..::Football IV::..

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AC Milan banned from European football in 2018-19


AC Milan have been banned from participating in European competition next season due to a contravention of Financial Fair Play, UEFA have confirmed.

The Rossoneri finished in sixth in last season's Serie A campaign, gaining a spot in the Europa League group stage for 2018-19. But according to UEFA, the Italians have fallen foul of FFP laws and will not be able to take up their spot.

Milan will have the right to appeal, but if that is unsuccessful they will be expelled from the 2018-19 Europa League, although they would be eligible to enter again in 2019-20 if they qualify for either the Champions or Europa League.

A statement read: "The Adjudicatory Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), chaired by Jose Narciso da Cunha Rodrigues, has taken a decision in the case of the club AC Milan that had been referred to it by the CFCB Chief Investigator for the breach of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, in particular the break-even requirement.

"The club is excluded from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify in the next two (2) seasons (i.e. one competition in 2018/19 or 2019/20, subject to qualification).

"This decision may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance with Article 34(2) of the Procedural rules governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body, as well as Articles 62 and 63 of the UEFA Statutes."Atalanta will qualify straight to the group phase. Fiorentina will enter the preliminary round."

Milan returned to European competition after an absence of three years in 2017-18, reaching the last 16 of the Europa League before going out to eventual finalists Arsenal.

 

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No Chelsea offers for Manolas, says Monchi


Roma are yet to receive any offers for Kostas Manolas, sporting director Monchi said amid reports if interest from Chelsea. The centre-back came close to leaving the Italian side in 2017, having attracted interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Inter before a deal with Zenit St Petersburg fell through.

The Greece international has four years left on his contract at the capital club, but talk of Chelsea triggering Manolas' buyout clause, rumoured to be in the region of €38 million ($50m/€43m), has risen again.

But Monchi insists the 27-year-old is happy at Roma and has no desire to leave, and has had no contact from London."I've spoken to Kostas three or four times, he enjoys my job and might make a decent director of football himself!" Monchi said.

"He's happy with the team and wants to stay. I've read that Chelsea want to pay the buyout clause, but I haven't heard anything. I feel calm."Monchi also dismissed the speculation around star goalkeeper Allison, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Liverpool, saying there have been "no offers" for the Brazilian.

Roma have had a busy summer already. Eusebio Di Francesco’s team lost Radja Nainggolan to Inter on Tuesday, but signed Davide Santon and Nicolo Zaniolo from their Serie A rivals, while Javier Pastore joined from Paris Saint-Germain.The Giallorossi had already landed Justin Kluivert from Ajax and Ante Coric from Dinamo Zagreb.

 

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Juventus complete €40m deal for Joao Cancelo


Joao Cancelo has completed his move from Valencia to Serie A champions Juventus, signing a five-year contract with the Bianconeri.

The Portugal international, who can operate on the right of defence or midfield, underwent a medical on Wednesday after flying into Turin the previous day to complete the formalities of his €40 million (£35m/$46m) transfer.Cancelo returns to Italy after spending the 2017-18 season on loan at Inter, making 26 league appearances as the Nerazzurri secured a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.

However, while the deal with Inter had an option to buy, the 24-year-old defender has ended up at Juve, who have bolstered their options on the right following Stephan Lichtsteiner's departure to Arsenal. Valencia signed Cancelo from Benfica in August 2014, initially on a season-long loan before making the switch permanently the following year.

He has scored three goals in seven appearances for Portugal, though he did not make the final cut for their 23-man squad for the World Cup in Russia.

 

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Germany boss Low leaves door open for resignation after 'deserved' World Cup elimination


Germany coach Joachim Low has admitted his team were not good enough to make the knock-out stages after suffering a shock elimination from the 2018 World Cup, while admitting his own future is less than certain.Late strikes from South Korea duo Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min sealed the defending champions' fate as they crashed out at the bottom of Group F.

Low's team managed just three points out of a possible nine, beating Sweden with help from a late Toni Kroos stunner having opened the World Cup with defeat to Mexico.

