Suarez loses appeal against biting ban
RIO DE JANEIRO: Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, banned from all football activity for four months and nine competitive internationals for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup match, has lost his appeal, FIFA said on Thursday. FIFA’s appeals committee rejected the appeal filed by the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), although it can still take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a FIFA spokeswoman said. The controversial Liverpool striker sank his teeth into Chiellini’s shoulder during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over the Italians on June 24. The win sent Uruguay through to the last-16 where, without the banned Suarez, they lost 2-0 to Colombia. Suarez initially denied biting Chiellini but apologisied nearly a week later. (Reuters)
Neymar to join Brazil for third place play-off
Teresopolis (Brazil): Brazil’s injured striker Neymar will attend Saturday’s third place play-off when the battered World Cup hosts take on the Netherlands. Brazil were consigned to the ignominy of fighting out a game Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has attacked as “unfair” after their 7-1 semifinal mauling by Germany. Neymar’s absence dominated the build-up to Tuesday’s humiliation. The Barcelona striker missed out after fracturing a vertebrae in the quarterfinal win over Colombia. The Barcelona star’s absence and as importantly that of suspended defender and captain Thiago Silva contributed to Tuesday’s shocking Belo Horizonte battering by Germany. (AFP)
Colombia offers Zuniga security after insults over Neymar
BOGOTA: Colombia’s football federation will provide security measures for defender Camilo Zuniga over threats he has received for a foul that ended Brazilian forward Neymar’s World Cup, the ruling body said. Zuniga’s raised-knee challenge during a rough quarterfinal when Brazil beat Colombia 2-1 left Neymar with a broken vertebra and out of the hosts’ semifinal against Germany. The 28-year-old right back, who plays his club football with Napoli, sent his best wishes for a speedy recovery to Neymar and said there was no ill intent in the clash. But there was a vitriolic reaction in some quarters, especially from Brazil, where current and ex-players called the tackle “cowardly” and “evil.” Brazil fans have also taken to social media to berate him. (Reuters)
Argentina ‘not intimidated’ by Germany
SAO PAULO: Argentina are not intimidated by facing Germany in the World Cup final despite seeing them tear hosts Brazil to shreds in the semis, striker Gonzalo Higuain said. “There’s no intimidation, not at all. There is respect. They will also be worried that Argentina is in the final,” Higuain told reporters after his side beat the Netherlands 4-2 in a penalty shootout to book a place in the final. Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday in one of the most shocking results in soccer history, but Higuain said Argentina had no reason to fear anyone. “We’re in the final and the other stuff doesn’t matter. Everyone who plays struggles and fights to the death.” Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time in their semifinal on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Re-injured Hummels likely to play final
SANTO ANDRE (Brazil): Germany defender Mats Hummels is undergoing treatment for a knee injury but should be fit to play in the World Cup final on Sunday, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said on Thursday. Hummels asked to be taken off at half time in the World Cup semifinal against Brazil due to the injury. He first hurt his knee in Germany’s 4-0 win over Portugal at the start of the tournament. “Everyone’s okay except for Mats Hummels and he’s getting further treatment,” Bierhoff told German TV, adding the players were given the day off on Thursday. “It’s a precautionary measure. We assume he’ll be able to play in the final.” (AFP)