A boy shows off his acrobatic skills against the romantic backdrop of a Brazilian beach

We, Capital Balls wish to all football fans Happy New 2009 Year! Cheers!…

UEFA
There has always been a clear separation
between the two professional divisions within the Dutch football association
and the country’s amateur leagues. This will no longer be the case as of the end of this season because the general assembly of amateur football has accepted a proposal to offer the overall amateur champion the possibility to be promoted to the Eerste Divisie, the second tier of Dutch professional football. However, promotion will not be obligatory. There is a huge gulf in several respects between the two categories, therefore if the champion does not want to be promoted, the losing finalist will inherit the right to promotion. Ultimately, it is possible for the champion of any of the six amateur leagues to be promoted.
The Israel Football Association celebrated its 80th anniversary this year. The presidents of all the country’s football clubs and representatives from public authorities gathered together at a ceremony to commemorate the occasion. The event featured prize-giving and awards ceremonies as well as draws to determine the fixture list for the country’s three elite divisions. The Football Association of Wales also celebrated an anniversary recently, namely the 50th anniversary of its national team’s only participation in a FIFA World Cup™ final competition. In 1958, the Welsh team reached the quarter-final and only lost out to eventual champions Brazil, with the only goal of the match scored by a young Pele. The eight surviving members of the Welsh team were invited to attend a friendly match between Wales and Georgia following an official dinner.
The Football Association is launching a widespread campaign in England
aimed at improving behaviour at all levels of football. The campaign is aimed at players, spectators, referees, coaching staff and managers.