And the coach left open the possibility that he could end his 12-year association with the national team after putting in Germany's worst campaign since 1938."Will I leave? It is too early to answer that question. My disappointment is still very fresh," he told reportersafter the final whistle.

"I could not have imagined this. I was optimistic, I need some time now to think. Tomorrow we will talk." Low also refused to make excuses for his side, confessing they were not up to the task as Sweden and Mexico advance to the next phase.

"At the moment it is hard to say [why we have been eliminated]. The disappointment of us being eliminated is just huge," he added. "We didn’t deserve to be winning the World Cup again, we didn’t deserve to move into the last 16.

"Our team in this match was missing the ease of play and the classiness that we normally display. Also the dynamism that led to the goalscoring opportunities was not there, so we deserve to be eliminated."

 

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Hummels: Germany haven't been convincing since 2017


Mats Hummels witnessed Germany get eliminated from Russia 2018 and then declared the last time the World Cup holders delivered a "convincing performance" was last year.

Germany bowed out in the opening round for the first time since 1938 and finished bottom of Group F following a shock 2-0 loss to South Korea in Kazan on Wednesday.

Hummels sent a late header over from point-blank range, while Timo Werner and Toni Kroos also spurned chances to send the defending champions into the knockout stages before sucker punches from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min.

Having surprisingly 1-0 lost to Mexico in their opening match in Russia and then required a 95th-minute strike from Toni Kroos to overcome Sweden 2-1, the Bayern Munich centre-back acknowledged they have not been at their best for a long time."It is very difficult to put into words. We believed in it until the end. Even after the 1-0 we still tried to turn things around," said Hummels to ZDF.

"Our problem was that we did not put the ball in the goal. Actually, there were enough opportunities - including for myself. I have to score in the 87th minute. That broke our neck in the end. We just did not use our chances.

"We have a few things to start with. I will not say publicly what they are.
"The last convincing performance we had was in the autumn of 2017. That was a long time ago."Today is a very, very bitter evening for us and all German football fans."

Spain, Portugal and Argentina came through dramatic final matches to advance, and Hummels never thought it would be straightforward for Joachim Low's side.
The 29-year-old criticised Germany's tactics after going down to Mexico and, although he has since seen improvements, he was frustrated by a loss of composure up front against South Korea.

"Almost no team gets through easily - with the exception of England and Belgium, who each have two wins - almost all the favourites have problems, as the small teams are doing well," said Hummels."We have improved the things that I have addressed. Against Sweden it was already much better in terms of security and ball safety. We had that today, too.

"From the 65th minute we became incredibly hectic, played bad passes and were hit by many counter-attacks. There were really unbelievable counter-attacks, but we defended them well."

 

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'It bordered on embarrassment' - Hamann slams Germany after shock World Cup elimination


Dietmar Hamann believes Germany bordered on embarrassment with how the final few moments of their shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea that sealed their elimination from the 2018 World Cup unfolded.

Germany entered their final game of Group F knowing a victory over then-bottom placed South Korea would likely see them through to the knockout stage, despite struggles at time during their first two games.However, Germany found themselves unable to break through against the resilient Koreans and squandered numerous chances.

Ultimately a goal from Kim Young-Gwon, restored by VAR after initially being ruled out, put South Korea in front late.

Then with Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer up in the attacking half as Germany searched for a goal, a long ball from the Korean half allowed Son Heung-Min to run onto it and score an empty net goal to confirm Germany’s elimination from the tournament and bottom finish in Group F.And former Germany international Hamann thought that moment in particular was near-embarrassing and a sign of a squad that had lost their way.

"Towards the end, with that [Manuel] Neuer incident, it bordered on embarrassment, because this is not how German football has been represented over the last four or five decades,” Hamann told RTE. “I got knocked out in the European Championship group stages [in 2004], but you've got to conduct yourself in a certain way and they didn't do that.

