Defender Emmanuel Eboue is set to have his contract with Sunderland cancelled after FIFA imposed a one-year ban on the Ivorian for failing to pay his former agent.
The 32-year-old, who joined Sunderland until the end of the season on March 9, has yet to play for the club and has not featured for his country since 2013 after he lost his place to PSG’s Serge Aurier.
Sunderland also said Eboue did not make the club aware of the matter and had given the former Arsenal player two weeks to appeal the decision.
FIFA said the Ivorian’s ban would be lifted if he paid the outstanding amount to the agent, who was named as Sebastien Boisseau.
Payet relaxed on Euro 2016 bid
West Ham’s attacking midfielder Dimitri Payet was pleased to make an impact on his return to the France fold as he boosted his hopes of making the squad for Euro 2016 in June.
Payet marked his international recall after almost a year away with a strong showing in Friday’s 3-2 win over Netherlands and scored with a 30 metre free-kick in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory against Russia.
“My aim was to try to play as well with the national side as I have been with West Ham,” Payet said.
“It was a positive performance, I am pleased with it I am relaxed, as I have been since the start of the season.”
Milner backs Alli to thrive despite hype
James Milner has backed fellow England midfielder Dele Alli to continue his meteoric rise but urged the media not to put too much pressure on the teenager.
Alli was inspirational in Saturday’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin and has been instrumental in Tottenham’s bid to end a 55-year wait for an English title.
“We want to be careful now and make sure we don’t put too much on him. We know how good he can be but we have seen it time and time again... and there is a lot of pressure there,” Milner said.
“Good as he is at this moment, he can be 10 times better and he will.”
Former Inter striker Recoba calls it a day
Former Inter and Uruguay forward Alvaro Recoba has retired from football at the age of 40.
Recoba, who represented Inter for 10 seasons, winning two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup, returned to his hometown club, Nacional of Montevideo, in 2011.
Having won two Primera Division titles with him in the team, Nacional announced Recoba was finally hanging up his boots in a tribute posted on their official website.
The left-footed attacking midfielder earned 69 caps with Uruguay and played at the 2002 World Cup.
Buffon rules out leaving Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon would not leave Juventus even if a club offered to double his wages.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper, who recently set a new record for minutes without conceding in Serie A, has already said he will retire from football after representing Italy at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He told French magazine So Foot: “Even if I were offered twice my salary elsewhere, I would stay at Juve. Doing so would make me proud as it is a worthy thing to do.
“I want to play at this level until I’m 40, then that will be it.”
Buffon, who joined Juve from Parma for €53 million, has not ruled out moving into management.
“But only if I can realise my ambition of reaching the very top,” he added.
Nedved named as China ambassador
Former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved has stepped in to fill the boots of England’s David Beckham as ambassador for the Chinese Super League.
Beckham was appointed three years ago as the first envoy for the cash-rich league that has seen a huge increase in investment as Chinese President Xi Jinping attempts to lift standards.
Nedved, 43, enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Sparta Prague, Lazio and Juventus as well as winning 91 caps for the Czech Republic and the Ballon d’Or in 2003.
“Before me it was David Beckham so it’s a great honour for me and for the entire Czech Republic,” Nedved said.
Sanchez Flores focused on Watford
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is flattered to be linked with taking charge of the Spanish national team but insists his focus is squarely with the Hornets.
There is speculation over Vicente del Bosque’s future as Spain coach beyond this summer’s European Championship and Flores is among the names mooted to replace him.
Flores said: “I am completely happy in Watford, I love the fans of Watford.
“Vicente may decide to depart after an amazing time and people are trying to find names.
“It is good that they think I am good enough to be considered in Spain but I belong to Watford.”