Welcome To Dipo Liadi's blog: June 2014

30 June 2014

WORLD CUP 2014: Luis Suarez Admits Bite, Apologizes To Giorgio Chiellini

Luis Suarez has tweeted an apology to Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini after admitting he bit the defender.

Suarez also vowed that there would never be another incident like it again.

The Uruguay striker was banned for nine international games and barred from all football-related activity for four months – preventing him from playing for Liverpool until the end of October.

“The truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me,” a tweet from Suarez’s personal account read. See the tweet after the cut...

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) have been fined by FIFA for the actions of their supporters during games at the World Cup in Brazil.

During a 1-1 draw with Russia on Thursday, a laser was shone into the eyes of opposing goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev as Yacine Brahimi prepared to take a free-kick wide on the left for Algeria.

Moments later, Akinfeev came to palm away the cross but made no contact, and Islam Slimani headed into an empty net from six yards.

Netherlands star Arjen Robben says he was too honest in confessing to a ‘silly’ dive against Mexico – but remains adamant that he did not cheat to win his team’s decisive penalty in the World Cup last-16 clash.

Holland beat Mexico 2-1 in Fortaleza on Sunday when Robben won a 93rd-minute spot-kick after a challenge from Rafael Marquez, which substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted to book a quarter-final match against Costa Rica.

Robben was branded a ‘cheat’ by Mexico coach Miguel Herrera and caused a storm when he admitted after the game that he had dived earlier in the match in an attempt to win a free-kick.

Germany have lost both of their previous meetings with Algeria in all competitions, scoring once and conceding four times.

Their most notable meeting came in the 1982 World Cup Group Stage when Algeria beat West Germany 2-1. However, the African team were eliminated by West Germany’s mutually beneficial 1-0 win over Austria that saw both teams advance to the next round.

That remains Algeria’s only victory over a European opponent at the World Cup, drawing three and losing four since then.

NIGERIA VS FRANCE: Watch Emenike's Disallowed Goal -(LIVE)

Goal or Offside???

BRAZIL 2014: Jose Mourinho Wants World Cup Upsets

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he would love to see an underdog reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. The Portuguese named Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Netherlands as his favourites for the trophy, but is eager to see an unfancied side like quarter-finalists Costa Rica upset the odds in South America.

“Semi-finals between Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Netherlands could be perfectly normal semi-finals,” he said to Eurosport.

“But I would love to see something not normal, and to see something not normal is to see one of these outsiders playing so well.

Premier League chairman Anthony Fry is to stand down from his role as he continues his recovery from a stroke. Fry took the job in June 2013 but was taken ill in March this year and announced on Monday that he would step aside in order to concentrate on his health.

"As is now well known, I suffered a stroke on 4 March this year," he said in a statement on the Premier League's official website.

"I have been very fortunate and I am delighted to be making significant progress with my recovery. On the advice of my doctors, however, I realise that I need to scale back my business activities.

This will be only the second international meeting between France and Nigeria. The Super Eagles won the previous meeting 1-0 in Saint-Etienne back in June 2009.

Les Blues have lost two of their last three World Cup matches against African nations (2002 v Senegal and 2010 v South Africa). They beat Togo between these two defeats, in 2006.

Nigeria have scored a goal in all but one of their previous 10 World Cup finals matches against European sides.

Real Madrid are on the verge of making their first signing of the summer in the shape of Toni Kroos. The player has agreed a five-year deal worth €5 million (after tax) a season at the Bernabéu following a meeting between his agent and the 'Los Blancos' higher-ups in Madrid.

Talks between the Champions League holders and Bayern Munich are at an advanced stage and a fee of €25-30 million has been mooted. Kroos only has one year left on his contract and, though the German champions were initially reluctant to do business, they have decided that it makes no sense to let the midfielder leave on a free transfer in 2015.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday lifted the spirits of the Super Eagles, when he said all their outstanding Brazil 2014 World Cup appearance fees have been ordered cleared by Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo.