"For me, that's the disappointing thing. They lost leadership, they lack players they can really rely on when the chips are down and that's on the pitch.”The result represents the first time Germany will not be in the knockout stages of the World Cup since 1950, when they were banned from participation in the aftermath of World War Two.

It is also the first time Germany will not make a knockout stage in a tournament since the 2004 Euros, and Hamann expects there to be plenty of criticism and potentially tough decisions ahead for Die Mannschaft."They will face huge criticism. The team manager Oliver Bierhoff didn't really handle the Erdogan thing before the tournament well,” Hamann added. “The manager [Joachim Low] extended his contract before the tournament for another two years - so he has four years left. It will be very interesting what the thoughts of the DFB are.

"So there are a lot of questions. Last year we thought we were unbeatable for the next decade after winning the Confederations Cup and within 12 months we're back down to earth."

 

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France ‘02, Spain ‘14, Germany ‘18! The curse of the World Cup champions


From champs to chumps! Following Wednesday's shock loss to South Korea, Germany have become the latest victims of the curse of the World Cup winners.

Three of the past four champions had bowed out at the group stage, and Joachim Low's side joined that unwanted list with their second defeat of an awful attempt to defend their trophy.

Germany started their campaign in the worst fashion, going down to Mexico in a 1-0 shock loss that could have been even more convincing if El Tri showed more cutting edge in front of goal.

They also flirted with elimination having gone 1-0 down to Sweden, although goals from Marco Reus and Toni Kroos kept them in the hunt with a comeback win.
But there was to be no great escape in 2018, as South Korea took advantage of late desperation to hit twice in quick succession and make Germany the latest side to fail miserably in their defence attempt.

France won the World Cup for the first time in 1998, when they defeated Brazil in Paris thanks to two headed goals from Zinedine Zidane and a late breakaway effort from Emmanuel Petit.

However, they were humiliated in Japan and South Korea four years later after failing to get out of a group featuring Senegal, Denmark and Uruguay. Indeed, their 1-0 loss to The Lions of Teranga ranks as one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

A Ronaldo-inspired Brazil triumphed in that tournament but the Selecao then suffered a tame exit themselves in 2006, losing 1-0 to France in the quarter-finals.

That was nothing, though, compared to Italy's dismal exit in 2010, with the Azzurri failing to win a single game in a group containing Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia – just four years after their emotional triumph in Germany.Spain's demise in Brazil in 2014 was even more shocking. La Roja had won three major tournaments in a row: two European Championships and a World Cup.

However, Vicente Del Bosque's side never truly recovered from a catastrophic 5-1 loss to Netherlands in Salvador, with a 2-0 defeat to Chile ending their bid to retain their crown.

Germany ultimately prevailed in Brazil, defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina in the tournament decider. However, they are now also packing their bags after their worst World Cup since 1938.

That means Brazil in 1962 will remain for four more years the last team to successfully defend the World Cup.And this latest failure only adds more mystique to the curse of the World Cup winners!

 

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Mexico 0 Vs 3 Sweden

Group F Match in Pictures

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Korea Republic 2 Vs 0 Germany

Group F Match in Pictueres

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Mexico v Sweden - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Korea Republic v Germany - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Serbia 0 Brazil 2: Paulinho and Silva clinch top spot

Paulinho and Thiago Silva earned Brazil a largely comfortable 2-0 victory over Serbia that clinched top spot in World Cup Group E and eliminated Mladen Krstajic's side.

Brazil's win set up a last-16 meeting with Mexico in Samara on Monday, while it is Switzerland, not Serbia, who will take on Sweden in St Petersburg the following day after drawing 2-2 with Costa Rica.

Tite's side left it late to get past Costa Rica on Friday, but they only had to wait 36 minutes for the opener in Moscow, Paulinho stabbing over Vladimir Stojkovic off a magnificent pass from Philippe Coutinho.


