Former Croatia midfielder Zvonimir Boban was given a high-ranking role at FIFA yesterday when football’s global body named him as one of its two new deputy secretary generals.
Boban, 47, will oversee the “football pillar” of FIFA’s new administration, focusing on developing the game and the organisation of competitions.
Marco Villiger, currently FIFA’s legal director, was named as the other deputy secretary general and will be in charge of commercial and administrative operations.
The appointments were announced by FIFA’s new secretary general Fatma Samoura during a “courtesy visit” to its headquarters in Zurich.
‘Gabigol’ scores on debut for Brazil
Teenage striker Gabriel lived up to his nickname ‘Gabigol’ when he came off the bench to score on his debut in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Panama late Sunday.
The 19-year-old replaced Jonas after 62 minutes of the friendly match in Colorado and slotted home Brazil’s second with his left foot 10 minutes later.
“I am very happy with the debut and the goal,” Gabriel said in a televised interview after Brazil’s final warm-up ahead of this week’s Centenary Copa America in the United States.
“Really, this was a dream come true for me.”
Pulido rescued
Alan Pulido has been rescued a day after the Olympiakos striker was kidnapped in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
The 25-year-old Mexico international disappeared in his hometown of Ciudad Victoria on Saturday night, when he was intercepted by armed people after leaving a party.
“The most important thing is that he is here with us,” Tamaulipas governor Egidio Torre Cantu told reporters, flanked by Pulido.
Tamaulipas is an especially violent part of Mexico, which is grappling with grisly drug gang violence.
Leicester in talks with keeper Zieler
Former Manchester United trainee goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler is in talks with Premier League champions Leicester.
The 27-year-old, who joined Hanover from United in 2010, has exercised an option in his contract that will allow him to leave the relegated Bundesliga club this summer.
His destination appears to be the King Power Stadium, where he will provide competition and support for Kasper Schmeichel as manager Claudio Ranieri looks to add numbers to his squad ahead of a first ever Champions League campaign.
Zieler, who spent time on loan at Northampton while on United’s books, made over 200 league appearances for Hanover.
Bale wants more European glory
Wales winger Gareth Bale has set his sights on this summer’s Euro 2016 in France after playing an integral role in helping Real Madrid claim their 11th European Cup on Saturday.
Bale has been pivotal for Wales, leading the country to their first international tournament finals since 1958.
The 26-year-old reassured Wales he would be fit when the tournament kicks off on June 10.
“My confidence is high especially after winning so I am looking forward to going to the Euros,” Bale said.
“I’m confident everyone will be fit enough and firing and hopefully we can... you never know... two trophies in a matter of months!”
Paris SG’s Aurier arrested in Paris
Paris St Germain defender Serge Aurier, suspended last February for insulting the team’s coach, was arrested and placed in custody yesterday after a brush with police in the French capital.
The incident in the Champs Elysees area shortly before dawn involved what one police official described as minor violence.
It occurred as the Ivory Coast national, 23, left a nightclub.
Coach Laurent Blanc briefly suspended Aurier in February after he posted a video online in which he insulted Blanc and fellow PSG players.
Alaves promoted to Spain’s La Liga
Basque side Alaves have been promoted to La Liga by beating visitors Numancia 2-0, returning to the top flight after a 10-year absence.
Madrid outfit Leganes, aiming to reach La Liga for the first time, must wait until the last round of matches despite beating Llago-stera 2-0 at home after fellow promotion hopefuls Gimnastic de Tarragona won 3-0 at Lugo.
Alaves lead the standings on 74 points, while Leganes are second on 71 and Gimnastic third, 70.
The top two get automatic promotion with a third place in La Liga available via play-offs.
Gimnastic, Zaragoza, Cordoba and Girona currently occupy the play-off spots, with the games commencing after the regular season ends next week.