TheNewsGuru

Tag: World cup

  • FIFA called to investigate racial chants against Pogba

    Anti-racism campaigners has urged FIFA to investigate alleged racist abuse aimed at French player, Paul Pogba by Russian fans.

    A pitch-side photographer reported the incidence as monkey chants could be heard from the crowd in St. Petersburg during France’s 3-1 win over Russia.

    The abuse was also allegedly audible on a television broadcast after Pogba scored France’s second goal.

    Piara Powar, head of the anti-discrimination group Fare Network, said: “There should be enough there for FIFA to initiate proceedings.

    “If photographers heard it pitch-side, then there must have been stewards and other officials who also heard it.

    “If, toward the end of March, these guys don’t know what to do, and they’re not initiating procedures and protocols that exist, then that doesn’t bode very well for the World Cup.

    “So close to the World Cup, questions are being asked as to why it wasn’t dealt with as it occurred during play.”

    French sports minister Laura Flessel has also called for action. In a post on Twitter, she wrote: “Racism has no place on the soccer field. We should act together at a European and international level in order to stop this intolerable behaviour.”

    Laura Flessel

    ✔@FlesselLaura

    « Le racisme n’a pas sa place sur les terrains de football. Nous devons agir de concert au niveau européen et international afin de faire cesser ces comportements inadmissibles » #FRARUS #exaequo.
    Crédits FFF/ Bastien Lheritier.
    · Paris, France

  • 2018 is my last chance to win World Cup – Messi

    Argentina star Lionel Messi is aware time is fast running out on his international career and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia may be his last chance to win a senior international title.

    In an incredible career in which he’s won virtually every title including five Ballon d’Or gongs, a senior title with the Albiceleste is the only chink in his shining armour.

    Argentina have been three-time Copa America runners-up and also lost the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil in Messi’s 12 years with the senior team.

    The 30-year-old is now desperate to go one better in Russia, with his team having been beaten by Germany in extra time in Rio de Janeiro four years ago.

    “We feel that, if we won’t win the World Cup in Russia, the only way will be to give up the national team,” Messi told La Cornisa on Sunday.

    “I dream of winning the trophy in Russia. My wish is to live something similar to Brazil 2014.

    “You can do everything OK and fail, like Argentina in Brazil.”

    Argentina are considered favourites in a World Cup preliminary group which has Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.

  • Russia 2018: ‘British threats to boycott World Cup hurt ties, sport’

    Russia’s foreign ministry said on Monday that British threats to boycott the 2018 FIFA World Cup would damage ties with Moscow and hurt world sport, Interfax news agency reported.

    The British government it would respond decisively to any Russian government’s involvement, in the wake of the poisoning of a former Russian double agent in England.

    Prime Minister Theresa May said earlier on Monday it was “highly likely” that Moscow was responsible for the attack.

    Some British officials have suggested boycotting the Russia-hosted World Cup later this year in response.

    “We want to emphasize once again: such provocative statements, which fan anti-Russian hysteria, only complicate relations between our countries and are blow to world sport,” Interfax quoted the ministry as saying in a statement.

  • Former France international, Karembeu tips Super Eagles to excel in Russia

    Former France and Real Madrid star Christian Karembeu is confident that the Super Eagles team is capable of doing great things at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Karembeu who accompanied the FIFA World Cup Trophy to Nigeria on a four-day tour says that the three-time African champions will be one of the standout teams at the 2018 World Cup.

    Nigerian Super Eagles who have been drawn alongside Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in Group D.

    “Yes, we know there are a number of strong African countries in the game but Nigeria has always been a great footballing nation, and they have an exciting team heading to the FIFA World Cup in Russia,” Karembeu, a member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad, said during a world press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday

    “I have played alongside and against so many Nigerian players and I can attest to their strength and ambition.

    “I believe the present Super Eagles squad is capable of great things.”

  • Buhari receives World Cup trophy, hosts Eagles

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday received the FIFA World Cup trophy to be competed for by qualified nations in Russia 2018.
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    The cup, presently on a tour of some countries of the world, was presented to him at a ceremony inside the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa, Abuja.

    Also in attendance were members of Africa’s first Bobsled team made up of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga.

    The United States-based team represented the country at the just-concluded Winter Olympics in South Korea.

    Buhari also received home-based CHAN Super Eagles who emerged runners-up in the recently concluded home-based African Cup of Nations in Morocco as well as basketball and Paralympic teams.

    The FIFA trophy was presented to the president by a representative of the world football ruling body and former France international, Christian Kerembeu, who said the purpose of bringing the coveted cup to the country ahead of the tournament was to rekindle the passion and inspire Nigerians.

