51.   Although the soccer federation is independent, the education and culture ministry does have responsibility for sports issues.

52.   Also the new channel will offer more merchandising opportunities for league clubs who will own a share in it through the national soccer federation.

53.   As recently as Friday, the national soccer federation threatened to pull out of a World Cup warmup match in Amsterdam because of human rights protests in the Netherlands.

54.   As soon as FIFA General-Secretary Sepp Blatter revealed the proposals in the German magazine Stern Tuesday, the mighty national soccer federation voiced its opposition.

55.   Bayern has asked the German soccer federation to look into the case, saying Kehl broke a verbal promise to move to Bayern.

56.   Bayern captain Lothar Matthaeus also flew into a rage and faces possible disciplinary action by the German soccer federation for suggesting the referee had been bribed by Karlsruhe.

57.   Blatter was elected Monday as president of FIFA, the international soccer federation.

58.   Bellini offered his resignation in July as prosecutors launched an investigation of his links to drug traffickers, but directors of the soccer federation refused to accept it.

59.   Blatter claims he has enough support from various soccer federations around the world to remain president.

60.   Blatter said that FIFA needs to discuss the idea with sponsors, national and international soccer federations and broadcasters.