The Oceania Football Confederation said on Monday that New Zealand Football's appeal against its disqualification from Oceania's Olympic qualifying final will be heard on Aug. 24 and 25. New Zealand's U23 side was expelled "just hours before last month's Oceania final for fielding an ineligible player," denying it the chance to "become the region's representative at next year's Rio Games men's football competition" (REUTERS, 8/17). ... Former Nigerian President Ibrahim Babangida "joined the growing band of supporters" for the candidacy of former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu for the presidency of FIFA. Last week, Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou also supported Kalu's bid (GUARDIAN NIGERIA, 8/16). ... Ascenso MX club Necaxa players Luis Antonio Gorocito and Alejandro Molina "were arrested in the early hours of the day after a brawl in a bar and seriously injuring a young man." The injured man, Luis Mariscal, is "currently in a local hospital" along with his girlfriend, "identified only as Susana, who allegedly was also assaulted." According to witnesses at least 10 Necaxa players arrived at a bar called Barezzito, "where they had an altercation with Mariscal after one of them harassed his girlfriend" (EL UNIVERSAL, 8/16).
