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Sport shorts: Messi faces two-year ban, Murray confident of singles return, Wilder vs. Fury rematch is on
Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 8 July
Spanish newspaper AS reports that Lionel Messi could face a possible two-year ban from international football after accusing officials of corruption during the 2019 Copa America in Brazil.
After being sent off in the third-place play-off win against Chile, Messi then got into a war of words with South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL.
Barcelona forward Messi said: “We don’t need to be part of the corruption that we’ve suffered at this tournament.”
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In response CONMEBOL said: “It is unacceptable that as a result of incidents typical in competitions, involving 12 teams, all on equal terms, unfounded accusations have been launched that lack the truth and question the integrity of the Copa America.”
Brazil won the Copa America on home soil after beating Peru 3-1 in the final last night. Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus scored once, made an assist and then got himself sent off. As he left the pitch Jesus kicked a water bottle and then pushed over the VAR monitor. The 22-year-old said after the game: “I want to apologise. I could have avoided it and I also need to grow up a lot.”
3. Juve line up Pogba bid
Juventus are preparing a £120m bid to bring Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba back to Turin. It’s reported that the Italian giants are desperate to prise the Frenchman from Old Trafford, “as part of an audacious strategy to win the Champions League”.
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has warned Formula 1 that the sport could lose “so much of its essence” if the British Grand Prix at Silverstone disappears from the race calendar. Sunday’s grand prix at Silverstone could be the last as the current contract is set to expire.
After a day’s rest on Sunday grand slam action returns to Wimbledon on “Manic Monday” with every match in the men’s and women’s singles fourth rounds taking place. Novak Djokovic, Johanna Konta, Cori Gauff, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are all in action today.
Andy Murray is confident he can once again challenge the best players in the world. Continuing his comeback after hip surgery, Murray is playing doubles at Wimbledon this week but The Guardian reports that the 32-year-old is “fired up” for a return to singles. When asked if he can beat the best players in the men’s game, the Scot said: “Why not? If someone can give me a reason why I shouldn’t be able to compete again then I would listen to it, but so far I haven’t really been given one.”
7. Aussies ramp up mind games
England and Australia meet in the World Cup semi-final on Thursday at Edgbaston, and already the Aussies are trying to pile the psychological pressure on the hosts. “It’s their World Cup to lose,” said Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon, when asked about the contest. “They’re full of world-class players and they’ve been the No.1 team for a couple of years now. They should be going into this World Cup as favourites, it’s all on them.”
British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury has announced that his rematch against WBC champion Deontay Wilder will take place on 22 February next year. Fury, who drew with Wilder in the first bout in December, said: “The rematch has been confirmed and signed, 22 February. It’s on.”
9. Rahm wins the Irish Open
Spain’s Jon Rahm hit a superb final round 62 to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open by two shots. After securing his second Irish Open title, the 24-year-old said: “I’m excited to repeat. I think Seve [Ballesteros] was the only Spanish player to win more than one. The list of winners, [Nick] Faldo, [Rory] McIlroy, [José María] Olazábal, Seve, the champions at this event, and to put my name on there is really special.”
10. US celebrate another World Cup win
The United States won the Fifa Women’s World Cup for a record fourth time after beating the Netherlands in yesterday’s final in Lyon. European champions Holland held the holders to a goalless first half, but the US were too strong as they went on to secure a 2-0 win. Megan Rapinoe’s 61st-minute penalty gave the US the breakthrough and eight minutes later Rose Lavelle made sure of the victory.
