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      Why isn’t Paul Pogba playing for France against Morocco at the World Cup?

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      FRANCE midfielder Paul Pogba is not at the World Cup this year.Didier Deschamps’ men will have to do it without their World Cup winning midfielder as they look to retain their title in Qatar.
      Paul Pogba was key for France in their 2018 World Cup winCredit: Reuters
      This comes as a blow as N’Golo Kante is also absent from the squad and Chrisotpher Nkunku was sent home after withdrawing through injury.
      We have all the details on why Pogba is not part of the French squad in Qatar for the World Cup as they face Morocco in the semi-finals.
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      Why isn’t Paul Pogba playing for France at the World Cup?
      Pogba is yet to make an appearance for Juventus since his return to Turin in the summer.
      Therefore, a World Cup call-up was always unlikely for the French star despite his best wishes.
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      He returned to Juventus training in November after having surgery on his knee following injury and may have been optimistic ahead of the tournament.
      However, Pogba carried out tests in Italy and the USA before it was confirmed that he would not be fit for the World Cup.

      A Juventus spokesman confirmed: “We won’t see him until 2023, and his entourage have confirmed that also he will be out of the World Cup.”
      Therefore, France will have to do it without him if they are to once again lift the World Cup. More

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      Who is France vs Morocco referee Cesar Arturo Ramos at World Cup 2022?

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      MEXICO’S referee for the 2022 World Cup is Cesar Arturo Ramos, who has made his second trip to the world’s biggest tournament.And he will have a big game on his hands as he takes charge of France vs Morocco in the semi-finals.
      Ramos is taking charge at his second World Cup, after officiating at the 2018 tournamentCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Who is Cesar Arturo Ramos?
      Born in Culiacan in 1983 Ramos began his career Ascenso MX – Mexico’s second tier – where he spent five years from 2006 and eventually progressed up to the Liga MX.
      His performances in Mexico’s top division saw him promoted to Fifa-listed status in 2014 and since Ramos has taken charge of a number of high-profile games.
      The Mexican was in the middle for the 2017 Club World Cup Final between Real Madrid and Gremio, whilst he was also named CONCACAF Referee of the Year.
      Has he officiated at the World Cup before?
      Ramos refereed at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, which was his debut.
      He refereed four qualifiers and has big-game experience, having taken charge of key matches in the under-20 World Cup in 2017.
      Ramos was in charge of Denmark’s clash with Tunisia in the 2022 World Cup.
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      World Cup schedule: What are the kick-off times for all the matches?
      World Cup prize money: How much does each winner earn?
      Who are the ITV pundits and commentators?
      Who are the BBC pundits and commentators?
      Meet England’s World Cup wags who are staying on a £1bn cruise ship More

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      Why is Karim Benzema not playing for France against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup?

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      KARIM BENZEMA is absent from the France squad competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.The Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to be one of the players of the tournament during the World Cup.
      Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup despite making the initial 26-man squad for FranceCredit: AFP
      However, he will not be handed the chance to impress for the World Champions, who face Morocco tonight in the semi-finals.
      And it is a blow for Didier Deschamps’ side, with the forward being their top scorer in 2014 before missing the 2018 tournament.
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      Why is Benzema not playing for France at the World Cup?
      Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury in training, handing France a blow after Christopher Nkunku suffered the same fate.
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      The Real Madrid star suffered an injury to his left thigh during training in Doha, with the French federation confirming he will not feature in Qatar.
      After undergoing an MRI scan it was confirmed that he had a muscular tear that would require at least three weeks of recovery, ruling him out of the World Cup.
      France have opted to not call-up a replacement for Benzema and will instead make use of a 25-man squad for the tournament. More

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      When is the World Cup 2022 third place play-off? TV channel and kick-off time

