The Malaysian Insider

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 9 — Ronaldinho’s hopes of a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad faded today when he was not picked by coach Dunga for their last warm-up against Ireland in London next month.

The forward, who last played for Brazil in April 2009, has put in some good performances for AC Milan lately and expectations had been high of a recall.

“Every player has chances (of a place in the squad). At this moment he isn’t part of it,” Dunga told reporters at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) headquarters after naming a 22-man squad.

LONDON, Feb 9 — New England captain Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal against a one-match ban handed down after what the FA termed a “frivolous” appeal against a violent conduct charge, Manchester United said today.

Ferdinand was charged after a clash with Hull City’s Craig Fagan in a Premier League game last month. He appealed against the automatic three-match suspension but was given a further one-game ban for his “frivolous” appeal.

PARIS, Feb 9 — Brazil football legend Pele expects African teams to shine on their home soil when the World Cup visits the continent for the first time in South Africa this June, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.

Three-time World Cup winner Pele once predicted that an African side would lift the World Cup trophy before the year 2000.

BERLIN, Feb 9 — Germany coach Joachim Loew has declared peace with the German FA (DBF) after the two sides came close to falling out over the extension of his contract after this year’s World Cup.

“We want to get this misunderstanding out of the way,” Loew told a news conference today alongside FA president Theo Zwanziger and national team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

MILAN, Feb 9 — Formula One’s new entrants will be allowed to miss the first three races of the season and avoid punishment, International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt said today.

F1 commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone has consistently said he does not expect US F1 and Campos to be ready for the season-opening race in Bahrain on March 14.