€1 billion suit by Egyptian over Salah challenge
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most famous left-back is remembered for scoring the winner in the 1990 World Cup final against Argentina from the spot in the 85th minute. Over three World Cups he scored four, including in the semi-final against France in 1986.
Lothar Matthaeus, 1990 Germany’s Cup-winning captain, played in five editions and is the only defender to be crowned World Player of the Year alongside Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro. Matthaeus also holds the record for most World Cup caps and scored six goals.
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But when it comes to defending as a unit, the Italians have mastered the art like no other. While greats like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini were key figures in establishing the Azzurri’s everlasting dominance at the back, World Cup glory evaded them. And so, before their time, Italian fans looked up to one the likes of Claudio Gentile, Antonio Cabrini and Giuseppe Bergomi, defenders that had helped end Italy’s 48-year World Cup drought. Gentile’s relentless marking of Diego Maradona in 1982 was just one of those great defensive outings.
It is undeniable that France’s triumph in 1998 was designed from the back and Marcel Desailly, alongside Laurent Blanc, Frank Leboeuf and Lilian Thuram were able to secure their maiden Cup. The French backline would let in just two goals in that edition, one in the semi-final against Croatia and the other in the group against Denmark.
There is no taking away credit from the goal-scorers of course, but without the men who stand in resistance, World Cup history might have had a different story to tell. He won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. He is said to have introduced the modern sweeper position. Known as Der Kaiser (The Emperor), he starred in three World Cups. As coach, he helped West Germany win in 1990.
An Egyptian lawyer has launched a €1billion lawsuit against Sergio Ramos after Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah was injured in a challenge by the Real Madrid captain during Champions League final. Salah landed heavily on his left shoulder after grappling with Ramos and a ligament damage around the joint put his World Cup in doubt. The Premier League Golden Boot winner posted on Twitter on Sunday to say he was “confident” he would be able to represent Hector Cuper’s side in Russia, but that has done nothing to quell the apparent anger of lawyer Bassem Wahba.
In an appearance on Egyptian television channel Sada El-Balad, Wahba announced he had filed a complaint to FIFA and accused Ramos of a deliberate act and inflicting “physical and psychological harm” upon a nation and its most celebrated footballer.
“Ramos intentionally injured Mo Salah and should be punished about his actions,” he claimed. “I’ve filed a lawsuit and a complaint to FIFA. I’ll ask for compensation, which could exceed €1billion, for the physical and psychological harm that Ramos gave Salah and the Egyptian people.”
On Monday, a petition on the Change.org website asking UEFA and FIFA to take action against Ramos for the challenge on Salah passed 300,000 signatories. Incidentally, during the match, referee Milorad Mazic did not award a foul for the incident.
SPAIN REHABILITATION FOR SALAH
Mohamed Salah will travel to Spain for treatment, according to the Egyptian Football Association. The 25-year-old will be accompanied by Liverpool’s medical staff to Spain to start an intensive period of rehabilitation. Egypt’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Uruguay on June 15.