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Friday Kickoff: Defoe out three months, Queiroz fired, and more

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Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for Tottenham after Michael Dawson's recent injury, now comes word that striker Jermain Defoe is set to miss three months with torn ankle ligaments.

Defoe suffered the injury during England's recent win against Switzerland, the same match that saw fellow Tottenham star sidelined with multiple leg injuries.

The injury will force Defoe to miss Tottenham's Champions League group stage matches, as well as England's next European qualifiers.

Here are some other stories to get your Friday going:

Portugal fires Queiroz

Portugal have fired manager Carlos Queiroz, who is still serving a six-month ban for verbally assaulting FIFA anti-doping officials during a surprise visit to the Portugese training camp in May.

It's a move most experts expected after Portugal's qualification campaign for Euro 2012 got off to an abysmal start with a draw to Cyprus and a loss to Norway. The Telegraph is reporting that Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Bento is the frontrunner to replace Queiroz.

Gyan Forgives Suarez for World Cup Handball

Luis Suarez's goal-line handball salvaged Uruguay's World Cup campaign at the expense of Asamoah Gyan and the Black Stars of Ghana. The incident sparked a world-wide debate about the legitimacy of intentionally handling the ball to prevent a goal.

But Gyan, who missed the vital penalty, has apparently forgiven Suarez.

"I've forgiven him, it's part of the game," Gyan said. "As I always say, if it was me, I would have done the same thing. In the last minute, if you're going out, he made himself a hero in his country. It was cheating to handle the ball but I would have done the same."

France uphold Evra's ban

The France Football Federation has refused to reduce Patrice Evra's five-match ban for his role as captain in France's infamous player strike in South Africa.

Evra appeared in front of the FFF yesterday for nearly three hours but the defender will still not be able to play for France again until February against Brazil.

Comments

  1. Maybe if Bradley stumbles in the Gold Cup Sunil might look to Querioz. But if USA fans think “Bunker Bob” is bad with his 4-4-2, how are they gonna feel with Queiroz who uses only one striker?

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  2. Poor Defoe. There goes his chance to supplant his starting England role and Tottenham role. Looks like Rooney will either be paired with Bent or just play up top solo like they should have done years ago.

    And I guess Crouch or Payluchenko will be the solo striker for Tottenham for their CL matches.

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  3. is Suarez a hero in Uruguay?
    I mean really is he? And Gyan only had 3 goals in the WC but considering Ghana got to the quarters and so close to the semis he should be a HERO. I doubt he’ll score more than 10 goals for Sunderland, but let’s see.

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  4. any news whether DeMerit made it to the Bundesliga? Dude has the most HOLLYWOOD story of any soccer player in the NT. Matt Damon should play him in a film or maybe Jake Gyllenhaal since he’s around his age.

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  5. The sucky thing is that France will rebound and qualify for euro2012. It would be awesome if both France and Portugal failed to qualify 😀

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  6. Very mature way of seeing things by Gyan. Truly a stand up guy. I said right after the handball that it was one of the best decisions of the cup, but to be on the other side of that handball and see it that way shows how level headed the kid is. Congrats to him for that, hard not to like him even though he knocked us out.

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  7. If I were a French player I would love to be banned right now, so I wouldn’t have to deal with the shambles that federation is in…

    I’m no fan of the French team, but I hope things get better over there.

    Reply

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