Croatia was at the center of a World Cup cover-up on Sunday after FIFA admitted it "secretly" let the side "off with a warning over fascist banners" displayed by its fans. The country's march to the semifinals had been "notable for the apparent absence of any bigotry" by its supporters, "who brought shame on the nation at the last three major tournaments." But Croatia fans have reportedly "been at it again in Russia." FIFA is reportedly "fully aware of this but chose to keep quiet about it" (London TELEGRAPH, 7/9).
Pope Francis attempted to console Brazilian football fans during his Sunday blessing.GETTY IMAGES
Pope Francis tried to "cheer up Brazilian football fans" after the team's quarterfinal exit from the World Cup. The Pope, an Argentine and "avid football fan," noted a "preponderance of Brazilian flags on display in St. Peter's Square during his traditional Sunday blessing at the Vatican." He told the crowd, "I see a lot of Brazilian flags: Have courage! There'll be a next time" (STUFF, 7/9).
Russia's players reportedly "may have been sniffing ammonia" during their round of 16 match against Spain. Ammonia is not on the list of prohibited substances even though "it does bring physical benefits." A Russian FA spokesperson admitted that a player "inhaled ammonia against La Roja" in a report by German publication Süddeutsche Zeitung (MARCA, 7/9).
Mesut Özil was encouraged by his father to retire from the German national side.GETTY IMAGES
Mesut Özil was urged by his father to retire from int'l football after being used as a "scapegoat" for Germany's "shortcomings at the World Cup." The Arsenal player started two of Germany's games but was dropped against Sweden as the side "crashed out in a shocking group stage exit." Özil's father, Mustafa, claimed that the midfielder is "offended" by the way he is treated by the national fans (London INDEPENDENT, 7/9).
France players reportedly set off the fire alarms at their team hotel "at the end of a sanctioned night out to celebrate their World Cup victory over Argentina last month." According to a report by beIN Sports, French national team staff allowed the players to go to a Moscow nightclub following their 4-3 win in the round of 16, but "their actions on returning to the team hotel in the early hours of the morning led to a fire engine being sent to the team's training base in Istra as a precaution" (INDEPENDENT, 7/9).
The Croatia Football Federation (HNS) sacked Ognjen Vukojevic, a member of the national team's coaching staff, over a "glory to Ukraine" video posted after Croatia beat Russia in the World Cup quarterfinals. Vukojevic and Croatia defender Domagoj Vida published the video on social media after the match on Saturday in a move which was criticized by Russian politicians and "led to a warning from FIFA's disciplinary committee" (REUTERS, 7/9).
