From Variety, you need a password, so I clipped the vitals. http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=story&articleid=VR1117892270&categoryid=13&cs=1 ""Goal!" producers Lawrence Bender, Mike Jefferies and Matt Barrelle today unveiled a comprehensive deal with FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, to support the project." Real big licensing committment from FIFA. "The producers are planning to shoot the first movie next year. Pic will follow the wannabe star as he travels from his home in Los Angeles to join a major English team. The two clubs contending for this role are understood to be Newcastle United and Chelsea. Manchester United, England's biggest club that was formerly in the running, has dropped out." Second movie is a transfer to Spain or Italy. Third movie the kid plays in the 2006 World Cup. Licensing will be comprehensive with all WC sponsors. No director or distributor attached. Thx, Jay!
So this probably isn't the rumored film that Quentin Tarantino would be directing. The script sounds like a film Tarantino wanted to do about a kid from the barrio of LA who gets a chance to play in Europe. Can't site any official source of this rumored film though; I only heard about it.
Bender is Tarantino's producer. The rumor you mention is pretty much the script they mention. My bet is it doesn't get made. Thx, Jay!