Football News: UEFA Consider Fan Free Euros, Referee Dazed And Confused At Bournemouth, FIFA Hang On To Brazil's Money While Refusing To Change Russia And Qatar As World Cup Venues Plus More

1. Leicester's title bid hit by Kante injury
The metronome in Leicester City's midfield, who has been pivotal in their charge up the table to within touching distance of the Premier League title, N'Golo Kante is set to miss the Foxes' next two games due to injury. The French midfielder, who is characterised by his incredible workrate, was substituted after 70minutes in the 1-0 win over Norwich City after injuring a hamstring. Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri said: "N'Golo Kante I think we'll lose for the next two matches. He has a little pain with his hamstring so I give to him some rest."

2. FIFA keep hold of Brazil's $92m
Despite the change of president, FIFA are not changing their stance on the Brazilian FA (CBF) and will continue to hold onto money it is due until it gets its house in order. Last December FIFA decided to stop any financial distribution to the CBF amid accusations of corruption (yes pot and kettle do spring to mind). FIFA, despite showing little interest in reforming itself following corruption allegations, has ordered CBF to reform and allow for independent audit of its finances. They have also been told to clear up the situation surrounding their president, with Marco Polo del Nero the de facto president of the CBF currently, despite being under investigation by Brazilian authorities and expected to be dragged into the FBI's investigation into FIFA's corruption scandal. The CBF were promised $100m after the 2014 World Cup but so far have only received $8m.

 

3. Niang suffers car crash injury
AC Milan striker M'Baye Niang has suffered ankle ligament damage and a bruised shoulder during a car crash on Saturday. Niang had played in the 1-0 win over Torino that day, and was in the car when his driver aquaplaned. Niang wrote in a message on Twitter: "I wanted to tell you that me and my driver are in good health. The car was aquaplaning, we were more frightened than hurt. [I will be] ready for the end of the season with Milan." The former Caen striker is expected to be ruled out for up to two months. "M'Baye Niang has sustained a capsular ligament injury in his left ankle and a bruised left shoulder following a road accident," read a Milan statement. "His course of treatment will be decided in the coming days."

4. World Cups to stay with Russia and Qatar
Incoming FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made it clear that he has no intention of overturning the decision to award the next two World Cups to Russia and Qatar. The controversial decisions, made in a vote in Zurich in 2010, are clouded in a shadow of corruption allegations, with Swiss prosecutors investigating the bidding processes for the two tournaments. Infantino also confirmed that the 2022 Qatar World Cup would take place in winter.

 

5. Oooops

6. Friend taken to hospital after bang on the head
Bournemouth's south coast derby match up with Southampton suffered a half-time delay after fourth official Kevin Friend slipped and banged his head on one of the dugouts. The 44 year old suffered cuts to his face and was left dazed and confused leading to him being rushed to hospital, where he remained overnight. Qualified referee Dean Treleaven was attending the game and was called upon to fill in for Friend in the second half.

 

7. Pick that out!
Julian Buscher of MLS side DC United scores a beauty versus Queretaro to level the scores

8. Hannover 96 bench hit by a flare
Kick off in a Bundesliga match between Hannover 96 and VfL Wolfsburg was delayed after a flare was thrown from the traveling Wolfsburg support and landed in the Hannover dugout. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt in the incident, despite the missile landing right onto a packed substitutes' bench. Wolfsburg apologised but are expected to receive a fine, having been involved in a similar incident last season, in December 2014, when four flares and a smoke bomb led to a fine of around £4,700. 'The scene shortly before kick-off, we condemn that we do not want such things, it is clear who visits our games knows that there are usually no problems,' said Wolfsburg's sporting director Klaus Allofs on Hannover 96's website. 'I apologise to the Hanoverians that they have been put at risk.' The incident overshadowed what should have been a good night for Wolfsburg, as they saw former Chelsea midfielder Andre Schurrle get the first hat-trick of his career to lead them to a comfortable 4-0 victory.

 

9. UEFA confirm plans in place to play Euro games without fans
Following the attempt by suicide bombers to enter the Stade de France during a friendly between France and Germany in November, UEFA have drawn up contingency plans to cope with any further attacks during the summer's European Championships, which take place in France. UEFA have now revealed that they have a number of measures in hand. "It's possible that matches would be postponed or played later due to security reasons or terror attacks," UEFA tournament director Martin Kallen said. "If there is a security issue, we would need to play the match without fans. If you have to move a lot of spectators, they may not have time to go to the match. But today there are no signs of any extreme threats or alarming issues. If you have a full check, you cannot get all the people into the stadium," Kallen said. "With airport checks, you need to be able to get all the materials and we have 10 stadiums. That is a logistical undertaking. We think body-searching is a good way to do it."

10. Atletico Madrid confirmed for Melbourne Cup
The second edition of Australia's close season tournament, the Melbourne Cup, has confirmed the fourth team, joining Tottenham Hotspur, Melbourne Victory and Juventus in taking part, is set to be Primera Liga side Atletico Madrid. The tournament takes place in July and last season, the first edition, featured Real Madrid, AS Roma and Manchester City alongside Melbourne Victory.

Written by Tris Burke March 02 2016 03:33:30