It was Paulinho's eighth goal since Tite took the helm in 2016 and brought his former Corinthians star back into the set-up, with only Neymar and Gabriel Jesus (10) scoring more for Brazil in the same timeframe.The Barcelona midfielder was replaced by the more defensive Fernandinho in the 66th minute as Serbia went on the attack in a bid to save their World Cup campaign.

But Silva, the former captain who was shunned following Brazil's failure to lift the World Cup on home soil four years ago, wrapped up the win and kept hopes of an unprecedented sixth title alive.


The Selecao started positively, but had to replace Marcelo with Filipe Luis, who only returned from a broken leg last month, in the 10th minute, the Real Madrid left-back grimacing as he hobbled down the tunnel with what was later confirmed to be a back spasm. Jesus proved lively with runs in behind the Serbia defence and his endeavour created a chance for Neymar, whose cross-goal strike was pushed away by Stojkovic.

Manchester City striker Jesus was caught on the ankle by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the process, but it did not appear to hinder him when he cut inside of Milos Veljkovic and saw his shot blocked behind by Nikola Milenkovic.

Adem Ljajic earned a yellow card for a late challenge on Neymar, the Paris Saint-Germain star receiving more rough treatment, and Aleksandar Mitrovic missed the target with an acrobatic attempt in the 34th minute.

The breakthrough came two minutes later and it went the way of Brazil. Filip Kostic did not track the run of Paulinho, who raced between two defenders and poked Coutinho's delivery beyond the onrushing Stojkovic.

Neymar had a low drive kept out by Stojkovic at the near post after a swift break five minutes into the second period, and Serbia responded by turning up the pressure.

Antonio Rukavina, who started in place of the experienced Branislav Ivanovic, saw his shot pushed into the danger area by Alisson and the goalkeeper was relieved to see Silva stop Mitrovic nodding the loose ball home.A speculative cross from Milinkovic-Savic had Alisson scrambling, while Mitrovic headed a cross from Rukavina straight at the feet of the keeper in the 65th minute.

Tite replaced Paulinho with Fernandinho as he sought greater stability, but it was Silva, capitalising on shoddy marking from Nemanja Matic, heading home at the near post from Neymar's left-wing corner two minutes later that truly gave him that.

The wind was taken out of Serbia's sails and Brazil confidently saw out the final stages, Stojkovic doing well to thwart Neymar in stoppage time as the Selecao avoided the humiliating group-stage exit that befell fellow heavyweights and defending champions Germany earlier in the day.

 

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Switzerland 2 Costa Rica 2: Petkovic's men set up Sweden last 16 clash

Switzerland booked their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup courtesy of a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod on Wednesday.

Brazil's win over Serbia in the night's other Group E game means that Vladimir Petkovic's side finish second in the pool and will take on Sweden in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

Switzerland – whose last-gasp win over Serbia in their second game set them up for progression to the knockout stages – were second best for large periods against their already eliminated opponents, but did take the lead just after the half-hour mark.


Blerim Dzemaili took advantage of generous marking to power home from close range before Kendall Waston pulled Costa Rica level shortly after the interval. Substitute Josip Drmic thought he had secured all three points for Switzerland with a cool 88th-minute finish before Bryan Ruiz's penalty cannoned off Yann Sommer for an unfortunate own goal to ensure a share of the spoils.

Switzerland's attentions now turn to their crunch clash with Janne Andersson's side, while Costa Rica are left to reflect on a campaign that fell well short of their magical run to the quarter-finals in 2014.


Costa Rica started with a freedom that was missing from their first two games, carving out a number of excellent opportunities in the early stages.Sommer did well to palm away Joel Campbell's fierce drive from distance after six minutes and then produced an outstanding save low down to his right to tip Celso Borges' powerful header onto the post.

The Central Americans' early swagger showed no signs of abating and they came agonisingly close to an opener after 10 minutes, Daniel Colindres' curling effort from 25 yards crashing against the crossbar with Sommer well beaten.Switzerland's over-worked goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the first-half, getting down smartly to push Bryan Oviedo's drilled strike around the post.

