This summer's World Cup will feature no English referees for the first time in post-war history, nor assistants, after FIFA confirmed its official list of 99 match officials for Russia 2018 on Thursday. The logo of the FIFA World Cup. (AFP/FRANCK FIFE) England whistler Mark Clattenburg, who retired from Premier League duty last summer, had been included on a pre-selected group drawn up by world ruling body FIFA two years ago. But his money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia left no English referees on FIFA's World Cup list for the first time since before the second world war. The referees representing UEFA-affiliated countries are from Germany, Turkey, Russia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Serbia, Italy, Slovenia and France. In another snub to England, globally considered the creators of the 'beautiful game', no English assistants will officiate at the competition. FIFA's decision comes amid the ongoing tension between Britain and Russia following the poisoning of ex-Russian spy … [Read more...] about No English refs, assistants as FIFA confirm 2018 World Cup list
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Australia hints at possible World Cup boycott over nerve agent attack
Australia said on Tuesday it will expel two Russian diplomats in response to a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain that the British government has blamed on Moscow and hinted at a possible boycott of the World Cup. The United States said on Monday it would expel 60 Russian diplomats, joining governments across Europe in punishing the Kremlin. In total, 100 Russian diplomats were being removed, the biggest Western expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. “Together with the United Kingdom and other allies and partners, Australia is taking action in response to the recent nerve agent attack in Salisbury, UK,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced in a statement. “Two Russian diplomats identified as undeclared intelligence officers will be expelled by the Australian government for actions inconsistent with their status, pursuant to the Vienna Conventions.” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said there were other possible … [Read more...] about Australia hints at possible World Cup boycott over nerve agent attack
World Cup hopefuls Spain crush Argentina, Brazil edge Germany
Isco scored a hat-trick as Spain hammered an Argentina side without Lionel Messi 6-1 in a friendly on Tuesday (Mar 27), while Brazil defeated Germany 1-0 in their first meeting since the 2014 World Cup. World Cup hopefuls Spain crush Argentina, Brazil edge Germany Gareth Southgate's England were denied victory over Italy at Wembley after the visitors were awarded a late penalty in a 1-1 draw following consulation with the video assistant referee. Spain underlined their status as chief contenders at this year's World Cup in Russia as they extended their unbeaten run under Julen Lopetegui to 18 matches in sensational fashion in Madrid. Diego Costa bravely forced home Spain's opening goal on 12 minutes and Isco doubled the lead before Nicolas Otamendi halved the deficit prior to half-time. The absence of Messi, left out of the squad by Jorge Sampaoli despite the coach insisting on Monday that his star striker was fit, was telling as Spain dominated the South Americans in the … [Read more...] about World Cup hopefuls Spain crush Argentina, Brazil edge Germany
Argentina have a ’debt’ to settle at World Cup
Argentina captain Lionel Messi. – Photo givemesport.comViet Nam News Football BUENOS AIRES — Argentina captain Lionel Messi admitted Monday that his generation has a score to settle at the World Cup in Russia after a series of agonising near misses in major tournaments. "The debt we owe is to ourselves, not to the people. We always give our all, we reached three finals. We haven’t been far off," Messi said in an interview with Fox Sports. Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany 1-0 after extra time and then finished runners-up at successive Copa America tournaments, losing to Chile on penalties in both 2015 and 2016. "We always take each World Cup as a big opportunity, and now more than ever because an important generation will move on, several players will change," Messi said, ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Spain in Madrid. Vice-captain Javier Mascherano has already announced he will retire from international duty after the World Cup, … [Read more...] about Argentina have a ’debt’ to settle at World Cup
Iceland leaders to snub 2018 World Cup in Russia
Iceland announced on Monday (Mar 26) it will stage a diplomatic boycott of the football World Cup in Russia over the poisoning of a former double agent in Britain. The logo of the FIFA World Cup. (AFP/FRANCK FIFE) "Among the measures taken by Iceland is the temporary postponement of all high-level bilateral dialogue with the Russian authorities," the foreign ministry said in a statement said. "Consequently, Icelandic leaders will not attend the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer," it said. The Reykjavik government also exhorted Moscow to provide "clear answers" over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in southwestern England on Mar 4. "The Salisbury attack constitutes a grave violation of international law and threatens security and peace in Europe," the statement said. Britain announced in mid-March that British royals and ministers would stay away from the FIFA tournament set for Jun 14-Jul 15. Iceland's decision came as 16 European Union countries on Monday … [Read more...] about Iceland leaders to snub 2018 World Cup in Russia