Messi’s Fifa ban: It’s unfair, say Barcelona
BARCELONA. — Spanish giants Barcelona have condemned FIFA’s decision to impose a four-match international ban on striker Lionel Messi for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Chile last week.
Head coach Bauza criticised the timing of Messi’s ban and Argentina are set to appeal against the ban.
“When the rumour began to settle, the concern began to take on more volume,” he said.
“It seemed strange that in one day everything could be done, that we did not have time to make an appeal.
“We did not have time to work with someone else. Now the corresponding procedure for the appeal is being processed.”
Messi was dealt the suspension and a fine of 10 000 Swiss francs by FIFA’s disciplinary panel and is due to miss three more of Argentina’s remaining four World Cup qualifiers after sitting out Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to Bolivia.
There are fears Argentina could miss the World Cup in Russia where their biggest rivals, Brazil, became the first team to qualify on Tuesday night.
“FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile,” the club said.
“The club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.
“Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.”
The 29-year-old Messi will miss Argentina’s games away to Uruguay and home to Venezuela and Peru. The five-times world player of the year will be eligible again when the country’s last World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on October 10.
Argentina are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, a point behind the automatic qualification spots.
The top four qualify directly for the World Cup in Russia next year and the HAMILTON. — New Zealand were left frustrated yesterday after rain washed out the last day’s play of the final Test cricket against South Africa, denying them a series-levelling win.
At the start of the day, South Africa were on the ropes at 80 for five in their second innings, still 95 runs short of making New Zealand bat again. But the rain which had disrupted part of each of the first four days fell persistently yesterday, forcing the umpires to abandon play without a ball being bowled.
“Obviously very frustrating, coming into the last day with a lot to play for,” said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.
“Saying that, we were probably quite fortunate to play as much cricket as we did in this Test.
“Overall, we have to look at this game as a really positive game and one that was potentially one of our best Test performances of the home summer.” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who was unbeaten on 15, said their plan was for him to block all day while Quinton de Kock, also not out 15, chased the runs. — AFP. fifth-placed side go into a playoff against a team from Oceania for another place in the global show-piece event.
Brazil became the first team to qualify for the World Cup soccer finals after beating Paraguay to clinch an eighth consecutive victory.
Five-time champions Brazil had been left waiting in suspense after goals from Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Marcelo handed them a 3-0 win over the Paraguayans at Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians.
But Uruguay’s upset 2-1 defeat to Peru in the day’s final South American qualifier combined with other results meant Brazil are mathematically guaranteed a place at next year’s finals in Russia.
The qualification completes an astonishing turnaround for Brazil, who less than a year ago were in crisis after taking only nine points from six games.
That run of results had left the Brazilians outside the qualifying places in sixth place.
The further embarrassment of a first round exit at last year’s Copa America Centenario only deepened the sense of despondency.
However the sacking of former coach Dunga and the appointment of former Corinthians coach Tite was the catalyst for a Brazilian resurgence.
That revival saw Brazil take maximum points from their next eight qualifying games, leaving them nine points clear on Tuesday with four games left.
“When I look at my family — the players — and when we talk to the fans and see how happy they are, that’s when you think ‘I’m part of something very special,” Tite said after Brazil’s qualification was confirmed.
Against Paraguay, Brazil were already in party mode, with Coutinho opening the scoring on 34 minutes following a deft one-two with China-based midfielder Paulinho.
Neymar had a chance to make it 2-0 in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot only to see his kick saved by Anthony Silva.
On 64 minutes Neymar doubled Brazil’s tally, collecting the ball deep inside his own half and setting off on a surging MIAMI. — Top seed Stan Wawrinka crashed out of the Miami Open tennis tournament on Tuesday falling 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to German young gun Alexander Zverev, who booked his first Masters 1000 quarter-final.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori advanced to the quarter-finals on cue.
But Wawrinka, beaten by fellow Swiss Federer in the final of Indian Wells earlier this month, looked weary as he struggled through the third set of a match played on his 32nd birthday.
“I had one bad game to start the second set and then it was tough for me,” Wawrinka, the reigning US Open champion, said. “I don’t know. I completely went down physically and mentally, and also my tennis was completely out. I had no more gas.”
“For sure it’s a disappointing match. I think the level was quite up and down. We were both fighting a little bit in the first set to find good level. It was really humid, not easy to play some great tennis,” he added.
The 19-year-old Zverev saved four of five break points and won 75 per cent of his service points. — AFP. run down the left flank.
Neymar’s dribble ended with him curling in a shot which took a slight deflection on its way into the Paraguayan goal.
Real Madrid defender Marcelo added a late third to seal Brazil’s win.
Chile moved up to fourth place with a 3-1 win over Venezuela in Santiago, Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez opening the LONDON. — Arsenal’s Sunday English Premiership soccer showdown with Manchester City is set to decide Arsene Wenger’s fate.
Starsport understands Wenger will announce his decision on whether he stays or goes after the clash with Pep Guardiola’s men.
A good result at The Emirates would boost Arsenal’s top four hopes and is likely to prompt Wenger to announce he will sign a new contract.
But another defeat is likely to pave the way for the Frenchman to announce he will leave at the end of the season.
The Gunners have lost four of their last five league games — their worst run in 21 years under Wenger.
And Wenger knows another setback at home will see the mood among fans turn against him even more.
There have been violent clashes between pro- and anti-Wenger fans in the stands over the last few weeks, most recently during the 5-0 home win over non-league Lincoln in the FA Cup. — The Daily Star. scoring with a stunning early free-kick.
Esteban Paredes scored twice for Chile to give the host a 3-0 lead before Salomon Rondon pulled a goal back for Venezuela.
In Quito, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez scored one goal and set up another for Juan Cuadrado as Colombia beat Ecuador 2-0. — AFP/ Reuters. LONDON. — Manchester United are ready to kick off their summer spending with a move for Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier.
Dier — valued at over £40million — has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick.
Jose Mourinho is a keen admirer of a number of Spurs players but is wary of how difficult it would be to take an asset from a club now seen as a direct rival. United’s top brass are also well aware of the perils of going into business with notoriously tough negotiator Daniel Levy and the Tottenham supremo may well demand a price that the Manchester club are unwilling to pay. Sportsmail understands United have a list of four players for each position they wish to strengthen lined up and will not be held to ransom.
The Red Devils have been linked with numerous player as the summer transfer window appears on the horizon.
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Barcelona star Neymar are names reportedly on Mourinho’s radar, but it would appear as though he’s focused on addressing his midfield issues first. — Mailonline. RABAT. — New African football chief Ahmad Ahmad gave his backing on Tuesday to a potential bid from Morocco to host the 2026 World Cup.
The north African country has bid to host the global show-piece on four previous occasions but missed out on the 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010 editions.
“We are convinced that Morocco could organise this competition just as was done by South Africa in 2010,” said Ahmad, who was elected president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) earlier this month to replace Issa Hayatou, at a press conference in Marrakesh.
Ahmad’s backing comes just a few months after FIFA president Gianni Infantino declared that the country has the necessary “infrastructure and organisational capacity” to host the World Cup. But a year ago, FIFA had accepted that Morocco paid bribes to the former head of the North and Central American Confederation in trying to win the right to host the 1998 and 2010 tournaments — something that could prejudice any future bid. — AFP.