n, but Salazar might be back on the mound if the Ind

PORT LOUIS -- The FIFA Congress opened Thursday with reduced expectations for reform after one area flagged for change was set to be delayed for at least a year. With undercurrents of politics back at play, representatives of FIFAs 209 member countries and its high-powered leadership under president Sepp Blatter met for the ceremonial opening of the two-day congress in Port Louis. Here, FIFA was expected to complete a two-year reform process prompted by one of its lowest periods -- the fiercely criticized 2010 votes where Russia and Qatar won rights to stage the World Cup, and Blatters re-election in 2011 following a scandal-ravaged campaign for his opponent. "Our congress is our annual opportunity for us, all the members of our great organization, to meet," Blatter said, opening the congress. "To meet? Yes. To vote? Of course. And to take important decisions for the future of FIFA." But the reform wont be completed when the work starts Friday in the Indian Ocean paradise. A possible vote of members on new rules to limit the age and terms of senior officials -- bringing FIFA into line with the International Olympic Committee -- was effectively dropped by FIFAs executive committee Tuesday ahead of the congress. Two other areas of reform, making salaries and bonuses of top earners, including the 77-year-old Blatter, more transparent, and allowing independent observers onto the executive committee, also wont be addressed. While accepting it needs to change after more than a century in existence, and recent cases of high-powered corruption, FIFA is unwilling to go far enough, critics say. The independent reformers brought in by FIFA two years ago and led by Swiss law professor Mark Pieth have already said the reforms proposed for this weeks two-day congress have not met the "highest standards." FIFA counters it is making progress, preparing a document for reporters this week that show, according to the body, that the majority of reforms have or are being implemented. The money-spinning and influential governing body has changed in places, strengthening its ethics committee, tightening financial controls and taking the decision on who wins the right to host the hugely profitable World Cup away from the executive committee and leaving it to the 209 member associations to vote on. Also, FIFA will elect a woman onto its top table, its decision-making executive committee, for the first time. But the age and term limits being dropped right before the congress have become a renewed reason for skepticism by those outside FIFA, and frustration for some inside. "It is two years that we speak about (age and term limit reforms)," UEFA President Michel Platini said hours before the congress, making clear his European confederation was not happy. "(FIFA) postponed for one year one decision that we speak about for two years and we will never find a solution." There were perhaps "politics" at play, said Platini, himself a likely candidate to lead FIFA one day. Blatter, who also briefly attended Thursdays UEFA meeting, had said this would be his last term when he was re-elected to the presidency in 2011, when criticism of FIFA reached a crescendo over corruption allegations relating to the presidential vote and the victories of Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. But the Swiss football leader has hinted that he again may seek re-election for another four-year term through 2019, when he will be 83. "Perhaps there is some politics inside FIFA," Platini said, "but if they dont want (the reforms), then they are not to say that it is Europe who stop the reform. That is my point to you. Because we followed (the reforms) from the beginning. The rest is politics." Platini also didnt think there would be progress on age and term limits in 2014. "No. No. Because it concerns Blatter. It concerns me. It concerns the age. It concerns people of 83 years (old)," Platini said. "It concerns the people who are judge and jury." Also on FIFAs agenda for Friday -- when the work begins -- is a proposal submitted by the Australian federation to make it easier for young players to qualify to play international football for an adopted country. The change would allow players to qualify for the new country if they have lived there for at least five years from any age. The previous regulation said the player had to live in the new country for five years after reaching the age of 18. The Palestine Football Association also has asked to address the congress on the problems facing football in its country. Blatter promised Palestinian football officials at Wednesdays Asian Football Confederation meeting that FIFA "will help you." "Its the will to do it," Blatter said. 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Discount Nike NFL Hoodies .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA. CLEVELAND --?Indians?catcher Yan Gomes might play in October after all.Gomes, who broke his right hand during a minor league injury rehabilitation appearance late in the season, has progressed to the point that Cleveland might include him on its postseason roster when the Indians open the AL Division Series on Thursday against Boston.Hes remarkable, Indians manager Terry Francona said Tuesday before a workout at Progressive Field.It has been a challenging season for Gomes, who separated his right shoulder on July 17 and spent two months on the disabled list. During his final game with Double-A Akron before his expected return, he was struck by a pitch, and it appeared his season was over.However, Gomes worked himself back into the lineup last week. He homered Sunday in Kansas City, connecting on the first pitch he had seen in a major league game in 77 days.Francona did not reveal his roster Tuesday, but Gomes wore shin pads during infield drills and took batting practice. Francona praised Indians trainers Lonnie Soloff and Jim Mehalik for helping Gomes during his recovery.I dont think Yan thought there was a chance this was possible, Francona said. I know Lonnie kind of put it in his head. I think it took Yan maybe a night to kind of grasp that there was a chance. And then once he did, he was all-in, like you can see.When Gomes homered, the Indians dugout erupted in celebration. As he watched on television, Indians president Chris Antonetti was moved as well.It gave me chills, Antonetti said. To know how hard hes worked and all hes been through throughout the course of the season, for him to hit a home run -- not oonly for himself but the impact it had on the team -- you just couldnt write a better script.ddddddddddddI was just so happy for him more than anything.The Indians, who overcame injuries while winning their first AL Central title since 2007, also have been encouraged by the improvement theyve seen in injured starter Danny Salazar, who has been sidelined with a strained forearm.The right-hander wont pitch against Boston, but Salazar might be back on the mound if the Indians advance. He has been increasing his velocity and pitch count in recent bullpen sessions, with the hope that he might be able to pitch in relief during the offseason. In the meantime, the team is sending him to their training facility in Goodyear, Arizona, where he can get more attention and treatment.Hell continue on a throwing program, try to build up his arm strength, feel completely healthy, and well see where it goes from there, Antonetti said. The first goal is just to make sure hes full healthy and at full strength. From there, well determine what the best role might be. But I would imagine it would be in shorter stints. Its not going to be in a starting spot.Danny obviously wants to pitch. They work throughout the course of the year and in spring training just to get to this point and have the opportunity to pitch or play in the postseason. Dannys just not to that point. I think if he could pitch, he would.The 26-year-old went 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 25 starts before he left a Sept. 9 outing after four innings. ' ' '