Brazil’s press officer shocked reporters after choosing up a cat and throwing it on the ground.
The official was sat alongside Vinicius Jr on the time of the incident.
Vinicius was answering inquiries to the press when a cat jumped up onto the desk.
The Brazil star laughed because the curious feline chilled out through the press convention.
But the press officer determined to choose up the kitty by the fur on its again earlier than dropping it over the entrance of the desk.
The reporters current may very well be heard gasping in shock however the Brazilian appeared puzzled as he shrugged his shoulders.
He rapidly requested for the following query as Vinicius burst out laughing.
The 22-year-old appeared to ask the press officer why he determined to do away with the cat and appeared to giggle out of shock.
Fans on social media have been additionally shocked by the press officer’s actions, with one writing: “Why did he throw it???”
Another added: “He didn’t have to throw it like that.”
And a 3rd mentioned: “Why did he pick the cat up like that …. I hope Brazil don’t win the world Cup now ????.”
Vinicus was talking forward of Brazil’s quarter-final conflict with Croatia on Friday.
The Real Madrid winger scored within the earlier spherical towards South Korea, which Brazil gained 4-1.
WORLD CUP FINES: $80K FOR XENOPHOBIC CHANTS
FIFA has sanctioned World Cup quarter-finalists Croatia following abuse by their followers focusing on Canada’s goalkeeper Milan Borjan.
A disciplinary inquiry fined the Croatian federation $80,000 “in relation to the behaviour of Croatian supporters during the Croatia v. Canada FIFA World Cup match on 27 November”, a press release introduced.
During the match in Doha, Croatia followers verbally insulted Borjan, an ethnic Serb, who was born in Croatia however fled the nation as a toddler.
They additionally brandished banners, together with one which referred to a 1995 army operation that ended Croatia’s independence conflict.
During and after the operation greater than 200,000 ethnic Serbs fled the nation, together with Borjan’s household.
Croatia’s punishment comes 48 hours earlier than they tackle Brazil within the last-eight on Friday.
The Serbian federation have been additionally within the FIFA dock, receiving a $31,000 nice over a controversial flag depicting Kosovo hung up within the group’s dressing room throughout their group sport towards Brazil.
The Kosovo soccer federation (FFK) filed a grievance with the governing physique after pictures confirmed a model of the Serbian flag with a map together with Kosovo as a part of the nation and stamped with the slogan “there will be no surrender”.
Kosovo, a former Yugoslav province with an Albanian majority, declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which Belgrade refuses to recognise.
In a 3rd case earlier than FIFA’s disciplinary committee six bookings for the Saudi Arabian group of their video games towards Argentina and Mexico price their federation two fines of $24,000 every.
FAT SHAM
Belgium star Eden Hazard introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer on Wednesday, days after the group crashed out of the World Cup within the group stage.
The Real Madrid ahead, 31, made the announcement on social media, saying “a page turns today”.
“Thank you for your unparalleled support,” he posted on Instagram. “Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you.”
The Belgium group tweeted: “All the best, captain.”
Earlier in Belgium’s disappointing Qatar marketing campaign he was fat-shammed by a journalist throughout a press convention.
An Egyptian reporter was captured on video asking the Real Madrid star about his weight forward of Belgium’s must-win group conflict towards 2018 runner-up Croatia — which they may solely handle a draw.
The Belgian star was later pressured to awkwardly flip down a selfie request from the journalist.
Hazard, who performed as an attacking midfielder or winger, made his Belgium debut in 2008 as an adolescent and picked up a complete of 126 caps, scoring 33 objectives.
He was the standard-bearer of Belgium’s much-vaunted “golden generation”, which reached the semi-finals on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The group remains to be ranked second on this planet by FIFA however a lot of their gamers are of their 30s and so they completed third in Group F behind Morocco and Croatia.
Hazard, who was the group’s skipper, made a shock admission through the event in Qatar, saying the group’s finest probability to win the World Cup had come and gone.
The ahead moved from French membership Lille to Chelsea in 2012 and have become one of many standout stars within the Premier League, successful the trophy twice.
He sealed a big-money transfer to Real Madrid in 2019 however, hampered by harm, has struggled to repeat the shape he confirmed in England.
Belgium have been stalked by rumours of in-fighting in Qatar and a variety of the nation’s different stars together with Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have seemingly performed their last World Cup matches.
In the aftermath of their exit, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez introduced he was leaving his job.
