FIFA To Investigate Germany Fans

Pictures showing fans wearing all-black make-up circulated on social media following the clash with Ghana and a spokesperson has confirmed the evidence will be looked into.
Fifa is set to examine suggestions of alleged discrimination carried out by Germany fans during their 2-2 draw with Ghana on Saturday in Fortaleza.
Photographs showing certain supporters with black make up on their faces circulated on social media, sparking suggestions that a minority of the European team's fans were displaying racist behaviour.
Adding weight to these claims were the actions of one fan, who invaded the pitch with Nazi messages written on his body during the second period.
A spokesperson from Fifa told a media briefing that the claims will be investigated.

Eriksson: Hodgson Would Be Sacked If He Was Foreign

The Swede took charge of England at three tournaments, exiting at the quarter-final stage each time, and insists the current manager's squad is just as strong as a decade ago.
Roy Hodgson would have been sacked as England manager by now if he were foreign, according to former boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The Swede was in charge of the Three Lions between 2001 and 2006 and oversaw three tournament quarter-final exits before resigning after the 2006 World Cup.
England were knocked out by Italy on penalties at the last-eight stage of Euro 2012 under Hodgson before suffering their worst ever start to a World Cup this year.

"I know for sure, if that had been me, I would have been sacked at once," Eriksson told The Telegraph. "If he were foreign, he would be sacked. I'm quite sure about that."

Fifa Lacking Fair Play In World Cup Scheduling - Van Gaal

The Netherlands coach claims the decision to have Group B matches kick-off ahead of Group A fixtures lends a helping hand to hosts Brazil Louis van Gaal has criticised Fifa for a lack of fair play in forcing his Netherlands side to play their final World Cup Group B fixture before finding out their potential opponents in the round of 16.
The Oranje have already qualified for the knockout stage following victories over Spain and Australia and face Chile on Monday in a 18:00CET kick-off hoping to clinch top spot in Group B.
Their next opponents will come out of Group A, where Brazil, Croatia and Mexico are vying for qualification, with that pool's final matches kicking off at 23:00CET.

Chelsea Warned Against Signing Diego Costa

Former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin is surprised by Chelsea's move for Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa.
Dublin hasn't been impressed by the Spain international.

“In the games I’ve watched, both domestically and internationally, I’ve not seen anything in Costa that makes me think, ‘you are unbelievable’,” he told talkSPORT.

AXED! Chelsea Signing Cesc Dropped After Del Bosque Blow-up

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has clashed with Spain coach Vicente del Bosque in training.

And it appears the bust-up will cost him his place in the starting line-up for tomorrow's World Cup dead rubber against Australia.

El Mundo Deportivo says Del Bosque argued with Cesc Fabregas during training on Saturday.

“I’ve fallen out of love with the game” – Former Arsenal and Spurs player, Bentley retires at 29

Former Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham player David Bentley, has retired from football at the age of 29.
Bentley, who won seven caps for England during his 12-year career, claimed football has become “robotic and boring” and he was not keen “to sign on for another four or five years”.
Once dubbed the natural heir to David Beckham, Bentley struggled to pin down regular shirts at Arsenal, Spurs, Birmingham, West Ham, FC Rostov and Blackburn, before he was released last year.

“I’ve fallen out of love with the game,” Bentley told Sky Sports News.

Ribery refused injections from doctor

The Bayern Munich winger has hit out at claims he is scared of needles and questioned the treatment offered by the national side.
Franck Ribery has revealed he refused to undergo cortisone injections in a bid to be fit for France's World Cup campaign.
The Bayern Munich winger was ruled out of the tournament with a back problem, but was offered the treatment by national team doctor Kevin Le Gall.
His refusal prompted Le Gall to question the German club's medical approach and claim Ribery was scared of needles.

"Franck belongs to a club whose method of treatment for all ailments, whatever they might be, is based on injections," he said earlier this week.

West Brom Appoint Irvine As New Manager

The Everton academy coach will bring Rob Kelly with him from Goodison Park after agreeing a 12-month rolling contract to succeed Pepe Mel, who left the club last month West Brom have appointed Alan Irvine as their new head coach on a year-long rolling deal.
The Everton academy boss will take on his new role following the conclusion of his contract at Goodison Park.
Baggies assistant head coach Keith Downing will remain at the club, but will also be joined by Rob Kelly - who comes with Irvine from Everton.

"I'm delighted we have been able to secure the services of Alan and Rob," West Brom technical director, Terry Burton, told the club's official website.

Mourinho Was Right About Casillas - Maradona

The Argentina legend has criticised the Real Madrid goalkeeper following his nightmare showing on Friday night Diego Maradona says Iker Casillas's horror showing in Spain's 5-1 defeat to Netherlands proves Jose Mourinho was right to drop him during his time in charge of Real Madrid.
The goalkeeper was at fault for at least one of the goals as the reigning world and European champions suffered a shock thrashing at the hands of Louis van Gaal's Oranje.
He has since accepted the blame for the defeat, and Argentina legend Maradona says the performance shows Mourinho was right to favour Diego Lopez over the 33-year-old.

