Croatia have banned their own fans from the team’s Euro 2016 away qualifiers fearing racist incidents could get them thrown out of the competition, the country’s FA (HNS) said.
“There will be no organised section for Croatian fans in games at Azerbaijan on Sept. 3, Norway on Sept. 6 and Malta on Oct. 13,” the HNS said.
“UEFA’s punishment and their explanation shows in no uncertain terms that any future racist-related offence could mean Croatia’s expulsion from the European Championship.”
Croatia are top of Group H with 13 points from six games, having had one point deducted for a racist incident in a 1-1 home draw with Italy in June.
Halilovic loaned to Sporting Gijon
La Liga newcomers Sporting Gijon have signed Croatia international Alen Halilovic on a season-long loan from Barcelona.
The highly-rated 19-year-old, who has won seven caps for Croatia and become his country’s youngest-ever player when he made his debut at the age of 16, joined Barcelona from Dinamo Zagreb in 2014 for €2.2m.
The attacking midfielder spent most of his first season playing for Barca B but made his first-team bow against Elche in the Copa del Rey in January and was included in the senior squad for this summer’s tour to America, where he featured in all three matches.
Steaua owner Becali cuts spending
Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest could be forced to sell their top players after owner Gigi Becali showed his frustration with the club’s lack of success in Europe this season by cutting his financial support.
Steaua went out in the Champions League third preliminary round, losing 5-3 on aggregate to Partizan Belgrade, and suffered a 3-0 home loss to Norway’s Rosenborg in a Europa League play-off first leg on Thursday.
Becali said Steaua plan a fire sale of top players, including captain Fernando Varela, Alexandru Chipchiu and Adrian Popa, to trim costs.
Keeper De Gea stays
Louis van Gaal insists David De Gea will not leave Manchester United before the transfer window shuts.
According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid will make one last attempt to sign the goalkeeper before the window shuts on September 1. But after a week in which United’s reputation took a blow following Pedro’s move to rivals Chelsea, Van Gaal came out fighting yesterday.
“I think when Manchester United wants a player he shall come, besides when a club is not selling,” the Manchester United manager said.
“It is the same with us... we are not selling David De Gea.”
Bacca – no regrets on Milan move
New Milan signing Carlos Bacca has no regrets about missing out on Champions League football this season with Sevilla and is excited at making his Serie A debut today.
Milan are not the powerhouse they once were and finished 10th in the standings last season despite not playing in European competition. However, the Rossoneri have strengthened their squad significantly this summer in the hope of contending for the scudetto.
Colombia international Bacca said: “It’s true that I turned down the opportunity to play in the Champions League with Sevilla but only for a year.
“I’ve done so as I’ve got the great opportunity to win the Scudetto with Milan and return to play in the Champions League.”
Chelsea swoop for teenager Kenedy
Premier League champions Chelsea continued to strengthen their squad by signing 19-year-old Brazilian winger Kenedy from Fluminense yesterday.
The under-20 international played in the London club’s pre-season tour match against Barcelona in the United States having been granted permission by his Brazilian team.
Kenedy’s acquisition could signal the departure of Nigeria winger Victor Moses or Colombia wide man Juan Cuadrado.
Chelsea also bought Spain forward Pedro from Barcelona last week and signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and striker Radamel Falcao in the close-season.
Robinho opens Guangzhou account
Brazil striker Robinho bagged his first goals for new club Guang-zhou Evergrande, scoring twice in a 4-2 win at Shanghai Shenxin late Friday to send the cham-pions top of the table in China.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester City forward had produced a sketchy first four displays since signing a six-month deal after leaving Santos in his homeland but found his feet against the Chinese Super Lea-gue’s bottom side.
Guangzhou, coached by Brazilian World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, went top with 51 points from 24 matches but Shanghai SIPG, coached by ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, can regain first place with a win at Shanghai Shenhua today.