    President Buhari, thanked FIFA for choosing two cities in Nigeria for the cup tour.

  • Russian President, Putin demands safe environment for FIFA World Cup in Russia

    Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged law enforcement officers to ensure the safety of athletes and fans in Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    “We should hold the upcoming World Cup at the highest level and above all, ensure full safety of football players and fans,’’ Putin said at the annual expanded meeting of the Interior Ministry Board.

    Putin said Russia’s law enforcement agencies already have a great deal of positive experience and will respond correctly and in compliance with the law under any circumstances.

    “A successful World Cup and Russia’s national image directly depend on your accurate and competent work,’’ Putin said.

    Violent clashes between supporters after a Russia-England Euro 2016 match in France hurt Russian football fans’ global reputation.

    Some Western countries have expressed their concerns over safety in the lead up to the World Cup.

    The World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 15 in 11 Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan among many others.

  • Nigeria’s Henry Onyekuru faces World Cup fitness battle

    Nigeria’s Henry Onyekuru is in danger of missing out on next year’s World Cup after being ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

    The striker, who is on loan at Belgian side Anderlecht from English club Everton, suffered the injury against former club Eupen on 22 December.

    Recent scans show the injury to be more serious than initially suspected.

    “He could be out for as long as six months,” Anderlecht coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck told reporters.

    It is a cruel blow for the 20-year-old, who had played in 19 league games and appeared in four Champions League matches for the Brussels outfit.

    He was given a run out in Nigeria’s last World Cup qualifier in Algeria in November when he came on in the second half of the 1-1 draw and was hoping to make Gernot Rohr’s final 23-man squad for Russia in June.

    BBC Sports

  • England may play final World Cup warm-up match at Elland Road

    England are considering playing their final World Cup warm-up game at Leeds’ 37,890-capacity Elland Road ground.

    Manager Gareth Southgate wants to play two matches, against as yet unnamed opposition, as final preparation for the summer tournament in Russia.

    The first will be at Wembley but the second is set to be played away from the national stadium.

    England last played at Elland Road in March 2002, when they were beaten 2-1 in a friendly by Italy.

    They also drew 3-3 against Sweden there in June 1995 and the stadium was used for three group matches at Euro 96.

    Friendly matches against Netherlands in Amsterdam and Italy at Wembley have already been arranged for 23 March and 27 March respectively.

    England’s Russia 2018 campaign begins against Tunisia on Monday, 18 June (19:00 BST) in Volgograd.

    They will then face World Cup debutants Panama in Nizhny Novgorod on 24 June (13:00 BST) before playing Belgium four days later in Kaliningrad (19:00 BST).

  • Peru: Paolo Guerrero to miss World Cup after failing drugs test

    Peru captain and record scorer Paolo Guerrero has tested positive for cocaine and will serve a 12-month ban, ruling him out of the World Cup.

    The striker, 33, tested positive for the stimulant after qualifier against Argentina on 5 October.

    The ban will be dated from 3 November, when he was provisionally suspended.

    Peru beat New Zealand over two legs in a play-off in November to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, their first appearance at the event since 1982.

    The former Bayern Munich striker, who plays for Brazilian club Flamengo, has 33 goals in 84 appearances for his country.

    When news of his provisional suspension broke on 3 November, the Peruvian Football Federation thanked Guerrero for his “immense contribution” and said the country stood with him in “solidarity” during “difficult moment

  • Nigeria will make a statement at Russia 2018 World Cup – Dalung

    Nigeria will make a statement at Russia 2018 World Cup – Dalung

    The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung has said Nigeria is prepared to make a statement at Russia 2018, adding that Friday’s draw was a decent one.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria on Friday in Moscow drew Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in Group D of the competition’s first round phase.

    It was the fifth time Nigeria were being drawn alongside Argentina in Super Eagles’ six appearances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.

    The Minister, who spoke with newsmen on Saturday on the sidelines of the 2017 Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championships in Abuja, said the draw was alright for Nigeria.

    “In spite of the fact that Nigeria are underdogs, compared to the other teams in our group and based on their rankings in the world, the draw was good.

    “But again, you have to look at how Nigeria prepared for the qualification competition. It is clear that Nigeria is determined to make a statement.

    “Therefore, I am confident that Nigeria will surprise the world. We will be able to go as far as setting an African record, that is if we do not even make it to the final,” he said.

    NAN reports that Nigeria will take on Croatia on June 16 in Kaliningrad, before facing Iceland on June 22 in Volgograd and Argentina on June 26 in St. Petersburg.

    The 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 14 and last till July 15.