NEYMAR FIT TO FACE COLOMBIA

Brazil star Neymar will be fit to face Colombia in Friday's FIFA World Cup quarter-final in Fortaleza, a spokesman for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed today.

"It is not a problem for the game. He is undergoing treatment for a heavy knock to the [right] knee and another lesser knock to the [left] hamstring," CBF communications director, Rodrigo Paiva, told journalists at Brazil's training base in Teresopolis.

"It might reduce his involvement in training, but there is no risk for the game."

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had raised some doubt as to Neymar's chances of playing against Colombia after he came out of Saturday's dramatic Round of 16 win against Chile in Belo Horizonte battered and bruised.

"We need to evaluate it but we should have three, four or five days to try and make sure he can play the next game," he said.

However, the Barcelona forward continued playing and scored a crucial penalty in the shootout, which the hosts won 3-2 to progress to the last eight.

Paiva added that centre-back David Luiz had "improved a lot" after back trouble initially put his involvement against Chile in some doubt, while midfielder Oscar was suffering from a "large scratch" to the back of a leg.

VERMAELEN OUT AND KOMPANY DOUBTFUL FOR BELGIUM-USA CLASH

Belgium could be without both of their first-choice centre-backs, captain Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen, for their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash with USA.

Coach Marc Wilmots said Vermaelen, who has a knee problem, would definitely miss the game while Kompany is also an uncertain starter as he struggles to overcome a groin injury.

However, Wilmots, who is yet to lose a competitive match since he took over the Red Devils in 2012, reassured that there were no such concerns over attacking midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who quit training on Sunday with an ice pack on his left calf.

"I don't know about Vincent and whether he will be fit," said the 45-year-old. "We will see how it evolves.

"Thomas, though, has not enough time to be fit by tomorrow. He will be fit if we make the quarter-finals. He will return to full squad training in a day or two. Marouane is fine, no problem."

The absence of 30-year-old Kompany, in particular, would be a huge blow for a Belgian side that won all three matches in their group but without really convincing performances.

KESHI NOT SURE TO CONTINUE WITH SUPER EAGLES

Nigeria coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi's continued stay on the job has come under speculation after his side lost 2-0 to France on Monday.

The 53-year-old told media he has not been offered contract extension and renewed talk that he could be set to go to South Africa.

Asked if he was going to continue with building the Nigeria team, Keshi told journalists: “I’m not sure. My contract is almost at the end and nobody’s talked to me about contract renewal.

“How am I going to stay in a place where I’m not needed?”

The former captain has already achieved much success with the side becoming the second man to win the Africa Cup of Nations as player and as a coach in 2013.

After the team’s AFCON triumph, Keshi tendered his resignation saying he had been disrespected by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation. He was made to rescind his decision after the country's sports minister waded in.

Afterwards, he was owed salary of up to seven months until he spoke to the media and got the attention of the government.

He saw the Super Eagles through qualifying to the World Cup and became the first local coach to take them to the second round, their first since 1998.

In the course of this tournament, he told media that he was wanted by at least six countries. Speculations are rife that he could be headed to coach Bafana Bafana who recently failed to extend the contract of coach Gordon Igesund.

The NFF has not yet issued any statement about keeping him on the job, even though it seems his mind is set on leaving for good this time.

YOBO RETIRES FROM SUPER EAGLES

Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has announced his retirement from the national side after the Super Eagles fell 2-0 to France in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday.

The 33-year-old became the first Nigerian to play 100 international matches but his day ended on a sour note with an own goal in added time against Les Bleus.

“It was a bittersweet moment for me but I think it is time to focus on my family,” Yobo told reporters. “It has been a long road.”

Yobo made his debut with the Super Eagles in 2001 but became a mainstay of the team during the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

He played at three World Cups and captained Nigeria to the title at the African Cup of Nations last year.

“We’ve won the African Nations Cup and we came here and were not disgraced,” said the Fenerbahce man.

