Argentina
Argentina have risked punishment from Fifa after displaying a banner translating as “The Falklands are Argentine” before their friendly with Slovenia last night.
The Argentine Government still maintains the South American country has a legitimate claim to the islands, which Britain and Argentina went to war over in 1982.
The overtly political gesture by Argentina’s football team before their 2-0 win over Slovenia in La Plata could lead to sanctions from Fifa – and risks reigniting the dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands on the eve of the World Cup.
Two hundred and fifty five British servicemen died during the Falklands conflict, which was sparked by Argentina invading the islands in the South Atlantic.
Why the players decided to display the banner now is unclear, but support for reclaiming Las Malvinas (as the islands are known in Argentina) is believed to still have strong public support.
Argentina are one of the favorites to lift the World Cup, as their side boasts a host of world class attacking talent, including superstar forward Lionel Messi.
Nigeria
Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile will miss the World Cup because of a muscle injury.
The 26-year-old Monaco player limped out of Nigeria’s 0-0 friendly draw against Greece in Philadelphia on Tuesday shortly before half-time.
Echiejile underwent a scan where the injury was diagnosed as a muscle tear, which is expected to keep him out for up to three weeks.
He will be replaced in the squad by Enugu Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi.
Coach Stephen Keshi said: “Doctors have said Echiejile will need up to three weeks to recover from the muscle tear but we don’t have that type of time to play with so we’ve taken the decision to replace him.”
Nigeria face Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in Group F, beginning their campaign against Iran in Curitiba on 16 June
Iran
Team Melli players expressed their delight by the Volleyball victory over Brazil yesterday in the 2014 World League. Both the Iran’s national volleyball and football teams are in Sao Paulo competing at the highest level of their sports.
Karim Ansarifard , Team Melli striker, in a short interview talking through an interpreter said “I was so excited to hear the news that the Volleyball team won the match in such a result. I know most of the volleyball team members and we are friends., this news really gives me the utmost pleasure. Rest assured that the 3-0 win againt the powerful Brazilians has already motivated us to perform as good as them in the FIFA World Cup.”
The fact that Ansarifard said that he heard the news , means that the player did not watch the match live on TV and certainly did not attend the match.
On the other hand , Brazil National Football team , who are in Sao Paulo , was supposed to attend the match against Iran to provide moral support, however security concerns prevented Seleção Brasileira from going to Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Gymnasium.