He also promised to clear any outstanding that the team may incur in the course of the championship, including outstanding FIFA grants to the NFF that will be offset later by the soccer ruling house. The Minister made this declaration while addressing players and officials of the national team at their Brasilia Palace Hotel camp in the Brazilian capital.

As the World Cup hots up in Brazil, and with Nigeria playing France in one of the round of 16 games, SL10.ng caught up with former Nigeria striker and immediate past Super Eagles coach, Samson Yebowei Siasia.

The former Nantes of France striker speaks exclusively to sl10.ng on the World Cup, Nigeria’s chances, and his experience at the USA ’94 world cup. Enjoy.

SL10.NG: The Super Eagles will play France in the round of 16, do you have any expectations?

Manchester United have enjoyed 'Fergie Time', when they invariably scored late goals, and endured 'Moyesy Time', when they kept on conceding in the closing stages.

Now they should savour 'Louis Time', even though they have to wait for it to start.
They were a few minutes away from welcoming their next manager to Manchester. Then, in the sort of comeback that Sir Alex Ferguson trademarked, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands scored twice to eliminate Mexico and clinch a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

So Van Gaal may spend another fortnight in Brazil. It is just as well he claims he doesn’t need a holiday before starting life at Old Trafford. It hints at the hunger of a man who discovered international management is a lucrative form of semi-retirement and didn’t like it. He wants this sort of adrenaline rush on a regular basis.

Didier Deschamps has concerns over the conditions for France's FIFA World Cup last-16 clash with Nigeria in Brasilia on Monday.

France visit the Brazilian capital for the first time in the tournament, but the 1pm (local time) kick-off could see temperatures reach upwards of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

With all of France's group stage matches beginning in the late afternoon and early evening, it will be a new experience for the squad.

Inter have retired the No.4 jersey in honour of Javier Zanetti and will make the recently retired right-back the club's vice-president for two years, Erick Thohir has confirmed.

The Argentine brought an end to a remarkable career this year, having spent 19 years at the Serie A side, during which time he won five league titles, four Coppa Italias, a Champions League title and a Club World Cup. President Thohir revealed Inter have now withdrawn the shirt number which Zanetti wore at the Milan side in honour of his career, as well as giving him an illustrious post within the club.

"Zanetti will be the vice-president for two years," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The board has decided to retire his No.4 jersey too."

Stephen Keshi insists the row over bonuses that disrupted the Nigeria squad at the FIFA World Cup has now been resolved.

The Nigeria players failed to train on Thursday after reportedly demanding to be paid their bonuses for sealing qualification through to the second round of the tournament.

On the eve of their last 16 clash with France in Brazilia, Keshi confirmed that the situation had now been sorted.

Hugo Lloris is not underestimating Nigeria ahead of Monday's last-16 fixture, with the France captain bracing himself for a tough match.

Didier Deschamps' men are strong favourites to progress to the quarter-finals at the FIFA World Cup when they face Nigeria at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia.

France scored eight goals as they topped Group E, while Nigeria defied the odds to scrape through to the knockout phase after upstaging Bosnia-Herzegovina and drawing with Iran in Group F.

WORLD CUP 2014: Arjen Robben Apologises For Diving Against Mexico

Arjen Robben has apologised for diving during Netherland's dramatic comeback victory over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 at Arena Castelao on Sunday.

Robben tormented the Mexican defence on numerous occasions with his pace, skill and direct running, and had several penalty appeals turned down before finally winning a spot-kick in the second minute of injury time when he went down under a challenge from Rafael Marquez.

Substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted from 12 yards to send the Oranje into the last eight of the tournament, after Giovani dos Santos' opener had been cancelled out by a late Wesley Sneijder equaliser.

The Netherlands moved on to the World Cup quarterfinals with a comeback 2-1 win over Mexico on Sunday afternoon at the Estadio Castelão in Fortaleza.