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      IT’S almost time for the match which all teams participating in the World Cup hope to avoid – the third place play-off.Croatia were the first team to book their spot having fell victim to a remarkable Argentina side inspired by Lionel Messi.
      Luka Modric failed to guide his nation to another World Cup finalCredit: Getty
      And the Croats will be keeping an eye on France’s mouth-watering semi-final against Morocco as the losers join Croatia in the bronze medal contest.
      England were comfortably beaten by Belgium in the 2018 third place play-off edition.
      But the 2022 World Cup final warm-up event is expected to be a tighter affair and SunSport has all the information needed.
      When is the World Cup 2022 third place play-off?
      The World Cup third place play-off is taking place on Saturday, December 17.
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      It is expected to get underway from 3pm UK time
      Khalifa International Stadium in Doha is the allocated arena for this huge fixture and it can host approximately 45,000 spectators.
      Belgium beat England 2-0 in the 2018 third place play-off contest.
      What TV channel is the third place play-off match on and can it be live streamed?
      Croatia’s encounter against the loser of France vs Morocco will be shown LIVE on BBC One in the UK.
      Coverage is set to commence from 2:30pm UK time – 30 minutes before kick-off.
      Viewers also have the option to stream the entire action through the BBC iPlayer app or BBC Sport website.
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      Can the third place play-off match be watched for free?
      YES! The third place play-off encounter can be watched for FREE as long as you hold a valid TV license in the UK. More

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      Can January signings play in the Champions League and Europa League or will they be cup-tied?

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      THERE’S no better feeling than hearing your favourite football team has bolstered their squad in January – but can they represent two different teams in Europe?Previously, three new players could be added to the squad between the groups and knock-out stages as long as they had not played in the competition for another club.
      Philippe Coutinho signed for Barcelona during the January transfer window in 2018Credit: Reuters
      And this rule affected Philippe Coutinho when he made his mega £142million switch from Liverpool to Barcelona as the Brazilian had already represented the Reds in the Champions League that season.
      Clubs playing in Europe must still stick to the 25-man limit on ‘List A’ – players born before January 1, 1998 – and meet the quota of eight ‘locally-trained players’.
      However, there has been a slight tweak in what competitions January signings can be involved in.
      Can January signings still play in the Champions League and Europa League?
      Since the 2018/19 season, UEFA confirmed that it no longer matters whether players have played in the same competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition.
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      But teams can still only register a maximum of three new eligible players during the January transfer window.
      Clubs have to communicate their squad changes by 11pm UK time on Thursday February 2, 2023.
      And once all teams changes have been approved, UEFA will release the full squad lists.
      Who has been a recent winter squad edition?
      There has been some big names who have made the switch in time for the new changes.

      Luis Diaz made the winter switch in January 2022Credit: Getty
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      When does the January transfer window 2023 open?
      The Premier League transfer window opens on Sunday January 1, 2023 but different leagues across Europe have different dates.
      Open date by league:

      Premier League – Sunday January 1, 2023
      EFL – Sunday January 1, 2023
      WSL – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Scotland – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Bundesliga – Sunday January 1, 2023
      Serie A – Monday January 2, 2023
      La Liga – Monday January 2, 2023
      Ligue 1 – Monday January 2, 2023 More

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      Who is Neymar’s dad, was Neymar Sr also a professional footballer, and what role does he work with his son?

