..::Football III::..

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Suarez banned for four months

Luis Suarez was today handed a record four-month ban by Fifa after being found guilty of biting an opponent for the third time in his chequered career.

The Liverpool striker was also handed a nine-match international suspension, meaning he will miss the remainder of Uruguay's World Cup campaign, which continues against Colombia in the round of 16 in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

Television footage showed Suarez biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Tuesday's clash in Natal after which Fifa's Disciplinary Committee opened an investigation.

Its findings were announced at a media briefing in Rio on Thursday morning.

The sanction, which included an €82,000 fine, means Suarez cannot play for Liverpool until the end of October. Depending on how Uruguay do at this World Cup will determine whether he is able to play at next summer's Copa America.

It does not, however, prevent him from moving clubs this summer, increasing speculation he may decide to end his career in England for a career in Spain.

The Uruguay FA and Suarez himself can appeal the sanction but the ban will stand until that process has been completed.
A Fifa statement read: "The player Luis Suarez is to be suspended for nine official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming Fifa World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay on June 28, 2014.

"The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay's next Fifa World Cup match(es), as long as the team (remains in the competition), and/or in the representative team's subsequent official matches.
"The player Luis Suarez is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four months.

"A stadium ban is pronounced against the player Luis Suarez in accordance with article 21 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code as follows: the player Luis Suarez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban.
"The player Luis Suarez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium in which the representative team of Uruguay is playing while he has to serve the nine-match suspension.
"The player Luis Suarez is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 Swiss Francs."

Claudio Sulser, the chairman of the Fifa disciplinary committee, said the panel had taken into account all the factors in the case.
Sulser said: "Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a Fifa World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field.
"The disciplinary committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suarez's guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the dode. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated."

Surez will now go into a second successive season with Liverpool carrying a suspension for biting.

Last season, he missed the Reds' opening games as he was still serving a ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic towards the end of the 2012-13 campaign.

It was not his first ban for such an offence. In 2010, while playing for Ajax, Suarez bit PSV's Otman Bakkal to earn himself a seven-match suspension.

 

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Suarez ta wade set wela.​

 

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Balotelli is overrated, says Camoranesi

Former Italy international Mauro Camoranesi has taken aim at Mario Balotelli and claimed the striker is "overrated".

Balotelli has come in for criticism in the wake of Italy's exit from the World Cup, with their failure to advance from Group D resulting in the resignation of coach Cesare Prandelli.

Azzurri midfielder Daniele De Rossi also appeared to criticise Balotelli following their 1-0 defeat to Uruguay on Tuesday.

Balotelli took to his Instagram account on Wednesday to reply to the criticism, insisting he "gave his all" for his country.

However, Camoranesi – a World Cup winner in 2006 – believes the 23-year-old is not working hard enough as he joined the list of disgruntled Italians voicing their displeasure with the striker.

"I firmly believe Balotelli is a very overrated player, both by the media and those who train him," said Camoranesi, who earned 55 caps for Italy between 2003 and 2010.

"It really infuriates me to see someone on the pitch who isn't working as hard as he ought to. I really don't know what his problem is.”

The former midfielder has also urged Balotelli to realise his limitations and learn from his errors on the pitch.

"I would've liked to play like Luis Figo, but I became aware of my own limitations. Every now and then I did something stupid too, but I learned from my mistakes."

 

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Sakho defends elbow on Minda during World Cup match

France centre-back Mamadou Sakho has defended his elbow to the face of Ecuador's Oswaldo Minda during Les Bleus’ final World Cup Group E match in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.The incident occurred during the seventh minute of the clash during a set-piece, with the South American fortunately escaping without an injury.

Referee Noumandiez Doue failed to send the 24-year-old off, a decision which Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda labelled as "regrettable" following the match.Sakho has now revealed that he did not mean to hurt Minda and will accept any punishment that FIFA chooses to give for the incident.

"By jumping, it makes me nudge him. Perhaps it can be dangerous, it could openup the game,” he was quoted as saying in L’Equipe.“The referee made his decision, I respect it.

