Ballon d’or on my mind: Griezmann
MADRID: Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann says he still can’t fathom why he was not voted one of the world’s top three players by FIFA — but hopes winning the “more prestigious” Ballon d’or will make amends.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah were the three players nominated by FIFA for the top prize.
Griezmann told Spanish daily AS, “We had a really good World Cup campaign, the whole team deserve to be awarded: (Kylian) Mbappe, (Raphael) Varane, (N’golo) Kante, who had an amazing World Cup even though no-one talks about it, or even myself. But that’s the way it is.”
“I think the Ballon d’or has more prestige, a richer history. It’s on my mind and I’ve got three months to give it everything (to win it). We’ll see what happens.”
WATER CRISIS IN IRAQ HOSPITALISES TEAM
BASRA,IRAQ:A health crisis in the Iraqi city of Basra has claimed an unexpected victim — a top football club from Baghdad is 10 players down and unable to kick off the new season. The Al-hussein team travelled 600 kilometres (370 miles) south to play Naft Al-junoob in the Iraqi Premier League, but players were hospitalised by polluted water.
The water crisis in oil-rich Basra province has put 60,000 people in hospital since mid-august, according to the provincial council for human rights.
DERBY BOSS LAMPARD CHARGED BY FA
LONDON: Derby County manager Frank Lampard was charged with improper conduct by the English FA on Monday after being sent to the stands during his team’s 1-0 defeat by Rotherham United in the Championship at the weekend.
Lampard was sent off for leaving his technical area to argue with a match official over the failure to award Derby a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Rotherham’s Jon Taylor in the area. He could receive a one-match suspension if he is deemed to have used insulting language or behaviour towards the official during the incident.
‘WIN WAS THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT’
LONDON: West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini said the 3-1 victory at Everton on Sunday that moved his side off the foot of the Premier League table was the perfect way to celebrate his 65th birthday.
Pellegrini’s new side picked up their first points on the same day he turned pension age in the UK. “I was not worried about my birthday today — I just wanted to win the game — it was the best gift my players could give me,” Pellegrini said.
FIVE DEAD IN ANGOLA FOOTBALL STAMPEDE
LUANDA: Two children and three adults were killed in a stampede at a weekend football match in the Angolan capital Luanda, sparking an investigation.