After what was a catastrophically shameful display over their three World Cup group stage games, France go crashing out of the 2010 World Cup after loosing to host nation South Africa 2-1.

Both teams entered the Group A showdown needing to win, and relying on a favour from the other game between Uruguay and Mexico, to stand a chance of reaching the last 16 but it was South Africa who showed all the imagination and ingenuity, taking the lead after 20 minutes through Bongani Khumelo.  Bafana Bafana doubled their lead shortly after through ex French league player Katlego Mphela to send the home crowd into delirium.

France’s misery was componded with the unfortunate sending-off of Yoann Gourcuff for an alleged elbow and despite France pulling a goal back in the second half through Florent Malouda, their fate was sealed, France would go crashing out of the 2010 World Cup amid a cloud of shameful contraversy and an even more shameful display of football, lacking in passion or commitment.

Coach Raymond Domenech now walks away from the job but where does this leave the French football team?

It’s finally happened, what many fans and pundits have been speculating over ever since the end of last season, a season which saw Liverpool finish a pitiful seventh in the English Premier League.  Below is the official statement from Liverpool Football Club;

Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would like to place on record their grateful thanks for his services and wish him all the best in his future career.

The Board has now asked Managing Director Christian Purslow, with the assistance of Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish, to begin a formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the managerial position.

No timescale has been placed on the process and Liverpool FC will make no further statement until a new manager is appointed.

LFC Chairman Martin Broughton said: “Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.”

Rafael Benitez said: “It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts. 

“I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.

“Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.”

So What does this mean for Liverpool football club?

With the end of the current English Premier League season looming, football kit suppliers Adidas have launched next season’s Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC home jersey’s.  And for a limited time only, EVERYONE who buys the new Liverpool FC Home jersey or Keepers jersey, will get a FREE Liverpool football.

The brand new Liverpool FC Home Kittakes inspiration from the kit worn during the triumphant 1989/90 title winning season, when greats such as Barnes, Beardsley and Rush graced the Anfield turf. Whilst being respectful to the traditions of Liverpool FC the new Home Kit represents a modern interpretation of one of the most iconic kits in the Club’s history. In terms of design aesthetic we are pleased to unveil a traditional all red kit with key features including a jacquard fabric, laser cut woven crest execution and rich metallic gold piping detail which all help to create a jersey steeped in history and tradition with a stylish modern twist.

Pride on the pitch is presented in classic Chelsea blue in the new Chelsea FC Home Jersey 2010. Unique technology developed by Adidas is built into every shirt to help keep you cool and sweat free.
The look is completed by a flash of distinctive red in the collar that sets this strip apart from it’s predecessor and the opposition.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea new 2010 season kits will be released on May 6th.

Airtricity League of Ireland director Fran Gavin said that League officials will co-operate with Gardaí investigating incidents involving Shamrock Rovers fans at Oriel Park in Monday May 3rd’s fixture.

The trouble was sparked by the double sending off of Chambers and O’Neill, but Airtricity League of Ireland director Fran Gavin said that refereeing decisions had to be accepted by teams and fans.

The trouble included bottles and pieces of wood being thrown onto the pitch and lead to dog assisted Gardaí and stewards confronting the travelling support.  Such incidents like this can only further damage an already wounded reputation for the club and it’s supporters, even Rovers boss, Michael O’Neill found himself sent from the pitch in what was a shambolic night for the hoops.

Shamrock Rovers condemned those involved and have vowed to take action against anyone who is found to have been involved in the disturbances.

‘Shamrock Rovers Football Club condemns the behaviour of the 10 to 15 so called ‘fans’ at last night’s Airtricity League match against Dundalk in Oriel Park, which was attended by over 500 Rovers supporters,’ they club said in a statement.

‘A full investigation will be carried out by the club, and serious action will be taken against anyone identified as having taken part in the incident. We have requested the video footage of the game from Sentanta Sports in order to aid us in this matter.

‘These people do not represent Shamrock Rovers, and are not wanted at our club. Since moving to Tallaght, we regularly attract crowds of around 4,000 people, including many families, and these dozen or so individuals do not fit in at Shamrock Rovers.

‘We understand the FAI is carrying out an investigation into the incident; and we intend to fully co-operate with that inquiry,’ the statement concluded.

So what does this do for Irish League Football?  Will it have an adverse affect?  How can the FAI promote a league as being a family event with such trouble present?

Armenia away will be the first game of Ireland’s 2012 Euro qualifying campaign.  Trapattoni’s boys are then at home to world stage light weights Andorra four days later, before two tough assignments, at home to Russia on 8th October and away to World Cup qualifiers Slovakia on 12th October.

Trapattoni said: “I am happy with this draw and the early fixtures represent good opportunities for us and it is always good to finish at home.

“On balance, these fixtures are better than those we had in the previous World Cup qualification campaign.