"If they [FIFA] think I deserve [punishment], they will make their decision. I always play to respect the opposition. And I would like my opponents to respect me."It [the elbow] was to protect me then. I'm not there to do bad [things] or to hurt people.

“I rarely got yellow cards or red cards. I have a hard game, but, not a bad game.”
France will face Nigeria in the last 16 in Brasilia on June 30 after Didier Deschamps’ men finished as winners of Group E.

 

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'I'm not a quitter,' insists England boss Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson says he will not resign from his post despite the Three Lions' disappointing World Cup showing.

Hodgson's men entered the tournament with high hopes but their new crop of young players failed to deliver, with consecutive 2-1 defeats to Italy and Uruguay ending their prospects of making the last 16 after just six days.

England finished the tournament with a goalless draw against Costa Rica on Tuesday and the former Liverpool and Fulham boss's future has been questioned.

When told that Italy coach Cesare Prandelli had offered his resignation following their elimination, Hodgson was asked again by reporters about his job but snapped back: "I told you [press] the other day [I won't resign] and I've nothing more to add.

"The FA has asked me to continue. They want me to continue. I'm very happy that they want me to continue.

"I think there is an interesting group of players here to work with and I get no feeling whatsoever that any of them will want me to resign. I have no reason to do so. I have no intention to do so. I don't want to be compared to other people.

"The reason I'm staying on is that I'm not a quitter. I believe in this team and that the FA seriously want me to keep doing this job, as do the players, so therefore I will continue to do it and I'll try and lead them to Euro 2016 and try to get some good results."
Hodgson was also pressed on the future of experienced midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and he does not want either player to retire from international football – as is widely expected – so he can involve them in England's bid to reach France in 2016.

"It would be nice if they don't formally retire because, when players do that, they disappear from England selection," he added.

"[We could] leave it to a dialogue, perhaps, whereby at any moment in time I could speak to one of them and say: 'Look, do you want to play in this game, are you up for it?'. That's how I'd really like to see it."

 

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Hernandez disappointed with Manchester United's 'lack of faith'

Javier Hernandez has taken a veiled swipe at former Manchester United boss David Moyes, claiming that "very few people" showed faith in his abilities last term.

Hernandez struggled to nail down a starting spot at Old Trafford in 2013-14, with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie firmly entrenched at the top of Moyes' pecking order before the Scot's sacking in April.

The Mexico international has now revealed his frustration at being left on the bench, with, as Goal understands, Valencia and Atletico Madrid among the teams monitoring his availability this summer.

"This whole year has been very tough. Players need confidence more than anything else and I've been very short of it," he told the press.

"Very few people have shown faith in me over this past year."

New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is plotting an overhaul of the current squad and it is unclear whether the Dutchman will choose to cash in on the 26-year-old, with Tottenham and Arsenal both reportedly interested in the striker.

 

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Chicharito godak durata Manchester United walin yai​

 

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Official: Manchester City sign Fernando

Manchester City have signed Porto midfielder Fernando for a fee of €15 million (£12m), the Premier League champions have confirmed.

As reported by Goal in May, the 26-year-old and right-back Bacary Sagna were top of Manuel Pellegrini's transfer wishlist for the summer.

Sagna's move on a free transfer was confirmed earlier this month, with Fernando becoming the champions' second close-season recruit.

City tabled a joint bid for Fernando and team-mate Eliaquim Mangala in January, though the deal could not be completed before the transfer deadline - with the former then signing a new contract with Porto.

Confirmation of the deal was initially held up due to complications, with Fernando's agent, Antonio Araujo, confident the move would happen last month.

He told Maisfutebol: "Fernando is in the city of Porto waiting for Porto tell him their decision about the documents they have received so that he can travel immediately [to Manchester]."

Fernando, who was denied the opportunity to represent Portugal, has been targeted by City for his midfield anchorman qualities and will compete with the likes of Fernandinho and Yaya Toure for a starting berth.

And he has expressed his delight at finally completing his move to Etihad Stadium, saying: “I am so happy to finally be joining Manchester City.

“I know there was talk of me possibly signing last January so I am delighted that the deal has now been done and that I am a City player.

