Cameroon coach Volker Finke said an on-field bust-up between two of his players during the team’s abject 4-0 defeat against Croatia on Wednesday was “disgusting” and bemoaned a lack of discipline and effort by his players.
In the first half midfielder Alex Song was sent off for elbowing Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic in the back and towards the end of the game defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butted Benjamin Moukandjo after an argument.
The defeat in the Group A game confirmed Cameroon’s exit from the tournament after a second successive defeat.
“It’s clear we have to find the reasons for what’s going on because such behaviour is really disgusting,” Finke said.
Chilean fans storm media centre
Some 200 Chilean fans stormed the Maracana media centre around an hour before kick-off in the World Cup match against Spain on Wednesday, raising major concerns for FIFA and tournament organisers.
The fans charged through a security checkpoint before smashing down a glass door, witnesses said, and invading the working room.
They ran around the journalists’ workplace looking for access to the stadium, before police were called.
“They stormed the gate and ran into the stadium. We stopped them,” security guard Diego Guilherme de Souza Goncalves said.
Cesena secure Serie A return
Cesena are back in Serie A after a two-year absence, coming from behind to win 2-1 at Latina in the second leg of the play-off final on Wednesday night, taking the tie 4-2 on aggregate.
They join Serie B champions Palermo and runners-up Empoli in the top flight next season.
Latina, 2-1 down after the first leg, were seeking their first ever promotion to Serie A.
Alessandro Bruno’s smart finish in the 13th minute gave Latina hope, but Gregiore Defrel levelled to put Cesena ahead on aggregate with a tap-in six minutes after the break .
They sealed victory and promotion when Karim Laribi chopped down Guido Marilungo in the area in stoppage time and Emmanuel Cascione converted the penalty.
Barcelona to meet Napoli in pre-season
Barcelona and Napoli will face each other in a pre-season friendly in Geneva in August.
The game will be played on August 6 in Switzerland’s third largest stadium with a capacity of 30,000.
“Napoli welcomes being able to play in Geneva against one of the strongest and most prestigious teams in the world, in preparation for the next season,” president Aurelio De Laurentiis was quoted as saying.
Kroos and Bayern still in stalemate
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has congratulated Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm on their contract extensions with Bayern Munich but announced he is no closer to committing his own future to the club.
Muller extended his contract until 2019 with Lahm committing until 2018 last week, but Kroos, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, where former Bayern coach Louis van Gaal takes charge next month, is still far from agreeing new terms.
“There’s nothing new to report,” Kroos said. “With respect to the time before the World Cup, nothing at all has changed.
“If anything does happen, then you will all find out. Congratulations to Philipp and Thomas for their decisions and extensions.”
Wright family in knife raid ordeal
Former England international Ian Wright is flying home from Brazil after his wife and children were burgled at knifepoint.
Four men armed with knives made their way into his north-west London home and held his wife and children before making off with personal possessions.
The 50-year-old pundit, who has been working for ITV at the World Cup, tweeted on Wednesday night: “You won’t get away with it.”
Wright’s manager Steve Kutner told the media: “It was a terrifying ordeal. They marched Ian’s wife from room to room.
“I would like to thank ITV for helping Ian to get home as quickly as possible.”
Ramsey, Ferdinand leave Tottenham
Tottenham have announced that both Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey have left their respective coaching positions at White Hart Lane.
In what was a widely-anticipated move, Ferdinand and Ramsey depart as new head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks to build his own backroom staff.
Ferdinand was brought into the club by Harry Redknapp and, alongside Ramsey, was selected by Tim Sherwood to help him in his first-team duties before he was sacked at the end of the season.
The duo were also wanted by Sherwood at West Brom, with the Baggies’ offers to the coaches a sticking point which saw Sherwood reject the chance to return to Premier League management.