Tuesday, June 26, 2018

The Week that was (in Football (Soccer)): Review of the top Leagues in Europe-part 11 (Week of June 19-June 25, 2018)


Note:
The purpose of this section is to summarize the week in question, it is not meant to give a full statistical analysis of the matches.
We live in a viral age and all that information can be accessed.
I welcome all contributions from anyone, even for the Leagues that I did not cover.
I.  England

Diary:
Tuesday, June 19, 2018:
-Arsenal have agreed on a fee to sign goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen. (Source BBC Football Online)

-England’s Dele Ali will undergo a scan to determine the extent of thigh injury suffered against Tunisia. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former Denmark International goalkeeper Peter Schemiechel stated that England’s Kyle Walker should have been sent off for the elbow on a Tunisian opponent that led to the penalty kick yesterday. He was only booked after protesting his innocence. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Sheffield United have signed goalkeeper Dean Henderson from Manchester United on a season-long loan. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Steve Bould has been retained as one of the assistant Managers at Arsenal. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is set to extend his contract with the club by five years and become the highest paid goalkeeper in the world. (Source Vivaronews Online)

-Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has confirmed that he will leave the club. (Source Vivaronews Online)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

- West Ham United have signed Polish goalkeeper Luksz Fabianski from Swansea.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley, Claudio Yacob and Boaz Myhill have all left the club as their contracts have expired. (Source Sky Sports Online)

- Huddersfield have signed Dutch midfielder Juninho Bacuna from Groningen.  (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Elliott Moore has extended his contract with Leicester City for two more years. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-England’s injured Dele Ali will be rested a few days.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Similar to Brazil, England under FA Technical director Dan Ashworth have complained to FIFA over the non-use of VAR that they believe would have awarded two penalties for fouls on Harry Kane. (Source Vivaronews online)

-England Manager Gareth Southgate dislocated his shoulder while jogging. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, June 21, 2018:

- Manchester United have officially signed the Brazilian Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk.  (Source BBC Football Online)
-Ernie Hunt, the Coventry forward, famous for the ‘donkey kick’ (free kick volley) passed away aged 75. (Source BBC Football Online)

-England’s injured Dele Alli, as expected, missed training today.  (Source Daily Mail online)

-Brighton have signed goalkeeper Jason Steele from Sunderland.  (Source France Football Online)

-Former England Captain David Beckham has predicted a final of England vs. Argentina for the Woeld Cup. (Source AS.com Online)
-Goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa is to leave Brighton. (Source vi.nl Online)

-England’s next lineup may have been revelead as the Media spotted a note that was carried by England Assistant Manager Steve Holland. According to the contents of the note, Raheem Sterling is to be dropped for the match vs Panama. The formation appears to be 3-5-2 with Ruben Loftus-Cheek starting in place of the injured Delle Ali. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-England’s Dele Alli missed training again and will most likely miss their match vs. Panama. (Source BBC Football online)

-Fulham turned down West Ham’s bid for Tom Cairney. (Source Sky Sports Online)
-Wigan are sbout to sign goalkeeper Christian Walton from Brighton on loan. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Nottingham Forest have signed Gil Bastiao Dias from Moanco. (Source Daily Telegraph Online)

-England Assistant manager Steve Holland has apologized to the England Group for inadvertently leaking the team’s next lineup. (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-Former Tottenham star Alan Gilzean has been diagnosed with a brain tumor . (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Southampton have agreed on a fee with Celtic to sign Stuart Armstrong . (Source Sky Sports Online)

-England’s Dele Alli is to resume training today but is doubtful to play against Panama . (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Former Liverpool player Jose Enrique has been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. (Source Liverpool Echo online)

-Roy Hodgson has suggested that Ruben Loftus-Cheek might be a better player than former German midfielder Michael Ballack . (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Real Madrid’s Marcos Asensio has been linked to Liverpool. (Source Sport Bild Online)

Sunday, June 24, 2018:

- Harry Kane became the third England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup match, after Geoff Hurst (1966) and Gary Lineker (1986). (Source BBC Football online)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

-England’s Dele Alli took part in training today. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Gareth Barry has extended his contract with WBA by one more year. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Paul Pogba has revealed that he had some isues with Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho . (Source Calciomercato online)

-It was reported that Eden Hazzrd’s father had offered the servives of his son to Real Madrid late in the season. (Source Daily Mail Online)


Photo From: L’Equipe, June 19, 2018
(Harry Kane)





II.  Italy

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Sampdoria have signed Gambian defender Omar Colley from Genk. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Roma’s Bruno Peres has rejected a move back to Torino. (Source Calciomercato Online)
Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

- AC Milan’s Swiss defender Ricardo Rodriguez has rejected a transfer to Monaco. (Source Calciomercato online)
- SPAL have signed Alberto Paloschi, Alfred Gomis, Bartosz Salamon and Jasmin Kurlic on permanent basis. (Source France Football online)
-Sami Khedira has extended his contract with Juventus until 2019. (Source Sport Bild online)
Thursday, June 21, 2018:

-Juventus have officially signed Emre Can from Liverpool. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Former Bologna goalkeeper Antonio Mirante is at Rome undergoing his medical prior to signing for AS Roma. (Source Calciomercato Online)

-Fabio Grosso has been named as the new Manager of Hellas Verona. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Bologna have signed Paraguayan striker Federico Santander from FC Copenhagen. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-Former Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli has been named as the Manager of Ukrainina side Arsenal Kiev. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-AS Roma are on the verge of signing Argentinean Javier Pastore from PSG. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Atalanta have signed striker Marco Tumminello from AS Roma. (Source L’Equipe online)

-AS Roma’s Radja Nainggolan has revelaed that he will join Inter. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Cagliari have signed Croatian defender Darijo Srna from Shakhtar Donestk. He leaves the Ukrainian club after 15 years.. (Source France Football online)