“I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and helping City to defend the title. It is a very exciting time to be part of this football club and I cannot wait to play in the Premier League.

“City fans can be assured I will give my all every time I play and I’m looking forward to many happy years in Manchester.

“I have enjoyed my stay with Porto and I thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Portugal. Now I am ready for a new chapter in my career.”

 

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Manchester City schedule crunch Yaya Toure talks

Manchester City are to grant Yaya Toure a three-week break ahead of scheduled crisis talks over the midfielder’s future, Goal understands.

The 31-year-old's relationship with his club plumbed new depths on Tuesday when the Ivory Coast star claimed that City denied him the opportunity to spend time with his brother Ibrahim, who passed away on June 19, prior to his death.

Relations between the player and the Premier League champions were already fraught after Toure accused the club of failing to properly acknowledge his birthday and City are understood to be mortified by the latest accusations.

In an interview with France Football, Toure said: "I confess that I am still very sad. I'm suffering because I feel I have done nothing useful for him the last few weeks.

"At the end of the season, I wanted to stay for four or five days with my brother before I flew to prepare for the World Cup with Ivory Coast, except City did not want to give me a few days.

"I went to celebrate the title championship in Abu Dhabi while my brother was in his sickbed. By fortune, Kolo was at his bedside. After that I blame myself for not insisting and for not leading them to respect me.

"However, club officials knew that I had been suffering for a few months seeing the health of my brother decline.

"This is the reason I had several injuries at the end of the season because my head had taken control of my body. These last four months have probably been the hardest in my life."

Toure and the Ivory Coast crashed out of the World Cup on Tuesday after a last-minute penalty from Greece's Giorgios Samaras condemned his side to group-stage elimination for the third World Cup tournament in a row.

City, who begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Dundee on July 13 before flying out to America for the International Champions Cup, will now grant Toure extended leave before holding talks over his future.

 

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Dzeko: I'll never forget disallowed goal against Nigeria

Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko has admitted that he will never forget the goal that he controversially had disallowed against Nigeria at the World Cup.

With the score goalless in Cuiaba, Dzeko - who is his nation's record goalscorer - saw his 21st-minute strike ruled out for offside, even though replays showed the decision had been incorrect.Peter Odemwingie went on to score the only goal of the game eight minutes later, which handed Nigeria a narrow 1-0 victory.The defeat ensured that Safet Susic's men could not qualify for the second round after their earlier loss to Argentina.

Despite scoring the opener in his team’s 3-1 win over Iran in their final group game in Salvador, the Manchester City striker said he would always remember the disallowed goal against Nigeria, which marred Bosnia-Herzegovina’s maiden World Cup campaign.

"Despite the victory, we go home sad as we could've gone further," Dzeko said.
"The goal they cancelled out against Nigeria, I will remember until the end of my life."Miralem Pjanic and Avdija Vrsajevic also scored against Iran on Wednesday, which handed the side their only victory in Brazil.

And Pjanic expressed his disappointment at his team not having progressed further in the tournament, saying that the Bosnia-Herzegovina players did not put in a good enough performance to beat Nigeria despite Dzeko’s disallowed goal."I'm glad I scored at the World Cup, but I am sorry that we did not achieve what we wanted," he said.

"If we had a bit more luck we could have got out of the group. We gave our best and it was a great experience for us. In the second game we did not work hard, but we have to look forward."

 

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Galliani: Balotelli not to blame for Italy exit and will stay at AC Milan

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani is stunned that Mario Balotelli is being blamed for Italy's early World Cup exit and says the Serie A side have no intention of letting the striker leave San Siro.

The 23-year-old attacker scored the winning goal in the Azzurri's tournament-opening 2-1 win over England but missed a golden opportunity in the shock loss Costa Rica before being replaced at half-time during the decisive defeat by Uruguay, after picking up a booking that ruled him out of any last-16 clash.

Balotelli has since come in for heavy criticism in the Italian press, while there have also been reports that some of his team-mates had turned against him by the end of his country's World Cup campaign.

