Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was suspended for six months Thursday after the country’s Sports Institute ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. The institute, which governs the National Anti-Doping Agency, said an inquiry found that Queiroz insulted an anti-doping team sent to test the Portugal squad before the tournament in South Africa and his aggressive behavior…
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Portugal coach Queiroz suspended for 6 months (AP)
Liverpool moved quickly to replace the departing Javier Mascherano by completing the signing of Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles from FC Porto for 14 million euros ($18 million) on Sunday. The 27-year-old Meireles, who has won 38 caps for his country, signed a four-year deal with the five-time European champions.
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Meireles joins Liverpool from Porto (AP)
Former Ukraine midfielder Yuri Kalitvintsev was appointed the caretaker national coach on Wednesday, the country’s football federation (FFU) said.
Brazil’s president says preparations for the 2014 World Cup could be jeopardized if government officials and businessmen fail to work together in the coming years. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said businessmen and those responsible for monitoring and executing the necessary infrastructure and stadium improvements must cooperate to guarantee the country will be ready to host the tournament in four…
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Brazil president warns of problems ahead of WCup (AP)
Defenders Aaron Hughes and Craig Cathcart were recalled by Northern Ireland on Tuesday for the European Championship qualifier against Slovenia next month. Fulham center back Hughes returned from injury while new Blackpool signing Cathcart, the only uncapped player in the 20-man squad named by manager Nigel Worthington, was summoned after being overlooked for his country’s last three…
Argentina interim coach Sergio Batista admits his players are still hurting from the humiliating way they were knocked out of the World Cup as they prepare to begin the post-Diego Maradona era with a friendly against Ireland on Wednesday. Argentina’s 4-0 defeat by Germany in the quarterfinals in South Africa proved to be Maradona’s last match in charge as the country’s football…
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Batista leads Argentina in post-Maradona era (AP)
Still reeling from its woeful World Cup in South Africa, France needs to restore its damaged image and will try to make the most of Wednesday’s friendly in Norway to take a first step toward redemption. In South Africa, France exited a major tournament in the first round without winning a match for the second time in a row and its players embarrassed the country with a training strike that…
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France travels to Norway to heal WCup wounds (AP)
The Netherlands will be without the players who led the team to the World Cup final last month when it plays Ukraine in a friendly match on Wednesday. Coach Bert van Marwijk has retained only backup goalkeeper Michel Vorm from the World Cup squad for the match in Donetsk, allowing the Dutch to test how deep the country’s new pool of talent goes ahead of its first 2012 European Championship…
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The Netherlands rests WCup stars against Ukraine (AP)
Diego Maradona’s successor as Argentina coach will not be picked before October, the country’s football association said on Wednesday.
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Argentina will not pick Maradona successor before October (Reuters)
Striker Roland Linz has been recalled for Austria after two years for next week’s friendly against Switzerland. The Austria Vienna forward was included in the 23-man squad announced Tuesday by coach Dietmar Constantini for the Aug.
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Striker Linz back in Austria squad after 2 years (AP)
