Thirteen Estonia-based players and two from Slovakia, already suspended by their own respective federations for match-manipulation, have had their bans extended worldwide, FIFA said.
FIFA said that two of the Estonia-based players have been provisionally banned until Dec. 31 and another 10 until March 31, 2015, as a part of an ongoing investigation started in 2011.
FIFA said that the Slovak cases involved Ivan Hodur and Robert Rak, who have been banned for 11 and 15 years respectively over the manipulation of friendly matches in 2011. Hodur’s ban will run on top of a 14-year suspension imposed on him last December over a separate case, bringing his total ban to 25 years.
Frankfurt sign keeper Hildebrand
Former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has signed with Eintracht Frankfurt after first-choice Kevin Trapp was ruled out for three months due to an ankle injury, the club said yesterday.
Hildebrand, who last played for Schalke between 2011 and 2014 and also played for Stuttgart, Valencia and Hoffenheim among others, had been without a club since the end of last season.
The 35-year-old, who won seven caps for Germany, holds the record for the longest Bundesliga streak without conceding a goal with 884 minutes set in 2003.
Make 2018/22 report public – Champagne
FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne has joined the calls for the report into the turbulent bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be made public.
FIFA’s ethics committee investigator Michael Garcia, who compiled the report, is also among those to have called for it to be published.
“Fully supporting Michael Garcia’s request to release his investigation report on WC 2018 and 2022,” the Frenchman wrote on Twitter.
“It is essential to protect the sanctity of the World Cup as a celebration of football and of our universality.”
Milan’s Van Ginkel out for one month
Milan midfielder Marco van Ginkel is expected to be sidelined for a month with a right ankle injury.
The Holland international, who joined Milan on a season-long loan from Chelsea, was stretchered off during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Empoli.
Tests done on the 21-year-old revealed damage to his right ankle.
A statement from Milan read: “Milan announces that in the game against Empoli, Marco van Ginkel sprained his right ankle and has suffered some ligament damage.
“It is at this stage unclear how long he will be out for.”
Hummels picks holes in defence
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has demanded a stronger backline after the club’s indifferent start to the season continued on Wednesday night.
Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Stuttgart at the Westfalenstadion, although they may be grateful for a point after coming back from two goals down.
“We need more stability in defence,” Hummels, who made his comeback from injury as a substitute on Wednesday, said.
“We have already conceded nine goals in five matches which is not just a poor record, it is a very poor record.
“We need to defend better as a team, and all 11 players have to play their part.”
Club owner punished for insulting ref
The owner of Romanian Cup winners Astra FC has been banned for six months after insulting a referee following a 4-1 loss at CFR Cluj in an ill-tempered league match.
Ioan Niculae launched an astonishing verbal attack on referee Ishtvan Covacs after the game on Sept. 13, accusing him of bias.
Two Astra players were sent off.
Niculae, who is banned from all football-related activities, was also fined 10,000 lei ($2,900).
The Romanian football federation’s disciplinary commission said yesterday that Astra risked having points deducted and Niculae’s ban would be doubled if he committed another offence.
I’m no Mini Messi, says City’s Pozo
Jose Angel Pozo dismissed comparisons with Lionel Messi as “crazy” after marking his Manchester City debut with a goal.
The 18-year-old striker came off the bench in the 64th minute of City’s League Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday and netted the sixth goal in a 7-0 win.
“It is a dream to make my debut and also score,” said the teenager.
“I am very happy for this.”
Pozo joined City two years ago from Real Madrid’s academy and has earned the nickname ‘Mini Messi’ for his exploits.
But being told he has been compared to Barcelona superstar Messi drew a wide-eyed look from Pozo, who said: “This is crazy. Messi is the best player in the world and I have only played one game for the first team.”