Sports Briefs
Published:Wednesday | July 12, 2017 | 12:00 AM
Ineligible Malouda plays for French Guiana in Gold Cup
HOUSTON (AP):
Florent Malouda, a veteran of 80 international matches for France, played for French Guiana in CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday night despite being ruled ineligible for the tournament.
The 37-year-old midfielder captained French Guiana and played the entire match in a 0-0 tie against Honduras. But the game is likely to be ruled a 3-0 victory by forfeit for Honduras because Malouda was on the field.
Malouda was born in French Guiana, played for France from 2004-12 and scored nine international goals. Under FIFA's rules, he would be ineligible to play for another national team.
At the club level, he helped Chelsea win the Premier League in 2010 and the Champions League in 2012.
CONCACAF, the governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, says it has referred the matter to its Gold Cup disciplinary committee.
Dani Alves joins PSG on free transfer
PARIS (AP):
Brazil right back Dani Alves has signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after leaving Juventus.
PSG announced the signing of Alves yesterday on a two-year deal. He spent a season at Juventus, helping the team reach the Champions League final, after eight years at Barcelona.
The 34-year-old defender had been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, where he would have linked up with his former coach at Barca, Pep Guardiola.
Juventus signs Douglas Costa on loan
TURIN, Italy (AP):
Juventus has signed Douglas Costa on loan from Bayern Munich with an option to buy the Brazil winger at the end of next season.
The Italian club said yesterday that it will pay €6 million (US$6.9 million) for the initial loan. After that, Juventus can secure "the definitive acquisition of the player at a price of €40 million (US$45.7 million) to be paid in two financial years".
Costa joined Bayern for a reported fee of €30 million from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in 2015. He enjoyed an impressive first season but was unable to maintain the momentum. Costa has made 21 appearances for Brazil.