FIFA World Cup 2022 news: South American stars seek early EPL release, Kylian Mbappe drama
WORLD CUP ROUND-UP: Arsenal and Manchester United may lose some of their biggest names while Qatar officials have a fresh warning for the one million fans set to descend on the Gulf state.
Premier League clubs could be without their South American stars for the final match before the World Cup as Conmebol requested they were allowed an early release.
Conmebol, the equivalent of UEFA for South America, made a formal request to FIFA to grant their players are free to link up with the squad from Wednesday, November 9.
That is earlier than initially expected – players were expected to go after that weekend’s matches – and could prompt the European, African, North American and Asian federations to make similar requests.
TyC Sports report FIFA will now need to negotiate with clubs to work out the date players can jet off to Qatar.
But South American countries are hoping it is just four weeks away – giving international managers at least 11 days to get ready for the tournament.
Moises Caicedo’s Ecuador are involved in the opening game as they take on hosts Qatar in the curtain-raiser on November 20.
They are joined by five-time winners Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
And an early release date could prove a major blow for title-chasing Arsenal and Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United – with both sides brimming with South American talent.
Arsenal’s team includes Brazilian stars Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel – who all have ambitions of making the expanded 26-man squad.
United, meanwhile, boast compatriots Fred, Casemiro and Antony as well as Argentine Lisandro Martinez.
QATAR WARNS FANS TO BRACE FOR WORLD CUP CONGESTION CHAOS
Qatar World Cup organisers on Wednesday warned fans to brace for “congestion” in the first two weeks of the tournament when the peak number of supporters will be packing the Gulf state’s capital.
Private cars will be banned from many streets and residents near some stadiums will need permits to get to their homes, organisers and government officials told a press conference as they outlined measures to avoid a World Cup jam.
The tiny state of 2.9 million people will be the smallest to hold the World Cup that starts November 20.
Qatar has spent billions of dollars on a state-of-the-art driverless metro rail network that serves five of the eight stadiums and will also have 3,200 extra buses and 3,000 taxis on the road.
More than one million fans are expected to visit during the 29 days. But there will be four group matches a day during the first two weeks of the tournament and officials are predicting more than 300,000 fans could be milling around the streets of Doha at the same time during the most intense days.
Organisers are pressing local residents to take “private transportation”, including their own cars, if they go to matches.
They are “encouraged to drive where possible” and leave trains and buses to the million-plus foreign fans expected to visit during the tournament, said an organising committee statement.
“We expect congestion,” said Abdulaziz Al-Mawlawi, mobility director for the Qatar organising committee.
“Having four matches in one day is a challenge in a region or city like Doha,” declared Mawlawi, who added that there were “solutions” to get to stadiums and for daily life.
Mawlawi said organisers wanted to “warn fans to abide by restrictions”, leave early to reach World Cup matches on time and avoid having one person in a car.
“These things will reduce the expected congestion. Whether in Qatar or any country in the world, congestion is expected in a tournament such as the World Cup.” Most private cars will be banned from around central Doha for the tournament with a $140 fine for offenders. Residents around four of the eight stadiums will need a permit to be able to drive to and from their homes.
OFF-FIELD SAGA ROCKS FRANCE’S BIGGEST STAR
He’s been at the centre of a witchcraft scandal (see more on that below), and off-field dramas continue to plague the World Cup preparations of French star Kylian Mbappe.
The latest distraction for the superstar striker, who lit up the 2018 tournament in Russia, revolves around his demands to exit French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain.
One of the richest clubs on the planet, PSG have sensationally agreed to let the “fed up” star leave, but not to Real Madrid, with the relationship between the two parties “completely broken”, according to reports.
The Frenchman, 23, came close to leaving the Parisians in the summer on a free transfer until he snubbed Real and signed a mega-deal worth £650,000-a-week ($1,136,500 a week) at the Parc des Princes.
But just five months later, Mbappe is “fed up” at PSG and wants to leave.
In fact, he’s so “fed up” he’d consider a January departure, according to Marca.
There’s “no turning back” with the relationship between the club and the player “completely broken”.
Mbappe is said to feel “betrayed” following a series of “unfeasible” promises made to him.
PSG would let the player leave, however one condition has to be met: He can’t go to Real.
Liverpool have previously held an interest in the player but whether they are willing to pay Mbappe mammoth wages is yet to be seen.
France will open their World Cup defence next month against Australia, with the Pool D rivals facing off on November 22.
