By FRANCO PANIZO
And then there were 22.
FIFA suspended two of the 24 executive committee members from voting on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts on Tuesday after finishing their corruption investigation.
Nigeria's Amos Adamu was suspended from all soccer activity for three years after admitting to taking bribes from undercover reporters who acted as lobbyisted trying to buy votes. Reynald Temarii of Tahiti, the president of the Oceania confederation, was banned for one year as he was filmed in the undercover sting. Both can appeal their bans.
FIFA also cleared the Qatar and Spain-Portugal bids from alleged vote-trading on Thursday.
Voting for the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup takes place on Dec. 2.
Here are more stories to help you get through the day:
Gerrard sidelined up to four weeks
Steven Gerrard is expected to miss three to four weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in England's 2-1 defeat to France at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. The injury won't only keep him out of action for Liverpool, but it has also started the latest club-vs-country debate. Liverpool insists it had an agreement with Three Lions manager Fabio Capello to only play Gerrard for an hour, but he played 84 minutes before being subbed off due to the knock.
Subotic agent claims defender won't make winter move to EPL
Neven Subotic won't be making his higly-rumored move to Premiership this winter, at least not according to his agent, Steve Kelly. Having been linked with moves to Chelsea and Arsenal, Subotic is set to stay with Borussia Dortmund until at least season's end as they aim to stay atop the Bundesliga standings.
Dortmund currently has 31 points through 12 games, seven more than second-place Bayer Leverkusen.
Aguirre hired by last-place Zaragoza
Former Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre will be coaching from the La Liga sidelines once again as he has reached an agreement to coach Real Zaragoza. The 51-year-old Aguirre, who coached Mexico during the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, replaces Jose Aurelio Gay, who was fired on Thursday as Zaragoza sits in last place.
Aguirre has previously coached Atletico Madrid and Osasuna, and he managed to get both teams into Champions League play.
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What do you think of the suspensions handed out by FIFA? How do you feel about the Gerrard injury? Which club do you see Subotic winding up with next? Do you see Zaragoza avoiding relegation now that Aguirre is coach?
Share your thoughts below.
