Bale faces possible 12-game ban
MADRID: Gareth Bale could face a suspension of up to 12 matches because of a gesture he made toward fans during Real Madrid’s 3-1 derby win at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Bale has been reported by La Liga to the Spanish Football Federation over his celebration after scoring Real Madrid’s third goal.
A statement on La Liga’s official website says Bale “moves his right arm up towards his head in a signal of provocation towards the fans, creating a possibly obscene gesture by moving his other arm and striking halfway up his right arm.” That gesture is considered offensive in Spain.
The statement says Bale could be suspended for four to 12 matches if he is deemed to have intentionally provoked the crowd. However, it could also be a shorter suspension — or no ban at all if his celebration is not deemed to be provocative.
BARCA RETAIN COACH
BARCELONA: Barcelona have extended coach Er n e s t o Valverde’s contract by another year until the end of the 2019-20 season with an option for one more season, the La Liga club said on Friday. The 55-year-old guided Barcelona to the league and cup double last season and has, so far, won 65 of his 96 games.
WORLD CUP BID
SANTIAGO: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay are to submit a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup, Chile’s president Sebastian Pinera announced on Thursday.
Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay had already submitted a joint bid to host the centenary edition of football’s most prestigious tournament, but Pinera said on Twitter that those countries’ presidents had agreed to Chile’s participation in the “joint candidacy”. Argentina and Uruguay originally announced their intention to submit a joint bid in 2017 before Paraguay joined the coalition later that year.
UEFA HAPPY WITH VAR
NYON: Video Assistant Referee (VAR) “worked perfectly” at all stadiums that hosted the first leg of the last-16 Champions League ties this week, according to UEFA’S chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti. “I am very happy with the way VAR was implemented,” Rosetti said in a statement on the UEFA website.