Short Corner

FIFA opposed to La Liga plans for game in USA

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FIFA are opposed to La Liga's plans to stage the match between Barcelona and Girona later this season in the United States, Gianni Infantino confirmed on Friday.

"Following a request of guidance from the Spanish FA, US Soccer and CONCACAF...the council emphasised the sporting principle that official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association," said the president of world football's governing body at a press conference.

"The council has very clear views on that," added Infantino, who was speaking at the end of a FIFA council meeting in the Rwandan capital Kigali. 

Japan's Naomi Osaka reacts after retiring hurt during her match against Kiki Bertens at the WTA Finals in Singapore yesterday. Photo: AFP

Tearful Osaka retires from WTA Finals

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Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka's WTA Finals debut ended in tears on Friday as she was forced to retire against Kiki Bertens, handing the Dutchwoman a surprise spot in the semi-finals.

Bertens won the first set 6-3 in 47 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium before US Open champion Osaka, who wiped away tears, forfeited the match.

It was a bitterly disappointing end for the 21-year-old, who came into Singapore as the form player but lost three-set matches to Sloane Stephens and Angelique Kerber.

But it was enough for Bertens to seal a final four spot in her debut at the season finale, having defeated top seed Kerber earlier in the round-robin phase.              

UEFA hands Romania stadium ban

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Romania will play their next home match behind closed doors as a punishment for "racist behaviour" by their supporters during a recent UEFA Nations League game against Serbia, European football's governing body said on Friday.

The incidents happened during the 0-0 draw with Serbia in Bucharest on October 14.

The game to be staged behind closed doors will be the Nations League fixture against Lithuania in Ploiesti on November 17.

The Romanian Football Federation were also given a fine of 50,000 euros ($56,760), as well as a further fine of 23,000 euros for other incidents.         

First ever Dwarf Copa America tackles prejudice

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The first Dwarf Copa America has started in Buenos Aires with the goal of using football to tackle social prejudices.

Teams from Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Paraguay, Peru, and Bolivia are taking part in the continental tournament with Morocco joining the line-up by special invitation. It began Thursday and runs through Sunday.

"We belong to the most discriminated against group in the world. We have managed to change that, to show what we are capable of -- to play football, to work and to study," said Facundo Rojas, captain of Argentina.

Matches are played on indoor pitches with teams of seven-a-side. Goal posts are smaller: 1.70m high and 2.0m wide, against 2.44m and 7.32m for traditional full-size goals.