Sports
Death threats ruin Di Maria’s ‘dream’ Return to Rosario Central
Angel Di Maria, the former Argentina winger, has revealed that death threats forced him to abandon his plans to return to his boyhood club, Rosario Central. The 36-year-old, who recently retired from international football after winning the Copa America with Argentina, intended to end his career at the Argentine club where he began his professional journey.
Di Maria, now a free agent after leaving Benfica at the end of last season, spent two formative years at Rosario Central from 2005 to 2007. However, threats against his family have compelled him to reconsider his decision. The threats were not reported to authorities due to fear of escalation.
“There was a threat at my sister’s business, a box with a pig’s head and a bullet in the forehead, and a note that said that if I returned to [Rosario] Central, the next head was that of my daughter Pia,” Di Maria recounted in an interview with a television station in Rosario. “Those months were horrible. We could only sit there and cry each night over not being able to carry out that dream return.”
Di Maria’s illustrious career began at Rosario Central before he moved to Benfica in 2007. After three successful years in Portugal, he joined Real Madrid, where he won numerous titles during his four-year stint. In 2014, Di Maria transferred to Manchester United for a then-British record fee of £59.7 million but spent only one season in England before moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
After a fruitful seven years with PSG, Di Maria had a season with Juventus before rejoining Benfica in 2023. Despite his desire to return to Rosario Central, the safety of his family takes precedence, leading him to reluctantly abandon his plans.
The threats have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a heartfelt return to the club where Di Maria’s professional career began, leaving him and his family devastated by the situation.
Paul Pogba’s four-year doping ban has been reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). The Juventus midfielder will be able to return to training in January 2025 and resume playing by March of the same year. Initially suspended after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels in February, Pogba had consistently maintained that he did not knowingly breach any anti-doping regulations, attributing the result to a supplement prescribed by a doctor.
In a statement, Pogba expressed his relief, saying, “Finally the nightmare is over,” and thanked the Cas judges for their decision. He acknowledged the strict liability of the offence but reaffirmed his commitment to integrity in the sport. Without the reduced ban, Pogba would have been sidelined until 2027.
This marks the end of a challenging chapter in Pogba’s career, allowing him to focus on returning to the pitch in 2025.
FIFA is set to consider potential sanctions against the Israel Football Federation (IFF) following a proposal from the Palestine Football Association (PFA). The PFA’s call for sanctions stems from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the association accusing Israel of violating FIFA regulations.
The issue was raised by the PFA in March, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the FIFA Council would make a decision after a legal assessment. The council will review the matter during its upcoming meeting on Thursday, October 3rd, where the PFA’s proposal is officially listed on the agenda.
The Palestine FA is seeking sanctions against Israel’s national teams and clubs, citing violations of FIFA’s regulations. In response, IFF President Shino Moshe Zuares condemned the proposal, calling it “a cynical political and hostile attempt” to undermine Israeli football.
Israel has been playing its Nations League home matches in Hungary due to security concerns, and recent international games have been relocated for similar reasons. They are slated to face France and Italy during the upcoming international break.
Carlos Alcaraz staged a remarkable comeback to defeat world number one Jannik Sinner in a thrilling China Open final. The 21-year-old Spaniard fought from a set down to win 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 7-6 (7-3), marking his fourth ATP Tour title of the year and the 16th of his career.
In a match filled with high drama and intense rallies, Alcaraz praised Sinner’s performance, calling him “unbelievable” and recognizing the Italian’s exceptional level of play. Despite losing the first set in a closely contested tie-break, Alcaraz remained resilient, ultimately turning the match in his favor.
Reflecting on his victory, Alcaraz said, “I never lose hope. I knew I had to give everything I had to give myself the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Britain’s Dan Evans, 34, faced a tough loss in the first round of the Shanghai Masters. Despite leading 4-2 in the deciding set, Evans was eventually beaten by Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild, who won 6-2 4-6 7-6 (7-3) to progress to a second-round clash with Russian world number five Daniil Medvedev.
Pogba’s doping ban reduced to 18 months
Garth Brooks Faces Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Floods and Landslides Devastate Central Bosnia, Leaving 14 Dead
-
Sports3 days agoAtletico’s Robin le Normand Suffers Traumatic Brain Injury After Madrid Derby Collision
-
Sports2 days agoFIFA Council to Discuss Sanctions Against Israel Football Federation
-
Entertainment5 days agoBTS Star Suga Fined for Drunk Driving on Electric Scooter
-
Sports5 days agoAntoine Griezmann Retires from International Football at 33
-
Business5 days agoCalifornia Governor Blocks AI Safety Bill Amid Industry Concerns
-
News3 days agoUN Chief Banned from Israel Amid Dispute Over Iran Missile Attack
-
Tech3 days agoMeta Forms Data-Sharing Alliance with UK Banks to Combat Fraud
-
Sports2 days agoAlcaraz Triumphs Over Sinner in Thrilling China Open Final