Petkovic's men had scarcely posed an attacking threat during the first half, but took an undeserved lead with their first sight of goal after 31 minutes.

Stephan Lichsteiner's right-wing cross was headed back across goal by Breel Embolo, and the unmarked Dzemaili lashed home from eight yards.Ricardo Rodriguez almost scored a stunning second just after the interval, but his half-volley from outside the area fizzed just over Keylor Navas' crossbar.

Navas was called into action shortly after, blocking Embolo's acute effort at his near post, before Waston deservedly pulled Costa Rica level after 56 minutes.The defender rose highest to meet Campbell's outswinging corner, flashing a header past Sommer from six yards to register his side's first goal of Russia 2018.



Moments after crashing a header against the post, Drmic slotted into the bottom corner from Denis Zakaria's low cross for what looked like the winning goal. There was late penalty drama, though, as VAR once again proved decisive.

Referee Clement Turpin awarded a spot-kick after Ruiz had been bundled over in the area, only for the decision to be reversed after replays showed the Costa Rica captain had strayed into an offside position when he received the ball.

Ruiz did get a chance from the spot in the third minute of stoppage timewhen Campbell was felled in the box, his penalty thumping back off the crossbar and against Sommer's head to complete a frantic finale.

 

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Serbia 0 Vs 2 Brazil

Group E Match in Pictures

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Switzerland 2 Vs 2 Costa Rica

Group E Match in Pictures

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Switzerland v Costa Rica - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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Serbia v Brazil - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.28

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.28

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Group H
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Japan Vs Poland

Senegal Vs Colombia

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Group G
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Panama Vs Tunisia

England Vs Belgium

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'Messi is capable of everything' – Argentina talisman concerns France keeper Mandanda


Argentina star Lionel Messi is "capable of everything", France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has said ahead of the two teams meeting in the World Cup last 16.Messi, 31, netted his first goal of Russia 2018 in Argentina's decisive 2-1 win over Nigeria on Tuesday.

The Barcelona forward is yet to hit top form at the showpiece event, but Mandanda knows what Messi is capable of ahead of Saturday's clash in Kazan.

"We need to defend well, close to each other, even though Messi is able to do everything," he told a news conference."We know that, we are warned. We have players in our team who played a few times with him or against him in La Liga."We know what we would expect on Saturday but we have the weapons to defend well and to hurt them."

Argentina struggled through the group stage in Russia, needing Marcos Rojo's late winner against Nigeria to advance.Mandanda said he was yet to study Jorge Sampaoli's side, but he is wary of Messi.

"I have not made a proper analysis of Argentina's style yet. We played a game yesterday [a 0-0 draw against Denmark], since then I have not checked," he said."But we all know they have a player who is capable of everything.

"They have quality. It could come from everywhere. They had a hard time qualifying themselves, but they did. It's always a strong team to play against."

 

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Man Utd & Juventus target Milinkovic-Savic planning to keep suitors waiting on future call


Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has said he would be happy to stay with the Biancocelesti amid speculation over a potential transfer to Juventus, but stopped short of giving any assurances over his future.

The Italian champions are one of a number of clubs reportedly tracking the 23-year-old, who played every minute of Serbia's World Cup group games before their elimination.After beating Costa Rica in their Group E opener, Serbia suffered defeats to Switzerland and Brazil as they finished third and exited the competition.

Following the 2-0 loss to Brazil, the €100 million-rated (£88m/$116m) playmaker told Mediaset: "I need a little bit of rest now."I'll return to Rome and I would be happy if I stay at Lazio, as I'm content there and I have a contract."

Milinkovic-Savic scored 12 goals in 35 appearances as Lazio finished fifth in Serie A in 2017-18, and his emergence under head coach Simone Inzaghi has caught the eye of Europe's top clubs, with Real Madrid and Manchester United said to be interested in signing him. "I read something different in the papers every day, but I haven't thought about it yet," he added."First, I'll rest for a bit, then we'll see."