Football

FIFA has imposed a 10-match suspension on Italian footballer Marco Curto for making a discriminatory remark towards South Korean forward Hee Chan Hwang during a preseason friendly between Como and Wolverhampton. The incident occurred in July, with Hwang reporting the remark to the referee during the second half.Como initially defended Curto, claiming his comment that Hwang "thinks he's Jackie Chan" was not intended to be derogatory. However, the South Korea Football Association filed a formal complaint with FIFA, which subsequently notified Curto of his disciplinary ban on October 7, 2024.FIFA's statement confirmed that Curto was found responsible for discriminatory behavior and sanctioned with a 10-match suspension. The 25-year-old has since been loaned by Como to Serie B club Cesena and is set to miss five league games through November 10.FIFA has also deferred five games of the ban for a probationary period of two years. This means that Curto could face an additional five-match suspension if he commits any further discriminatory offenses during that time.The incident has highlighted FIFA's commitment to combating racism and discrimination in football. Earlier this year, the governing body urged all 211 of its member federations to take a coordinated approach to prosecuting incidents of alleged racism and discrimination.Curto's suspension serves as a reminder that discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated in the sport. It also sends a strong message that FIFA is determined to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all players and fans.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for an alleged misconduct breach related to a comment he made about teammate Son Heung-min on Uruguayan television.During an interview on Canal 10 in June, Bentancur was asked for a Spurs player's shirt. He responded by saying, "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."The comment sparked outrage, with British anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out receiving a "significant number" of complaints. Bentancur subsequently apologized to Son and Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris, acknowledging that he had "made a mistake."The FA has now charged Bentancur with an alleged breach of its rules in relation to a media interview. The statement from the FA reads:"It's alleged that the Tottenham midfielder has breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute."It's further alleged that this constitutes an 'aggravated breach' which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin."Bentancur has until September 19 to respond to the charge. The FA's investigation comes amid a wider crackdown on racism and discrimination in football. In 2020, former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani was banned for three games and fined £100,000 for using the Spanish term "negrito" (small black person) in a social media post.The FA's decision to charge Bentancur sends a clear message that it will not tolerate any form of discrimination or abuse in the game. It remains to be seen how the case will be resolved, but it is likely that Bentancur will face a significant punishment if found guilty.

The upcoming quarter-final clash between France and Argentina in the men's Olympic football tournament promises to be a fiery encounter, fueled by recent tensions between the two nations. The last-eight showdown will be the first meeting since Argentina players were recorded singing racist chants about their French counterparts after winning the Copa America. FIFA is investigating the incident, which has sparked diplomatic tensions.The match will also be the first between the sides since the epic 2022 World Cup final, which Argentina won on penalties. However, the Olympic tournament is an under-23 competition, with only two members of Argentina's squad (Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Alvarez) having played in the World Cup final.Despite the absence of some key players, the match is expected to be a fascinating contest. Argentina, chasing a third Olympic gold, will be led by Manchester City's Alvarez, while France, aiming for gold on home soil, will be captained by Alexandre Lacazette and feature Bayern Munich's Michael Olise.Both teams boast legendary coaches: France's Thierry Henry, a 1998 World Cup winner, and Argentina's Javier Mascherano, an Olympic gold medalist as a player. The winner will face either Egypt or Paraguay in the semi-finals.The quarter-finals will also feature Morocco vs. the United States in Paris and Spain vs. Japan in Lyon. Spain, fresh from winning Euro 2024, will be aiming for their second Olympic gold after 1992. Japan, despite fielding a young squad, has impressed by winning all three group games.

