International Football
NOBODY IS GOING TO THROW SPAIN OUT OF WORLD CUP, SAYS ACTING PRESIDENT
Following the news that FIFA are investigating the political interference within the Spanish Football Federation, (RFEF), the acting president, Juan Luis Larrea has made it clear that he was confident that La Roja, winners of the 2010 edition, will not be dumped out of the 2018 World Cup.
The news was rife on Friday that RFEF had been informed that, following a complaint made by suspended former president, Angel Maria Villar, the governing body were investigating the association and there is a serious risk the nation will be banned from FIFA tournaments.
Sports Village Square has gathered from Spanish sports publication, Marca, that the acting president has said: “Nobody is going to throw Spain out of the World Cup,” he explained “That’s impossible, FIFA simply want to know what is happening.”
The Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, was equally as defiant with regards to Spain’s participation in Russia.
“I’m absolutely convinced Spain will go to the World Cup in Russia. Furthermore, I am convinced we will win it. We haven’t received any warnings from FIFA, just a letter explaining that some within FIFA are requesting an investigation.”
In a related development, La Liga president is treating the situation in a less serious manner, comically suggesting that Spain’s traditional day of jokes has come early.
Spain has been threatened with expulsion from FIFA tournaments should any political interference have taken place in the processes of the association.
“Are we already on December 28? This seems like a joke,” he explained in an exclusive interview with Marca, alluding to Spain’s Day of the Holy Innocents. “I don’t think Infantino is capable of doing this. I simply don’t believe it.”
Media reports on Friday have suggested that the RFEF have received a letter of investigation from FIFA which explains that there is the significant possibility of expulsion from the 2018 World Cup. This is said to merely be a formal procedure that takes place with cases of this nature; however the actual act being carried out is far from close.
It’s believed that the bureaucratic process would be extremely difficult to carry out in full before the tournament.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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