World Cup 2014: Cameroon's Alex Song given three-match ban

Cameroon's Alex Song has been given a three-match ban by Fifa for elbowing Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic. 

The midfielder was sent off for the offence in the 40th minute of the World Cup Group A match on 18 June.

Cameroon were a single goal down at the time and went on to lose 4-0 and crash out of the tournament in Brazil.

Song, 26, immediately incurred an automatic one-match ban but Fifa extended the suspension because of the nature of the offence.

He will miss Cameroon's final match against Brazil on Monday and will also be unavailable for his country's next two official matches.

In addition, the Barcelona player has been fined US$22,300 (£13,100).

Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi denies match-fix claim

The president of the Ghana Football Association has denied agreeing for the national team to play in matches that others were preparing to fix. 

The GFA has also called in the police to investigate the allegations.

The allegations were made following a joint undercover investigation by Channel 4 programme Dispatches and The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"The contents of the publication are not wholly true," GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi told BBC World Service.

The undercover investigation identified two people, one a licensed agent of world governing body Fifa and the other a Ghana club official, who said they could fix friendly matches involving the national side, who are currently involved in the World Cup.
 
None of the claims involve matches at the World Cup. The report claimed that Nyantakyi had agreed for Ghana to play in two proposed matches after the World Cup.

"I have not agreed to any match-fixing deal involving the FA," he said.

"I was given a draft contract which I indicated to their agent that I hadn't read and I also had some issues with it and so it will be premature for anybody to say the FA is at fault."

When news of the investigation first broke on Sunday, the GFA issued a statement saying it had called in the police to investigate two people for misrepresentation.

A statement from the GFA said: "The Ghana Football Association has requested the Ghana Police Service to investigate two persons for misrepresenting the GFA with an attempt to defraud.

"The two were also allegedly filmed claiming that they would bribe GFA officials to ensure that the contract is signed.

"We wish to state that the GFA did not sign the contract as we waited for the response from the legal committee and that the two gentlemen did not make such corrupt offers to the GFA or its officials.

"We wish to assure the public that we will not tolerate such misrepresentations and we will seek strong sanctions against such individuals if such claims are found to be true."

The GFA added the matter had been reported to Fifa and the Confederation of African Football.

Ghana have drawn with Germany and lost to the United States so far at the World Cup but could still qualify from Group G if they beat Portugal on 26 June.

World Cup 2014: Steven Gerrard says Harry Redknapp should talk

England captain Steven Gerrard has called on Harry Redknapp to name names after he claimed players tried to avoid international duty when he was in charge at Tottenham. 

QPR boss Redknapp told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: "They'd come to me 10 days before the game and say 'gaffer get me out of the game. I don't want to play in it'."

Gerrard, speaking as England prepare to play their final World Cup game against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte, said: "I'll tell you what - I'd be interested to find out who those players are.

"If Harry is making a comment like that he should name them and embarrass them. No-one in this group wants to go home - no one."

Redknapp was giving his thoughts on the national team following England's elimination from the 2014 Fifa World Cup after just two group games.

Gerrard, who stressed he had spoken to Jermain Defoe and said that the former Spurs striker was "devastated" not to be at the World Cup, said: "Should Harry not name them? If he's not naming them I can't answer. If it's the case it's disgusting.

"For me, if a player doesn't want to be here, he doesn't deserve to be here at a World Cup.

"Who? Name them. I don't know who he means. Five years ago? Ten years ago?"

Redknapp, who managed Tottenham between 2008 and 2012, insists he told the players they should want to represent England. But Gerrard was clearly infuriated by suggestions some had actively tried to avoid England duty. 

The 34-year-old Liverpool midfielder, who won his 113th cap in Thursday's 2-1 defeat by Uruguay, said: "I can understand why you have asked the question with Harry Redknapp being a big coach in the game but we need names.

"I can guarantee you that it's not the case here in this squad.