WORLD CUP – Group A: Peralta strike sees Mexico edge Cameroon

Mexico have kicked off their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
On a rainy afternoon in Natal, Miguel Herrera’s El Tri managed to get the job done courtesy of Oribe Peralta’s 61st minute strike to join hosts Brazil on three points at the top of Group A.
The only goal of the high-tempo contest came just after the hour-mark when Peralta raced onto a loose ball to slot home after Charles Itandje had done well to keep out Giovani Dos Santos’ initial effort.

Beckenbauer Banned From Football

Fifa have suspended the former Germany captain and coach from all football activities for 90 days Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has been banned from all football-related activities for 90 days by the Fifa Ethics Committee.
The 68-year-old's suspension comes after he refused repeated requests for assistance from Michael Garcia, the former US attorney who has led a two-year probe into corruption allegations on Fifa's behalf.
The particular offence is thought to relate to questions regarding the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid, with Beckenbauer having reportedly claimed that Garcia had "no power whatsoever" to demand his co-operation.
The Ethics Committee's deputy chairman Alan Sullivan issued the ban, stating that Beckenbauer has thus far been temporarily suspended since a decision on the main issue cannot be taken early enough.

Barcelona Make Amazing Stats Swipe At Cesc After Chelsea Switch

Barcelona have made a stunning swipe at Cesc Fabregas after he completed his move to Chelsea yesterday. The midfielder, who signed for Chelsea for £27million on Thursday, scored 42 goals in 151 matches for the Spanish giants.
But the club claim there was a "downward trend in his stats every season" and that Fabregas "was never as good in the second half of a season as in the first".
A statement on the club's official website said: "Despite glowing starts to each campaign, Cesc’s contributions to the cause gradually decreased as each season drew to a close.

Breaking News: PSG Confirm David Luiz Signing

Paris Saint-Germain have officially announced the signing of David Luiz on a five-year deal from Chelsea.
The Brazillian has joined the French outfit after they agreed a fee of £50m with the Stamford Bridge side.

The defender confirmed his departure from Chelsea towards the end of last month when he took to Twitter and Facebook to thank fans and colleagues for their support during his three-and-a-half-year stint in London.
The move will now see Luiz link up with his central defensive partner for the national team, Thiago Silva, straight after their World Cup campaign.

Croatia's Lovren Piles Into Ref Over Penalty Decision

The referee who awarded Brazil a controversial penalty should not be officiating at the World Cup, says Croatia defender Dejan Lovren.
The hosts won 3-1, but, with 20 minutes left and the score 1-1, Japan's Yuichi Nishimura ruled that Lovren had pulled down striker Fred and Neymar scored from the spot.
"This referee should not be at this World Cup," said Lovren. "It wasn't a mistake, it was a scandal."
The Southampton player added: "It's really disappointing for us because we were playing a good game against a big team.

I Made Xavi And Iniesta - Luis Van Gaal

The trainer has taken credit for Spain's success and admits he was proud when they defeated the Netherlands team he now coaches in the World Cup final in 2010.
Louis van Gaal says Xavi and Andres Iniesta have him to thank for their blossoming careers ahead of Netherlands' clash with Spain on Friday.
The coach spent two stints at Barcelona - for three years until 2000 and between 2002 and 2003 - and during those spells introduced the midfield duo into the first team from the youth squad.
Xavi and Iniesta were crucial in Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, and remain prominent members of la Roja's set-up, and Van Gaal believes his team's opponents have him to thank in part for their success.

Official: Sagna Signs For Manchester City

Manchester City have reached an agreement to sign Bacary Sagna from Arsenal on a three-year deal, reports BBC Sport.
The 31 year old France right-back spent seven years at Arsenal but his contract expired at the end of the season.
Sagna, who will join the Blues after the Brazil World Cup, posted a farewell message to the Gunners on social media.
He has already been handed the same number three shirt he had at Arsenal, last worn at City by former Brazilian defender Maicon.

Fabregas Moves To Chelsea For £27m, Signs 5-year Deal

Cesc Fabregas completes his move from Barcelona to Chelsea for around £27m after signing a 5-year contract. A statement released on chelseafc.com confirmed the move.

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.
The 27-year-old has joined on a five-year contract and will wear the no. 4 shirt.
He said: 'Firstly I would like to thank everyone at FC Barcelona where I enjoyed three wonderful years. It was my childhood club and I will always be proud and honoured that I had a chance to play for such a great team.

Marco Reus out for 3 Months With Injury

The 25-year-old has sustained more significant damage to his ankle than first feared and is set to be out of action until at least September.
Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus is set to miss the start of the 2014-15 Bundesliga season after it was confirmed his ankle injury is more serious than first thought.
The Germany international was ruled out of the World Cup after tearing ankle ligaments during the friendly clash with Armenia last Friday.
While it was initially hoped the 25-year-old would return to fitness during Dortmund's pre-season campaign, further tests have confirmed he has also suffered damage to his heel and that he will be out of action for three months.
"Marco Reus will be out longer than expected. The 25-year old will have to take a break until September," read a statement on the club's official website.