Brazilian footballer RONALDINHO joined Liga MX side Queretaro on a two-year deal. He had been without a club since leaving Brasileiro side Atletico Mineiro in late July. Ronaldinho previously played for Paris St. Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan (FIFA). ... UEFA President MICHEL PLATINI "has threatened compatriot and now-retired" former French playmaker FRANCK RIBERY with a "suspension." Ribery "announced his retirement from France duty after the World Cup in Brazil, which he missed due to a back injury."
But Platini now claims the 31-year-old "will have no choice but to continue playing for his country if selected." Platini:
"Franck cannot decide himself whether he plays for France. If (coach) DIDIER DESCHAMPS picks him, he must come. That's the FIFA rule. If he doesn't come, he will be suspended for three Bayern Munich games" (BILD, 9/7). ... A ceremony has been held to pay tribute to LUIS ARAGONES, "with the official opening of Plaza Luis Aragones at the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) headquarters."
AS reported that "the square leading to Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas was named for the late coach, who passed away earlier this year." The Mayor of Las Rozas de Madrid, JOSE IGNACIO FERNANDEZ RUBIO, opened the square, with Atletico Madrid President ENRIQUE CEREZO and other players who worked with Aragones also present (FOOTBALL ESPANA, 9/7). ... English cricketers "can 'forget' about the shorter format unless they embrace the Indian Premier League," according to KEVIN PIETERSEN, who said "his efforts to get his countrymen to play in the IPL have fallen on 'deaf ears.'" Pietersen said that "the cash-rich league helps in understanding the sport from a different prospective." Pietersen: "England is the only country where the players have no idea what is going on in the rest of the world" (PTI, 9/7). ... Former England captain DAVID BECKHAM believes WAYNE ROONEY "has made a great start as England captain and will be an inspirational leader in the future." Beckham: "Young players will look up to Wayne for inspiration. He's one of the most experienced players in the team now. He's now the most respected player in the team" (AFP, 9/6). ... Australian cricketer GEORGE BAILEY "has stood down as Australia's Twenty20 captain to concentrate on longer forms of the game with half an eye on adding to his five test caps." Bailey said that "he struggled with the transition between the different formats of the game" (REUTERS, 9/7). ... NEYMAR "scored in the 83rd minute to give Brazil a 1-0 victory over Colombia." It was his first "appearance for the national team since sustaining a serious back injury" in the World Cup quarterfinals (AP, 9/6). ... Argentinian police "have arrested three men and a woman over the kidnapping in July of the father" of footballer CARLOS TEVEZ. The group "had allegedly planned only to rob the senior Tevez but demanded a ransom for his release after discovering he was the father of Argentina international footballer Carlos" (GULF NEWS, 9/7).
