FIFA rebukes Maradona over ‘robbery’ comments

London :FIFA says it ‘strongly rebukes’ Argentina great Diego Maradona’s comments that England’s win over Colombia was a robbery and that referee Mark Geiger was not up to the task.
“Following comments made by Diego Armando Maradona…FIFA strongly rebukes the criticism of the performance of the match officials which it considers to have been positive in a tough and highly emotional match,” said the global soccer body in a statement.
“It also considers the additional comments and insinuations made as being entirely inappropriate and completely unfounded.”
England won the round of 16 match on penalties following 120 minutes marred by squabbling, protests to the referee, play-acting and feigning injury.
FIFA said it was ‘doing everything within its power to ensure principles of fair play, integrity and respect are at the forefront of this World Cup and how the organisation is now run.’
Japan coach Akira Nishino will not be asked to continue in the role when his contract expires at the end of this month, the Japanese Football Association (JFA) and the manager said .
Speaking as the squad returned to Tokyo following their World Cup last 16 defeat by Belgium, Nishino said this had always been the plan.
“My contract ends at the end of this month,” Nishino told reporters at Tokyo’s Narita airport.
“And I have been working on the assumption that this job would last from the moment I was appointed to the end of the World Cup.”
The JFA said they will decide on Nishino’s successor by the end of the month.
Nishino, JFA’s former technical director, took over as national team coach in April following the surprise dismissal of Vahid Halilhodzic, who had secured Japan’s qualification to the World Cup.

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