“I never thought that I’d be here because I missed the last six games of the season through injury. They gave me an opportunity but it is unfortunate what happened.

“I gave my all."

Yobo thinks he’s leaving the national team in capable hands with defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona able to continue in his place.

“They would grow,” he said. “Omeruo has done very well. Oboabona was injured but he got his chance at the Nations Cup. They’re going to get better, the experience is going to come and one of them has to take the responsibility and be a leader.”

RUSSIA'S SPORT MINISTER BACKS FABIO CAPELLO

Russia's Minister for Sport Vitaly Mutko has defended national team coach Fabio Capello in the wake of criticism from fans and local media following their first-round World Cup exit.

"Capello helped us to reach the World Cup finals. It certainly would not have been a given that we would have reached Brazil with someone else," Mutko said on Monday in a briefing with Russian journalists.

"I can tell you that Fabio is not here just for the money. He sincerely wants to help Russia to develop a good side. Capello works a lot, travels and searches for talent.

"Some of our domestic coaches don't even know our players, but he calls them up to the national team. We need to talk to Fabio and the federation needs to do its own job," he added.

Russia returned home to Moscow on Sunday after failing to qualify from Group H, having picked up two points from three games and scored two goals. Russian fans and media are unhappy with Capello's defensive tactics and want the Italian replaced.

In January, the 68-year-old extended his contract with the Russian Football Union to the end the 2018 World Cup, which the country is hosting. He has already announced he is keen to stay on despite a disappointing World Cup in Brazil.

Russian television station "Dozhd" (Rain) has reported that under his new contract Capello will be paid nine million euros a year.

KESHI HIT OUT AT REFEREE

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has hit out at referee Mark Geiger in the wake of his side's 2-0 World Cup round-of-16 loss against France at Estadio Mane Garrincha on Monday.

The official failed to spot an alleged elbow from Olivier Giroud against John Obi Mikel, while he opted to show Blaise Matuidi a yellow card rather than a red card after a reckless tackle on Ogenyi Onazi in midfield, after the Lazio man had already sustained a knock following a collision with Paul Pogba.

Emmanuel Emenike also saw a goal disallowed for offside during the first half when replays apeeared to show he was level with Patrice Evra, leaving Keshi less than impressed with the officials.

"The referee made a lot of mistakes and that is questionable. I am not happy with it," the 52-year-old fumed at the post-match press conference.

"He was not good. He is a human being, but it was not good. He decides what's happening on the pitch. 

"Onazi was tackled recklessly twice. He will be out for weeks. But the referee didn't do anything. 

"This is the first time ever I talk about a referee like this, but he was bad. 

"I wasn't sure [Emenike]'s disallowed goal was offside and would love to know why the referee cancelled it.

"It's painful to lose like this. I don't think we deserved to lose like this. But that's football."

As a parting message, Keshi thanked the Brasilia contingent for their support against les Bleus and suggested that the Super Eagles felt almost like the host nation at times during the tournament.

"I cannot ask for a better support than what we got today from the Brazilians. They were wonderful and were always behind us. It's almost as if we were a Brazilian team. I thank them for everything."

KESHI: ENYEAMA'S ERROR CAUSED NIGERIA'S WORLD CUP EXIT

Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Stephen Keshi believes that Vincent Enyeama cost Nigeria their World Cup progress with his blunder in their 2-0 last-16 defeat to France on Monday.

The goalkeeper pulled off some super stops to keep les Bleus at bay but made a fatal error with 11 minutes left on the clock, failing to clear a corner which allowed Paul Pogba to put Didier Deschamps' men into the lead.

Joseph Yobo, on his 100th cap, endured the pain of scoring an own-goal in the last minute of the match as the Super Eagles failed in their goal to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Keshi openly admitted that Enyeama's error had handed the game to France while hinting that his players taking their eye off the ball is to blame for Nigeria's latest World Cup exit.

"Enyeama had to make a decision and I don't know why he went for it like that," he told reporters. "It's his call and it cost us. It was a big moment."I don't know why African teams don't go further. If I were out there on the pitch, I would never want to go home. Probably some of the players are not focused enough. We will have to review this."