-Bologna have signed Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski from AS Roma. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Justin Kluivert was officially presented by AS Roma. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Sassuolo have signed Serbian midfielder Filip Djuricic from Benevento.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-AS Roma have signed goalkeeper Antonio Mirante from Bologna. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Valencia’s Joao Cancelo is set to have his medical at Juventus in the next couple of days. (Source Calciomercato Online)


Monday, June 25, 2018:

-Radja Nainggolan completed his medical at Inter today. (Source Sky Sports Online)
-Torino’s Simone Edera will extend his contract by five years. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Ajax’s Matthis de Ligt is reportedly on the verge of joining Juventus (Source Calciomercato online)

-AC Milan have reportedly proposed to make to sawp Andre Silva with Moanco’s Radamel Falcao. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Antonio Candreva is to extend his contract with Inter until 2021. (Source Calciomercato online)

-As part of Nainggolan’s deal to Inter, Davide Santon will go in the opposite direction joining AS Roma. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentis has revealed that he had rejected a swap deal with Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian to exchange Marek Hamsik with Axel Witsel. (Source Calciomercato online)

-AC Milan’s Cristian Zapata has rejected a move to go to Boca Juniors. (Source Calciomercato online)

-Javier Pastore has joined AS Roma from PSG. (Source France Football online)


III.  Spain

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Antoine Griezmann has extended his contract with Atletico Madrid until 2023. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Barcelona’s Vice-President has criticized Gerard Pique once more for his involvement in the documentary where Antoine Griezmann stated that he would remain with Atletico Madrid and not join Barcelona. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Valencia have reportedly reached an agreement woth PSG to sign Goncalo Guedes on permanent basis. (Source France Football com)

-Spain Manager Fernando Hierro has made two changes in his lineup to face Iran. Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez enter the lineup replacing Nacho and Koke. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Spain’s Gerard Pique and Isco took to safety a bird that was on the field in Spain’s match vs. Iran. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Spain’s Dani Carvajal criticized Iran’s defensive tactics in their match, as well as the time wasting and feigning injuries. (Source AS.com online)

 Thursday, June 21, 2018:

-Spain captain Sergio Ramos stated that, “I respect Maradona because he is one of the greatest players of all-time. He was a star but I can also say that Argentinean Football knows that Maradona is light years away from the number one that is Messi”. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Real Madrid have signed Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin from Zorya Luhansk. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Porto and former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas has come to the defense of David De Gea. He said if Spain won the Group no one would remember about his error against Portugal. (Source Maisfutebol.com online)

-Villareal have signed Argentina defender Ramiro Funes Mori from Everton. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Goalkeeper Ruben Blanco has extended his contract with Celta Vigo until 2023. (Source Marca.com Online)

-Gerard Pique is willing to discuss with Barcelona vice-President Jordi Mestre over the growing contrvery over his role in the Griezmann’s documentary . (Source AS.com online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-Juanfran has extended his contract with Atletico Madrid by one year. (Source L’Equipe online)

- David Costas has returned to Celta Vigo after a season on loan at Barcelona B. (Source Marca.com Online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic has expressed his desire to leave the club to play regularly. (Source Sky Sports online)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

-Barcelona have extended the contract of 18-year-old striker Abel Ruiz until 2021. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Colombia’s Juan Fernnado Quintero has been linked with Real Madrid. (Source AS.com Online)

-Spain’s Sergio Ramos made his 16th appearance for Spain at the World Cup, overtaking Xavi as their most capped outfield player in the World Cup. (Source BBC Football online)


IV.  Germany

Diary:

 Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Former German International Lothar Matthaus has criticized Mesut Ozil’s play during the World Cup. Matthaus wrote that “his body language is negative…He is in the game without joy….as if he does not want to play…doesn’t feel comfortable in the DfB jersey”. (Source Vivaronews online)

-The German squad had a crisis meeting to resolve their problems ahead of their next match at the World Cup. German captain Manuel Neuer stated that the next two matches are like ‘two finals’. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Eintracht Frankfurt have signed goalkeper Felix Wiedwald from Leeds United. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Wolfsburg have signed Austrian goalkeper Pavao Pervan from Linz Ask. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Moenchengladbach have signed Danish defender Andreas Poulsen from FC Midtjylland. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Defender Ulisses Garcia has left Werder Bremen to join Young Boys Bern. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Mainz have signed midfielder Antoine Makoumbou from Ajaccio. (Source Sport Bild online)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

-Germany’s General Manager Oliver Bierhoff has hit out on the attacks on the German squad, most notably those that he deemed as below the belt (and not only against Mesut Ozil). (Source L’Equipe online)

-Germany’s Thomas Muller has called the pressure on the German National Team as enormous as they have to now win two matches.  (Source RTBF.be online)
-Dortmund have signed goalkeeper Eric Oelschlagel from Werder Bremen. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Nuremberg have extended the contract of midfielder Eduard Lowen. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Eintracht Frankfurt will loan Aymen Bartok to Fortuna Dusseldorf for one year. (Source Kicker.de online)

Thursday, June 21, 2018:

- Hoffenheim Manager Julian Nagelsmann will manage RB Leipzig from 2019. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Holstein Kiel have signed striker Janni Serra from Dortmund. (Source Sport Bild online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-Franz Beckenbauer’s grandson Luca has signed with Hannover ‘s U-19 squad. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Germany defender Mats Hummels is doubtful for their match vs. Sweden due to an injury. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Bayer Leverkusen have been fined 33,000 Euros for the misconduct of their fans during their match vs. Koln on March 18, 2018, as well as vs. Bayern Munich on April 17, 2018. (Source Sport Bild online)

-Germany’s Sami Khedira was jokingly offered tickets from trip back from a Swedish reporter, he responded that they would need them on July 16th (After the Final). (Source Daily Mail online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-For their match vs Sweden, Joachim Low has made four changes. Marvin Plattenhardt, Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels and Sami Khedira are out.
They are replaced with Jonas Hector, Marco Reus, Antonio Rudiger and Sebastian Rudy. (Source RTBF.be online)