A late goal from Wesley Sneijder and a penalty conversion from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar outweighed a 48th minute Giovani dos Santos strike to set the 2010-runners-up with a quarterfinal clash versus either Costa Rica or Greece.

Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera made only one change to his starting XI as Carlos Salcido subbed in for the suspended José Juan Vazquez in the three-man midfield. Otherwise, it was the usual cast of characters with Guillermo Ochoa in goal, Paul Aguilar and Miguel Layún as wingbacks and Rafa Márquez, Hector Moreno and Francisco Rodríguez as the center backs. Salcido joined midfielders Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado while Oribe Peralta and Dos Santos started up front as forwards.

It was once said that a goalkeeper was only as good as his last blunder. Because no matter how good they may be, every No.1 has the ability – and the opportunity – to throw one in.

Of course, it makes a huge difference where it happens, and arguably worst of all, is on football’s biggest stage at the World Cup.

Through the years, many a great career has been ended on the back of one instantly forgettable performance – forgettable that is for the poor victim. For the rest of the world, especially when it comes to goalkeeping catastrophes, have long memories.

A confident France side face arguably their toughest test of the FIFA World Cup so far on Monday when they take on Nigeria in the last 16. Didier Deschamps' men sailed through Group E with little trouble, helping further banish bad memories of off-field troubles in recent major tournaments.

Comfortable wins over Honduras and Switzerland aided their progression to the knockout stages, with Deschamps able to rest star names for their final group game against Ecuador.

While a 0-0 draw against the South Americans will have done little to excite fans back home, it allowed Deschamps to give run-outs to the likes of Lucas Digne, Morgan Schneiderlin and Antoine Griezmann.
Regulars including Patrice Evra and Mathieu Valbuena were rested, although the French will likely take no risks in their selection for Monday's encounter.

The first cooling break has been observed at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Ref blew his whistle in the 30th minute to call for a cooling break. If you were wondering why the rule is simple when the heat condition of a match is to high a ref can call for a cooling break.

However the Mexicans have been on top of their game in the first 30mins with the orange boys recording zero shots on target. The venue of the match's weather condition is 38 degrees celcious. That can give you a clue to why the ref had to cal for a break.

Proof that this will go down as the single greatest World Cup finals in living memory arrived in the final game of Group C, when Greece beat Ivory Coast to reach the last 16 at the Africans' expense with a penalty so deep into that game that it was almost in this one. The sight of a Greece team attacking their opponents with reckless abandon confirmed there must be something in the air over in Brazil.

Perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised. Despite being drawn in the same group as Colombia and Ivory Coast, the 2004 Euro champions arrived with hopes of reaching the last 16, even if no-one outside of Greece agreed. "It is a very open group," said coach Fernando Santos before a ball had been kicked. "You might say that Colombia has a 55% edge over the rest, with the other teams at 45%."

The Greeks illustrated their resilience by recovering from a 3-0 defeat in the opening game against those Colombians to scrape through at the very death – Giorgos Samaras' penalty (his first goal in 1,478 minutes) edging them onto four points, enough to steal second place.

RAUL: European Nations Have Had A Bad World Cup In Brazil

Former Spain striker Raul has commented on the underwhelming record of the European teams at the ongoing World Cup, according to his assessment.

Of the 13 European representatives to have qualified for the tournament in Brazil, seven have already been eliminated. Former World Cup winners England and Italy, as well as reigning-champions Spain fell at the first hurdle.

By contrast, eight of the ten teams from South, Central and North America to have qualified for the tournament made it through to the last 16. Of the South American qualifiers, only Ecuador failed to advance from the group stage, while half of the group winners, including CONCACAF’s Costa Rica, were non-UEFA sides.

3-5-2 versus 3-5-2? Whatever next? This isn’t just two teams who park the bus, either, although it will be interesting to see how both adapt to playing against teams who like to draw the opposition’s fire and then hit them on the counter-attack.

Mexico needed to avoid defeat against Croatia to progress to round two, so fielded their full-strength team with holding midfielder Jose Juan Vasquez subsequently picking up a second booking of the tournament and a one-game suspension. He’ll be a big miss, with no natural replacement and Carlos Pena probably stepping in.