Galliani, though, feels that it is wholly unfair to make Balotelli the scapegoat for the national team's failure to make it out of the group stage and completely dismissed reports that the club are considering cashing in on their most valuable asset by offloading him to Arsenal.

"Balotelli will remain at Milan," he told ANSA. "It does not sit well with me that it seems that the international team has lost because of Balotelli.

"Italy lost for many other reasons. Balotelli was the only striker who has scored a goal [at the World Cup, in a 2-1 win over England], while others have not had a shot on goal.

"I do not understand why you only talk about Balotelli. There was a coach, the technical staff and 22 other players: we have to talk about the collective.

"It seems now that the major disappointment was Balotelli.

"I do not understand this and do not want to really discuss it because I did not understand why the whole squad was not discussed."

 

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Modric: Lack of belief cost Croatia

Luka Modric has cited a "lack of belief" as the reason for Croatia's early exit from the World Cup.

An opening game defeat to hosts Brazil immediately put Niko Kovac's men on the back foot and, although they responded with a 4-0 win over Cameroon, they were unable to overcome Mexico to secure a place in the last-16.

Expectations within the squad had been high ahead of the finals but Mexico beat Niko Kovac's men 3-1 to claim the runners-up place in Group A and send Croatia home.

"We are disappointed, but what can we do?" Modric said. "Of course we were expecting to go to the next round.

"You have to have belief in yourself to go far [in a tournament], but we didn't show that on the pitch.

"I think we looked good in the first game against Brazil and in the second game [against Cameroon]. We had some good periods [against Mexico] but we weren't good enough."

Brazil and Mexico progressed from the group, with Croatia finishing in third spot.

 

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Pogba happy with France progress

Paul Pogba insists France are in no way disappointed following their underwhelming goalless draw with Ecuador on Wednesday.

Didier Deschamps' men progressed into the second round of the World Cup having topped Group E with two wins and a draw after their stalemate with the South American side.

A much-changed XI were far from their fluent best against their opponents who were reduced to 10 men when Antonio Valencia was dismissed early in the second half.

However, despite failing to break down Reinaldo Rueda's side, Pogba does not expect the result to slow France down ahead of their last-16 clash with Nigeria.

"We played well and put in the performance that was expected of us, but we didn't get the result we deserved," he told Fifa.com.

"All we lacked was a bit of a break in front of goal, that’s all.

"I don't think this match will have any kind of negative effect on our confidence. We drew, we didn't lose. That's an important distinction."

France's unbeaten group stage campaign is a step forward from their shambolic campaign in South Africa four years ago when they crashed out with just a point, and Pogba believes les Bleus can be proud of their efforts this time around.

"We can be satisfied with how we did overall and with our qualification for the knockout stages," he added.

"It could have been Argentina [who France booked a tie with in the last-16], or another team, but no matter who it is, our goals of winning and getting as far as possible in the tournament don't change. We're doing everything we can to achieve those aims."

 

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'Disgraceful' Suarez will never change, laments Liverpool hero Carragher


Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says Luis Suarez's "self-destructive" tendencies are unlikely to be tamed.

The Reds star drew controversy again on Tuesday when he appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini while on Uruguay duty at the World Cup, the third such incident of his career, and his old team-mate doubts that his "disgraceful" actions will end there.

"Rather than being regarded as one of the finest forwards in the game, he's now simply known as the one who bites people," Carragher told the Daily Mail.

"I find the incident completely bizarre. I worked with Luis every day for two-and-a-half years at Liverpool and, if you spent time in his company, you would struggle to believe he was capable of such ridiculous moments.

"He is a special footballer because he scores incredible goals, [because of] his skill, tremendous physical capabilities and enthusiasm. He pushes himself to the limit but that doesn't mean we should have to accept moments of madness.

"Luis will be distraught. When he bit Branislav Ivanovic, in the days and weeks that followed you could see how much of an impact it had made on him. He was devastated.

