A Brazilian judge has lifted an injunction that threatened to block tomorrow’s Brazil vs England friendly in the newly-revamped Maracana stadium over public safety concerns.
The Rio de Janeiro state government said on Thursday night that the judge lifted the suspension order she had signed earlier in the day after missing paperwork was provided and the game will go ahead as planned.
With the England team already in Rio de Janeiro, the injunction came as a shock and threatened to scuttle the first game between England and Brazil in three decades at the stadium that is regarded as the spiritual home of Brazilian football.
Licence granted
Panathinaikos were among three clubs who have successfully appealed a decision to exclude them from the Super League next season, the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) said.
All 16 top-flight clubs had their licences reviewed by the EPO’s licensing committee and while eight teams were approved, the other eight – including Panathinaikos – had their initial submissions rejected eight days ago.
However, following an appeal hearing that lasted until the early hours of yesterday, Panathinai-kos, PAS Giannina and Panthrakikos, secured top-flight football for the 2013/14 season.
Pressure too much for keeper Valdes
The pressure of being Barca keeper for a decade has taken its toll and is the main reason for refusing the offer of a contract extension beyond 2014, Victor Valdes said yesterday.
“I know I owe the club an explanation for why I decided not to renew my contract,” the Spain international told reporters.
“Barca has given me every-thing and I owe them everything, but being a goalkeeper here takes it out of you.
“It is an irreversible decision and I didn’t want people to debate the economics of a possible new contract and how much I love this club.”
Valdes has been linked in the media with big-spending Monaco.”
Hodgson defends England showing
Roy Hodgson respects any negative assessment of England’s performance against Ireland on Wednesday – but he cannot agree with it.
Former England striker Gary Lineker was a major critic, castigating the tactics used during the 1-1 draw at Wembley which he felt marked a return to the “Dark Ages”.
“I’m not attempting to change opinions. If you think we played poorly, go away and write it,” Hodgson said.
“Don’t expect me to sit here and satisfy you by agreeing, because I think we played quite well.”
Paris SG appeal Leonardo ban
Paris St Germain have confirmed they will appeal against the nine-month ban handed to sporting director Leonardo for pushing a referee as they branded the French League’s punishment “unjustified and extremely harsh”.
The Brazilian was alleged to have barged into referee Alexandre Castro in the tunnel after the home game against Valenciennes on May 5 and has been provisionally suspended since.
The LFP confirmed on its website it had suspended Leonardo for nine months, with the ban keeping him from “the touchline, the referees’ dressing room and all official functions”.
The French champions were also handed a suspended three-point deduction for next season.
Drug claims are lies, says Balotelli
Milan striker Mario Balotelli has hit out at the “incredible lies” of a mafia informant who accused the former Manchester City player of being a drug dealer.
Armando De Rosa told judicial investigators that Balotelli three years ago dealt illegal substances in Scampia, a notorious open-air drugs market on the northern edge of Naples.
Balotelli said: “In the beginning we joked about it but then I got angry and took it as an insult.
“This is a horrendous story and I ask myself how a person can put people in trouble by telling incredible lies.
“I hate drugs. I went to Scampia with a couple of friends and nothing strange or unusual happened.”
Konko happy
Abdoulay Konko has no plans to quit Lazio despite reports of interest from Inter, his agent has said.
The 29-year-old Frenchman has been tipped to seal a move to the Nerazzurri, but his repre-sentative insisted that those stories are untrue.
“To my knowledge there have been no negotiations with Inter,” Daniele Conte told ita-sportpress.it.
“Obviously, it’s nice to be appreciated by other teams, but Abdoulay is happy in Rome.
“He has a long contract that doesn’t expire before 2017.
“Hopefully, if he continues to play at such a high level, then he can challenge for a place in the French national team for the World Cup.”