Luis Suarez said.
Messi is in a fitness battle having returned to training on Monday following a knee injury he picked up at the end of September.
"Whether he plays or not is down to the coach, the medics and how he feels but he has been looking sharp in training. However, it is the type of injury where there are risks for the future," Suarez told a news conference on Wednesday.
"Messi is a player that makes a difference in all games and in Clasicos he has always made a big impact but we will have to see if he is ready."
In the absence of the four times World Player of the Year, Suarez and Neymar have excelled and propelled Barca to a three-point lead over Real at the top of La Liga.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
