Brazil launch Silva bid as semis loom
Rio de Janeiro: Brazil stoked controversy ahead of the World Cup semifinals here on Sunday by calling on FIFA to scrap the suspension which has ruled captain Thiago Silva out of the host nation’s clash with Germany. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said it wanted FIFA to rescind the yellow card awarded against Silva during Friday’s bruising quarterfinal win over Colombia. The card against Silva was “unjustly shown” and the defender should therefore be allowed to face the Germans in Belo Horizonte, the CBF said in a statement. The Brazilian association also demanded FIFA launch an investigation into the “violent challenge” by Colombia’s Juan Zuniga which saw star striker Neymar ruled out of the tournament. Zuniga has apologised for the tackle but insisted there was no intention to injure the opponent. If Brazil’s appeal of Silva’s suspension fails, they will line up against Germany missing two key players after Neymar’s injury exit. (AFP)
Marcelo stays despite granddad’s death
Belo Horizonte: The Brazilian football confederation says left back Marcelo’s grandfather has died, but that the player will remain with the Brazil team at their World Cup training camp. The confederation said Pedro Vieira da Silva died early on Saturday in a hospital in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 78. The death came a few hours after Brazil beat Colombia 2-1 in the quarterfinals in Fortaleza. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gave Marcelo permission to return to Rio de Janeiro to be with his family, but the player said he preferred to mourn alongside his team mates. The Real Madrid defender has said in the past that his grandfather was his greatest supporter in football since he was a kid. The news came just after Neymar was ruled out of the World cup with a back injury. (AP)
Neymar injury ‘a catastrophe’: Sabella
Brasilia: Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said that the back injury that has ruled Brazil poster boy Neymar out of the World Cup was “a catastrophe”. “For those who love football and know football, it’s bad news,” said Sabella, shortly after his side’s 1-0 victory over Belgium in the quarterfinals on Saturday. “I love great players. For people like me, Brazil losing a player like him is me losing the possibility of watching him again. “It’s a catastrophe, nothing more, nothing less. There’s nothing worse than getting injured at a World Cup when your dream of lifting the trophy is still alive. The only thing I can do is wish him a quick recovery.” Neymar, the face of the tournament, was ruled out of the World Cup on Friday after sustaining a fractured vertebra following a challenge by Juan Zuniga during Brazil’s 2-1 quarterfinal win over Colombia in Fortaleza. (AFP)
Real Madrid legend di Stefano in coma
Madrid: Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano, one of the greatest players in history, is in a coma in hospital after suffering a heart attack, officials said. Rescuers battled for nearly 20 minutes to revive the 88-year-old after his heart and breathing stopped while he was eating with his family near the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in central Madrid on Saturday. “He had suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest,” a source at Madrid Emergency Services told AFP. Di Stefano is one of Real Madrid’s most celebrated players, having represented the club for 11 seasons between 1953 and 1964, winning five European Cups. He now holds the title of honorary club president. (AFP)
Amla inspires Proteas to big win in 1st ODI
Colombo: Opener Hashim Amla smashed 109 and Ryan McLaren took two wickets in three balls as South Africa thrashed Sri Lanka by 75 runs in their first one-dayer on Sunday. Amla, 31, hit eight fours in his composed 130-ball knock and shared a 151-run stand for the third wicket with skipper AB de Villiers (75), helping the visitors to post a formidable 304-5 at the R Premadasa Stadium. Kumar Sangakkara responded with a fine 88 off just 84 balls but Sri Lanka were still bundled out for 229 off 40.3 overs. The hosts appeared headed towards victory at one point. But paceman McLaren dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne and Sangakkara in the 38th over to trigger a collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose their last five wickets for just 13 runs. (AFP)