Memories of ‘82 drive Southgate to get it right this time
– The Times
The most recent time that England took on France in the World Cup, an 11-year-old Gareth Southgate dashed back from school in Crawley, arriving home just in time for the 4.15pm kick-off to hear John Motson describing the action from Bilbao on June 16, 1982.
Scarcely had Southgate got through the door, when Motson excitedly proclaimed ”. . . and a great chance for the first goal, it’s there, Bryan Robson! Bryan Robson! No 16! Pounces there within the first minute! What a begin for England! Amazing. [Paul] Mariner and [Terry] Butcher prompted issues from the throw . . . Robson on his left foot, which he favours, knocked the ball in.”
Southgate’s tempo over the pavements and his willpower to make kick-off have been rewarded as Robson, his favorite participant, scored after solely 27 seconds, and added an imperious header later in a 3-1 win. Southgate was a Manchester United fan rising up, and his devotion to Robson ran to copying the shirt hanging out on the entrance and tucked in on the again when he performed, and sporting the New Balance boots that adorned Robson’s well-known ft.
“Yes, yes,” Southgate mentioned with fun on being reminded of his schoolboy admiration for the United legend. “I was a midfield player – not of his class – but I used to chip in with a few goals.”
Spain 1982 was the primary World Cup Southgate might recall correctly. “I bear in mind somewhat little bit of ‘78 [in Argentina] but obviously we [England] were not there but, yes, Bryan was my hero and I remember both the goals.
“It is the first World Cup watching England but also the Brazilian team in that tournament – Zico, Eder, Falcao, Socrates – so that is part of falling in love with the game.”
His admiration for Robson already ran deep, and their paths were to cross when his role model moved into coaching. “To then get to work with him with England [at Euro ‘96] was . . .” Southgate’s voice tailed off. “I found that really difficult to work with him with England and Steve Coppell at Crystal Palace. They were both heroes of mine, so I never really got fully comfortable with that until later.”
Southgate nonetheless has England’s 1982 World Cup tune, This Time (We’ll Get It Right), ingrained in his thoughts. Ron Greenwood’s squad even appeared on Top of the Tops, together with Kevin Keegan resplendent in a woollen jumper, as the one rose to No 2. Ultimately Ron’s 22 couldn’t compete with the likes of Madness’s House of Fun.
Southgate had the World Cup sticker albums and, as for This Time, he mentioned: “I did not actually buy the World Cup singles but I obviously know the songs. They’re in my head.”
As a supervisor, Southgate’s head rapidly switched to how Greenwood fared. “I don’t know how Ron Greenwood was perceived at the time but they went out of that tournament without losing a game and you look back at the quality of the opponents they played [Spain and West Germany, as well as France].
“I have that picture in my head of Kevin and Trevor [Brooking] coming on at the end [of the 0-0 draw with Spain that resulted in England’s exit] when they were not fully fit and they were really, really close.”
Another assembly with France sticks in Southgate’s thoughts. It was a pleasant defeat on the Stade de France in 2017, after which Southgate spoke about how England needed to aspire to be extra just like the French. Within a 12 months, Didier Deschamps’s aspect have been world champions, however Southgate’s group are virtually unrecognisable now, having matured into a powerful event aspect. “We are different, there is no doubt about that,” Southgate mentioned. “We’re further down the line as a team.”
But he added of the French, so productive now at their nationwide soccer centre at Clairefontaine: “They have incredible depth of talent. When we look at them at every age group when we are studying all our development teams, they have such depth in every position.”
Even with Paul Pogba and injured, Deschamps can discipline Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Even with out Karim Benzema, Deschamps can begin Olivier Giroud, now his nation’s file scorer, at centre ahead.
“They have obviously lost quite a few players ahead of this tournament, yet you look at the team and you look at the squad, it is still remarkably strong,” Southgate mentioned. “They’re full of speed, they’re compact and difficult to play against. You know the style of game you’re going to get and it is a brilliant challenge for us now.”
The most exacting problem comes from Kylian Mbappe, who struck two nice objectives in France’s round-of-16 win towards Poland. “Look, he’s a world-class player who’s always producing the moments when they’re needed and that is what those top, top players do,” Southgate mentioned. “Australia did so many things right [against Argentina on Saturday] and Lionel Messi pops up and delivers that moment. That’s what the big guys do. That’s the challenge we face.”