Holland, meanwhile, had the luxury of rotating some players against Chile having already qualified. The suspended Robin van Persie will return in plain of Jeremain Lens, Jonathan de Guzman will come back into midfield at the expense of Georginio Wijnaldum and Dirk Kuyt is likely to make way for Bruno Martins Indi as Louis van Gaal reverts to the system that did for Spain and Australia.

Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has declared Nigeria will be the underdogs against France on Monday and so will not be under pressure. France are ranked 17th by FIFA, while Nigeria are a lowly 44th.

But Nigeria shaded the only meeting between both countries in 2009, when they won 1-0 in a friendly in Saint Etienne.

“We are here at the highest stage of football to do our best. We did well against Argentina, one of the tournament favourites, and we can do better against France in the next round,” charged a bullish Yobo, who posted a short stint at Olympique Marseille.

Yohan Cabaye knows France could come unstuck if they are guilty of arrogance in Monday’s FIFA World Cup last-16 clash against Nigeria. Didier Deschamps’ side needed a dramatic fightback to beat Ukraine in a play-off in order to secure their place in the finals in Brazil.

Les Bleus breezed into the last 16 as Group E winners in impressive fashion and are brimming with confidence ahead of their showdown against African champions Nigeria.

However, while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Cabaye has taken great heart from their performances in the tournament so far, he reacted to talk of France being potential World Cup winners with caution.

Out of negativity people still try to bring out possibilities from it and such is the case of a Norwegian who made some hundreds of dollar from the biting saga. China doesn't have her team in the World Cup but they are watching and her set to make profit from the biting Saga. The amount of money to be made will amaze you when you check there sales in weeks to come.

Chinese entrepreneurs have taken full advantage of Suárez's controversial biting incident with Giorgio Chiellini and are already selling bottle openers that use the Uruguay striker's teeth to remove bottle caps.

Five-time champion Serena Williams suffered her earliest Wimbledon defeat since 2005 as she lost to France's Alize Cornet in the third round. Cornet, ranked 24th, won 1-6 6-3 6-4 on Court One to claim her second victory of the year over the world number one.

Cornet has only reached the fourth round at a Grand Slam once before, in Australia five years ago
It is only the third time in 15 visits to Wimbledon that Williams has lost so early. She has not been past the fourth round of a Grand Slam in 2014. Cornet, 24, had never before beaten a top-20 player at a Grand Slam.

"I just cannot believe it," she told BBC Sport. "Three years ago I couldn't play on grass, I was so bad, but now I have beaten Serena, the world number one on her own court.

The bare facts are that Chelsea have produced two World Cup winners in their 109-year history. They could have three more by the middle of July.

Yet while Oscar, Ramires and Willian may return to Stamford Bridge with medals, another World Cup winner has already been recruited, one who could reshape the pecking order and has the potential to consign Oscar to the bench.

Before Leboeuf, the only one was Peter Bonetti, England’s reserve goalkeeper in 1966. And while Oscar could become a world champion this summer, he could return to London to find his place in Jose Mourinho's starting XI has gone. His World Cup got off to a stellar start, with a fine display against Croatia, but it has been less notable since then.

Colombia forward James Rodriguez is in the class of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, according to Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez.

Rodriguez, 22, opened the scoring with a brilliant volley before adding a second to beat Uruguay and set up a quarter-final with hosts Brazil.

Colombia coach Jose Pekerman added: "I never had any doubts that this was going to be his World Cup."
"From what I have seen, he is the best player in the World Cup," said Tabarez.
"I am not exaggerating, he is a great striker."

Marc Márquez has extended his winning streak to eight at Assen in a tricky race that started wet but dried out, necessitating a change of bikes on lap seven under flag-to-flag rules.

