2019-05-01_World_Soccer

COPA AMERICA

Argentina and

Colombia to co-

host 2020 Copa

Argentina and Colombia will co-host a revamped
2020 Copa America, which will feature north
and south zones.
Six teams will begin their campaign in the
north zone in Colombia, while six will play in
a south zone in Argentina.
Alongside Argentina in the southern group
will be Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and
an as yet undisclosed guest. Joining Brazil in
the northern group are Colombia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, Peru and another invited nation.
The teams will play each other once in
their groups, with the top four in each group
progressing to the quarter-finals.

BALAZS DZSUDZSAK

The 32-year-old winger became only the third

Hungarian to play 100 games for his country,

equalling the achievement of Gabor Kiraly

(108 caps) and Jozsef Bozsik (101), with his

appearance against Croatia.

SOULEYMANE CAMARA

The Senegalese striker’s goal in Montpellier’s

3-2 defeat at Lyon meant the 36-year-old

has been on target in Ligue 1 in 15 different

seasons – making him the first player to do

so in the 21st century.

JANO ANANIDZE

The Georgian international rushed to the aid

of Fabian Schar after the Swiss defender

clashed heads with Georgia’s Jemal Tabidze

during a Euro 2020 qualifier. Ananidze saw

that Schar was unconscious and realised

he had swallowed his tongue, and his quick

reaction meant Schar was able to continue

as Switzerland went on to win 2-0.

RAHEEM STERLING

Himself a former pupil at the school, the

Manchester City striker bought 550 tickets

for children who attend the nearby Ark Elvin

Academy to go to the FA Cup semi-final

against Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley.

JHON VIAFARA

The former Colombia international was one

of five people who were arrested in Bogota

on suspicion of drug trafficking and being a

member of a cartel sending drugs to the USA.

DIEGO COSTA

The Atletico Madrid striker was banned for

eight games after being found guilty of abusing

the referee, Jesus Gil Manzano, who sent him

off in a Liga game against Barcelona. In his

match report, the official said the Spanish

international had “insulted his mother”,

a claim that Costa denied.

ZURICH FC

On announcing the termination of ex-France

winger Florent Malouda’s contract as the club’s

striker coach by “mutual agreement”, the Swiss

side forgot to inform the 38-year-old, who

later responded on social media: “Really, I

didn’t know that...?”

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Despite calls to lower prices for the FA Cup

Final, tickets were confirmed as costing

between £45 and £145, with the majority

available to Manchester City and Watford

fans costing £70 and £115.

HEROES VILLAINS

Prize...the Copa America trophy

GLOBAL FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE

Internazionale coach Luciano Spalletti reflects

on the contract dispute with striker Mauro Icardi

“It is humiliating to have to enter into negotiations to persuade a

player to pull on the Inter shirt. In future, when I name the squad

for a game, do I have to send off 20 emails to the players’ lawyers?”

Century...Balazs Dzsudzsak on winning his 100th cap

Quick reaction... Jano Ananidze of Georgia

Arrested...Jhon Viafara

Expensive...Watford fans will return to Wembley