CaughtOffside takes a look at the finest and funniest quotes and tweets from the day in football.
It has been another hectic day in the non-stop world of football – but one tinged with sadness after Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano sadly passed away, prompting a flood of tributes from the great and the good of the sport.
There has also been plenty of build-up to the forthcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, with FIFA choosing not take action over the challenge that injured Neymar and also turning down Brazil’s appeal against Thiago Silva’s suspension.
One big transfer deal also want through as former Chelsea star Ashley Cole signed up with Serie A side AS Roma, becoming that rarest of things in the game – an Englishman abroad.
Tributes pour in for the great Alfredo di Stefano
Tributes have flooded in for the great former Real Madrid striker Alfredo di Stefano today, after the Argentinian legend sadly passed away following a heart attack.
Sir Bobby Charlton was amongst those leading the tributes to di Stefano:
“The footballing world has lost a great player and a great man.”
“I have many fond memories of my time with Alfredo and feel privileged to be able to call him a good friend.”
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also praised him:
“After the game he was very generous. He said Aberdeen have a team that money can’t buy, a soul and a family spirit. He couldn’t have said any more in praise of a football team.”
Stars take to Twitter to pay di Stefano tributes
Cristiano Ronaldo, Sepp Blatter and Sergio Ramos were amongst those to tweet their condolences:
FIFA to take no action over Zuniga challenge
FIFA have announced that they will take no further action over Juan Zuniga’s challenge on Neymar, which left the stricken Brazilian out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a serious back injury:
“First and foremost, the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee wishes to state that he deeply regrets the incident and the serious consequences on Neymar’s health.”
“In particular, in this specific case, no retrospective action can be taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, since the incident involving the Colombian player Juan Camilo Zuniga Mosquera did not escape the match officials’ attention.”
The governing body also rejected Brazil’s appeal against the yellow card that led to captain Thiago Silva’s suspension:
“With regard to CBF’s request for the cancellation of the caution shown to the player Thiago Emiliano da Silva during the match played against Colombia, the chairman came to the conclusion that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee cannot consider the matter given the fact that there is no legal basis entitling it to grant such request.”
Odemwingie considers international future
Stoke City striker Peter Odemwingie is considering his international future after his native Nigeria were knocked out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
“Sometimes you just feel like you’ve come a circle and I don’t know whether I’ll play on for Nigeria.”
“I am committed to the country’s cause. Right now I’m not too sure. It might be but it might not.”
“You need to be honest with yourself and your country. There are few people I need to talk to because I can’t be selfish.”
Chelsea legend Ashley Cole signs for AS Roma
Former Arsenal and Chelsea left back Ashley Cole has ended the speculation surrounding his next move, after a deal taking the England centurion to Serie A club AS Roma was finalised: