International Football
ISIS THREATENS NIGERIA VS ARGENTINA MATCH
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
The proposed November 14 World Cup dress rehearsal of Nigeria and Argentina in Russia has come under a serious threat from the Islamic State, after the group posted a picture of Lionel Messi in prison.
The warped image has Lionel Messi in prison attire and depicts the global football icon crying tears of blood. The caption next to his face reads, “You are fighting a state that does not have failure in its dictionary.”
This is the first time a match involving Nigeria will be under a threat by any militant group.
The threat has forced the Argentina Football Association (AFA) to demand for special security for their star and other members of the national team.
But despite this threat, Sports Village Square gathered from the Moscow Times that Argentina’s ambassador to Russia, Ricardo Lagorio, reiterated that the 2018 World Cup will be safe to visit next summer. The ambassador was responding to the terrorist attack threat.
“The aim [of the latest pro-ISIS propaganda] is to frighten people but all the Argentineans that intend to come should come to the World Cup and do so without fear,” Lagorio said.
“I would like to call for calm and to ask people that will come from all over the world to do so without concerns.”
President of AFA, Claudio Tapia, on Thursday met the Russian ambassador to his country, Victor Koronelli, to discuss the threat posed by ISIS, after the group also published an image alluding to next year’s World Cup in Russia, warning those who visit Russia that they will face attacks.
Tapia is working with Koronelli and another Russian diplomat, Dmitriy Belov, on additional security at Moscow’s Bronnitsy Training Centre, which will house the Argentine team for the World Cup.
Before the match with Nigeria, Argentina will play a friendly game with Russia on November 11. The game is billed for Krasnodar in Russia, at the Krasnodar Arena Stadium.
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Abdellatif-Akhrif.png)
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
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/arsene-wenger.jpg)
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
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
![](https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/baggio.jpg)
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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