W-League side Canberra United signed the "youngest player in its history for the coming W-League season." At 15 years and four months of age, midfielder
Grace Maher "beats by three months the previous record set by Kahlia
Hogg" (CANBERRA TIMES, 9/4). ... FIFA President Sepp Blatter said that there is "no chance of the 2018
World Cup being taken away from Russia." This came after calls from
politicians to "move the event because of Russia's supposed role in the
Ukrainian conflict." Blatter: "We are not placing any questions
over the World Cup in Russia" (RT, 9/3). ... Nigeria will be "suspended from world football" on Monday at 7am local time if Chris Giwa "does not give up his claim to be football federation president." FIFA issued the ultimatum, "reiterating that it does not recognise his election" on Aug. 26. The ban will "only be lifted when" the NFF board as it stood on Aug. 25, with Aminu Maigari as president, "are allowed back to their offices to work" (BBC, 9/3).
BANISHMENT: A Brazilian sports tribunal has kicked Brasileiro side Gremio out of the Brazil Cup after "some of their fans racially abused a Santos player." Gremio fans shouted "Monkey" and "other racist taunts at Santos goalkeeper Aranha." The tribunal's statement said, "By a unanimous verdict (the decision was taken) to exclude Gremio from the Brazil Cup and to fine them 50,000 reais and ban from stadiums for 720 days those fans already identified and those that may still be identified" (REUTERS, 9/4). ... Lawyers representing a group of 40 women's football players "threatening
a lawsuit over the use of artificial turf at the 2015 Women's World Cup
in Canada penned a letter claiming FIFA misled players into believing
natural grass fields would be provided if players opposed artificial
turf." The letter, which was "sent to the six confederation presidents," includes a '13 survey showing 77% of players "strongly
agree or agree that 'all matches at a major tournament should be played
on natural turf'" (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 9/3). ... Chilean second division side Maipo Quilicura player Carlos Barra died at the age of 23 after a heart attack during a friendly on Wednesday. The incident took place in Santiago (EFE, 9/4).