World Champion Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) eventually clinched the win by 6.7s seconds to become the first rider since the great Giacomo Agostini in 1971 to win the first eight premier-class races of the year.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) stepped onto the rostrum for the second time in 2014, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) completing the podium after holding off the pursuing Aleix Espargaro (NGM Forward Racing) for several laps. Espargaro rode well to hold fourth, having started on pole.

Nigeria are not scared of France and are capable of beating them, according to Vincent Enyeama.
The West African nation went through as runners up in Group F, earning a last-16 berth despite a 3-2 defeat in their final group match against Argentina in Porto Alegre.

Stephen Keshi's side are aiming to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history and, despite coming up against a France side that have impressed so far, Enyeama feels that dream can become a reality.

"We fear nobody," the 31-year-old said in an interview with L'Equipe.

Arjen Robben believes that Netherlands will need to be wary of Mexico, particularly as their opponents will be suited to the conditions in Fortaleza. The Oranje have impressed so far after progressing as Group B winners with victory in all three games, including a shock 5-1 dismantling of Spain in their opening encounter.

However, Robben, who has scored three times in Brazil so far, insists that the Dutch should not dwell on their successes to date when they come up against Miguel Herrera's men on Sunday.

"They are dangerous opponents," the Bayern Munich attacker told the Times of India.

James Rodríguez admitted after Colombia 2-0 win over Uruguay that he'd prefer a move to Real Madrid instead of Barcelona. "I would love to play in Spain", the AS Monaco midfielder said.

"It would be a dream to play there, it is the best league in the world. I prefer Real Madrid to Barcelona", he added when asked by journalists from Spanish radio station Cope.

Monaco paid 45 million euros for the 22-year-old Colombia star and are unlikely to allow him to leave for anything less.

Nigeria can’t let the row about bonus payments affect them against France on Monday. But they will have it on their minds and if they don’t perform, questions will be asked about whether it was the right time to bring up the issue.

The row is a difficult one when you don’t know the ins and outs of it. It seems to be that African nations always have problems when it comes to paying money when it is due but they should pay the money they’ve said they’re going to pay.

It’s not the first time this has happened. It’s happened with Ghana in the past, but it doesn’t look good on the African nations when the main talking point at the World Cup is money.

Manchester United are set to swoop for a former Manchester City star; Arsenal are preparing a double move; Mario Balotelli wants to force through a move to Arsenal and United, City and Tottenham are set to battle it out for a Dutch star - the latest stories making headlines in today's newspapers.

Manchester United to swoop for De Jong: New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is set to swoop for former Manchester City man Nigel de Jong, reports the Daily Star. De Jong, who is currently in Van Gaal’s Dutch squad at the World Cup, is on the books of AC Milan but is understood to be keen on a move back to the Premier League. United are expected to lodge a £10 million bid for the 29-year-old, who is a notorious hard-man and midfield enforcer.

Brazil's victory over Chile in an agonising penalty shootout that sent the hosts into the World Cup quarter-finals was more frantically tweeted than the Super Bowl, the social media company said on Saturday.

Traffic reached a record pace of 388,985 tweets per minute during the game, beating the 381,605 messages per minute fired during this year's NFL final, Twitter Inc said in a statement.

The peak came when Chile missed their last penalty, propelling Brazil into the quarter-finals
A total of 16.4 million tweets were sent during the match, surpassing the 12.2 million sent for the opening game in which Brazil beat Croatia 3-1. In absolute numbers the Super Bowl was, however a bigger event, with more than 24.9 million tweets.

Oscar Tabarez has proclaimed James Rodriguez to be the best player at the World Cup after the young Colombia star struck twice to eliminate his Uruguay side.

James netted both goals, one a stunning 25-yard volley, as Jose Pekerman’s team progressed to a quarter-final against Brazil. And the Uruguay coach was full of praise for the 22-year-old in his post-match press conference.

“I know him - not personally, but I’ve seen him play for a while. He arrived in Argentina at 17 and already showed his talent,” explained Tabarez.

