lanzini out of World Cup
BARCElONA: West Ham's Argentine midfielder Manuel lanzini will miss the World Cup after injuring a knee during training in Spain, the Argentine football federation said on Friday. "Manuel lanzini suffered, in Friday's morning training, the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee," the federation wrote in a Twitter message. The 25-year-old, who had been linked with a summer transfer to liverpool, now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His injury is a blow for Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli who had counted on lanzini for his starting line up. Argentina's national team is due to travel to Russia on Saturday for the World Cup. Argentina have been drawn in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.
Fred injured in training
lONDON: Midfielder Fred, who is also one of Tite's options for Fernandinho's spot, was forced out of the training after a tackle by Casemiro affected his right ankle. The newly signed Manchester United player tried to remain on the pitch but couldn't. He was treated with ice on the sidelines. "It is too early to say, we have to see how he develops in the next 24 hours," Brazilian football confederation physician Rodrigo lasmar said of Fred's condition. "He started working out right after. On Saturday we will know whether he will have to be further examined or not." Brazil's two-week training camp in london ends on Friday, when the team travels to Austria for the friendly.
Ghana risks FIFA ban
ACCRA: Ghana risks being suspended from the 2026 World Cup hosting vote by FIFA after its government said on Thursday it had disbanded the national soccer federation amid allegations of "widespread" corruption made in an undercover documentary. The allegations implicated, among others, the federation president, who is a member of the FIFA Council. Ghana was expected to vote for fellow African country Morocco next Wednesday in Moscow against the joint World Cup bid of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Ghana government said the documentary had exposed "widespread fraud, corruption and bribery" at the Ghana Football Association.
Portugal beats Algeria 3-0
lISBON: With Cristiano Ronaldo back in action, Portugal cruised to a 3-0 win over Algeria in its final warmup match before traveling to Russia for the World Cup. Ronaldo, who hadn't played since leading Real Madrid to a third straight Champions league title last month, set up one of Portugal's goals at the Stadium of light. He also had one disallowed for offside before being substituted in the 75th minute. Portugal opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a shot from inside the area by Goncalo Guedes after a nice head-pass by Bernardo Silva. Bruno Fernandes added to the lead in the 37th with a close-range header.
Korea held by Bolivia
INNSBRUCK: South Korea was held by Bolivia to a goalless draw in a World Cup warmup on Thursday. South Korea dominated possession but missed forward Son Heung-min, who was rested for the first hour. Central defender Jang Hyun-soo, who missed the two previous games because of an ankle injury, was back as coach Shin Tae-yong returned to a 4-4-2 formation after experimenting recently. South Korea will play another friendly against Senegal on Monday before traveling to Russia. It was the fifth straight winless match for Bolivia, which failed to qualify for the World Cup.
UK concerned over safety
lONDON: The safety of England fans in Russia, especially homosexuals and those with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, at the World Cup finals is a concern, a parliamentary committee said on Friday. An estimated 10,000 fans are expected to travel to Russia to watch England - who have been drawn against Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in the group stage - and have already been warned by police not to wave St George flags as they can be deemed imperialistic. Fans have been warned to be particularly careful in Volgograd, which hosts England's opening game against Tunisia on June 18, as it is regarded by Russians as a symbol of the Great Patriotic War (World War II) and contains many important memorials. Russian and English fans clashed violently in Marseille when France hosted the 2016 European Championships.