World Cup Scout: England fans warned of Russia bear problem
FORGET hooligans, forget ticket touts and forget allegations of systematic doping.
The real fear for the Russia 2018 World Cup … 70,000 wild bears!
It’s World Cup Scout!
ENGLAND FANS BEWARE: WILD BEARS AROUND
England fans planning on travelling to the 2018 World Cup have been warned about the dangers of Russia’s hungry bears.
That’s according to The Sun who report about a shortage of suitable hotel rooms for fans planning on making the journey to Russia for the July tournament.
So many Three Lions fans are planning to go, with some considering camping in the wilderness to do things on the cheap.
But beware of the 70,000-plus hungry bears.
“While there has been huge concern about potential dangers with Russian hooligans, the fans have now been told to be alert for the threat from the dangerous wild animals,” the report reads.
Camera IconCynthia, a bear, eats a fish.Picture: Getty Images
“A shortage of quality hotel rooms around some of the host cities has led to large numbers of fans looking into the prospect of camping.
“In past tournaments thousands of England supporters have pitched up in tents for the duration in an attempt to reduce costs.
“But because camping is not too popular a pastime in Russia, tailored sites are at a minimum – leading to the prospect of having to pitch up in the wild.
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According to Russia’s national tourism body, Visit Russia, there have been a number of recent incidents where bears have approached humans.
NIKE, NEYMAR’S NOD TO RONALDO
Nike have released a fresh pair of boots for superstar Neymar in time for the 2018 World Cup.
Unveiling the Nike Mercurial Puro Fenomeno, the new boot “pays homage” to Brazilian icon Ronaldo.
The original Ronaldo was the face of Nike’s first version of Mercurial boots, 20 years ago,
Now, Neymar is the face, wearing the boots since he debuted for the Brazil national team at 18.
“The partnership between Neymar and Mercurial is perfect. He has this characteristic in his game, he’s very fast, can abruptly change direction.
In football, the boot has to help you perform, not only be there as a footwear, has to be part of you, at your command. The Mercurial has this power,” said Ronaldo.
BRAZIL HAVE 8 SPOTS IN WC SQUAD
Brazil coach Tite says there are up to eight places still available in the squad he will take to next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Tite told reporters Thursday that although he was focusing on “consolidation of the team of course, there are openings – six, seven, eight players for us to confirm” in the squad.
Judging by his selections for recent matches, Tite’s biggest doubt is over the best player to take to Russia as an understudy for striker Gabriel Jesus, with Roberto Firmino leading that contest so far.
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enjoytravelling.info/wp-content/plugins/OxaRss/images/36713c398ab7054dde5cf307633457e8_1513917626335_e0fdcccb3cfa4aa7e74996d2c5e41b62.
jpeg” />Camera IconLiverpool’s Brazilian Roberto Firmino.Picture: AFP
Brazil will play two friendlies before the final squad is announced.
The first will be against Russia in Moscow on March 23 and the other will be four days later against World Cup holder Germany in Berlin.
GERMANY RETAIN FIFA RANKINGS SUMMIT
Germany, Brazil and Portugal retained the top three places in the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday.
There was little movement in the FIFA charts with Argentina and Belgium completing the top five and 2018 World Cup hosts Russia placed 64th.
The Socceroos remain unchanged at No.
38.
FIFA rankings as of December 22: 1.
Germany 2. Brazil 3.
Portugal 4. Argentina 5.
Belgium 6. Spain 7.
Poland 8. Switzerland 9.
France 10. Chile
RUSSIA VOWS TO HELP FIFA IN DOPING INQUIRY
The Russian Investigative Committee on Thursday offered to cooperate with FIFA in a joint inquiry on the alleged use of steroids and other performance- enhancing substances among members of the Russian national soccer team.
The committee proposed objective analysis of data that the World Anti-Doping Agency provided to FIFA, related to the results of anti-doping tests of athletes – including soccer players – carried out by the Russian anti-doping laboratory. “Yet again, the Russian Investigative Committee declares its readiness to cooperate with international organisations, to exchange information and analyse cases of violation of anti-doping rules by Russian athletes,” the committee said in a statement.
The committee highlighted that it had sent a similar invitation to WADA, which, according to the RIC, took no real action.
The RIC opened a criminal investigation against the former head of Russia’s national anti-doping laboratory, Grigory Rodchenkov, who is accused of power abuse.
On December 1, the president of the Russian soccer federation, Vitaly Mutko, denied at a press conference that Russian soccer players had used banned substances.
In August, 2016, FIFA opened an inquiry into doping in Russian soccer, with 11 players allegedly involved, according to the 97-page independent report released by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren.
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