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      NEYMAR SANTOS SR. has earned himself a massive income looking after his famous footballing son.When Neymar Jr. left Barcelona for PSG in a world record £189million – he was the man brokering the deal.
      Neymar Jr. and Neymar. Sr. enjoy a chin wag as they watch Neymar Jr.’s Five soccer tournament in SantosCredit: Reuters
      The younger Neymar used to be managed by both his father and Wagner Ribeiro. But now dad does it all on his own after Ribiero was handed a five-year sentence for tax evasion.
      As far as anyone can tell, Neymar Sr. has never let his famous client down and has guided him to the very top.
      There could be more lucrative work on offer after the World Cup with Neymar Jr. rumoured to be keen on a move to Real Madrid… or even back to Barca.
      In the meantime, here is SunSport’s guide to Neymar Santos Sr… a man who has made millions despite a poverty-stricken upbringing.
      Neymar Jr. and his dad arrive at a Barcelona court to testify about irregularities in the transfer from SantosCredit: Corbis
      Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shares a joke with the NeymarsCredit: AFP – Getty
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      What is Neymar’s Sr.’s background?
      Life was rough for Neymar Sr. and his wife Nadine in Mogi das Cruzes, a run-down suburb of Sao Paulo, that they could not afford an ultrasound scan prior to Neymar Jr.’s birth.
      The family often had to survive without electricity and live only by candlelight in the young family’s tiny home.
      At one stage the whole family – now with the addition of baby Rafaella – had no option but to move to Neymar’s grandparents’ tiny house, where they shared one mattress.
      This is the effect Neymar Jr. has on Sao Paulo when fans watch him on big screens in the streetCredit: REUTERS
      Did Neymar’s dad ever play football professionally himself?
      Yes. He was a journeyman immersed in the lower reaches of the Brazilian pyramid.
      When his son was born Neymar Sr. was playing out his final years in Mogi das Cruzes, a sprawling industrial suburb on the outer reaches of Sao Paulo.
      Injury problems forced him to give up his own lower-league football career – and with it, all of his income.
      Father and son love watching football togetherCredit: AFP or licensors
      What did Neymar Sr. do when he retired from the game?
      He basically put everything in place for Neymar Jr. to become one of the best players in the world.
      Neymar. Sr. set about controlling all of his son’s professional and commercial life.
      Santos was always to be the first stepping stone for Neymar in his father’s big plan and he signed on aged 17 in 2008.
      A Copa Libertadores victory and a date with Barcelona in the 2011 Club World Cup proved the high-water mark; from there it was only a matter of time before a £48.6m move to the Nou Camp in 2013.
      Neymar Sr. has guided his son’s professional and commercial affairs since the striker joined Santos in 2008Credit: AFP – Getty
      Have we any idea how much Neymar Sr. has made from his son’s transfer deals?
      It has been reported that Neymar Sr. reportedly received £8.9m when Neymar Jr. signed a pre-contact agreement with Barcelona in 2011,.
      He apparently got another £35.8 in 2013 when the transfer from Santos was actually completed.
      When the striker extended his contract with Barca until 2021, his father was reportedly due £23.3m for his part in convincing the 25-year-old to keep playing for them.
      It is further understood Neymar Sr. was due to make at least £19.8m of the transfer fee PSG  paid Barcelona in 2017
      Neymar is currently trying to win the World Cup for Brazil in Russia
      Has Neymar Sr. ever been involved in anything controversial?
      The family’s time in Spain was blighted by legal challenges and investigations into the transfer from Santos, but those came to nothing and Neymar Sr. has always maintained his conscience is clear.
      Neymar Jr. said in 2015: “For two years there have been people trying to destabilise us in any way possible.
      “Everything that Santos have said, be in the current president or the previous one, has nothing to do with what the documents indicate.
      “No-one investigated us until we arrived in Barcelona. It’s all motivated by complaints from third parties, who are looking for their ‘rights’, ‘rights’ which I do not know what they on about.
      “All the investigations against us started in the same way: ‘Based on information published in the media, we have come to investigate…'”
      What does Neymar Jr. say of his father?
      Reveals Neymar Jr: “My father has been by my side since I was little.
      “He takes care of things, my finances and my family. He is the one who is in charge. He’s the boss.
      “There’s always somebody nearby, keeping an eye on me more than watching me.”
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      Who is France star Olivier Giroud’s wife Jennifer and what is she most famous for?

