International Football
Pele’s Dead World Cup Teammate’s Bones Disappear from Grave
The remains of Garrincha, a dead teammate of Pele in the 1958 and 1962 World Cup, have mysteriously disappeared from the grave where the body was supposed to have been buried a second time. Sports Village Square gathered that the player who died in 1983, aged 49 may have been lost in an exhumation done about 10 years ago when another family member was to be buried at the same site.
The dead player’s cousin, Joao Rogoginsky reportedly told the popular Brazilian media network, O Globo that Garincha’s bones were removed to be placed in a niche. However, he said he did not attend the exhumation and “the family did not receive any documents”.
An administrator of the cemetery reportedly said: “There’s no certainty that he’s buried. We have information that the body was exhumed but there is no document that proves this.”
Local mayor Rafael Tubarao has proposed exhuming the grave again, with the family’s permission, to conduct a DNA test on what remains there are
The dead player’s daughter, Rosangela Santos reportedly remarked that the mayor of the city of Rio had promised a mausoleum for the dead player, but lamented that the bones had to be found first.
“My father did not deserve this. It’s very upsetting not knowing where he is.”
Garrincha played 50 times for Brazil between 1955 and 1966, helping his nation to World Cup victory in 1958 and 1962, when he shared the golden boot.
An administrator of the cemetery reportedly said: “There’s no certainty that he’s buried. We have information that the body was exhumed but there is no document that proves this.”
Local mayor Rafael Tubarao has proposed exhuming the grave again, with the family’s permission, to conduct a DNA test on what remains there are.
Brazilian cemeteries are usually split into two sections – those with tombs where bodies are buried, and walls with drawer-like concrete niches where ashes or bones are stored.
There are two tombs with Garrincha’s name on them, O Globo reported. One is a plot where Garrincha was originally laid in 1983 alongside other members of his family. The second is marked with an obelisk and was built in 1985.
Garrincha, which means “little wren” in Brazilian Portuguese, was regarded by many as the greatest dribbler of all time.
But his career was blighted by drink problems and he died of cirrhosis of the liver.
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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