Russia has "continued to refuse to reveal how many drugs tests" its players have undergone since the World Cup began "after being joined in doing so by England." Russia Manager Stanislav Cherchesov "snubbed questions" about his side's testing record ahead of its final Group A game against Uruguay on Monday (London TELEGRAPH, 6/24).
Xherdan Shaqiri celebrated with an Albanian eagle salute during Switzerland's match against Serbia.GETTY IMAGES
Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri are "facing punishment for their Albanian eagle salutes" in Switzerland's match against Serbia. FIFA announced it opened disciplinary proceedings against the players following a complaint from the FA of Serbia (FSS) about their goal celebrations. The FSS also said that it will "lodge a formal protest about Shaqiri's boots," which bear the flag of Kosovo -- although they were cleared by FIFA -- and the display of "several controversial flags" by its opponents (TELEGRAPH, 6/23).
FSS President Slavisa Kokeza accused FIFA of "showing bias." Kokeza said that Serbia was the victim of "brutal robbery" during Friday's loss to Switzerland, accusing FIFA of "directing" officials to work against the side. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed a letter of protest was received but that "no further comment would be made" (BBC, 6/23).
Egypt will formally protest to FIFA about the performance of Paraguayan referee Enrique Cáceres, whose decisions it feels "prejudiced the outcome" of its World Cup game against Russia in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. Egyption FA President Hany Abo Rida said that Egypt felt fullback Ahmed Fathi was "pushed in the process of attempting to clear the ball" two minutes into the second half and "resultantly steered it into his own net to give Russia the lead" (REUTERS, 6/22).
Brazilian footballer Kaká is featured in a new Universal Parks & Resorts TV commercial, set to air throughout the World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Brazil. The spot features Kaká dribbling his way through Universal's most popular attractions as he attempts to return a football to a family enjoying the parks. It debuted on Telemundo Networks on Saturday (Universal Orlando).
Danny Murphy "has come in for heavy criticism" for his commentary during England's 6-1 victory over Panama. The former England midfielder is part of the BBC's commentary team in Russia. He was "panned on social media for being openly biased, as well as his monotone delivery" (London INDEPENDENT, 6/24).
Russia deployed a truck to spray roads with vanilla extract outside a World Cup fan zone and stadium on Friday "to ward off swarms of gnats" at matches in Volgograd. Volunteers in the southern Russian city also handed out insect repelling wipes to fans "to help them fend off bugs that England and Tunisia players could be seen swatting away" during their opening World Cup group game on Monday (REUTERS, 6/22).
CROWD TROUBLE: Argentina said on Friday that it asked Russia to "detain and deport four of its football fans" recorded fighting with Croatian supporters on Thursday. A video taken during the match between Argentina and Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod showed a group of men fighting in the stands. Russia's World Cup organizing committee said that seven Argentines were detained by police after the match (REUTERS, 6/22).
SOUVENIR MULES: Buenos Aires Security Minister Cristian Ritondo said Friday that police broke up an organization that "trafficked marijuana and cocaine in fake World Cup trophies." Officials said that 20kg of marijuana, 10kg of cocaine, 1,800 doses of crack-cocaine known as "paco" and 400,000 Argentine pesos ($14,800) were seized. Four men and two women were arrested in the operation (AP, 6/23). Authorities at Bogota's int'l airport found 14 replica World Cup jerseys of Colombia's national team "soaked" with a total of 11 pounds (5kg) of cocaine. Investigators said that "an anti-narcotics agent grew suspicious when he saw the box of jerseys being sent to a small city in the Netherlands" (AP, 6/21).