Keshi also admitted that recent behind-the-scenes protests over Nigeria's World Cup bonuses had been down to "cultural issues", with fellow African nations Ghana and Cameroon also seeing their players go head-to-head with football associations over post-tournament pay-outs.

Nigeria will be heading home from Brazil after the defeat, while France are set to face Germany or Algeria in the last eight.

MATUIDI APOLOGIZE TO ONAZI OVER INJURY

France midfielder Blaise Matuidi has admitted that he was "disappointed" with his tackle that forced Nigeria’s Ogenyi Onazi off during les Bleus’ 2-0 World Cup last-16 success over the African champions.

Just before an hour had been played, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder challenged the Lazio player in the centre of the field but was late to the ball and caught Onazi on the ankle – a blow that ended the 21-year-old's involvement and left Nigeria boss Stephen Keshi fuming.

Matuidi, who was only shown a yellow card for the tackle, has confessed that the challenge was a poor one but has protested that there was no intent to injure the Super Eagles man.

"I'm sorry," he told the media after the game. "I've not gone in to hurt him; I'm disappointed because I'm not a dirty player.

"I went into the [Nigeria] dressing room afterwards to apologise."

The PSG star had praise for the spirit of his side, who had spent much of the opening hour under pressure from their opponents before Paul Pogba's header and Joseph Yobo's own-goal sealed the win.

"We may not have the talent of previous generations but we have the heart and the mind," he said. "This is what has put us [in the quarter-finals]."

For midfield partner Pogba, the 27-year-old only had words of admiration.

"He has a great future and he showed that today," the Toulouse-born added stated.

Matuidi has 26 caps for France, which he will be aiming to add to when they meet either Algeria or Germany in the quarter-finals on Friday.

KESHI: SUPER EAGLES WERE UNLUCKY AGAINST FRANCE

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was left cursing his team's bad luck after they conceded two late goals in a 2-0 defeat by France in the last 16 on Monday.

Nigeria fell apart near the end after having an effort from Emmanuel Emenike disallowed for offside in the first half.

"I think it was a good game, I think we had a very good game but we were just unlucky to have lost at the end," Keshi told a news conference.

"I would love to know the reason why the referee disallowed the goal. It was not shown on TV and it was a shame."

France took the lead after 79 minutes when midfielder Paul Pogba scored with a header after Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama flapped at Mathieu Valbuena's corner.

Keshi refused to blame Enyeama for the goal, saying it was just a misfortune and not the reason why the Africans lost.

"What happened happened and yes it cost us big," he said.

"When you see your team playing good football and trying to do what you ask them to do and all of a sudden it turns around and you lose the game, I don't think we deserved to lose this way but that's what happens in football.

"I am not going to start putting the blame on one or two people. We win as a team and we lose as a team."

HULL CITY SIGN SNODGRASS FROM NORWICH CITY

Hull City have completed the signing of Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass from Norwich City.

Snodgrass has signed a three-year deal after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, believed to exceed £6m.

"We are delighted to confirm Robert Snodgrass as our second major signing of the summer," Hull said in a statement.

The deal for Snodgrass, 26, comes just days after Hull paid a club-record fee for midfielder Jake Livermore.

"Having spoken to the owners and the manager, and seen the plans they have for this club, I was very keen to be a part of it all," said Snodgrass.

"Once the fee was agreed between the two clubs, it all happened very quickly and everything the club has done to get the deal completed has been unbelievable.

"This is the start of an exciting new chapter for me and for my family and I can't wait to get started."

Snodgrass, who joined Norwich from Leeds United in 2012, scored seven goals in 34 appearances last season as the Canaries were relegated from the Premier League.

Snodgrass will meet up with his new team-mates for the first time when the squad returns for pre-season training next week.

Livermore, 24, joined the Tigers from Tottenham last Wednesday for a fee thought to be about £8m.