BRA-ZUCA: Chilean Female Journalist Celebrates Sanchez' Goal Showing Her Big Boobs

Chilean journalist Jhendelyn Núñez celebrated Alexis Sanchez’s goal v Brazil in an eye catching manner.

A picture is current being spread around social networks showing the Chilean beauty showing off her Chilean national team bra after Alexis Sanchez pegged back Brazil after the Selecao had talken the lead in their last 16 match on Saturday.

Aside from her eye catching goal celebration, several other images of Jhendelyn Núñez from matchday against Brazil are below.

Enjoy!

Lady luck was dressed in yellow on Saturday afternoon as Brazil edged CONMEBOL rivals Chile in penalty kicks 3-2 to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of football.

Chile's Gonzalo Jara missed the vital spot-kick after Neymar had converted for Brazil.
Brazil went ahead after 18 minutes when Thiago Silva nodded on Neymar's corner and David Luiz was on hand at the back post to bundle the ball over the line, though replays suggested Chile defender Gonzalo Jara got the last touch.

Chile got back on level terms in the 32nd minute when sloppy defending let in Alexis Sanchez, who fired past Julio Cesar from close range.

Gonzalo Higuain refused to be drawn on questions about his future following more rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona. The former Real Madrid striker enjoyed an excellent first season with Napoli, scoring 22 goals in 41 games in all competitions, and reports have emerged that Barca are interested in buying him this summer.

Higuain, though, says he has not heard anything about it and is only concentrating on the World Cup, before praising his nation's and Barca's star man Lionel Messi.

"I know nothing [about Barcelona's interest]," he told reporters. "When I'm with Argentina I'm only thinking about this team.

Uruguay have put Luis Suarez's shirt up in their dressing room ahead of their World Cup second round tie with Colombia.

The striker was sent home from the tournament and banned from all football-related activity for four months after he bit Giorgio Chiellini during his side's 1-0 win over Italy, which saw them progress to the knockout stages.

The Uruguay Football Association have given Suarez their support following the incident, however, and have even put his shirt up inside the changing room as they prepare to take on their South American rivals on Saturday.

Uruguay attacker Luis Suarez has claimed that he did not deliberately bite Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their Group D encounter on June 24.

Referee Marco Rodriguez failed to spot the incident in the 79th minute of Tuesday's match, but Fifa opened an investigation into the incident after video footage showed the Liverpool forward's teeth making contact with Chiellini's shoulder.

When asked by Fifa's Disciplinary Committee to give his stance on the incident, Suarez wrote that he never intended to bite the Italy defender, but that the incident was the result of a set of unfortunate events.

Brazil have won all three previous World Cup fixtures against Chile, all of which have been in the knockout stages of the tournament (Round 2 in 2010, Round 2 in 1998, and the semi final in 1962).

Chile have conceded 11 goals in their three meetings with Brazil at the World Cup finals, an average of 3.7 per game.

Eduardo Vargas has scored in each of his last two appearances for Chile against Brazil, including a goal in Belo Horizonte in April 2013.

Leonardo feels that Lionel Messi can only earn his place in football's "Olympus" if he continues to make his mark on the World Cup with Argentina. The Barcelona forward has inspired the Albiceleste so far in Brazil, scoring four times in group stages to lead the Golden Boot standings alongside Neymar and Thomas Muller.

However, Leonardo feels that Messi must continue this form and make a defining impact in the knockout phase in order to earn pride of place in the pantheon of the game's greatest players.

"If Messi cannot make a difference in a World Cup, as in the past Pele, [Johan] Cruyff and [Diego] Maradona, he will never arrive at their level," the 44-year-old told Corriere dello Sport.

WOW!!! Watch Luis Suarez's Heroic Welcome In Uruguay (VIDEO)

Uruguay is a country in a state of shock for their martyred comrade Luis Suarez. Convinced there’s a conspiracy against them, concocted by the English press, the entire nation of Uruguay has put itself behind ‘Luisito’ Suarez, backing him to the hilt over his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini.

