International Football

Russia under FIFA’s Investigation for Doping

Published

8 years ago

June 26, 2017

World Cup 2018 hosts, Russia, may have been under investigation by FIFA for drug related issues. The Russians are currently hosting the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup as dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

Sports Village Square gathered from Score Media which quoted BBC that FIFA had admitted that “it is still investigating the allegations” that several footballers were involved in a Russian state-sponsored doping scheme.

According to the report, 1,000 athletes from no fewer than 30 sports have allegedly had samples covered up between 2011 and 2015.

“FIFA has simply confirmed that, in close collaboration with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), it is still investigating the allegations involving football players in the so-called McLaren report,” a FIFA spokesman was quoted as saying.

“However, FIFA did not refer to any particular players, since it cannot comment on the status of ongoing investigations.”

A report has it that Russia’s entire 23-man squad at the 2014 World Cup was tested for possible drug offences, and were among 34 Russian footballers investigated by FIFA, five of whom featured in the squad at the Confederations Cup.

So far, none of the players tested positive. The allegations came from the publication of the McLaren reports, the second of which was released in December 2016 by Canadian sports lawyer Dr. Richard McLaren.

Russia has always denied allegations of a state-sponsored doping programme. According to the report, Russian deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko said: “There have never been and will never be any problems with doping in our football – our team are permanently being tested, they undergo doping tests after every match.”

International Football

Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid and take over Brazil national team

Published

12 hours ago

May 12, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Carlo Ancelotti will become Brazil’s manager after leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season, the Brazilian FA (CBF) said on Monday.

The 65-year-old Ancelotti has enjoyed four hugely successful years in his second tenure at the Spanish giants, but they are set to finish this season without a trophy.

“The president of CBF Ednaldo Rodrigues has announced on Monday the signing of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti,” it said in a statement.

“Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to coach Brazil is more than a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to regain football’s top spot,” Rodrigues said in the statement.

“He is the greatest coach in history and now he is at the helm of the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write new chapters in the glorious history of Brazilian football.”

Brazilian soccer sources said Ancelotti will sign a one-year deal to become the world’s highest-paid national team coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the option to extend his contract. Real have yet to announce Ancelotti’s departure.

He is set to be replaced by former Real midfielder Xabi Alonso, with sources close to the 41-year-old former Spain international saying he has agreed a three-year deal.

Alonso, 43, who announced earlier this month that he was leaving Bayer Leverkusen after guiding them to a domestic double last term, will join Real before the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States from June 14 to July 14, club sources said.

Ancelotti had a year remaining on his contract but Real’s underwhelming season and his desire to coach Brazil have led to a mutual agreement to part ways, the sources added.

Second-placed Real are seven points adrift of Barcelona, who could secure the league title on Wednesday without kicking a ball if Real fail to win at home to Mallorca.

Regardless of Real’s result, a Barca victory in the city derby away to Espanyol on Thursday would clinch the title.

-Reuters

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International Football

Former Nigeria coach, Peseiro, leaves Egypt’s Zamalek after three months

Published

5 days ago

May 7, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Africa Cup of Nations - Nigeria Press Conference - Abidjan, Ivory Coast - February 10, 2024 Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro during the press conference REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

Zamalek ended Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro’s contract by mutual consent, the Egyptian soccer club said on Wednesday, after less than three months in charge due to poor results.

“An agreement has been reached between Zamalek and coach Jose Peseiro to mutually terminate the contract,” the club said on Facebook. “We wish you the best in your future endeavours.”

Former Porto and Sporting Lisbon coach Peseiro, 65, joined Zamalek on February 14 to become only the fifth coach to lead both Egyptian rivals, Zamalek and Al-Ahly.

However, Zamalek, the defending champions, were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup and the Egyptian League Cup under Peseiro, and a poor run in the league saw them slip to third place, seven points adrift of leaders Pyramids.

Peseiro has previously coached the national teams of Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, as well as the Saudi club Al-Hilal and United Arab Emirates’ teams Al Wahda and Sharjah.

-Reuters

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International Football

Former Brazil coach Tite taking break to take care of mental, physical health

Published

3 weeks ago

April 23, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Brasileiro Championship - Gremio v Flamengo - Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre, Brazil - September 22, 2024 Flamengo coach Tite REUTERS/Diego Vara/File Photo

Former Brazil coach Tite said he is taking an indefinite career break in order to take care of his mental and physical health.

The 63-year-old, who led Brazil to the 2019 Copa America title, was hospitalised due to a heart issue last August. He was sacked by Flamengo the following month and had most recently been linked with the Corinthians job.

“I realised that there are times when you have to understand that, as a human being, I can be vulnerable and admitting that will certainly make me stronger,” Tite said in a statement posted on his son Matheus Bachi’s Instagram on Tuesday.

“I’m passionate about what I do and I’ll continue to be so, but after talking to my family and observing the signals my body was giving off, I decided that the best thing to do now is to take a break from my career to look after myself for as long as it takes.

“As has become public, there was a conversation in progress with Corinthians, but it will have to be paralysed by a difficult but necessary decision.”

Tite, who stepped down as Brazil coach after their quarter-final exit from the 2022 World Cup, has previously coached a string of Brazilian sides including Gremio, Atletico Mineiro and Palmeiras.

-Reuters

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