Steve Bruce's Hull, who begin their debut Europa League campaign on 31 July, face promoted Queens Park Rangers in their first match of the new Premier League season on 16 August.

CHELSEA'S WALLACE TO JOIN VITESSE ARNHEM ON LOAN

Chelsea defender Wallace will join Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on a season-long loan to play first-team football.

The 20-year-old Brazilian spent last season on loan at Inter Milan but made just three appearances as a substitute.

He is the seventh Chelsea player to be loaned to Vitesse in the last 12 months following Lucas Piazon, Bertrand Traore, Patrick van Aanholt, Christian Atsu, Gael Kakuta and Sam Hutchinson.

Wallace joined Chelsea from Fluminese in January 2013 for an undisclosed fee.

SUAREZ APOLOGIZE TO CHIELLINI FOR BITING

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has apologised to Giorgio Chiellini for the bite that earned him a nine-match and four-month ban from football.

The Uruguay forward, 27, was suspended from all football for biting Italy's Chiellini in a World Cup match.

"The truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me," said Suarez in a statement.

Suarez has previously said he lost his balance and did not bite Chiellini.

It is his third career ban for biting after incidents with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic while at Liverpool in April 2013, and PSV's Otman Bakkal while at Ajax in 2010.

"I deeply regret what occurred," added Suarez. "I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like this."

Chiellini had himself called the ban "excessive", while, in his written submission to Fifa, Suarez said: "I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent."

Responding to the statement, Chiellini sent Suarez a public message on Twitter, saying: "It's all forgotten. I hope Fifa will reduce your suspension."

Suarez will miss the first nine games of the Premier League season and return to football on 26 October.

He will have missed a total of 39 matches because of biting offences by the time he serves his latest suspension, having been banned for 10 games after the Ivanovic incident.

And his apology to the Chelsea defender in 2013, mirrored that of his latest statement.

"I am truly very sorry about the incident with Branislav Ivanovic," he said at the time.

"I hope that all the people who I offended at Anfield will grant me forgiveness and I again repeat my apology to Branislav. I acknowledge that my actions were not acceptable on the football pitch."

The latest ban was the biggest in World Cup history, eclipsing the eight games given to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for elbowing Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.

Despite the incident in Brazil, Barcelona remain keen to sign the forward.

FRANCE KNOCKS NIGERIA OUT OF THE WORLD CUP

France scored twice in the final 11 minutes in Brasilia to beat Nigeria and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike had a strike ruled out for offside before Vincent Enyeama saved Paul Pogba's volley.

Victor Moses cleared Karim Benzema's shot off the line after the break and Yohan Cabaye volleyed against the bar as France pressed.

But Pogba eventually headed in after an Enyeama error and Joseph Yobo diverted Mathieu Valbuena's cross into the net.

France will play the winners of Monday's late match between Algeria and Germany in the last eight at the Maracana on Friday.

The final scoreline was harsh on Nigeria, who dominated for large parts of the second half, but late mistakes from their tiring players ensured they will have to wait for their first quarter-final appearance in a World Cup.

France have pedigree in the knockout rounds, having reached at least the semi-finals on the last five occasions they have progressed past the first round at the World Cup.

Nigeria's last-16 preparations had been disrupted by a row over bonuses and, with their group victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina their only World Cup win in 11 matches, this tie was always going to prove a big ask.

But, attacking with pace down the wings through both Moses and Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles looked threatening early on. Only a flag for offside denied the powerful Emenike the opener, when he tapped home Musa's cross.

Nigeria's goalkeeper Enyeama made the most saves of any goalkeeper in the group phase and had to be alert again to keep out Pogba's fierce close-range volley as the play swept from end to end in a first half that saw both sides look vulnerable defensively.

Juventus's Pogba was being afforded a lot of space but, as was the case all over the pitch, the final ball was all too often wasteful, with Mathieu Debuchy's shot wide the only other notable attempt in a half that promised more than it delivered.