-Sebastian Rudy had to be replaced in the match vs Sweden after he broke his nose in a collision with Ola Toivonen. He was replaced with Ilkay Gundogan. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Dortmund have signed French defender Abdou Diallo from Mainz. (Source L’Equipe online)


Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Germany’s Sebastian Rudy has been operated on after breaking his nose in the match vs. Sweden. He will wear a protective mask for the rest of the competition. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Nigel De Jong is to leave Mainz, as his contract will not be extended. (Source L’Equipe online)

-RB Leipzig have signed Brazilian winger Matheus Cunha from Sion. (Source L’Equipe online)

-On their twitter account, the German National Team have apologized to the Swedish National Team for their over-celebration that rubbed the Swedes the wrong way. (Source L’Equipe online)


Monday, June 25, 2018:
-Wolfsburg have signed Dutch striker Wout Weghorst from AZ Alkmaar. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Borussia Dortmund Sporting Director Michael Zorc stated that Alvaro Morata is too expensive for them. (Source AS.com Online)

-Germany's Sebastian Rudy (having suffered a broken nose) is doubtful for their next match, but Mats Hummels has been decalred fit to play. (Source Dailuy Mail online)

-Dominik Kaiser has left RB Leipzig to join Brondby.  (Source Sport Bild online)
-Schalke defender Luke Hemmerich is to join Erzgebirge Aue. (Source Kicker.de online)

-Tobias Werner has returned to Stuttgart following his loan at Nuremberg. (Source Kicker.de online)
-The German Federation has disciplined Uli Voigt (Responsibel for Media relations) and Georg Behlau (in charge of Organization) from the team following the over-celebration incidents in the match vs. Sweden. The duo will not be doing their tasks inside the stadiums. (Source L’Equipe online)



Photo From: L’Equipe, June 24, 2018
(Toni Kross’ winner, Germany 2-Sweden 1)


V.  France

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Monaco have signed 17-year-old Willem Geubbels from Olympqiue Lyonnais.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Anthony Goncalves has extended his contract with Strasbourg until 2020. (Source L’Equipe online)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

-Montpellier have signed defender Damien Le Tallec from Red Star Belgrade.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Grenoble have signed Jessy Benet from Dijon on permanent basis . (Source France Football online)

- Valenciennes have signed goalkeeper Vincensini from Bastia and offered a professional contract to Brazlian striker Lucas Ribeiro Costa. (Source L’Equipe online)

- Rennes have signed striker Romain Del Castillo from Nimes.. (Source L’Equipe online)

Thursday, June 21, 2018:
-France Manager Didier Deschamps has decided to start with Blaise Matuidi and Olivier Giroud (replacing Dembele and Tolisso). France will play in a 4-2-3-1 formation. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Monaco have signed strikers Wilson Isidor and Sofiane Siop from Rennes.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-By scoring against Peru, Kylian Mbappe became France’s youngest ever goalscorer in its World Cup history. (Source Fox Sports)

-France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris played in his 100th match for France in the win over Peru (1-0).

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-Orleans have signed midfielder Yohan Demoncy from PSG on permanent basis . (Source France Football online)

-Caen have offered a professional contract to midfielder Jessy Deminguet. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Metz have signed defender John Boye from Rennes.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Reims have signed defender Ghislain Konan from Guimaraes.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Angers have signed midfielder Vincent Pajot from Saint Etienne.  (Source L’Equipe online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-PSG have offered a professional contract to Moussa Sissako. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-France defenders Samuel Umtiti and Adil Rami were rested today. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Angers have extended the contract defender Abdoulaye Bamba until 2021. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Saint Etienne has sold Jorginho to CSKA Sofia. (Source L’Equipe online)

-France having already qualified to the next round, Manager Didier Deschamps will make changes to the lineup. Steve Mandanda, Djibril Sidibe, Kimpembe, Steve Nzonzi, Moussa Dembele and Thomas Lemar are likely to start against Denmark. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Toulose have offered a professional contract to 16-year-old Adil Taoui. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Mathieu Debuchy has extended his contract with Saint Etienen for three more years. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-France’s Kylian Mbappe has decided to do a press blackout until the end of the World Cup.  (Source Footnews.be online)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

-OGC Nice have signed defender Christophe Herelle from Troyes. (Source France Football Online)

-Dijon have signed defender Mickael Alphonse from Sochaux. (Source France Football Online)

-PSG have offered a professional contract to 18-year-old midfielder Idriss Mzaouiyani.. (Source France Football Online)


Photo From: L’Equipe, June 22, 2018
(Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe)

Photo From: L’Equipe, June 22, 2018
(Kylian Mbappe’s goal vs. Peru)


VI.  Holland

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-PSV Eindhoven have signed Denzel Dumfries from SC Heerenveen. (Source vi.nl online)

-Feyenoord have offered a professional contract to goalkeeper Elber Evora. (Source vi.nl online)

-Sparta Rotterdam have signed goalkeeper Tim Coremans from ADO Den Haag. (Source vi.nl online)

-SC Heerenveen have signed Sherel Floranus from Sparta Rotterdam. (Source vi.nl online)


Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

-Vitesse have signed 16-year-old striker Jurmain Blanchard from ADO Den Haag. (Source vi.nl online)

-Fortuna Sittard have recalled loaned USA striker Andrija Novakovich from Teslstar. (Source vi.nl online)

-Almere City have appointed Michele Santoni as their new Manager. (Source vi.nl online)

-Telstar have signed Greek midfielder Kaloudis Lemonis from Kisamokis. (Source vi.nl online)

Thursday, June 21, 2018:

-Heracles Almelo have signed striker Joey Konings from PSV Eindhoven. (Source vi.nl online)

-AZ Alkmaar have signed defender Leon Bergsma from Ajax. (Source vi.nl online)

-PEC Zwolle have signed Mike van Duinen from Excelsior. (Source vi.nl online)