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      OLIVIER GIROUD has become France’s all-time top goal-scorer at the World Cup in Qatar.And one woman who has been by his side through it all is his wife of 11 years Jennifer.
      Olivier Giroud and pregnant wife Jennifer pictured at the Fifa Best awardsCredit: Rex Features
      American Jennifer, aged 38, is notoriously private but has been known to open up on Twitter now and again.So, what is Jennifer best known for?
      Some might say the fact that Jennifer remained tight-lipped after Olivier was spotted inviting a model to his hotel room prior a Premier League match in 2014.
      But actually it’s more likely the fact Jennifer was blamed for denying Olivier a move from Arsenal to Everton several years ago.
      And she also dug her heels in when Giroud looked like becoming the makeweight in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s transfer to the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018.
      At the time French journalist Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live:
      Jennifer and daughter watching Giroud at Euro2016Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      This summer he will represent France at the World CupCredit: AFP or Licensors
      “I think Giroud will do very well in Germany if he ends up there.
      “I didn’t ask Jen, his wife … if she really didn’t want him to move to Everton, for example, because she didn’t want to move away from London to go to Liverpool I’m not sure what she’s going to feel once she discovers Dortmund.”
      It was later revealed that Giroud actually turned Dortmund down because of the imminent birth of his third child.
      The Girouds pictured at a Global Gift Gala event in 2016Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Where have the Girouds been seen out together recently?
      Olivier, now an AC Milan player, and Jennifer headed out to fancy London venue the Chiltern Firehouse recently.
      The restaurant was also popular on with guests at the Royal Wedding, who reportedly headed there after Harry and Megan’s evening gala reception.
      Where else have they been snapped?
      They’ve enjoyed holidays in Sardinia, wading into the ocean on the beach and relaxing on sun loungers while they mingled with other holiday makers on the Italian island.
      How many children do the couple have?
      Jennifer and Olivier have a daughter named Jade who was born in 2013. Their son, Evan, was born in 2016. In 2018 their son Aaron was born and in 2020 they welcomed a daughter called Aria. More

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      Who is Argentina vs Croatia World Cup 2022 referee Daniele Orsato and what controversies has he been involved in?

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      REFEREE Daniele Orsato officiated the opening World Cup contest, and will now be in charge for a huge final four clash.The Italian official will preside over the semi-final between Argentina and Croatia.
      Italian Daniele Orsato is one of the world’s most respected and experienced refereesCredit: Getty
      Has he officiated at a World Cup or Euros before?
      The Italian made his first World Cup appearance in 2018 and also officiated at Euro 2020.
      Orsato had before officiated a series of international friendlies and World Cup qualifying fixtures, including the first leg of the World Cup play-off between Honduras and Australia.
      He’s also been a senior referee in Serie A since 2010.
      What has he done so far?
      Orsato made his Serie C debut in 2002, moving to the premier Serie A division for the 2006-07 season. He has gone on to make nearly 200 appearances in the division.
      Since 2012, the Italian has been involved in Champions League fixtures. Orsato went on to referee the 2020 Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich before reffing the 2021/22 semi-final second leg between Real Madrid and Chelsea.
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      Has he used VAR before?
      Orsato reversed a decision in a Serie A clash between Inter Milan and Juventus after using VAR to view the incident. The Italian correctly decided to send off Inter’s Matias Vecino instead of sticking with the yellow card he had already given.
      But in the same game he controversially refused to use VAR after failing to give Miralem Pjanic a card for a high tackle on Rafinha, with the Bosnian already on a yellow.
      The decision would prove crucial as Juve went on to secure a late 3-2 win.
      VAR has been used in Italian’s Serie A since the start of the 2017/18 season. Orsato is a regular official in the league.
      He also refereed the controversial Champions League tie between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
      Orsato awarded a penalty to United in the 94th minute via VAR after a handball by Presnel Kimpembe and Marcus Rashford scored it to send United through.
      Which Euro 2020 games did he referee?
      Daniele Orsato made his Euro 2020 bow in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia.
      And following that game he refereed Spain vs Poland, awarding a penalty to the Spaniards after a VAR review.
      He later officiated Ukraine’s win over Sweden in the last 16 of the tournament.
      World Cup 2022Everything you need to know about the World CupWorld Cup 2022 LIVE: Latest news and updates from Qatar
      World Cup schedule: What are the kick-off times for all the matches?
      World Cup prize money: How much does each winner earn?
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      Who are the BBC pundits and commentators?
      Meet England’s World Cup wags who are staying on a £1bn cruise ship More