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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 security guard dies aged 24 in horror fall in stadium after Argentina’s quarter-final clash with Holland

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      A WORLD CUP security guard has died following a horror fall at the Lusail Stadium.John Njau Kibue, a 24-year-old Kenyan worker who moved to Qatar around a year ago, suffered fatal injuries after the incident in the early hours of Saturday morning.
      A security guard has died after a fall at the Lusail Stadium following Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final win over HollandCredit: Reuters
      An official statement revealed the “serious fall” occurred shortly after Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Holland.
      The incident took place at the Lusail Stadium – which will play host to Sunday’s final between Argentina and the winner of France’s clash with Morocco.
      Kibue was rushed to hospital and was described as being in “stable but critical condition”.
      However, it has now been confirmed the young Kenyan has passed away from his injuries.
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      The Qatar Supreme Committee released a statement confirming the death
      It read: “On Saturday 10 December, John Njau Kibue, a security guard at Lusail Stadium, suffered a serious fall while on duty.
      “Stadium medical teams immediately attended the scene and provided emergency treatment before he was transferred to Hamad Medical Hospital’s intensive care unit via ambulance.
      “We regret to announce that, despite the efforts of the medical team, he sadly passed away in hospital on Tuesday 13 December, after being in the intensive care unit for three days.
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      “His next of kin have been informed.”
      The statement added: “We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.
      “Qatar’s tournament organisers are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency and will provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation.
      “We will also ensure that his family receive all outstanding dues and monies owed.”
      The horror fall happened shortly after the Argentina vs Holland match in which Grant Wahl also died.
      The American journalist collapsed during the game and passed away.
      Wahl’s devastated brother initially claimed he believed the journalist was murdered in Qatar after being detained over wearing a rainbow T-shirt.
      However, he has since claimed he “does not suspect foul play”. More

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      Luka Modric labels Lionel Messi ‘best in history’ in snub to ex-team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as Argentina beat Croatia

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      LIONEL MESSI has been labelled as the “best player in history” by Luka Modric. It comes after Messi produced a stunning performance in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Croatia to book a spot in the World Cup final.
      Luka Modric praised Lionel Messi after the semi-finalCredit: Getty
      He labelled the Argentine as ” the best player in history”Credit: Getty
      Modric snubbed former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo in his GOAT decisionCredit: Getty
      Speaking to Argentine journalists after the game, Modric praised his adversary and backed him to win the World Cup.
      He said: “I hope he will win this World Cup, he is the best player in history and he deserves it. 
      “He is playing a great World Cup, he shows quality and greatness in every game.”
      Modric’s words will come as a blow to Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims to the “GOAT” title.
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      The 37-year-old is currently without a club after his contract was terminated by Manchester United following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
      And many, including the SunSport columnist, believe Ronaldo to be number one.
      Morgan listed out his top four players ever on Twitter, saying: “I think Cristiano Ronaldo’s the best ever, Maradona 2nd, Messi 3rd (possibly 4th actually, behind R9 [Brazilian Ronaldo]).”
      Regardless, Messi has put in a stunning performance in Qatar and has now reached a second World Cup final.
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      The Paris Saint-Germain attacker lost the 2014 final in Brazil to Germany, as eagled-eyed fans spotted a striking coincidence regarding Chelsea shirts and the last two tournament winners.
      After his strike against Croatia, the 35-year-old is now level with Kylian Mbappe for the most goals in Qatar – though the Frenchman could add to his tally when facing Morocco later today.
      Messi also leads the charts for assists with three, a figure which puts him level with Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane and Antoine Griezmann.
      On top of his praise for Messi, Modric thanked the Argentina fans for their warm applause for him and launched a stinging attack against referee Daniele Orsat.
      He added: “I don’t like to talk about referees, but this one is one of the worst. 
      “I don’t remember him well. It wasn’t a penalty for me, and that killed us. We have to recover and win the game for third place.” 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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      Argentina’s sexiest fan who vowed to make naked run through streets stuns as she celebrates World Cup final spot

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      ARGENTINA’S sexiest fan Luciana Salazar posed some steaming snaps after watching her country book a place in the 2022 World Cup Final.Luciana watched from the stands as the Albiceleste demolished Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
      Luciana Salazar watched Argentina beat Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals
      Salazar celebrated Argentina booking a place in the 2022 World Cup
      Argentina fan Salazar took social media by storm with some steaming pics
      The stunning superfan seems to enjoy the high life away from football
      Lionel Messi led his nation to the final by opening the scoring from the penalty spot and setting up both of Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez’s goals.
      And the Argentine super fan shared pics of herself smiling from ear to ear with a low cut jersey on as well as a white pair of trousers.
      She also shared a clip of her chanting for Messi and co along with other fans.
      Luciana posted: “Argentinaaaaaa thanks for everything!!! This is a party. Boys now we’re lit again…”
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      Her post attracted almost 45,000 likes from her 1.8million followers on Instagram.
      Luciana made herself known back in 2010 when she promised to run naked in the streets if Argentina won the World Cup in South Africa.
      It all started when Argentine legend and then manager Diego Maradona said he would run around Buenos Aires’ famous Obelisk without any clothes on if he won the title.
      That is when Luciana vowed to join Maradona in this endeavour if he restored glory to their nation.
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      She tweeted Maradona 12 years ago: “Diego, if Argentina wins, I’ll join you in the obelisk!”
      However, Luciana hasn’t retaken that vow for this year’s tournament which could see Messi finally winning his first World Cup at the age of 35.
      Salazar promised to run the streets naked if Argentina won the World Cup
      The Argentine made that vow back in 2010 with then manager Diego Maradona
      Salazar hasn’t made a similar vow in this year’s World Cup in QatarCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk More