The African champions were forced into a change after the break when influential midfielder Ogenyi Onazi was injured by a late tackle from Blaise Matuidi, who was lucky to escape with only a yellow card.

France, the 2006 runners-up, did not make it past the group stage in South Africa four years ago but they appear to be much more united as a squad in this tournament.

That togetherness was needed as Nigeria controlled the opening stages of the second half and only a sharp stop from Hugo Lloris prevented Peter Odemwingie's low shot from giving the Africans the lead.

Against the run of play Benzema almost gave France the lead. The Real Madrid man played a neat one-two with Antoine Griezmann before seeing his shot partially blocked by Enyeama and then hacked off the line by Moses.

The introduction of Griezmann for Olivier Giroud saw France emerge more as an attacking force, with Benzema playing more centrally, and the breakthrough came when Pogba headed into an empty net after Enyeama had misjudged Valbuena's corner.

And, as Nigeria pushed for a leveller, Joseph Yobo flicked Valbuena's low cross into his own net on the day he surpassed Jay-Jay Okocha's record of nine World Cup matches for the Super Eagles.

HAJVALIA OF KOSOVO OFFERS SUAREZ TEMPORARY CONTRACT

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has been offered an unlikely safe haven from his Fifa ban by Kosovo Superleague outfit Hajvalia.

The forward has been suspended from all football activity for four months and banned for nine competitive international games for biting Giorgio Chiellini, meaning that he cannot appear for club or country until November at the earliest.

However with Kosovo not an official member of Fifa, club president Xhavit Pacolli is prepared to make an ambitious offer for Suarez, hoping that such a loophole will tempt the Liverpool man to serve his ban as a Hajvalia player.

"Suarez can't play in the next four months,” he told Sport Plus.

"As we are not part of Fifa yet, I think he can play in Kosovo, so we have an offer that we will send to Liverpool.

Pacolli has readied a bid of €30,000 in addition to a monthly salary of €1,500 to tempt Suarez to play in the Balkan nation temporarily.

"This is the maximum that we can offer,” he added.

"This might sound ridiculous to him, but that is all we can do.

"If he is willing to come and play for us, he is welcome. As we are not part of Fifa, it would be ideal for him."

KAKA TERMINATE CONTRACT WITH AC MILAN

AC Milan have announced former Brazil play maker Kaka has terminated his contract with AC Milan by mutual consent.

"AC Milan announces that it has terminated its contract with Kaka by mutual agreement today," the club said in a statement on Monday.

The Brazilian returned to San Siro last summer after a disappointing spell at Real Madrid, but was unable to prevent the Rossoneri's decline as they missed out on qualifying for European football.

He has been strongly linked with a move to his homeland or to Major League Soccer and Milan have now confirmed that they will go their separate ways this summer.

Sao Paulo vice-president Ataide Gil Guerreiro claimed on Monday that the 32-year-old would return to his first club before making a move to MLS outfit Orlando City.

Kaka scored nine goals and set up eight others during his solitary season back at Milan, with whom he had previously won the Champions League.

VAN GAAL TO GO ON SUMMER TOUR IN USA WITH MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United new manager Louis van Gaal will be on Manchester United's summer tour even if the Netherlands reach the World Cup final.

The Reds head to the United States on 18 July for a five-match tour.

However, Van Gaal, 62, could still be in Brazil until 13 July if the Netherlands go all the way.

Assistant Ryan Giggs will take training until Van Gaal returns, but the Dutchman has assured club officials he will be on the flight to Los Angeles.

The Netherlands booked a quarter-final meeting with Costa Rica by beating Mexico on Sunday.

If they overcome the surprise team of the tournament in Salvador on Saturday, it would ensure the Netherlands' involvement continued until at least 12 July given losing semi-finalists must compete in the third-place play-off.

United's non-World Cup players are due to report back for training on Friday, although the first couple of days are taken up with medical tests.

Even if the Dutch lose to Costa Rica, Van Gaal is unlikely to be at the club's Carrington training complex on Monday, leaving Giggs in charge, as he was for the final four games of last season following the dismissal of David Moyes.

