Kawasaki Frontale will be without top scorer Yoshito Okubo for two games after the striker’s petulant smashing of an advertising board bounced backed to bite him yesterday with the J-League handing out a needless suspension.
Okubo, who played for Japan in their dire World Cup showing in Brazil in June, was guilty of lashing out at the sign during Kawasaki’s 1-1 draw at Nagoya Grampus Eight on Saturday.
Kawasaki are fourth in the J-League, four points behind leaders Urawa Red Diamonds. Okubo was the J-League’s top scorer last season and has 12 goals this term.
Gremio kicked out of Brazil Cup
A Brazilian sports tribunal has kicked Gremio out of the Brazil Cup after some of their fans racially abused a Santos player.
The 2-0 loss to Santos in the first leg of the last-16 tie was marred when Gremio fans shouted ‘monkey’ and other racist taunts at Santos goalkeeper Aranha.
“By a unanimous verdict (the decision was taken) to exclude Gremio from the Brazil Cup and to fine them 50,000 reais and ban from stadiums for 720 days those fans already identified and those that may still be identified,” the court’s statement said.
Yanga-Mbiwa happy for Roma chance
French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa wants to put his disappointing spell in the Premier League behind him and earn a starting place at Roma.
Yanga-Mbiwa joined the Italian outfit on a season long-loan from Newcastle on transfer deadline day, with the Romans having an option to make his stay permanent next summer.
“I am delighted to be here and I hope to bring something extra to this team,” Yanga-Mbiwa said in a press conference. “Things didn’t work out in England for me.
“Perhaps because in England they see things in a different way, everything there is based on physicality.”
Moreno delighted to prove a point
Alberto Moreno admits he had a point to prove after a less-than-satisfying debut for his new club.
The Spaniard was at fault for Manchester City’s opener in the 3-1 defeat last week but he res-ponded with a brilliant 60-yard run to score the Reds’ third in Sunday’s victory at Tottenham.
“After making my debut and losing against City I had a point to make,” he said.
“When I stole the ball from (Andros) Townsend and saw a way through, all I could think about was getting to their goal and scoring.
“I didn’t care how many metres I had to run.
“I hope it isn’t my only one as I hope to dedicate many more to Liverpool’s fans.”
Robben doubtful for Czech qualifier
Arjen Robben’s chances of making the Netherlands line-up for their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against the Czech Republic on Tuesday are slim, new coach Guus Hiddink said.
“It is looking very difficult, we haven’t had any contact with him yet,” Hiddink told reporters.
Robben has an ankle injury which kept him out of last night’s friendly against Italy but the Dutch hope it might heal in time for the tricky qualifier.
“He hasn’t done any training and it would be very difficult to get him into the swing of things in just a couple of days before the match against the Czechs,” Hiddink warned.
Allegri relaxed over missing Falcao
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insists he is not disappointed to have missed out on signing Radamel Falcao who has joined Manchester United on a season-long loan from Monaco.
The Colombian forward had been on the Juve radar for the majority of the summer, with the Italian champions looking to bring in another striker after losing new signing Alvaro Morata to a knee injury.
“We missed out on Falcao? I’m not disappointed,” Allegri said to Turin-based sports newspaper Tuttosport.
“I am satisfied with the transfer market the club has done.
“Juve has made intelligent moves in the transfer market.”
Napoli president reassures fans
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has moved to reassure fans that they still have a bright future ahead despite a slow start to the campaign.
Rafa Benitez’s side failed to reach the Champions League group stages last month after losing 4-2 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao in their qualifier.
They were also below par as they beat Genoa 2-1 in their Serie A opener on Sunday.
“Of course missing out on the Champions League is a big disappointment that has seen us miss out on more than €30 million,” De Laurentiis told www. sscnapoli.it.
“But we cannot forget that unlike other teams, we faced a very difficult rival.
“Now we must look ahead with optimism.”