"Do not think, however, I am looking to defend him. I didn't when he tangled with Ivanovic and I'm not changing my view. Luis's actions have been disgraceful and it defies belief that he could behave as if he was in a playground once again after everything Liverpool have done for him.
"He has lost focus and, if I'm honest, I don't believe he will change. He will always have that tendency to self-destruct. This latest incident mirrored the ones with Ivanovic and Otman Bakkal — it was a split-second reaction, instinctive. Could there be an element [that] he felt he would get away with it?"

Carragher is not in favour of a ban that would affect his club form after the incident took place on international duty but believes Liverpool are now likely to sell if any of the forward’s high-profile suitors were to make a move.

"I believe the biggest way to hurt him would have been for Fifa to suspend him for the rest of the World Cup and then ban him for a calendar year, which would rule him out of Uruguay's Copa America defence next summer," he opined.

"People are calling for a worldwide ban but I don't think Liverpool should be punished. Uruguay didn't suffer when he served the Ivanovic ban, did they?

"With Liverpool, his situation is even more complicated. Those who are saying the club should make a stand and drum him out have no grasp on reality because no business would get shot of an £80 million asset for nothing or a reduced fee.
"But there comes a point when enough is enough. You have to wonder whether Barcelona and Real Madrid have been put off by what they saw in Natal, but there is no doubt his future will become a massive issue.

"Now you get the feeling that Liverpool might actually be relieved if Barcelona or Madrid come in with a bid that triggers a move. If a lucrative offer arrives in the next few weeks, I am convinced Suarez will be playing his football somewhere else next season.

"He has been a magnificent player and that is why Liverpool supporters have staunchly stood by him but even they believe now that this latest controversy is something the club can do without."

 

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Suarez should be banned but only after the World Cup, urges Zyryanov

Ex-Russia midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov has called on "wild" Luis Suarez to be given a ban if he is found guilty of biting – but only after the World Cup finishes.
The Liverpool star made headlines this week when he appeared to bite the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over the
Azzurri - an incident that the 27-year-old was not sent off for.

Suarez has bitten an opponent on two separate occasions previously - he was punished for sinking his teeth into PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal in 2010 before being banned for biting the arm of Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.

Fifa have now confirmed that they have opened disciplinary proceedings into this week's incident, and if found guilty of the offence again, Suarez could be suspended for between three and 24 international matches or be given up to a two-year club and/or country ban. And Zyryanov admitted that while Suarez should be banned, Fifa should only take the necessary action after the end of the World Cup in Brazil.

"I would allow him to play the rest of the World Cup. But then he must be punished,” he told Sport-Express."He already has previous incidents like this, with Branislav Ivanovic who he bit and [then] got a ban for 10 matches [as a result].

"They say off the pitch Suarez is fine, but in the heat of the match his emotions go wild."God has shown me mercy [for never being bitten]. I've been pushed, beaten off my feet, but biting? Thank God, that has not yet come into anyone's mind."

Fifa began proceedings into the incident on Wednesday and are likely to conclude discussions by the end of Thursday."We have to resolve it either today or tomorrow," Martin Hong, a member of Fifa's disciplinary panel, told reporters on Wednesday. "It's our duty to see justice done."

Should Suarez decide to appeal any ban given by the governing body, Fifa may have to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reach a binding verdict before Uruguay's next World Cup match against Colombia on June 28.

But if Fifa were to ban the forward for fewer than three matches or only up to two months, Suarez would not be able to appeal as per the organisation's rules.

 

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Liverpool to 'review Fifa report' on Suarez ban

Liverpool have revealed they will 'review Fifa's report' following news that striker Luis Suarez will be banned for four months after his bite on Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Under the terms of his ban, the forward will not be allowed to enter a football stadium until October 26, ruling him out of nine Premier League fixtures as well as the first three rounds of the Champions League group stage.

Suarez will, though, be able to move clubs should Barcelona or Real Madrid follow up their reported interest in the 27-year-old, as his ban from footballing activity does not cover transfers.

In a statement, chief executive Ian Ayre said: "Liverpool Football Club will wait until we have seen and had time to review the Fifa Disciplinary Committee report before making any further comment."

The Anfield club are unable to appeal the suspension, with only the Uruguayan FA and Suarez himself able to fight the ruling which also saw him suspended for Uruguay's next nine competitive fixtures.