On Thursday night, a huge crowd gathered at Montevideo Airport to welcome their hero home into their safe arms, putting on an amazing display of solidarity and fervor.

Diego Maradona has warned Brazil that any overreliance on Neymar could prove costly at the World Cup.
The Barcelona star has scored four goals so far in the tournament as he lit up the group stages on home soil, ensuring the Selecao claimed top spot in Group A to book a last-16 clash with Chile.

The 1986 World Cup winner feels that Brazil have been unconvincing on the whole so far and must not come to depend on Neymar if they are to keep their hopes of a sixth global title alive.

"Brazil have mounted many moves, scored seven goals and Neymar has got four of them," he wrote in the Times of India.

Whether it’s about biting or transfers, there’s just no keeping Luis Suarez off the backpages right now.
With Liverpool adamant Suarez would form the backbone of their attack as they return to the Champions League next season, the goalposts seem to have been moved since the striker’s midweek misdemeanor against Italy.

Both Saturday’s Sun and Mail claim that Liverpool are now ready to sell their ‘shamed’ striker if a club is willing to stump up £80m for El Pistolero.

The Mail believe that Rodgers would then be looking at rebuilding his attack around Adam Lallana – whose signature is all but tied up.

The first stage of Brazil 2014 will go down in history as the one in which the most goals were scored from the 48 games played in the first stage - no less than 136, meaning an average of 2.83 a match.

Obviously, nowadays there are more games than there used to be, but these figures surpass, in absolute terms, those of the Swedish World Cup of 1958, when Pelé made his debut at just 17 years of age and a total of 85 goals were scored.

Statistically speaking, all records set in South Africa four years ago at this stage have been beaten. Brazil has seen a 33% increase in goals, from 101 to 136.

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has said the atmosphere in camp is "fantastic" and hailed Louis van Gaal's new formation. A serious knee injury to midfielder Kevin Strootman is said to be the catalyst for van Gaal's brave decision to move away from the famous Dutch 4-3-3 system.

Playing a 5-3-2 at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Netherlands have starred, topping a tough Group B with wins over Spain, Australia and Chile.

And Sneijder is buoyant ahead of Sunday's last-16 clash against Mexico as they aim to continue their excellent run.
"When you win, the atmosphere is always fantastic," Sneijder told FIFA's official website.

History makers Algeria and Nigeria are one victory each away from a showdown that would ensure a World Cup semifinalist from Africa for the first time. The Algerian Desert Foxes tackle Germany and the Nigerian Super Eagles confront France on Monday on the third day of second-round action.

And the winners of the Africa-Europe clashes meet on 4 July in a last-eight match-up at the global football showpiece in Brazil. Should the two Africans win, then one of them would be guaranteed to make further history by becoming the first ever World Cup semifinalists from the continent.

Africa has been competing at the World Cup since 1934 with the best achievements being quarterfinal places for Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana. Nigeria became the first African country to reach the second round three times when they finished runners-up to Group F table-toppers Argentina.

Fifa President Sepp Blatter believes Luis Suarez's biting offence was "definitely not fair" - though he wouldn't say the player's name.

"It is not fair what he has done," Blatter said on Friday in a video interview on Fifa's website. In his only scheduled media commitment during the World Cup, Blatter said it was not for him to comment on the severity of Suarez's punishment for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

He did, however, say that Uefa President Michel Platini told him goal-line technology will be introduced at the 2016 European Championship.

Tuttosport claims Mario Balotelli could be bought from Milan by a financial institution and loaned to Juventus. The striker is reconsidering his future after a dismal World Cup campaign and the waves of criticism he received.

Milan joint-CEO Barbara Berlusconi declared Balotelli was “not indispensable,” fuelling reports of a summer exit from his club.

According to Tuttosport, the answer could lie in a revolutionary tactic for Italian football, albeit one often used in South America. Agent Mino Raiola would buy Balotelli’s contract with the aid of a financial institution and then loan the player to Juventus.

30 June 2014

29 June 2014

28 June 2014