Sports Thursday, December 19, 2019 13 ‘We must ensure football is developing at the same rate everywhere’
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in Qatar as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development
AST month, FIFA announced the even better around the world?” the FIFA Club World Cup presented by arrival of a major new signing: the Renowned for his meticulous Alibaba Cloud, where champions from Lone and only Arsene Wenger. The study and approach to the game, every continent in the world vie for the former Arsenal, Nagoya Grampus Eight Wenger’s role with FIFA sees him right to be crowned the world’s best. FIFA has a responsibility to and AS Monaco manager was unveiled act as a leading authority on techni- While the current format sees seven ensure football is developing as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football De- cal matters, as well as including a sides – six continental kings and a at the same rate everywhere. velopment, where he is responsible for particular focus on coach education host club – battle for global glory, the overseeing and driving the growth and when not helping develop the beauti- competition will be expanded in 2021 There is a demand there for the development of the sport for both men ful game all over the globe. to 24 teams. organisation of competitions, and women around the world. “FIFA has three roles: one as an or- “There are two demands at the coaching development, player Drawing on enormous experience ganiser of competitions, the second as moment: one is the local demand development – and that’s from a hugely successful coach- a regulator of competitions and rules, within countries where people are still what we’re trying to do. ing career, where he was one of the and the third is developing football all interested locally in their club,” said longest-serving and most eminent over the world,” he said. “In Europe, Wenger. “Then you have the interna- – Arsene Wenger coaches in English top-flight history, we are privileged that on the organisa- tional fan who wants to see the best Wenger is applying his vast knowledge tion front, there is not too much to against the best. of the beautiful game in a different do. But there is a huge gap between “There is a demand for elite match-changing decisions. role. So, what is life like away from the Europe and the rest of the world. football and what you can still sell on Since then Video Assistant Refer- sidelines for the 70-year-old? “FIFA has a responsibility to en- the local level is not sellable anymore ees (VAR) have spread across world “It was a different change because sure football is developing at the same on the international level – and this football, being used at the FIFA World I spent my whole life on one side of rate everywhere. There is a demand demand has to be satisfied. People Cup Russia 2018, the FIFA Women’s football: the competitive side, focused there for the organisation of competi- want to see top level football because World Cup France 2019 and having on winning the next game,” said tions, coaching development, player they know today what it means.” its debut season in the English Pre- Wenger, speaking to media in Doha. development – and that’s what we’re In 2016, the Club World Cup was mier League, where Wenger coached “Now, it is more about what is next for trying to do.” the first FIFA tournament to use video from 1996 to 2018, winning three the game: how we can develop it to be Wenger is currently in Qatar at assistance to support referees with league titles.
Beckham swings into Doha De Arrascaeta, Flamengo show their resilience
TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK plate the possibility of extra DOHA time, Bruno Henrique made it 2-1 in the 78th minute. Four THE dictionary defines ‘resil- minutes later, the forward ience’ as “the capacity to re- capped off an inspired perfor- cover from or adjust easily to mance by sending in a tempt- misfortune or change”, and ing cross that led to an unfor- this sums up perfectly what it tunate own goal. means to support Flamengo at “Bruno Henrique showed this moment in time. While it what a quality player he is is true that the Brazilian side and the great season he’s had are enjoying a historic season, with us,” said the Rio Negro- their matches have certainly born playmaker. “We’re all put their fans through the mill. very happy for him, because Indeed, they had barely he’s really contributing to the even had time to digest the team’s results.” Former England football star David Beckham with Paris Saint-Germain thrilling comeback victory We showed that we’re a A glance at De Arrascaeta’s (PSG) president Nasser al Khelaifi in Doha. Beckham is here for FIFA in the final of the Copa Lib- mentally strong team in own statistics makes it clear Club World Cup Qatar 2019 tournament. ertadores when their heroes the way that we went that he has also been one of put them through another Flamengo’s top performers emotional rollercoaster in the looking for the win. over the past year: semi-finals of the FIFA Club – Giorgian de Arrascaeta Matches in 2019: 51; World Cup Qatar 2019. Goals: 18; Assists: 19 People’s choice “We showed that we’re a Following their exciting Salzburg’s Haaland becomes youngest mentally strong team in the semi-final, the Brazilians are way that we went looking for Flamengo’s midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta celebrates his goal during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar now where they want to be and Austrian footballer of the year the win,” said Giorgian de Ar- 2019 semi-final against Saudi’s al-Hilal at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Tuesday, (AFP) await with interest to find out BERLIN: Red Bull Salzburg’s Erling Braut Haaland became the young- rascaeta, one of the key men who they will take on in Satur- est player ever to be voted Austria’s footballer of the year on Wednes- involved in the Rio de Janeiro entire 90 minutes was very The coach made some solid net. “We got the quick goal day’s high-profile final. “We’ve day, in a poll conducted by Austrian news agency APA of the country’s club’s fightback versus Saudi important in terms of scoring tactical changes so that we and I think that gave us the achieved our objective,” said 12 top-flight coaches. The exciting young attacker beat competition outfit Al Hilal. A few minutes the goals we required.” could put in a better showing push we needed