Germany Team Manager Oliver Bierhoff said that the World Cup winners "have scheduled friendly internationals against Australia and the United States next year in order to fine-tune preparations for their Euro 2016 qualifiers" (REUTERS, 11/12). ... The 10th Francophone Taekwondo World Cup, which will take place in Dakar on Nov. 28-29, will “only have 18 participating countries, according to the list of official commitments closed on Friday.” This number is “far below the 25-30 countries expected to attend the games” this year. Senegalese Taekwondo Federation President Fode Sakho blamed the low turnout on “the bad publicity of the Ebola virus in West Africa, which has caused many countries like Egypt and Romania to withdraw at the last minute” (AFRICA TOP SPORTS, 11/11). ... Nantes officially submitted its bid to host the Final Four of the 2015 French National Handball League's (LNH) Cup. The city of Rouen, France "is expected to do the same." The LNH will announce the winning city on Dec. 2 (SPORT 24, 11/12). ... A-League side Perth Glory Owner Tony Sage "has slammed Football Federation Australia's decision to overlook his club’s credentials and instead stage the inaugural FFA Cup final in Adelaide." The entrepreneur, who has had his share of run-ins with the FFA over the years, "accused the governing body of going back on their word over the timing of the venue announcement." Sage: "It’s an absolute disgrace. We accepted the FFA on their word that they wouldn’t make a decision until next week" (FOX SPORTS, 11/12). ... Organizers of the Monsoon Cup Malaysia -- the final event of the 2014 Alpari World Match Racing Tour -- have confirmed the event will be hosted from Feb. 10-14 replacing the earlier published dates of Nov. 26-31, 2014 (Alpari World Match Racing Tour). ... Egypt "has withdrawn its team from the world short-course swimming championships being held in Qatar." Egypt "is the third Middle East country within days to boycott a Qatari-hosted sports world championship." Bahrain, the UAE and Saudi Arabia "recalled their ambassadors from Doha in March to protest apparent Qatari support for Islamist groups across the region" (AP, 11/12). ... Italy will bid to hold the 2022 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone club just outside Rome.
Turkey, meanwhile, withdrew its bid on Wednesday because it would require cutting down up to 15,000 trees. Instead, Turkey will bid for the 2026 Ryder Cup by building a new golf course, estimated to cost €30M-€40M ($37M-$50M), without any environmental concerns (Ryder Cup).
