The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Fifa director pays price after joke
Fifa’s communications director Walter De Gregorio has been fired days after making a joke on Swiss television about the world governing body. De Gregorio had been Fifa’s most visible public face since the wave of corruption and bribery allegations brought the organisation to its knees. A Fifa statement said Gregorio has decided to “relinquish his office with immediate effect” but it is understood he has been fired on outgoing president Sepp Blatter’s orders.
It follows De Gregorio making a joke on Swiss TV presenter Roger Schawinski’s show earlier this week. The joke was: “The Fifa president, secretary general and communications director are in a car. Who’s driving? Answer: The police.”
Scotland defender Russell Martin is confident fatigue will not be a factor in tomorrow’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Scotland are two points ahead of Ireland after five Group D matches, having beaten them 1-0 at Parkhead last November.
It has been a long and intense season for Norwich City captain Martin. It began for him on August 10, with the defender going on to make 56 appearances for club and country – the last being the Canaries’ 2-0 play-off final win against Middlesbrough at Wembley last month which clinched promotion to the English Premier League.
But the 29-year-old says he has had plenty time to prepare for tomorrow’s crucial game at the Aviva Stadium, and, with the stakes high, Martin believes tiredness will not affect Scotland’s performance.
He said: “People complain about tired bodies but not for a one-off game. It will be as intense as any game I’ve played this season, probably as tense as the first game against Ireland.
“Ireland at their place, we know what to expect, and we’ll be right up for it.
“I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I can end the international season on another good note and then look forward to enjoying a break. There was a lot going on at club level at the end of the season, so I put this to the back of my mind but since the play-off final I’ve tried to focus on this. We had about six days off after the play-off final to chill out and take it all in but we’ve always known this game was coming and the club has adapted the break around it.”
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill opted to leave all-
HOW THEY STAND
time leading scorer Robbie Keane out of the starting line-up for the November encounter but the former Celtic manager has hinted the 34 year-old will start this weekend.
Martin says he and his fellow defenders must be aware of the threat posed by all of Ireland’s forwards and not just LA Galaxy attacker Keane.
Martin added: “When you play at this level they’ve all got top-quality forwards and Ireland are the same, with Keane, Jonathan Walters, Shane Long, Darryl Murphy.
“Fortunately, I’m going back to the Premiership where I’m looking forward to testing myself against the top players again and Saturday will be no different.
“They have scored late goals in this campaign and nearly nicked one late against us at Celtic Park which clipped the top of the crossbar from a setpiece. That is testament to their fitness levels and character under Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.
“The manager has already spoken about that and we’ll be prepared after going in-depth on the opposition, as we always do. But while we’ve got to be alert to their threats, we must focus on what we’re good at.”