“I also think the squad will have benefitted from the significant steps forward made against top sides like Bulgaria, Montenegro, Italy, France and Brazil.”

Uefa Euro 2012 Championship - Group B Fixtures

Friday, September 3, 2010: Armenia v Republic of Ireland; Tuesday, September 7, 2010: Republic of Ireland v Andorra; Friday, October 8, 2010: Republic of Ireland v Russia; Tuesday, October 12, 2010: Slovakia v Republic of Ireland; Saturday, March 26, 2011: Republic of Ireland v Macedonia; Saturday, June 4, 2011: Macedonia v Republic of Ireland; Friday, September 2, 2011: Republic of Ireland v Slovakia; Tuesday, September 6, 2011: Russia v Republic of Ireland; Friday, October 7, 2011: Andorra v Republic of Ireland; Tuesday, October 11, 2011: Republic of Ireland v Armenia

It’s coming, the brand new Umbro Ireland Home Jersey 2010!

The new Umbro Ireland Home Jersey 2010 is due to hit all Champion Sports stores and online from March 11th.  The new kit has been given a complete makeover with a darker shade of green or ‘St Patrick’s Green’ as the FAI are calling it, a new version of the FAI crest trimmed in gold (nice), gold seam detail and a new anatomical design which brings together performance and style.

You can Pre Order the jersey now and get a 10% discount if you use this code on the shopping cart page - prerepireumb0102

All pre orders will be shipped and delivered to your door for release date of March 11th!

Today Monday 15th February, 2010 UMBRO officially unveiled the new Ireland Home Kit 2010 sporting some very nice hooped socks!

The new kit has been given a complete makeover with a darker shade of green or ‘St Patrick’s Green’ as the FAI are calling it, a new version of the FAI crest trimmed in gold (nice), gold seam detail and a new anatomical design which brings together performance and style.

The new home kit will be worn for the first time ever on 2nd March when the Republic of Ireland face Brazil in a friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and will be available for purchase from Champion Sports on the 11th of March.

New Kit Features:
• The traditional colour of the Irish team was a darker shade of green rather than the Emerald Green, of recent years. The shade for the new kit is called St Patrick’s Green which is one of the key changes from recent kits.
• Hooped socks: worn by Irish teams through the 50’s and 60’s including legends such as Johnny Giles. It is believed that the hooped sock makes it harder for defenders to read what attackers are about to do.
• Gold trim: added to the new version of the FAI crest and the seam detail takes inspiration from the iconic caps awarded to players at the end of each international season.
• New Anthem jacket: as with the kit, no detail has been over looked and small touches like the ribbed collar and cuffs and the use of the gold Eire embroidery on the back neck, ensures that the Irish team will be ready for anything.

You can still get your hands on the Junior Away jersey from last season at the special offer price of only €35 from Champion Sports, just click here for more!

It’s seems highly unlikely at this stage that Bohs will hold onto their league winning wizard following news that the club have allowed current manager, Pat Fenlon to meet with Dundee United to discuss a possible move to the Scottish club.

Dundee United have been in search of a new manager ever since the departure of Craig Levein for the Scotland managers job and Fenlon has been chosen as the best possible replacement considering his impressive record with Bohs.   Reports claim Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson has already held initial talks with Fenlon and also with former United midfielder Billy McKinlay. But Bohemians are awaiting a substantial compensation offer from the Scottish club and will not let go of their man unless Dundee United can match their asking price.

But will this really be a step in the career of Pat Fenlon?

It’s the hottest new football boot to hit the market, worn by Premier League superstars like Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres.  This is the new Nike Total90 Strike III, faster, stronger and more deadly on the pitch.

The Nike Total90 Strike III FG Men’s Soccer Cleat is there to provide you with the traction, shooting accuracy and stability you need to defeat the competition.

Soft synthetic leather upper for lightweight comfort
Shot Shield technology for uniform surface for instep shooting accuracy and ball spin
EVA sockliner to reduce cleat pressure and contoured arch and heel support
Lightweight plastic outsole with optimized cleat placement for traction and stability
Firm-ground (FG) cleats for use on short-grass fields that may be slightly wet, but rarely muddy

You can buy the new Nike Total90 Strike III HERE!

If you’d put money on Lionel Messi winning this years FIFA World Player Of The Year award for 2010 you wouldn’t have got great odds, so straight forward was this years competition, in fact, your mother could probably have told you who was going to win before yesterday’s verdict was actually announced!

Messi becomes the first ever Argentinian to win the award in a year that has also seen him help his club team Barcelona win an unprecedented six trophies, including the Champions League and the domestic league title.

The XI, voted for by members of the international professional footballers’ union FIFPro, were: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Patrice Evra (Man Utd), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

So would you disagree with FIFAPro members?  Who do you think should have been crowned world player of the year?  We’d love to know!