WORLD CUP BAN: FANS FORBIDDEN FROM ENTERING QATAR
In a bid to crack down on hooligan behaviour at this year’s World Cup, more than 1300 England fans have had their passports temporarily revoked.
The fans, who have been subject to football banning orders, will be forced to hand over their UK passports in order to prevent them from travelling to the World Cup in Qatar, which starts next month.
Any attempts made by the “violent and abusive’ fans, according to a Sky News report, could result in six months in prison and fines.
“We are all looking forward to cheering England and Wales on in Qatar and we will not let the behaviour of a minority of lawbreakers tarnish what will be an exciting tournament,” said British Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
“Violence, abuse and disorder is not tolerated here, and this criminal behaviour will not be tolerated at the World Cup which is why we are taking this firm approach.
“As with all events of this nature, we are working closely with the host authorities on the safety of British nationals attending and on delivering a successful and enjoyable event.”
COLOMBIA’S CRIPPLING DIAZ BLOW
Liverpool and Colombia have suffered an injury blow as Luis Diaz has been ruled out until December – ending his World Cup campaign before it began.
Diaz, 25, left the Emirates on crutches following the Reds’ 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
A bad day for Jurgen Klopp’s side has got even worse as The Times report the winger is now out with a knee injury.
No surgery will be required, but a Christmas or January return looks likely – though it crushes the attacking weapon’s hopes of driving Colombia’s World Cup campaign in Qatar, which starts next month.
Diaz was seen sporting a knee brace after picking up a first-half injury in North London.
WORLD CUP DEFENCE ROCKED BY WITCHCRAFT CLAIMS
France’s World Cup defence is off to a rocky start well before they set foot in Qatar.
Controversy, and generally bizarre tales, never seem far away from France when World Cups roll around – think the explosive flameout in 2010, when players refused to train amid a mutiny against coach Raymond Domenech who, in an unrelated quirk, had a penchant for picking players based on their star signs.
But even for the French this one is mind-boggling.
The country’s two biggest stars – striker Kylian Mbappe and midfield maestro Paul Pogba – have become embroiled in a ridiculous saga that involves infighting, blackmail and… witchcraft.
You read that right.
Pogba was accused of hiring a witchdoctor to cast a spell on Mbappe – reportedly out of jealousy of his younger teammate.
Pogba was then part of a $20m extortion bid, led by his own brother Mathias, which led to five men being charged.
The latest twist? That Pogba has admitted using the services of the witchdoctor, but that Mbappe was never his target… rather that he was looking for an edge to get over persistent injuries.
There’s never a dull moment with Les Blues.
‘IRANIAN MESSI’ FACING AXE OVER WOMEN SUPPORT
Iran star Sardar Azmoun has insisted he is prepared to be axed from their World Cup squad after standing up for the repression of women in his home country.
Azmoun is also under a major injury cloud after picking up a calf injury while warming up for Bayer Leverkusen this week.
The club announced he is expected to miss between six-to-eight weeks after tearing his right calf, with Iran’s opening match against England just seven weeks away.
But earlier, the 27-year-old forward went against instructions from the Iranian FA which forebode members of the squad from speaking out over the death of Mahsa Amini – who died in police custody.
Protests have taken place across the country, with two men ejected from a friendly against Uruguay last month after they held up an image of Amini.
Then last Tuesday, protesters made their voices known with a megaphone outside the stadium during a behind-closed-doors match against Senegal.
One arrest was made after a car was struck – with the perpetrator injuring themselves in the process.
And Azmoun felt he could not ignore the situation, even if it cost him his place at the World Cup.
Speaking on Instagram he said: “Because of the national team rules we couldn’t say anything until the [World Cup training] camp was over. But I couldn’t bear it anymore.
“At worst I’ll be dismissed from the national team. No problem. I’d sacrifice that for one hair on the heads of Iranian women.”
He continued: “This story will not be deleted. They can do whatever they want.
“Shame on you for killing so easily; long live Iranian women.”
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FANS DUDDED IN $42,000 FARCE
WORLD CUP fans face being unable to watch matches on TV in Qatar – because several hotels are refusing to pay the £24,000 broadcast fee.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters will spend big money to follow their country to the tournament, which kicks off on November 20.
But even if they have tickets for matches in the stadiums, they may struggle to catch the action for other games.
According to the Daily Mail, any bar or restaurant wanting to show the action must stump up £24,000 to host broadcaster BeIN Sports.
And it is unclear exactly how much it would cost hotels to make the matches available on TVs in rooms with no flat rate.
Supporters renting villas or apartments could also be left disappointed.
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