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      Luka Modric slams Daniele Orsato as one of worst refs EVER after controversy in Croatia loss to Argentina

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      LUKE MODRIC has slammed Daniele Orsato as “one of the worst” referees EVER after Croatia’s World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina.The European side crashed out of the tournament following a toothless performance against the South American champions.
      Luka Modric was left unhappy with Argentina’s penalty awardCredit: Getty
      Dominic Livakovic clattered into Julian AlvarezCredit: Reuters
      Croatia were swept aside by a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, with the magician scoring once and setting up another in the 3-0 victory.
      Manchester City ace Julian Alvarez scored twice, including a fine second following a quite incredible assist from Messi.
      But this all came after Modric and Co were left furious with the award of the penalty for Argentina’s opener.
      Dominic Livakovic came charging out and took out Alvarez, sending the striker tumbling to the ground.
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      Commentators Ally McCoist and Lee Dixon agreed with the decision, but ITV trio Ian Wright, Roy Keane and Gary Neville thought the Italian got it WRONG.
      Meanwhile, an unhappy Modric said: “I don’t like to talk about referees but this is one of the worst.
      “I don’t have a good memory of him, he’s a disaster. For me it wasn’t a penalty.
      “Despite this, I don’t want to detract from Argentina. The penalty killed us. We have to recover for third place and win that game.
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      “Argentina was a fair winner of the game, they were better, they deserved to win, but these have things have to be mentioned.
      “I generally don’t do them but today they have to be done.” More

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      Premier League legend looks completely unrecognisable while in Qatar for World Cup – 26 years after iconic goal

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      AN ex-Belgium star looks completely unrecognisable 26 years after scoring an iconic Premier League goal.The former defender is in Qatar for the World Cup.
      The former defender (right) looks unrecognisable 26 years on from setting the Prem alightCredit: Twitter / @AndyKerrtv
      And though he would not have enjoyed Belgium crashing out in the group stage, he may like the attention he is getting from a certain group of fans.
      The ex-centre-back made 109 Premier League appearances in total, scoring 10 goals.
      But one strike stands out amongst the rest – an audacious chip for Newcastle against Manchester United in a famous win.
      The player in question is of course Phillipe Albert, though he looks unrecognisable with his grey hair and glasses.
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      But in October 1996 he sealed a historic 5-0 win over the Red Devils at St. James’ Park.
      Goals from Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer had put the Magpies in cruise control.
      Then Albert produced a stunning chip from 25 yards to send the crowd into dreamland.
      The result kept Toon top of the Premier League table at the time with 24 points from ten games.
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      Philippe Albert scored one of the most famous goals in Prem history against Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      But Newcastle would eventually lose out to United in the title race, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side winning the league by seven points.
      Albert now works as a pundit on Belgian TV and is covering the final stages of the World Cup. More

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      Paris prepares for ‘CIVIL WAR’ and Champs-Élysées ‘battlefield’ as 5,000 cops deployed ahead of France v Morocco clash

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      THOUSANDS of police have descended upon Paris in readiness for “civil war” to erupt during tonight’s World Cup semi-final thriller between France and Morocco.Following desperate calls from officials, 10,000 French police have been mobilised across the country including 5,000 in Paris.
      Motorbikes and cars in Paris were set alight by crazed football fans last weekCredit: Getty
      Moroccan fans celebrating in Champs-Elysees after the national team shocked Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
      Champs-Elysees, a famous avenue, has recently been flooded with football fans after matchesCredit: Getty
      Worried residents and shop owners in Paris have been battening down ahead of the expected carnage this evening.
      Jeanne d’Hauteserre, local mayor responsible for the Parisian district, asked for the world famous avenue to be closed during the football match.
      She feared the Champs-Elysees could see a “civil war” unfold after the final whistle was blown.
      She told French CNews: “When you want to celebrate victory, you don’t come with mortars. But these people are really only coming to smash with iron bars.
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      “For Wednesday, everyone is afraid of a war, a guerrilla war, a civil war, and we do not want the Champs-Elysees to be transformed into a battlefield.”
      Following Morocco’s stunning victory over Portugal last week, more than 20,000 adrenaline-fuelled fans flooded the avenue and caused chaos.
      Sporadic clashes broke out between hooligans and police who fired tear gas and charged several times.
      Several shops were damaged, cars were set on fire and there were 100 arrests.
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      With millions of people expected to watch tonight’s match from TV screens, French police said they were bracing for a tough night.
      Speaking on CNews, reservist gendarmerie captain Herve Moreau said: “On Wednesday, things will go badly for sure.
      “Whatever people say, I can assure you there will be clashes and riots.”
      The French colonial history of Morocco has caused divisions among some residents.
      Between 1912 and 1956 the African nation was under French rule and was called the French Protectorate in Morocco.
      Despite being granted independence, France still wields influence in the country causing a bit of resentment among some of the population.
      There are about 1.5 million Moroccan community numbers that live in France.
      Workers building barricades for shops in Paris due to the damage caused last weekCredit: BFM TV
      Police and rioters pushing against each other as chaos unfolds on Champs ElyseesCredit: BFM TV
      Riot police are battle-ready for tonight’s clash between Morocco and FranceCredit: Getty
      Moroccan football flans taunt policeCredit: EPA
      Carnage is expected on the streets of Paris tonightCredit: Getty
      Several shops were damaged, cars were set on fire and there were 100 arrests last week in ParisCredit: Getty More