Suarez previously missed ten Liverpool matches after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in April 2013, but still went onto finish as the Premier League's top goalscorer in the 2013-14 season.

 

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Which Liverpool games will Luis Suarez miss due to ban?

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will miss the first half of his side's Champions League group-stage campaign as well as key domestic fixtures against Manchester City and Everton after FIFA handed him a four-month suspension from "any football related activity" for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini.

Suarez will miss the rest of the Uruguay's World Cup campaign - England's conquerors are due to face fellow South Americans Colombia in the last 16 - as well as next summer's Copa America and a significant portion of the upcoming Premier League season.

Suarez could miss up to 14 fixtures, depending on Liverpool's progress in the Capital One Cup, including back-to-back away games against reigning champions Manchester City and Tottenham and the first Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield on September 27.

The 27-year-old's form last season was the primary reason behind Liverpool's qualification for the Champions League - they are due to make an appearance in the competition for the first time since 2009 - but Suarez will play no part in his side's first three games in Europe.

Suarez was suspended for 10 games after biting Branislav Ivanovic at the end of the 2012-13 season and also missed eight games when he was banned having been found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra in October 2011.

By the time Suarez returns from his latest ban, he will have potentially missed 32 games for his club in two-and-half seasons.

Suarez will be unable to appeal the ban, only the £66,000 fine handed down by the world governing body, while his club have confirmed they will review FIFA's report.

In a statement, chief executive Ian Ayre said: "Liverpool Football Club will wait until we have seen and had time to review the FIFA Disciplinary Committee report before making any further comment."

 

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Uruguay to appeal Suarez ban

Uruguay FA president Wilmar Valdez has confirmed the association will appeal Luis Suarez's four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Fifa announced on Thursday that the Liverpool striker will be suspended for nine competitive international matches, banned from all football-related activity for four months and fined €82,000.

The punishment ends Suarez's involvement in this summer's World Cup and makes it highly likely that he will also miss Uruguay's defence of their Copa America crown in Chile next summer.

But Valdez insists the Uruguay FA are not prepared to accept Fifa's decision. "We are preparing our appeal now, we have three days to do it," he said.
"It is an excessive decision and there was not enough evidence and I have seen more aggressive incidents recently.

"It is a severe punishment. I don't know exactly which arguments they used but it is a tough punishment for Suarez.

"It feels like Uruguay has been thrown out of the World Cup. We all know what Suarez means to Uruguay and to football around the world - not having Suarez would be a loss to any team."

Fifa also confirmed earlier on Thursday that any appeal from the Uruguay FA would not see the ban provisionally lifted to enable Suarez to face Colombia in the World Cup round of 16 at the Maracana on Saturday.

 

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Uruguay la Appeal kalata wadak wena 1kak naha mata hithenne

 

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Rojo: My dream has come true

Marcos Rojo is delighted to have scored his first goal for Argentina, claiming that netting the winner for the two-time champions was a dream come true.
The defender, who has represented his country 25 times, scored the winning goal against Nigeria on the 48th minute to make the score 3-2 to Argentina and assure that the South American side qualified for the last-16 with a 100% winning record.

While the 24-year-old admitted his goal was nothing sensational, he says he was elated to score his first World Cup goal.
"To score my first goal for Argentina, and for it to come at the World Cup and to secure three points for us – that’s what dreams are made of,” he told Fifa's official website.
"I couldn’t ask for more, although it wasn’t a particularly beautiful goal."

Following narrow wins against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran, the Sporting Lisbon defender believes his side showed a lot more attacking threat against Nigeria.

"Today, we were clearly a lot more inspired going forward. Our attacking players helped us out by scoring quickly. You always feel a bit more comfortable in a winning position.

"The key factor in our improved performance today was an increase in space, because Nigeria were attacking and trying to win the match.

"That inevitably makes the match more open. And we knew that if we had more space available to us than in the first two matches, we’d create more chances."

Argentina will face Group E runners-up Switzerland on 1 July at the Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo, in the last-16 stage of the competition.