Van Gaal has already had an impact at his new club, sanctioning the combined £56m purchase of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, in addition to new contracts for Patrice Evra and Antonio Valencia.

URUGUAY'S PRESIDENT LAMBASTE FIFA OVER SUAREZ'S BAN

Uruguay's President Jose Mujica has called football's world governing body Fifa "a bunch of old sons of bitches" over Luis Suarez's four-month ban.

The 79-year-old described the punishment, which also included a suspension for nine international matches, as a "fascist ban".

Suarez received the harshest sanction in World Cup history for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Mujica is renowned for his plain-speaking manner.

He made the comments to state TV at a reception for the Uruguay team, following their elimination from the World Cup last 16 by Colombia.

The president covered his mouth to feign shock at what he had said, but told journalists to "publish it" when asked if he wanted to rectify his remarks.

The former leftist guerrilla had previously said Suarez was being punished by Fifa because of his humble background.

He also denounced the ban in his weekly radio address as an "eternal shame" in the history of the World Cup.

Oscar Tabarez's side suffered a 2-0 defeat in their last-16 tie against Colombia after being forced to do without their star striker because of the ban.

Uruguay's football federation said it would appeal against Fifa's punishment.

MEXICO'S GIOVANI CRITICIZE REFEREE OVER PENALTY

Giovani dos Santos slammed the refereeing in Mexico's loss to Holland: "The less said about the penalty, the better. We got a raw deal from the very first game. If it'd been the other way round, it wouldn't have been given", he stated.

"The more prestigious teams always get special treatment. The officials weren't giving any fouls our way and the penalty incident was clear-cut. Robben had dived earlier and there's no way it was a penalty. The referees will never let us win [the World Cup]".

REAL MADRID IN SERIOUS TALKS WITH BAYERN MUNICH OVER TONI KROOS

Spanish club giant Real Madrid are on the verge of making their first signing of the summer in the shape of Toni Kroos. The player has agreed a five-year deal worth €5 million (after tax) a season at the Bernabéu following a meeting between his agent and the 'Los Blancos' higher-ups in Madrid.

Talks between the Champions League holders and Bayern Munich are at an advanced stage and a fee of €25-30 million has been mooted. Kroos only has one year left on his contract and, though the German champions were initially reluctant to do business, they have decided that it makes no sense to let the midfielder leave on a free transfer in 2015.

Kroos is buzzing about the prospect of playing for Real and has turned down three other lucrative offers to move to Madrid. The other clubs in for the midfielder were Chelsea, who tried to tempt the 24-year-old with an €8 million wage packet; Manchester United, whose trump card was incoming manager Louis van Gaal, who gave Kroos his Bayern Munich debut; and Barcelona, who had been hot on the star's heels for some time.

TABAREZ RATES JAMES RODRIGUEZ AS THE BEST PLAYER OF THE WORLD CUP

"James Rodríguez is the best player at the World Cup right now", said Uruguay boss, Tabárez, when speaking about the man whose brace sealed Colombia's win over 'La Celeste' and with it a place in the quarter-finals.

Tabárez praised the 22 year old's creative and technical ability, describing him as "a true footballing talent". He went on to say that in his opinion, "a talent" is somebody who does things differently, plays his game and takes on huge responsibility despite his young age. "I don't think I'm exaggerating, plus he scores goals", added the Uruguay boss of the Colombian, who scored his fifth goal today, overtaking Messi, Neymar and Müller, all on four.

Tabárez also said that Uruguay had struggled to deal with the loss of Luis Suárez, following his FIFA ban. "Entertaining football needs players like James and Suárez", he said.

"Colombia well and truly beat us"

Regarding the game, he said that Colombia had "well and truly beaten" his team. "Colombia have very good players. They well and truly beat us, we have to accept defeat, congratulate Colombia and wish them all the best".

