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Tue Nov 05, 2019 1:25 pm
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GENEVA -- FIFA has rejected calls to move the 2018 World Cup from Russia, saying the tournament "can achieve positive change. Adidas NMD Pharrell Williams Human Race Yellow ." Russias alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week prompted calls from some lawmakers in Germany to review the countrys hosting rights. On Friday, political pressure on Russia increased when the European Union moved to freeze assets and restrict travel for more individuals and businesses. FIFA issued a statement saying it "deplores any form of violence" and would support only peaceful, democratic debate about the World Cup. "History has shown so far that boycotting sport events or a policy of isolation or confrontation are not the most effective ways to solve problems," FIFA said, adding that global attention on the World Cup "can be a powerful catalyst for constructive dialogue between people and governments." The conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russia separatist rebels escalated days after the World Cup ended in Brazil. On July 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a World Cup hosting handover ceremony with Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff. Both then sat next to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to watch the final at the Maracana Stadium, won by Germany. FIFA, which has Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko on its executive committee, said a World Cup in the country "can be a force for good." "FIFA believes this will be the case for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia," the governing body said. Blatter already rejected calls to strip Russia of the tournament after it annexed the Crimea this year. "The World Cup has been given and voted to Russia and we are going forward with our work," Blatter said in March. In a separate statement Friday, Mutko said a United States-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics had been a mistake. "So theres no sense in reacting to politicians trying to make names for themselves," Mutko was quoted saying by Russian news agency R-Sport. "Were preparing in a calm way, building facilities, getting ready for the World Cup." Russia has announced a $20 billion budget for building and renovating 12 stadiums, and other construction projects, for the first World Cup to be held in eastern Europe. Restricting Russian financial institutions access to European capital markets was suggested to a meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on Friday. The 28-nation bloc is scheduled to further discuss the subject on Tuesday. "FIFA has stated many times that sport should be outside politics," Mutko said. "Hosting an event like this, were doing it for athletes from all over the world, for footballers, for the fans." Adidas NMD XR1 For Sale . With Bernard hurt, the second-round pick has emerged.Hill ran for 152 yards during a 27-10 win at New Orleans on Sunday, his second big game. He also ran for 154 yards against Jacksonville earlier this season. Cheap Adidas NMD 2019 . A broadcast source said the deal is for five years. The agreement calls for a minimum of 17 regular-season games as well as the East and West Division finals being broadcast annually on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNEWS. http://www.cheapnmdonline.com/ . -- Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale searched more than three quarters for five guys who would play well together.ASHBURN, Va. -- The linebacker with 100 per cent attendance says theres a 99 per cent chance hes done. Washington Redskins captain London Fletcher, who has never missed a game in 16 NFL seasons, announced Wednesday that he plans to retire at the end of the year, the conclusion of a remarkable career for the undersized, undrafted player from a Division III school. "I felt like I accomplished everything I can accomplish in the National Football League from a players standpoint," Fletcher said. "Obviously everybody wants to go out like Ray Lewis with the Super Bowl parade ... but it wasnt in the cards for me." Fletcher left a tiny opening that he could return, but age has finally started to catch up with the player who always seemed ageless. Hes 38, and his tackles and playing time have declined this season. Hes set to be a free agent, and hes the leader of a struggling defence that is one of many reasons the Redskins (3-11) have clinched their fifth last-place finish in six years. "Im about 99 per cent certain that this will be my last season," Fletcher said. "Ive got to leave at least one per cent in case I change my mind, but its really just about having another conversation with my wife. ... I want to put on a nice suit when I go to that 100 per cent." Fletcher, listed at 5-foot-10, has answered the call for all 254 regular season games since joining the St. Louis Rams out of John Carroll in 1998, the longest consecutive games streak for a defensive player since the 1970 merger and fourth all-time behind Jeff Feagles (352), Brett Favre (299) and Jim Marshall (282). Hes started 213 straight games -- the longest such run by a linebacker in NFL history -- over four seasons with the Rams, five with the Buffalo Bills and seven with the Redskins. He said hes thought about retirement for four or five years, but he had previously said would wait until the calm of the off-season to decide for good rather than announcing it in-season while emotions are strong. He said Wednesday he changed his mind because he wanted a chance to say goodbye to the fans at Sundays home finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Fletcher once called himself the "Susan Lucci of the NFL" because he was always getting snubbed at Pro Bowl time, but the drought ended when was selected for the all-star game for four consecutive seasons starting in 2009. He was second-team All-Pro in 2011 and 2012, has played in two Super Bowlls and is the only player since sacks became an official stat in 1982 to have 30 sacks, 20 interceptions and 20 forced fumbles. Adidas NMD R1 Japan Black. Asked if hes Hall of Fame worthy, he laughed and said there will "definitely" be room for debate when hes compared to others who have been enshrined. "I think hes definitely a Hall of Fame calibre player," coach Mike Shanahan said. "His work speaks for itself." Fletcher said he can still "go out and make plays" despite his age and is leaving in part to spend more time a family that includes three young children. He said he hopes to leave a legacy of helping develop teammate Perry Riley, but Fletchers overwhelming accomplishment is that he always found a way to play, no matter how badly he was limping from some injury after the previous game. "I dont know how he does it," linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "Any time Im feeling bad or I dont want to practice or Im sore, and I look at this guy and hes still going -- you cant complain. Its impossible to go out there and complain because this guys out there doing it and he has 10-plus years on me." Fletcher said the streak was his way of not letting his teammates down. "I always wanted to be able to be there for them and know that, Hey, they can count on me," Fletcher said. "And even prove doubters wrong when theres a little nick or bump and they think, Hey, this is going to be the end of the streak or whatever the case may be -- to be able to say: You know what? Im tough enough to get through this." Notes: Fletcher also gave a passionate endorsement for Shanahan to return. "I think you should extend him, as crazy as that may sound," Fletcher said. ... Fletchers advice to embattled quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has been benched for the rest of the season: "This is a time for him to exhale, take a step back." Griffins rambling response: "I agree with him. And I did take that advice because for some people it can push you over the edge and really frustrate you, so for me I just gotta do what Fletch told me and exhale, just let it all go because you have to let the people that know you defend you. And you cant try to defend yourself or your family in these situations. Its unfortunate and people wont understand that. But people that know me, know my parents, know my family, know what goes on around here, they have to defend me." ' ' ' |
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