World Sports News In Brief

Nike favoured to beat soccer juggernaut Adidas at World Cup

In a World Cup brimming with upsets, Nike Inc looks on track to defeat soccer juggernaut and archrival Adidas AG in the closely watched jersey sponsorship battle. The Nike swoosh decorates the outfits of Brazil, France and England, the sides in the quarter-finals most favoured by betting websites to win the World Cup, plus Croatia. Top German sports brand Adidas has Belgium, Russia and Sweden in the quarter-finals, with the group of eight rounded out by Uruguay, sponsored by Puma SE.

General view of a adidas football with a new colour. (REUTERS)
General view of a adidas football with a new colour. (REUTERS)

* Germany coach Joachim Loew will stay in his post despite his team's group stage elimination at the World Cup in Russia, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Tuesday, adding that Loew had expressed his wish to continue and that he enjoyed the federation's backing.

* Poland's coach Adam Nawalka will step down at the end of July after his team crashed out of the group stage of the 2018 World Cup tournament. Poland lost their two opening games and were the first European side to be knocked out of the competition.

* UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) will review its decision to clear French champions Paris St Germain of breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules after last year's transfer spending spree, European soccer's ruling body said on Tuesday (July 3).

* Diego Maradona wants to return to the position of Argentina coach and is willing to work for free, as Jorge Sampaoli faces pressure to resign following their World Cup travails. Speaking on his "Hand of God" television show, the 57-year-old Maradona, who coached Argentina for two years from 2008-10, said it was painful to see the current state of the national team.

* International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson will step down from his position once his contract expires after the 2019 World Cup, cricket's world governing body said on Tuesday. Richardson, who became the first person to hold the position of ICC General Manager – Cricket in 2002, was promoted to chief executive in 2012.

* FIFA's independent ethics committee has banned Venold Coombs, president of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, from all soccer activities two years. Coombs breached rules on bribery and corruption, conflicts and interest, and loyalty, the committee said on Tuesday, following an investigation into the resale of tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Reuters, CNA
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