By RYAN TOLMICH
The Qatari government and the Qatar Football Association are taking legal action to combat some harsh words stated about the two parties.
Former German FA president Theo Zwanziger is being sued for libel after calling the nation “a cancer on world football” during a series of comments speaking out against the country’s 2022 World Cup bid.
Zwanziger, who left his role as president in 2012, is reportedly “relaxed” about the legal threat.
“Should there be a lawsuit,” Zwanziger said in a statement, “I will face it calmly.”
Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Friday morning:
VIDAL, VARGAS LEAD CHILE TO VICTORY TO OPEN COPA AMERICA
The Copa America is officially underway, and the hosting team is the first side to emerge with a victory.
Led by goals from Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas, Chile opened their hosting duties with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador in Santiago, Chile.
Having never one the prestigious tournament, Chile’s start in this year’s campaign was kicked off by Vidal, who finished a 67th minute penalty kick to open the scoring. Vargas provided insurance in the 84th minute, with the forward being set up by a dominant Alexis Sanchez.
Both Chile and Ecuador will return to action June 15 against Mexico and Bolivia, respectively.
LIVERPOOL TURN DOWN STERLING OFFER FROM MAN CITY
The Raheem Sterling transfer saga is officially underway.
Liverpool reportedly turned down a £30 million ($46.5 million) bid for the striker, who has refused to sign a new contract with his current club. Liverpool is reportedly unwilling to part with Sterling for anything less than £50 million ($77 million).
Sterling currently has two years remaining on his contract, but the player’s agent said the forward will not sign for the team no matter the money.
INTERPOL SUSPENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH FIFA
Interpol, an international police group responsible for helping FIFA combat match-fixing, is taking a step back from its work with the organization.
The company has officially suspended its 10-year partnership with FIFA and will “freeze the use of financial contributions from FIFA” to combat match-fixing. Interpol’s secretary general, Jürgen Stock says that the decision comes “in light of the current context surrounding FIFA”.
“All external partners,” Stock said in a statement, “whether public or private, must share the fundamental values and principles of the organization.”
QUICK KICKS
Swiss investigators are looking into payments made for a Brazil vs. Argentina friendly held just weeks before Qatar won the 2022 World Cup bidding process. (REPORT)
Former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Adel Taraabt has joined Benfica. (REPORT)
Arsenal has been charged by the FA over alleged breaches during the transfer of defender Callum Chambers. (REPORT)
Sampdoria could lose the club’s Europa League place due to a prior match-fixing scandal. (REPORT)
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What do you think of the lawsuit against Zwanziger? How do you see Chile faring at the Copa America? Where do you expect Sterling to end up?
Share your thoughts below.
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“Having never one the prestigious tournament,”
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Looks like something Siri would due.
A FIFA anything accusing another FIFA anything is just ironic.
Except in this case there is a FIFA no one.
Qatar may well bite off more than they can chew if they file suit. You really cannot sue a person for libel if you are a country. Country’s cannot be libeled. In addition as a defendant, Zwanzinger can file motions for discovery and through due diligence uncover FACTS that Qatar. is indeed a “cancer”.
Bottlcaps, are you assuming Qatar has the same legal system as US?
Regardless, this stunt will be largely unsuccessful.
Presumably they would sue him Germany. Don’t know much about German defamation law but I do know litigants don’t have anywhere near the same ability to conduct discovery that they do in the US. This probably wouldn’t fly in the US as a libel suit but these laws vary widely by country. For example, in England truth is not a defense to defamation, at least in some circumstances.
77 million dollars for a player who scored 7 goals and 7 assists last season? I’m sure, because of his age (22) you are also buying a future. but those transfer figures are Ronaldo-esq, for a player who will not get anywhere near Ronaldo numbers.No wonder Liverpool is in a world of hurt. With financial thinking like that, its clear they do not want to sell. With 2 years left on his contract, Sterling needs to ASK for a trade, instead of just turning down new contract offers from Liverpool. Liverpool needs to bite the bullet sell him back to Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid who discovered him, and but a whole set of quality players for a whole lot less.
Te only Sterling worth that money is the man, the legend….Scott Stirling
Sterling is 20, not 22.
I thought the same thing… paying that much for a good but not amazing young player is just silly… Man City’s offer is more than fair if not a little infalted if you ask me…