England have some aces in their very own pack, together with the 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, who impresses much more a extra attacking position now that Jordan Henderson has arrived in midfield. “I felt in the game against the United States, we were putting tremendous responsibility on Jude and that was a game which was difficult to work out the midfield, the pressing and the problem-solving, and we thought Jordan helped that and we think he’s giving Jude a bit more freedom,” Southgate mentioned. “He does not need to be quite as positionally disciplined.
“At the moment, he’s still young and is still learning when to press and when not to press. The positive of that is he turns over so many balls and regains them for you. But it means we’ve got a bit of balance and this is the best version of Hendo we’ve had. He looks in good physical condition, touch wood. His influence on the group is fantastic, always has been. And to chip in with a goal, he really deserves that.”
As for whether or not the Declan Rice-Bellingham-Henderson midfield would proceed towards France, Southgate replied: “Well, we’ve always got to get the balance of the team right. We’re wanting to be positive, we feel we’ve done that so far in this tournament. We’ve got energy in the team, we’ve got legs in the team, we’ve got depth in the squad. So I don’t think we should be drifting too far from what we’ve been.”
Southgate sees a perception rising. “Yes,” he mentioned. “Because there’s a lot of experience of these moments and they know that they’ve had to win games in different ways, they’ve had to come from behind in big matches.
“We had a lot of caps on the pitch [against Senegal], even the younger ones because we’ve blooded them early. And we’ve given them experiences. It’s meant the depth of the squad, but also the experience on the pitch, is better than it’s been for quite a while.”
Southgate added that England needed to hold “the relentless pressure going . . . and the intensity of our game now against the world champions”. Spoken like a real disciple of Captain Marvel.
WILD SCENES AS FOOTBALL GREAT ATTACKS FAN IN QATAR
Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o apologised Tuesday for kneeing an Algeria supporter within the face however insisted he was the goal of “relentless provocation” by the North African state’s supporters since a controversial World Cup qualifier this 12 months.
The 41-year-old Cameroon federation president and ambassador for the Qatar World Cup flew right into a rage after being approached as he left Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea in Doha on Monday evening.
A video extensively proven on social media confirmed the four-time African participant of the 12 months breaking free from individuals searching for to restrain him and kneeing the face of a blogger named as Sadouni SM.
The man fell again after being struck however has not reported any severe harm. Eto’o launched a press release wherein he admitted being concerned in a “violent altercation”.
“I would like to apologise for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality,” mentioned the previous Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker.
Eto’o solely addressed his apology to “the public” nevertheless and made no gesture to the fan.
Eto’o lashed out at Algeria’s supporters for his or her behaviour since Cameroon beat Algeria on away objectives in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March.
Algeria later complained to FIFA in regards to the referee and initially demanded a replay.
“I pledge to continue to resist the relentless provocation and daily harassment of some Algerian supporters,” Eto’o mentioned.
“I have been the target of insults and allegations of cheating without any evidence,” he added.
He mentioned Cameroon followers on the World Cup had additionally been “harassed and pestered” by Algerians.
“The scenario of Algeria’s defeat was cruel but perfectly in line with the rules and ethics of our sport,” Eto’o insisted.
All of Algeria’s appeals have been rejected and Eto’o’s mentioned that Algerian authorities should now act to halt “this unhealthy climate before a more serious tragedy occurs.” The African soccer legend was surrounded as quickly as he left the 974 Stadium the place the spherical of 16 match was performed.
Wearing a blue baseball cap, he’s seen permitting selfies with some followers earlier than he was approached by the Algerian.
Eto’o handed his cell phone to a person earlier than surging on the blogger to ship the blow together with his knee.
Sadouni SM mentioned in a video posted on-line Tuesday that his digicam and microphone had been “smashed” within the incident.
“He hit me,” the person provides, pointing to his chin.
“I did all that for Algeria,” Sadouni SM says within the video.
“I am at the police station now for the inquiry.
“This video must be shared. As Eto’o is a celebrity I am afraid they will cover up the inquiry, but I trust the Qatari police,” he added.
Qatar’s World Cup organising committee has not commented on the incident. Eto’o toured Senegal, Cameroon and Ghana in August to advertise the World Cup.
The former worldwide has a historical past of fiery outbursts, receiving a three-match ban in 2010 for headbutting an opponent whereas taking part in for Inter.
Originally revealed as World Cup 2022 news: Brazil staffer slammed for throwing a cat throughout media convention