-Sparta Rotterdam have signed defender Xandro Schenk from Go Ahead Eagles. (Source vi.nl online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-PSV Eindhoven have appointed Mark van Bommel as their new Manager. He replaces Phillip Cocu who has departed to Fenerbahce.. (Source BBC Football online)

-PEC Zwolle have signed Mike van Duinen from Excelsior. (Source vi.nl online)

-Sparta have signed midfielder Everton Pires Tavares from Kozakken Boys. (Source vi.nl online)

-Fortuna Sittard have signed Ahmed El Messaoudi from Mechelen. (Source vi.nl online)

-NAC Breda have loaned Bart Meijers to Helmond Sport. (Source vi.nl online)

-Royston Drenthe has started training at Sparta.(Source vi.nl online)

-Excelsior have signed defender Robin van der Meer from Utrecht. (Source vi.nl online)

-Telstar have signed Darren Rosheuvel (SC Cambuur) and Dylan Mertens (Volendam). (Source vi.nl online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-Heracles Almelo have signed Yoell van Nief . (Source vi.nl online)

-Vitesse have signed Max Clark from Hull City. (Source vi.nl online)

Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Az have extended the contract of Ron Vlaar by one season . (Source vi.nl online)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

-Ruud van Nistlerooy has been appointed as PSV Eindhoven’s U-19 Manager. (Source Sky Sports online)

-VVV Venlo have signed Peniel Mlapa (Dynamo Dresden) and Christian Kum (Roda JC Kerkrade). (Source vi.nl online)

-De Graafschap have signed midfielder Javier Vet from Almere City. (Source vi.nl online)
-FC Emmen’s goalkeeper Dennis Telgenkamp extended his contract by one more year. (Source vi.nl online)

-NAC Breda have signed Sydney van Hooydonk (son of Pierre) for three years. (Source vi.nl online)

-PEC Zwolle have taken on loan Australian midfielder Dennis Genreau from Mebourne City. (Source vi.nl online)

-Excelsior have signed defender Thonas Oude Kotte from Vitesse. (Source vi.nl online)

-Sparta Rotterdam have Mohmaed Rayhi and Suently Alberto from NEC. (Source vi.nl online)

-American Shane O’Neill has left Excelsior and returned to USA. (Source vi.nl online)

-Stefan Thesker has left Twente Snschede and joined Holstein Kiel. (Source vi.nl online)

-Ajax has assumed all responsibility for the cardiac arrest suffered by its player Abdelhak Nouri last year. (Source L’Equipe online)



VII.  Scotland

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Aberdeen have signed Irish International Stephen Gleeson (formerly Ipswich Town) on a free transfer. (Source Sky Sports Online)

Thursday, June 21, 2018:

- Rangers have signed defender John Flanagan from Liverpool.  (Source BBC Football online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

- Hibernian Manager Neil Lennon has been suspended for one match for his ‘airplane’ celebration in their final match of last season vs. Rangers (5-5).  (Source Sky Sports online)

VIII.  Portugal

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:
- Sporting CP are likely to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano (Sampdoria) and striker Tom van Weert (Groningen). (Source L’Equipe Online)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:
-By scoring vs. Morocco, Cristiano Ronaldo achieved a new record. He scored his 85th International goal making him the most prolific European goalscorer at International level (beating Ferenc Puskas’ record).  (Source MRTBF.be online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:
-Portugal’s Joao Moutinho (sick with flu) and Raphael Guerreiro (muscle complaints) did not train today. (Source Maisfutebol online)

-Porto defender Jorge Fernandes has extended his contract until 2021. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-Benfica have signed Argentinean defender Cristian Lema from Belgrano. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-The ill Joao Moutinho has once again missed Portugal training, although Raphael Guerreiro is back.  (Source L’Equipe / Maisfutebol Online)

Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Sporting CP President Bruno de Carvalho has stated that he will step down after supporters voted that he should quit. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Jose Sousa de Cintra is the new President of Sporting CP. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

- A large group of Iranian fans had gathered near the Portuguese Hotel and made noise to disrupt their sleep. Cristiano Ronaldo was seen at his window motioning to the fans to leave and let him sleep. (Source Marca.com online)

-In the match vs. Iran, Cristiano Ronaldo was given a yellow card after a lengthy VAR review for striking Morteza Pouraliganji. Many felt he should have ben shown a red card. (Source BBC Football online)

IX.  Belgium

Diary:

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Club Brugge have signed defender Clinton Mata from Charleroi. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Former Waasland-Beveren defender Laurent Jans has joined Metz . (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen are still injured and absent from Belgium’s training sessions.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Anderlecht have signed Bosnian Ognjen Vranjes from AEK Athens. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Hungary have fired their Belgian Manager Georges Leekens. (Source Footnews.be online)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

-During the halftime of Belgium’s match vs. Panam, Belgium Captain Eden Hazard apparently took Romelu Lukaku to task by telling him that it was difficult to play with ten men. This was designed to push him to perform and there was nothing mean about it according to Hazard. (Source Walfoot.be online)

-The Belgium National team have cancelled today’s training to give the players extra rest.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-Anderlecht have signed Landry Dimata from Wolfsburg . (Source Footnews.be online)

-Eupen have extended the contract of striker Moussa Diallo by one year . (Source Walfoot.be online)

Thursday, June 21, 2018:

-Mouscron have taken on loan defender Alexandros Katranis for one year from Saint Etienne. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Monaco have loaned striker Guevin Tormin to Cercle Brugge for one more season. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Ostend have signed Wout Faes from Anderlecht . (Source Footnews.be online)

-Beerschot have signed Jorn Vancamp from Anderlecht . (Source vi.nl online)

-Union Saint-Gilloise have signed goalkeeper Enzo D’Alberto from Anderlecht. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Genk striker Elvis Mehandovic has confirmed that he will be joining Anderlecht. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen made his return to train with the rest of the squad, but did not do the entire session. (Source RTBF.be online)


Friday, June 22, 2018:

