SHORT CORNER
Beach football from March 21
Runner- Channel i Beach Football Tournament will be held at the seagull point of Cox's Bazar beach from March 21 to 23. Sponsored by Runner Group and powered by Saif Powertec, this will be the seventh edition of the tournament where a total of six teams will play 11 matches.
The participating teams are: Mohammedan Masters, Abahani Masters, Muktijoddha Masters, Brothers Masters, WAF Masters and Chattogram Masters – featuring retired footballers.
A press conference in this connection was held at the Channel i building in Tejgaon yesterday where the channel's managing director Faridur Reza Sagor, director Shykh Siraj, Runner Group's vice-chairman Mozammel Hossain and sports organisers were present. --Sports Reporter
UEFA probes Ronaldo for 'improper conduct'
UEFA on Monday opened an investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo's goal celebration after scoring a hattrick in Juventus' Champions League comeback win against Atletico Madrid last week.
European football's governing body said Ronaldo was facing charges of "improper conduct" after he mimicked Diego Simeone's crotch-grabbing 'cojones' gesture in last Tuesday's 3-0 win that sent Juventus through 3-2 on aggregate.
After scoring the decisive penalty four minutes from time, Ronaldo turned towards the Atletico fans and replicated Simeone's gesture after the Spaniards' 2-0 first leg win by grasping his genitals and thrusting out his groin. --Afp
Luiz Felipe rejects Italy call for Brazil
Lazio defender Luiz Felipe has rejected a call-up to Italy's Under-21 squad saying he wants to pursue his international career with Brazil.
The 21-year-old Brazil-born player moved to Italy in 2016 and was called up by coach Luigi Di Biagio for friendlies against Austria and Croatia after recently receiving dual nationality.
"After a long period of reflection, necessary for such a delicate choice, despite being flattered to be able to wear the prestigious shirt of the Italian national team, I've decided to compete for the Selecao jersey," the defender said on Instagram.
"Football is, above all, a matter of heart and feeling, and I'm sure my decision will be understood." --Afp
Suarez suffers badly sprained ankle
Luis Suarez suffered a "bad sprain" to his right ankle during Barcelona's win over Real Betis on Sunday, coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed.
Suarez was taken off for Philippe Coutinho in the 89th minute of the 4-1 victory, in which he scored one goal and set up the second of a Lionel Messi hattrick.
"He has a bad sprain," Valverde said afterwards. "We'll see what the doctors say but this is the feeling we have."
Suarez looks unlikely now to feature over the international break, with Uruguay playing Uzbekistan in the China Cup on Friday. --Afp
Ozil invites Erdogan to his wedding
Angela Merkel's chief of staff on Monday joined the growing chorus of criticism of Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil for reportedly inviting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his wedding this summer as his witness.
The 30-year-old Ozil sparked controversy last May when he was photographed with Erdogan, raising questions about the footballer's loyalty to Germany on the eve of their disastrous World Cup campaign.
After 92 appearances for Germany, including a key role in the 2014 World Cup victory, Ozil suddenly quit the national squad last July, accusing German football officials of racism. On Sunday, Germany's top-selling tabloid Bild reported that Ozil, 30, and his model fiancee Amine Gulse, 25, a former Miss Turkey, personally presented Erdogan in Istanbul with an invitation to their wedding this summer, asking the Turkish leader to appear as the footballer's witness. --Afp