World Cup in brief
Suarez feels unloved in England
URUGUAY striker Luis Suarez fuelled speculation he could be set to leave Liverpool for Barcelona, by claiming he is not respected in England. Suarez, whose team will reach the knockout stages should they beat Italy tonight, told English journalists in Brazil: “I did not want to attack anybody. Some media started making fun of me. You are in the media, you should know what happened and why they did that to me.”
Elephants can double their money
IVORY COAST president Alassane Ouattara has promised to double players’ win bonuses should they beat Greece tonight and qualify for the knockout stages. Victory would be enough to see Ivory Coast through with a last-16 tie against the winners of Group D – likely to be Costa Rica. A draw would give Japan the chance to usurp the Elephants, should they beat Colombia, while a defeat would eliminate Sabri Lamouchi’s side.
Mexico cleared of improper conduct
THE MEXICAN football association has been cleared of a charge of improper conduct by world governing body Fifa, after their supporters were accused of homophobic chanting during their group stage victory over Cameroon. The fans shouted “puto” – meaning male prostitute – at the Cameroon goalkeeper each time he took a goal kick, but Fifa said: “The incident is not considered insulting in this specific context.”
GAMES ON TV
ITALY v URUGUAY
Today 5pm, ITV4
COSTA RICA v ENGLAND
Today 5pm, ITV1
JAPAN v COLOMBIA
Today 9pm, BBC THREE
GREECE v IVORY COAST
Today 9pm, BBC ONE