JAMES RODRIGUEZ PREFERS A MOVE TO REAL MADRID INSTEAD OF BARCELONA

James Rodríguez admitted after Colombia 2-0 win over Uruguay that he'd prefer a move to Real Madrid instead of Barcelona. "I would love to play in Spain", the AS Monaco midfielder said.

"It would be a dream to play there, it is the best league in the world. I prefer Real Madrid to Barcelona", he added when asked by journalists from Spanish radio station Cope.

Monaco paid 45 million euros for the 22-year-old Colombia star and are unlikely to allow him to leave for anything less.

Few stars have shone brighter than the 22-year-old. With his brace against Uruguay, Rodriguez boosted his World Cup total to five, which puts him in top position for the Golden Boot.

HERRERA ATTRIBUTES MEXICO'S WORLD CUP EXIT TO REFEREE

"It has been a World Cup with everything against Mexico from the word go", said Mexico manager Miguel Herrera immediately after seeing his team knocked out of the tournament by Holland, when asked for his views on the refereeing. Talking about Robben, who provoked the decisive penalty, 'El Piojo' assured, "He dived three times and was not admonished even once."

"In all three games there has been disastrous refereeing. Why bring referees from other confederations if in the end referees preside over teams from their confederation? All the doubtful decisions went against Mexico, even inventing a penalty against us", he fumed.

"The most decisive factor has been the gentleman with the whistle, who has kicked us out of the World Cup. The referee has invented things and in the end has invented a penalty that has thrown us out of the competition. Two goals against Cameroon, two penalties that weren't given against Croatia. And now this. I hope that FIFA looks into this and sends this gentleman home in the same way he has sent us", said Herrera.

"After scoring 1-0, the team fell back and that went against us. In their first goal, we made a mistake because we left a man unmarked in the rebound. We had done a good job. We made some mistakes, but I'm happy with the work that the lads have done. Holland kept on fighting, was out-played by Mexico but in the end they are through to the next stage", he lamented.

GREECE CAPTAIN RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL AFTER WORLD CUP EXIT

Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis has retired from international football following his country's elimination from the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

The 37-year-old midfielder announced his decision after playing the whole match as Greece lost on penalties in the last-16 tie against Costa Rica.

"This was my last game for Greece," said Karagounis.

"We wanted to stay in Brazil another week or even longer but you can't change it now."

Karagounis made his international debut in 1999 and amassed a record 139 caps for his country, scoring 10 goals in the process.

He helped Greece win Euro 2004 and their progress in Brazil meant they reached the second round of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Karagounis, who was released by Fulham at the end of last season, said he was making way for Greece's next generation of players.

"The national team has grown up, younger players have won invaluable experiences," he added.

"This is no small thing and as we helped the team come of age we hope it will continue to be as successful in the future."

Greece coach Fernando Santos will also leave his post after his contract expired on Monday.

Santos was sent to the stands before the penalty shootout took place against Costa Rica and had to watch on television as his side made their exit from the World Cup.

COSTA RICA FANS CELEBRATE WORLD CUP HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT IN GRAND STYLE

The streets of the Costa Rican capital, San Jose, have been filled with fans celebrating the national team's latest win at the football World Cup.

Costa Rica beat Greece in a penalty shootout after the match, which ended 1-1, went into extra time in Recife.

With the result, Costa Rica have qualified for the quarter-finals, where they will play the Netherlands.

"We are making history. It's beautiful what we have done," said coach Jorge Luis Pinto.

"This win is for everyone in Costa Rica," Pinto said.

The small Central American nation has reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in its history.

Tens of thousands gathered in San Jose in front of large screens to watch the match, which ended in dramatic fashion.

Costa Rica opened the scoring in the second half and had a player sent off before Greece equalised in injury time.

The deadlock wasn't broken in extra time, despite both sides missing several opportunities.

In the penalty shootout, Costa Rica won 5-3. It scored at each of its attempts, and goalkeeper Keylor Navas saved a Greek penalty.

The celebrations are in Costa Rica are expected to go on through the night.