-Goalkeeper Nordin Jackers has extended his contract with Genk until 2021. (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Anderlecht have given a new contract to goalkeeper Boy de Jong. (Source Footnews.be online)

-Gent have signed Jean-Luc Dompe (formerly Standard Liege) on a free transfer . (Source Walfoot.be online)

Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-For their match vs. Tunisia, Belgium Manager started with the same lineup as their previous match vs. Panama .  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-St Truiden have signed Dutch winger Elton Acolatse from Club Brugge. (Source RTBF.be  online)

-Westerlo have signed striker Ambroise Gboho from Les Herbiers. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Frankie Vercauteren has been appointed as Manager of Saudi Arabian club Al-Batin. (Source RTBF.be  online)

-Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku was replaced in their match vs. Tunisia after an injury. Roberto Martinez stated that he will be examined within the next 48 hours.  (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Ghent have decided to forbid their player Brecht Dejaegre to particpate on the channel Sporza that is covering the World Cup. The reason is for the time spent in the studio during the team’s preparations.  (Source Footnews.be Online)

-After scoring against Tunisia, Romelu Lukaku is the first player to score to score two goals or more in consecutive matches in the World Cup since Diego Maradona in 1986. (Source BBC Football online)


Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Thomas Bufel (out of contract at Genk) will continue at Zulte Waregem.  (Source RTBF.be Online)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

- Vincent Kompany participated in Belgium’s training session.  (Source RTBF.be online)

- Jonathan Legear has extended his contract with St. Truiden by one more year.  (Source RTBF.be online)
- Standard Liege are to sign Senna Miangue from Cagliari.  (Source Footnews.be online)

- Antwerp have officially sigend Antoine Bernier from Anderlecht.  (Source Footnews.be online)

-Roberto Martinez could make up to ten changes for their next match vs. England due to injuries and playser on yellow cards. He said that changing every outfield player ‘could be an option’. (Source BBC Football online)


Diary (extra):

Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

-Brazil have asked FIFA to give reasons why the VAR was not used in a number of disputable events in their match vs. Switzerland, most notably the push Miranda on the Swiss equalizer and the penalty appeal on a foul on Gabriel Jesus. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Neymar missed today’s training session fro Brazil after he appeared to have been slightly injured from the Match vs. Switzerland. He joined Paulinho and Thiago Silva in their Hotel’s gym. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Italian Referee Sergio Gonella who officiated the 1978 World Cup Final has passed away aged 85. (Source MSN online)

-Diego Maradona has now hit out on his former son-in-law Sergio Aguero, whom he believes can’t play full 90 minutes. Maradona said “if he starts again we are going after him for the whole Tournament”. (Source L’Equipe online)

- In Colombia’s match vs. Japan, the Colombian Carlos Sanchez was sent off after just three minutes as he handled a goalward bound Japanese attempt. This is the first sending off of the World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

- Peru’s Renato Tapia missed training today as he is still suffering from clash of heads suffered in the Denmark match. He is doubtful for the match vs. France. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Jakub Blaszczykowski played in his 100th match for Poland. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Poland protested Senegal’s second goal by M'Baye Niang as he sprinted back on to the field of play after injury and quickly intercepted a backpass from midfield before scoring. (Source BBC Football Online)

-Japan became the first Asian side to defeat a South American Nation at the World Cup.  (Source BBC Football Online)

-Japan’s Eiji Kawashima (35 years, 91 days) became Japan’s oldest ever player to appear in a World Cup match. (Source BBC Football Online)

-The Hosts Russia virtually qualified to the next round after their win over Egypt (3-1). Mohamed Salah finally made his appearance for The Egyptians and scored their consolation goal on a penalty kick.

-Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has arrived in Russia. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Morocco team Doctor, Abderrazak Hifti, has responded to the criticism for slapping Nordin Amrabat after a clash of heads in their match vs. Iran. Hifti claims that they had followed FIFA Procedures “point by point” for such situations. (Source L’Equipe Online)

Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

-Iceland’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson has torn a calf muscle and his World Cup is in doubt. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Neymar restarted training with the rest of the Brazil group today . (Source L’Equipe online)

-Saudi Arabia Manager Juan Antonio Pizzi has made changes to his squad. Abdullah Al-Mayouf and Mohammed Al-Sahlawi and Omar Hawsawi are out of the squad for the match against Uruguay. They have been replaced in the starting lineup by Ali al-Bulayhi,  Abdullah al-Mayouf and Fahad Al-Muwallad. Pizzi has also removed Yahya Al-Shehri and replaced him with Hattan Bahebri. (Source L’Equipe online)

-CSKA Moscow have signed Icelandic defender Hordur Magnusson from Bristol City.  (Source L’Equipe online)

-The World Cup is over for Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen injured in the match vs. England. (Source L’Equipe online)

- Since Mexico’s Rafa Marquez is linked to Mexican Drug kingpin Raul Flores Hernandez by the USA government, there are restrictions placed upon him from using US branding, business, bank or product. Therefore he can not train with the ‘Coca Cola’ logo nor drink ‘powerade’ while training. (Source AS.com online)

- Mexico’s Javier Hernandez has pleaded to the Mexico fans to stop their homophobic chanting during matches. (Source Reuters UK online)

- FIFA has dismissed Brazil’s complaints over the non-use of VAR in their match vs. Switzerland. (Source Marca.com online)

-Iran Manager Carlos Queiroz has made three changes to his lineup to face Spain from the previous match. Seyed Majid Hoseini will replaced injured defender Roozbeh Cheshmi.
Masud Shojaie and Alireza Jahanbakhsh are replaced by Saied Ezatolahi and Mehdi Taremi. (Source L’Equipe online)

-The Moroccan Noureddine Amrabat was wearing a protective haead gear after the clash of heads in the previous match. However, during the match he just took it off and played without the gear. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Saudi Arabia’s Taisir Al-Jassim was injured during the match vs. Uruguay and replaced with Hussein Al-Mogahwi. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Morocco Manager Herve Renard made three changes in his lineup from the previous match. Said and Amrabat were replaced by Da Costa and Dirar. Up front, Boutaib replaced El Kaabi. (Source L’Equipe online)

