Wednesday, March 05, 2008
FIFA finally makes Donovan's record official
Landon Donovan became the U.S. career scoring leader on Friday, one month after scoring the goal that broke the record.
Donovan converted a penalty kick to tie the record in the 44th minute of a game against Denmark 13 months ago, but before Friday FIFA had not counted the game -- or the goal.
When initially contacted, FIFA responded: "The Danish FA confirmed in January that this match was not played by their official 'A' team. Therefore we did not register it."
The U.S. Soccer Federation asked FIFA to reconsider, citing provisions in the contract for the game that said both sides would recognize it as an official game.
On Friday, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke wrote to USSF secretary general Dan Flynn saying the match now counted.
"We are pleased to inform you that after some discussion with the [Danish Football Union], DBU agreed that the match in question will be moved into the list of official 'A' matches," Valcke wrote.
Donovan converted a penalty kick to tie the record in the 44th minute of a game against Denmark 13 months ago, but before Friday FIFA had not counted the game -- or the goal.
When initially contacted, FIFA responded: "The Danish FA confirmed in January that this match was not played by their official 'A' team. Therefore we did not register it."
The U.S. Soccer Federation asked FIFA to reconsider, citing provisions in the contract for the game that said both sides would recognize it as an official game.
On Friday, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke wrote to USSF secretary general Dan Flynn saying the match now counted.
"We are pleased to inform you that after some discussion with the [Danish Football Union], DBU agreed that the match in question will be moved into the list of official 'A' matches," Valcke wrote.
