The Russian government or-dered 30 billion roubles ($560 million) in cuts in spending on the 2018 World Cup yesterday but said the construction of stadiums would not be affected.
Russia has been forced to trim spending because of economic problems worsened by the collapse of global oil prices and economic sanctions imposed on Moscow over its role in the crisis in Ukraine.
A government decree said spending would now be limited to 631.5 billion roubles ($11.8 billion) and Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said most of the cuts would be on hotels.
“Of course it’s a question of optimising the preparations. We’re primarily taking out the excess hotels,” Mutko said.
Banned 15 games
South Korean striker Kang Soo-il was handed a 15-game ban for failing a doping test.
The K-League made the decision at a meeting of the disciplinary committee after the player failed a drug test on June 11 for the anabolic steroid methyltes-tosterone.
The 27-year-old, who had blamed a moustache growing cream for the failed test, apologised to fans and officials after attending the hearing.
Maradona wants FIFA role – report
Diego Maradona wants to stand for the FIFA presidency to succeed Sepp Blatter, according to reports in South America.
Maradona, 54, has been a fierce critic of Blatter’s, and the former Argentina captain and coach has now decided to stand himself for the position to be the most powerful man in world football, Uruguayan broadcaster and writer Victor Hugo Morales has said.
Morales said on Twitter he had been authorised by Maradona to release the information.
Morales tweeted: “I called Diego Maradona to check on his father’s health. He told me that he would be a candidate for president of FIFA and that I was authorised to communicate it.”
Brazil won’t appeal Neymar’s suspension
Brazil have decided not to appeal against the four-game ban that will keep Neymar out of the Copa America.
“In a meeting between Neymar and the technical commission it was decided that the CBF will accept CONMEBOL’s decision to suspend the player for four games” the Brazil football federation said in a statement.
“The commission hope that CONMEBOL adopt the same rigour they used in punishing Neymar in all their competitions.”
Neymar was banned for four matches after getting a red card and then showering the match referee with abuse during and after Wednesday’s game with Colombia.
Inter swoop for Monaco’s Kondogbia
Inter have won the race to sign France midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco.
The 22-year-old will undergo a medical after the Nerazzurri announced they had reached an agreement with the Ligue 1 side for Kondogbia’s permanent tran-sfer for a fee of €40 million.
Inter’s city rivals Milan had been in talks to sign the France international, who has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Juventus after two strong seasons with Monaco.
Kondogbia, who joined Monaco from Spanish side Sevilla in 2013, is expected to sign a five-year contract with Inter.
Laporta taps Abidal for presidency bid
Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has lined up former Barca and France defender Eric Abidal to be his technical secretary if he wins next month’s election.
Laporta, who held the top job between 2003 and 2010 and is one of the frontrunners along with incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu, presented Abidal at a news conference yesterday.
Abidal, 35, played for Barca during a glittering run for the club between 2007 and 2013 and became a fan hero when he made a return after undergoing a liver transplant in 2012.
He joined Monaco in July 2013 and announced his retirement as a player in December after a brief stint with Greek club Olympiakos Piraeus.
Keeper Reina set for Napoli return
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jose Reina will undergo a medical in Rome today as he closes in on a return to Napoli.
Reina, 32, played for Napoli in the 2013-14 campaign on loan from Liverpool before joining Bayern Munich on a permanent transfer last summer.
“On Tuesday (today) I will meet Pepe Reina in Rome for a medical,” Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said.
Reina, who is under contract with the Bundesliga champions for another two seasons, joined Bayern as a back-up to Manuel Neuer and made just three appearances this season.
The Spaniard is looking to leave Munich this summer in search of more playing time.