-FIFA have fined the Mexican Federation 8,500 Euros for the homophobic chants of their players. Serbia were also fined for unfurling political signs. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Uruguay’s Luis Suarez scored in his 100th match for his Nation. He is the first Uruguayan to score in three World Cups. (Source BBC Football online)

-A member of the carlos Queiroz’s Iran staff was taken to the hospital after preseumably collapsing following the VAR decision that annulled Iran’s Saeid Eztolahi’s tying goal vs. Spain. Due to offside. (Source Footnews.be Online)



Thursday, June 21, 2018:

-Referee Mark Geiger has denied the accusations that he had asked for Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey at halftime in yesterday’s Portugal-Morocco match. (Source BBC Football online)

-Australia were beneficiary of a VAR decision to award their penalty kick in the match vs. Denmark. The VAR review showed that Denmark’s Yussuf Poulsen had handled Mathew Leckie’s header. (Source Sky Sports online)

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide criticized the VAR decision by saying that Assistant Referees are ‘taking the charm out of Football.’ (Source BBC Football online)

-Australia’s Andrew Nabbout was injured on the right shoulder in today’s match vs. Denmark. He is out of the World Cup. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Brazil Manager Tite defended the under-fire Neymar and said he is not worried about his recovery.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Peru’s Renato Tapia has been ruled out of the match vs. France due to his injury from a clash of heads vs. Denmark in their first match. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Peru Manager Ricardo Gareca has made a number of changes for Peru’s match vs. France. Jefferson Farfan and Renato Tapia are out to be replaced by Pedro Aquino and Paolo Guerrero.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Denmark’s Yussuf Poulsen was booked in today’s match vs. Peru. He will therefore miss Denmark’s last match in the Group vs. France due to accumulation of yellow cards. (Source L’Equipe Online)
                  
-Schone has replaced the injured Kvist in the Danish lineup for their match vs. Australia. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Tunisia Manager Nabil Maaloul stated that the “Belgian defense is slow. The players are big but are lacking speed, we will profit…if we manage to cut the link between De Bruyne and Hazard all the game plan of the Belgians will crumble. We will isolate these two players and play offensively..we could win”.  (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Morocco’s Mehdi Carcela claimed that he was disgusted by their loss vs. Portugal as they played better. He questioned the refereeing and even claimed that the referee wanted the Portuguese defender Pepe’s jersey . (Source Footnews.be online)

-Morocco’s Nordin Ambarat also claimed that he had heard from Pepe that the referee wanted Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey . (Source Walfoot.be online)

-Iceland’s injured player Johann Berg Gudmundsson is unlikely to play tomorrow against Nigeria. (Source Reuters Uk online)

-Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Source Reuters Uk online)

-Former Argentina star Mario Kmepes has entered the Maradona vs. Messi debate by saying ‘comparing players from different eras is impossible.’  (Source Marca.com Online)

-Iran Manager Carlos Queiroz has called for rule changes to make it easier for Asian and African Nations to advance in the World Cup as the gap is widening.  (Source AS.com Online)

-Sweden’s Isaac Kiese Thelin suffered a foot injury in training. (Source Sport Bild online)
-According to ‘Estado de S. Paulo’ Neymar has brought two hair stylists with him to the World Cup (one for the cut and one for the coloring). (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Jorge Sampaoli has made a change to his lineup. Enzo Perez will start instead of Pavon, Argentina will employ a 4-3-3 formation with Meza partnering Messi and Aguero upfront. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Croatia have made one change, Brozovic will start instead of Badelj. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Fagner is to start ahead of Danilo in Brazil’s next match vs. Costa Rica as Danilo has picked up an injury . (Source Brazil Stat online)

-Peru have been eliminated from the World Cup.

-Thiago Silva will captain Brazil in Brazil’s next match vs. Costa Rica. (Source Reuters Uk online)

Friday, June 22, 2018:

-Former Argentina star, Osvaldo Ardiles called the current Argentina side as the ‘worst in their history’. (Source BBC Football online)

-In addition to the injured Isaac Kiese Thelin, Sweden’s three defenders Pontus Jansson, Helander and Marcus Rohden are all ill.  . (Source L’Equipe Online)

-In an audio message to German Burgos that was leaked, Diego Simeone has attacked the Argentina National Team, by describing the problems of the National Team ‘due to four years of anarchy. No one is leading from the Federation to the coach….Messi is good because he is surrounded by excellent footballers at Barcelona…if you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo in an average team who would you pick?” (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Iceland’s Bovarsson, a former teammate of Nigerian goalkeeper Carl Ikeme (who has withdrawn from the National Team due to Leukemia), paid hommage to him by taking a photo with his Iceland teammates holding Ikeme’s jersey . (Source RTBF.be online)

-There appears to be a rift between Argentina Manager Sampaoli and striker Sergio Aguero. After the match Sampaoli stated that the reason for the problems were that the players did not adhere to his project and directives, to which Aguero responded that Sampaoli ‘can say what he wants’.  (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Egypt will formally lodge a protest to FIFA for the performance of the Paraguayan Referee Enrique Caceres in their match vs. Russia that they deemed to be prejudicial.  (Source Reuters UK Online)

-For their match vs. Iceland, Nigeria Manager Gernot Rohr will start with Etebo and Omeruo, who replace Shehu and Ogu in the lineup .  (Source France Football Online)

-In Brazil’s match vs. Costa Rica, VAR ruled out an attempt by Neymar to fraudulently gain a penalty kick. (Source Daily Mail Online)

-Colombian striker Roger Martinez has joined Club America from Chinese side JS Suning.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Colombia’s Carlos Sanchez, who gave away a penalty kick vs. Japan, has apparently received death threats.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Iceland Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has made two changes to his lineup, Jon Davi Bovarsson and Rurik Gislason will make their first starts in the World Cup in the match vs. Nigeria. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Serbia have made one change to their lineup for their match vs. Switzerland. Filip Kostic comes in for Adem Ljajic. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Stephan Lichsteiner has become Switzerland’s appearance record holder in the World Cup.  (Source ITV online)

-Brazil’s Neymar was emotional and weeping after the match vs. Costa Rica. He said this was because all that he had gone through to get there since his midseason injury. (Source Be in Sports online)

- Costa Rica have been eliminated from the World Cup after their second loss.

