Uruguayan side Nacional players Ignacio González and Diego Arismendi will "have to serve 10 days on house arrest for not asking for authorization from the Uruguayan court to travel to Spain." The players were "processed without prison" in January for their role in a fight at the end of a game against Peñarol. While that case "remains open and per Uruguayan legislation, anyone processed has to request permission from the court to leave the country" (EFE, 8/13). ... West Midlands Police confirmed it is "investigating allegations of racist abuse" at League Championship side Norwich City's Molineux stadium on Sunday as the club on Wednesday suspended two fans with the "threat of lifetime bans should they be found guilty." Police said that they had "received a number of complaints which are now being examined." Norwich said that it had "passed on evidence to the West Midlands force concerning an alleged incident in the visiting end to which they were alerted by their own supporters." Norwich City said in a statement, "Norwich can confirm two male supporters have been suspended from attending games at Carrow Road, pending the outcome of the club’s on-going investigation into allegations of racist abuse" (LONDON TIMES, 8/13).
SPORTING DISCIPLINES ROJO: Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon has disciplined defender Marcos Rojo amid "reports that he is attempting to force through a move" to ManU. Sporting President Bruno de Carvalho said that both Rojo and his teammate Islam Slimani, who has "been linked with clubs including Newcastle, Leicester City, West Ham and Crystal Palace, are both 'subject to strong disciplinary measures'" and will not play in the club's league opener against Academica on Saturday (PA, 8/13).
JAPAN STRIKES DEAL WITH IRAN: The Japan FA said that it has struck a deal with Iran to "cooperate in promoting football at home, with a focus on the women's game." The "so-called partnership agreement would see the countries share and exchange personnel, including coaches and referees, as well cooperate in areas such as sports medicine and professional league management" (AFP, 8/13).
SETBACK FOR SOUTH KOREA: South Korea's hopes of "winning gold in the Asian Games football tournament have suffered a setback after Bayer Leverkusen refused to release livewire forward Son Heung-min for the competition." South Korea had hoped Leverkusen "would release the 22-year-old for the latter stages." The South Korean FA said its request that Leverkusen release Son "had also been rejected" (REUTERS, 8/13).
BELIZE CLUB BOOTED: Belize football side Belmopan Bandits was removed from the '14-15 CONCACAF Champions League. In '13, the Football Federation of Belize requested funds from FIFA to renovate its national stadium, FFB Stadium. Those funds, $1.8M, "were apparently granted." While lighting and locker rooms were "indeed improved," the pitch "has been deemed unplayable," resulting in Belmopan being removed from the tournament (GOAL, 8/12).