Earlier on Sunday, Mexico were denied their quarter-final place by two late goals.

The Netherlands scored twice in four minutes to win the match 2-1. They will play Costa Rica on Saturday in Salvador.

More than 80,000 people watched the match on big screens at Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo. Big crowds gathered across the country.

Thousands of Mexicans travelled to Brazil to follow the team.

At the end of the match, there were mixed feelings of disbelief and anger directed at the Portuguese referee, Pedro Proenca, who gave a controversial last-minute penalty after Dutch striker Arjen Robben went down.

"They robbed the game from us, those Dutch. It was no penalty, it wasn't a penalty," said Mexican fans Fernando Garcia and Gabriel Martinez outside the Castelao stadium in Fortaleza.

"Well we are not disappointed, we definitely played better. It's just a shame that always in the end we lose, it's just always the same," Mexican fan Luis Abala told the Associated Press news agency.

ALGERIA'S COACH DIVULGE ON RAMADAN MATTERS

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic refused to divulge which of his Muslim players are observing Ramadan ahead of Monday's World Cup last-16 meeting with Germany.

The 30-day dawn-to-dusk fast began on Sunday and Halilhodzic, 61, bristled at a routine question about the subject in his pre-match news conference.

"This is a private matter and when you ask this you lack respect and ethics," said the Bosnian.

"The players will do as they wish and I would like to stop this controversy."

Ramadan is mandatory for Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam, although there are exemptions for the sick, pregnant, infirm or elderly.

Individuals who are travelling or going to war are also permitted to avoid it and this is the provision under which most athletes will delay the fast until a more suitable time.

It is an issue that Halilhodzic did not take kindly to being quizzed about, adding: "Ramadan is here and I read in some Algerian newspapers criticisms about me, about my image, about my honour.

"They are trying to raise hatred against Vahid, against my family, and this is really disgusting.

"It is not the first time I have Muslim players in my team, I myself am a Muslim, and I've always left them totally free. This is a private issue - it has to do with private freedom of expression.

"Those who continue criticising our team and my actions, I think it's shameful. But I will continue [as coach], I will continue working with this team. I'm sorry that you continue criticising what I do.

"Stop asking me about Ramadan, otherwise I will get up and leave."

Algeria captain Madjid Bougherra has indicated he will observe the holy month, but Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil and France defender Bacary Sagna have said they will not.

Halilhodzic's squad were accompanied to Brazil by Hakim Chalabi, a sports medicine specialist and one of Fifa's leading experts on fasting footballers.

FIFA TO INVESTIGATE BRAZIL-CHILE HALF-TIME UGLY INCIDENT

World football governing body,FIFA is investigating an incident involving Brazil's press officer and Chile player Mauricio Pinilla during Saturday's World Cup last-16 match.

Rodrigo Paiva said he pushed striker Pinilla during what is reported to have been a heated discussion at half-time between members of both camps.

"I defended myself when he came near me. I reacted by shoving him," he said.

Fifa spokeswoman Delia Fischer said the disciplinary committee was looking into the matter.

Brazil won 3-2 on penalties in Belo Horizonte to reach the quarter-finals.

The hosts will face Colombia in Fortaleza on Friday.

GHANA PRESIDENT CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF GHANA'S WORLD CUP DEBACLE

Ghana's disappointing performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil should be investigated, the country's president John Mahama has demanded.

The eliminated west Africa nation finished with only one point from their three Group G games.

Ghana were also embroiled in a dispute over appearance fees on Wednesday.

And on Thursday, midfielders Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were expelled from the squad for alleged indiscipline.

Ghana's only points in the World Cup came in a 2-2 draw against Germany in which Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan both scored.

Four days later, the national government sent in excess of $3m (£1.8m) in a chartered plane to Brazil to pay the squad following their threat to boycott their final group match against Portugal if they did not receive their money. The players had boycotted training the previous day in protest.

Last week, the president of fellow African nation Cameroon, Paul Biya, said an inquiry was needed into his own country's failure to win a group game.