-After Coutinho scored Brazil’s first goal, Brazil Manager Tite ran onto the field to celebrate but tripped over. (Source BBC Football online)
-Iceland’s Gylfi Sigurdsson struck a penalty kick over the bar in their match vs. Nigeria in the 83rd minute. The decision to award was made after VAR review as Alfred Finnbogason was fouled by Tyronne Ebuehi in the box.  (Source BBC Football Online)

- The Men of the Match for today:
Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa (Nigeria 2-Iceland 0)
Brazil’s Phillipe Coutinho (Brazil 2-Costa Rica 0)
Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland 2-Serbia 1)


Saturday, June 23, 2018:

-Javier Hernandez scored his 50th International goal for Mexico in their win over South Korea. (Source BBC Football online)

-The Belgium and Tunisia match is the 27th match that did not end scoreless in a World Cup. This breaks a record stretching back to 1954. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Nigerian goalkeeper Carl Ikeme revealed that he is in remission in his battle with Leukaemia. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Brazil’s Douglas Costa is injured and will miss the match vs. Serbia. Danilo will miss the Serbia match as well due to injury. (Source L’Equipe / Maisfutebol Online)

-Tunisia Manager Nabil Maaloul has apologized to the Tunisia fans after the (2-5) loss to Belgium.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Tunisia Manager Nabil Maaloul has apologized to the Tunisia fans after the (2-5) loss to Belgium.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-South Korea manager Shin Tae-yong has made three changes to his lineup for today’s macth vs. Mexico. J.H. Park, J. Koo and S.W. Kim have been replaced with M.W.Kim, S.J.Ju and S.M.Moon. The tactical formation will also change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Mexico has only made one change to their lineup or their match vs. South Korea, Edson Alvarez replaces Hugo Ayala in the starting lineup  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Tunisia’s Dylan Bronn was injured and replaced in the match vs. Belgium. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Saudi Arabia’s Taisir Al Jassim is still injured and not training. Omar Hawsawi and Mansour Al-Harbi also missed training on Saturday. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Tunisia’s Saif-Eddine Khaoui replaces Naim Sliti in the starting lineup for the match vs. Belgium.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Peru’s Jefferson Farfan has been injured in training and taken to a Hospital. He lost consciousness after a collision with a teammate.  (Source Footnews.be Online)

-Argentina Manager Jorge Sampaoli has been confirmed in his position by the Argentina Federation. There had been rumors of a mutiny and his replacement by Jorge Burruchaga. Sampaoli has nevertheless stated that he will leave his post at the conclusion of the Tournament. (Source France Fotoball Online)

-Uruguay’s Jose Gimenez has been injured in training. He will be replaced by Sebastian Coates for their next match vs. Russia. (Source France Fotoball Online)

- The Men of the Match for today:
Mexico’s Javier Hernandez (Mexico 2-South Korea 1)
Germany’s Marco Reus (Germany 2-Sweden 1)
Belgium’s Eden Hazard (Belgium 5-Tunisia 2)

-Mexico Manager Juan Carlos Osorio has urged FIFA to take action after his side suffered 24 fouls in their match vs. South Korea. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Panama will present the same lineup as their match vs. England tomorrow as in their first match vs. Belgium. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Chechnya Leader Ramzan Kadyrov has made Egypt’s Mohamed Salah as an honorary citizen of the region at a farewell banquet. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Brazil’s Thiago Silva has revealed that during yesterday’s match vs. Costa Rica, Neymar had insulted him for showing sportsmanship to Costa Ricans by returning the ball after a stoppage in play.  (Source AS.com Online)

-Photos have emerged of Jorge Sampaoli’s notebook from a training session that reveals details indicating who might start for Argentina in their next match. This is just a few days after a similar incident with England.  (Source Daily Telegrpah Online)

-Serbia have requested FIFA  that Switzerland’s Shaqiri and Xhaka be punished for their goal celebrations yesterday that were provocative to the Serbs.  (Source Daily Telegrpah Online)

-For their match vs. Germany, Sweden made only one change from their previous match. Victor Lindelof is in the lineup, replacing Pontus Jansson.  (Source Sport Bild Online)

-At the conclusion of the match between Germany and Sweden, there were clashes involving Sweden Manager Janne Andersson and Germany Team Manager Oliver Bierhoff. He claimed that some in the German camp ‘rubbed it into our faces by making gestures’.  Sweden’s Emil Forsberg said, “that was a lack of respect, a disgusting behavior”. (Source Daily Mail / Sport Bild Online)

-Colombia Manager Jose Pekerman stated that James Rodriguez will be fit for the match vs. Poland. (Source Sport Bild Online)

-Tunisia and South Korea have been eliminated from the World Cup. Belgium and Mexico advance to the next round. (Source BBC Football online)

Sunday, June 24, 2018:

-Sweden’s Jimmy Durmaz (Assyrian origin) has been subjected to racial abuse from Swedish fans after giving away the free kick that led to Germany’s winner yesterday. His teammates have defended him. (Source BBC Football online)

-Argentina’s Javier Mascherano has denied the media reports suggesting of a  rift between the players and Manager Jorge Smapaoli . (Source Sky Sports Online)

-The Serbian Federation has appealed to FIFA to review the officiating of the German Referee Felix Brych in their match vs. Switzerland, complaining of double standard and favoritism. (Source Sky Sports Online)

- Morocco’s Youssef Ait Bennasser has returned to Monaco (on their demand) after an injury in training. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Poland and Panama have been eliminated from the World Cup.

