Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez said he is solely focused on the World Cup with Uruguay and a showdown against Egypt star Mohamed Salah in Russia amid question marks over his future. Gimenez has been linked with a move to neighbours and LaLiga rivals Real Madrid, who are reportedly ready to meet the 23-year-old's €60million release clause. However, Gimenez – a key member of Atletico's triumphant Europa League campaign – insisted the World Cup is the only thing on his mind following Uruguay's 3-0 win over 10-man Uzbekistan on Thursday. "I don't think on that," Gimenez told reporters when asked if he thought about leaving Atletico. "I'm thinking on playing a good tournament and to prepare myself well for...
Brazil defender Marcelo believes team-mate Fred will recover from an ankle injury in time for the World Cup after describing the issue as "not that serious". Fred – who is set to join Premier League giants Manchester United after a deal was agreed with Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk – hurt his ankle during Thursday's training session. A scan may be required as Brazil and team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar monitor Fred ahead of Sunday's final World Cup warm-up match against Austria. But Marcelo told reporters: "This is the World Cup. Everybody's training hard, working hard and there are these moments in training. "But I believe it's not that serious, I believe it's not a big problem for us and I think...
Portugal head coach Fernando Santos said the European champions have plenty of room for improvement heading into the World Cup following their 3-0 win over Algeria. Cristiano Ronaldo returned as Portugal prepared for the Russia showpiece with a routine victory against Algeria thanks to Goncalo Guedes' brace Thursday. Guedes produced an eye-catching performance with goals either side of half-time to give Portugal a boost ahead of their Group B opener against Spain in Sochi June 15. "We are still far from ideal, it is with the championship that we will grow," Santos said in Lisbon post-match. "There are some things to fine-tune, there are players who are playing for the first time together in this selection." O apito final não quer dizer...
Ghana's Football Association (GFA) has been dissolved by the country's government amid allegations of corruption and bribery. Nana Akufo-Addo – the president of Ghana – made the decision Thursday after footage emerged from a documentary allegedly uncovering fraud and corruption under the leadership of GFA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi. In the documentary 'When Greed and Corruption Become the Norm', Nyantakyi was pictured accepting a cash gift from an undercover reporter who was pretending to be a businessman. The Ghanaian government is set to announce, "provisional measures to govern football activities in the country until a new body is duly formed". "The Government is shocked and outraged at the contents of the recently-aired video documentary, which captures the investigation conducted into football administration...
Luis Suarez, Jose Maria Gimenez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta were on target as Uruguay completed their World Cup preparations with a 3-0 win over 10-man Uzbekistan. Estadio Centenario was a sea of blue for Uruguay's one and only international fixture before the World Cup in Russia, where the South Americans will face Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the hosts in Group A. Suarez, Gimenez and De Arrascaeta ensured two-time world champions Uruguay – who open their campaign against Egypt June 15 – farewelled Montevideo on a winning note courtesy of goals in either half Thursday. De Arrascaeta put Uruguay ahead in the 32nd minute with a powerful effort from the centre of the penalty area after Edinson Cavani's darting run down the flank and...