Teen dies of head injuries after soccer goal falls

A Polk County teen died Tuesday from injuries caused by a falling soccer goal, Lake Wales police reported.

Corey Edward Hawk, 18, of Lake Wales had climbed onto the goal at the Kiwanis Park in Lake Wales prior to it falling at about 5 p.m., according to a police statemen Hawk was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he died as a result of head trauama, police said.

Posted January 30, 2007, 10:17 PM EST

Golf Membership Price to Rise 3.5%

The National Tax Service (NTS) has increased its tax-basing estimate of the standard prices of golf club memberships nationwide by an average of 3.5 percent from last August as more golfers purchase memberships, pushing up market prices.

The tax agency said Tuesday that it had raised its assessed-prices of 312 memberships at 159 golf courses across the country by 8.5 million won on average. The agency imposes transactions, capital gains, and other taxes on golf membership based on its standardized price that reflects about 90 percent of the market price.

The price hike comes five months after it increased its golf membership standard price by 5.6 percent.

``We have decided to increase our standard price estimates for golf membership in line with rising market prices as more people have begun golfing and bought memberships amid the increasing adoption of a five-day work week,’’ an NTS official said.

He said membership prices have also shown an upward curve over the past year because people snatch up golf memberships, mostly in and around Seoul, as a means of investment, following a series of government anti-speculation measures on the real estate market.

Membership prices at 73 golf clubs in Kyonggi Province jumped 6.4 percent on average from five months ago, The prices of a membership in the Namboo Country Club in Yongin, south of Seoul, the most expensive in Korea, rose to 1.32 billion won from 1.3 billion won last August.

Membership prices at 13 golf courses in Kangwon Province rose an average of 6.1 percent, while those at 14 golf clubs on Cheju Island fell 2.8 percent because of the opening of new courses last year.

By Lee Hyo-sik

Ronaldo joins Milan from Real Madrid

MILAN, Italy (AP) -- Ronaldo joined AC Milan from Real Madrid on Tuesday, with the clubs agreeing to a $9.73 million deal until 2008 for the 30-year-old Brazil striker.

AC Milan said the length of the contract equals the remainder of his contract at Real Madrid.

The Web site of Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sports first reported the deal, which included Milan striker Ricardo Oliveira moving to Madrid on loan.

Ronaldo passed a medical test Friday in the Italian city, where he spent five years with Inter Milan.

Ronaldo, who hasn't played for Madrid since a Jan. 7 defeat at Deportivo La Coruna, said his difficulties with coach Fabio Capello forced him to look elsewhere.

The striker joined Madrid in 2002, winning the Spanish league at the end of his first season -- his last major title.

"I know that Ronaldo is Milan's," Capello was quoted by Italian news agency ANSA. "I wish him good luck, that he does what he used to be able to do, that is be a great player."

Ronaldo came close to joining Milan last August. Milan offered $28.5 million but Madrid also wanted an option on Milan midfielder Kaka.

Milan signed 26-year-old Oliveira to a five-year contract from Real Betis on the last day of the summer transfer window, following the original failed Ronaldo bid.

Updated on Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 11:03 am EST

German soccer association to detail Adidas talks

FRANKFURT, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The German football association (DFB) said it would give details later on Tuesday about discussions with sport goods firm Adidas AG (ADSG.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) on sponsorship of the German national soccer team.

The DFB said in a statement it would hold a news conference "on its current talks with Adidas" at 1300 GMT. Adidas had no immediate comment.

The DFB has confirmed that Adidas' archrival Nike Inc (NKE.N: Quote, Profile , Research) has made a "very interesting" offer to replace Adidas, whose contract expires at the end of 2010, as sponsor.

German media have said Nike was willing to pay 400 million euros ($516.8 million) for an eight-year contract plus a 50 million euro signing bonus, which would be in total almost five times more than what Adidas is paying.

Sport goods firms such as Adidas, Nike and Puma AG (PUMG.DE: Quote, Profile , Research) are vying to sponsor the best soccer teams to raise brand awareness and sales of replica clothing.

Analysts have said losing the German team would be a blow to Adidas which has been Germany's partner since it won its first World Cup title in 1954.

Adidas shares have lost almost 3 percent since the start of the year, making it one of the worst performers on the benchmark DAX <.GDAXI> index, which some traders have attributed to repeated media reports it might lose its DFB contract.

Nike already has five times World Champions Brazil under contract, while Puma is sponsoring 2006 Champions Italy, leaving Adidas with three-times Champion Germany as well as Argentina and France.

Germany has enjoyed close ties with Adidas since founder Adi Dassler helped its national team win its first title with his revolutionary screw-in studs.

© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Robbie Williams plans new soccer pitch to lure David Beckham

Soccer-mad Robbie Williams is reportedly delighted that David Beckham is moving to Los Angeles and is spending £800,000 on an indoor football pitch so that Beckham can join him for weekly kickarounds with other British ex-pats.

