Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has dismissed suggestions that he could miss the first few matches of the group stages at the World Cup 2014 after suffering an injury. Van Persie is one of the important players for the Dutch national team. He is expected to be partnered by Arjen Robben at the front. However, Dutch have received a bad news in the form of an injury to van Persie, but the 31-year-old has dismissed suggestions that it is a serious one. Netherlands will be having a tough World Cup since they will be up against Spain and Chile in the group stages.

The striker admitted after the recent friendly match against Wales that he could miss the World Cup 2014. Van Persie was taken off in the 2-0 win over the Welsh, but the Manchester United man says that it is largely down to a precaution. Netherlands start their campaign against Spain on June 14. Then they take on Australia before finishing their group commitments with a match against Chile on June 23. Van Persie was recently overjoyed after it was announced that Louis van Gaal will be taking over as the United manager from the new season. The striker has always stated the great relationship he has with Van Gaal.

“You don’t have to worry. I have a little pain in my groin. I don’t even call it an injury though. It was more of a precaution as the game next week is a lot more important,” said the striker. “It was a precaution with Van Persie, but he didn’t come off for no reason. I have many attackers in the team. I knew Wales would sit back, but I did not expect them to play so deep. I just have to say that we are in a process and we are preparing for better opponents,” said the manager.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that he is confident that youngsters Ross Barkley and John Stones will be extremely good for the England national team if they are selected for the World Cup 2014. Rumours suggest that England manager Roy Hodgson is about to name a very youthful looking squad for the World Cup. He is about to do away with the likes of Ashley Cole and Michael Carrick, who have been a major part of the England national team for several years now. In their place, he is expected to call Barkley and Stones.

The duo have done extremely well with Everton this season and they have helped the club secure Europa League football for next season. Barkley has scored seven goals in the league this campaign, while Stones was an unknown quantity before making his debut for the club. After having been a regular in the last few matches of the season, Stones proved that he is capable of playing along with the best in the world. Barkley has been consistently linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea in recent years.

Martinez says that the club are extremely delighted to qualify for Europe once again and he is also confident that the youngsters from the club will do justice if they are selected.
“There is always the opportunity of representing the senior side. But, if not, there is the Toulon tournament. One way or another they are going to be busy. That was one of the reasons that we had to look after them a little bit and make sure they into the summer without a risk of injury. They’ve been regenerating all week and are ready for whatever comes their way. I trust Roy Hodgson’s vision,” said the Everton manager, who has himself received a lot of plaudits this season.

Australian captain Lucas Neill has rejected the mutiny allegations that has been thrown at him. The allegations of the player revolt emerged in well-known Australian football commentator Les Murray’s new book The World Game: The story of how football went global.

Murray claimed Neill was unimpressed with Verbeek’s tactics for the Germany game and sent the Dutch boss away from the changing rooms before instructing his team-mates to disobey the orders.

However, Neill, currently on holiday in the United States, hit back at the allegations when he spoke to Fox Sports.

“I was absolutely shocked by this when I first heard it, and now I’m angry,” said Neill.

ESPN was presented with the seven Sports Emmy Awards that they won for broadcasting the FIFA World Cup 2010. They were presented for the 32nd year by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences tonight in New York. The honorees represent a wide range of disciplines, including event coverage, studio programming, enterprise reporting and technical excellence.

ESPN’s unprecedented commitment of resources to an event, for the FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa, was rewarded with three Sports Emmy Awards, highlighted by honors in the Live Special category for the championship match, Spain vs. the Netherlands on ABC. The month-long presentation was also cited for outstanding Music and Writing.

South Africa seems to have clearly benefitted from the World Cup 2010 as there was a 15.1 percent increase in tourism in 2010.

“We are delighted with these strong growth figures, particularly as it comes so soon after a global economic recession,” Marthinus van Schalkwyk told journalists.

South Africa was the first African country to host the World Cup, the world’s most-watched sports event, and the month-long tournament passed off smoothly despite fears of organisational chaos and high levels of crime.