Uruguay appeal
Uruguay yesterday lodged an appeal regarding the four-month ban imposed on star striker Luis Suarez for his World Cup bite, a top Fifa official said. The Uruguay Football Association has until Sunday to make an appeal against the sanctions ordered after Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Claudio Sulser, head of Fifa’s disciplinary commission, confirmed that the appeal had been made, but insisted he could make no other comment. Suarez was banned from all football activity for four months, suspended for nine internationals and fined US$112,000 (Dh411,290) for his third offence of biting an opposition player. He has since made a public apology to Chiellini, while Spanish giants Barcelona are negotiating to buy the Liverpool striker.
Donovan hits out
Landon Donovan, the United States’ record scorer who was left out of the World Cup squad, criticised coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s tactics during their campaign, which ended with a 2-1 extra-time loss to Belgium in the last 16. Klinsmann’s decision not to include Donovan, 32, in his 23-man squad surprised many fans and pundits and increased speculation that the pair do not see eye to eye. The team’s exit prompted a pointed critique of the German coach’s approach. “I think the most disappointing is we didn’t seem like we gave it a real effort, from a tactical standpoint,” Donovan told the Major League Soccer website. “I thought the guys did everything they could, they did everything that was asked of them, but I don’t think [tactically] we were set up to succeed ... and that was tough to watch.”
Kompany on the mend
Belgium’s captain Vincent Kompany has largely recovered from the groin injury that plagued him before Tuesday’s World Cup win over the United States, coach Marc Wilmots said. The news comes as a relief to the Belgians, who face twice-champions Argentina in the quarter-finals in Brasilia tomorrow. “He looks to have made a very good recovery,” said Wilmots of his key centre-back, who missed Belgium’s last group game against South Korea and did not train before their 2-1 extra-time win over the US in Salvador. Kompany got through the two-hour last-16 drama at the Fonte Nova arena, but at times seemed bothered by the injury. Speaking after the match, Wilmots was not sure if the injury had flared up, but yesterday said Kompany was on track to feature in the last eight.
Hong to stay on
Hong Myung-bo will continue as coach of South Korea’s national team despite their early exit from the World Cup, the Korean Football Association (KFA) said. Hong’s position came under scrutiny after South Korea, who reached the semi-finals in 2002 on home soil, finished bottom of their group and earned just one point. Huh Jung-moo, KFA vice president, said Hong had tendered his resignation, but that KFA president Chung Mong-gyu talked him out of leaving.
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