Lionel Messi's injury scare during Argentina's Copa America 2024 triumph has cast a shadow over his return to Inter Miami. The Argentine maestro was forced off the field in tears during the final against Colombia, leaving his team in a precarious position. However, Lady Luck smiled upon Argentina as Lautaro Martinez's late winner secured a 1-0 victory and back-to-back Copa America titles.Fast forward to Wednesday night, Messi was back in the spotlight as he attended Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Toronto FC. The Argentine captain missed the match due to a ligament injury and was seen in the stands with his family, sporting a walking boot on his injured right ankle.Messi's absence will be a significant blow to Inter Miami, who are currently battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Tata Martino has stated that Messi's recovery will be evaluated on a weekly basis, leaving his return date uncertain."The club's medical report is out and the information is that regarding the times, it will surely be evaluated week by week," Martino said. "We are going to see just how his recovery is without taking any kind of risk."Messi's return will be crucial for Inter Miami's playoff hopes. The Argentine has been a key figure for the club since joining in 2023, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 28 appearances.Meanwhile, Messi has also been asked to apologize for racist chants made by Argentina's players after their Copa America triumph. Argentina's sports sub-secretary Julio Garro has called on Messi to issue an apology, stating that the chants "leave us as a country in a bad position."FIFA has also condemned the incident, stating that "FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials."

Vinicius Junior's meteoric rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. After enduring a challenging start to his Real Madrid career, the Brazilian winger has transformed into one of the most feared attackers in the world. Now, on the cusp of his second Champions League triumph, Vinicius has his sights set on even greater heights.Vinicius's journey to the top has been marked by perseverance and unwavering determination. Despite being ridiculed for his early profligacy, he remained steadfast in his belief and worked tirelessly to improve his game. The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as manager proved to be a turning point, as the Italian tactician recognized Vinicius's potential and provided him with the confidence and guidance he needed to flourish.Under Ancelotti's tutelage, Vinicius has blossomed into a complete forward. He has developed a keen eye for goal, scoring 23 goals in each of the past two seasons. His versatility has also been a key factor in his success, as he has seamlessly adapted to playing as a central striker or on the wing.Vinicius's transformation has not gone unnoticed. He has become a fan favorite at Real Madrid and has earned the respect of his opponents. However, his rise to prominence has also been accompanied by a disturbing trend of racial abuse. Vinicius has faced numerous incidents of hate speech when playing away from home in Spain.Despite these challenges, Vinicius has remained composed and focused on his football. He has refused to let the abuse deter him and has instead used it as motivation to prove his worth. His resilience and determination are a testament to his character and his unwavering belief in himself.As Real Madrid prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, Vinicius is determined to make history once again. He is eager to add a second European Cup to his collection and cement his status as one of the greatest players in the world. However, for Vinicius, individual accolades are secondary to the team's success."I've never thought about (winning the Ballon d'Or)," said Vinicius. "The best thing that can happen this season is winning the Champions League."Vinicius's humility and team-first mentality are a reflection of his maturity and his understanding of the importance of collective achievement. He knows that his individual brilliance is only valuable if it contributes to the success of Real Madrid.As the countdown to the Champions League final continues, Vinicius is poised to make his mark on the biggest stage of club football. His journey from a raw talent to a world-class star has been an inspiration to many, and his story is far from over.

Brazil and Spain played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience.The match, organized to combat racism, saw Brazil captain Vinicius Junior largely kept quiet, while his teenage compatriot Endrick continued to impress. Spain's Lamine Yamal also shone, winning the penalty that Rodri converted for the opening goal.Spain dominated the first half, with Dani Olmo doubling their lead with a fine individual effort. However, Brazil pulled one back before the break when Unai Simon gifted Rodrygo a goal.Endrick equalized for Brazil early in the second half, but Rodri restored Spain's lead from the spot after Dani Carvajal was fouled. Brazil refused to give up and earned a late penalty when Carvajal cynically pulled back Galeno. Lucas Paqueta converted the spot-kick to snatch a draw in stoppage time.Despite the friendly nature of the match, the intensity was high, with both teams eager to prove their worth. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente fielded a strong side, while Brazil coach Dorival Junior gave Endrick his first appearance at the home of his future club, Real Madrid.The match was a testament to the quality and competitiveness of both teams, and it served as a reminder of the importance of combating racism in football.