A source told the Mirror: “[Robbie] is beyond excited about David’s move. At a post-Golden Globe parties recently he ran over to [Victoria Beckham] and gave her his number to make sure she had it.

“Football’s more of an obsession than a hobby for him these days. He says it’s one of the few things that de-stresses him.”

Robbie already has a full-size pitch within the ground of his Hollywood Hills estate but the source added: “He’s paranoid about people spying on his games, even though his mansion is as secure as Fort Knox.”

“He thinks if he invites big stars over then helicopters will try and get pictures and that will stop them from coming over.”

“Robbie’s desperate for David to join his team and is convinced a secure indoor pitch that no one can look in on will tip the balance in his favour.”

Tuesday January 30th, 2007 at 1:37 pm by HeatherH

David Beckham To Help Redesign U.S. Team's Soccer Kit

Los Angeles, CA (BANG) - David Beckham is set to help redesign the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer kit later this year.

The British sporting superstar, who moves to the U.S. this summer after agreeing to a five-year $250 million dollar deal, is pitching his ideas to revamp the team's garish yellow and green strip.

Tim Leiweke, president of AEG who owns the club, said, "We have a good name but we need a more legendary, traditional kind of look and the kit and badge will change. We made a decision that it was time to start thinking how we can create a world brand. David Beckham will obviously help enormously with that and we can't wait to see him here."

Beckham's new contract begins on July 1, after his current deal with Spanish club Real Madrid ends.

A team source said, "Given that David's arrival is a major chapter in the club's history, it has been decided that the club kit should have a whole new look."

Maira Oliveira - All Headline News Reporter

January 30, 2007 8:45 a.m. EST

Becks sexy, but must stay silent

DAME Helen Mirren thinks David Beckham would be good in movies — but only if he had SILENT roles.

The double Golden Globe winning actress, 61, told a US newspaper she said Becks, 31, was “possibly one of the most beautiful men in the world”.

But she said of the squeaky-voiced footy star: “If he had a role where he didn’t have a big, long speech, maybe a silent role, I think he’d be wonderful.”

January 30, 2007

Klasnic's kidney surgery unsuccessful

BERLIN, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Croatian international striker Ivan Klasnic's kidney transplant carried out last week was not successful and he will be out of action for at least six months, his attorney said on Monday.

In a statement published on his club Werder Bremen's Web site (www.werder-bremen.de), Klasnic's attorney K.-Peter Horndasch said the kidney transplant on Thursday had failed, dashing hopes he might be back playing within six to eight weeks.

"Unfortunately the transplanted kidney was rejected by his body," Horndasch said. "The exact reasons for that are now being analysed by the doctors. The investigation will take about six weeks.

"The time will be used to perform preliminary tests on other people related to Ivan Klasnic with the goal of attempting another transplantation in about six to eight weeks."

Klasnic, 26, has played for Werder since 2001 and scored 42 goals in 135 matches. He has played 26 times for Croatia, scoring eight goals.

Updated on Monday, Jan 29, 2007 6:08 am EST

Italy chief threatens to halt play after violent weekend

ROME, Jan 29 (Reuters) - The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has threatened to halt the country's championships after a weekend of violence left one man dead.

"We are on high alert. To defend referees and the image of football, I am ready to take drastic measures," Luca Pancalli said in a statement on the FIGC's website on Monday.

"I hope that with the contribution of everyone -- officials, coaches and players on the pitch and also the true fans and football lovers in the stadiums -- we can restore a climate of sportsmanship and respect that will avoid a stop to the leagues."

Tragedy struck in the southern town of Luzzi on Saturday when an official of amateur league club Sammartinese died after being caught up in a fight at the end of a game.

Ermanno Licursi, 40, collapsed and died after being punched while trying to separate brawling players and fans at the end of a match against local rivals Cancellese.

The violence continued on Sunday in cities across the country.

In Florence, a Livorno fan needed 20 stitches in his head after being attacked by Fiorentina fans shortly before their teams met at the Stadio Franchi.

In the northern city of Bergamo, police battled with a hundred Atalanta fans who tried to attack coaches carrying supporters of visiting team Catania.

In the fourth division, Serie D, a game between Genzano and Normanna was suspended early in the second half after a linesman was hit by a drum thrown from the stands.

Updated on Monday, Jan 29, 2007 2:25 pm EST

Fan rewards UAE striker with two camels

ABU DHABI, Jan 30 (Reuters) - A patriotic United Arab Emirates fan has presented top player Ismael Matar with two camels after the striker scored the goal against Saudi Arabia that sent his country into the Gulf Cup final.

Matar scored in injury time to give his team a 1-0 victory at the weekend. They play Oman in the final on Tuesday.

One camel is worth $109,000 but Matar was quoted as saying on the AFC Web site: "I don't think about these personal gains. All I'm thinking about is winning the title for my country."

Matar and his team mates are in line for even more rewards if they beat Oman with The Emirates Post promising the national team $545,000 should they win the title.

(Writing by Nazvi Careem in Kuala Lumpur)

Updated on Tuesday, Jan 30, 2007 6:53 am EST