"When you go down into the younger age groups, they're younger lads and might not want to be away from their families. But when you're picked at this level and find any excuse not to be here, you don't deserve to be here."

England manager Roy Hodgson said: "In the two years I've been here, I've seen a greater interest in playing for England, so Harry's comments come as a bit of a surprise to me.

"If you make comments like that, you have to name them."

Earlier Gerrard had said he was "hurting and broken" following England's exit. He said he needed time to consider whether to continue his international career.

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer in Rio de Janeiro 

Former Manchester United boss David Moyes rejected seven jobs

David Moyes has turned down seven jobs since being sacked by Manchester United on 22 April. 

Moyes, 51, was dismissed less than 10 months after taking over as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.

Celtic are among the clubs thought to have expressed an interest, but the Scottish champions have appointed Ronny Deila as Neil Lennon's successor.

Moyes was linked with a move to Germany  at the end of his contract at Everton and has not ruled out a move abroad.

Moyes, who had originally signed a six-year contract at Old Trafford, said recently: "It was unfortunate I wasn't given more time to succeed."

Tottenham: Les Ferdinand & Chris Ramsey leave coaching roles

Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey have left their roles as first-team coaches at Tottenham. 

The pair were part of Tim Sherwood's coaching team but have departed White Hart Lane after Mauricio Pochettino replaced Sherwood as manager.

Ramsey, 52, joined the club in 2004 and previously oversaw the under-21 side and development squad.

Ferdinand, 47, has worked at Tottenham in various roles since joining the club in 2008 as a specialist striker coach.

Former England striker Ferdinand played for Tottenham between 1997 and 2003, scoring 39 goals in 146 appearances.

Sherwood, who promoted Ramsey to work with the first-team following his appointment as manager in December 2013 on an 18-month contract, was sacked at the end of last season.

Pochettino, 42, resigned from Southampton in May to take the Tottenham job.

His assistant Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel D'Agostino and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez also left Southampton to join him at White Hart Lane.

Joleon Lescott: West Brom sign England defender

West Bromwich Albion have signed England defender Joleon Lescott after his contract at Premier League champions Manchester City ended.

Lescott arrives at the club as a free agent, following five years at City where he won two league titles in three years.

The 31-year-old is new manager Alan Irvine's first signing and joins on a two-year deal.

"I'm delighted we've been able to agree a deal with Joleon," said Irvine.

West Brom fended off competition from Hull City and Stoke City to sign the centre-back, who played only 10 games in Manchester City's title winning campaign last season. 

Lescott has previously worked with Irvine in their days at Everton while he is also familiar with Irvine's assistant Rob Kelly from their days together at Lescott's first club, Wolves.

The Baggies added in a statement that the deal has an option of a further year.

"I know Joleon and the type of personality and character he is, in addition to knowing what he can do as a player," added Irvine.

"He's a great professional and he will add to a number of very good professionals who are already in the squad."

The Birmingham-born defender has 26 England caps but has not played for his country since March 2013.

Lescott made his senior debut for Wolves in 2000 before joining Everton in 2006. Three years later, he signed for Manchester City in a deal worth £22m. He has made 538 career appearances and scored 39 goals.

World Cup 2014: Nigeria's Oboabona out of Bosnia match

Nigeria's Godfrey Oboabona will miss Saturday's World Cup game against Bosnia-Hercegovina because of injury. 

The Rizespor defender, 23, hurt his ankle and was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of Nigeria's opening 0-0 draw against Group F rivals Iran.

"According to a scan result, he won't be fit to face Bosnia," team spokesman Ben Alaiya told BBC Sport.

"Luckily, there's no fracture, so we expect him to be ready for the last game against Argentina."

African champions Nigeria were fancied to go through to the next round along with Argentina.
But the pressure is now on them to beat the group's only European team Bosnia-Hercegoivina, who impressed on their World Cup debut on Sunday in their 2-1 defeat by Lionel Messi's side.

Nigeria's draw with Iran means the Super Eagles have not won any of their past nine World Cup matches.