Stephen Constantine says sorry after Under-17 team criticism

NEWDELHI : Indian football coach Stephen Constantine on Monday “apologised” for his unsavoury comments on the youth team’s performance in the FIFA U-17 World Cup last year.

“I just wanted to apologise to everyone for my recent comments on the U17s. I am here in India for the best part of 7 years and the last thing I want to do is offend anyone,” Constantine wrote on his twitter handle.

He added, “I have the greatest respect for the AIFF and football in India and always give them my 100%.”

During a media interaction yesterday, national coach Constantine said the Indian team’s performance at the U-17 World Cup was mediocre and the hype surrounding it was unjustified.

His out-of-the-blue comments ruffled feathers in the All India Football Federation (AIFF) whose president Praful Patel had praised the national U-17 team for its gutsy performance in FIFA’s youth showpiece event.

“There was a lot of hype in the U-17 team’s performance. They did not win any game in the U-17 World Cup and I am not quite sure what the hype was about.

IBRAHIMOVIC TO MISS ALL-STAR GAME

Los Angeles, July 30, 2018 (AFP) - Swedish star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game against former club Juventus, the Los Angeles Galaxy announced Monday, citing workload and travel issues.

Ibrahimovic took his league tally for the season to 15 goals from 17 matches with his first MLS hat-trick against Orlando City on Sunday.

He was a fan selection for the All-Star match but would be playing his third game in seven days by joining the squad for the clash across the country in Atlanta.

“I am disappointed to miss the 2018 All-Star game against Juventus, one of my former clubs,” Ibrahimovic said. “I want to thank the fans for voting me to the team. My main focus is to score goals and help the LA Galaxy to the playoffs.”

The 36-year-old will also miss the Galaxy’s MLS match Saturday at Colorado under MLS rules regarding All-Stars unable to play in contest.