Ribery ruled out of World Cup
Agencies
PARIS, JUNE 6
FRANCE have called up Remy Cabella and Morgan Schneiderlin to replace the Ballon d’Or nominee and Clement Grenier, who have both suffered injury setbacks
France have announced that Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery will not feature at this year’s World Cup in Brazil.
The 31-year-old attacker has been struggling with a back problem in recent weeks, and Didier Deschamps, the head coach of Les Bleus, confirmed during a press conference on Friday afternoon that the Ballon d’Or nominee’s situation has worsened.
“This morning Ribery stopped during a run. Now, he cannot train,” Deschamps explained. “Tests have confirmed a worsening of the situation. He cannot play. We must stay ambitious, but of course we would have been stronger with Ribery at 100%.”
Ribery’s injury was the second blow that France suffered on Friday, as Clement Grenier aggravated a thigh problem, which had plagued him in the latter part of the season, leading to the Olympique Lyonnais playmaker also withdrawing from the squad.
Deschamps revealed that he has already called up two replacements in the form of Montpellier’s Remy Cabella and Southampton’s uncapped Morgan Schneiderlin.
The loss of Ribery, however, will be seen as a significant blow to France’s hopes of World Cup success, as the 2006 runner-up was their most experienced player available with 81 appearances.
Antoine Griezmann of Real Sociedad is widely expected to take the Bayern star’s place in Deschamps’ starting XI.
‘I want a Brazil-Argentina final’ – Luiz Felipe Scolari
Agencies
SAO PAULO, JUNE 6
THE 65-year-old is hopeful of an all South American final as his side look to win a sixth world crown and went on to heap praise upon Neymar
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he would like his side to face Argentina in this summer’s World Cup final.
The South American sides are two of the favourites to win the tournament this year, with the hosts largely tipped to go all the way and pick up a sixth world crown.
And Scolari says he is ready to take his side to the final and admits he hopes to meet Alejandro Sabella’s men in the Maracana on June 13 to decide who takes home the trophy.
“I don’t have to worry about Argentina,” he told reporters. “I hope we can make it a Brazil-Argentina final, a South American final, with players that have great technical ability.
“I don’t want Argentina to drop out beforehand. I want them to play their best football. If they lose, it’s not my problem. My problem is Brazil. I have to take Brazil to the final, taking on whoever stands in our way.”
The 65-year-old went on to praise Neymar, who he insists is a vital player for Brazil even when he is on an off day.
“Even when he doesn’t play well, if he makes an effort, for us it’s marvelous, because not only is he excellent as a player, but also as a person and member of the group. Neymar is part of a group, he has extraordinary talent but he has his off days like everyone does. The group has to help him out.”
Spain players to get €720k WC bonus
Agencies
MADRID, JUNE 6
VICENTE del Bosque’s men will receive €720,000 if they win the World Cup for the second time in a row and the sum has come under criticism from a Spanish politician
Spain players will get more than double their Brazilian and German counterparts would receive if they retain their crown at this summer’s World Cup.
Captain Iker Casillas and vice-captain Xavi have agreed a deal with Jorge Perez, the secretary general of the Spanish football federation, regarding the bonuses the players will receive.
The winning country will receive €27 million, a 37% increase on Fifa’s prize money in 2010, and the players will be given 20% more in bonuses than they received four years ago.
Each player and member of the technical staff will be €720,000 richer if they become the first ever country to win the World Cup twice in a row, while Brazil players will each get €330,000 if they win it and the Germans would receive €300,000.
The amount of money has become a controversial subject in Spain, with one politician tweeting, “Spain will pay more than double the Bonus that Germany will for the Football World cup. Are we twice as rich as Germany?”
However, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has defended the sum, telling a press conference,”We want it all to be entirely transparent. Hopefully we’ll win and we can bill the treasury for what we’ve earned”.
