South Africa’s police commissioner said on Friday that his job would be easier if the United States were knocked out of the World Cup in the first round, avoiding the security challenge of a possible visit by President Obama.
General Bheki Cele told a parliamentary police committee meeting in Cape Town that it was “50-50” whether Obama would visit, but that the police had been told Obama might visit if the Americans made the knockout stage of the tournament.
“One challenge is the American president, who is coming, not coming, coming, not coming,” Cele said. “Our famous prayer is that the Americans don’t make the second round. That they get eliminated and they go home.”
Cele, South Africa’s top police officer, said he had provisional confirmation that 43 heads of state would attend the World Cup, and “those 43 will be equal to this one operation” if Obama made the trip.
Cele said he had met with a senior F.B.I. official who said he did not know if Obama would travel to South Africa.
RED BULLS LOSE Reduced to 10 players after Luke Sassano’s 13th-minute red card, the Red Bulls struggled to contain the San Jose Earthquakes in the second half and lost, 4-0.
The loss was only the second of the season for the Red Bulls (5-2), and the four goals matched the total they allowed in their first six games.
Ryan Johnson gave the Earthquakes (4-2) a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute and had two assists in the second half.
Joey Gjertsen doubled the lead when he slid a shot under goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul in the 55th; Chris Wondolowski made it 3-0 in the 77th minute; and Bobby Burling had the final goal when he nodded in an open header on a corner kick with three minutes left. (NYT)
BAYERN MUNICH CLINCHES Bayern Munich regained the Bundesliga title Saturday, getting two goals from Arjen Robben and winning by 3-1 at relegated Hertha Berlin on the final day of league play.
Bayern’s 20th victory of the season put it 5 points ahead of Schalke and delivered the club’s 22nd championship. Schalke played a scoreless tie at Mainz but will join Bayern in the Champions League next season.
Coach Louis van Gaal, who was criticized for his team’s play in the first half of the season, has also guided Bayern to the European Champions League final; it will face Inter Milan in Madrid on May 22. Bayern will return to Berlin next weekend for the German Cup final against Werder Bremen.
“We have the best offense, the best defense and the most wins,” said Van Gaal, who was drenched in beer by his celebrating players. “We played the best and the most attractive football and that’s also important.” (AP)
Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/sports/soccer/09soccer.html
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