The Italian Government and FIFA have poured cold water on a proposal from one of Donald Trump’s special envoys to have Italy replace Iran at this summer’s World Cup finals in the USA.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli first outlined the plan, concocted apparently to ease the tense relationship between Italy and the Trump administration over the war with Iran.
Zampolli said: “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
The BBC reports that while Fifa did not comment officially on this suggestion, they did refer to a recent statement from their president Gianni Infantino who said: “The Iranian team is coming, for sure.”
Italy were beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-offs last month and the BBC further reports that members of the Italian Government and their Olympic federation have dismissed the Zampolli idea.
Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle at the World Cup finals.
Martin O’Neill may be leaving the Celtic manager’s job at the end of the season but he has ensured that winger James Forrest will be staying for another year at least after agreeing a contract extension with the 34-year-old.
Forrest, Celtic’s most decorated player with 26 major honours including 13 League medals, will play on for an 18th season at the club according to a report on Sky Sports.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve been here my full career and I’ve loved every minute of it. We’ve been so successful in my time here and I’m delighted to have signed another year, and I’ll just give my best to the club for however long I’ll be here.
“While I’m still playing I can hopefully keep contributing and helping the team when I can and I’m just going to give it everything until I finish. When I do stop, I will look back on so many great memories, but hopefully I can make a few more before I do finish.”
Bohs have now gone six games without a win in the Premier Division but manager Alan Reynolds is predicting a big few weeks for the Gypsies ahead of the mid-season break, starting with Friday night’s trip to St Patrick’s Athletic.
The Saints are currently second in the league table and Reynolds is relishing another Dublin derby after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Shamrock Rovers.
With games against Derry City and Shels also on the horizon, he told the Irish Sun: “They are open games and I think that suits us. We’ve St Pat’s on Friday and then we’ve six games in May, with one brought forward because of Europe. That’s going to be a big month for us.
“The good thing is that, probably for the first time this year, we have a fully fit squad to choose from which is unusual for this stage of the season.”
Michael O’Neill has opened up speculation about his Northern Ireland manager’s role after successfully steering Blackburn Rovers to Championship survival in his short-term job sharing stint as Ewood Park boss.
The Belfast Telegraph reports on O’Neill’s candid comments to the BBC regarding his future after the 3-1 win at Sheffield United on Wednesday night that guaranteed Championship football next season.
“You can’t do both, there’s no way you could do both,” said O’Neil. “I was only able to do the two things because the play-off against Italy was in March, there’s no way you could do it when the games are in September, October, November, it’s not possible. At some point, I’ll have to make a decision one way or the other.”
Competitive soccer returns to Celtic Park, the home of the GAA in Derry, for the first time in 80 years on Friday night when Derry City take on League of Ireland Premier Division leaders and champions Shamrock Rovers in front of the Virgin Media cameras.
With work on a new pitch at the Brandywell now underway, City have moved their games to the GAA ground which hosted Irish League side Derry Celtic years ago.
RTE Sport reports that City expect to welcome 7000 fans to Celtic Park for the game, just 1000 under capacity.