-Argentina Federation President Claudio Tapia held a press conference along with  Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia. Tapia denied the rumors of mutiny in the National Team. (Source L’Equipe online)

-Two Swiss Government ministers have defended Shaqiri and Xhaka for their provocative celebration vs. Serbia.  Minister Guy Parmelin stated that given the emotional nature of the match such outburst of emotion should be understood . (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Diego Maradona wants to have a meeting with the Argentina squad along with other former Internationals to save the honor of the National Team. He stated that he would like to have the meeting along with Pumpido, Goycoechea, Caniggia, Troglio and even Passarella (if he wants to come…). (Source RTBF.be Online)

-Iran Manager, the Portuguese Manager Carlos Queiroz has come out against the use of VAR. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Rabah Madjer has been sacked as Manager of Algeria. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Poland Manager Adam Nawalka made a few changes to his lineup for the match against Colombia. Thiago Cionek, Jakub Blaszczykowski , Arkadiusz Milik and Kamil Grosicki are out. In their places come Jan Bednarek, Bartosz Bereszynski, Jacek Góralski and Dawid Kownacki.  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-The Colombian midfielder Abel Aguilar was substituted during the match with Poland due to an injury. Carlos Sanchez was suspended, therefore Mateus Uribe went in for him  (Source L’Equipe Online)

-The Danish Federation has been fined due to crowd disturbances in their match vs. Australia. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Senegal’s Moussa Wague has at the age of 19 years and 236 days become the youngest African goalscorer in the history of the World Cup. (Source RTBF.be Online)

- The Men of the Match for today:
England’s Harry Kane (England 6-Panama 1)
Senegal’s Sadio Mané (Senegal 2-Japan 2)
Colombia’s James Rodriguez (Poland 0-Colombia 3)

Monday, June 25, 2018:

- Sergio Aguero is set to be dropped from Argentina’s next match to be replaced by Gonzalo Higuain. Others to be dropped as well are Marcos Acuna and Enzo Perez. They will be replaced with Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega. (Source Vivaronews Online)

- Peru’s Jefferson Farfan will not play in their next match as he is still hospitalized following his head injury. (Source Reuters UK Online)

-Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary made history by becoming the oldest player in a World Cup (aged 45) as he played against Saudi Arabia. (Source Daily Mail Online)

-Colombia Manager Jose Pekerman dedicated his side’s victory over Poland to Carlos Sanchez, who has been receiving death threats following his sending off in their first match vs. Japan. (Source BBC Football online)

-Sweden’s Jimmy Durmaz, with the entire Sweden squad and coaching staff behind him, stated that the online racial abuse he suffered has crossed a line. The abuse was reported to the police.. (Source BBC Football online)

-South Korea’s Sung-yueng Ki has been injured and will not play in their next match against Germany. (Source Sky Sports Online)

-Denmark Manager Aage Hareide who just weeks before had been dismissive of France played down those remarks by saying he was making comparison with France’s 1998 squad. (Source L’Equipe Online)


-Egypt’s Abdallah Said was substituted against Saudi Arabia after an injury. He was replaced by Amr Warda. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Saudi Arabia will play for their third different goalkeeper in as many matches as Yasser El-Mosaileem is set to start. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Russia Manager Stanislva Cherchesov has made changes to his lineup. Igor Smolnikov will start in defense in place of Mario Fernandes. Fyodr Kudriachov replaces Yiri Zhirkov, while Alexei Miranchuk replaces Aleksandr Golovin. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-Morocco Manager Herve Renard has already received offers from the National Teams of Egypt and Algeria. (Source L’Equipe Online)

-The Egyptian Federation released a statement denying the rumors that Mohamed Salah was to quit the Egyptian National Team . (Source Calciomercato online)

-A bar in Rio de Janeiro is to offer free drinks everytime Neymar dives in matches . (Source Calciomercato online)

-Diego Maradona has attacked Argentina Federation President Claudio Tapia, saying “he lacks personality….he thought Sampaoli could solve all the problems with computers, drones and 14 assistants but football is not this” . (Source Calciomercato online)

-Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera played in his 100th International Match for his Nation vs. Russia t the World Cup . (Source Reuters UK online)

-Nigeria Captain John Obi Mikel has called upon Croatia to field its strongest team possible in its match vs. Iceland in the interests of fairness for other Group members in the World Cup.  (Source AS.com online)

-Former Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron questioned Jorge Sampaoli’s decision to leave out Mauro Icardi from the Final squad given Argentina’s problems.  (Source AS.com online)

-Peru Captain Paolo Guerrero has promised to give Australia Captain Mile Jedniak a hug before their match, as he was one of those who plead for his inclusion  in the World Cup after Guerrero had originally been banned. (Source Reuters UK online)

-Croatia Manager Zlatko Dalic stated that for their last match in the Group vs. Iceland, he would not select the six players on a yellow card (the likes of Ante Rebic, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic). (Source Sport Bild online)

-Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichsteiner have avoided bans for the controversial ‘Eagle’ celebration vs. Serbia. (Source BBC Football online)

-Edinson Cavani became just the second player to score a goal in three separate World Cup tournaments for Uruguay (2010, 2014 and 2018) just like his teammate Luis Suarez. (Source BBC Football online)

-Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera became Uruguay's all-time leading appearance maker at the World Cup (14) overtaking former goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz. (Source BBC Football online)

-Morocco captain Medhi Benatia had been dropped according to many due to his criticisms of assistant coach Mustapha Hadji. (Source BBC Football online)


- The Men of the Match for today:
Uruguay’s Luis Suarez (Russia 0-Uruguay 3)
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah (Egypt 1-Saudi Arabia 2)
Portugal’s Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal 1-Iran 1)
Spain’s Isco (Spain 2-Morocco 2)

Photo From: L’Equipe, June 23, 2018
(Neymar)


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