to go and De Arrascaeta. from two Germany-based players - RB Leipzig midfielder Marcel prior to speaking to FIFA.com, Al Hilal’s goal came just in the second half.” And those score more,” remarked the “We don’t know which Sabitzer and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba – to take the award aged the Uruguay international had 18 minutes after kick-off, and alterations by Jorge Jesus cer- attack-minded Uruguayan. team we’re going to play yet, just 19 years and 150 days. Haaland is also the first non-Austrian to been celebrating his team’s Flamengo’s inability to find tainly paid dividends, with his But it was still not an easy but whoever it ends up being, win the award since Rapid Vienna’s German star Steffen win in raucous fashion with their feet and get into their charges providing him with the task – Flamengo’s fans and we’re going to face very dif- Hofmann in 2009. “It’s a big thing for me,” Halland the large number of Flamengo usual rhythm in the first half reaction he was looking for. players would have to suf- ficult, physical, and tactically said. “The youngest ever and the first foreigner for 10 fans congregated in Khalifa was plain for all to see. In the 49th minute, De Ar- fer for a little longer. Despite sound opponents, and we’re years – that’s something special. It’s an honour for International Stadium. rascaeta equalised for O Ru- having conceded a leveller, going to have to fight to win.” me.” Alaba – a six-time player-of-the-year winner – was “People said we were fa- Astute tactical adjustments bro-Negro when he received Al Hilal remained resolute in There will, of course, previously the youngest recipient, aged 19 and 199 days vourites, but we knew we were De Arrascaeta continued with a pass from the influential defence and the South Ameri- likely be some more suffering when he won in 2011. Haaland has scored 28 goals in going to face a really tough a wry smile: “We all felt a bit Bruno Henrique and, finding cans had trouble finding a way along the way, but the team’s 22 games in all competitions. (DPA) team,” he said. frustrated at half-time – we himself completely unmarked, through. Just when their fans resilience may just see them “Keeping our focus for the hadn’t got what we wanted. tapped the ball into the empty were beginning to contem- through in the end. Owen helps inspire Generation Amazing Esperance’s centenary has
ence to continue their football been special: Elhouni Former England for good journey and inspire TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK afterwards, FIFA.com spoke social change in their commu- DOHA with man of the match Ham- star kicked off nities through the Generation dou Elhouni, who said: “We Amazing programme.” FOR the players of Esperance have to thank all the fans who first Generation Operating in eight coun- Sportive de Tunis, the feelings support us through thick and Amazing Festival tries at present – Qatar, Nepal, at the conclusion of their game thin. They stood behind us India, Pakistan, Philippines, against Al Sadd were undoubt- throughout the season and in Qatar Oman, Jordan and Lebanon – edly mixed. There was helped us win tro- its reach is set to expand into contentment at com- phies.” IFA Legend Michael both Haiti and Rwanda. Gen- prehensively beat- Like his team- Owen inspired youngsters eration Amazing was part of ing the host nation’s mates, Elhouni was Ffrom across the world as Qatar’s initial bid for the FIFA representatives and understandably a the first Generation Amazing World Cup which, having finishing the FIFA bit subdued after Festival kicked off in Qatar. won the right to host it, was Club World Cup Qatar the game, regret- The former England and The former England and Liverpool star was on hand to take questions from the participants – many extended to run until the end 2019 in fifth place, but ting his side could Liverpool star was on hand to representing projects the programme has impacted around the globe since its inception in 2010. of the tournament in 2022. It also regret at missing not have performed take questions from the partici- has since seen 28 pitches built out on a semi-final better against their pants – many representing pro- ball and put into everyday life,” With its commitment to world, getting reinforcement around the world, using them berth last weekend Saudi conquerors jects the programme has im- Owen told FIFA.com after- promoting social inclusion from a figure like Owen has big as a hub for inspiring social after losing to Saudi last Saturday. pacted around the globe since wards. “There’s no better tool and cohesion, gender equality benefits, according to Nasser development. Arabia’s Al Hilal, the “We came to Qa- its inception in 2010. He also to make good of certain aspects is one of Generation Amaz- al Khori, Generation Amazing “I, like probably most same team Al Sadd Hamdou Elhouni tar determined to reinforced the importance of of the world than football. It ing’s key aims. All of its pro- Programme Director. other footballers, am guilty of only narrowly lost to get past Al Hilal and the activities they were taking brings everybody together and jects operate at a 50-50 split of “We were delighted to having a one-track mind at the in this year’s AFC Champions progress to the semi-final, part in, which were aimed at it’s great that people are using male and female participants have FIFA Legend Michael World Cup – how are we going League semi-final. particularly as this is our third building teamwork and person- it for positive change. and the day’s events were Owen joining us for an in- win the next game, how are we At the final whistle, the appearance at the tournament al development through foot- “The more days like this mixed gender throughout. spiring session today at the going to win the tournament,” Esperance players saluted and we’re more experienced. ball and other physical games. you get exposed to, the more And with the participants Generation Amazing Festival Owen reflected. “You forget their fans who had stayed on However, that’s football and we “There’s so many different you realise what a brilliant looking to take the skills they 2019. The youth were moti- the positive effects it has on so in Doha to support them after didn’t have much luck against skills you can take out of foot- game we’re involved in.” are learning out into the wider vated by his story and pres- many people.” the defeat to Al Hilal. Shortly Al Hilal,” he lamented.