SPORTS NOTES - KA KA SIGNED SEALED & DELIVERED

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

A DEAL THAT WOULD MAKE STEVIE WONDER PROUD - Though Ka Ka was unwavering in his commitment to remain with the Italian club he justified his move by saying that A.C. Milan was in financial trouble and he wanted to help out - BECKHAM TO CHELSEA? - GUUS HIDDINK INTEGRITY + - LUIS FIGO TO MLS? - FIFA TOP 10

Thursday June 11, 2009

PEREZ SINGS HIS SONG OF SUCCESS

You can hear Stevie Wonder singing 'Signed Sealed and Delivered' as Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez saunters off into the sunset. Perez delivered on his promise to sign Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (aka Ka Ka) for a six year US $92 million transfer fee.

Real Madrid's gain is A.C. Milan's loss as the team is now decimated that is compounded with the departure of manager Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea. Though Ka Ka was unwavering in his commitment to remain with the Italian club he justified his move by saying that A.C. Milan was in financial trouble and he wanted to help out.

"The global recession has hurt clubs like A.C. Milan," he pointed out from a press conference in Brazil where he is with his national team. "I was told the best way for me to help the club was by accepting the transfer."

Ka Ka has scored 70 goals in 193 appearances with the club including 16 goals this past season.

Perez whose day job is in construction is intent on rebuilding Real Madrid back to the powerhouse status they previously possessed. He was the architect of assembling the Galacticos when he signed Luis Figo, Zinadine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham and Michael Owen. With Ka Ka under his wing Perez has his sights on another big fish to fry or in football speak BUY… that individual being Cristiano Ronaldo.

After last season's Ronaldo debacle which caused such uproar in the Man U camp it has been rumored that Ronaldo has already signed a deal to play with Real this season. Ronaldo has denied he has put his signature on such an agreement but given the history of this saga who can one believe.

Ronaldo left a crack in the door open after he criticized manager Sir Alex Ferguson's decision making in Man U's 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Final. Real Madrid is said to have US$350 million to spend for player acquisitions. Only time will tell to see how this Ronaldo rumor plays out. Stay tuned…

EXTRA - RONALDO TO LEAVE MAN U

BECKHAM TO CHELSEA?

The rumor mill is usually busy during the transfer period. One of the most interesting rumors is Carlo Ancelotti bringing David Beckham to Chelsea. That would be a most interesting development should it come about. Such a deal would heighten the Man U Chelsea rivalry and from a human interest point of view bring about the chemistry between Beckham and his former boss Alex Ferguson. It would be a great deal for the English Premiere League and the fans would love it but … Fergie please…. no more boots to Beckham's face. OK?

GUUS HIDDINK INTEGRITY +

In a world of eroding ethics and values Guus Hiddink kept his word and said that he would not stay on as the Chelsea manager due to his commitment to the Russian national team. Hiddink has the master touch in winning games, gaining the support of his players and fans. The question is after the World Cup could Hiddink return to Chelsea if they are not settled? The bottom line is the man has earned the respect of his managing skills, handling of people and most of all integrity.

LUIS FIGO TO MLS?

When Luis Figo announced his retirement he left the door open when he stated that he would no longer compete in top level football. What does that mean that the MLS is in his future? Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler is now playing in Australia.

FIFA TOP 10 - Significant movement in the top 10

Netherlands oust Germany from second place. Several teams have added to their points tally in recent weeks without playing a single match. This is due to a devaluation of results from over a year ago. Germany and reclaimed second place in the world ranking for the first time since October 2005.

European champions Spain continue to lead the way in the June edition of the FIFA World Ranking and they still hold a comfortable lead at the top. Within the top ten, there is movement directly behind the Iberians, however, as the Netherlands have overtaken Germany and reclaimed second place in the world ranking for the first time since October 2005. Other teams to have traded places are Italy (4th, up 1) and Brazil (5th, down 1), as well as England (6th, up 1) and Argentina (7th, down 1).

A quick glance at the table reveals that several teams have added to their points tally in recent weeks without playing a single match. This is due to a devaluation of results from over a year ago. Burkina Faso (50th, up 7), Gambia (65th, up 4), Grenada (102nd, up 1) and Montenegro (110th, up 7) are all in their highest ever position since the introduction of the world ranking in 1993, despite not playing at all in the past month. Of the teams that have played over the course of the last month, the biggest movers are Japan (31st, up 4) and Canada (83rd, up 6).

The 21 “A” international matches taken into account in this edition of the world ranking were all friendly matches. This will change in the next edition of the world ranking, however, with prestigious titles up for grabs and qualification for World Cups once again at stake. The FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa and the upcoming rounds of qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa will no doubt lead to movement in the ranking.

· Leader Spain (1st, unchanged)

· Moves into top 10 none

· Moves out of top 10 none

· Matches played in total 21

· Most matches played Japan, Chile , Belgium , Jamaica , Congo , El Salvador , Jordan (2 each)

· Biggest move by points Netherlands (plus 82 points)

· Biggest move by ranks Libya (up 14)

· Biggest drop by points Congo (minus 74 points)

· Biggest drop by ranks Congo (down 19)

· Newly ranked teams none

· Teams that are no longer ranked none

· Inactive teams, not ranked

FIFA TOP 10 for June, 2009

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Spain - 1761

2. Netherlands - 1442

3. Germany - 1378

4. Italy - 1292

5. Brazil - 1288

6. England - 1225

7. Argentina - 1203

8. Croatia 1200

9. Russia - 1167

10. France - 1067

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on July 1, 2009

FIFA

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